Brighton Marathon
18/4/2010 - 26.2 Miles
My third marathon and Brightons first and I was really looking forward to it.
First issue was parking. They had helpfully put on a park and ride scheme so we followed the signs and then sat it traffic, not moving. Noticed other runners had started to bail and where walking down the road. So I switch places with my wife, grabbed my stuff out of the boot and followed them. Then got on the bus to the start.
The bus parked up and the driver said "It is just around the corner" so walking again. Other than the people on the bus no sign of other runners. As I rounded the corner I could see people everywhere. Had a wee, stipped down ready for action and dumped my bag in the truck. Could not find my starting pen. Eventually found it and waited. Then annouced there was going to be a delay as there was a car on the course. 10 mins later we where off.
First mile was around the park (quick wave to my wife, kids and dog), then down the hill and around the town. First mile 8:52 wanted to run at 9-9:15 so too quick. Mile 2 down toward the sea front (total missed the Royal Pavilion) 9:11 better pace. Past a fellow club runner, not sure why she was in the pen before me as she is a 5 hours plus, quick thumbs up and a good luck and left her too it. Miles 3 to 5 where around the town centre so some narrow streets and steep up hill. Mile 6 and out along the sea front to Roedean. Crowd support to this point had been incredible, crowd thinned out by this point but still a few people and very vocal. Leading group passed us in the other direction. Long uphill section, somehow missed the mile marker for 7 miles put still on track pace wise.
Mile 8 turned into the village and a steep narrow uphill section, got elbowed several times and had to push pass slower runners. Mile 9 through the school and downhill back to the sea front. Mile 10 and could do with a drink, no water only Powerade. Grabbed a bottle and a took a few sips (ultimately my undoing). Mile 11 water station, should have waited.
Mile 12 and back into Brighton proper. Very large crowd and very vocal. Pushed on to half way point just under 2 hours. Feeling ok even with the heat. Mile 15 and didn’t feel right in the stomach department and pace was slowing. Mile 17 and I think the Powerade was causing me a problem. Drank it before but never during a run. So grabbed a bottle of water and tried to walk it off. Remembered that I had never continuously run so far before.
Mile 23 and back on the sea front, loads of support which really pushed you on. No way going to break 4 hours. Kept pushing along, that pier seemed to be getting further away. Mile 24 if I can push very hard I could break 4:20. Give it a go and my legs not up to it, calves now ok (as ok as they can be after 24 miles) but my hips now giving me grief. Mile 25 if I keep running and push a bit more I can break 4:25. Line in sight, give it everything I have lot and break into half sprint to break 4:25. Not enough left and have to settle for a 4:25:16. (16:45 off my PB)
Happy with the result but reckon that Powerade did me no favours. If I could have kept going was on target for 4 hours. Temperature for the day was 15c but think it was more like 18c as no shade.
Overall, apart from the problems with the park and ride and the delayed start it was very slick. Extra water station put in because of the heat and had even installed a couple of showers on route. Great route, first bit was undulating but the last was flat by comparison. Crowd support was amazing as you ran back and forth through the city centre, actual think it was better than Dublin. Was not looking forward to the looping back but it was really good. You can see other runners all the time and we got to see the leading pack 3 or 4 times when normally you never see them.
I will definitely be back next year. (Edit - I am back next year! See future events)