Last March, little did I know that the Run to the Pub would lead me to a couple of personal racing bests, the Dublin Marathon, and Black Gold. Thanks so much to Pub 317 for the memorable opportunities, and especially those final 119 seconds to victory.
You see, until last year, I had never done a marathon. So, I trained for Dublin. Months later, on an Irish Bank Holiday, I ran this Friendly Marathon. Friendly indeed, the crowd support was nothing short of amazing, and thousands of enthusiastic Dubliners, on holiday, cheered me along and through to the finish chute at Merrion Square. Hours later, my legs sore and me in need of further refueling, I limped-walked along the River Liffey to St. James Gate, to my namesake Arthur's 250-year-old store-house. To Arthur!
There, seven floors up, in the most magnif-icent pub in the world, and surrounded by stunning 360-degree views of Dublin City, I ordered, and waited, and my legs screamed. For exactly 119 seconds. It was a classical Guinness double pour. Black Gold. A perfect pint, my personal victory lap, and a rewarding, comforting finish to a Bono-like Beautiful Day.
Cheers to John Amsden and Pub 317 for an unforgettable Dublin Marathon travel adventure. I'll be ready for the Run to the Pub in 2011, for sure. Erin go bragh.
