Can't quite believe this but I actually did it!

[mcgurranhouse]

Good morning all. Arrived in Dublin at the Expo on Saturday quite late to collect my race pack with my best running buddy - my husband - and to meet up with our temporary coach, my brother - a veteran of over 20 marathons. We had collected our race packs before my brother arrived so, when he and his family arrived (at 18:20 - the expo closes at 19:00), he ran in to collect his pack. He then came out and asked to see my race number - I don't argue with him so I showed him my number. He then said that my number was wrong! I am thinking how can my number be wrong? So he then said give me your number, took it off me and disappeared back into the registration area before returning and handing me a different number! So I am just looking at him wondering if he is now happy when he showed me his race number - 2501. Just to clarify, our dad was quite a good runner in his time and had a marathon pb of 2:38 and he passed away this year on Good Friday. His birthday was 25 January - hence 2501. I then looked at my own number and realised what he had done - mine said 611 - our mum passed away 14 years ago and her birthday was 6 November! Slightly emotional - didn't even ask how the heck he had managed to pull that one off! The marathon itself I found very tough - particularly the last couple of mile with legs like lead and a stomach that wasn't playing ball at all. Managed to finish with my brothers help in 4:38. Very sore but very happy.

[misswobble Marathon]

Brilliant! Well done! I think finishing is a miracle but your time is awesome 🙂

I got my stomach right yesterday in training but my hip let me down at 33 km I've never had a hip issue 🙄

Rest up now and let your body recover 😃🏃‍♀️🏅✔️

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks Miss W. I agree - finishing is a miracle - thought I would have to be carted off on a stretcher at several points but I made it in the end.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Well done - amazing time!!!!

[poppypug Marathon]

Aw Marina , how emotional that mustve been for you , but what a lovely gesture . I am so sorry for your loss , no matter how old we are , the loss of our parents hits us so hard doesnt it ?

That is such an amazing time , you should be so proud of that . I am signing up for a Marathon for next year in April . I am scared and excited all at the same time and I havent even completed my registration yet !

Really Well done ! xxx

[C3PO Marathon]

Congratulations on doing so well! I love what your brother did with the race numbers.

[Tomas Marathon]

Awww, how wonderful with the bib numbers. I'm so happy that the organisers were doing as he asked, that's a lovely tribute!

Great time, well done you! That's an amazing result. I think being sore is par for the course and all part of the exciting marathon experience. I'm sure your brother has given you all sorts of advice about how to recover, so hopefully you'll do that and give your body time to get strong again.

Congratulations again with the amazing result!

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to Tomas]

Thank you Tomas - as they say - If it was easy everyone would do it! Certainly not as easy as some people make it look!

[Eatcakeandrun Marathon]

Well done! That is a fantastic result. And I love how your brother organised the race numbers. A nice tribute for your parents.

Have a good rest now, and then - you can start training for the next one!

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to Eatcakeandrun]

Sad to say that I am already considering the next one!

[AnnieW55]

What a lovely thought by your brother and hats off to the organisers for sorting it!

Congratulations on finishing your marathon. That was a brilliant time. A well earned rest is due before getting back to it. Well done👏👍

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to AnnieW55]

Thank you. Planning a quiet week before Parkrun on Saturday.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Wow! Brilliant time and what a fantastic brother too - love the race number tribute. That must have made it feel so special! I Great tshirt and bling - wear with pride - a real inspiration!🙂🥇

[Anniemurph Half Marathon]

Wow, congratulations on a fantastic time! And how wonderful of your brother to arrange the race numbers, and how great of the organisers to make it happen What a lovely tribute!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Congratulations! that's a great time! sounds like a test of your endurance but you did it!! fantastic! And your brother did so well to arrange the special significant numbers for you

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Aliboo. It was very tough but worth it.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Wow that is a superfast time, and what a beautiful thing for your brother to do, thats made me all emotional!!

well done

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Well just to give you a giggle, when we crossed the line and got our lovely medals, my brother said "now for the walk of shame"! I thought walk of shame my eye I have just finished a marathon! He said "Yes, but these race numbers are normally for the elite runners, some of whom could have finished two hours ago! Our bags will be the last two lonely wee bags waiting in that section to be collected!" And he was right! But at least the organisers had the decency to move them up closer to the other ones to hide our "shame"!

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

What a magnificent achievement, very well done I am in awe 👍🎉😀

[mcgurranhouse Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Thank you - still can't quite believe it myself!