Dublin Marathon journey by Gillian

Dublin City Marathon 2014 – The weather building up to this event did not bode well.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday was a mixture of sun, rain, cloud and worst of all wind – with speeds exceeding 35mph. Weather reports on Sunday suggested we were in for a dull cloudy day with wind speed 25-35MPH for the Marathon. This would mean that we would get a head wind on mile 13 -15 and a tailwind from mile 22 onwards. With that in mind, I packed my race bag, put my number on my race top and went to sleep early Sunday evening and awoke to the sound of howling wind outside my window.

This Dublin City Marathon journey article bu Gillian O’Reagan follows on from her previous Athlone 3/4 Marathon event which she used in her build-up to the city marathon. Whereas, things did not go according to plan time wise due to knee problems on the day, Gillian has provided us with  coverage of her journey

Thankfully by the time I had made it into town at 8AM the wind had died down it and it was overcast but with no chill. Fed, watered and bag put away I made my way to Wave 2 and at 9.10 the gun sounded and I began my 6th Marathon.  Due to Luas road works there was a new route for the first part of the course. I made my way down  Leeson Street, across St Stephen’s Green onto Cuff Street, down Meath Street, onto Thomas Street and back towards Christchurch Cathedral and at Dublin Castle we turned left onto Parliament street and down onto the Quay’s (Past James Gate Guinness Brewery) and the first of many drags. This is where I got a taste of what was to come and as I headed up a sharp incline into the Phoenix Park and onto Chesterfield Avenue, the wind began to rear its ugly head – with gusts coming from the side and leaves swirling around my feet I made my way through the Park.  The Phoenix Park is not flat but it is a wonderful place to run through with a few nice drags and dips and some lovely views- the Áras
an Uachtaráin (The Presidents House) , The Papal Cross, The Phoenix Monument to name but a few. The route so far had been lined with people out to support ….

Picture made by my good friends Emer & Amy Fitzsimmons (Thank you)

Through the Streets of Dublin City Marathon

I was looking forward to leaving the park and getting a nice downhill but alas more inclines and sharp hills to come before I got to turn down Knockmaroon Hill and back into the park for a nice “rest” and a flat few miles. I finally said goodbye to the phoenix park at mile 9.5 at the Chapelizard Gate but the work was not done yet. I still had a few drags in between 3 short steep hills as I made my way up Sarsfield Road, Dolphins Barn, Crumlin and finally onto the Walkinstown Road where it becomes the flat, fast and downhill section from mile 15 through to 20 that everyone welcomes. The sun was beginning to peak through as I made my way towards Bushy Park and Terenure but thankfully Bushy Park with its massive and  thankfully still leafy trees shaded me for a bit while the sun beat down.

I would like to thank the Lady that was so kind and went into her home and got me Biogel for my knee, just before the 16 mile marker. I mentioned it before but one thing I must say about the Dublin Marathon is – that the support is phenomenal.  The people come out to cheer and clap no matter what the weather is like – handing out sweets and water and words of encouragement from the start to the finish. It is amazing and somewhat overwhelming at times.

With water stops almost every 2 /3 miles I made my way to Milltown and the Viaduct and this signalled the start of the last effort to finish. My friend Siobhan Foley having seen i was in trouble at mile 8 met me at mile 21 and ran a little of the way with me to get me home. I swore the whole way that never again was i doing it and she just said “Yeap, now come on, we nearly there …”

There are 3 hills on this stretch – Milltown – Clonskeagh and up onto Fosters Ave that will break even the strongest of hearts and once I am up on the Stillorgan Dual Carriageway there is one more drag up a slip-road that brings you down onto Nutley Lane and a nice smooth flat/ downhill section for the last 3.2 miles.  Passing the embassies along Merrion Road and the RDS were we all picked up our bibs in the previous 2 days, I see the mile 25 marker and the start of Shelbourne Road.  The crowds screaming and getting deeper and Grand Canal Street is a welcome site and soon I am on the home straight- Mount Street Lower and I can see the Green Banner of the finish line.  Now, just to get past Hollisstreet Hospital (where I was born a few years ago) and home over the line, I made it in a time of 4.28.35, not my quickest time but i finished and I got my medal.

Race Report by Gillian O’Regan

see the official Dublin City Marathon 2014 report