Please, sing along if you would like. If you do not like, I apologise for putting the song in your head.
So on Friday after work we had dinner at home before getting the train down to Brighton. Originally we were going to go on Saturday, but there were rail replacement buses and we decided that once (Sunday) would be enough.
On Saturday we went out for breakfast (pancakes from Bill’s) and then had a wander around the shops in the rain. Then it brightened up so we had a nice long walk by the seafront.
Some of the stones and seaweed had washed up all over the promenade- crazy!
We did some shopping, had some tea and cake, and generally enjoyed wandering about.
I got some super cute t-shirts in New Look!
We went for a fairly early dinner (Pizza Express) before heading back to the hotel for some TV (Strictly and 8/10 Cats does Countdown)- good to rest the legs before the race.
I shall be very easy to spot in my luminous t-shirt.
Staying over before the race is such a luxury. The race started at 9.30am, so we got up at 8, had a clif bar for breakfast, and then took our time getting ready. We left at just after 9, and we were at the start 5 minutes later. Amazing.
This race is great- last year we ran it together and I got my first ever sub hour 10K. This year Andy was aiming for a faster time, so we arranged to meet at the end. The run begins near the big ferris wheel- you run east for 1.5k, turn, come back to the start and run west towards Hove, and then at 6.5k turn back along the seafront again to the finish. Super flat, nice scenery the whole way, and considering it is a fairly small field for a city race (I think 3500 runners) lots of crowd support too.
I had no idea about my pacing- I have been either running 5k’s at parkrun and Sweatshop, or much longer runs for my 10 mile race. My time last year was 56.14, so I wanted to beat that but didn’t know how my fitness compared. Plus last year I had Andy pacing me, which really helped. This year I was going to have to do it by myself.
I looked on the lucozade pacing calculator- to run 56 flat I would have to do 9.01 miles, and for 55 I would need to do 8.51. Those paces sounded quick, but the parkrun I have been doing recently is not flat, and is a huge range of terrain, so it is much tougher than a pancake-flat road run. So I decided to try and keep as close to 9 minute miles as I could, and see how long I could hang on for.
Another wander around the shops, and then we had the joy of the rail replacement buses. At least we had podcasts to listen to- we both caught up with the radio 5 film podcasts (and I may have had a little nap on the train too).
I think this race is great. I love the smaller races, and this has all the pro’s of one- you don’t have to get there hours before, the marshals are all fab, the start/ finish area is nice and small so meeting up is easy. There are no goody bags, just a medal, banana and water when you finish, but you get chip timing, and there is lots of crowd support. Plus, it’s in Brighton and I never need an excuse to head down there for the weekend. Even with the bus replacing some of the train our journey took about 3 hours, so we didn’t have to spend the whole day travelling.
Brighton, I will be back for more!
Congrats on a new PB 😀 I like the small to medium races the best as well, and I’m not fussed about goody bags in comparison to medals. I can rarely use any of the stuff in the former anyway, and I’m always a sucker for a nice medal.
If there’s one place I wish I lived closer to, it’s Brighton. I’d choose the Brighton Marathon over any international ones as my dream race, but sadly it’s a nightmare of a train journey from Newcastle. I’d be in no fit state to walk afterwards, let alone run, so I definitely wish we lived a lot closer…plus Brighton just seems like such a relaxed and groovy place. I get the feeling I’d like the general vibe and atmosphere.
Thanks 🙂
I do like a goody bag, but often they are disappointing!
Yes, Brighton is a very relaxed place, quite eclectic, but yes, a very long way from Newcastle! The journey back here after the GNR was bad enough, without a couple more hours on the end!
Well done on the PB, I’ve heard lots of good things about this race- maybe one for next year! Nice royal flush negative splits too!
Thanks 🙂
Yes it is a really good race- very flat, nice views, not too big.
Oh god, I have that song stuck in my head now. Thanks 😉
I have never been to Brighton. It is somewhere I keep meaning to go to, but never get round to it. I have heard a lot of great things though.
Sorry!
It is a great place for a day trip- near us is a direct train line (normally) straight through London so it is pretty easy to get there.
Ahh well done! So nice to not really expect a PB. It’s nice to sort of go into a race without any expectations but then surprise yourself. I hate having a rigid goal and feeling pressure to hit it.
Smaller (and chip timed races!) are brilliant. Less faffing about and crowds. Sounds like a good one to do – and with the joys of Brighton to enjoy afterwards too. I know I’d have gone to the Choccywoccydoodah cafe and got myself a slice of cake hehe.
I have not seen the cafe- I have seen the shop (with crowds of people taking photos) but not the cafe. There are so many good cafes in Brighton though!
Amazing job on the PB Maria! Do I spy a rather fetching vivofit 😉 Yay!
Yes I treated myself in half term! I love it )
Congrats on the race! I live Brighton and miss living there sometimes such a cool town : )
Thanks. It does seem like a great place to live.
You ROYAL FLUSHED the a$$ off that 10km, well done xx
Thanks Lara 🙂
That sounds like a great race, obviously anything in Brighton sounds good to me! I’d love to run a race in Brighton one day.
Indeed- Brighton is a fave place of mine too. The 10k is a good option as it starts early, so you have time for a shower and then aren’t too tired for the rest of the day.
Song firmly planted in my head! 😛
Fantastic PB! A huge well done. You’ve knocked off loads of time since I started reading your blog.
I’ve found that counting really works for me when I’m racing as well. It gives me a focus when I’m finding things tough and it’s kept me going at several of the shorter races this year.
I just needed to take my mind off the clock and the distance to go- I am no sprinter. Thanks- I have been working to speed up- going to sweatshop and parkruns has really helped me with that.
Congratulations on your race. I bet Brighton is a great place to take part in a race and you get to enjoy all of the fun of the city afterwards.
Indeed- that is partly why I like it so much.