Hedge End Running Club
Find us on Facebook & Twitter
  • Home
  • About Us
    • HERC Membership >
      • Membership Form
      • England Athletics
      • First or Second Claim?
      • EA Club Transfer Process
    • HERC Organisation >
      • HERC Committee
      • HERC Committee Affiliate Members
      • HERC Running Steering Group >
        • RSG Leadership Team
        • Run Leaders & Coaches
        • Team Representatives
    • HERC Documents >
      • Club Constitution
      • 2022 AGM Minutes
      • 2021 AGM Minutes
      • 2020 AGM MInutes
      • 2019 AGM Minutes
      • 2018 AGM Minutes
      • 2017 AGM Minutes
      • 2016 AGM Minutes
      • 2015 AGM Minutes
      • 2014 AGM Minutes
      • 2013 AGM Minutes
    • HERC's Social Media Policy
    • HERC's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement
    • HERC's Friends
  • News
  • Racing
    • Hampshire Road Race League >
      • Race Transfers & Eligibility
      • HRRL Race Results
    • RR10 Cross Country League >
      • RR10 Fixtures
    • CC6 Cross Country League
    • Hampshire Cross Country League (HCCL)
    • Lakeside 5K Series
    • London Marathon Places >
      • Club Ballot Results
    • Club Championship
  • Training
    • Training Calendar
    • Training Booking
    • Training News
    • Beginners
    • HERC COVID-19 Framework
    • Training Risk Assessments >
      • Maindens Risk Assessment
      • Mishmash Risk Assessment
      • Tuesday Intervals Wyvern Risk Assessment
      • Tuesday Intervals Boorley Park Risk Assessment Risk Assessment
      • Southampton Track Intervals Risk Assessment
      • Thursday Training Risk Assessment
    • Training Locations >
      • Ageas Bowl
      • Boorley Park
      • Botley Centre
      • Hedge End Train Station
      • Wyvern School
      • Shamblehurst Barn
      • Southampton Sports Centre
  • Members
    • Club Records >
      • Female
      • Male
    • Getting to know HERC
  • Merchandise
  • Mental Health

Race Report - Brighton Marathon - 12th April 2015 -  Sheryl James

15/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
A long run incorporating a cold and muddy cross country race in January seemed a distant memory in sunny Brighton for the 2015 marathon. Having run my first marathon here last year I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and after extolling the virtues of the course and support several other Hedgies were running too.
A 6am departure in the dark with my trusty support crew of husband Paul and running friends Carol and Ali we set off in the car and the chat was non-stop (I think this was their distraction tactic) we reached the park and ride and boarded the bus to Preston Park with other nervous runners.  The park was a hive of activity with runners preparing in their own way, luggage lorries waiting to take personal possessions and the inevitable queue for the toilets! 
We immediately spotted the red hoodies of fellow Hedgies and Ali used her megaphone (yes, a megaphone!) to attract their attention.  There is nothing better than finding fellow Hedgies and knowing you are' safe' and with supportive people.  After our own personal routines we wished each other good luck and made our way to our starting pens.
This marathon was daunting for me.  Yes, I had previously run two but alongside other Hedgie runners.  A fellow runner was due to run with me but made a wise (and difficult) decision to defer until next year.  Yes, there would be thousands running with me but I would essentially be on my 'own' today so this would be a test of my own mental strength not the strength in my legs.
So, after glimpsing the speedy, elite Kenyans pass our starting pen we were off and the inspiring Jo Pavey was at the start to send us on our way.  I knew I would see my support crew at mile 5 and they didn’t let me down - I quickly spotted the infamous red hoodies and HEARD them (cheering, maracas and a megaphone) - what more could I ask for.
I had a personal goal for a finish time so unusually for me I regularly checked my Garmin to keep to my required pace and as it was a warm day made use of the majority of water stations.  As Brighton is a 'loopy' course I used this opportunity to Hedgie spot which doubled up as a distraction from the mileage.  I spotted all my fellow club runners and mutual support was given either with a wave or cheer depending on our own energy levels!
My last sighting of Hedgie support was before I entered my 'dodgy' territory (18 onwards) and into the miles of self doubt.  This isn’t helped by having to run towards the power station/industrial area where support becomes sparse and quiet.  Consequently the sound of fellow runners hurting becomes more audible and the smiles you had at the start have disappeared.  
It's at this time that I read  what I had written on my arm "All the strength I need is within me"  (thank you Louise Gretton), draw upon my stored happy thoughts, two parkruns left, this is running by the chapel and into Bluebell woods, fun Sunday runs etc.  Don't listen to the groans, run past the walking injured, and try not to be affected by the runner being treated by St John's Ambulance.
Back on the sea front and thankfully there are crowds again.  A quick glance at my Garmin made me refocus on my finishing time.  Could I still reach my target?  It's literally a case of putting one foot in front of the other and repeat, repeat, repeat.  Yes it hurts but keep going. I can hear the voice of Stephen Kivlochan in my head "Push, push!"
I could see the big wheel in the distance and knew the finish line was within grasp and I could see my support crew again still smiling and cheering.  I checked my Garmin again and knew I could achieve my target time if I picked my pace up.  Come on you can do this and I DID.  My target was 4:20 and I crossed the line in 4:20:57!
I collected my well earned medal and found my fellow Hedgies. Even though I only know them through running we gave each other congratulatory hugs and shared tears of joy and relief without embarrassment.  We were bonded by a mutual struggle and knew what each other had been through, created memories and fought our own personal battles and that's what a MARATHON does.
Would I recommend you run a marathon? Yes.  Would I recommend Brighton? Definitely!

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    September 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    May 2010

    Categories

    All
    CC6
    Club Championship
    Club Competitions
    Club Runs
    Cross Country
    Getting To Know HERC
    HCCL
    HRRL
    Lakeside 5K Series
    Member Of The Month
    Newsletters
    Other Race Results
    Race Reports
    Rehabilitation & Exercises
    RR10
    SCCL
    Training

    RSS Feed

Interested in becoming a member of Hedge End Running Club?  Click here for information.
Copyright © 2012 - 2023 Hedge End Running Club