Post Marathon  Update 1: 

A few days to reflect on the weekend and here are my thoughts on the Dublin marathon experience. I felt angry and disappointed with myself but I feel content and happy to have completed Dublin marathon in XX hrs : 00 minutes : 31 seconds ( scroll to the end to find what XX )

Year 2022 has been a challenging one already with Covid in July killing any chances of me doing Wales Marathon. Do I take a break as my heart didn’t feel like giving up on this year that early. A quick search and Dublin marathon in 3 1/2 months sounded relatively reasonable.

Covid had other thoughts … it took me more than to 2 months to gain my energy levels. At times I was doubting myself that it’s not the bug but it’s simply me being lazy. A good month of self doubt calling myself lazy I had to do something to get back to my best. The buzz at work meant that I stepped out for a lunch break which gave me a mental break and also started filling me with confidence.

Still can’t forget the first run where I felt someone was tightening my chest and I was struggling with every step. I need to listen to my body but I had feeling that my running can only treat and nothing else.

A good month and a half of training in advance of Dublin with a mix of afternoon office runs followed by the weekend long run helped me shape up for the final week.

I felt confident that this will be close to my personal best and possibly be my first ever sun 4 hr marathon based on my 2:05 hilly Maidstone half marathon. 2 weeks to go and all I need to do is not pick up an injury …

Last week or so there wasn’t much running but I was all excited just to be a marathon when a few months back I was in a very poorly state post Covid. My inspiration was “Asha for Education” the charity doing great things supporting children’s education and I wanted to do it not just for myself but also for all those wonderful kids who now stand a chance to feel empowered with education at hand.

As if this Covid recovery wasn’t the last twist, 4 days before the marathon I have high fever and I was sapped of energy. A colleague at work tested positive and test of the team also were ill. I didn’t want to miss my chance for the marathon as testing positive means dropping the idea of a marathon altogether. Luckily I tested negative but things weren’t looking great.

From the past I did run Athens good 10 plus years back with fever by popping in paracetamols. I knew I can do it for the charity with my proven run walk technique and my best paracetamol at hand.

A day before the race I took it all easy by not doing much or any sightseeing of Dublin ( I will be back Dublin to see more of you ! ) as I need to be ready for the day.

The race day morning was good with the city buzzing and god it was amazing seeing 27,000 runners on the streets and looked very organised. Listening to my body I felt the run walk should get me a sub 5 hr marathon.

The body says something but your heart wants something different and there I am with the Sub 4 hr pacemakers saying to myself let’s give it a go. A good start indeed keeping at pace for a good 30 mins … felt really good that this is going to be an amazing day. Gradually I started seeing that despite my best efforts I saw the pacemakers opening up a gap and I also started sweating badly. Felt that it’s a hot day and that I need to up my hydration and started drinking more fluids. I was able to keep the gap with the pacemakers steady and said to myself I can catch up with them on the next downhill. Come the downhill and i wasn’t able to catch up and with that extra effort I was sweating profusely. I realised gradually that something else may be wrong …

The more I push myself I see that I was sweating profusely and also a bit dizzy … time for reality check … why is the body trying to tell me ?

I know I can do a marathon any day anytime without much training when I am at my 100% but do I really need to do this one sub 4 ? Athens experience again saying I need to switch run walk or simply walk as running may mean I may not finish the race and end up ELSEWHERE hearing a few ambulances going past me to treat a fellow runner.

Walk uphill and run downhill … that’s the plan … the dizziness doesn’t seem to go away … walk it is then and the odd run when you had the crowds cheering you on. At first I felt ashamed avoiding eye contact with the public when I was walking but the crowds were amazing … great support Dublin … everyone coming out and cheering. Thanks for all the support and starting enjoying my walks and with the odd cheer and a high five I started enjoying the marathon again. Walking and a mix running when tired makes you lose your shape and put unnecessary strain on your knees. The last 6 miles or so I was pretty much hopping on my right leg as the left knee was jarring and pain was horrible.

Even the walks were proving to be challenge and I was prepared to go back to London on one leg similar to Venice marathon where I picked a hairline fracture as I persisted on running on one leg despite an injury I picked in training. Thank god a lady in the crowd … was shouting deep heat spray … never on my 20 odd years of marathon experience I have seen anyone offer deep heat spray… she was an Angel (Thank you wholeheartedly !)… a few sprays on the knee joint and numbness gave me the added spring to my legs.

As for the mystery of XX hours … you will have to wait until my next update.

While you wait for the update do shower your love and affection towards “Asha for Education”

Ramakrishna Peeta is fundraising for Asha for Education

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Throughout 2022 I will be running, walking and cycling to clock 2022 miles.

This year the marathon will be Dublin Marathon. Wales was planned but Covid sapped all my energy away. 

Show me your support in crossing the finish line and to give a child a chance shine. 

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