For over a week now, I've been trying to work out how I can be motivating, inspiring or even just positive about running a marathon on a 17-lap tarmac track that runs alongside a motorway. I've tormented myself trying to put the right words down on paper, so it was a surprise to me when my answer to the question 'would you do it again?' was 'no, maybe, actually yes I would'. I then started to reflect on the event properly. Whilst scenery can make a marathon memorable, there's a lot more to running a marathon than where you are - it's about the runners' surrounding you, the power of your body and the support you receive, and of course, the rush of emotions that hit you like a tsunami as you cross the finish line.
Six could be the new magic number?
The Kent Road Runner marathon marked a huge milestone in my twelve-marathon challenge: The HALF-WAY mark!
I'm 23 years old, have been running for just 18 months and have completed seven marathons, one of which could pass for an ultra marathon but more significantly, six of them have been completed in the first five months of 2014! That is something to be proud of. And for the first time, I am genuinely proud of what I've achieved.
During the MK Marathon (May 5th) my quads seized up, my knee gave out and I could just about managed to put one foot in front of the other, meaning Mark and I had to walk a majority of the last 8 miles. It was gutting for me. Since then, I've struggled with my injuries. My wonderful osteo Luke has worked tirelessly on my knee, ITB and abductors, and spent many nights replying to panicked, tearful text messages. In the three weeks between MK and Kent Road Runner, I ran just three times, clocking up only 6 miles.
The Kent Road Runner marathon marked a huge milestone in my twelve-marathon challenge: The HALF-WAY mark!
I'm 23 years old, have been running for just 18 months and have completed seven marathons, one of which could pass for an ultra marathon but more significantly, six of them have been completed in the first five months of 2014! That is something to be proud of. And for the first time, I am genuinely proud of what I've achieved.
During the MK Marathon (May 5th) my quads seized up, my knee gave out and I could just about managed to put one foot in front of the other, meaning Mark and I had to walk a majority of the last 8 miles. It was gutting for me. Since then, I've struggled with my injuries. My wonderful osteo Luke has worked tirelessly on my knee, ITB and abductors, and spent many nights replying to panicked, tearful text messages. In the three weeks between MK and Kent Road Runner, I ran just three times, clocking up only 6 miles.
Two weeks before the race, Meg and I went out on a 5km route we've both run hundreds of times. Within half a kilometre, I was on the floor, clutching my leg in pain. The burning in my legs was unbearable. We should have turned around then but me being as stubborn as I am, wanted to continue. I fought back tears until I snapped, failing to run even half a mile at a time. "I can't let everyone down" I sobbed to Meg. We got home and I locked myself in the bathroom, and cried and cried and cried. It was one of the lowest moments of this year so far.
I rested, ate well and continued to cross train as much as my body could withstand before returning to Luke for one more hopeful session. A week on, I was back on the road, with just 3 days to go until the race. Meg and I went back out, this time with the intention to complete a short two-mile course. And we did! It wasn't comfortable but I wasn't in agony. It's like my body enjoys winding me up for several weeks, testing me, and then magically just repairs itself enough to let me get the job done.
I rested, ate well and continued to cross train as much as my body could withstand before returning to Luke for one more hopeful session. A week on, I was back on the road, with just 3 days to go until the race. Meg and I went back out, this time with the intention to complete a short two-mile course. And we did! It wasn't comfortable but I wasn't in agony. It's like my body enjoys winding me up for several weeks, testing me, and then magically just repairs itself enough to let me get the job done.
Cycle parks are made for cycling...
Race day came around quickly, as always. We were stood on the side of the track at 8am; already, it was feeling HOT and I was very aware of the volume of 100-Marathon Club vests that were being worn.
I pinned my race number to my T-shirt and placed 16 plastic wristbands on my arm. Several pink, a couple of black, 2 whites, 2 red... I'd get rid of them one colour at a time. When I had no wristbands left I had to get round the 1.6 mile course just one-more-time.
Brian had kindly agreed to join me again. His third marathon of the year. I was relieved to have his support; we'd completed this course together before and whilst it was one of the most mentally challenging things I've ever done, Brian kept me moving with his singing, dancing and bizarre stories.
Race day came around quickly, as always. We were stood on the side of the track at 8am; already, it was feeling HOT and I was very aware of the volume of 100-Marathon Club vests that were being worn.
I pinned my race number to my T-shirt and placed 16 plastic wristbands on my arm. Several pink, a couple of black, 2 whites, 2 red... I'd get rid of them one colour at a time. When I had no wristbands left I had to get round the 1.6 mile course just one-more-time.
Brian had kindly agreed to join me again. His third marathon of the year. I was relieved to have his support; we'd completed this course together before and whilst it was one of the most mentally challenging things I've ever done, Brian kept me moving with his singing, dancing and bizarre stories.
We joined the back of the pack, planning to set off very slow and steady. The gun sounded and we were off, down the first winding bend and back up the smaller hill. We climbed 'Helga's Hill' comfortably, being lapped by the lead male runner as we went. We were just coming to the end of lap one, whilst he was sprinting towards lap number 3!
The only real benefit of a course like this is the support. I knew exactly when I would see everyone, and if they decided to stop sunbathing and wander across the BMX park, I might even see them twice! Mum was clearly worried about my knee, asking me how it was every time I saw her for the first three laps, she then slipped off for a fry-up (cheeky) and was far more relaxed when she returned an hour later to see me still smiling.
The only real benefit of a course like this is the support. I knew exactly when I would see everyone, and if they decided to stop sunbathing and wander across the BMX park, I might even see them twice! Mum was clearly worried about my knee, asking me how it was every time I saw her for the first three laps, she then slipped off for a fry-up (cheeky) and was far more relaxed when she returned an hour later to see me still smiling.
The Toe-Nail Miles
Discarding the final pink wristband, we recognised that we were nearly at the half way mark. "GET OVER THERE. YOU'LL SEE US HALF WAY TO HALF WAY" I shouted to Mark, Meg and Allie as we crossed under the 'finish' line once again. Crossing half-way in a relatively strong state gave me a real sense of pride. We weren't fast but for once it wasn't ugly!
I moved on to the black wristbands next. 'The Toe Nail Miles' I joked to Brian, not realising the enormity of the damage I was doing to my feet as I continued to run circles around the track (we'll come back to this).
The miles that followed seemed to pass relatively quickly. More of my family had turned up and the noise every time we ran past them was incredible. I think Team Run 12, arguably, have the biggest support team of any novice runners, and they are bloody loud when they want to be!
Discarding the final pink wristband, we recognised that we were nearly at the half way mark. "GET OVER THERE. YOU'LL SEE US HALF WAY TO HALF WAY" I shouted to Mark, Meg and Allie as we crossed under the 'finish' line once again. Crossing half-way in a relatively strong state gave me a real sense of pride. We weren't fast but for once it wasn't ugly!
I moved on to the black wristbands next. 'The Toe Nail Miles' I joked to Brian, not realising the enormity of the damage I was doing to my feet as I continued to run circles around the track (we'll come back to this).
The miles that followed seemed to pass relatively quickly. More of my family had turned up and the noise every time we ran past them was incredible. I think Team Run 12, arguably, have the biggest support team of any novice runners, and they are bloody loud when they want to be!
Could it all be over?
I spotted Shelley and Tony in the crowd and shouted to them that we only had four laps to go. The crowd of runners had thinned out now. I was feeling sick, having taken on too much sugar, and had a sore spot on the bottom of my foot. The laps seemed to be taking longer and longer.
As I removed the final white wristband and threw it to my little cousin Lara, everyone burst in to screams and cheers "ONE MORE LAP BEX!!!!". We stuck to our slow, steady pace, winding up the hill and then picking ourselves up on the downwards slope. As we got to one of the steepest bends, a man on his own, Mohammed, fell to the ground clutching his quad. "We've got to stop" I told Brian, he nodded and we made our way over to help this guy out. "I can't move. I can't move. I can't move. I've got three laps to go." I felt like crying for him, this was going to be slow and painful if he was going to make it.
We helped him stretch his legs out before pulling him back on to his feet. We'd compromised a good 10 minutes on our time but the thanks and relief in Mohammed's eyes gave me enough reward. Running isn't always about personal bests and we all know this challenge certainly isn't about speed for me. But to have been able to pull him back on to his feet and see him break back in to a slow shuffle was immense. "Runners don't leave other runners behind", Brian and I smiled and set back out to cross the finish line. (We got to witness the moment Mohammed crossed the finish line - congratulations!!)
I spotted Shelley and Tony in the crowd and shouted to them that we only had four laps to go. The crowd of runners had thinned out now. I was feeling sick, having taken on too much sugar, and had a sore spot on the bottom of my foot. The laps seemed to be taking longer and longer.
As I removed the final white wristband and threw it to my little cousin Lara, everyone burst in to screams and cheers "ONE MORE LAP BEX!!!!". We stuck to our slow, steady pace, winding up the hill and then picking ourselves up on the downwards slope. As we got to one of the steepest bends, a man on his own, Mohammed, fell to the ground clutching his quad. "We've got to stop" I told Brian, he nodded and we made our way over to help this guy out. "I can't move. I can't move. I can't move. I've got three laps to go." I felt like crying for him, this was going to be slow and painful if he was going to make it.
We helped him stretch his legs out before pulling him back on to his feet. We'd compromised a good 10 minutes on our time but the thanks and relief in Mohammed's eyes gave me enough reward. Running isn't always about personal bests and we all know this challenge certainly isn't about speed for me. But to have been able to pull him back on to his feet and see him break back in to a slow shuffle was immense. "Runners don't leave other runners behind", Brian and I smiled and set back out to cross the finish line. (We got to witness the moment Mohammed crossed the finish line - congratulations!!)
A medal so big it comes with its own ruler...
Two ladies were neck and neck with us for quite some way. Get to the portaloos and make a break for it, I told myself, I pointed at the toilets to Brian and he knew exactly what I was planning.
One of the girls joked about racing us. I laughed and shook my head. She attempted a sprint finish, but had set out too early. As we came level with the portaloos, I broke in to a run, powering as fast as I could, pushing myself as much as my legs could take; catching up with the lady who'd started her final sprint a minute or so earlier, we then overtook her.
"This lady crossing the finish line is running 12 marathons in 12 months" the DJ announced. And that was it, marathon number 6 was done. The race director hung an enormous medal around my neck, we were handed boxes full of goodies but I just wanted to hug everyone that had cheered us around the course.
I may be the one pushing my body to its limits with this challenge but I am just a catalyst; spurring you all to donate your time and money to our charities. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Two ladies were neck and neck with us for quite some way. Get to the portaloos and make a break for it, I told myself, I pointed at the toilets to Brian and he knew exactly what I was planning.
One of the girls joked about racing us. I laughed and shook my head. She attempted a sprint finish, but had set out too early. As we came level with the portaloos, I broke in to a run, powering as fast as I could, pushing myself as much as my legs could take; catching up with the lady who'd started her final sprint a minute or so earlier, we then overtook her.
"This lady crossing the finish line is running 12 marathons in 12 months" the DJ announced. And that was it, marathon number 6 was done. The race director hung an enormous medal around my neck, we were handed boxes full of goodies but I just wanted to hug everyone that had cheered us around the course.
I may be the one pushing my body to its limits with this challenge but I am just a catalyst; spurring you all to donate your time and money to our charities. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Everyone meet Juicy Brucey!
I had a little stretch before sitting down to take my shoes off. Meg bent down and peeled them off my feet, then my socks revealing the biggest blister I think anyone has ever seen. It was so big, I swear it actually had it's own pulse and personality.
The St Johns Ambulance team were fantastic and got me fixed up quickly. I was actually quite relieved for the little lie down in the back of the ambulance.
I had a little stretch before sitting down to take my shoes off. Meg bent down and peeled them off my feet, then my socks revealing the biggest blister I think anyone has ever seen. It was so big, I swear it actually had it's own pulse and personality.
The St Johns Ambulance team were fantastic and got me fixed up quickly. I was actually quite relieved for the little lie down in the back of the ambulance.
My emotions around the half-way milestone are mixed. I'm, for the first time, very proud. I'm also feeling relieved to have actually made it this far - given all of the illness and injury I've experienced this year. I'm happy. I'm thankful. I'm also quite sad that in 6 months time the Team Run 12 challenge will be complete.
This has been a tough post to write; I'm sorry if it's a bit all over the place, but that's probably a reflection of where I am right now. Please continue to support me and Team Run 12, we may be a team of seven, but looking at the support we receive (in person and online) I've come to realise that there are many, many members of Team Run 12 from all over the world and we all share one dream - a cure for cancer.
This has been a tough post to write; I'm sorry if it's a bit all over the place, but that's probably a reflection of where I am right now. Please continue to support me and Team Run 12, we may be a team of seven, but looking at the support we receive (in person and online) I've come to realise that there are many, many members of Team Run 12 from all over the world and we all share one dream - a cure for cancer.
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