We hung out in the charity village for a bit, had a cup of tea, gave our bag in and made our way to the start. The marathon was due to start at 9am but there was a slight delay and we finally got over the line at 9.20am, unfortunately we had to make a quick stop as Cala, Jay and I were desperate for the loo (the bushes in Preston Park got a good water). It was then on with the race, we made it round Preston Park and my mum was there to cheer us on and take our tops off us. It was then down London road, where Jo, Murphy, Andy, Gill, Beckie, Kelly and Jennie were there to see us past. Thankfully our supporters had foam hands so we saw them before they saw us - it was such a great pick me up to see them cheering us on.
We went through the north lanes, back up to the Level, down to the Old Steine and then up St James Street where Cala and I picked up another runner James, (Jo and Kelly had also done a fantastic job of running through the back streets to be there to cheer us on). At this point Jay, John and Carl were way ahead of us. After St James Street it was back on the coast road to Ovingdean, we were running behind Fat Boy Slim (Norman Cook) through the school, it was then up the hill to Rottingdean where we saw my sister Debby, niece Kelly and her girls cheering us on. It was such a boast to see them as we had been without spectators for a good view miles.
Thankfully the hills were now done and it was on the flat back into Brighton, our fantastic supporters were waiting for us by Brighton Pier and supplied us with Choc bars, etc. Cala, James and I managed to run without stopping to the 15 mile mark, we had a cheeky little walk before going again along New Church Rd, knowing that Tim and the babies would be there at the bottom of the road kept us going, it was great to see family and friends at this point. It was then back to The Drive, at this point we had over taken Jay (who had an injury) and Carl and unfortunately lost James as he had slowed right down). I was having problems with my knee but poor Cala was in a lot of pain with her shoulder (an excisting injury). We did a mixture of power walking and jogging down to the lagoon and along to Shoreham Harbour. This part was hard as there were hardly any supporters here due to the location, as we turned at the harbour we knew the finish was not far.
We were now on the home stretch and my body was battered. I do not know how we kept going, we just kept telling each other how great we had done and that it was nearly finished. It was such a boast to see Gill and one of my lovely nieces at the Flying Angel, it was only 1.5 miles to the finish line. The crowd and our family were fantastic in cheering us across the line.
Michaela and I started the marathon together and crossed the finishing line with our hands in the air, we were the 5,869/5,870 persons across and it took us 5hrs and 16mins. We had our medal put over our heads, were given a foil blanket, were de-tagged, given endless drinks, a banana, finishers t-shirt and a goody bag. It was nice to have a slow walk through before we were mobbed by our families.
We had agreed to meet under 'F' and as the others were cheering Jay and Carl on Tim and Andy were first to see us, which was great. John had finished just under five hours and Jay and Carl were very close behind Cala and I. Within 40 mins we were altogether under 'F'.
It was a fantastic experience, unfortunately not with out a couple of downsides, after the finish Cala was in extreme pain with her shoulder and was treated with ice packs, poor Jay was in pain with his ham strings, my attention seeking (only joking) brother, Carl got the full treatment with the paramedics re his blood pressure. John and I got off lightly with the usual aches and very sore knees. It was a scary moment for all of us looking on at Carl, not quite sure what was going on as he lay on the ground being treated but he recovered and we all lived to tell the tale and enjoy a celebratory BBQ at Jo and Murphy's house.
I am very fortunate in that I have fantastic family and friends and a few thank you's are due:
My man, Tim: Thank you so much for the encouragement and support in training, looking after the little people whilst I did evening and weekend runs. Thank you for putting up with me being a bitch the day before the marathon because of nerves. Also for moving out of the house the night before the race so it could become the runners camp. On the day thank you for all the support, cheering, energy supplies, the banner, looking after the little people, taking great photos and being there at the finish. Love you sexy pants.
My little people: Thank you for the excitment of mummy going on training runs, the kisses and cuddles and being there to cheer me on.
My mum: Thank you for the encouragement, support and believing in me during training and on marathon day. It was such a boost to see your massive blue hand waving in the sky along the route. Love you loads.
My in-laws: Thank you for looking after Tim and my little people the night before and being there to support me and cheer me on on the day, plus looking after Sammy boy so Tim could be at the finish.
My nephew, Jay: It was great to have you home and do the marathon with you. Thank you for making our last marathon training sessions fun. We all miss you so much when you are away with the army.
My brother, Carl: Thank you for running the half marathon with me in freezing temps and the marathon with me in hot temps and the funny conversations about training. Got to admit the cold bath worked! Love you. x
John: It was good to see you again after many years, thank you for your company and good humour the night before the race and on the actual day. I think the five of us made a great team.
Jo & Murphy: I would never ever be able to thank you two enough for the support and love you give me and my family. No matter what it is you guys are always there behind me. You have always believed that Cala and I can do this and are always there at every race, thank you for getting us through this and for all the delicious food as well. The bbq was a great way to end a fantastic day. Thank you. Love you guys. x
My sister in law Gill and my niece's Katie, Jenny, Becky, Kelly, Kelly and her girls: Thank you for standing on the streets for hours cheering us on, I cannot explain to you how much that meant to me and you really did keep me going.
My sister, Debby: Thank you for being at Rottingdean, wow it was so great to see you there and got me over that final hill. Thank you also for being there at the pier to cheers us on over the finish - you are a star to be able to get from Rottingdean into town when the roads were closed.
My family and friends: Thank you for the encouragement, sponsorship and praise for doing it.
Andy: You are a gret new addition to our family, thank you for supporting Cala through this and for my beautiful present, wearing them as I type!
Finally... Cala Wala Woo Woo: This is all your fault, I decided to jump on your band wagon re completing a marathon. We have trained together from day one, you have put up with me moaning about aches and pains, we have had fun training times, 50p chips, free crazy golf, lovely sunsets, injurys and finished races that would now be a doddle but were hard at the time. Thank you for a great experience and also being you. Like your mum and dad you are always there for me and I am so lucky to have you in my life. Love you loads. xxx
OK OK Oscar speech over with now, wipe those tears!
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