Ray O’Connor talks about training for a marathon and beating the pain barrier

I am glad this article is appearing close to the race date because I would hate to think what I write here might cause you to have yet another second thought.

Barring Arctic explorers and that bloke who did the distance in shorts and a pair of sandals in 25C (google Wim Hof if you get the chance – he had a fag when he finished), every marathon virgin must break into a cold sweat when they complete the entrance form.

It is a feat which mere mortals must struggle to convince themselves is personally possible. To every competitor gearing up to do the Cork City marathon on June 1, I salute you.