03/10/2025
Throw back to Chester Marathon 2021 - my very first marathon! I can honestly say, I was proud I got round.
With Chester marathon happening this weekend it really does hold a special place in my heart. It is where it all started. I did return for 2022 rematch and then again for the metric marathon in 2023.
There’s something special about running into Wales, the village support and those hills - mile 15 onwards! In all seriousness, it was an awesome experience, however things did go wrong:
1. My GPS went awol and did not pick up a signal - did not know what pace I was doing and it only clicked in at mile 20. No Strava kudos - I had to manually input and screenshot a friend’s map of the course, just to prove I completed it.
2. I over dressed and quietly cooked as the October sun turned the roads into lava.
3. Wore no sunscreen!
4. Did not realise how underweight I was until the race photos came through. I did not fuel enough in training. I did it. Completed it. But became very cold at the end, hence the foil blanket!
What I did do right was:
1. I stuck to a training plan
2. I had several sports massages which enabled me to feel refreshed, prepared and ready. I needed them as my body was not use to the high mileage.
3. I did not change anything before race day. I wore the same shorts, trainers and hydration vest. Yep. It gave me that security - I wanted to know I had enough on me to survive for days!
4. Watermelon and mango slices after a race is truly out of this world divine! Mega refreshing and just hits the spot - it is now my go to after each race!
5. I smiled all the way through - I did have a cry along the way - as the support was unreal - strangers calling your name and cheerleading you on, was humbling, kind and unexpected.
Your first marathon, they’ll be ups and downs and things will definitely challenge you. Logistics, kit or emotions - the best thing to do is to have thought ahead, prepared and accept, sometimes it doesn’t go to plan. You will run it, you will get the miles done, if you are smiling all the way through it - you are absolutely winning! You are a proper champion!
