Re-posting from the weekly chat for benwill so I don't get detention
This Sunday I got a high-five from Paul Sinton-Hewitt (Mr Parkrun), the race starter for the Brighton Marathon. I shall be expecting the same from the Queen next weekend!
Having not run for almost three weeks (because of the sore soleus muscle in my left leg), I was nervous to find out what running would be like, but Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" got me running happily to join my corral, and then The Chemical Brothers' "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!" made me feel like something of a badass as we started to file out to the starting arch.
I enjoyed the music a lot this year, heard the Queen song three times in total (including one from a choir), and another highlight was the steel band on New Church Road playing "Funky Town" I also enjoyed some funk on a turntable at Elm Grove, Bruce Springsteen being Born to Run in Ovingdean, and the VERY loud drum bands outside Tesco and on Basin Road. It was fun having my name on my top, with everyone shouting Go Abi! And I saw my neighbour filming me, and my husband was a couple of km from the finish (he doesn't like the crowds).
But gentle reader, I went out far too fast! At one point I was running with the 4 hour pacers, which was ridiculous. I think I may have forgotten the feel of my paces during my break - maybe it's time to fork out for a running watch! And although I was taking in the sights and sounds around me, I was also kind of in a trance, and the race seemed to fly by...
...until about mile 18 or so, when I really started to flag, and my leg got quite ouchy. By the "Power Station" section of the course my pace had dropped considerably. I have recently renamed this section "Mordor", but only because the chimney of the power station reminds me of the Eye of Sauron - I actually usually enjoy running over there! But this time I was struggling and it didn't seem so much fun. Anyway, I made it through the rest of the run (with a few short walk breaks), and even managed a sprint to the finish - got a nice airborne photo too!
Chip time: 4:24:31. I got thoroughly sick of fig rolls and jelly babies - I'm thinking again about cheese for the London Marathon, à la C3PO The weather was much cooler than last year, and it even rained while I was getting my bag back. They were giving out free pints of non-alcoholic wheat beer (it's isotonic, man), which most people (including me) were only having a couple of sips of. The goody bag was meh, but the organisation generally was excellent.
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roseabi
Ultramarathon
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Well done Abi, great post. The music we run by is very important especially on these longer runs. Its amazing what the right tune can do at just the right time.
The thing that worries me about moving onto a marathon (apart from the massive commitment) is the thought of the potentila of boredom from running for so long.
The music must help but I would need to find something else to focus on. It will be a couple of years yet before I did a marathon, but I would love to know how you runners deal with this?
I have to admit I don't often find long runs boring, although having said that I'm not keen to do Brighton again any time soon because it's getting a bit too familiar. But generally I like to make my long runs feel like an adventure (and a marathon is nothing if not that!), and I nearly always really enjoy them! Mixing up the routes adds to the feeling, and one thing I love to do is plan a run - when I was initially thinking about marathons the first thing I did was find a 20-miler, and then I could hardly wait to try it
Thanks, thats a good point. I don't mix my routes up simply because I run early and just go straight out the door. So, I am limited to where I go. However, planning new routes during the training plan would make it more interesting, I guess.
Wonderful post Abi! I didn’t realize this was such a musical event! Sounds like a lot of fun minus the slog part. 😁 Sorry the loot bag wasn’t anything special, but that is another nice piece of bling for your collection. Now I am curious about the t-shirt...
Lovely race report Abi. I've had to seek this one out after I saw the run on Strava. An amazing time too! I love to read about all the things you proper runners get up to. I'm here cheering away, can you hear me? Yaaay!! Woo hoo!!
I hope you're feeling at least a bit rested now...ready for your next adventure. ☺️
Thank you xx. I love the medal, it features the i360 observation tower in Hove, which was completed less than two years ago. It was fascinating seeing it being built, and it is a strange and beautiful addition to the skyline
Congratulations! And great report too. And what a fab time, especially if your legs were feeling achy. I am in awe of anyone running marathons - when you have done one you really know how difficult it is, and all the training that goes in. Well done!
Alcohol-free wheat beer is currently the last word in isotonic drink, so it was very modern of them (or very enterprising of Erdinger) to offer it. But half pints would have been so much more practical!
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I also enjoyed some funk on a turntable at Elm Grove, Bruce Springsteen being Born to Run in Ovingdean, and the VERY loud drum bands outside Tesco and on Basin Road. It was fun having my name on my top, with everyone shouting Go Abi! And I saw my neighbour filming me, and my husband was a couple of km from the finish (he doesn't like the crowds).
Laura to the rescue in first marathon!
