I have been quiet for a bit, just wanted to get myself sorted, get back into my training and to be quite honest I wasn’t really in the right frame of mind for blogging.
Training for the last couple of weeks has gone well, felt good and enjoyed the runs. On Sunday HWMBO drove me down to Heathfield for the start of the Sussex Marathon which I was really looking forward to. I had run the race in 2011 on the original route which was very hilly and extremely tough finishing in I think 4hrs 05 which I remember being delighted about considering I found myself having to walk some of the hills they were so brutal and chatting.
The route was changed last year doing two loops of 13.1 miles, still very hilly but much nicer and one section you see the faster runners running towards you, great opportunity for a spot of cheering.
Nics and I met up in the hall, registered and both of us entered the 30 mile option which was new this year. A good training session and with the hills very good for part of the Spartathlon build up. We also bumped into Paul Navesey who is a brilliantly talented runner.
After a brief talk we were off. I settled into a nice pace and slowly began to overtake people. It was difficult to see who was doing the half or the marathon but it didn’t really matter this was about doing a 30 miler.
I eventually caught up with Trinity and we got chatting which was marvellous. I did feel that I was going a tad too fast, Trinity’s marathon time is faster than mine so I decided to stop being pathetic and keep running.
Just before the 9 mile point I saw HWMBO and the girls who had come out to cheer myself and Nics on, this gave me a real boost and put a smile on my face. I felt as though I was being pushed along, my legs seemed to have a mind of their own which was fantastic – long may it last.
Coming up to the end of the first loop I saw Paul running towards me with bike in front of him – woohoo he was in the lead, this so made my day, such a pleasure to cheer and clap him on. Each person who was in front of me got a cheer of encouragement, it lifted my spirits and was wonderful to see how well they were doing.
I got to the turn-round point and headed off back down the awful hill I had just run/staggered up to find Nics coming up the hill, woopwoop great to see her and looking so good, this made me feel like tigger I was bouncing with joy.
Loop two continued to go well, I hadn’t seen another female go past me but thought I must have missed them until someone informed me that I was the first women, REALLY? good grief this had never happened before. I could feel myself running taller feeling rather proud of myself, a moment to be treasured as it will never happen again!
Coming up to the same 9 mile point on the second loop I looked out for HWMBO but he was no where to be seen, oh well never mind I will catch up with him at the finish. I discovered later that he didn’t think I would come through that quickly so missed me. He asked the guy at the CP if any women had gone through and he said yes a lady with grey hair and a younger one – GREY HAIR OUCH! Ok, I am but am in denial pretending to be blonde – just go with the flow for a moment!
Just before the 20 mile point I was passed by Sophie we had a bit of a chat and she sailed up the hill, I tried to keep up but didn’t have it in me, not with 10 miles still to go.
I’m afraid I did have to power walk for about 30 seconds up a couple of the hills as I just couldn’t get enough oxygen into my lungs and coming up the final hill again I was given a lot of encouragement by a lovely young man. I finally crossed the finish line for the marathon in 3.41.44 only a couple of minutes behind the first lady so for me a very good result, more than happy.
After a mini interview off I went again for the final 2 miles out and back, another slog up that bloody hill finishing the 30 miler in 4.19.54.
I know not the fastest times in the world but for me I was absolutely thrilled. 2nd female, 1st female in the 30 miler and 17th overall in the Marathon, not bad for a days work – I’m feeling quite proud of myself. Paul Navesey won the race in 2.52.30 setting a new course record, way to go Paul.
Nics was brilliant, she did a good time and didn’t listen to her music which was all part of her Spartathlon preparation so I know that if she had a bad patch there was no back-up other than her will to succeed so I’m very impressed with her.
Monday morning I woke to very stiff legs, quads were a bit sore from all the down hills so I took the dogs out on an easy recovery which felt very uncomfortable to begin with but the old legs soon eased up. Today was a long run, thankfully easy as I certainly didn’t have any speed in my legs.
More good news today about my big adventure in 2014, we have fingers crossed found our Charity Partner, just a few more bits to sort then its all systems go. You will love it when I can eventually tell you about my plans, tis going to be a real adventure in a stunning country.
Happy Training.
