Marathon blog
On the 30th of October John Craddock and Emmet Ryan represented STIG in the Dublin Marathon in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. This series of blogs
follows their progress towards the big day. [more]
The end of the road
Well that's it. Stig for CF Ireland 2006 is officially finished. The final total raised of €1,216 comfortably exceeded our early expectations. Thanks to
everyone who supported us in any way shape or form. It was great to hear from so many of you over the past few months.
The total funds were finally left into Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s offices in Rathmines last week. It was nice to do it then as winter is mercilessly draining
on me so managing to give the receptionist a pleasant surprise was a lift.
Of course the other novel thing about waiting so long (a little bit due to illness, a little bit due to work, a lot due to laziness) was that I got to hear so many
people use the line "The money was only resting in my account." Well thankfully it’s now in a place where it won’t rest and will be put
to good use.
In a few months time you’ll hear from us about Stig for CF Ireland 2007. Despite the clichéd nature of the term I am quite serious when I say
we intend for it to be bigger and better than this year’s effort. We guarantee more content online and a wider variety of it as well. We will most likely have
at least one more man join our merry crew for the race itself and expect a few more surprises on the way.
You’ve been a great audience, writing this blog for you has been my pleasure. Thank you and goodbye.
Emmet Ryan - 29/01/07
An extended recovery
Now I’m not exactly the smallest guy around but I can honestly say that I rarely feel hungry. While I was hardly shocked that I was a bit more peckish after the race I
didn’t think I would still have an insatiable appetite two weeks later.
I’ve had two common feeling for the past two weeks, both of which have only begun to subside in the past two days. Fatigue and hunger. Strangely enough I was
wrecked after the race but I only took two days off work afterwards. My hobbling body was crying out for nourishment and more rest but I had underestimated how bad I
would feel as I only needed a few days off after my first marathon in 2000.
Having seemingly recovered last week I was on the bus when my quad felt more than a slight twinge. I’ve felt rather sore every time I adjust the way I’m
sitting or stand up since. Clearly I need a little more rest and relaxation. In the meantime the good folks in ENN towers have the pleasant soundtrack of my occasional wail
whenever I stand up.
The good news is that our fund-raising has really taken off since the race. A big thanks to everyone who has donated and remember it’s not too late. If you need
any more motivation just look at the pictures in the blog entry below.
Emmet Ryan - 01/11/06
The most painful 12 miles of my life (and the other 14 were hardly easy)
Sweet suffering God. Just under 14 miles in and both my calves went. Then my left thigh decided to join them. My entire forward propulsion relied on my right thigh, but
more on that later.
We started off alright, ran most of the first mile before slowing to a fast walking pace. Great crowd, great weather and getting shouted at by a mate in a flat on Capel Street
was encouraging. As we left the Phoenix park though I knew something wasn’t right.
I’d had trouble with my calves for a week, a lot of tightness. I could feel them tighten a bit as soon as we started and it got worse around the 7 mile mark. We slowed for the next
5 miles by which stage I thought I was feeling a little better. John was tired from walking and opted to jog instead as it would hurt less. The downside for him was that whenever he
slowed to take a break from jogging he was rather sore as walking hurted him more.
Meanwhile I sped up a little for the next mile but relaxed back to the earlier pace around halfway, then with about a quarter mile until the 14 mile mark I felt my calves say ’No mas’.
They were done for the day. I’ll spare most of the gory details but suffice to say there were plenty of bulging veins on show.
I was unable to bend either leg until after the race. Then shortly before the KCR garage (Kimmage Crumlin Road to the unfamiliar) my left thigh went. At that point I seriously
considered quitting but I’m a stubborn git and figured I’d push on.
As I still had a fully functioning right thigh I basically resorted to using that to force out the remainder of the race. I forced my right leg forward, dragged my left leg in front of it
and repeated the process for the rest of the race stopping to stretch 3 or 4 times a mile.
If you’ve seen any of the Robocop films, think of the way he walked only slower. I noticed this as I walked and that kick-ass theme tune got stuck in my head and was good for a
lift.
Thankfully actual human help wasn’t far away. The legend that is Ger ’The Hog’ Hogarty (my ex-hurling coach) was a Garda on traffic duty and he gave me some encouragement
near Terenure. Then I met Ciaran between 17 and 18 miles and he gave me some refreshments. Actually in the latter stages most of the water stations and all the Gatorade stations
were gone so I am very grateful to the other runners who offered me bottles along the way.
As I hit 20 miles Aidan Cooney from Ireland AM was about to pass me. I was determined not to let him beat me, as, well, he was one of the few bigger men than I in the field. I
powered out the next mile.
Stupid, stupid, mistake. That botched whatever little was left in me and Cooney then breezed past after 21 miles.
The 23rd, 24th and 25th miles all featured me wondering where the hell the mile marker was a solid 10 minutes before I reached it. This was some seriously slow hobbling. Once
I reached Trinity it was straightforward enough and I crossed the finish line in 7 hours 45 minutes. John finished in 5 hours 54 minutes.
In the two days since I have struggled to walk. That said I’m bloody glad I did it again.
Emmet Ryan - 01/11/06
Slacking off
I would be lying if I said I was happy with how training is going. The individual sessions are themselves encouraging and show that the
plan of pelting it for the first mile and slowing up afterwards is sound. Unfortunately we havent gotten enough in and I can take the
lion’s
share of the blame. Personal circumstances and work have eaten into the time available. Though we only want to do limited runs in the
remaining days until the race itself, literally half hour jogs, we are struggling to find the time to do so daily.
From a diet perspective things are a lot more promising. I’ve not had a drink in nearly a month and I feel a lot fresher for it. My first
proper cigar of 2006 will greet me at the finish line. Now that’s a motivating factor.
The fund raising has been going great. Shamelessly tapping up everyone who knows me has proved to be an effective tactic. Thanks for
everybody who has made or promised donations so far. The total won’t be revealed until after everything has come in but I’ll say
that I’m
happy with progress but know we can do better and the drive is about to intensify.
Emmet Ryan - 24/10/06
The countdown begins
There are now just over two weeks before the race and I’m feeling fine in training. The ’begging’ email for donations will be sent sometime on Tuesday. If you
get it more than once I’m sorry but it’s for a good cause so don’t be too upset that you’re on more than one mailing list.
I’ve actually received two donations already, which isn’t bad considering I haven’t asked for any yet. I won’t give the amount as I don’t want to
pressure people in that regard. The final total raised will be announced after the race.
On to the important stuff, the preparations. My hernia, whilst still there, has caused me no pain in training since I restarted. This is largely because I am being
sensible and not pushing it too hard.
The plan as it stands is to run the first mile starting as far up the field as possible, surrounded by people who will beat both of us by a huge distance, before both
of us slow to power walking.
This will enable us to get clear of all the grannies and grandads who would be slower than us and not worry about the ’traffic congestion’ that comes with them.
I will almost certainly walk the remainder while John will try to run from the 8 mile mark by which stage all remaining traffic should long have ceased to be an issue.
There should be a nett gain in terms of time and energy conservation. All very dull but tactics are important for our health given the interruptions to our training schedule
that we had to deal with.
My only cause concern now is breaking the news that I will be missing two sessions of American Football training to my coach.
Emmet Ryan - 15/10/06
