“My
name is Darren Kelly, from Toonagh just outside Ennis Co Clare. I have been on
quite a journey over the past two years. In January 2012 I weigh in at
over 29 stone. In the past 2 years I have lost 14 stone. This has
been achieved through exercise, hard work and setting myself challenges.
In 2012 I ran my first Dublin Marathon, the 2 previous years I had walked the
Dublin Marathon, the first year it took me over 9 hours and the 2nd year it
took me 8 hours 30mins. Last year 2013 I completed 2 Marathons the Great
Limerick Run in 4 hours 42mins in May, this I found extremely difficult and
then The Dublin Marathon which I completed in 4 hours 15mins, my aim was to
finish in 4.15 or less, so I was thrilled with the result. I was tired and
sore, but comfortable finishing. All the hard training had paid off. My
Story was recently featured in The Sunday World and the RTE Guide.
To
date I have competed in 5 Full Marathons, countless half marathons and 10K.
My
Challenge this year is to compete in 3 Marathons. First up is the
Connemarathon on the 6th April, 2nd is Edinburgh marathon on the 25th May and
last but not least is the Dublin Marathon on the 27th October.
I
have set this blog up to show my progress from the start of the year to the
finish when hopefully I will have successfully completed all 3 marathons and
stay injury free.
As
part of my training I will be competing in a number of local races, such as the
Pakie Ryan and the Eamon Moloney Memorial Run on the 29th March. My last competitive
10k was the Clare People 10K with I completed in a personal best of
49mins. My aim for the Eamon Moloney 10K would be 46mins.
I
will be posting here the training I am doing in preparation for these races and
to show how training is going for me.
Before:
Hey Darren :)
ReplyDeleteMassive congratulations on your INCREDIBLE weight loss to date! Talk about inspirational!
Loved your feature in the RTE guide & had the opportunity to meet your lovely leader Kathleen when I had to pop to a meeting in Ennis a few weeks back!
I'd love to imagine myself completing a marathon one day..started running *jogging* a few months ago and then suffered a stress fracture in my foot so hope to be back to it soon!
Wishing you the very best of luck in your training and I look forward to following your blog :)
Gráinne :)
Hi Grainne
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your great achievement. thanks for the great comments!
When i started to run i would only be doing 1 min run and then 1 min walk and gradually build that up over time to run longer distance. try stick with the running, its a great work out. my favourite part of running is the faster your get the less time you have to spend training.
Best of luck getting to you goal!
Darren :)