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THE BOSTON MARATHON shocked me to the core this week. I was out doing my final run ahead of the marathon this weekend and when I got back to my house I had a text from a friend telling me what had happened. I immediately turned on the news and was glued to the TV the rest of the night.
It’s so distressing and incomprehensible to even try and understand why people would destroy such an inspirational event of achievement, where all the runners have trained for months to help and raise money for those who really need it. I know Boston has such a strong Irish community so it was quite a worrying time for everyone who has family and friends there.
They’re increasing the security for the London marathon this weekend but I’m not scared, fearful or worried about it as I feel the people who carried out the Boston attacks are nothing but senseless cowards. The Virgin London marathon organisers have been really fantastic and emailed us everyday with updates. There is going to be a minutes silence at the start line in Greenwich and every runner will be given a black ribbon to wear as a mark of respect for the people in Boston. I’m even more excited than I already was and so proud to be taking part in this amazing event.
As I’ve never really ran any further than up a staircase in my life, the prospect of signing up for the London marathon was quite a daunting one.
It’s probably one of the most physically challenging things I’ve ever signed up to especially as I’m a social animal who likes to live it up in London. The gym has become the new pub and the pavement has become the new dance floor. My Friday night heels have been replaced by trainers and the only drink I have is my hand is water and diet coke as a treat! My friends have been so supportive although I think they were astounded at first as I wouldn’t strike them as the running type.
You soon begin to realise that there is more fulfilling things in life to do on weekends instead of hangovers, which have gladly become foreign to me. Let’s just say I’ve seen a lot of London over the past few months. It’s actually unbelievable to run past Buckingham palace on a 20 mile run and discover this fascinating city. You discover little secret streets and areas that you’d never even come close to on a bus or a Tube. I have discovered so many little authentic gems on my adventures which have inspired me for the summer.
I’ve been blown away and overwhelmed by the generosity of all the people who have sponsored me and even more so by people who I’ve never even met. One of my friend’s boyfriends donated me €100 as a good deed gesture and I’ve never even met him. It’s a very touching and a great feeling when people believe in you and sponsor you along the way. That really keeps you going.
I think I realised the extent of how much my life changed when I found myself ringing the gym one Sunday morning to find out if they were showing the Six Nations rugby match. It was the Ireland versus England game and as I was in an English gym, the tension was high. I was so fixated on the match that I ran my first 22k, in a mild rage!
Running a marathon takes consistency and dedication. It starts to become part of your daily life but it’s such a rewarding journey and I’m so happy I’ve had the opportunity to take part. As I’m running for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, I spent a lovely day with the charity, the other runners and more excitingly the beautiful dogs they train. It was such an inspirational experience and one that really motivated me to make sure I cross that finish line.
I feel a lot healthier since I started and I’ve found myself eating particular foods like they’re going out of fashion. Averaging a jar of peanut butter has become a normal weekly occurrence. I’ll have to make sure to adapt back to normal eating habits when it’s all over or we could have another story too write about.
Some of the reasons I decided to run a marathon was, as much as I love heading to the pub, I could use a break. I don’t miss them or the Sunday night fear. I now welcome a Sunday night with my Barry’s tea and biscuits. While people gave chocolate up for lent, I took it up! Other aspects I have enjoyed are the people. I’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of friends, family and random people who I’ve never met. People who do things for charity as so inspiring and human.
Something to look forward to is your body will become more toned and you’ll feel empowered as to how far you can push your body through your own aspirations. Running a marathon is more than just a race. It changes your life. You’ll find things in life when you’re not looking for when you’re dedicated, focused and in the zone. It’s inspiring to see and discover life out there before 10am on a Saturday and Sunday. I’m loving my new non hangover life. So far, I’ve gone from running up a staircase to running 26.2 miles. This Sunday, I’m doing it for the dogs, for Ireland, and of course, the people of Boston.
Jenny Conlon is an Irish journalist living in London. She is running in the London marathon for Hearing Dogs for the deaf. If you would like to make a donation please click here. Jenny also writes a blog called Living the Disco Dream.
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Vincent Brown is an excellent interviewer. No wonder many politicians wish to avoid him e.g. Gerry Adams.
Enda Kenny is scared shitless of Vincent Brown .
Actually at times he comes across as a bully. Especially last week when he was supposed to interviewing an ex British Army officer who served in Afgahnistan on the security situation in the ME and proceeded to verbally assault and berate him for decisions taken by his govt. that he had no input into whatsoever. It was obvious he had been set up for an ambush by Browne. Shameful stuff.
considering all the British Army ambushes in Ireland or “terrorist attacks” as they called them at the time then was this not Karma from Mr. Browne ?
Northern Ireland – Proof the U.N. is an over-paid waffle shop for the bewildered !
Enda Kenny is scared of his own reflection……
Some say his own reflection doesn’t even like him…
And what will happen in the end is that Browne’s show will suffer for his ambush tactics, as he’ll struggle to get high profile guests. Instead he’ll be stuck interviewing clowns from People before Profit or the AAA.
Scipio, do you just complain about everything?
Vincent Browne has reduced himself to the level of an political Jeremy Kyle. No serious politician will ever go on his show unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Skippy is bang on the money, he’s already the level where his staple guests are irrelevant nutters like Joe Higgins, Declan Ganley and that PBP fool in the checked shirt.
Yet he still draws in big names in Irish politics and culture, draws in over 160,000 viewers in one of the worst slots and is good enough to be compared to Jeremy Paxman by the Guardian. Jon Snow of Channel 4 News is often called a bully, yet he’s still one of the most highly respected British journalists and Channel 4 has few problems drawing in highly significant people for interviews, even when the interviewees are at their most vulnerable. Basically, your claims have nothing to support them
You know his show is online right? I can actually open it up in my browser and sit here asking myself who are these people. Some of them are only there because they have twitter accounts.
It’s kinda like government backbenchers isn’t Ron ? …Who are these people all they have is Party Support …….
Has he had Twink on yet? It’s only a matter of time.
Yeah Twink would certainly qualify as one of those leading lights of Irish culture that ‘Free Gaza’ was talking about.
No she sticks to R.T.E. – just like Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour – Sinn Fein were banned from R.T.E. during the British Army “Terror with terror” (their own words) campaign until Paddy decided to call of the Grand National and we got to see all the posh British crying because their horseys couldn’t run around a field …
That was funny – and no bomb at all, at all ……
Scipio – Anyone who opens a comment with ‘you are an idiot’ , has clearly already lost the argument .
Except if they’re obviously addressing an idiot.
Scipio, completely misquoting me yet again. Never said anything about the leading lights of Irish culture. I simply said that Vincent Browne consistently has big enough names when it comes to the Irish context. I don’t know half the people on Frontline, the Late Late Show, Question Time or Newsnight most of the time so that’s hardly a measure of the presenter’s/interviewer’s credibility and skill. There are over 220 politicians at a national level in Ireland, plus almost a thousand at local level, never mind all the other politicians and activists across the island.
Ron mentioned the “irrelevant nutters” that appear on his show, yet we all know who Joe Higgins and Declan Ganley are, what they stand for and we actually pay some sort of attention to what they say or do, whether we take them seriously or not.
The fact that Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour and the lovely Twink all stick to RTE supports the point that Skippy was making Dermot.
Section 31 and ‘horseys’ are not relevant to this conversation..
Brown completely demolished Joan when she was on the show with Joe Higgins. She has never been on it since!
Nor has anyone else of consequence.
Seriously do any of you think Kenny or any of his likes would have the neck to go on Vincent Browne ..I don’t ..he is actually excellent at not letting his “guests” off the hook …id love to see Kenny.try to worm his way out of his broken election vows
This is just more proof of his legend status .
Answer the question to quote ..Vincent
Vincent would eat Enda for breakfast and Enda knows it.
Big fan of him. And he can have a bit of craic too.
Brown a big bully
he’s fantastic takes no shite .
I am so sick of fools calling people irrelevant just cause they’re not in the big four parties. Its toxic to democracy to regard deviation from mainstream politics as laughable or irrelevant. And of course there’s always this feeling its being done to stamp out opposition to those mainstream policies through snide laughter and ridicule
I agree with Sean bent above about the main parties but I would say 3.
The vincent Browne’s and George Hook’s of this country like the status quo and are scared shitless of Sinn Fein coming to power.
They knock them absoultely every chance they get.
Gerry, hook doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as Vincent Brown. He’s a rugby commentator and I see very little intellect.
UTV ireland is fast approaching. TV3 and VINB be afraid, be very afraid.
Enda would be afraid of Fionnán Sheehan.
Yeah the same few politicians on his show like thomas byrne going on about t’frozen chips. Bloody hell.
That was a very important insight into the cluelessness of the economic policies of Fianna fail – that and the fact that irish people had been calling for it for years while they made Frozen Pizzas in Galway for years !
Vincent for president
J-J-JUST ANSWER THE BLOODY QUESTION
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