Colm O'Regan: Here are my tips for a successful marathon — everything besides actual running

My stretching for Dublin consisted of putting one leg at a time on the bottom of a railing and vaguely leaning

Colm O'Regan: 'Once you apply to run a thing, THAT’S IT for your algorithm. The internet knows your story now. I am no longer fed endless ads for chair yoga where an AI-generated 60-year-old ripped Zeus transforms himself in 30 days using these five simple exercises.' Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

My favourite bit of the run was the bends. No matter how slow you are, the bend feels like you’re running on telly.

The crowds cheer differently; the camera angle is more dynamic. Someone was ringing a bell. Jimmy Magee’s commentary is in my ear. “John Treacy! The little man with the great heart.” I did two half marathons, so now you have to read about it.