For all the first timers on Monday....

Peckham

Saw this somewhere else previously, so won't take credit for the words, but some thoughts for all first-timers (and others!) in advance of Monday....

...................

When you stand on the Start Line, you join the club. When you stand at the Starting Line, you earn your membership. Millions dream of being where you are. You are no longer a dreamer. You are a doer.

Thousands more started a training programme but never finished. They started with the same enthusiasm (or more than) you. They started with more or less the same physical gifts or disadvantages as you did. They had no more and no less reason to be successful than you.

But somewhere along the way, they lost that enthusiasm. Somewhere on the road or on the track or treadmill, they decided that the rewards just weren't worth the effort. They decided that they could live without finding their limits, without challeging their expectations of themselves and without taking a hard look at their image of themselves.

You didn't. If you're standing at the Start Line, you've not only accepted the challenge, but you've also beaten back the demons. You've conquered your imagination and self-imposed limitations. You've gone further, got stronger and become tougher than you ever imagined.

christeb

+1, best of luck to everyone running on Monday - I'll be out cheering!

--amadeus--

I saw that last year and I have been looking for it to post it here.

To all the 1st timers - very best of luck! Believe it or not the hardest part is now over.

RICHIE-RICH

Best wishes to all those doing their first on Monday.

You have done all the hard work now (hopefully)

Wave and smile at the supporters who are out there for hours as well.

Dont forget to smile when you cross the line.

You will never do first marathon again, so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

ekevosu

that was really good, cheers, looking forward to it now.

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be never so vile. This day shall gentle his condition. And gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.”

crosbie

In keeping with the first post;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l-xvPF14PE&feature=related

Izoard

Guys,

All the best for Monday...

The hardest part of any marathon are those wet & windy days when you had to drag yourself out to do 3 -3.5 hour runs on your own.

There is so much going on on the day, that you won't notice the time flying by.

Also, try to leave the iPod/ MP3 at home. It is great in training if you are on your own, but a key part of the marathon is the interaction with those around you, the crowd and the volunteers.

See you on the start line!

ClashCityRocker

Good luck to all the first timers!:)

My own first was 16 months ago in Cork, and I have only good memories of it (probably helped that the weather was so good that day). I've run a few since then, Monday is number five, and while I still love doing them, nothing quite replicates the feeling of doing the first marathon.

You've done all the hard work, go out and enjoy Monday now! And you probably won't be as sore on Tuesday as you think...

TheRoadRunner

good luck to all first timers and also more ec=xperienced embers.

I'm hoping the weather is good. I'll be out on the course cheering for all of ya.

hunnymonster

I would just like to add my good wishes to everyone doing their first marathon this weekend. I hope you all enjoy it and achieve the best of your potential.

MarieC

This will be my second marathon but that still gave me goosebumps. Thanks for that.

We'll have a ball on Monday!!!

Bambaata

thanks all. first time for me. hope it goes well for the rest iof ye. i feel ive cheated alsightly as i havent doen any 18-week plan and have only hit 18 & 19 miles a few times but fingers crossed it goes ok!

Already looking at some abroad next year without even one under my belt yet!

t-ha

Peckham wrote: »

When you stand on the Start Line, you join the club. When you stand at the Starting Line, you earn your membership. Millions dream of being where you are. You are no longer a dreamer. You are a doer.

Making it to the finish line is a better club tbh.

MCOS

Best of luck to everyone doing their first marathon! Its a special experience so as Izoard said, leave the MP3 at home and take it all in;)

DublinDilbert

Best of luck everyone, its my first too...

Fingers crossed that the weather is as good as today.... was in the phoenix park earlier for a walk and it was amazing.... going to go up and do a mile to stretch the legs later on this afternoon...

shels4ever

Best of luck everyone will see you at a few points during the run.

All the best.

rainbow kirby

All of this is making me really want to train for and run Dublin next year.

Racing Flat

Best of luck to all, and enjoy!

Tip - feel comfortable first half. If you're not, slow down a bit. Negative splits. Finish strong and happy.

911sc

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I'm hoping the weather is good.

Forecast looks good. I swear by www.metcheck.com and they have never let me down.

Should stop raining at 7am, & stay dry for the day. Temp 9degres. A bit windy though

gerire

Good luck to all running on Monday

How Strange

yep, thanks guys. I'm getting more nervous and restless by the minute. This taper week or rest week as it was for me has me driven crazy. I didn't realise how much I'd miss my running.

I'm planning to start very slow for first 6-8 miles and then ease into my pace. I've a tendency to start too quick in races and then suffer for a few miles while I try to find my real pace so lesson learned for the marathon.

Best of luck to everyone

sineadw

I was one of the official medal photographers yesterday (sorry for making you all move a bit more), and I'm still an emotional wreck from the experience. Even as a bystander it was awe-inspiring to witness the sense of achievement of the people standing (and sitting, and lying) to get their photo taken with their medal. I was supposed to take part this year, had registered and was up to 20k daily when I lost my training partner and got ill and yep - basically wussed out. After yesterday I don't know if I want to try for next year. Half of me really *really* wants to push myself but the other half will find it hard to forget the look of real pain and anguish on so many people's faces yesterday... I just don't know.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, as I said to 1200 of you yesterday when I was taking your photos and honestly meant, well done!

robinph

It was a struggle to remove the look of pain on my face for those two seconds at the end whilst the pic was being taken, but did add to the whole experience a bit with our own moment stood looking suitably victorious at the end.

--amadeus--

You probably took my picture then!

There was a great snippet on teh 6.01 news I saw on teh RTE website. This guy in obvious pain hobbles up and is grapped for a quick chat. He says something like "I'm in agony, just pulled a muscle I think...I'm utterly ecstatic"!!

Much as we all say "never again" believe me it's worth it.

RacoonQueen

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Much as we all say "never again" believe me it's worth it.

I was saying that as I turned onto Nassau street, then thought, who am I trying to kid...of course I'm running another...few :pac:

DublinDilbert

Well done everyone yesterday.... especially the first timers

Took the advise of some of the boardies here and didn't use the MP3 player much.. turned it on when i was coming down near the ucd flyover as it helped the mind focus...

The first half was brilliant, enjoyed it so much, seemed to go really quickly too.... It was amazing running through the park on such a perfect morning...

I enjoyed the first half so much, i didn't fuel up for the second half as i'd hoped to, so i hit the wall around 20 miles and felt yuckie!