1st Half-Marathon (Eastbourne) - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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1st Half-Marathon (Eastbourne)

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon
26 Replies

Yesterday I ran the furthest I have ever run. And boy it was tough. The conditions were cold and wet. I had been nervous about this for the last few days, and Sunday morning I felt like I was going for a job interview. It's just a run I kept trying to tell myself. My nerves, clearly don't pander to common sense.

I started the run with my brother-in-law, a veteran of a fair few marathons and triathlons, but as his nickname is 'slow-coach' and he have been nursing an ear infection for the last few weeks, we were both happy to spend the first couple of miles jogging along in conversation. In fact at one point I went into a short bout of hysterics, when 'big bird' overtook us.

Halfway up the beachy head climb (it goes about halfway up) around miles 2-3 my brother-in-law dropped off and feeling good I kept going. Once round the bend it was all downhill to the seafront and to be honest I was flying along. The rain had stopped and I felt really good.

This reverie continued for the next several miles, until around mile 10. I had had a very fractious time of it in training and bad weather and a sprained ankle had meant that I had only just got up to 10 miles once - the week before the run. At this point my lack of training started to take its toll.

The latter stages of the Eastbourne H/M take you around the sovereign harbour to the east of the town. I have been here many times, but today with turn following turn it seemed so much bigger. On the way out of the harbour back to the promenade takes you past all of the restaurants that the harbour has on offer. The smell of food had never felt so cruel.

The last two miles saw me dropping down to walk/ run intervals as I willed myself to get to the finish line. The weather had closed in and the rain was by now falling quite heavily. The last part was a real test of stamina; the winding pathway taking you tantalisingly near to the finish line a couple of times only to be led past and come back on yourself.

By the end I was done. The sight of my family at the finish line stirred me to the end. The chip time was 2:21:00. I felt completed drained both physically and mentally as I collected my medal, banana and water. 'The physically hardest thing I've ever done', I kept repeating to anyone who asked how I felt.

It was tougher than I thought. I learnt al lot in that couple of hours running. And I know I will be back next year and this time I will be stronger.

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Whatsapp profile image
Whatsapp
Half Marathon
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26 Replies
roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Absolutely brilliant - well done!!!!!! A wonderful report, I'm glad to hear you will go back next year, and what a cool medal :)

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon in reply toroseabi

Thank you, the medal shows a lot of sunshine to signify Eastbourne's record levels of sunlight of which it is rightly proud, but which sadly I didn't see on the day!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

Well done! You did it! 💪👍😃🏅

It’s tough in less than ideal conditions (what are they by the way 🙄🙂). It sounds very difficult! Especially having sight of the finish line but that not being the end of it. That’s torture! 😱.

You must be very tired after that so take time to recover. Eat well and healthily and get ready for your next challenge 👍😃

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon in reply tomisswobble

Thank you. The ideal conditions for me would have been the weather at the Brighton HM the week before the beast from the east and storm Emma collided.

I am quite achy today. But they are aches I am proud to have!!

Congratulations! What a great run you had and a fab time too. Sounds like you are planning the next half already!

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon in reply to

Thank you. I fully intend to be back next year. I learnt so much on that run, I know I will be better prepared next time.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon

Huge well done to you and that is a fantastic time too.... you should be incredibly proud of yourself. It certainly sounds like a run of endurance, you are clearly made of strong stuff!!! Lovely medal too :)

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnMarathon

Congratulations! ☺ ☺☺☺☺

Bluebirdrunner profile image
Bluebirdrunner

Huge Congratulations Whatsapp...you should be so proud of yourself and such a great achievement. 😊xx

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Marathon

Well done, that’s a great time, I’d be super, super proud of that. Glad you had a good time. Nice bling too... 🏅💪🏃‍♀️

Mx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubMarathon

Well done. And what a great time. Sounds like a very scenic route. Pamper yourself with your recovery.

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasHalf Marathon

Congratulations, WhatsApp - that is a corker of a time for a first HM with a dodgy ankle. You must have been going like the clappers if you got that time with run walking at the end. Awesome! So when's the next one?

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon in reply tomfamilias

My next race will most likely be a 10 mile run in East Grinstead on Mayday weekend. My next HM will probably be Eastbourne again next year.

Babsicles profile image
BabsiclesHalf Marathon

Well done !

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon

Well done on your first hm- tough, but you did it..and in a great time too!☺

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon

Congratulations on getting through it in one piece! Now you can relax with that sweet medal 🥇

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerHalf Marathon

Well done - and a great time in rotten conditions. I think it is very cruel to take you near the finish line and then away. I usually get overtaken by a rhino at events, the horn appears in your peripheral vision and you think - here we go again. Hope your legs are recovering well.

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon in reply toancientrunner

Them Rhinos are fast: youtube.com/watch?v=bMeib72...

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerHalf Marathon in reply toWhatsapp

Goodness - no wonder I get overtaken!!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphHalf Marathon

Congratulations on a fantastic achievement - and what a great time! Well done :)

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J

Whoo whoop, well done Whatsapp.

Ajs07 profile image
Ajs07

👏🏻 massive well done 👍🏻 amazing time too xx

C3PO profile image
C3POMarathon

Congratulations on your achievement and beautiful medal. Your time is good - especially considering everything you went through.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Half Marathon

Congratulations! Lovely post and what a great time too, excellent! Love the medal! Might be one for me to try as i have relatives I could stay with round that way!😆

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon in reply toaliboo70

I would recommend, but I have no other frame of reference to compare it to in all honestly. However, others I have spoken to have said that it is quite small - around 1,100 competitors. Plenty of supports along the route though, even in the bad weather.

Beccym profile image
BeccymMarathon

Nice bling.

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