Glendalough.

After a 6am wake-up call, awful Alpen porridge and a quick taxi ride into town me and Meriel arrived at St. Stephen's Green. After meeting Stephen, having a pre-race pep talk, dropping off our bags and assembling in our respective coral numbers we were ready to tackle the Rock n Roll Dublin half marathon.

It is a half marathon I have been looking forward to competing in since I realised this was the inaugural year. After completing the Rock n Roll Edinburgh HM in April both me and Meriel were keen to complete a second European Rock n Roll HM to qualify us for our World Rocker Medals - achieved by completing two European stops or one European and one North American stop.

As 8:30am descended upon us the atmosphere was beginning to heighten and all runners were in high spirits. My coral set off to the tunes of Jimmy Eat World after a cheery 10 second count down. The spectating crowd were on excellent form and we were met with a wall of noise. Personally I found the first half mile uncomfortable as I was struggling to warm up my calves enough but I was well under way before mile 2. The first 5 miles were in in a flash and I could still hardly believe it by the time I passed the 10K markers. The bands playing along the course were far better than those that played on the Edinburgh course and I think due to the better weather everyone was in higher spirits. The last few miles of the course I found a little harder to keep my enthusiasm up for but overall I thoroughly enjoyed the route and the event as a whole.

Maybe it was due to the flat course, or maybe I really am getting better, but I managed a PB at 2:20:44 and Stephen (who was running his first ever HM) managed an amazing 1:54:45! We were both so pleased with our results we even got our medals engraved.

Unfortunately Meriel was forced to walk the route due to a bad knee injury but managed to keep impressive pace and finished in under 3hrs 5.

Dublin, I think I may just be back next year to this all over again...

After a well deserved post-race feed and some needed showers the boys picked me and Meriel up from our hotel and took us out to Glendalough which was absolutely beautiful. Although next time I think if I was going to walk it I might not attempt it again in my brogues.

Far too soon it was time to retire and after a drive back in to Dublin it was time for the painful goodbye cuddles from Steen, Stephen and Conor.

Until we meet again, boys.