As Manager of the Grand Health Club and Spa I like to think I am fairly fit! But having had a bit of a break from long distance running I decided this was a good year to run a marathon again and what better than the spectacular and very challenging Beachy Head marathon in my own town of Eastbourne.
Starting at the foot of the Downs, the marathon covers 26 mile course that includes 300 steps and 14 gates, passing through Jevington, Alfriston, Litlington, Friston Forest, the Cuckmere Valley and Seven Sisters, including Birling Gap and Beachy Head.
I set myself a goal time of between 4hrs 40 and 4hrs 50 which thought would be realistic.
Preparation
As this event takes place in October it gave me the summer to get onto the downs as often as possible to prepare. My training started with 7 mile runs along Eastbourne seafront and once I’d built a good base I started taking on the Downs as well, building up the miles each week. As with all good plans, I started to miss a few sessions and before I knew it the big day was very soon! I managed to get a 15 mile training run in, but ran out of time and didn’t get the final 20 mile practice run in which I’d hoped for.
Forecast
At the start of the week of the race the weather forecast wasn’t looking too good, with wind and rain set to make a challenging day even more of a challenge! As the week went on the forecast started to get better and near perfect conditions for the Saturday was promised.
Pre-Race
Up at 6am I started my morning race day ritual. I fuelled up with porridge, Banana, tea and coffee and was ready to set off. A gentle warm up is now what is required with some stretches, a bit of light jogging and a final few sips of water before heading up to the start line..
The race
Ready and waiting for the gun to go off I was surrounded by over 2,000 people either ready to take on the marathon or there to support their friends and family. As with all running events I’ve entered the atmosphere was fantastic, everyone really friendly and excited about the challenge ahead.
As the gun goes off we all start to head up the first steep hill which is a good reminder of what lies ahead of us. Finding my rhythm I start off well. Due to the heavy rain we had the days before some of the flatter parts have big puddles and the chalky bits are a little slippery. As we started to head into the forest and up onto the South Downs some parts get very muddy which adds a bit more excitement to the day.
The views over the downs are fantastic, looking out across the rolling hills of East Sussex and towards Brighton. By half way I’m feeling good and have arrived in around 2hrs and on target. Each checkpoint I arrive at has water and plenty of goodies such as bananas, biscuits, mars bars and jelly babies, I stock up and set off again.
As with all marathons the most challenging part is considered to be around miles 18 to 20. With this marathon the hardest part of the course starts around the same distance, the unforgiving 7 sisters! I had arrived there in 3hrs and felt the amazing as I came down the hill with the Cuckmere River in sight.
As I start to run up the first hill I start to feel the 19 miles that I have already run and all of a sudden don’t feel as amazing as I did! My consistent jog became a brisk and sometimes not so brisk walk. Physically and mentality this part is very difficult, so close yet your body is tired your mind is telling you to stop. The final check point at 22miles gives me what I need and I maintain a very slow jog towards the finish.
As I run down the final hill with the finish line is in sight I feel an amazing sense of achievement. I cross the line in 4hrs 48mins so within my goal time and enjoy a nice sit down and reflect on the 26 miles I’ve just run.
All in all a great experience that I really enjoyed, perfect weather, great views and a fantastic atmosphere. I’ll be there next year to beat my time, the winning time was 2hrs 55mins & 38secs, so I have a bit of work to do if I want to be at the front!
Chris Butler, Manager of the Grand Health Club and Spa