I had been thinking of attempting this marathon twenty years ago. The idea came back with some amazing reviews from one or two Sudbury Court runners at a freezing Parkrun early this year. However, other trail events like the Green Belt Relay distracted me for a while. After the GBR, I had promised myself a good rest, but barely a few days afterwards on a rainy evening, I just didn't feel like resting anymore!
So what event to enter? As my autumn running diary was clear, together with inspiration from hoopsters in last year's race, the choice had to be a trip to Eastbourne.
The training this time was different for a distance event, with summer league races, a 3k track race and a new QP social run! This was hardly classic marathon preparation, but I did get in a couple of hilly Hampstead long runs to achieve 1,000ft of climbing on a local training run. So with a day to go, it had all come together and I was feeling calm with no stress!
We had benign weather conditions on the day with hardly any wind. Soon after crossing the start, I found myself scrambling up a bank. Was the course really going to be like this the whole way? After that initial climb, I started jogging as this epic course took me along grass slopes, mud tracks, and through hazards (XC experience invaluable here). At times we went through thick fog as the course became more and more soft going. On turning towards the seafront after another brutal hill climb, the spectacular views enabled me to forget about the pain. Just keep going up and down the cliff top path and I knew that eventually I'd get back to the town. On the last mile or two, I started to feel better, passing one or two stragglers and enjoying the descent towards the finish.
Job done after the longest time on my feet and the most elevation gained for many years! What's next - rest! Well, for at least a week this time.
Official time 6:17:43
Place 760th