“A marathon of love” by Peter Cassidy

I had always wanted to run a marathon and in 2007 I decided that I would take the bull by the horns and enter Belfast City marathon. At the time I was also thinking of proposing to my girlfriend. I had an idea in the back of my mind that I could propose at the finish line of the marathon. Predicting that I would not have much energy for words or the strength to get up off one knee I got my race vest printed with “will you marry me?” On race day I covered the writing with my race number and to be honest I was completely focused on finishing the race I forgot about the proposal until the last 2 miles, it was only then that I could get excited. As I crossed the finish line in a time of 3:41:57 I was pleased with my time for my first marathon. I unpinned my number and went to find my girlfriend with lots of people pointing at me. When I found her she didn’t notice the writing on my vest, she was more interested in my bleeding nipples. We got married a year later.