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Published: February 28th 2009
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http://www.justgiving.com/3marathonchallenge Brighton....it's always sunny in Brighton and today is no exception. As I sit on the train surrounded by dozens of other like minded runners making my way to the south coast, I have to admit, for the first time since I started this challenge I'm a little excited. I consider this to be a sort of homecoming run and another factor is that I know I'm gonna have a few supporters here cheering me on for this one.
It's a bright day as I make my way down to the seafront to meet up Rich. (A good mate and also the tour manager/driver for our upcoming 3 marathon challenge!) The seafront is absolutely packed as we wander down the beach to the starting point near the arches. This is the largest of the organised runs I've taken part in so far with around 4500 runners taking part, add their friends and family to that and you've got yourself a party, hell lets get Fatboy down here himself!
With so many people, it makes it a bit tricky to get started and 5 minutes after the klaxon has sounded, there's still no sign of any movement around me!
In fact I dont think I crossed the starting line until several minutes were already on the clock....mind you, as I stated to Rich before the start at least I should overtake a few people!
Well by now your probably wondering where my partner in crime and running buddy for this challenge Ben has gone. I should probably explain, it's my own fault really....I completely forgot that there is a KFC on the walk down to the beach from the station! He just can't resist a big greasy bucket. I'm only kidding of course...his absence can be put down to his inability to read his work rota!
Just so you know Ben, they have only gone and opened a harvester a couple of hundred metres from the start line....unbelievable!
Two miles in and it seems a bit odd not to have my northern shadow running alongside me, so when I turn the corner and see both my Mum and my Sister there clapping and cheering me on, it gives me a huge lift! I'm starting to feel really good, which is pretty unusual for me, especially at the start of a run...I'm normally plodding along thinking 'oh
man, I dont think I'm gonna make this next 11 miles!' As we run through the narrow Brighton Laines, jostling for position I nearly come a cropper on two occasions. The first of these is when I nearly sideswipe some fellas wing mirror from his parked car...well daft place to park anyway, on the road that is, I'm busy contemplating what a close shave that was, when at the last second I have to do a jump to the left emergency brake! With all these people around me, a large black bollard on the edge of the pavement goes unnoticed...fortunately I manage to swerve it at the last moment, good thing too, the top of it is just the right height to take out the old winkle sack!
We're back along the seafront now running towards Hove lagoon. Even though it's blue skies, it's still pretty cold though fortunately we aren't hampered by the same monsoon wind and rain as when I ran 5k back here in December dressed as Santa! If you ever want to see a couple of hundred Santas turning blue and having their suits disintegrate whilst running then go and watch the Santa dash in
Brighton in December. I have literally never endured worse weather and I have climber snow capped peaks over 6000 metres high!
The worst part of the run is when you are running back towards the marina. As you approach the brow of a hill you can see people running back down a ramp towards the finish line. From what I can see, it looks like they run down the ramp, double back on themselves a couple of times and then hey presto, wheel out the fat lady, this ones over! Unfortunately once you get down that ramp and turn the corner, in the distance you can see the people running back up a ramp. Damn it, tell the fatbird she can go back to eating for now, I'll call her back here in 4 miles.
Well the 4 miles actually goes pretty quickly, I can tell from the sweat dripping down into my eyes on a pretty regular basis that my time is gonna be a bit quicker than usual. Secretly, I wouldn't mind beating my half marathon personal best of 1hr 42minutes. As we approach the finish line one of my favourite tunes comes blaring out of
Rich's headphones (he kindly lent me his as mine broke just before the race started...just what a good tour manager does, must have a word with him about organising some groupies or hookers for the tour) 'All Along the Watchtower' by Jimi has put a real spring into my stride and I hurtle myself towards the finish line, the clapping and cheering from the supporters at the finish line is soon drowning out Jimi and I pull my headphones out as I steam in and cross the finish line with 1:42:30 on the clock.
I know what your thinking....how long is this blog?! Well don't panic I'm right near the end now and this is the good bit. The mathematicians amongst you (Tone put down the Sudoku book and read my blog!) may recall I didn't cross the start line until after at least 5 minutes had elapsed. Well judging by my official finish time of 1:33:59...I would say 8minutes and 31 seconds had elapsed!
I was greeted at the finish line by friends and family before tucking into a much needed homemade brownie (thanks Cazak!) I was made up about the time time, not only did I
WANTED
someone to help me doctor this piccy to 1:33:59! smash my personal best, after the race my mate Paul (the hardcore marathon runner I mentioned last time) called me and literally only completed the race 19 seconds faster than me! As Paul is also running the Paris marathon...'Paul, you'd better watch your back in Paris mate, not cause I'll be trying to catch you really, I was thinking more along the lines of in case I get really tired and need a piggy back!!'
Well done to Paul and also my mate Nats brother Mark on good times and a big big thanks to every one who gave up their time to come and support me....it made a big difference.
After the race we elected to go to a pub for a roasty, well Harvester didn't seem right without Ben about! Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day was Caroline got pooped on. Judging by the size of the paintball like explosion on her jacket, I can only assume that Brighton has had an outbreak of flying goats!
Next stop is a biggy gang and by the time you read this I'll hopefully be done. It's a 20mile race in Thanet, Kent...I'm seriously starting to contemplate going to church over these bloody early morning runs!
We are literally less than one month away now from the start of the challenge, so forgive me but this is the final push to help us reach that £2000 target. Any sponsorship you guys can provide would be great, even if it is only one pound...don't feel bad and think that we would see that as an insult......every penny counts.
http://www.justgiving.com/3marathonchallenge If you work in an office, why not try and arrange a cake sale, thats exactly what Caroline did in her office. They made about several cakes and then sold them for £2 a slice....just think tasty treats for you to brighten up your work day and you get to feel good about yourself for helping charity!! It's a win win situation!! Caroline made £120 for the cause out of it!
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