Just read Steve's posting, so I decided to write mine in word then do a cut & paste, saving as I went along!
On the run up to the marathon there were a lot of concerns about the weather, in the end conditions were near perfect, dry with a mist, if a touch cold. I started the marathon alone as I lost the other guys when I nipped off to the loos before the start. By the time I found the loos the race was about to start so I quickly joined the line up very close to the front!:o
I started the race very slowly as I knew the first 6 miles were up hill, after a few minutes I heard someone shout “Track!”. I looked behind and it was Steve & Fiona, they soon picked up the pace and urged me to join them, I declined as I knew what was ahead and didn’t want to burn myself out as I did in chemas-microsoft-com[img]http://www.runningcommentary.net/forum/ />t=[/img]. Fiona said I was being defeatist as they disappear out of sight, which was the last I saw of Fiona!
I was running with Avenging Hillman for a while then he picked up the pace and left me. I spent the next few miles alone, eventually I caught him and it was a bit cat and mouse with us passing each other several times throughout the race.
Coming through Ninfield I knew it was downhill for a while and picked up the pace heading into Sidley and past my old house. I heard cheers from Ash & Cam as I passed mile 16 which lifted my spirits and it felt like a home coming as I lived in the area for 12 years. Heading onto mile 17 there was a hill going into Bexhill old town, in the distance I saw a
At mile 18 I was still feeling good and could see another t="on">t="on">Cooden Drive I saw Steve, it was good to see he was up and running again so I shouted some more encouragement. Come mile 21 I was cruising behind the
At mile 24 we finally got off the pebbles and back onto the seafront, which was a relief as was hearing the marshals say “Only 2 miles and its all flat!” I tried to pick up the pace but my legs had gone and I was plodding, I saw a fellow runner stop for a breather. I shouted encouragement for them to carry on telling them it wasn’t far, I was also trying to convince myself as well as I was really flagging. The runner smiled and started to run, a few minutes later they stopped again, I gave them a look and they started up again which was good to see. Eventually they pulled away and I couldn’t keep up!:mad:
In the distance I could see the pier and knew it wasn’t far now, soon I saw the sign I was looking for, 26 miles! 
At this point I was directed under the subway, I dug deep as I could hear cheers and managed a sprint finish. With the line in sight, I saw Fiona in the crowd in her silver blanket and knew she had done well. I just didn’t know how well!
It turned out to be a great day with a PB of 3.25, knocking 28 minutes off my last attempt in t="on">and on a tough course. I was just hoping for sub 4, as I was coming back from a DVT in my calf and this was going to be a test.This was the first marathon I actually enjoyed, before this I was considering retirement from the distance. The day was topped off by Fiona’s amazing performance, everyone was really pleased for her as she is not only a runner but also a friend we train with.
Hastings Marathon (100th Anniversary)
