Running with the birds or for the birds?

Micilin Muc

Did I see you on the slip road down to the West Pier in Dún Laoghaire this morning? I was the bearded runner in the white top you said hello to (if it was you!)

Younganne

Best of Luck in Berlin, delighted the injury seems to be under control and soon will be a distant memory!
Enjoy!:D

racheljev

Hope you have a brilliant time in Berlin, enjoy the run, I'm so glad you're getting to do it! Tell MrStew good luck as well - enjoy!

PaulieYifter

Best of luck to you and Mr. Stew in Berlin. Hope you have a great weekend. Delighted you're starting and even if you don't plan on improving on last year's time I hope you will improve on the post race interview technique

RacoonQueen

Enjoy it missus. Have fun and take it easy out there.

Marthastew

Micilin Muc wrote: »

Did I see you on the slip road down to the West Pier in Dún Laoghaire this morning? I was the bearded runner in the white top you said hello to (if it was you!)

It was me! I had just started out for a nice easy leg loosening 4 miles. I always say hello to fellow runners when I'm out. After we crossed paths I thought I recognised you from the run we did from Howth in March this year but I didn't remember you having a beard. Is there a direct correlation between your PBability (woo hoo sub 20!) and this beard?;) You'll soon look like those ZZ Top guys if there is:) I presume you've heard of ZZ Top or am I showing my age?;)

jonny99

Very best of luck.Hope it goes well for you.Look forward to reading the PB report.

PDCAT

Best of luck on Sunday to you and the hubby. From reading the log, looks like youve recovered well from the injury. Hope all goes well.

Micilin Muc

Marthastew wrote: »

It was me! I had just started out for a nice easy leg loosening 4 miles. I always say hello to fellow runners when I'm out. After we crossed paths I thought I recognised you from the run we did from Howth in March this year but I didn't remember you having a beard. Is there a direct correlation between your PBability (woo hoo sub 20!) and this beard?;) You'll soon look like those ZZ Top guys if there is:) I presume you've heard of ZZ Top or am I showing my age?;)

Hilarious - I'm usually very good at remembering faces but it was your gait I recognised - how boring (of me, not your gait ). The beard isn't good, too many likenesses with Forrest Gump! Don't worry, I used to play some ZZ Top in a band, but it was in our classics repertoire

I'm jealous of how close you are to your marathon - I can't wait for my easy leg-loosening 4 miles! Good luck to the both of you on Sunday - make sure you enjoy every minute!

jcsmum

No need to tell you to enjoy Berlin, you're the life and soul

Krusty_Clown

A unique position: the opportunity to go out and really just enjoy a marathon, without the pressure of PBs, personal vendettas, or qualification times and no better place than Berlin to do it. Have a blast and soak it all up. Bring a camera. Take photos.

Marthastew

Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement and well wishes, I am SO HAPPY to be making it to the Start line. I would pass on your well wishes to Mr Stew except we are like ships passing in the night; he’s been away for work and instead of the rest day he promised me he would take today he is currently playing golf before heading to watch the Ryder Cup:) I think he figures I do enough worrying for both of us so why should he worry?:D

September 26th
60 min Hot Pilates Class
Deep tissue massage
Hip is feeling much better after the massage however my psoas (or should that be soh ass;)) is still very tight:(

September 27th
4.26 easy miles avg pace 8.56
Lovely run along the coast and the west pier where I bumped into Forrest Gump Micillin Muc. Still tight until I’ve run at least two miles, luckily I’ll be running 26.2 on Sunday;)


September 28th
Dip in 40 Foot (just for good luck:))
75 minute Hot Ashtanga Yoga Class


On the way home from yoga I was cycling by our local church, now it’s not somewhere I’m very familiar with but we are a Plastic Catholic Family and go to mass for communions, Christmas etc… I know I said I wasn’t suffering from Taper madness but I am clearly suffering from some sort of madness…. I popped in to light a candle as I’m currently of the opinion that my leg will fall off during Berlin (at other times I think I’ll give Geoffrey Mutai a run for his money;)).... Lit my candle and said my prayer (I prayed for everyone running Berlin:)) and as I was leaving the church I foolishly made eye contact with someone and smiled… As soon as I was outside two (very nice) people approached me and asked would I like to volunteer to help out with the Legion of something or other… I should have replied “No thanks I’m actually just a really desperate marathon runner getting over an injury” but I said something to the effect that I was busy with my family and maybe some other time. I really hope the Lord doesn’t smite me now… Dory get the rosary beads out again.....

kit3

Very best of luck on Sunday. Glad your injury had cleared up enough to let you run. Looking forward to reading all about it. Can recommend your brown soda bread as excellent fuelling

Dory Dory

Rosary beads are out...and I'm getting the holy water too....and my statue of Mary....

Best to you, Mr. Stew and all the boardsies!!! The race starts at 3am my time - if you think of it, try and send me a text when you're done to give me all the good news. So excited for all of you.....

belcarra

Best of luck MS!
I know you won't be running this flat out but I also know you'll be no slouch getting to the finish line either!
Enjoy the scenic view and best of luck to Mr. MS also - Hope he nails that 3:30!

Marthastew

September 30th
39th BMW Berlin Marathon; 3.47.33; 42.67K
Before I start waffling on and on about my run around this wonderful city I would like to thank you all SO MUCH for your words of sympathy during my injury and support in the run up to this race. Your well wishes and encouragement really helped to get me to the Start line and more importantly the Finish Line, thank you, thank you, thank you:)

Pre-race
As most of you know my training didn’t go to plan due to a niggle I picked up in July which turned into a full-blown injury in August and knocked me out of training for over six weeks. Originally mis-diagnosed as a calf strain and then subsequently confirmed as a pinched nerve due to Piriformis syndrome and an extremely tight psoas, it looked like I wouldn’t be able to run Berlin. When the osteo told me to forget about Berlin I did listen to his advice, I followed his exercise programme diligently and all the time I kept alive the hope that I would prove him wrong and run Berlin. There were a number of reasons for this, Mr Stew was also running so we had the trip booked and paid for, I knew I could decide at the eleventh hour if I could run it. I also wanted to run it as I’m really looking forward to pacing Dublin and I knew it would be a great confidence booster in the run up to this. Most importantly of all I LOVE running marathons.
I used to be offended by the term “Fun-runner” but I actually think that’s what I am. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy training hard and reaping the benefits of that hard work and I love the competition and knowing that the harder I push myself during the race, the higher up the field I will be. I’m looking forward to getting back into all the hard work again next year. However my injury meant that I’ve had to write off the end of this year in terms of times, PBs etc but I was not willing to write off these last few months in terms of enjoying myself and doing what I love; running for the sheer joy of it:)
Mr Stew and I travelled over to Berlin on the early flight on Saturday, auntie Stew was moving in with the boys so we were both really looking forward to a break together. Claralara and officer Digger were also on the same flight and when we landed we all shared a taxi to the Expo. The weather was perfect and we were all in really good form, although we were also all chatting fairly nervously on the way. I really love the final few days before a marathon, it’s like the run up to Christmas when you were a kid; the happy excitement but also the fact that although you know it will be a great day, you’re just not sure exactly what the day will bring. In the same way you just want the day to arrive as soon as possible.
Huge crowds at the expo and we had our cases with us so we didn’t plan on spending too much time there. The crowds, the queuing etc, none of this bothered me as I was just so happy to be there collecting my number. When I was handed my number and chip and the lady wished me luck I nearly started to cry I was so happy:o Mr Stew was keen to do some shopping (I’ve created a running monster) so I joined CL and Digdig for some pasta and we noticed the crowds getting busier and busier. They headed off to their apartment and I met Meno and Vagga while I waited for Mr S to finish up. I was very sorry to see Meno limping and he was understandably very concerned. While I’m a great believer in the power of positive thinking, I also know that no amount of positive thinking will get you around a marathon in one piece if you’re limping badly the day before. He made the sensible decision to pull out at 6K, a very brave decision and although this meant no PB for him I’m pretty sure he got a PB in after race beers in the Oscar Wilde:D Vagga seemed optimistic about his race, rightly so, he got a super result.

Mr Stew and I left and as we exited we saw the queues getting longer and longer out the door into the street and we were very glad to be heading to the calm of our hotel. One of the advantages of having to travel for work means hotel loyalty points, Mr Stew was cashing in his for the Intercontinental. They had upgraded our room and we felt like we were on honeymoon we were so happy. We relaxed for a while and changed and headed out the door for a gentle jog to the Start/Finish area. When we first left the hotel I ran ahead of him and asked him to check if my gait was ok or if I was limping and I was very relieved when he said I looked fine. (Love is blind:)) The inline skating race had just started and the buzz was super around the city. It became too busy to jog so we wandered around, got some more food and did a bit of shopping. We arrived back to the hotel and headed straight for the Jacuzzi and pool. The weather had changed a little so we decided not to go out for dinner and to order room service and chill out in the room. Number pinning, gel strategy, chip securing…. and again I was struck by the fact that I was so happy to be running this race. Christmas Eve was finally coming to an end and Santa was on his way…….

Race Morning
I woke every hour during the night and finally at 4.30 I couldn’t get back to sleep. Mr S was snoring beside me and I stayed resting in bed. The hotel pool and spa opened at 6am so I tiptoed out the door and had a nice dip in the pool and spent some time in the Jacuzzi, showered and back up to the room for 7am for breakfast. Mr S’s alarm had gone off and he was already back asleep again, I so envy his ability to sleep. We had yogurt, rolls with cheese and ham, coffee and bananas for breakfast and at about 8am we walked up to the start which was about two kilometres away.
We passed the pacers getting ready, passed the elite women’s pen (CLlara must have been in the loo at the time) and headed into our corral. Top tip from last year was to line up on the left hand side of the corrals and E corral was actually really empty with people warming up running up and down. I wanted to line up at the back because I’d be going slow, Mr S wanted to go into the middle so I told him we could part ways before the start, he decided he loved me too much and we stayed together till we crossed the line. The countdown was super, they released thousands of balloons and the music was pumping, we were all clapping…. Mr S and I were jumping up and down with excitement. And then slowly and steadily we made our way to the Start, wished each other good luck and away we went.
I’m strictly a miles gal but for this race I had changed the distance to KMs, my pace still was min/mile and I had turned off autolap.

0 -10K
I was really concerned I’d be holding people up and I was shocked to be overtaking lots of runners at the start, I looked at my pace; too fast 8.15 and I slowed a little but found I was still overtaking runners. I had decided to run this race by what felt easy and just enjoy myself. I really love the first few miles of the race as everyone settles in, the fact that so many of us are all running the same distance and route no matter what our speed is so comforting. We’re surrounded by so many people with so many different lives and yet we’re all in this one place doing the same thing; I love that feeling.
Before I knew it I had run through the first water station grabbing the water and after I had done so I reminded myself to walk at the stations from then on since I wasn’t in a hurry. I reached the 5K mark with 26.05 on my Garmin and 10K rolled around at 52.34. I chatted with a Bumblebee from the USA, an English runner who had broken his toe and an American guy. The scenery was stunning, I love autumn marathons (Phoenix Park is my favourite part of all the marathons I have done) with the multi-coloured trees and the perfect weather. Music and supporters all along the route and I was high-fiving all the way.

10 -20K
At 10K I took the only gel I had brought, I had also brought chocolate in my spibelt if I needed it. I was still feeling good but I noticed I was favouring my right leg and I had to keep concentrating on my form so I decided to stop after each water station and stretch to keep my hips inline. There was a giant big boom box playing music at the 12k mark with “I’m on my way” written on it and I practically danced up that stretch, it was just like being in a disco, I loved it! Just before about 15K (1.19.16) a nice Greek man asked if I had a cramp so I must have been limping a little, I wasn’t sure if he wanted to help massage it;) I said no thanks for the offer of help and Yassas and off he went and I made a conscious effort to make sure I wasn’t making my right leg work too much. 20K rolled round at 1.45 and I had chatted to a lady from Texas and a guy form Denmark (one of 6 thousand Danes who ran the marathon). I passed a few Irish flags on the side and I always made sure to yell at those supporters. My hands were getting tired of high-fiving at this stage so I switched to waving and clapping for a while. Berlin is known for its supporters and I was enjoying every one of them, shouting “Dankeschon” every time I caught someone’s eye.

20 -30K
I ate one of my mini Toblerones just after 20K and I had taken a half banana at one of the stations so I was feeling fine. The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny with a light breeze at times. I had been following the Blue line since the start; tough at times with the crowd but since I wasn’t in a hurry it was no problem to do so. Occasionally the sun would be too bright and I wouldn’t see it and at times the crowds would have spilled onto the course on the line but I more or less stuck to it all the time. Just before reaching 30k ( 2.40) I noticed my pace had been gradually dropping but since I was running on effort I didn’t allow myself to try and pick it up. For the first time in the race I started to realise that this wasn’t exactly going to be a walk in the park. Because of my injury I had run a very slow 19 miles one week before this race and the last LSR I had done was way back in July, lack of endurance was always going to be a problem but then again marathons aren’t supposed to be easy, are they? I decided from 30K on I would dedicate each kilometre to special people in my life, alive and dead, people I know who are struggling or are facing a challenge. I won’t go into any details cos it’s way too soppy to share on here but suffice to say it really helped take the focus away from me and my tired legs and who knows, maybe my thoughts will have helped somebody? I got to 35K (3.07) and I noticed the sign where good wishes were being passed on to runners. My first thought was “Sh*T” I forgot to do one for Mr Stew, me or anyone for that matter…. Luckily Claralara is a way nicer person than me and I saw a sign that said something about Officer Digger and the Finish Line. I nearly started to cry I was so happy and when I looked at my Garmin I realised she was probably crossing the line round about that time. (In the movie version of her rise to fame that scene will definitely be in it:D)

30K-Finish
40K rolled around (3.16) , definitely harder than the previous 10Ks but I was still enjoying myself. At this stage I was passing a good few runners (and some were passing me) and each time I was near a runner who was walking I would pat them on the back and say “Not long now, dig deep”, occasionally somebody would start to run again and say “Thanks”. Finally I was on “Unter den Linden”, I had been visualising running along this stretch since I had first gotten injured and I was fighting back the tears of joy at this stage. I enjoyed every minute of this part of the marathon, waving, cheering, and clapping…as far as I was concerned everyone was there for me shouting “Well done Marthstew, you made it to Berlin”. On the last stretch after the Brandenburg Gate I posed for every camera I could see, I then picked up the pace a little. About 100M from the line I noticed a guy screaming “yes, yes, yes”, always one for public displays of joy I screamed “Yes, yes, yes” back to him and then I stopped in case we were starting to sound like the sound track of a porno movie;)

Crossed the line with my hands held the highest I think I ever held them and then it hit me… I had run Berlin marathon against the odds:) I walked over to lean on a barrier and suddenly found myself sobbing:o sheer relief and joy, all those missed runs, trips to the physio, one legged squats, tree poses in yoga… they had all been worth it after all. I quickly pulled myself together before security came to take away the old lady who was acting as if she had in fact won the race:) Collected my medal, kissed it and wiped away yet another tear. My porno movie friend came and found me and shook hands.

I love the Finish of the marathon where we’re now all walking, again in the same direction, mostly silently and the sense of relief is almost palpable. We’ve all done it:D


I found Mr Stew in our designated meeting point and I knew straight away by the smile on his face that he had broken 3.30, 3.27.10 for him and he was naturally over the moon, it’s no small feat to be able to make your wife swoon after 17 years of marriage:) we were overjoyed and it was so, so nice to have each other to share that joy.

Post-race
We made our way back slowly to the hotel (even stopping to collect conkers for the boys in the park on the way) and chilled out at the pool and rehydrated before heading to the Oscar Wilde to celebrate. A super, super gang there and it was really nice to meet some more boardsies as well as lots of other runners, happy faces all round, even Meno who was quite rightly philosophical about his day. I’m very much of the belief that what goes on tour stays on tour so I won’t recount our night in the pub but I have to share one bit of it with you; Mr Stew had just met Pronator and asked him how he got on and he very, very modestly replied “Oh I got a PB, sub 3 hours”, he had run 2.38! I also have to report back the fact that Digdig's guns were in super shape:DThe Ryder Cup was the perfect end to a perfect day and we rolled into a taxi happy, tired and more than a little bit tipsy.


We were on the early flight the next morning; shower, breakfast, taxi to airport, flight home and I was shattered when we landed. I forced myself to have a dip in the 40 Foot and also do a yoga class and after a great night’s I was almost back to normal yesterday.


I’m really looking forward to pacing Dublin now and the future is finally bright again:)


“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”
Marilyn Monroe

ray lanigan

really enjoyed your report,congrads:),c u in dublin

claralara

Love it love it love it! I'm almost in tears again. We talked enough rubbish on Sunday night so I won't get into it again. Super huge congratulations to both of you Bring on DCM!

jcsmum

If I get fired for laughing out loud at work while reading this, it will be all your fault.
Gorgeous report, deligted for you.

Dory Dory

Aw crap! You've got me sobbing!!! Damn it!!! Super report......brilliant, actually. I honestly think that your injury allowed you to soak up this entire race, and I found myself thinking "lucky you" to not have the pressures of time. Smart performance, Mrs. Stew....and a wonderful appreciation of your gifts and surroundings. You shine so brightly I can see your glow from across the pond. You're an amazing woman!!!

P.S. - Looks like your little pre-race church visit had no ill-effect on you or Mr. Stew. Whew!!!

Pronator

Great report. Well done to you both. Really enjoyed the beers afterwards. Great weekend all round. Bring on DCM.

pconn062

Really enjoyed that report MS, great run as well. Well done.

Emer911

I'm a wee bit emotional after reading that.:rolleyes:
Well done missus. Great report and you definitely soaked up every bit of atmosphere and laid it out here for us all to enjoy. Thanks for that.

sideswipe

Brilliant stuff MS. Really nice to meet you and Mr.stew afterwards.

career_move

Wow!!
That was a brilliant race and an unreal race report. I had tears in my eyes reading the 20k - 30k bit*
Well done to Mr. Stew.....he's my favourite pacer :D






*I'm sobbing hysterically now.....cheers :rolleyes:

kit3

Well done MS - great race and report ! Sounds like you really enjoyed that. God, I'd kill for your coasting around time :rolleyes: (well, maybe not kill but...)

Well deserved ! C

Mr Slow

Excellent Report, congrats on your race.

Dory Dory

Wait a minute.....you had chocolate with you????

dev123

Congrats again on your race MS. It was great to meet you and mr. stew on sunday evening and again monday morning :-) Glad to hear ye got home safe and will hopefully see ye at the start line some time soon.

racheljev

Started to read your report this afternoon in the orthodontist waiting room. Had to stop because people were looking at me crying over my phone. Brilliant report, so so happy for you and how you got through the past few months. Your attitude is wonderful. Congrats on a great run.