Bring On Brighton

‘I really want to do the Brighton Marathon one day’ – since my love of running 26.2 miles has developed the Brighton Marathon has always been on the ‘to do’ list. My main reason is simply because I love Brighton as a destination. In 2014 I celebrated my birthday in the city with my sister and friends, taking part in the 5k Colour Run along the seafront (see image), as well as enjoying the extravagance of the Brighton nightlife. The following year I won a competition which saw my friend and I gain places in the Brighton 10k (see image), an event held on the marathon weekend itself. This was a slightly different trip, but again one I loved, especially the atmosphere around the marathon and sitting on the beach cheering the runners across the line. I think the marathon would always be my next natural progression with my Brighton affinity.

After not getting a place in the London Marathon, which I will not pretend, would have been my first choice for a Spring marathon in 2019, I was left to consider my options. Brighton and Edinburgh were the two events I toyed with, however right now I am impatient and also hungry to get training, so knew I would not be able to wait until May for my first 26.2 mile event. Falling in April, Brighton then become the clear favourite, and as soon as I made that choice in my mind, I instantly felt excited. I knew it was the right decision.

My goal for Brighton will be to try and PB – which will mean building on my recent Sydney Marathon performance and running a sub 3:40 time. My ultimate quest of running a Boston Marathon qualifying time has now increased in difficulty with the race organisers deciding to make qualifying times even quicker. I now need a sub 3:30 time to stand a chance of running Boston, and with competition for places high, I would say the nearer to 3:25 I can get, the better. Can I run this time in Brighton – probably not; but I feel like I both want and need to keep getting closer and consequently progressing as a runner. Can I actually run a 3:25 marathon ever? I do not know for sure, but I guess I must have some self belief, else my commitment to the goal would not feel as strong. For now, a PB in Brighton is the target. 

So Brighton beckons as the next marathon challenge. I have virtually convinced my sister and her boyfriend to run the 10k too, so I will have my Liverpool Marathon support team from this year back by my side. This makes me happy as I will be able to share the experience with others, and it feels especially nice to have my sister coming back to Brighton with me. My sister has already comically pointed out that we cannot have a Saturday night like the last time we were in Brighton together for our birthday, when things got a little bit crazy..! I can safely say we shall be saving all alcoholic beverages for once running is complete, and a fruit cider on Brighton beach is already part of my post marathon plan. Now just the training plan to complete...