Boris Bozovayski

From a 7.95 km Walk to a Marathon Dream

Monday 24th Aug

On 3 April, I went for a 7.95 km walk with one thought in the back of my mind — maybe one day I could run a marathon.

At the time, it felt like a distant dream — something for “one day”, certainly not a few months later.

But you know what they say: be careful what you wish for — you might just get it. 😅

A little over a month later, I completed my first 10K in Killarney — my first ever continuous run and the longest distance I had ever run.

It was tough, but crossing that finish line and getting my first medal 🏅 didn’t put me off. Quite the opposite — it made me wonder how much further I could go.

So naturally, I started looking for a half marathon.

The Dingle Half Marathon looked perfect, but it was already sold out, so I joined the waiting list.

And for some reason I still can’t explain, while I was there I also clicked the waiting list for the full marathon.

Three days later, I received an offer.

Not for the half.

For the full Dingle Marathon — 42.2 km. 😂

After about four sleepless nights wondering whether I had completely lost my mind, I accepted.

The excitement was huge. Then reality kicked in.

I had never even walked 42 km before, never mind run it.

So in June, I signed up for the Half on the Head Half Marathon to find out what 21 km actually felt like.

Well… I found out. 😅

Those hills destroyed my legs and probably a small part of my soul too. My knees were hurting, my quads were cramping, and I remember thinking:

If 21 km feels like this, how on earth am I going to do 42?

I finished, collected another medal 🏅 and walked away with a serious reality check.

Then came another lesson — more isn’t always better.

I started training harder and harder. Fatigue built up, the pain in my knees and shins increased, and eventually I had to stop running for around two weeks and step away from the gym.

I recovered, started listening to my body more and learned to train smarter instead of simply doing more.

Along the way, I completed another 10K in Banna and added another medal to the collection. 🏅

And now, less than two weeks before the marathon, I’ve reached the point where I can run 20 km comfortably and recover well the following day.

But 42.2 km is a completely different beast.

Beyond the distances I’ve already covered, I’m stepping into the unknown — and that’s what makes 5 September both terrifying and exciting.

On that morning, just over five months after that first 7.95 km walk, I’ll stand on the start line of the Dingle Marathon and give that dream everything I have.

But the marathon won’t be the end of the challenge.

September will be the sixth month of this journey, while the Irish Heart Foundation is celebrating 60 years.

So I decided to combine the two:

6 × 60 = 360 km ❤️

Throughout September, I’m challenging myself to cover 360 km through walking, jogging and running, while also aiming to raise €360 for the Irish Heart Foundation.

On 3 April, it started with a 7.95 km walk and a dream.

Now it’s time to see just how far that dream can take me.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared my page or supported me along the way.

Every kilometre counts. Every donation counts. ❤️🏃‍♂️

Share