The Bournemouth Marathon - My second one in 7 months

On Sunday 6th October 2019, I ran my second marathon of the year by running the Bournemouth Marathon.

I chose this location as my Auntie Helen lives in nearby Poole and she suggested the idea after seeing people run it the previous year.

So the day after completing My First Marathon, despite feeling a little broken, I signed up for Bournemouth!

Training

Overall I felt the training went well. I trained smarter this time. There were times I felt I had enough in the tank to push harder but I held back to avoid injury and to save some steam for more taxing runs.

I worked harder to include longer runs. If I couldn't run one over the weekend due to social commitments, I would do it on the Monday instead.

There was a short period when I lost my motivation to run. I just completely lost interest. The thought of getting changed into my running gear, then having to stretch and run around the park, just wasn't for me. This all changed when I started to read the book by David Goggins called Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds.

This guy smashed obstacles to become one of the fittest men on the planet. He pushed through the pain, overcame weight issues and depression, he even overcame a heart condition. I rediscovered my motivation and slowly started to get back into the running again. Whenever the training became tough or I didn't fancy it,  I would think back to David Goggins and wondered what he would do.
The Answer: he wouldn't quit and pushed an extra 10%.

Race Strategy

My target was to complete the marathon in less than 4 hours. Using the Strava Running Pace Calculator, I had to run an average 9:05 minutes per mile. I was running this comfortably during training so I was mildly confident I could maintain this, as long as my limbs wouldn't fail me as they did during the second half of the Brighton Marathon.

Fuel Strategy

I had a fuel strategy this time. I read a lot about how best to prevent cramping and hitting the famous wall. A couple of the articles I read:

• What is 'hitting the wall' during a marathon and how can you avoid it?
• 7 Ways To Avoid Hitting The Marathon Wall

In short, it's important to maintain the carb levels and keep hydrated. Carb loading the days building up to the race and having a truck load oats for breakfast is one thing but you also need consume during the run.

I stocked up Science in Sport (SIS) Energy gels and Hydration tablets. I've been using these products since I started running last year and I really feel the benefits. I certainly notice the difference when I don't take them and my running stats reflect this. Side note: Hydration tablets are also great for hangovers!

I used to buy these individually from running and health food shops but found they are cheaper to buy in from Amazon:

• SIS Go Plus Caffeine Energy Gel 60ml - Cola (Pack of 5)
• SIS Go Isotonic Energy Gel, 60 ml - Orange, (Pack of 6)
• SIS Go Hydro Hydration Tablets - Caffeine Cola
• SIS Science in Sport Go Hydro Hydration Tablets - Berry, Tube of 20

Race Day Strategy:

Before the race

• SIS Hydration Cola Caffeine tablet into a pint of water
• SIS Go Plus Cola Caffeine Energy Gel 15 mins before the start of the race

During the race

• Another SIS Go Plus Cola Caffeine Energy Gel after the first 45 mins
• Then SIS Go Isotonic Energy Gel every 45mins to an hour.

I carried with me a SIS Hydration tablet to drop into the water provided by the course, which I planned to take during the second half of the marathon.

I also had a runners backpack to hold my bladder....my water bladder. "Uncle" Tim looked a bit concerned when he saw this on the kitchen worktop...it did look like a urinary catheter.

I looked liked a budget Ghostbuster but I found this backpack very useful. I didn't want to rely on the water the course provided. I wanted to drink when I was ready rather than wait for the next Water Station.

Did my Fuel Strategy work? Well I didn't cramp up and never hit the wall. You could argue that I was better prepared after running a marathon before and staying close to my training plan but I would follow this strategy again...why chance it otherwise?

If you are going to try this strategy for yourself. Always read the guidelines of the products and experiment with small doses during training.

Miles 1 - 8 (Avg. Pace 9:02 min/mile)

The start was pretty quiet compared to other events I've ran. There weren't many people cheering us on at the start. I guess it was too far away from the main centre.

I ran the first 8 miles pretty steadily. There were times when I was getting a bit carried and was running faster than intended but then I purposely slowed myself down and stuck with my plan.

The latter part of this section I had actually walked with my aunt Helen and Tim just over a year before. At this point I hadn't even run a marathon or even knew Bournemouth had one. Yet here I was over a quarter way through my second marathon in 7 months.

Miles 9 - 16 (Avg. Pace 9:03 min/mile)

These miles were pretty straightforward. It was quite nice running along the sea front. We also ran over the two piers - Boscombe and Bournemouth. I thought back to walking on these with my grandparents when we came here for our summer holidays.

Mile 17. Finishing line?! (Avg. Pace 9:02 min/mile)

This is probably the cruelest mile on the Bournemouth Marathon route. You run under the finishing line - there it was above me...Bournemouth Marathon Finish. There were still another 9.2 miles to go!

Mile 18 (Avg. Pace 9:05 min/mile)

This was the first challenging climb on the route. There was a hill in Boscombe but this one was longer and steeper.

Going up the West Cliff, was like running up treacle at this stage. I was going through the motions but moving very slowly. 

I eventually made it to the top and I've never been so happy to see a flat road. 

Miles 19 - 22 (Avg. Pace 9:13 min/mile)

Nothing of note here. I was running in the opposite direction of the finish line. 

My pace had dropped but I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to finish without burning out before the end. 

At this stage I was munching Jelly Babies. They tasted so good and refreshing!

The struggle was real and I lost a few toes but would do it again!

Mile 23 (Avg. Pace 9:14 min/mile)

At last, my cheerleading squad of My Dad, Helen and Tim. It was great to see them after such a long time.

Apparently I looked fresh as I was waving and smiling. I didn't feel it.

The legs were tiring but I was still running despite what this picture looks like.

Miles 24 to 26 (Avg. Pace 9:23 min/mile)

Back running along the beach and finally towards the finishing line at Bournemouth Pier. 

I could see the pier in the distance but it looked so far away. My legs were feeling heavy but I kept going.

Focused on the finish

Finishing straight (Avg. Pace 9:23 min/mile)

The biggest cheers of the whole route. This gave me a huge boost, I felt like an Olympia and I pushed for that extra 10% that David Goggins had spoke of.

I crossed the finishing line for the second and final time. 

My official time is 4:08:25 but I stopped for a pit stop so the actual running time is 4:06:52 according to Garmin. 10 minutes quicker than Brighton.

Official Time

Stats from my Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch

I collected my medal and goodie bag before having to go down the steps (So cruel after 26.2 miles) to Bournemouth Parks Lower Gardens.

My Dad and me.

Here I met with my cheerleading squad (Dad, Helen and Tim). We headed up that treacle hill I spoke of from Mile 18, where we went to a pub called The Hop Inn. After being on the wagon for 3 weeks in preparation for the marathon that first pint tasted goooooood!

My Dad and Auntie Helen at The Hop Inn

My Dad and I went on to another pub called The Grasshopper in Poole , whilst Helen and Tim went to check on lunch back at their place.

Keeping hydrated in The Grasshopper

Still smiling!

After sinking a couple of pints, we went back to the apartment where we had an amazing slow cooked lamb roast as prepared by the master chef Tim. Washed down nicely with a glass of wine or three!

It was a great end to an amazing day, which I owe a big thanks to Auntie Helen and Tim for looking after me that weekend and being such great hosts. Also thanks to my Dad for being the ever present cheerleader and ensuring that I kept hydrated with beer!

Next Steps

Sadly, I didn't get into the London Marathon for 2020, it's a kind of lottery so it was always going to be tough. However, I have entered the Edinburgh Marathon for Sunday 24th May 2020. I've already booked the flights. Its a Bank Holiday weekend so should be a good one. I've started my training for it and I will work harder to get my finishing time under 4 hours.

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My First Marathon

My first full marathon started in Brighton at 9:45am on Sunday 14th April 2019 but how did it end?

Build up
Training had gone pretty well. I missed a few planned longer runs in March but I had managed to run 20 miles three weeks before the marathon. The run had gone well up until the 16th mile but I started to run out of steam and water (well you can't have steam without water), then I started to lose my momentum towards the end as I had to keep stopping at road junctions. However, despite this I was feeling a bit confident. There would be plenty of water at the Brighton Marathon and I wouldn't need to stop at any traffic lights.

A week before Brighton I went for a 12 mile run and started to pick up a limp towards the end of this run. The feeling was similar to the pains I had in the build up to my first Half Marathon last year. This time it was my right leg rather than the left. I was worried.

I went for a deep tissue massage at Soma Rooms in Ealing Broadway. Apparently my hamstrings were very tight and I should have come in sooner. As the week progressed I did some stretches at home (as recommended by the masseuse Natalie) and went for a couple of slow gentle runs. No pain but I could feel niggles in places. I just had to hope I would be okay on the day. The pharmacist recommended that I take paracetamol and ibuprofen. Maybe Richard Ashcroft would be wrong, and the drugs do work.

Marathon Eve
We arrived in Brighton the day before the marathon. We were welcomed to Brighton by a blistery hailstorm. We walked along the sea front using the umbrella like a shield at the hails were flying at us horizontally. My lead cheerleader Ananya said "I'm going to seek shelter in this cafe". I was tempted to join her but I had to march on to pick up my race number and registration...I really wished they had posted it to me like with other events I've run.

The pictures below were taken within 30 minutes of each other. British weather, huh?!

In the evening we met up with my Dad and Liz. We visited a couple of pubs around Worthing where we were all staying. I was on pints (of water) having been on the wagon since April 1st. We went for a lovely Italian meal at a place called Aqua so I could carb up with some pasta.

Pre-race
Ananya dropped me off nice and early to Preston Park where the race would start. I was there for 8am with the race start time at 9:45am. We wanted to beat the traffic and to ensure there was parking available in the car park in town.

It was bitterly cold in the park but I tried to keep warm by moving about. I was also getting messages of support from friends and family, notably from my Mum, my brothers who got me into running, my cousin Neal who sent me a video of his daughter Amelia wishing me luck whilst singing "I'm a little tea pot" (in reference to the picture below) and my boss Hugh, who told me to saviour the moment. These messages meant a lot to me, they helped to keep me warm and relaxed.

I got talking to one of the volunteers, who had been there since 6am. She told me this was the best shift as she could leave at 11am. Whereas the other volunteers along the route had to stay until 6pm. I was amazed at the hundreds of volunteers who had taken time out of their weekend to support the event.

I also got talking to a young bearded chap called Matt who was running for Mind. This was his first marathon too and was feeling a bit nervous. The longest he had ever run was 12 miles.

After parking the car and much needed coffee Ananya phoned me to say she wouldn't be able to make it to Preston Park before the race but had something for me and she would be waiting beside the traffic lights outside the park. I was touched that she got something for me and couldn't wait to see her.

The Start
With 15 minutes to go I went into my starting pen. I was in the blue pen with the aim of completing the marathon between 3.5 and 4 hours. My pace in training suggested I could achieve this.

As the race got underway I was looking at various traffic lights on the route to try and spot Ananya. Finally after running around the outside of Preston Park, I saw the biggest smile ever...it was Ananya. She leaned over the barrier to hand me a couple of protein bars, which was such a lovely gesture. We embraced and then I went on my way again. Just 24 miles to go at this point.

Mile 6
The race had been going well so far. An amazing atmosphere running through the Brighton town centre with the crowds cheering us all the way.

The 6th mile is just after the marina going uphill. It is here where I started to feel my first bit of pain. My right hip had started to get a bit painful and reminded me of the feeling I started to get before limping on my 12 miler. It was too soon to limp out of the marathon, so I slowed my pace down and tried to find a footing that would be comfortable. After a while I got through this and I was back being okay but I didn't want to overdo it.

Mile 11
Running down the hill now, there were some interesting runners going in the opposite direction. There was a lady running up with a baby pram. I couldn't see if there was a real baby in it but there was a pink leg poking out. I also saw a stormtrooper as well as Batman and Robin. I then saw a guy running up in a heavy looking rhino costume.

What I loved about this section was the runners going down the hill were encouraging the runners going up the hill by cheering out their names. It was warming to see such a great community spirit amongst the runners. There were plenty of examples of this throughout the day.

Mile 13
I started to feel better and more confident as I approached the 13th mile and the half way point. Going downhill certainly helped as recorded my fasted pace time. The crowds were very loud at this point with everyone cheering the runners on and cheering out their names.

I heard someone shout "TONY"...I looked to the side and I could see Ananya smiling and waving again. It felt good to see her again. I could see she was so proud of me.

A little bit further up, I saw my Dad and Liz waving and cheering for me! It was such a great feeling to see them there supporting me. They looked so happy to see me too, I could see I was doing them proud.

Miles 16 to 19
This part of the run was very stop/start for me. I was feeling good up until this point but then my hip went again causing me to limp. I tried to keep running but the pain was sharp. The crowds along the street were shouting at me to keep going, I tried but it was too sharp. I stopped for some water and then walked slowly. The pain subsided so I started off again slowly getting into my stride. The legs felt stiff but I somehow managed to get going again. Then after I while the pain crept back in so I started walking before attempting to run again.

Towards the end of this section the pain got too much and I couldn't even walk. I had to stop. I refused to sit down because I knew wouldn't be able to get up again. Even though I had stopped my hip was still painful. I was starting to think that my race was over. I was 10 miles away from the finishing line. I can't even walk to it.

I tried to stretch but in the end I could only move my hips a little. Where I had stopped there was a slight downward slope, so I thought I would give it another try. I grimaced in pain as I started to walk but I kept going. Then I started to pick up the pace a bit as I went down the slope. I was running stiffly but at least I was moving. The pain became a manageable numbness.

Miles 20 - 23
This area is affectionately known as the Dead Zone, it's a very quiet area of the route that wouldn't look out of place in the Walking Dead, especially with all us runners beginning to resemble zombies as we start to drag our feet. There are no crowds here to cheer us on. Just warehouses presumably for the fisherman as there was a fishy smell in the air.

Around here I saw a runner wearing a t-shirt that read "52 Marathons in 52 weeks". This was my first in 40 odd years and I was struggling.

A strong wind was blowing in this section. It was a cold wind but it was more of hindrance rather than being refreshing. It was sunny now but there was no warmth.

In this section a lot of runners were pulling up and stopping. I saw one runner going in the opposite direction with a cup of water, I can only guess he was bringing it to someone who had stopped. Another example of the community spirit.

The finishing straight
As I got closer and closer to the finishing line, the crowds were getting bigger and louder. I wasn't sure where the finishing line was going to be. I guessed it would be at Brighton Pier but it looked too far away.

Around the British Airways i360, I spotted My Dad, Liz and Ananya cheering and waving me on. I started to feel a bit emotional at this point...I was so happy to see them. Their support was amazing without them I may have quit when I was struggling earlier.

With less than a mile to go I saw the heart-breaking sight of runners being stretched out on the road receiving medical attention with ice packs on their legs. To get so far and not being able to finish was heart wrenching for me but I tried not to dwell on it for too long and I just focused on the finishing line.

I could now see the finishing line which was actually after the pier, the crowds were getting louder...as I crossed the finishing line I held my arms out as if I had won the thing. I was just relieved to have completed it, I had no idea of my time at this point.

I collected my medal and made my way through the freebies. I was also given a sheet of tin foil that made me look like a budget superhero but it helped to keep the body heat in.

A St John's Ambulance guy advised that the best thing to do is keep on moving. After running for over 4 hours it was the last thing I wanted to do but I slowly kept walking.

I eventually discovered that my finishing time was 4hrs 16mins 50seconds. Not the 4 hours I was aiming for but after my initial disappointment I am pleased with this time. I was just happy to finish in the end and it gives me a time to beat at next marathon.

Speaking of my next marathon...I've already signed up for my second one. I will be running the Bournemouth Marathon in October 2019.

Post-race
I eventually made my way to my cheer leading squad. We walked slowly through the crowds and made our way to Revolution for lunch and well deserved drinks. After not having a drink in two weeks the first beer went down very well. Mission Accomplished.

Acknowledgements
I ran the Brighton Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. At the time of writing I'm 52% above my target. I couldn't have done this without the generosity and support of so many people.

Although many of my supporters weren't in Brighton on the day, their messages of support were on my mind throughout and kept me going, without them I might have given into the pain.

Ananya
Dad and Liz
Mum, Ryan and Emma
Sean, Kelly, Sinead, Niamh and Darragh
Uncle Hugh
Uncle Joe
Auntie Helen and Tim
Auntie Imelda
Neal, Becky and Amelia
Stef, Em and Frank
Kelly and Ben
Deborah
Team Legend (aka Mike and Babs)
Martyn - my oldest mate from my Uni days cheering me on from Plymouth
Sarah - Another one of my Uni mates.
Residents of Lawrence Road
Not forgetting my teams at work past and present: Lisa, Anna, V, Hugh, Nikki, Salma, Farouk, Davina, Cristina and Ana.

I also want to give special thanks to my employer CMS for their generous donation.

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There's still time to sponsor me, if you haven't already, please see the link below if you would like to make a donation or to see why I chose the Alzheimer’s Society: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-laskowski

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Running the Brighton Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society

Call me crazy but I've signed up for the Brighton Marathon in 2019. What's not crazy is that I will be running for the Alzheimer's Society. This is a cause that is close to my heart as I have experienced it through family members and I know friends have come across this in their families too. My Babcia (Nan) and Grandma passed away with forms of dementia so I will be running in their memory. My Grandad, my last surviving grandparent also has it. Growing up I remember watching the London Marathon with my Grandad. We would watch the start before going to church and then would return to watch the finishers. So the marathon has special memories for me.

I did enter the ballot for the London Marathon, which is a kind of lottery but sadly I wasn't lucky this time. There's around 50,000 places available with over 400,000 entering so it was always going to be tough. I will enter again next year. I've got a lifetime ambition to complete.

This year in 2018, I ran two half marathons – I ran the Hackney Half and the Ealing Half. It will be quite a challenge to run 26.2 miles (42.2 km) in one race but it's a challenge I'm relishing and I'm counting down to Sunday 14 April 2019. The Brighton Marathon is considered one of the top marathons in the UK and will be taking place two weeks before the London Marathon.

I'm running about 3 times a week at the moment covering up to 12 miles in total. The real training will be starting in December. I've found a 16 week training plan which starts awkwardly on the 23^rd December. I will do my best to work around the Festive Period but it won't be easy. I'm going to Thailand on the 27^th December for a week…so I will probably need to run along the beach. It's a tough life.

Going back to the training plan, there's so many out there but I found that this one by BUPA fits in more with my life style. I've always found it difficult to train on Mondays and Fridays – it just feels wrong.

I have set myself a target to complete this marathon in less than 4 hours. So the challenge will not just be about completeness, I also want to achieve a good finishing time for my first marathon. Let's not forget, this marathon is not only about me, I will be raising money for the Alzheimer's Society. Donations can be made be here.

Ealing Feeling - My second half marathon

On a warm spring day in May 2018, the day after the Royal wedding, I completed my first half marathon by finishing the Hackney Half with a respectable time of 2hr 9mins. Some five months later, on a cold and frosty September morning in Ealing, I was about to embark on my second half marathon of the year by running the Ealing Half.

This time I had set myself a target to finish the run in under 2 hours. The training build up suggested that I was on track to achieve this but there were a couple of factors against me. Some of the reviews I read about this run reported that it's a difficult route for those that want to beat their personal best times. This is due to the hills and the sometimes twisty circuit. The second factor, which almost made me quit the event, is I had a very heavy cold/flu the week leading up to the race. I missed work on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. I managed to go to work on the Wednesday and Thursday but it was a struggle and my cough was getting worse. Then on Saturday morning I was on my knees coughing in the lounge and it felt that the cough was never going to stop. When the coughing managed to subside, my chest and lungs felt so raw and sore. Oddly by the afternoon, I was feeling better, maybe the meds were starting to kick-in or maybe the body was in denial.

Sunday morning I woke up after managing to sleep through the whole night without coughing. I did have a mini coughing fit before heading to the shower but it managed to calm down quickly. After the shower I felt fit to run, although privately I felt only 75% fit but I headed off to the event area.

Home Turf

This running event was on 'home turf' with the Start line in Lamas Park, this is a short walk from my flat in Ealing. I reached the park just after 8am, there was a chill in the air, as well as the smell of Deep Heat. After I reluctantly took off my sweater I checked my bag into the baggage area…it was too cold to be in shorts and a t-shirt. Quite a contrast to my runs in the warmer months of May and June.

I wasn't feeling the chill for too much longer, as the pre-race warm-up session was about to start. The routines were fast paced and fun.

After the warm-up it was then time to walk towards the starting pens. Unlike my previous races, you weren't already designated, you could choose the pen for the time you think it would take you to finish the event. I went for the 2hrs pen. As I was edging to the front, there was a non-runner that had accidently got into the pen after seeing off his son. He asked if there is a way out…I joked there was no way out now and he would have to run!!

Ready…Set….

Whilst I was waiting, a couple of guys jumped over the gate to be with their friend. The friend asked how they were feeling…one of the guys replied "I've been for a shit three times this morning, so I'm feeling very light". Thanks for that image!

Go…

The race started on time at 9am, unlike my other races there wasn't a staggered start, everyone could just go. Most people were actually running towards the start line that was about 250 metres away, I chose to save my legs and just walked fast, then I launched into my stride as I approached the start line.

There was a lot of people traffic so I wasn't able to sprint away but this was probably for the best anyway as this helped to preserve my energy. Most of the race was like this. So I ended up running with the pack until I found a gap, then I would run into the gap and speed up until I caught up with another pack, this seemed to work quite well.

Community spirit

Every church around the route was giving out mini bottles of water for the runners. There was also a Gurdwara London Sikh Centre and a Fullers pub The Duke of Kent giving out bottles of water. This pub was the last one on the tea towel challenge, which I completed exactly a year ago with my Cousin Neal….but that's another story.

I overheard an elderly pedestrian ask one of the volunteers if they had any spare water. The girl said that she has about 200 bottles in that box and the guy was welcomed to help himself. So there was a great community spirit all around and this gesture warmed my heart...although it was pretty warm by this point anyway.

Haribo and Jelly babies

I've never seen so many…every street in the residential areas seemed to have kids eagerly holding out bowls of sweets for the runners.

Cow bells

There were a lot of cow bells at this event…made me think of the winter Olympics. 

Greenford Avenue hike

I read that it was highly recommended to include this road as part of the preparation for this event. The road has a long steep climb to the top. As part of my training, I would approach this road around the 3^rd mile mark of a 6 mile run. For the Ealing Half, I knew I would be hitting it on the 8^th mile. However, I knew this was the last of the three hills that the route would cover so I was eager to get it out of the way.

As I approached Greenford Avenue from Bordars Road…it looked a lot steeper than what I remembered. A few people stopped to walk up the hill without even trying to run up it…my legs were sore but I told myself to keep going…as I got to the half way point I imagined pulling myself with two hands up the hill with some rope.

I made it to the summit of what felt like Everest…then thankfully it was downhill to a road called Cuckoo Lane.

Thatched Cottage

Did you know there's a thatched cottage in Ealing? Neither did I. I marvelled at the cottage as I ran past it and thought I must tell Ananya about it. I still haven't.

12^th mile

Friends and family asked me where it would be best to cheer me on from. I suggested around the 12^th mile mark to give me that extra boost for the last mile and I expected to be there around 11am. I don't wear a watch when I run so I had no clue of the time. Every cluster of people I saw I was looking out for some familiar faces. I didn't see any, so I then thought they might be waiting for me at the finishing line inside Lamas Park.

Lammas Park

When I entered Lamas Park I knew the finishing line must be close….but it wasn't. Every corner I approached, I thought it must be around this next corner…but it wasn't. Then I saw a sign that said "500 metres to go"…so I stepped up my pace…but I could only manage this for another 50 metres or so. The legs were tiring…I almost tripped over a couple of times…then I went around the next corner and to my relief I could see the finish line so I started to push again…my legs were screaming at me to slow down but I kept on pushing regardless and finally I made it past the finishing line.

After I collected my medal and a bottle of water, I went off to find some space. I checked my phone and was surprised to see that I completed the Half Marathon in 1hr 48mins. I beat my previous time by 20mins. The time of day was only 10:50am so no wonder my cheerleaders weren't around…I was too quick for them!!

Learning of sad news in a happy place

Two weeks before running the Ealing Half Marathon, I went to Bournemouth for the weekend to visit my auntie Helen and her husband Tim. This would be my last drinking weekend before going on the wagon in preparation for the race. The three of us certainly made the weekend count. I arrived Friday night after work and we stayed up until 4am on Saturday morning. Despite feeling a bit rough when I finally surfaced out of bed around 9am, I was still keen to stick with my plan to go for a 6 miles run along the beach and then go for a dip in the sea.

I ventured down the stairs of my Aunt's apartment and on to the road beside the beach. I did my usual dynamic stretches before embarking on my run. As I was about to strap my phone to my arm I noticed that I had a message from my cousin Neal to say my Grandma had passed away. The news wasn't too much of a surprise as she was in hospital and had some health issues after a successful hip operation. However, it was still sad news to receive. I contemplated cancelling my run but I decided to go ahead with it to help process my thoughts.

As I ran I felt it was quite fitting that I should learn of the news in Bournemouth. This seaside town amongst others such as Dymchurch and Weymouth, are where I have my fondest memories of my Grandma. Every summer for two weeks we would go down to one of these seaside towns with my Grandad driving my uncle's Yellow MK2 Ford Escort…oh and let's not forget Sooty! The family dog who lived to almost 18 years old...as Grandma would often remind us. Sooty would happily sit in the front. In the later years my cousin Neal would join us on holiday too.

As I ran along the beach that morning all the memories from our holidays came back and it was like I was there with them. I could picture Grandma sitting in one of the beach huts we used to rent, she was never a fan of the sun and the hut gave a chance of some shade. But when the weather was cooler, Grandma would happily go for a paddle in the sea, with her straw hat and wearing one of her flowery summer dresses (it's the yellow one I can picture). Grandad loved to swim out deep and I could picture his head bobbing in the background as I worried he went out to far.

My Grandma loved her ice cream. Her favourite being a Knickerbocker Glory. For those that don't know, this is like an ice cream sundae served in a tall glass, with ice cream layered on top of fruit, a sprinkling of nuts on the top and a strawberry sauce covering the inside of the glass. The best bit was when you reached the bottom of the glass…as the melted ice cream mixed with the syrup of the tinned fruit. As I ran back I wondered if I would be able to find an Ice Parlour in order to have one in my Grandma's honour.

As I returned from my run, Helen and Tim were waiting for me on the beach. Tim and I stripped down to our shorts and eased ourselves into the icy cold sea. Once we started swimming we soon forgot about how cold it was. It was very refreshing and relaxing, I could feel my hangover just drift away with the sea's current. Tim and I had a good catchup in the sea as we bobbed about but I was unsure whether to mention my Grandma's passing as I didn't want to put a downer on our weekend.

Amazingly we spent about 20 minutes in the sea. Then the three of us headed to the apartment to have a much needed Full English Breakfast (with black pudding). Over breakfast Helen asked how my Grandma was doing in hospital, I didn't want to lie so I told them the news of her passing. It was a relief to tell them and it felt good to talk about things.

The news of my Grandma's passing never put a downer on the weekend. In fact, it helped to be in a happy place with lots of fond memories from the past and with many new memories created of time spent with Helen and Tim.