• Body yells stop, mind legs it over the line

    I suspect it's the sort of thing that I'll remember more fondly with the passing of time but as I sit here writing a couple of hours after finishing my first marathon I can best describe my feelings by paraphrasing Marvin, the depressive android in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, writes Emmet Malone. p
Previous articles

  • The final countdown

    After months of hard work and dedicated training, Emmet Malone thanks friends and strangers as he heads off to the starting line. p

  • How to cope with the seven-day itch

    Experts give advice on how to handle the last few days before marathon day p

  • These vagabond shoes....

    As Romania's Adriana Pirtea would probably tell you after carelessly squandering a handsome lead in Chicago last week, travelling away to run a marathon can sometimes end up leaving you wishing you'd never gotten on the plane, writes Emmet Malone. p

  • TEN NEXT STEPS

    Run one of the World Marathon Majors - these races, pretty much a where's where of the international circuit, are part of a series formed last year with additional prize money for elite runners who do well in all over a two-year cycle, writes Emmet Malone .p

  • Getting the right gear for the job

    Apparel companies are shifting their focus to recreational athletes, which is good news all round, writes Emmet Malone . p

  • Last chance to change your look

    With just under three weeks to go, the hope is that you're happy with everything you're going to use on race day. If not, you'd better get moving. Here, we compile a sort of 20-day checklist. p

  • In the run for serious funds

    Marathons are big fundraising events as runners give their charities a sporting chance. Emmet Malone reports. p

  • Raising the cash

    The legions of people you see at marathons in the brightly coloured T-shirts emblazoned with the name of some charity or other pretty much always fall into one of two categories: those who were running a marathon anyway and decided to use it as an opportunity to raise some money for a favourite charity and those who were motivated exclusively by the desire to generate some cash to get their runners on. p

  • Racing around Europe in fine time

    While dashing about Europe, Emmet Malone still found time to prepare for last Saturday's half-marathon, but the wife remains unimpressed. p

  • Losing the run of yourself

    Many entrants will complete the race without ever once having both feet off the ground, writes Emmet Malone.p

  • It's all about distance learning

    As Emmet Malone enters into his last six weeks of training, he talks to experienced marathoner Dick Hooper about what's left on the agenda. p

  • Keeping pace with technology

    Many runners use technology to coax a little more speed and stamina out of their bodies by training more efficiently. Emmet Malone reports.

    p

    • Weighing up the benefits

    After shedding five stone, Eamonn Dargan is determined to keep up his marathon habit. He tells Emmet Malone how running transformed his life. p

  • Hungry legs won't run far

    PLANNING YOUR DIET: Emmet Malone, despite weeks and miles of marathon training, is the same weight as when he started. As part of this series he talks to nutritionist Aoife Hearne about crucial dietary matters. p

  • Stay motivated and stick with it

    FINDING INSPIRATION: Now that training is taking up most of his personal (and even some of his professional) time, Emmet Malone finds that taking a break can be costly. p

  • Women on the run

    Boston started letting women run only in 1972 but the numbers have steadily grown ever since In our continuing coverage of the build-up to the Dublin Marathon, Emmet Malone looks at the role of women in the event. p

  • And at the starting line . . .

    Given the prominence of women in international distance running these days, it pretty much beggars belief that the longest distance race in the Olympics was just 1,500 metres prior to the Los Angeles games in 1984. p

  • Analysing each step forward

    In our series on preparing for the Dublin marathon, Emmet Malone looks at running shoes and the vital role they play. p

  • Bending over backwards for Pilates

    It's a few years now since some players at a particular League of Ireland club cited their manager's inclination towards having the squad incorporate Pilates into their training regime as just one of their many gripes with him. p

  • If the shoe doesn't fit, don't wear it

    Continuing in his training series in the run-up to the marathon, Emmet Malone is given some advice by physiotherapist Catherine Cradock. p

  • Prevention really is better than pain

    Listening to your body in the run-up to the marathon is key, writes Emmet Malone , though he wishes his leg wouldn't complain so much. p

  • ONLINE SUPPORT

    With the first of the Adidas-backed race series out of the way, there are now two more races and some 100 days left until the Dublin marathon. Here are a few websites to help with your continued preparations, writes Emmet Malone. p

  • Running mates make the miles go faster

    It may help to link up with others of similar ability when training for the marathon, writes Emmet Malone . p

  • Getting the miles under your belt

    In week two of our series, Emmet Malone talks to leading Irish marathon runner Gary Crossan about what's in store for those just starting out on their long-distance training. p

  • Sticking with the programme

    Experienced marathon runner Dr Kieran Whyte tells Emmet Malone that one of the most common problems for first-timers is over-exuberance. p

  • Taking to the streets

    In the first of a series of articles, Emmet Malone sets the scene as he faces into his own very first marathon. p

  • Putting your best foot forward on the home run

    While your first choice may be which marathon to run, Emmet Malone says that the support available during training for the Dublin run is invaluable. p
Emmet Malone
Emmet Malone has completed his very first marathon. In the run-up to it, this series of weekly articles has provided a basic guide for other first-timers. It drew on the expertise of some of Ireland's leading distance runners as well as experts in fields such as nutrition and physical fitness.
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