Beachy Head - A marathon run

This was my first marathon. My goal was a sub 5 hours, I streaked across the line in ... 5:00
So, I have my line in the sand for next year ;)

Briefly, the day was perfect. Weather cool, pressure high, wind almost still at the beginning but gaining in force just in time to give us a boost over The Seven Sisters.

I'd set out intending to hit the half way at 2:15, I was about 5 minutes over but feeling good and secretly hoping to 'run' all the way.
Toward 18 miles there is a stepped rise, I started my bobbing run up but soon found a dreadful cramp start to take hold low down on my left quad - this was to stop me in my tracks while I massaged it and pleaded with it to let me continue. Once at the top I was able to run untroubled but it was to resurface on the second flight of steps and after on the steeper climbs of the Seven Sisters. The cramping was probably down to a number of things; in no particular order: low salt - despite 4 S-Caps, muscle fatigue (what do you think??) and being a bit shy of long run training.

All said, I had a great day. I pulled in in a time I would have expected and, unlike on other occasions where I push too far, no injuries save some discomfort in a ligament behind the knee.

There's some pics if anyone fancies a look. Yes, I know I look like I could have tried harder...tell that to my wife and boys who were there to witness my deathly slow final ascent - no man's children should ever have to endure that! - and witness my old man shuffle for the three successive days.

Image to come

CLICK HERE

Some more here:
http://gallery.sussexsportphotography.com/index.tlx?albumid=183410


Bib number 247 in search box.

I had a great time before, during and to a lesser extent, after this 'race'. I met up with my family in Eastbourne, forumites from my two online haunts. I finally ran a marathon after 'posturing' long enough.
One thing I intend doing, after being processed by this event, is to marshal an a race. It would be an opportunity to give something back to a sport I have benefitted from and to witness the mind-boggling array of humanity that a race of this distance lays bare.

Go run a marathon.