What a day today was. It started in the Fitzwilliam hotel at 7am for a nice breakfast in St Stephens Green. The hotel was buzzing with all the would be marathoners eating their porridge, toast, eggs and getting fuelled up for the challenge ahead. It was great to see a lot of children running around with smiles on their faces. I wasn't to know at that time but this set the template for the rest of the day.
At 8am my running buddy Gerard called for me and both of us headed over to the starting line for what was going to be my 3rd marathon in 3 years. As we mozied through the thousands of runners to take our position, I was feeling relatively calm, and looking forward to getting going. The starting gun sounded and off we went. Right from the start, the people from across the country and lots of Dubs in their thousands, lined the streets the whole of the 26.2 miles. For those of you who have ran a marathon before, the crowd is a very important element to keeping your spirits high and really driving you on when you are on the floor. Well fair play to them all, as they roared their hearts out and clapped us the whole route. The amount of children who watched on was incredible, many handing out sweets, drinks and oranges - remarkable effort.
The first 10 miles were good as we settled into 8.30 minute mile pace. G-Mo (as many know him) and I have been training together most of the year and it was superb to have him alongside me to keep me going. Every mile we ventured into the race we seemed to be passing more people like a hot knife through butter at one point ( sounds good) which was great for the mind set.
Mile 20 came and I started to get a little uncomfortable - in fact, I was busted and the wee green man on my shoulder was telling me to slow down, to stop and basically taking the piss out of me for even running at all. However the other boy on my other shoulder was telling me to drive on, put one foot in front of the other and to never give up. That's what I did. Mile 22 came and went and my legs were starting to ache, but we continued on with the run as we were very close to home.
Today I was hoping to achieve a new personal best as my last marathon in New York last year, was an unofficial 3.59minutes. At the rate we were moving we were on track to smash this, with only one problem, the pain was starting to intensify.... really intensify As I put the head down and banged the last of the six gels into me, I started to get a little dizzy, but there was absolutely no chance I was going to stop. However I was slowing a little and as we hit mile 24 we were now down to 9 minute miles and it was at that point I told G-Mo to go on and I would see him at the finish. Like the proper champ he is, he was having none of it, so I got my focus back, put one foot in front of the other, clenched my teeth and every other part of my body that was still alive and drove hard for home.
As we ran around the back of Trinity College the crowd were tremendous with their encouragement, lifted everyone of us and spiritually carried us all over the line, a few hundred metres up. It was over and at 3:53minutes, I had achieved a new personal best, which was a tremendous feeling for me.
Smiles everywhere, wrecked bodies everywhere, pain everywhere, but you know what - that's what life is about yeah. Challenging your mind set, challenging your bored chemistry, getting out of your comfort zone and raising the bar.
Well I did it and that is the last major challenge in the bag for 2013 - Its been a tough year in lots of ways but a great year in many more ways and physically, I am in the best shape of my life. MS has made me stronger and I am looking forward to working hard and building on the foundations I have set out for myself in 2014.
Finally I would like to thanks the organisers of the event today who had it down to a tee, and again the thousands of supporters who made today a very special day that 15000 of us runners will never forget.
Thank you very much!
Remember all - -- #Attitude Is Everything
Monday, 28 October 2013
Sunday, 27 October 2013
Dublin Marathon 2013 - Here we go....
This time tomorrow I will be an hour into my 3rd marathon in 3 years, and I am really looking forward to it at this stage. Running a marathon is a terrific challenge to set yourself, and the benefits you get from committing to a challenge of this nature are huge from a health and welling perspective.
It requires huge discipline for starters, as if you do not put the work in you wont be able to complete the race. A bit like life ey, if you don't work hard then you will not get as good a return.
From a mental point of view, especially for all virgin marathoners, its a fantastic achievement and an exhilarating feeling to cross the finish line after your first 26.2 miles - a tremendous effort.
In 2011 I ran Belfast marathon and on crossing the finish line, it was one of the greatest feelings of my life. Everyone has their own reasons for doing challenges, and for me in 2011 it was to prove to myself that even with Multiple Sclerosis, I can still challenge my body and be competitive. Getting my medal gave me huge confidence in myself, which set the foundations at that time for me to embrace a new more positive approach to my condition and also my life in general.
This year I have completed a number of firsts, my first 67km adventure race in Donegal (brutal) my first triathlons (Derry & Belfast) and welcoming my first son into the world - by far the best of all. Tomorrow I will do another first which will be completing the Dublin marathon and its a terrific feeling the day before the race.
For anyone following my journey, exercise has been a huge weapon in my fight against MS and the more I drill into it and research it, I am passionate and profound in my thinking regarding the fact that we all need to embrace exercise and better still the odd challenge now and again. Its all about challenging yourself, getting out of your comfort zone, working hard to maintain your health, work hard to reach your goals - and embrace a real positive plan to health and fulfilment.
I am way short of achieving all of this, but day at a time, I will keep moving forward in a positive direction.
Remember all #Attitude Is Everything
It requires huge discipline for starters, as if you do not put the work in you wont be able to complete the race. A bit like life ey, if you don't work hard then you will not get as good a return.
From a mental point of view, especially for all virgin marathoners, its a fantastic achievement and an exhilarating feeling to cross the finish line after your first 26.2 miles - a tremendous effort.
In 2011 I ran Belfast marathon and on crossing the finish line, it was one of the greatest feelings of my life. Everyone has their own reasons for doing challenges, and for me in 2011 it was to prove to myself that even with Multiple Sclerosis, I can still challenge my body and be competitive. Getting my medal gave me huge confidence in myself, which set the foundations at that time for me to embrace a new more positive approach to my condition and also my life in general.
This year I have completed a number of firsts, my first 67km adventure race in Donegal (brutal) my first triathlons (Derry & Belfast) and welcoming my first son into the world - by far the best of all. Tomorrow I will do another first which will be completing the Dublin marathon and its a terrific feeling the day before the race.
For anyone following my journey, exercise has been a huge weapon in my fight against MS and the more I drill into it and research it, I am passionate and profound in my thinking regarding the fact that we all need to embrace exercise and better still the odd challenge now and again. Its all about challenging yourself, getting out of your comfort zone, working hard to maintain your health, work hard to reach your goals - and embrace a real positive plan to health and fulfilment.
I am way short of achieving all of this, but day at a time, I will keep moving forward in a positive direction.
Remember all #Attitude Is Everything
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Marathon Update - Dublin 2013
Last Friday I went into hospital to get a sinus problem sorted out once and for all. It was an overnight stay as I was under general anaesthetic for the operation. One week on I am just glad its over, as it has been a difficult enough week, trying to build my strength up post the operation.
It wouldn't have been too bad if I had have taken a proper rest, but for anyone who runs their own business, that phrase "Time of work" doesn't really exist. On Wednesday I was at meetings all day in Dublin and on Wednesday afternoon I flew to Denmark for a huge Multiple Sclerosis conference that was talking place in Copenhagan. On Thursday I was moderating an event at the conference, where I was part of a panel including two leading world neurologists and another MS Champion patient in MS Jayne Arnold. It was a great experience for me and I was just hoping it would go well and that my nose wouldn't start bleeding mid event as that could have been pretty difficult.
Anyway I got through it in flying colours and flew back to Ireland late Thursday night. On Friday morning I has a pre arranged guest lecture at the University of Ulster to give to the final year real estate group, which again I got through fine and finished up in Hillsborough on Friday afternoon at my surgeons office to get my stitches out of my nose. After that it was onto Belfast and into the office where I met the team and we wrapped up the week by closing up at 5pm. I would say it has been one of my toughest weeks in a long while and my energy levels pretty low and MS symptoms on the increase, but I got through it so am delighted everything has worked out.
My challenge now is that I have been out of my running shoes for over a week and it will be another week before I can put them on again, and the idea is I get one more long run in (20 Miles) and then taper for the last two weeks as Dublin marathon is on the 28th October. Its not the ideal preparation at all, but at this stage its all I can do.
That's the plan anyway so next week I hope to get in the pool and swim every day then get a long run in at the weekend. Every thing is possible and as we are in the last quarter of 2013, I want to make sure I finish this year with a bang.
#Attitude Is Everything
It wouldn't have been too bad if I had have taken a proper rest, but for anyone who runs their own business, that phrase "Time of work" doesn't really exist. On Wednesday I was at meetings all day in Dublin and on Wednesday afternoon I flew to Denmark for a huge Multiple Sclerosis conference that was talking place in Copenhagan. On Thursday I was moderating an event at the conference, where I was part of a panel including two leading world neurologists and another MS Champion patient in MS Jayne Arnold. It was a great experience for me and I was just hoping it would go well and that my nose wouldn't start bleeding mid event as that could have been pretty difficult.
Anyway I got through it in flying colours and flew back to Ireland late Thursday night. On Friday morning I has a pre arranged guest lecture at the University of Ulster to give to the final year real estate group, which again I got through fine and finished up in Hillsborough on Friday afternoon at my surgeons office to get my stitches out of my nose. After that it was onto Belfast and into the office where I met the team and we wrapped up the week by closing up at 5pm. I would say it has been one of my toughest weeks in a long while and my energy levels pretty low and MS symptoms on the increase, but I got through it so am delighted everything has worked out.
My challenge now is that I have been out of my running shoes for over a week and it will be another week before I can put them on again, and the idea is I get one more long run in (20 Miles) and then taper for the last two weeks as Dublin marathon is on the 28th October. Its not the ideal preparation at all, but at this stage its all I can do.
That's the plan anyway so next week I hope to get in the pool and swim every day then get a long run in at the weekend. Every thing is possible and as we are in the last quarter of 2013, I want to make sure I finish this year with a bang.
#Attitude Is Everything
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Marathon Mindset
Everybody loves a challenge, and arguably for most people there is no greater physical challenge than a marathon. 26.2 miles of running which will likely take you between 3.5 and 4.5 hours - a very painful experience on the whole.
I have been very fortunate to have completed two marathons in the past couple of years, and in 4 weeks time I will have medal number three once I smash the Dublin marathon. I have to say that I would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing a marathon to grasp the challenge with both hands, as it is a terrific test of character above other things.
So what kind of mind-set do you need to get through a marathon in one piece. One could say the same mind-set and attitude you need to get through life. A marathon is one hell of a physical challenge, but also a very difficult mental challenge. For me anyway it is 70% mental and 30% physical. If you can run the marathon in your head and visualise you crossing the finishing line than you are 70% there. The other 30% is the hard work you need to do in the training, and this is also vitally important.
Life is no different - you are what you think you are, and my own view would be that the greatest danger to man is his thoughts. Let me repeat this - THE GREATEST DANGER TO MAN IS HIS THOUGHTS!!!
A few years ago I read a book by Dr Josef Murphy called the power of the subconscious mind. If you are interested in winning life's battles and gaining control of your thoughts - read this book - I bet you most want to do this but couldn't be bothered with the hassle of reading it - well that's up to yourself, but its an incredible read.
All of us are running the marathon of life every day. There has been no other time in history when the stress levels of daily existence has been so high with raising family's, putting bread on the table, existing, getting a job, staying healthy, caring for loved ones and the list goes on and on.
The one thing we all need to do a little better is look after our mental health and be careful with the thoughts we put into our brain and process. Negative thinking is poison and grows and pollutes all the good in our lives. I try to avoid it at all costs but like everyone else am only human and have to deal with it from time to time.
My exercise program manages this for me and my rock solid mindset is the fire extinguisher I use to deal with the clouds.
So if you want to develop a winning marathon mindset, one that will equip you to deal with the hurdles life throws at you, invest in yourself and educate yourself - it worked for me and I continue in this vain.
So yes I had a great run in the Dublin marathon, achieved a new personal best and the weather was even fantastic..... how about that and I haven't even ran the race yet :) - am I counting my chickens.... maybe somewhat but it doesn't bother me.
#Attitude Is Everything
I have been very fortunate to have completed two marathons in the past couple of years, and in 4 weeks time I will have medal number three once I smash the Dublin marathon. I have to say that I would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing a marathon to grasp the challenge with both hands, as it is a terrific test of character above other things.
So what kind of mind-set do you need to get through a marathon in one piece. One could say the same mind-set and attitude you need to get through life. A marathon is one hell of a physical challenge, but also a very difficult mental challenge. For me anyway it is 70% mental and 30% physical. If you can run the marathon in your head and visualise you crossing the finishing line than you are 70% there. The other 30% is the hard work you need to do in the training, and this is also vitally important.
Life is no different - you are what you think you are, and my own view would be that the greatest danger to man is his thoughts. Let me repeat this - THE GREATEST DANGER TO MAN IS HIS THOUGHTS!!!
A few years ago I read a book by Dr Josef Murphy called the power of the subconscious mind. If you are interested in winning life's battles and gaining control of your thoughts - read this book - I bet you most want to do this but couldn't be bothered with the hassle of reading it - well that's up to yourself, but its an incredible read.
All of us are running the marathon of life every day. There has been no other time in history when the stress levels of daily existence has been so high with raising family's, putting bread on the table, existing, getting a job, staying healthy, caring for loved ones and the list goes on and on.
The one thing we all need to do a little better is look after our mental health and be careful with the thoughts we put into our brain and process. Negative thinking is poison and grows and pollutes all the good in our lives. I try to avoid it at all costs but like everyone else am only human and have to deal with it from time to time.
My exercise program manages this for me and my rock solid mindset is the fire extinguisher I use to deal with the clouds.
So if you want to develop a winning marathon mindset, one that will equip you to deal with the hurdles life throws at you, invest in yourself and educate yourself - it worked for me and I continue in this vain.
So yes I had a great run in the Dublin marathon, achieved a new personal best and the weather was even fantastic..... how about that and I haven't even ran the race yet :) - am I counting my chickens.... maybe somewhat but it doesn't bother me.
#Attitude Is Everything
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
OPERATION 26.2 BACK ON (FOR NOW)
On Monday night past I met my ENT consultant who confirmed that I do need an operation to sort out my sinus problem. He pencilled me in for the 27th September 2013 and told me that there is a 2 week recovery period assuming all goes according to plan. I have worked out that I should be back in my runners (fingers crossed) by Saturday 12th October a full two weeks before the Dublin marathon my penultimate event of 2013.
In the last 48 hours I have taken the decision to wire my brain in such a way that if I train hard up to the 27th of this month and get enough long runs in - take the 2 week rest post the operation and do maybe a weeks running after the recovery period - I will get my medal and get round Dublin in one piece. At this point I am not even contemplating that I wont make the start line, in the hope that my subconscious will kick in and the op will be straight forward and all will be well. So that's my plan - whether it works or not, I will know very soon that's for sure. I am not overly bothered about my time as being honest I just have not been able to get out running to do the proper training in the past 6 weeks, and having ran a couple of marathons, there is no substitute for pounding the roads - there are no short cuts with this type of challenge!!
Operation 26.2 is now back on and I am starting to get into the running again. If I get my medal here and run my last event in November which is the Mark Pollock "Run in the Dark" event, this year will have been a record breaker for me in terms of achieving my fitness and health goals and getting way out of my comfort zone. It bodes well for 2014 which I am already thinking about in terms of new goals and fitness challenges.
I am winning the MS war right now and I am hoping if I can nip this sinus problem in the bud that will help my all round health and well being moving forward.
So stay tuned and I will keep you posted on my progress.
#Attitude Is Everything
In the last 48 hours I have taken the decision to wire my brain in such a way that if I train hard up to the 27th of this month and get enough long runs in - take the 2 week rest post the operation and do maybe a weeks running after the recovery period - I will get my medal and get round Dublin in one piece. At this point I am not even contemplating that I wont make the start line, in the hope that my subconscious will kick in and the op will be straight forward and all will be well. So that's my plan - whether it works or not, I will know very soon that's for sure. I am not overly bothered about my time as being honest I just have not been able to get out running to do the proper training in the past 6 weeks, and having ran a couple of marathons, there is no substitute for pounding the roads - there are no short cuts with this type of challenge!!
Operation 26.2 is now back on and I am starting to get into the running again. If I get my medal here and run my last event in November which is the Mark Pollock "Run in the Dark" event, this year will have been a record breaker for me in terms of achieving my fitness and health goals and getting way out of my comfort zone. It bodes well for 2014 which I am already thinking about in terms of new goals and fitness challenges.
I am winning the MS war right now and I am hoping if I can nip this sinus problem in the bud that will help my all round health and well being moving forward.
So stay tuned and I will keep you posted on my progress.
#Attitude Is Everything
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Minor Operation disrupting Marathon Plans
Last Sunday I felt pressure gathering on my forehead as I was in the middle of a 7 mile run. A few weeks ago I had the same feeling and was diagnosed with sinusitis - a virus around the sinuses, which if you get a bad dose is very painful. I took some meds at the time and thankfully it cleared up.
However out of the blue last week it returned and was causing me some concern. The following morning (Monday) the pain became unbearable and I immediately got an appointment with an ENT specialist in the Royal for that afternoon. He got me seen and told me the sinusitis had returned and prescribed a high dose of pain killers and antibiotics and said I was to come and see him Friday to get a scan to see how bad it was. On Friday past I got the scan and got the worse news, 75% of my sinuses where inflamed and I needed a procedural operation to fix it. I was just glad to get the problem diagnosed and ultimately if it needs operated on then I need to get it sorted. Come to think of it I have had a problem with my sinuses for years so clearly I need to take the action and get it cleared once and for all. I hope to get the Op in the next 2 weeks and then there is 2 week recovery time. On my calendar it will be start of October before I can get training again - leaving me c. 4 weeks to get ready for the Dublin marathon - is this realistic all things considered?
This year has been fantastic in terms of the events I have completed and the goals I have achieved. Toughest being the 67kilometre adventure race - GaelForce in Donegal. In terms of satisfaction this year it has to be completing the Triathlons in Derry and Belfast - both incredible experiences.
If I don't make Dublin it will be a disappointment for me as I wanted to end the year on a high. I will see what happens in the next week as I see a specialist who will confirm the next stages.
Stranger things have happened but at the minute I may have to give way to this years Dublin marathon reluctantly - but I still have a small glimmer of hope flickering that I will make the starting line - so lets see what happens........
Will keep you posted.
Attitude Is Everything !
However out of the blue last week it returned and was causing me some concern. The following morning (Monday) the pain became unbearable and I immediately got an appointment with an ENT specialist in the Royal for that afternoon. He got me seen and told me the sinusitis had returned and prescribed a high dose of pain killers and antibiotics and said I was to come and see him Friday to get a scan to see how bad it was. On Friday past I got the scan and got the worse news, 75% of my sinuses where inflamed and I needed a procedural operation to fix it. I was just glad to get the problem diagnosed and ultimately if it needs operated on then I need to get it sorted. Come to think of it I have had a problem with my sinuses for years so clearly I need to take the action and get it cleared once and for all. I hope to get the Op in the next 2 weeks and then there is 2 week recovery time. On my calendar it will be start of October before I can get training again - leaving me c. 4 weeks to get ready for the Dublin marathon - is this realistic all things considered?
This year has been fantastic in terms of the events I have completed and the goals I have achieved. Toughest being the 67kilometre adventure race - GaelForce in Donegal. In terms of satisfaction this year it has to be completing the Triathlons in Derry and Belfast - both incredible experiences.
If I don't make Dublin it will be a disappointment for me as I wanted to end the year on a high. I will see what happens in the next week as I see a specialist who will confirm the next stages.
Stranger things have happened but at the minute I may have to give way to this years Dublin marathon reluctantly - but I still have a small glimmer of hope flickering that I will make the starting line - so lets see what happens........
Will keep you posted.
Attitude Is Everything !
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Triathlon Number 2 - Sunday 4th August 2013 - #ClimbingHigher
This Sunday I will be swimming up Belfast Lough taking part in only my second ever triathlon. I have to tell you that although I am a little bit apprehensive about the swim, I am looking forward to the event.
There should be plenty of spectators and I believe hundreds of competitors, so bring it on. In the past 7 days I have had a very special gift arrive to our home. My first son Conor Patrick was born on Friday and hopefully come this Sunday both him, my daughter Lilyanna and wife Kate will be cheering their dad over the finish line, that's the plan anyway!!
2013 has been my best year yet and we are only half way through. I have so many things to do in the next 6 months and will hopefully be revealing them very soon.
I have to admit the 67km event in Donegal a few weeks ago has wiped me out as I still have a virus swimming around my bones, but I'm hoping come Sunday morning at Donegall Quay, the adrenalin kicks in and the Duncan Goodhue comes out in me in the swim, the Chris Froome in the cycle and the Mo Farah in the running - its best to aim for the top!.
So I will keep you posted on how I go and I just hope that my goals and progress is helping others believe that you to can take control of your body and mind and achieve your goals. The best place to start is to write them down. So far this year I have hit every target -I think I need to aim higher.
#AttitudeIsEverything
There should be plenty of spectators and I believe hundreds of competitors, so bring it on. In the past 7 days I have had a very special gift arrive to our home. My first son Conor Patrick was born on Friday and hopefully come this Sunday both him, my daughter Lilyanna and wife Kate will be cheering their dad over the finish line, that's the plan anyway!!
2013 has been my best year yet and we are only half way through. I have so many things to do in the next 6 months and will hopefully be revealing them very soon.
I have to admit the 67km event in Donegal a few weeks ago has wiped me out as I still have a virus swimming around my bones, but I'm hoping come Sunday morning at Donegall Quay, the adrenalin kicks in and the Duncan Goodhue comes out in me in the swim, the Chris Froome in the cycle and the Mo Farah in the running - its best to aim for the top!.
So I will keep you posted on how I go and I just hope that my goals and progress is helping others believe that you to can take control of your body and mind and achieve your goals. The best place to start is to write them down. So far this year I have hit every target -I think I need to aim higher.
#AttitudeIsEverything
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