Run > Race

BRIGHTON MARATHON

Had been looking forward to this day and weekend for sooo long.....

It really was a family weekend away by the sea with a marathon thrown in for me - the advantage of family support and running buddies too - perfect

It was very strange to literally wake up that morning and still not be sure what pace to be pitching for! Upon yet more deliberation decided that as I had approached every race this year with "sub 10 min mile is good" and achieved around 9:45-9:50, I'd aim for 9:50 av....

Was perfect conditions on the day............met with Rken, and E'O in the hotel with enthusiastic support from Emma and Hey Jude, and heading off to meet the rest of the WJ team outside Preston Park. So re-grouping with Lollepop, Gingerwand, Marky Moz, Littlelegs, Dingdong* and Karen as well as Shelly and team photo time!

Various loo stops and dropping off bags, and we headed to our start positions literally just in time. We were off and 7 mins later, the Blue Corral (4-4:30 group) were across the line. DD had told me the first mile was very congested so just went with the flow and within about 2 miles things got better. My only concern was the congestion, after all the highest volume race I ever do is the Great Eastern so with 15k + this was massive! There were many points of frustration, but they were generally short lived and far outweighed by just thoroughly enjoying the whole event!!!

I look at my garmin LOTS as a rule anyway, and during the race if ever it showed 9:30's I backed off.............I was determined to enjoy this, feel good, and feel strong at the end..........And it worked...The course was great - the fact that you loop back and forth meant that I was always looking out for fellow WJs - managed to see everyone at least once which was great...............The crowds in Brighton were fab - generally lining the streets which was brilliant, and some good and some dubious bands en-route too LOL - steel drums anyone ...........?!?

At half way I looked at my watch and thought I'd be pleased with 4:22, but I was at 2:10, so I thought ah ha, if I can keep this up 4:20 is in order. Kept feeling good and strong and told myself that 4 + teens sounded better than 4:20, so really hoped to achieve that. It felt like a bit of a drag round the power station and there was a point where I thought, I wish I'd looked at the map properly and knew how long this head wind may last..........always knowing that eventually it would be a back wind but it helps to know...

The final few miles were great heading down to the pier and big wheel - some great landmarks to aim for. The crowds were brilliant and I managed to speed up a bit for the last miles. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole race and very pleased with the result - 4:18:27, av 9:45 on garmin, I think av 9:51 on official distance. Negative splits - get me PB by 15 mins...

However, didn't feel very well at the end and wasn't really with it - Marts met me and was being very friendly and supportive ( as ever) but I was kinda mute - sorry Marts - I felt really rough...... ended up sitting by St Johns for 15 mins on my own to shape up eventually pulled it together to get to "W" area to meet the WJs and team! Great to see LP, GW, Marts, Rken, E'O. LL, DD, and HJ, Emma, and Mr and Miss CK...........everyone did so well and support was fab. Wish I could have made the pub with you, but I felt green...coffee and rest called.........(then the fair with Miss CK...to add to the green......) Hope MM was ok at the end - missed seeing him in....

Well done everyone - great event - some fab runs, experiences and PBs all round.
Thanks to HJ and Emma and lots of popping up support,it really helps, and was pleased that the "App Tracker" worked wonders, and Mr & Miss CK saw me especially in the final straight

Phew - all done now - looking forward to the sofa on Sunday and watching the London crew!!

Split Summary
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1) 1m - 10:19(10:19/m) 116cal
2) 1m - 9:47(9:47/m) 117cal
3) 1m - 9:46(9:46/m) 118cal
4) 1m - 9:51(9:51/m) 117cal
5) 1m - 9:42(9:42/m) 117cal
6) 1m - 9:54(9:54/m) 117cal
7) 1m - 9:48(9:48/m) 117cal
8) 1m - 9:45(9:45/m) 116cal
9) 1m - 9:54(9:54/m) 118cal
10) 1m - 9:45(9:45/m) 116cal
11) 1m - 9:47(9:47/m) 117cal
12) 1m - 9:44(9:44/m) 116cal
13) 1m - 9:41(9:41/m) 117cal
14) 1m - 9:50(9:50/m) 117cal
15) 1m - 9:42(9:42/m) 117cal
16) 1m - 9:41(9:41/m) 117cal
17) 1m - 9:41(9:41/m) 116cal
18) 1m - 9:54(9:54/m) 118cal
19) 1m - 9:43(9:43/m) 117cal
20) 1m - 9:49(9:49/m) 117cal
21) 1m - 9:51(9:52/m) 117cal
22) 1m - 9:43(9:44/m) 117cal
23) 1m - 9:49(9:49/m) 117cal
24) 1m - 9:40(9:40/m) 116cal
25) 1m - 9:34(9:34/m) 116cal
26) 1m - 9:27(9:28/m) 117cal
27) 0.5m - 4:21(8:43/m) 57cal