Brighton HM 2019 race report - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Brighton HM 2019 race report

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon
24 Replies

Thanks guys for all your virtual support and advice got me too this point.

I was nervous, especially as I had come down with the lurgy this week so wasn't sure if I was going to be able to race?

6am alarm, gave me plenty of time to do my abolutions and have a bowl of porridge. Race kit and bag set out last night, so everything went smoothly.

I got a lift down with my neighbour and got there nice and early before the road closures. Jumped straight in the toilet queue , which turned out to be worthwhile as the queues were massive later.

Dropped bag at our charity tent and mooched off to the final pen for the 2.30 to 3.30 hour finishers. I was on my own and feeling a bit lonely, but once Fatboy slim started playing I was okay! Soon we were off and round the sealife centre and up the hill, a lot of faster runners had got stuck behind as they couldn't get through the crowds to their pens, so they were weaving in and out of us plodders. It soon settled down though.

I decided early on to put some walks in, as it was so hot and I didn't want to push it. I ran most of the first loop up to ovingdean. Got over taken by a couple of dinosaurs!

Then the heat was starting to get to me already so I poured a cup of water over my head at the 6 mile water station. It really helped cool me down.

As we headed back into the centre of Brighton the crowd support intensified. It really helped. I saw my husband waving and shouting which gave me a much need boost.

Up the next loop along the Old Steyne and finally some much needed shade. Legs aching feeling old and slow by this point I had to incorporate more walking breaks. Then unexpected moral boost from a lady wearing the same Prostate cancer T shirt as I was. She said hello and was very smiley.

Final push past the sealife centre and another cheer from hubby! You got this I said to myself 2/3 rds of the way round come on. Past the drag queen at the grand singing to the crowds.

Saw some mates on the side of the road, gave them a high five. By now I was cream crackered and desperate for a loo break.

Saw some porta loos on the lawns so nipped in for a very quick stop. On my way out heard my neighbour and his running buddy shouting my name, I was so glad to see them. We walked a bit chatting, and then I carried on runnning as I was feeling a bit faster.

Final push past the sea front and my legs were stiff and tired. It was walk run walk run from then on until I saw the last mile marker. I pushed myself to run the whole of the last mile. Some poor lady had collapsed and was being put in the recovery position. I reminded myself I just needed to finish safely.

When I saw the finish I was so relieved, I had done it. Got my lovely bit of bling. Then off to the pub for a roast dinner and too many pints of Peroni.

It's was a tough race and hot. I finished C25K in Oct 2018. So the HM was a stretch. But I didn't mind finishing in the bottom 20% of runners. I was happy to finish around the 2.45 hours mark. It is doable for an old bird new to running.

Keep running and smiling folks xxxx

Written by
Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_T
Half Marathon
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24 Replies
linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Ooh fabulous! Congratulations on getting your first half in, so soon after starting c25k. That's a great time and an achievement to be very proud of. Hope you have been nice to yourself ever since 🥇🍾

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to linda9389

Thank you..! I am a bit stiff this morning, but considering I feel okay. I probably have a bit of a hangover as I got a bit carried away with the post run drinks.

Sqkr profile image
SqkrHalf Marathon

Ah brilliant, a great run! Congratulations on your new necklace :)

Whatsapp profile image
WhatsappHalf Marathon

Yessss, well done. A lovely race report. I am keen to do this one too next year, hopefully in similar conditions.

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to Whatsapp

Thanks, yes I'm already committed to run next year! The weather was lovely.

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnMarathon

Very well done! 😊😊😊😊😊 CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊😊

AND! -thank you so much for a very important piece of advice, one that never crossed my mind but should have.

"I reminded myself I just needed to finish safely"

THAT is pure gold, that you and again - WELL DONE you HM Runner :)

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to Irish-John

Thank you, it hasn't really sunk in yet that I did it. But my aching quads are telling a different story

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatHalf Marathon

Yes!!!!! Great job Snuffy_T. You rocked it! Congrats on a great race.

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat

Thank you

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Huge congratulations !!!! Great post too... Really well done!

"...I reminded myself I just needed to finish safely."

Brilliant... I shall hold that thought when I do my first HM at the end of March...thank you:) Great advice:)

Not sure how old a bird you are... but I am a really old bird... you have given me a good helping of confidence:)

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to Oldfloss

Probably not that old in the scheme of things, in my 50s. But I'm new to running. Good luck with HM in March, I'm sure you will smash it and have lots of fun too :-)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to Snuffy_T

I think shuffle in to the finish line rather than smash😊 I'm 68 nearly 69..you're a youngster 😉

Beccym profile image
BeccymMarathon

Well done it was a tad warm too. See you next year!

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to Beccym

Yes definitely, it was such a fun event :-)

HoagyM profile image
HoagyMHalf Marathon

Great post Snuffy, thank you. My first HM is coming up in a few weeks' time, so I read every word of this avidly - very interesting indeed. You've done amazingly well to get to HM after graduating in October, massive congrats. And that time is very respectable - my current thought is that if I can get inside 3 hours I'll be very happy :)

Well done!!

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to HoagyM

Good luck with your first half . You will feel amazing afterwards, and have some bling to add to the collection which all ways helps !

Pippa49 profile image
Pippa49Half Marathon

Well done. I did Brighton Half too. I was the last one in but the support and encouragement I got as I came in was worth it as was getting a PB for me (4:10:00). Knocked 3mins and 9secs off Cardiff Half time of 4:13:09 so was happy my feet less so lol.

Snuffy_T profile image
Snuffy_THalf Marathon in reply to Pippa49

It was a great event, and the atmosphere in Brighton is all ways great. Brilliant that you got a PB too ! Maybe see you there next year :-)

Pippa49 profile image
Pippa49Half Marathon in reply to Snuffy_T

Don't think I will be doing it again next year atm. Am going in April for the 10K

Agelesslass profile image
AgelesslassMetric Marathon

Well done, you are an inspiration to another old Byrd ME. Got my first HM in May and started C25k last April. You are truly amazing, love the bling too.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon

Brilliant, well done Snuffy! HM so soon after C25k is awesome 👏🏻 👏🏻👏🏻💥🎉

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Fabulous report and super fabulous achievement - huge well done!!!!!! xxxxx 💥💪😍🍺🍰

MatildasPb profile image
MatildasPbHalf Marathon

From C25k in October to HM now wow! Well done you!! I finished C25k about the same time as you, I’m so impressed. I’ve got my HM booked in for 12th May got a bit longer to get the distance up.

Thanks for the report it sounds a great place to do a HM. Maybe next year. 😊

Fun-free profile image
Fun-free

Inspirational thank you..this will be in 17 days and so feels like me!! Hope I can ahare my well earned medal too 🏅🏆

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