Maureen's Marathons

Hi everyone! I'm back and I DID IT!!! 4 hours 52 minutes it took me but I ran in and completed the New York City Marathon last Sunday. What a fantastic time my 4 friends and I had. We all completed what was our second marathon within 30 minutes of each other and what a place to do it in. The atmosphere was electric and I can't speak highly enough of the massive crowds who turned out to support all the runners. It was like being carried along on a massive wave of cheering and applauding. I've never experienced anything like it in my life. We were all on a high for days afterwards, even through all the pain and blisters, but it was worth it and I hope we'll get the chance to do it again.

We were all sa to learn of the death of Ryan Shay, the American runner who died the day before the Marathon and he was in most peoples thoughts on the day.

When the 5 of us had recovered slightly we hit the New York Shops and did a good bit of Christmas shopping! It's truly amazing how much cheaper certain things are in US and we were all able to save quite a bit on the gifts we brought home.

Although myself and my friend Janet had been to New York before, the other 3 girls hadn't, so we did the site tours for them - Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and took a trip to Washinton DC and Arlington.

It was a fantastic trip all round and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind words of support.

Welcome back, Maureen! Glad you did well.

Congratulations, Maureen! So glad to hear you did well and that you had fun in NYC. Come again!

That was sad about Ryan Shay. He came from a town pretty close to where I live, so his death was very much in the news here.

That's great Maureen. Congratulations! If you ask me, there is nothing like shopping for Christmas in New York.

Glad you're back.

Cheryl

Welcome back Maureen and congratulations!!

Thanks everyone for all your kind words. Wish I could have hooked up with you all why I was in US. Maybe some day!! That would be fun. We were made so incredibly welcome by everyone we met. I don't know if it's the Irish/American thing or what but on behalf of my 4 friends and myself, thanks USA. What a great place. It's no wonder you're all so patriotic.

Rhonda, the girl who won the ladies race, Paula Radcliffe, is one of the UK's top runners. She's not pregnant at the moment but gave birth to her daughter 9 months ago. What an incredible lady. Who says women are the weaker sex!

carolineingalls wrote:

Rhonda, the girl who won the ladies race, Paula Radcliffe, is one of the UK's top runners. She's not pregnant at the moment but gave birth to her daughter 9 months ago. What an incredible lady. Who says women are the weaker sex!

That is what I meant, it just didn't come out that way.....she was pregnant during her training and that is what the controversy was about.....many doctors felt it was too strenuous a workout for a pregnant woman and others sais if her body was used to the workout there ould be no problem......Her baby she is holding in the news picture is the one she gave birth to, and to look at her skinny body, it it amazing she just gave birth.

Welcome back Maureen! And congratulations on running the marathon!! I'm glad to hear that you had a good time in NYC.

Welcome back Maureen! What a good thing you enjoyed your travel. I wish I could go to the USA's just to know Ingalls Homesite...and visit all my LHOTP friends, of course! Congrats for being in the Marathon! :woohooo:

Vanesa.

Congratulations Maureen!!!

You are quite the inspiration! That is an amAzing feat and you make us all proud! You can be very proud of yourself, not only for an awesome running time, but just for setting your mind to doing something so huge. I'm glad you had a such a good time, and I'm very pleased that you felt a wam welcome from the American people.

I had heard about Ryan Shay...I can imagine how that affected everyone running and I'm sure so many were running in honor of him. What a sad tragedy.

One question...were you running with any famous people, that you know of? Just curious!

Amy wrote:

[size=18] One question...were you running with any famous people, that you know of? Just curious!

I heard Tom Cruise's wife ran in it......then attended a night out all dressed up in an evening gown and didn't look worn out or tired.....must be nice....:haha:

Really?! Wow...talk about wonder woman!! Between her and this mother of the 9month old, I'm feeling pretty inadequate!

Yeah, I heard that too! I wonder if she had body-guards disguised as runners to protect her from mobs or crazy fans. :think:

Amy wrote:

Congratulations Maureen!!!


One question...were you running with any famous people, that you know of? Just curious!

No one that I knew personally, Amy, but as with most big marathons nowadays there were quite a few celebrities running the race.

Thanks again, everyone, for your kind words.

Just thought I'd let you all know I took part in and finished my third Marathon yesterday. It's the second Belfast City Marathon I've done and I did the New York one in November. It was a good day for the run, slightly overcast, though I still managed to get a bit of sun on the parts I missed with the sunscreen! I knocked 26 minutes off my time compared to last year, finishing in 4hours, 4 mins and 30 secs! My four running partners and I managed to raise over £1,000 (approx $2,000) for Womens Aid, a charity that deals with physically and mentally abused women, a cause which many of you know is very dear to my heart. My body is sore all over today but the accomplishment of achieving another medal for my collection makes it all worth while.

Any other runners out there?

Congratulations, Maureen! What an accomplishment!

Thank you, Rob.

That is wonderful Maureen!!! You should be proud, especially for the charity you raised the money for.......

I'm not a runner, I did track in school, but had to quit, inherited dad's bad knees .....but, my older brother is a runner and he has done many, many marathons, including the Boston Marathon.........

CONGRATS AGAIN!!!

That's terrific, Maureen!!

Great job Maureen!

The last time I ran was out to the shed and I was winded before I left the porch.

LOL Larry! :haha:

Maureen, you are quite the inspiration!! Good for you!