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.
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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