I am not sure I can't write anything that does justice to how hard it was but here goes.....
I have no desire to run a road marathon and to be perfectly honest find HM distance tough but the challenge of this particular event, given it's insane elevation profile, really appealed to me. Loads of people from my club were doing it and there was opportunity to train for it with the most fantastic group of people.
Training on the trails had gone well (training on the roads less so) and I went in confident I could complete the distance. The weather pre race was awful and I knew conditions would be difficult but I didn't feel at all nervous at the start.
I lined up behind the joggers board (those expecting to finish between 5 and 7 hours) with a friend from my club who is a similar speed. For some reason we all had to move forward which was a little unnerving as Beachy begins with a huge hill that I had intended to walk up! Then we were off and running - luckily for me it very quickly turned into a fast walk. Unfortunately I lost my running buddy in the crowd so decided to go it alone. It was very slow going in the first mile, even after the hill, with lots of bottle necks but I decided to go with the flow and not worry too much about pace. I was pretty sure I could make it up once the field thinned out a bit. I had a plan - to get to Exceat (approx mile 19) in around 4 hours so that if I needed to I could jog/walk in from there and still get in under 6 hours - secretly I felt I may be able to come in under 5 and a half. I would also stop at each of the aid stations for a drink and a couple of jelly babies.
The conditions were so tough! I'm bad at downhill at the best of times but given the prerace rain lots of it was either slippery chalk or mud. I was really conscious of not getting in the faster people's way and just tried to stay on one side. I can't really remember at what distance it was but we came to a really runnable bit (flat and then slightly downhill) but the headwind was so strong I had to stop and walk. There were more bottlenecks ahead - a particularly memorable one at a bridge where I must have waited around 5 minutes! A couple were getting married part way round the course and then running to the end together and some of the bridal party asked to queue jump as they were running late!
I got to halfway in 2hrs 44 mins and just after that saw a group from my running club who were walking the course in reverse to support us. It was a lovely thing for them to do - I think they walked about 22 miles in total!
My absolute favourite bit of the entire run was the aid station at, I think, mile 16 where they had two guys playing guitar and singing. There was a lady runner dancing like a loon - to be honest I think everyone was a bit hysterical by then!
On we went and I was getting really tired. Two giant sets of steps later and I reached Exceat bang on 4 hours. I was so pleased as I felt I'd lost a lot of time due to the conditions. I started the next climb and was passed by two of my clubs ultra runners. I couldn't believe I'd been in front of them - I'd assumed they were miles ahead of me! Afterwards I wondered if maybe I'd gone too fast in the first half but I honestly think I would have been just as knackered even if I'd gone slower.
Then the wind got really bad. I've no idea how strong it was but it was enough to nearly knock me clean off my feet - such a frightening experience that I walked even the downhill bits of the Seven Sisters for fear of it happening again.
By the aid station at Birling Gap I felt totally broken and kept telling myself to remember this feeling if I ever thought I wanted to do this race again!
"Just keep moving" and "put one foot on front of the other" became my mantra - I didn't care if I didn't run another step I just wanted to get to the end - finishing time no longer had any relevance. We climbed Beachy Head and as we hit the downhill I was able to run again. That is until we had to descend the huge hill we climbed at the start! I had to walk down it - I actually couldn't work out how to get down the very last bit and swore very loudly. I was so angry with myself that as soon as I hit the tarmac I full on sprinted just to prove to myself and the crowd that I can run!
I saw my boyfriend at the finish and he handed me my chocolate milk - I'd been dreaming about it for the last hour and a half!
I managed to get in just before the rain set in. My chip time was 5:51:58 which - I'm not going to lie - I'm disappointed with. I'm capable of more than that and really believe given kinder conditions I could take a substantial amount off of that.
Immediately after the race (as those of you who saw my Strava know) I said shoot me if I ever said I wanted to do it again. Well guess what? Now the dust has settled I think I will, at some point, give it another go.
I was talking to a guy towards the end who said he says every year he's never doing it again - it was his 9th time. It really is a very special marathon 😁
Written by
pianoteacher
Marathon
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Wow what a fantastic race report. Felt like I was with you every step. What hideous weather it was on Saturday - that alone was a challenge to run in. Following your training I knew it was going to be an amazing challenging marathon. But knew you could do it!
Well done for getting it done and extra kudos in those conditions. Next step an ultra? 🤣😂 xx
No ultras for me although one of my running club friends did say she found it harder than the 50 miler she did back in the summer 😳
Pretty much everyone in the club is saying they're never doing it again - all except the one who fell and broke his foot at mile 18 and hobbled in but he's obviously a nutter 🤣
I'm pretty sure quite a few people will change their minds in the coming months! xx
Wow, well done, well done, well done! It sounds horrendous. You must have grit and determination a plenty to choose that as your first marathon. Quite bonkers!😍
I'm not in the least bit surprised to hear you say you'll do it again either
I hope any feelings of disappointment are fading fast. Targets are set when we have no idea of conditions on the day - so many variables to get in the way of best laid plans. You just completed an awesome marathon on an appalling day - you should be glowing with pride 💪👏👏👏🥇
Thanks Linda! It was an amazing experience - such beautiful views and really friendly people. I really thought I'd not be able to walk for a couple of days when I finished but the next morning my legs were pretty good, I was just very very tired. Yes it was stupidly hard but I'm starting to see that that was the whole reason I wanted to do it in the first place xx
Whoa! What a challenge! Well done you for finishing, let alone in under 6 hours. 🎉👏🏼🎉 If you do end up doing it again (and it sounds like a Yes), you deserve sparkling, windless weather - just a light breeze to cool your fevered brow as you come in with a PB! 😄 Lovely race report - gave me all the fun of the experience with having to slide down the hills. 🤣 Treasure that medal.
Aw thank you! I think a fair few people who said never again may change their minds. I think it's the 40th anniversary next year and I want to train with my amazing coach again - he's 72 and has completed about 20 Beachy Heads including this year 😎
You will do it. 👏🏼 I’ve walked up Beachy Head, so I’m full of admiration. But think of it this way: you have an excellent chance of bettering your time & making a stunning new PB. 😄🎉 Me, I’m just glad my home turf is the relatively flat New Forest (Not that I’m going in for the marathon. But they do one in September, if you’re tempted....)
I think you should be extremely pleased with that time! Hills, wind etc. I’ve read several reports of this race on various forums and it sounded horrendous. Be very proud! Xx
Thanks Flick! The winning time was 17 mins slower than last year so I do take some heart from that.
It was horrendous particularly the last 6 miles but an amazing event to be part of. Road marathons don't interest me at all but I think I'll be giving this one another crack. Fingers crossed for better weather🤞
There's no way I would consider a road marathon Tasha - I couldn't cope with it mentally and have huge admiration for those that can do it. The changes of terrain and scenery suit me much better plus no one bats an eyelid when you walk 🤣
Talking to another club member this evening - he finished almost exactly 2 hours ahead of me and is an awesome runner (sub 18 for 5k and he's in his 50s 😳) and even he walked a lot of the hills second half xx
Oh well done pianoteacher! I know this is a super tough marathon and have such respect for you taking it on! Fantastic run report and congratulations on completing it, despite the weather. Love, love, love that you are already thinking of doing it again!👏👏👏💪🏅
Ooh pianoteacher, I was thinking of you on Saturday when I witnessed the coastal winds, and then the torrential rain in the afternoon . On top of that you had the blooming seven sisters and 26.2 miles to contend with! You are mad, totally mad 🤣🤣 You are also a brilliant runner and you should be so very, very proud of yourself. Remind me not to join a running club; you get yourself into all sorts of situations.
Love the bling and I think you should wear it everywhere.
The run for those who feel a normal marathon is a bit easy! Seriously though you were unlucky with the weather, it has been much kinder the past few years.
Considering giving the half a shot next year. It would be good to do it as it will be the first one ever. Not interested in the full marathon though, for that you have my up most respect.
The half looks great and I was considering it. Still got to come back over the Sisters and Beachy though and as the marathon only appears to be £8 more expensive at the mo I think I'll opt for getting my moneys worth 😂
Well done. I don’t know how you can be disappointed with your time just reading what you went through in your race report has made me knackered. That’s an awesome achievement and as you are considering having another go (madness) it will be something to aim at. Simply Fantastic 😀👍
Thanks Del! You did Rye ancient trails which is another pretty awesome achievement. I'd love to do that but I expect it will clash with Hellingly 10k again x
Well done. My first marathon took me just under 6 hours and mine was flat and not windy, so I think you did very well 👍😃🏃♀️💪 If you do it next year it might well be perfect weather 😃. The gusting winds must have been exhausting 😤🌪
Take it easy for a bit. I hope you’re feeling ok after your exertions 🙂
Wow I think you did great for such a hilly course!
I have a friend who has run over 160 marathons ( and he has done beachy head since it started and says it's one of his favourites ) and he found it very tough this year. So be proud of your achievement! 😊xxx
Blimey PT!! That is amazing!! You should be extremely proud of completing such a challenging marathon and in an absolutely amazing time!! You cannot compare the time to a road marathon. Sounds like the hills suit you! 👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏼♀️😊. Love the thought of the chocolate milk keeping you going 😁. Well done.
Wow! Brilliant report! You have got to have some serious grit and determination to get round a course like that in those conditions. Well done! Sounds like an amazing event and one that will stay with you for years to come. Issuing just a marathon badge to you seems not quite fitting enough for this effort but there is one there now. Also that is a brilliant time for a difficult trail race in those conditions!
Wow I am in awe. I feel like I’ve done it with you so great is your description. It sounds like a mammoth run and I’m so impressed you completed it in such conditions, dont think it could have been much worse.
Your running club sounds amazing, what a good idea to do it backwards and see everyone. Massive well done
Thanks! My running club is fab - all ages and all abilities. There are club runs every day of the week plus extra stuff (like the training for this) which people organise themselves and all for a £20 membership fee 😁
It was so good there - I was there ages just soaking up the atmosphere. I only ate jelly babies and drank water but someone did ask me if I wanted a cup of tea at the aid station at Birling Gap! Tea during a marathon - what more could you ask for 🤣
Amazing report. I’ve not really tried anything on a trail. Very much a road runner. But I’m now slightly tempted as it sounds very different. Mmmm! Another race for thought!! X
You should definitely give off road running a go. I like road running too but I don't get on very well on the flat - it's just too monotonous and relentless for me both mentally and physically.
I wouldn't contemplate a road marathon but Beachy is a completely different thing. It has wonderful scenery, fab marshals and aid stations, fantastic atmosphere amongst the participants and the generous 9 hour cut off means you can really take it as you please - many people walk the whole thing xx
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