We finally made it to the finish line! After so many months of training and talking about it, it was great to just get out there and do it!

The run itself was tough going. We paced ourselves as much as we could, but it was hard to do that because you just didn’t know what was coming round the next corner. The scenery was amazing though, it’s really a gorgeous spot. Not a bad place to kick start your marathon career!

Went for dinner and a few drinks with the team on Saturday night to mark the occasion. Continued the celebrations with a homecoming party in Quin last night. Was great to get such local support, it really makes all the difference.

Back to reality now, but don’t think I will be giving up on the running just yet. I’ve been converted. I’m definitely going to keep up my 10km runs, figure the training will be good for my GAA career!

It was certainly a life changing experience, I would never have thought of myself doing something like this.

Overall, a brilliant experience, I made great friends, I reached a level of fitness that I would never have thought possible and I ran an Alpine Marathon! All of the pain, training and in my case needles- was worth it in the end!

Just goes to show what you can do with determination, hard work and a never say die attitude!

All the best,

Trevor

An amazing few days, an unbelievable experience which I will never forget.

The day itself was very tough. The run was gruelling. It’s like nothing I have ever experienced before. Some of the climbs were so high that it wasn’t actually possible to run up them –you could only walk them. However, the Alpine scenery was spectacular and the views were amazing. It makes you wonder how people can go back to just running regular marathons after the Alpine Marathon experience.

The most important thing is that we finished it and lived to tell the tale! It was the greatest feeling in the world to cross that finish line!

Went for a few celebratory drinks in downtown Davos on Saturday night, although most of us didn’t last too long due to the sheer exhaustion of the day.

Had some further celebrations when we got home, I even wore the medal out with me on Sunday night–created quite an interesting talking point!

Still can’t believe it’s all over. Even though it was tough going, it was worth all the pain. If someone asked me to do it all over again, I would. I’m now entertaining the thought of doing the New York City Marathon next.

It’s certainly been an inspirational experience. Despite all the blood, sweat and tears we got through it. All our hard work paid off.

We never gave up and that’s what got us there in the end.

Reg

Can’t believe it’s all over! It’s such a comedown now, I actually feel quite sad that’s its all behind us. Loved every minute of it – from beginning to end and it’s really weird now to think it’s all over and done with.

The day itself was quite overwhelming. We were all nervous at the beginning. There were hundreds of people there from all over the world speaking different languages. It was really nerve wrecking because we had no idea what to expect.

Myself and Trevor ran the course together. I was great to have that bit of company and support to keep you going. We helped each other through it, whenever one was having a low point the other would spur them on. Team work at its best!

It was really emotional to see all three of us cross the finish line. There were tears galore, such an overwhelming day and we were so proud of each other. It really made it all worth it in the end.

Taking it easy now, it’s hard to come back to reality after the last few days.
But onwards and upwards as they say-I’m now swapping my trainers for a dress and heels. I’m off to Donegal to represent Down in the Mary of Dunloe festival this week! Never a dull moment!

I’m definitely going to keep up the running, I’m now considering doing the Causeway Coast Marathon in October –not planning on hanging up my trainers any time soon!

Overall,it has been an amazing few months. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and if it wasn’t for Powerade I would never have had the chance to do it. An unforgettable experience!

Would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Angeline

It’s hard to believe that in less than 24 hours we will be finally hitting the road.
Trying not to stress about it too much now, as they say worry is like a rocking chair, gives you something to do but gets you nowhere!

Been taking it easy for the last few days, just getting a few massages done to make sure the body is ready and refreshed for the task ahead.

Sometimes I stop and think, what have I signed myself up for here? For someone who never classified themself as a runner, I guess I’ve come a long way. I keep reminding myself of what I was like when I first started those 6 km runs all those months ago and how far I’ve come since then. It just goes to show what you are capable of when you put your mind to something.

I know it’s going to be a huge challenge but it will all be worth it in the end once we cross that finish line.

Guess there’s no turning back now, we just have to get out there and face it!

So fingers crossed we all make it back in one piece!

Reg

Taking it easy this week, just going to the pool and getting a few massages done to keep the body in shape. Still having a bit of hassle with the calves, had some more acupuncture done over the weekend and going to the physio on Wednesday to fix any remaining problems. So hopefully that should sort it.

Really looking forward to it now, just want to stop thinking about it and actually get out there and do it! Not overly anxious about it, I know we will get the opportunity to have a look over the course on Friday with Hannah so we can familiarise ourselves with everything, so that should help our confidence.

We have been getting brilliant support from everyone at home which has been a great boost. I guess now we have no choice but to do it because everyone knows about it, so there’s no escaping it!

I’m determined to finish regardless of what happens out there, I know it’s going to be a huge challenge but we haven’t come this far for nothing, so even if it means I have to crawl over that finish line –I’m gona do it!

Will let you know next week how we survived the Swiss Slopes!

All the best,

Trevor

The nerves are really beginning to kick in. Couldn’t sleep properly last night, lying awake just thinking about the fact that it’s only a few days away now. Taking it easy this week, just treating myself to a few massages and taking a few trips to the sauna and Jacuzzi to properly de-stress before the big day!

The thing I’m most worried about now is the altitude. I’m reading up on it at the moment, and apparently there’s not much we can do, except try to acclimatise ourselves as best we can in the two days before the challenge.

Been getting lots of support and good wishes from everyone which is great as it really helps spur you on. My new found fame as the girl from the Powerade ad – is quite weird to say the least! I kind of feel at this point I’m not just doing it for myself anymore – I’m running it for everyone else aswell, everyone who has helped me along the way- because I wouldn’t have got here without them.

For someone who never classified themself as a runner – I guess I’ve come a long way already. I know this is a once in life time experience so I’m determined to enjoy it regardless of what happens. Guess it’s now or never!

Will check in soon and let you know how we survive the Alps!

Angeline

We have hit the final week now, so just taking it handy with the training. Did my last long 18mile run last weekend and actually found it ok, even in the torrential rain/sandstorm I got caught in out at Sandymount! Figure if I can survive that- I’m set for anything!
Went for a short run over the weekend, and will wrap up with a run today and tomorrow just to keep the legs going.

I’m just focusing on getting myself physically and mentally ready now.
Had a massage at the weekend aswell, just to get the lactic acid out of the legs and ensure that they will be in good shape for the climb.

The nerves have begun to creep in now, I think the reality of it is really hitting home. But there’s no point in over-thinking or stressing about it too much now - worry is just wasted energy at this point- just have to deal with it and focus on the task ahead.

Looking forward to getting out there now, my mum and sister are also travelling over, so it will be great to have some moral support on the sidelines. I just want to get on with it now. We have all done as much as we can at this point and I figure I’m as ready as I will ever be – so bring it on!

Will check in later in the week before we take off!

Reg

Got some acupuncture done last night just to act as a quick fix for the few remaining niggles that I have with my calves.
Our physio reckons it’s probably from over training at this stage and that the muscles are fatigued, so I had to endure the needles in order to release the tightness of the muscles- not a pleasant experience but sure had to be done to ensure that I make it up those mountains!

Went for my last long run on Saturday, was in Killarney for the weekend so I went for a run in the National Park, probably would have been more enjoyable were it not for the torrential downpour I got caught in!

Taking it easy with the training this week. Trying to mix it up a bit now with some cycling, swimming and running in order to give the different muscles a break each day, have definitely toned down the pace from what’s its been in the last few weeks.

Have to say I’m really beginning to look forward to it now, the only thing I’m worried about is how the altitude is going to affect us.
We have all the running preparation done but we have no experience of the altitude. That remains the only unknown to us now, so fingers crossed it all works out!

Will check in next week to let you know how we’re set for take-off!

All the best,

Trevor

Officially on the wind down now. I did my last long run on Saturday, went for an 18 mile run in some less than favourable weather conditions. Found it quite tough and the wind and rain certainly didn’t help the situation either!

That was my last long run before we hit the Alps, just planning to take it handy with the training for the remaining days. Going to keep things ticking over with a few short, light runs in the next few days and get in some cycling at the gym, but nothing too hectic as we are now officially “Tapering” down our training.

Really trying to focus on mentally preparing myself now. This is going to be just as much a mental challenge as it will be a physical challenge. We have all put in the hard work and training over the last few months, so now it’s just down to getting to the finishing line. I’m trying to reassure myself with the wise words of Paul O’Connell who told us that, once you have put in the training, the results will come out.

Here’s hoping we get the results we want and it all works out, it’s nearly here now, so we just have to face it!

Will let you know next week how we’re set for the final challenge!

Angeline

Just back to full training after a week of taking it easy after being struck down with a bout of the flu.
Dosed myself with some antibiotics to prevent it from getting any worse and on Hannah’s advice I took it handy with the training for the last few days just to make sure that I recovered properly.

Am back into the swing of things now in the gym and went back running last night.
Now that we are in the final stages of training we will probably do our last long run this weekend and then start the wind down next week with a few short runs just to keep the legs fresh.

Can’t believe that we are nearly there, I really thought this date would never come and now it’s here. It’s like we’re not just training for fun anymore, but we are actually going to do this for real in a few weeks!

I am looking forward to it though –it will be great to finally get up there and see what all the hype is about!

Will check in next week to let you know how we’re surviving the final few days…

All the best,

Trevor