When I said it was my first and last I meant it and more so now

It was a great idea to stay near the start as we could see it all being setup the night before. On the morning, we put our bags in first, went back for the loos, and we were ready. Stomach fine, in fact 1 quick pit stop only cos I needed a rest

OH got a fab PB of 3:40, mine a PB of 6:50.

I started off really enjoying the first 10, in good spirits. Loving passing the Benfleet RC runners going the other way. Then I got slower… occassional walks.. but around Mile 13, I wanted to flake out I felt really really sick, so by about 14 I went to St. Johns and asked for something for nausea. They had nothing so I asked them to wait whilst I threw up  in case I passed out.

I asked a marshall for sun cream as my cheeks were burning (did cream before we went out) from the salt/sweat.

Loved the support, really encouraging, but at some points I couldn’t be motivated by it.

Around mile 16 I think (it’s all a blur now) I took a rest on the bollards in the road.. the long ones, not the cone ones A van stopped to ask if I was okay. I said, I thought you were the sweeper car? They said.. we are but ambulance guys in their checking I was ok. So then came the tears as I asked for something for nausea, they told me what to ask the doctor for at the next stop. I was giving up right at that point, I felt so ill. But I couldn’t… I couldn’t be a DNF on my first and only mara!

A friend was supporting around mile 17. I went over to him in a mess, he gave me water, told him how much I was struggling, and he walked with me which was a relief given my general feeling of dread hitting the deserted (cos by now I’m back of the pack) industrial area by myself. He walked it through with me, after we stopped for the doctor. Sitting in the shade for 5-10mins, and I asked if they had dextrose tabs, took two, and off we went. I picked up walking pace. When we got down to the front, I felt great, so ran the last 3m. Being the only runner around by this time, I got so much support it was great. Particularly running along the seafront, with the outside pub all cheering me, and then majority of people along the promenade. I had a wave of support all to myself

During the industrial walk, we saw Rosie Swale.. obviously I asked her for a lift I didn’t get it though…

I also shouted Hugh from 50in50

I unfortunately got passed by the testicle man (male cancer org), also the larger of the scooby doo’s, but I did beat Sponge Bob

As I got onto the seafront a man was taking down banners from the railings. I shouted, Oi! don’t do that, I haven’t finished!

Another time people were sitting out their beach huts and shouted, and told me to come back for a drink! I did ask if I was winning… cos there was no-one else around me.. maybe I was in the lead!

It’s the first marathon for Brighton and the organisation was great! I’m really pleased I’ve done this ‘once in a lifetime experience’… and raising £900 for CLIC Sargent, caring for children and young people with cancer.

But… never again