Jemma Harris
Jemma Harris, aged 28, is the New Channel Sales & Marketing Manager for leading health club chain, Fitness First. Last month she ran the Virgin London MarathonHow did you get on?
I did the marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes.
Did you enjoy the marathon?
Yes and no! Yes because the crowds and the support on the day was amazing and overwhelming, as I saw my family and friends at various points along the 26 miles cheering me on. This was fantastic and quite emotional with all the support. No because my legs were in pain from about mile 13! And I was very sick at the end of the race.
Did it live up to your expectations?
Yes it did, although I wasn’t impressed with the female urinals at the start and having to wait 10 minutes to go to the toilet on route! But yes it was fantastic as I’ve never known support like it or ran with so many people.
How were your energy levels?
My energy levels were ok as I kept drinking lots of water, it was more my legs that were in agony.
When did you feel at your best?
I felt at my best between about miles two to ten.
Did you struggle during the race?
I started to struggle from about mile 13 as my left hip and right knee were in a lot of pain.
Would you do the same race again?
Yes definitely.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I could only run at my own pace and there was no point trying to go for an amazing time, as I was originally aiming for 4 hours.
What would you do differently?
I would start off slower so that I could run faster and have more in the tank for the last 6 miles!
Would you recommend the marathon?
Yes definitely, run the London marathon if you can get a place.
What is your next race?
Just a few fun 10K runs in London over the summer.
To any aspiring marathon runners, I’d recommend you train hard, and just try your best on the day, as you never know what it feels like until you have actually run it once!
Claire Chamberlain
WR Deputy Editor Claire Chamberlain ran the Brighton Marathon. It was her second marathon after running the London Marathon in 2009How did you get on?
A lot better than expected! Despite the fact I’d missed a few long runs due to illness and injury, as well as the very warm weather on the day, I completed the marathon in 4:56:45 – that’s 16 minutes faster than my previous marathon! I was absolutely thrilled to go sub-5!
Did you enjoy the marathon?
I loved it! The warm weather meant the spectators were out in force, so the crowd support was amazing. Plus I ran the first 16 miles with friends (online ed Rhalou and contributing ed Lisa), and it was great to have a natter, cheer on other runners and sing songs as we went along.
Did it live up to your expectations?
Even more so. I ran London two years ago and didn’t think Brighton could possibly attract the same numbers of crowds to cheer us on as we ran – but it really did! Plus the route was stunning – running next to the South Downs, through the picturesque village of Ovingdean and alongside the glittering blue sea really made the race a special one.
How were your energy levels?
Surprisingly good. I made sure I drank enough water through the race, and topped up my energy levels with Jelly Babies (obligatory!) and the Clif Shot Bloks that were being handed out at miles 12 and 18. My pace was very consistent throughout, helped by the fact that I walked for one minute every time I reached a mile marker, so I never got to a point where I felt worn out or run down.
When did you feel at your best?
The whole of the first 16 miles when running with Rhalou and Lisa – we kept each other’s spirits up! And running back along the seafront from mile 23 to the finish line. The crowds were incredible, which kept me smiling, and I saw my wonderful supporters – my mum, my sister and her boyfriend, and my best friend Alex – cheering for me like wild things at mile 24, which gave me an unbelievable boost!
When, if at all, did you struggle and why?
To be honest, I really didn’t hit the wall at all during the race. Of course, my legs were killing me for the last eight miles or so, but I was able to run through it and focus on other things instead – the cheering crowds, the views, encouraging other runners. Even running through the power station at Portslade didn’t get me down – I just kept focusing on the fact that every step was taking me closer to the turn back towards Brighton.
Would you do the same race again?
Absolutely! It’s a fabulous course with wonderful support and a relaxed seaside atmosphere. Plus I went to university in Brighton, so it kind of feels like a ‘home’ race to me.
What did you learn about yourself or about your fitness?
I definitely learned that I shouldn’t panic at missing a few training runs. A few weeks before, I’d considered pulling out of the race, as I’d missed my 20-miler, but realistically, I’d done 90 per cent of my short runs and interval training, and I’d completed one 18-mile run, so the fitness was there. And taking part has reconfirmed my belief that staying positive and being mentally strong is vital if you want to enjoy the race.
What would you do differently?
I can’t think of anything I would have done differently – I loved the race, got a new PB and did it with a smile on my face. It was perfect!
Would you recommend the marathon?
Without a doubt! People get so stuck on the idea of having to do the Virgin London Marathon, but I honestly preferred this race. The route is beautiful, the crowds are friendly and supportive, and you don’t have to wait for months to find out whether you’ve got through a ballot system. I can only see this race getting better in the future.
What is your next race?
I’m doing the Bupa 10,000 at the end of May. I’m really looking forward to it – although it’s just a week after my 30th birthday, so hopefully I’ll be in a fit state to enjoy it!
Christina Macdonald
WR Editor-in-Chief Christina Macdonald also ran the Brighton Marathon, and it was her first oneHow did you get on?
I had a great race. I really enjoyed it. It was hot but the race was well organised, with plenty of water stations and lots of nutrition, plus the crowd support was incredible. I was fortunate to have one of those days where running feels natural and my body felt good. Not all days are like that but on this occasion all my hard training seemed to come to fruition!
Did you enjoy the marathon?
I enjoyed the challenge but I admit that I did spend a lot of the race fearing that the infamous ‘Wall’ would hit me between 20 and 26 miles, but fortunately, through good hydration and nutrition (i.e. eating and drinking absolutely everything offered to me!) the ‘Wall’ didn’t strike! When I got to the last few miles and I realised I was going to be OK, I felt fantastic! Which was handy, because I had a two-mile walk back to my hotel afterwards!
Did it live up to your expectations?
Yes it certainly did. I knew there would be great crowd support and brilliant organisation. I wasn’t disappointed.
How were your energy levels?
Reasonably consistent all the way through. I was pleasantly surprised!
When did you feel at your best?
At around 18 miles when I stopped for a loo break and then realised I was going to be able to keep running afterwards!
When, if at all, did you struggle and why?
I didn’t physically struggle but mentally I found it hard to enjoy the part of the race featuring Shoreham power station. It was industrial, smelly and not scenic. But the rest of the course was great so I shouldn’t complain too much.
Would you do the same race again?
Yes without a doubt. And I’d certainly recommend it for anyone else doing their first marathon.
What did you learn about yourself or about your fitness?
That my stamina is better than I’d anticipated. I felt great throughout. And that I’m not a fast runner and I’m definitely better at slower, endurance based events. But that’s OK. I enjoy them!
What would you do differently?
I wouldn’t change anything on race day but in terms of my training, I’d worry less and enjoy the experience more. It’s meant to be about fun and achievement after all. I worried about it far too much and should have enjoyed the journey.
Would you recommend the marathon?
Yes wholeheartedly. Brighton is a great marathon and I would recommend that everyone takes part in a marathon at some stage of their life. It’s an amazing experience and the confidence it gives you is second to none. I’m now actually beginning to believe that anything is possible!
What is your next race?
The BUPA 10,000 in London on 30th May. It will be nice to do a 10K and not have the training take over my life.
Rhalou Allerhand
Online Editor Rhalou ran her first marathon in BrightonHow did you get on?
I had such a great time! It wasn’t easy, I’m pale and freckly so the scorching sun was punishing, but thanks to Lisa Jackson’s endless enthusiasm and lots of jelly babies, I powered on through. Claire also ran with us for the first 16 miles, so we sang ‘Another one bites the dust’ at every mile marker and had a really good time.
Did you enjoy the marathon?
I loved it, I felt like a rock star! I had so much fun.
Did it live up to your expectations?
It was better than I ever could have expected. The crowds were great, the scenery was great, the weather was amazing and my body behaved itself. I couldn’t have asked for a better first marathon.
How were your energy levels?
I was hyper for the first 17 miles, then my energy levels dropped, roughly coinciding with the midday sun. Apparently I went white as a sheet and stopped chatting for a few miles, but then strangely when I hit mile 21 I had a massive power surge and the last five miles flew by! The crowds really helped, I felt like a total rock star.
When did you feel at your best?
I felt at my best for the first 10 miles and the last five. It was inspirational running with Lisa Jackson, who has run 22 marathons and two ultra marathons. She’s a ray of sunshine, and kept cheering on all the other runners. I was embarrassed at first but then got into it. Cheering on other runners not only takes your mind off the job in hand, but also makes you (and them) feel great.
When, if at all, did you struggle and why?
The sun was blisteringly hot, so I struggled a bit in the middle, but I kept on smiling and still had a great day.
Would you do the same race again?
Hell yes, sign me up. Brighton was beautiful, the race was great fun, the course was fairly steady, and I can’t wait to do it all over again.
What did you learn about yourself or about your fitness?
My confidence has sky rocketed and I feel like I could conquer the world now. I’m so euphorically happy. Every now and then I suddenly remember I’ve run a marathon, and I want to hoot with joy! I’m in the best shape of my life and I hope to maintain that so I can go on to run lots of marathons. I also strangely feel like a better person as a result. I just feel like I’m bursting with love, and compelled to be nice to old ladies and strike up conversations (invariably about marathons) with strangers on the bus.
What would you do differently?
I would have worn a crazier hat. Running with Lisa who ran the entire race sporting a chicken hat really showed the power of fancy dress, she got triple the number of cheers! I’d also pack less. I had a ton of jelly babies, but hardly touched them because people were handing them out all along the course.
Would you recommend the marathon?
Absolutely yes, with a bit of city, a bit of glorious countryside and a whole lot of endless sparkling blue sea, the scenery kept changing and the course really had a bit of everything, it was a gorgeous day out.
What is your next race?
I’m going to run the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10K in Glasgow in May with my sister, then both the Bristol half and the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run in September, and then hopefully the Berlin marathon! It’s seriously addictive; I can’t wait to get back out there.
Peta Bee
WR Contributing Editor Peta Bee ran the London MarathonHow did you get on?
3.56
Did you enjoy the marathon?
Yes, if ‘enjoy’ is the right word!
Did it live up to your expectations?
Yes - although I had done it before so had an idea of the atmosphere
How were your energy levels?
Good until 21 miles
When did you feel at your best?
Around 17-18 miles, oddly enough
When, if at all, did you struggle and why?
During the last 5 miles
Would you do the same race again?
Yes
What did you learn about yourself or about your fitness?
That I probably need to do some faster running (all my training was at one pace) but that I am pretty mentally hard on myself
What would you do differently?
Just increase the intenseity of training, but not the overall mileage as I don’t have time
Would you recommend the marathon?
Absolutely, yes
What is your next race?
I might do a 10k somewhere soon
Lisa Jackson
WR Contributing Editor Lisa Jackson ran the Brighton MarathonHow did you get on?
Like last year, I enjoyed every minute of the Brighton Marathon – the sunshine, the crowds, the fresh sea air, the flower-strewn fields and the carnival atmosphere.
Did you enjoy the marathon?
It was fantastic running for 16 miles with two super-positive Women’s Running staffers (Rhalou and Claire). For once I had company singing ‘Another one bites the dust’ at every mile marker, and being able to share Rhalou’s unbridled joy as she finished her first marathon was very special.
Did it live up to your expectations?
Most definitely. I knew from last year that the organisation would be top-notch, and once again it was. The crowd support is just amazing – even when we were making our way to our hotel there were still people out there cheering on the slowest finishers.
How were your energy levels?
Great throughout – when you’ve got good company on a marathon you feel hot to trot the whole time. The chocolate I ate at 30km was also a big plus in keeping my energy up.
When did you feel at your best?
Near the end I wanted to see if I could break the five hour barrier for 42.2km (the actual finish turned out to be at 42.8km). I managed to sprint for about a kilometre and hit my target, which was a great relief as I’m training for the
Comrades ultramarathon in May and they like entrants to be capable of
a sub-five-hour marathon.
Did you struggle and why?
We started feeling the effect of the heat between miles 16 and 22, so that section was a bit of a challenge. But once we could smell home, we felt euphoric, and the rest of the race sped by in a flash.
Would you do the same race again?
I’ve already entered next year’s race even though I don’t usually like doing the same marathon twice. This is one special race and I think it might well become the one I do every year for life! It feels very special knowing I was there for the first one and that it just keeps getting better year after year.
What did you learn about yourself or about your fitness?
That I can have a good time (by talking and singing non-stop for 42.2km) and
still do a good time.
What would you do differently?
I’ll wear a different hat next year (this year I wore a duck hat, and the previous year a flamingo) as I so enjoyed opening the parcel when the postman delivered it. I will now have to find a different bird-themed hat for every Brighton Marathon I do, but thankfully I’ve already seen a chicken-themed one I like the look of.
Would you recommend the marathon?
I couldn’t stop raving about it the first time I did it so yes, I would. I’ve done 22 marathons now and Brighton’s in my top five. My favourite memories were the lone rasta drummer on a balcony in the high street, the trio of elderly band members striking up a tune in a bus stop and the incongruous sight of a big brass band in the middle of a field near the village of Ovingdean.
What is your next race?
The Comrades Ultramarathon in South Africa, an 89km race with a 12 hour cut-off that I’ve done twice before. You make friends on the route who keep coming back year after year so I’m looking forward to catching up with them – and showing off my next fancy dress outfit. I haven’t quite decided on what to wear but my costumes have made it into the newspapers twice now so I know I have to make an effort!
