Only writing this three months later, my apologies I have no idea where time has gone recently.
One thing I can say about the Leeds Marathon is that it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was amazing. I remember leaving Stu at the gates to the stadium as it was runners only to start with and making my way round to the starting Pen. Purple Pen the last to start, nothing unusual there for me. I remember doubting myself as I do most races, my training had not been as intense as I would have liked and I had even considered not doing it but I’m not one to not turn up to start lines if I can help it.
We seemed to be waiting ages before we were allowed to join the street to filter through to the start. As we passed through the start Rob and his family were all there High Fiveing runners as they went past which was quiet emotional.
I don’t remember every twist and turn of the course but I do remember at about mile 17 we hit the long incline, I believe it went on for three miles. The views were amazing as we all trundled up and at this point not one person was running it. The last few miles I started to Flagg a bit but kept going with the fact it was looking like I would be in in around 6 hours which I was amazed with. Then I hit a couple of miles before the end and both of my calf’s were hit with cramp, determined not to let in stop me I kept going one foot in front of the other till the cramp subsided and then there is was the path round the stadium, I picked it up a little then realised my ending peak had come too soon as there was still half of the track to run round.
I finished in 6.30.26 which I am fine with I have never been finishing times for me its always been finishing lines.
Would highly recommend Leeds to anyone that is thinking of doing it and so pleased I did.
It was 16th October 2022, I was undertrained having Hardly ran anything since Race to the Stones. New jobs role, busy hours and generally life had taken over.
The day before I’d been so I’ll (turns out I had got vertigo) and to be honest even when I was getting in the car with my loyal crew member Stu I was wondering if I should be going, but in my heart I needed and wanted to go to do something for me.
I had made the decision to travel on the day to keep the cost of hotels down and use the park and bus service which was fantastically organised and would definitely do this again.
I don’t know what I expected from this route to be honest I hadn’t really looked at the terrain much we set off with an amazing atmosphere. There was no staggered start just join your area with the pacer you wished to follow, so I joined around 5hours 45 minutes. I had already decided I was going to drop it down and Jeff 20:30 on this one.
We set off and the atmosphere was amazing, it wasn’t long before we hit York Minster where the streets were lined with encouragement.
The route from then on was definitely undulating I plodded along and can recall a few long stretches where you passed other runners going the opposite way, some of those stretches were long. I recall being at about 12 miles and the 6 hour pacers passing me I was still quiet determined at this point and a few minutes later passed them, I managed to keep them behind until just after mile 16 then they just seemed to plough past and to be honest the energy was lacking to fight to be in front of them what did it matter what time I finished as long as I did.
At mile 21 my hip really struggled and it was this point I knew I’d not done the training I needed to end strong, my walk breaks got longer and running got shorter but I put one foot in front of the other. At mile 24 ish I met a fellow girls that Jeff Jeffer who had a foot injury and we walked for a couple of miles together chatting it was only the last couple of miles when the pain killers seemed to kick in or maybe it was the adrenalin that I picked things back up a bit.
I remember seeing the finish line and that burst of energy coming out of no where. They day I cross a finish line and say never again will be the day I hang up my running shoes, at the moment I can’t see that happening soon, that crossing the finish line never gets boring!
Yorkshire Marathon did not disappoint , it was tough I’m not going lie but it was worth it and I’m making it my mission to return next year, more prepared for those hills!
6 hours 21 minutes and 44 seconds not a personal best but now my worse time either, not that it mattered.
Finally the day I’ve been waiting for for so long is here. It still seems unreal.
I’ve been mooching since 4.30am and have several hours to go yet with the later starts and I would have loved to be getting going at 9am but 11.50 it is I’ll just have to deal with it.
My stomach is full of butterflies.
I’m overthinking everything, don’t want to eat to early, don’t want to eat to late, don’t want to have to rush to start line incase I can’t get across the road, don’t want to be too early stood around this will cause several port loo trips . Don’t want to miss my wave cause I’m in the porta loo . Although I can join the last wave at least if that happens.
My legs already feel heavy, my heads saying am I really going to make it after the up and down past few weeks, damn you head!
Oh my word why do we put ourself through this stress Is this really fun?
I thought race mornings would get easier the more you do it but that doesn’t seem to be the case. It never puts me off booking my next one though. I think i’m addicted.
I really have no idea if I’ll make it or not today but if I don’t go and try I’ll never know and after all the training and waiting I didn’t come all this way not to start.
Must remember to be nice and steady, don’t go out too fast with the crowd, stick to 30/30 if I start to struggle, drop down to 30/ 45 or 30/60. Either way I’m going to give it my all.
Whilst the family snoozed I headed down to breakfast with my porridge pot and mountain fuel breakfast sachet, it appears everyone has had the same idea. The room is full of nervous and excited racers and already has an amazing atmosphere.
Once breakfast was forced down back to waste time dressing and undressing. I won’t bore you too much but I went from full leggings to Capris to shorts within a space of five minutes so pleased I did as well.
I was surprised how quick time passed and before I knew it I was saying goodbye to Suzie and Stu and off out the door.
Within two mins of following other runners I was at the starting area, what a fantastic place to stay without the stress of the metro or buses or long walks.
People were already loading the pens for the earlier waves and I could feel the excitement building up in me. My thoughts of can I do this now changed to I’m doing this!.
As time creeped up I asked if people knew what wave was being loaded, a lady behind me said her daughter had gone up and she was the same wave as me.
So I made my way over as I crossed the pen line the Marshall informed me it was Pink b they were loading, I apologised but then he said to me if you want to go in feel free.
Fantastic an earlier start meaning longer to finish meaning less pressure. So I shuffled in amongst the starters, sticking to the back area.
I always start to stress at the start lines not sure why but I always think I’ll get in people’s way when I walk after 30 seconds or people will frown at me. I’ve never had it happen and always move to the side but the thoughts are always there. Before I knew it we were filtering through and off across the start line.
I have to be honest I don’t recall the whole route I ran but I do recall snippets, so if areas are not in order etc I do apologise but most importantly I loved every minute of it. The people of Manchester did not disappoint and were just as amazingly supportive as they were when I completed my first half Marathon.
I recall setting off and not long till I was on a long stretch with runners on the opposite side running the opposite way. They cheered us we cheered them . My first thought was I wonder how far it is till we will be on that stretch. I remember the DJ under the bridge, couldn’t tell you what was booming out but their support was fantastic and we had to run past them twice. I remember seeing road signs for Altrincham and knew we were hitting the point of turning around to head back in. I don’t know why this is the only area on the map I really took note of pre run but I think it was at this point that it registered that there was only one way I was going and that was to the finish line.
I remember finding miles 18 to 20 very long, I was still feeling strong and sticking with my 30:30 ratio but these 2 miles just seemed to take forever. I remember going past a pile of portals and no idea why but thought I should make a stop, just incase. Big mistake I’m sure bending my legs into a different position for that short space of time caused me my leg cramps. The weather had been a warm one and it was only when I reflected that I realised I’d not drunk enough electrolytes which was probably the main cause of the cramps. I wasn’t alone there were a lot of people on the sides stretching and hobbling at this point. I was lucky once I got going again the cramp eased and did not hinder my progress.
I remember looking up shortly after and realising I was in single figures left to run! I love counting down rather than up.
I remember one of the Marshalls telling me only one mile to go and seeing that 25 mile marker sign, I felt like a kid at Christmas full of different emotions excited, almost teary eyes but they were happy tears.
I really didn’t need to worry about the darkness or not having enough time with the later start runners were continuing to come in hours after me and I never really noticed the darkness falling around me as I made my way through those final miles.
As I saw the finish line light up before my eyes I found a burst of energy, I have no idea where this came from. I had the urge to put the foot down and sprint over the finish line to collect my shiny medal, grinning from ear to ear. It didn’t matter that I might not be able to walk tomorrow, all that mattered was that amazing feeling of having finished.
I received my time a cracking 5 hours 46 minutes and 40 seconds! Just under an hour off my first Marathon so a PB!
Manchester was amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart. If your thinking of a first half or full marathon I really recommend considering Manchester, amazing atmosphere, fantastic support and a good first time terrain.
I woke the next day feeling not too bad, I can definitely feel a difference in recovery since Jeffing. My muscles were a little sore, to be expected but I found I could walk fairly easy with very little pain.
So the question is what’s on the agenda for 2022!! Watch this space
Finally the day I’ve bee waiting for for so long is here.
I’ve been mooching since 4.30am got several hours to go yet with the late starts would have loved to be getting going at 9am but 11.50 it is I’ll just have to deal with it.
My stomach is full of butterflies.
I’m over thinking everything, don’t want to eat to early, don’t want to eat to late, don’t want to have to rush to start line incase I can’t get across the road, don’t want to be too early stood around this will cause several port loo trips 🤣🤣. Don’t want to miss my wave cause I’m in the ports loo 🙈. Although I can join the last wave at least.
Legs already feel heavy my heads saying am I really going to make it damn you head!
Oh my word why do we put ourself through this stress 🤣 is this really fun?
I thought race mornings would get easier the more you do it dosnt.
I really have no idea if I’ll make it or not today but if I don’t go and try I’ll never know. I’m hoping the atmosphere and supporters will keep me going, must remember nice and steady, don’t go out too fast with the crowd, stick to 30/30 if I start to struggle drop down to 30/ 45 or 30/60. Either way I’m going to give it my all.
See you on the other side.
Today’s the day, my first official race since Febuary 2020.
I have to be honest not feeling it this morning slight twinge in back of leg so painkillers taken and feeling a little quesy not sure if it’s prerace nerves or what.
So I’ve told myself what will be will be this is after all just a training run, so no pressure and 6 whole hours to go at whatever pace I want.
We arrived at Rumbridge Fisheries yesturday tea time to be shown to our lovelly little camping pod. After a tea of Speghetti Carbonara and my night time mountain fuel hot chocolate around the fire pit I settled in for an early night.
I slept quiet well but was woken by a rarther rude cockrel about 5am an hour earlier than my planned alarm.
So I pottered about a bit, put the kettle on, made and ate my mountain fuel breakfast and began kitting up.
We arrived at Horsheath Horse trials just after 8am immedietly I was made welcomed. As I checked in the lady said your down for the full Marathon, to which I replied I’m aiming for 20 miles as a training run but we will see. My heart still wanted to believe I could do the Marathon distance my head told me it was too much too soon.
I think even then I didn’t believe I’d manage the Marathon and was setting myself up for the smaller goal.
We were called to the start line and placed in mini waves. It was smaller than I expected, wasn’t expecting thousands but maybe a few more. It was nice that there were people of all abilities doing various lengths of the course, it took away that intimidating feeling that can often come woth larger events.
The waves set off as the clock started the 6 hour countdown and within a minute or two I was off on lap one.
I wasn’t quiet sure what to expect of the course and thinking back to signing up I didn’t really pay much attention to what it was like it was only in the race brief when they were explaining the route I realised I’d not really though about it.
As I set off down the gravely track round the barn area which was hosting the aid station and toilets I could see a flat stretch of path and was pleased when the lady I’d started with began walking, A fellow Jeffer! Yay.
I’d decided to stick with 30:30 as its what I knew but wanted to play around before Manchester to try and pace up a bit since they’d just announced they’d reduced the cut off time and the thought was terrifying me.
As we turned the corner to the left an incline that seemed to go on forever appeared I think it was at this point I knew it was going to be a tough one.
As I reached the top the pathway sloped back down before hitting a grass trail. As I hit the grassed trail I knew the stones from the first section have invaded my shoes and the only thing to do was stop and get rid last thing I needed was blisters on lap one.
After a quick stone removal stop off I went following the patch into an even narrower trail with a slight incline, uneven surface, tree roots and only really room to put one foot in front of the other I plodded on hoping I wouldn’t trip or roll an ankle.
Once out of the wooded section which I’m not sure was wooded more just over group path lol. I carried on along another flat grass trail with beautiful views across the fields before turning another corner and faced with another incline towards a water tower. What was with all these inclines!
After passing the water tower it was along a short section before turning another corner and heading on down to base. You could see the base from the start of the decent wich was quiet nice.
As I jeffed around the cones I ticked off mentally one down.
It was starting to get warmer and the hill section seemed to be right In the path of the sun so the breeze after the water tower was deffinetly welcomed.
Before I knew it lap two was done, lap three I began to question myself and feel like I was getting sluggish it was then I revised I needed to fuel so out came a gel. All through this time I told myself to keep moving and if I stopped at half marathon It had still been worth the visit.
As I was hitting the hill again I decided to change to 30:60 on the hill to try and take the pressure off as I was making my way up it I was passed by a juggler 🤯 yes a gent was juggling as he was running up a hill!
Apparently helped take off the thoughts of his legs 🤣. He passed me at least a further two times and gave words of motivation to me ashe passed which really was appriciated. As the laps went on I saw less and less people running nearly full laps sometimes with just the odd person passing, nothing else but me and the views. Which I’d like to add were very pretty, but no spectators shouting words of encouragement like there had been at my first half marathon in Manchester, no kids hi fiveing (although I doubt we will have that for years to come) just the odd people and organisers at the aid station which dwindled down to just the three organisers by the time I was on my last lap.
Before I knew it lap four was down followed by 5 and then I was on lap 6. It was halfway through lap 6 that the doubts began crawling in and I kept clock watching, knowing I was slowing set the voice off in my head saying I wouldn’t make the laps in time. I even considered giving Sharon a call to talk total and utter nonsense to get me through but decided against it, part of me wishes I had now. so when I came in to start lap 7 I realised I had an hour and 05 minutes to get round which would allow me to go for my last lap. Surley I could do that even if I walked the hills and jeffed the flats, I was doing this! My legs could do this. It wasn’t easy those hills were really starting to tell on the tops of the thighs but I’d come too far give up now.
I came in for the last lap woth just over 15 mins to spare, I think that’s when the realisation hit, today I was leaving a Marathoner. It dosnt matter how the miles are covered miles are miles.
I grabbed a fill up of squash and told them I’d be back. I did apologise that it might take me some time but I would be back and back I was.
As I came down the hill on the last stretch I could hear calling out my name through the speaker and I could see stu stood by his side. I knew I was the last on the course and probably had been for awahile although little did I know the second to last person had only got in ten minutes before me.
I rounded the final corner I couldn’t walk. through the finish line, so I gently jogged through I didn’t have any sprint finish in me for this race but it didn’t matter I’d run a whopping 26.2 miles!!! I didn’t need to have anything else in the tank.
there was a single medal left hanging on the hanger my medal 😁 which. Told me to wear with pride as he handed it to me. Its a fab medal deffinetly a good one for the collection. What was even better my hubby giving me the biggest of hugs and telling me how proud he was of me.
Zoe another one of the organisers brought me a chair, it was a godsend as I knew if I sat on the grass area I’d never get up. I was then informed they’d saved us both the last two slabs of cake 😋 which went down well.
You hear people saying never again when they’ve done their first Marathon or that was gruesome, I don’t know if I’m just wiered or what but I never felt like that when I crossed the finish line. The tops of thighs had a burning sensation in them and I knew stiffness would soon set in but I always take that sort of stiffness and ohhing and arhing as a sense of achieving something more than I’ve achieved so far. My toes I didn’t dare investigate those I knew two would be turning a pretty colour and most likley vacating my feet eventually but I could deal with a few days and I knew that soreness would go.
I wanted to do it again and more 🤯 good job really with a 100km event on the horizon 🤣.
It’s all starting to get real, the training is starting to add up and now Manchester Marathon have provided us with a fab little app which ticks down the time left by the second 😁 not sure if it excites me or terrifies me, I suppose a bit of both if I’m honest. Still 2 halfs and a 20 miler to do yet before I can panic over
