Dublin Marathon, Here I Come…
It’s Not That I’m Not a Runner 🏃♀️
I’ve got all the gear — the shoes, the shorts, the watch — and even some ability. I love running, and I love the social side of it too. Most of my best friends I know through running or other sports.
But I’ve never had any desire to run a marathon. None.
I’ve done a couple of half marathons and enjoyed them, but I consistently told anyone who would listen that I’d never do a full.
Yet… here we are.
Lesson 1: Never Use the Word “Never”
Last year, I got to cheer at the Dublin City Marathon. My husband, cousin, and some of my best friends were running. Watching them cross the finish line stirred something in me.
After doing some training with my friend Dee, I started to think: maybe I could do it — if I really committed. Thanks to Donal, who couldn’t focus on it this year, I secured a transfer entry. Terrified, I signed up for the marathon (and Runna)… all while selling our house and packing up our lives.
Lesson 2: You’re Going to Miss Out on Things
You don’t intend for “I’m doing a marathon” to become your personality, but the training consumes your thoughts and actions. And suddenly… it does.
With training come the tough decisions — like saying no to a Friday beer or skipping a Saturday beach trip. I thought early mornings would protect my weekends, but the long runs take their toll. Saturdays soon became nap days, not adventure days.
Lesson 3: You Need Support
Ger has two marathons under his belt. I thought I was a decent wife during his training — but now, I have a whole new level of respect.
Support isn’t just showing up with coffee at the finish. It’s also being there when a run doesn’t go to plan, or when it feels harder than it should. That mental support has been crucial for me (especially given I have the mental toughness of a 5-year-old).
And spare a thought for poor Jim. He’s on his third round of “human doing marathon training,” and the early mornings are wearing him down too.
Lesson 4: Humidity Is the Devil 🌡️
Maybe it’s my Irishness, but I’ll never understand how anyone runs in humidity.
On a deload week, my “only” 18km long run left me questioning every life decision. At 5km in, I checked my phone: 91% humidity. Enough said.
Lesson 5: Running with People Really Helps
Soon after landing in North Mass, I realized running here would be very different from my beloved Oak Park Road. Hills in every direction, no clue where to go.
Enter: Borderline Running Club in North Andover. I foolishly thought “borderline” meant borderline runners. Nope. They’re seriously fast — and they run to all the borders of the town!
But their 6:45 a.m. Saturday runs have been a blessing. Directions, water stops, and the constant shouts of “Aoife, other side of the road!” have made the miles fly.
Never Say Never 😉
It’s a pity that after Dublin I’m never doing a marathon again…
Or maybe I shouldn’t say “never.”
Make sure to check out Borderline Running Club's Facebook below!