The Belfast Marathon, which I was training for, was unfortunately cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. But they offered a virtual alternative which you could run any time in May or June. I hadn’t really trained for it but went for it this morning with a target of anything under 4:30:00 in mind. I ran 10 loops of the village and, although I struggled near the end, finished in a time of 4:16:09.
My family provided great support throughout the run. Adam cycled three of the loops with me and Rebecca kept me fuelled with drinks and sweets. Fionnuala filmed the finish where they applauded me through the finish line, made out of toilet roll. Rebecca then presented me with a plastic trophy, medal and goodie bag. The organisers also provide a medal and t shirt when you e mail them evidence of your run.
This was my tenth and final marathon. I’m getting no younger and have been having a few problems with my right knee. I also can’t commit to the time required to seriously train for such events. It’s a massive undertaking and I have too much else going on to justify signing up for another event. I’m content with my last one which I got to finish in front of my loved ones. It was a fitting end to my marathon running career.
I’m hobbling about the house at present like the old man I am but inside I’m very pleased. These are tough times and it was nice today to forget for a morning what is going on in the outside world. The only news at the minute seems to be bad news. I hope you are safe wherever you are and my marathon running exploits have done a little to brighten up your day. When we have our family around us, we have much to be grateful for.
Black Thoughts 
Congratulations! Well done!
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Thank you 😊
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Congratulations!! Your efforts and posts have encouraged me to not only be more consistent with my walks but to push on a little further. I participated in our annual Kentucky Derby mini-marathon (10K), the full marathon wasn’t even an option lol. I was your age then and being a walker, I finished at 3 hours. A lonely walk at that point but family at the end cheering me to the finish. The training and anticipation was the best part but I never did it again, let alone 9 more times but it’s rewarding to be part of an event like this and to achieve a goal, which was only to finish.
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Good for you. Keep up with your exercising. The mental & physical benefits make it all worthwhile 🙂
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Very impressive. I hope you’re putting your feet up now. I can barely run a couple of miles now thanks to wrecking a knee playing rugby!
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Nasty. Our son tore his ACL playing rugby last September.
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Good job, Stephen!
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Oops. You say, “Well done,” don’t you?
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Something like that 😂
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Thank you 🙏🏻
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Congratulations Stephen, that’s very impressive on no (or very little) training! Training is a huge commitment, but I would never say never to not running another marathon… You will miss the challenge and those endorphins! 🤔
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Thank you. I’m happy with ten 🙂
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Nicely done. 10 trips around the village was another goal of yours as I recall. Good pace, great support. Quite a commitment to follow through solo.
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Nicely done, Stephen! I was thinking of you as I logged 17 miles yesterday – the fastest I have in a long time – and I wondered what type of terrain you were running through. I am so happy for you – you may not be running marathons any longer but this race of life we are on demands some time on the road to clear the mind – at least I think so. Be well and enjoy your accomplishment!
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Thank you and congratulations on your own long run!
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Congrats!! And ice to the knee?? Glad you are taking care of yourself!!
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Thank you 😊
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Thank you. Knee is much better now 🙂
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Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your encouraging words. 😊
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You’re welcome. Thank you 😊
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Your welcome 😊
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Great job. 🙂
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Thank you Amanda 😊
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