Reflections on Last Sunday's Jog Around the Capital!

My Thoughts on the Dublin City Marathon (while it’s still socially acceptable to bring it up constantly!)

First off, let me be clear—I’m no elite athlete! I’m just someone who loves taking on activities and events that bring me joy, and I’m immensely grateful for a body that lets me do these things.

This marathon was definitely my most successful 26.2-mile adventure yet! I’ve nailed down a few essentials that work well for me, particularly my fuelling and hydration strategies, which thankfully went off without a hitch this time.

But life, as always, was still life! The last quarter of my training wasn’t ideal, thanks to bouts of COVID, head colds, persistent coughs, and some pesky quad issues that chipped away at my confidence and energy reserves. Fatigue became a real challenge, and I didn’t even complete my last long run. So, it’s safe to say my lead-up to the marathon wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped!

For those who just completed the marathon and are struggling to remember what “normal life” feels like, massive congratulations on an incredible achievement! And to the first-timers—welcome to the club! It’s one of the friendliest, most welcoming communities around, and I absolutely love being a part of it.

As you ease back into regular life, take it slow.

Those early morning and late-night runs are behind you (for now!), and your body needs time to recover from all that effort. The marathon isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s a mental one, too. So let yourself rest, fuel up with food you actually enjoy, and rejoice that the carb-loading phase is over (which might just be the hardest part for me!).

Hopefully, you’re embracing the post-race glow by now and feeling far removed from any “never again” thoughts! But before you dive into planning your next race, take a moment to reflect on your experience. Consider how the training impacted your life and what timeline really suits you and your other commitments.

I recommend jotting down your thoughts on race day—the highs, the lows, the things that worked well, and what didn’t. You’d be surprised how quickly the little details fade, even though they feel unforgettable right now.

For me, the highlights were the crowds—absolutely electric! I was pinching myself the entire way around the course.

This was my third time running “the friendly marathon,” and it was hands down the most fun I’ve ever had on any run. As for the lows, they were pretty much what I expected after those final rocky weeks of training—mainly just fatigue and the inevitable slowdown over the last 5 km. But hey, there’s always next year!

And if you’re here out of curiosity or wondering whether you might take on the marathon someday, just know it’s entirely achievable with a solid training plan, good fuelling, and a strong foundation.

Happy running, and here’s to the next adventure!