Opinion: Motivated by Kilkenny's Medieval Marathon, I decided to pay an old friend a visit

After a long hiatus from jogging Mary Cody decided it was time to dust off the runners and get back on track

Running is a sport that has gained popularity over the years and, for me, it’s easy to see why.

It costs nothing (except for a pair of runners), you can do it anywhere, at anytime, by yourself or with others. It can be a solidarity pursuit or a social one, and it is a great way of getting and staying in shape.

Last Saturday, while out walking my dogs by the Canal Walk in Kilkenny, I watched as the leading runners turned the corner at the carpark and ran along the walkway as part of the Kilkenny Medieval Marathon. A few super fast athletes at first, followed by a pack of fit runners.

Then there was the main bunch, determined and focused, and finally some smiling folk coming up the back who were going at their own pace and soaking up the participation element of the event. It was wonderful to watch on a dull autumn day, seeing people of all ages getting out and engaging in such a healthy and wholesome activity while their bodies were still able to withstand the physical demands of running, jogging and even walking such distances.

A few hours later I was driving out the Callan Road and encountered more runners and walkers talking part in the same event - there were numerous options from a full marathon to a half marathon, a 30k and a 10k. It was obvious from watching that there were people of all levels of fitness taking part and supporting each other. It was fantastic to see the encouragement and support they were getting as they went around the course.

Many years ago I jogged and ran a bit - it emanated from being told casually back at Christmas time in 2011 that it was highly unlikely I would be able to complete a marathon the following May. Some friends had signed up and when I expressed an interest it was not taken very seriously by the company I was in.

Saying that I don’t think I was really serious either, but when one of the people present - a woman who has gone on to win a marathon and was by far the fittest and fastest of the group - said there was no reason I would not be able to do it if I stuck to a sensible training programme, I was hooked to the idea. Tell me I can’t do something and you can be pretty sure I’ll find a way to do it!

Five months later I crossed the finish line in Copenhagen. It had taken me just over five hours to complete but I was elated. It wasn’t the time I cared about, it was the fact that I had covered the distance, in my own way and at my own pace. For me that is what long distance running is all about.

Years previously, in 2009, I had completed my first half marathon in Dublin with my great friend and former Kilkenny People journalist, Laura Keys. We even wrote a regular diary about our training and preparation in this paper for it. It was slow and steady and gruelling in parts, but we did it. I can still remember the feeling of simple delight at completing it.

Over the years I have been sporadic to say the least when it comes to slow jogging (a more realistic way of describing how I run). I ran a half marathon in Cork and went on to complete the marathon in Rome in 2013 and, in more recent years, have done the Dingle half marathon. These were all great personal achievements and brought me great joy.

I am not sure why or when I stopped my jogging/running, but as the years went on it became less of a part of my life and slowly I stopped. I don’t know exactly when, but it did.

So last weekend, motivated by all those taking part in the Medieval Marathon, I decided that it is time to revisit my love affair with running. It will take time and training as the years and weight have piled on, but I am pretty confident I can get back into it.

On Sunday morning, for the first time in a long time, I laced up my runners and started back jogging, slowly and with lots of stops and a bit of walking to be honest but I did it. Five kilometres after and I felt mentally great, physically tired and most of all delighted to have done it.

Running my old friend, oh I have missed you!