Where did you stay?

With friends who live just outside Brighton

How did you get to the location/race?

My mate gave me a lift which was pretty wild as we've known each other since we were 16-years-old and she's recently learned to drive so that was my first lift from her! She did a great job getting me there in plenty of time :)

Were you running for a cause?

Cancer Research UK

Why did you decide to enter this race?

It's a bit like running in Jersey (lots of running along the coast), the crowds are awesome, it's quite easy to get to and I was hopeful of getting a PB on the course

How was your training? Did you have a coach?

The training was great despite doing it in awful weather. I've started getting coached by Beth Rainbow and it's the first time I've had a coach but I had no idea how much of a difference it would make. I'm quicker, I'm stronger and I'm more focused. I get to do her interval sessions with the RNR gang on Thursday evenings to build that speed and the long weekend runs at the weekend help with that cardio. Plus you build up so many great relationships with this run club and I was so lucky to do some of my long marathon training runs with the wonderful Natalie Smart who crushed the Brighton Marathon!

How was the race organisation beforehand?

I wasn't overly blown away by the organisation for this marathon. My race pack didn't arrive so I picked it up the day before but there wasn't anything in it apart from the race number. But when I turned up to the race - it was super easy to drop off my stuff and more importantly there were toilets galore!

Did you have a specific race strategy, and if so, did you stick to it or have to adapt during the race?

It was to get comfortable at my marathon pace over the first three miles, settle the legs in, and then enjoy the first hour of the race while trying not to push too hard. I've had races before where I've gone way too hard or tried to make my way through the crowd in those opening moments when the adrenaline is pumping but this time I was more reserved and calm which really helped in the first half of the marathon.

Were there any unexpected challenges you faced during the race?

It was so much hotter and sunnier than I was prepared for. I was running for the first time without a water bottle and I was banking on having lots of water stations on route. But I wasn't drinking enough at them and then from around mile 16/17 it became a real struggle and I was not in a good space.

How did you manage to overcome those challenges?

I had some amazing RNR runners cheer me on (shout out to Karl, Lydia, Natalie, Emily, and Wayne) but I reassessed what I wanted and I wanted to finish the marathon without absolutely wrecking myself so it became a walk/run strategy to get over that finish line. 

What was the best bit?

Unsurprisingly - the finish! Actually, there is a nice story about this one as it will stay with me. A runner was on the floor about 500 meters from the finish and another runner was trying to help him as I caught up. It was always going to be a two-person job to get him to the finish and into the arms of the medics so I stopped by them and we supported him back to his feet, got his arms over our shoulders, and plodded to that finish line. Everyone went wild and cheered him on as we got him to the finish but the sweetest thing was catching up with the other runner afterwards to tell her she did something amazing when she told me that was her first marathon.

What was the worst bit?

Going to the portaloo during the race...... 

How were the crowds/supporters?

Amazing!

What would you do differently next time?

I've done Brighton twice now so probably not but I would recommend it to Jersey runners because of its convenience and coastal route. Also who knows - 2026 might be the third time's the charm year!

What advice would you give other runners doing this race?

Brace yourself for the weather! If it's sunny there's not much shade on the route so make sure you're hydrated! Also, some rolling hills hit you hard in the first half. 

Would you recommend this race to other runners?

Yep!

How did you celebrate completing your race?

I shoveled down a sweet treat and then went for drinks with the awesome RNR gang before some of us had a huge roast.

What's next?

Trail Fest and I'm doing the 40 mile option!

Any final thoughts?

This is the first marathon I've done where I've not hit my a-goal target and haven't been super hard on myself. It is natural to feel disappointed and down if things don't pan out. You've busted a gut to get into shape, you're running well and you feel great but it doesn't always pan out on race day so should that take away from everything you've put into it? No - and I'm starting to be a bit nicer to myself post-marathons.