Jaysus am I looking forward to my break in Cork. I’ve been working like a dog and the Murphy’s, my friends and relations and Monday’s marathon are calling me like sirens – I can’t resist. So tomorrow after coaching at Irishtown it’s over to Heuston and first class (one of my few luxuries) down to the Rebel city and dinner with my great friends Deirdre and Muiris at Club Brasserie on Lapps Quay.

On Sunday it’s a meet up with 2/3 of the rest of Boards B relay team (and possibly a few more boards.ie boardsies) at Dan Lowrey’s. After the ignominy of the last two Cork Maras I am settling for the 5.9 mile leg between the Victoria Road and Model Farm Road changeovers. As Deirdre says, I’ll complete the Cork Marathon sometime – it might take me five years but…

The weather looks as if it will be hot, maybe even more so than the last two years. Note to put sunblock on my shoulders, still tender from Adamstown. The only time my shoulders ever see the light of day is in a club running singlet. But I foresee severe problems with the heat and the full marathon people.

So watch this space for a full report next week.