65 Marathons & Beyond: December 2013

The Portsmouth Marathon was an out and back course from the South Parade (Glass Pyramid Centre) to the end of the Hayling Billy Line.

The start time was 9.00am and we were given a generous 6 hour time limit to make allowance for the tide times.

The event was chipped timed, and runners had to head to the registration before the start of the marathon to collect bibs and running chips. There seemed to be far more runners this year, compared to last year as everyone was struggling around the baggage area.

At the start of the marathon many of us stood under the sheltered area as there was a torrential rain downpour. Thankfully, I wore my 'Snowman' outfit which had a scarf and a big hat to cover my head from the rain. Luckily the rain eventually eased off and we were able to run after the first few miles in dryness.

The course was a mixture of short beachy areas, sea-front paths, very muddy and wet pathways. Some areas were fairly narrow, which meant running in single file in short sections.

Dawn, Annabel, Me, Roger Biggs (Chairman of the 100 Marathon Club) & Anna!

In my SNOWMAN Costume...

Due to the constant changing of terrain on short sections, I was finding it hard to settle into a rhythm during the run. Thankfully, the rain had died down but there were so many puddles around that we were soaked from the feet upwards.

Me, Jo, Emmett and Ruth ran together from the start. I didn't feel too well after the first couple of miles, I wasn't sure whether this was because I had drank too much the night before or whether it was the lack of sleep but one thing was sure this was the first time my head was feeling in a spin. I didn't want to give up and quit because it was my final Marathon of the year and I there was no way I was going to round my year off with another DNF.

Bananas....

There were Jelly Babies, Chocolates, Jaffa Cakes, Mulled Wine, Brandy Shots (because of my continued headache I was only able to take one shot of Brandy and Mince Pies).

Shots of BRANDY served on the course!

MMmmmm - Mulled Wine!

I passed quite a few runners the other way - Kim Cotton, David Davidson, Traviss, Jim Murry, Ian Berry and a few others and said a few quick hellos, and high fives and then trudged on.....

And then just as I was arriving to the half way mark I lost my hat.... I didn't know how or where I lost it......Can you imagine a Snowman costume without a hat??? - I wasn't happy one bit. A couple more miles in, I lacked motivation and started to struggle big time, and then had to ease off and run at my own pace following behind the others. I just couldn't keep up with the gang anymore. In the distance I could hear Jo shout 'Come on Mayyyyyy', and a quiet echoed response from me 'Cominggggggg'... This kept on going till the final few miles. Emmett was keeping us all company by cracking jokes, he did make me laugh and it helped with my headache. I eventually had to let the others go and started to walk a little, then run a little at my own steady pace. I eventually saw Jo running towards me at the final stretch, Jo had already finished the marathon and trekked out to accompany me thru the finish line! After collecting our Medals and Goody Bags we made our way to fetch our free hot soups and bread.