Marathon No.38 - Brathay Windermere Marathon

On May 19th 2013, I ran my 38th Marathon at Windermere.  This Beautiful Marathon entered its seventh year as one of the most distinctive marathons in Europe.

The marathon started and finished in the beautiful grounds of Brathay Hall, at the Northern end of Windermere, England’s largest Lake. Brathay Hall is the home of Brathay Trust, the national charity that inspires children and young people to engage positively in their communities, and the marathon is the flagship fundraising event.

Waiting for the 10 in 10 Runners to START there 10th Day!

There was Mint Cakes on the course, energy drinks , Jaffa cakes and jelly babies.

The course is a complete circuit of Windermere, England's largest lake. The marathon  takes you through some of the Lake District’s most stunning scenery, passing through the picturesque village of Hawkshead, towards Newby Bridge at the Southern end of Windermere.  You then head back to Brathay Hall passing through cheering crowds in Bowness and Waterhead. The race ends on the front lawn of Brathay Hall, where a fantastic atmosphere  greets you at the finish line.

The hills on the far side of the lake were unforgiving and I found it impossible and difficult to run up them so was reduced to power walking.  This continued until around 18 miles, when the route turned flatter.  I managed a 'shuffle jog' for a few miles but had to keep stopping every now and again, which was exhausting.

The Brathay Windermere Marathon is one of the most daunting endurance  runs in the world, but I can tell you one thing it is full of Ups and Downs!

Me, Lesley, Liz & Davey

Brenda, Me and Sharon

Me, (Davey's Book), Foxy & Sharon at the FINISH!

Me, Jo & Kate - With our MEDALS at FINISH!

Me, Medal and Davey Green's BOOK ' 10 Marathons in 10 Days'

Got a Mention!!

Signed by Davey Green

Brathay Windermere Marathon Medal & Running BIB - Finish Time 5 Hours, 29 Minutes & 20 Seconds!

Marathon No.37 - Milton Keynes Marathon

This year Milton Keynes was sooo HOT compared to last years miserable RAINY weather.

2012 Finish Time - 05:30:36
2013 Finish Time - 05:35:44

This was my 37th Marathon and I struggled in the scorching hot weather. At one point I thought I wouldn't finish due to the heat. It must have been the hottest day of the year!


 

From Left to Right - Jenny, Melanie, Liz, Me & Emily

Upon arriving at the Stadium in Milton Keynes, I managed to locate the Enigma family all grouped together. Foxy, Karen, Kaz, Davey, Lesley, Emily, Ruth, Rosemary, John, Jenny, Emily, Keith, David, Liz & Melanie. It was like a family reunion everyone asking about how they were and which races we were all doing etc....

From Left to Right : Jenny, Melanie, David, Liz, Keith and I...

After checking my baggage in, I slowly walked towards the start where the many thousands of runners were waiting to commence the 2nd year of the MK Marathon.

I started off at a very steady pace because I was still quite tired from the previous marathon I had ran in Richmond the previous day, and i thought it wise to take it easy as I was still feeling some stiffness in my legs.  Samantha was running a head of me at one point, and at this time I saw Jim (Sam's Husband) running in the opposite direction. I like seeing Jim on the course of my marathon running as he always looks back and returns a wave with a big smile. Jim Murray runs Marathons in around 3Hours, he is amazing, I don't know how he does it!

As the race progressed I was feeling a little stronger than usual and I was getting my pacing just right. At one point I ran past Emily walking with Melanie... It must have took a few miles before Melanie caught up with me. She was going for it, which made me realise Emily must still be running behind me as it was her 3rd Marathon in 3 Days. 

When we did bump in to each other, I got a bit worried about her and kept on asking how her knees were as they were wrapped in plasters.  At one point the plasters on Emily's knee were becoming loose due to the sweat from the heat. We were both looking out for St. John's Ambulance Crew and when we did finally see them and sorted the problem out, off we continued in the heat.

Along the way we met Cali, she'd told us that she was struggling and wanted to quit. It was her 2nd Marathon.   Emily and I persuaded her to keep going and not to give up. Luckily Cali soon got over the quitting business and started to chat about anything and everything which was on her mind. They even started to sing random songs to get their minds off the pain at one point. It was hard work but we all kept each other going. This when we started the 'adoption to the train'.
Approaching Mile 15, we adopted a guy named Chris to the train. We could see he was struggling big time too. He told us that he was advised by the medical crew not to continue as he'd torn his tendon. He insisted on running and just was not going to quit so on he went and formed another link to our train. 


At mile 17, I heard Emily scream so loud I actually thought she had injured her knee. Everyone looked at her in total shock! In fact it was her big blister which gave her such a big bang.She said she's never felt pain like it before. Hah! Hah! Emily if you're reading this, you know you're stronger than you think and this was the test.

We ended up with a few others in our train - Cali, Chris, Scot (a Scottish guy running in a kilt), Felicity and Matthew and we all ended running into the Stadium and finished hand in hand.  I felt pretty emotional at the FINISH seeing Scot in tears (He started crying as he'd told us that he was running for his 'MUM').....It was so touching to see how hard he'd worked to finish.

Seeing the Enigma crew all waiting for us at the Finish Line really did make my day so worth while, especially all the Hugs.. A day I will never forget, seeing so many of my running friends supporting each other.

It was an amazing day. I even met a stranger on the course. Mike Land (a friend of my good running buddies Michael and Sarah Davies). If he'd not asked me if I was 'May' I never would have met him. It was great meeting you and I'm ever so sorry you wasn't able to play catch up with us!

The Train we ADOPTED along the way - All at the FINISH Line............

A few of the ENIGMA Runners - Liz, John, Rosemary, Me, Liz, Melanie & Emily at the FINISH with our MEDALS!

FINISH Medal - Time : 5 Hours, 35 Minutes & 44 Seconds

The support on the course from the marshals, spectators and other runners was immense. That's what a marathon is all about, runners supporting each other to get to the finish line, encouraging words, holding them up, walking with them to get through the mental wall.


That's another weekend of  52 .4 Miles in the bag.


Milton Keynes -I will be back for more in 2014 whatever the climate!

Marathon No.36 - Richmond Park Marathon

Kate, Melanie, Emily, Me and Joe (Marshall)

 I met Kate, Emily and Melanie who'd ran the Bewd Marathon the day before (they had registered for a Triple - 3 marathon in 3 days). Joe was also there, he'd opted to do Marshalling duties.  I also met Ruth, she was also doing a Double - 2 marathons in 2 days like myself. Nice to see everyone in Richmond, close to my own home town for once.

At the START Line...

The 9.30am prompt start took us on a three lap route held around the boundaries of Richmond Park. Starting and finishing at Sheen Gate.  The first lap was approx 12.2 Miles, the second and third laps were full Tamsin Trail Laps of 7 Miles each and in total the Marathon distance was around 26.2/42.1kms and the overall race cut off time was 6.5 Hours (4.30pm).

There was a warm up before the count down at the start of the race and for some odd reason they chose a man dressed as a Gorilla riding a bike as the person to start the race. I'm sure there is some wisdom behind this, some people may feel inspired to run faster. I guess its a good way to remind people not to take the race to seriously and just enjoy the run. We runners can be a serious bunch with our Gorilla friends.

There was also a special drinks table at Sheen Gate Aid Station (Passing 3,12,17 Miles) where runners could leave their own drinks (marked or flagged for easy identification), great idea. If I had known about this I would have prepared a nice big picnic basket for myself with tea and cupcakes.. a girl needs her treats!

On running the final few miles I met Trio runners Dave (100 Marathon Club), Micheal and Jessica. Jessica was running her very first marathon and the guys were accompanying her keeping her motivated. She was struggling a little in the heat and we'd all decided we'd part at Mile 23 and had told each other we'd meet at the FINISH line for a group photo for my blogging!!!! So here it is Jessica, and yes I'm so proud of you. Your NO 'Marathon Virgin' anymore!

Yummy CAKES!

The course was rather hilly in parts, I had to walk up the hills as my legs weren't responding, they were wobbling and loosing their footing and I was finding it hard to drag myself up the hill. I knew that this was a Marathon I needed to ease myself into because I had my Milton Keynes Marathon the following day and I couldn't afford to  take any risks in injuring myself.

The weather was particularly warm on race day, temperatures rose to at least 20C above.  I was drinking water like there was no tomorrow, I had to keep on refilling at the pit stops as i couldn't get myself hydrated, it was such a hot day and I could feel  the sun burning my skin around my bare legs. I've got some nice tanned sexy legs now... whoppee!  

The usual grub was on offer: bananas, jelly babies and cups of water at each of the aid stations at 3 Mile intervals  (Sheen Gate, Broonfield Hill and Ham Gate), at the final aid station there was some energy drinks on offer, I couldn't express how thankful I felt at seeing these drinks. I need a boost and they were the extra incentive I needed to keep going!

It was my first Richmond marathon, and my 2nd double marathon. The day was fabulous and i managed to finish in 5 Hours,  18 Minutes and 35 Seconds which wasn't what I'd expected as it was fairly hilly. Hilly runs usually take me much much longer than 5Hours and 30Minutes, I've got to work on my stamina more.

Kate, Melanie & I...

Commeletia & I...

Tyre-Lady and I....

 Special 'Thank You' to my parkrun buddy 'Tyre-Lady' whom also struggled round the course much longer than us. She had kindly helped us in contacting Uncle on getting my Hubby's car moving again after the engine heated up halfway heading back home. We managed to make it back home for a quick shower and huge pizza before heading to Milton Keynes for the next run.

Garath (Race Director), Melanie, Kathryn & I..... Having a piece of 100 Marathon Carrot Cake. Mmmmmmmmmm

When I reached the finish I was invited to taste a piece of Kathryn Hall's carrot cake, they were absolutely yummy and much needed after the long run.  Kathryn was running her '100th Marathon' at Richmond and had bought some cakes in to share which her sister had made. Thanks ever so much for the recipe Kathryn. I have it written down and will attempt making it when I have some free time and I promise to turn them in to cup-cakes one day :-

CARROT CAKE RECIPE
pre time: 20min cooking time: 30-40min serves: 12

ingredients:
250ml sunflower oil
225g light muscovado sugar
3 large eggs
225g self raising flour
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp each ground mxed spice,nutmeg,cinnamon
250g carrots grated

for the frosting:
50g butter
225g full fat cream cheese (philadelphia)
25g icing sugar
1/2tsp vanilla extract

for decoration:
8 pecan halves roughly chopped

1. preheat oven 180' grease and baseline 2x18cm sandwich tins
2. whisk sunflower oil & muscovado sugar together, then eggs one at a time.
3.sift the flour,salt & spices together and fold into the egg mixture, then add grated carrot.
4.divide mixture into 2 tins & bake 30-40min until golden, leave in tins for 10 min then turn out to cool.
5 make frosting by beating together butter & cream cheese until flight & fluffy. Sift in the icing sugar, add vanilla extract & mix well.
6.remove lining paper from cakes when cold and spread frosting on the tops of both cakes, sandwich together and sprinkle pecans on top.

At the FINISH with Dave (100 Marathon Club), Jessica (Running her FIRST Marathon and Michael.

Inside the Goody Bag....

The  goody bag was very generous. A Richmond Park Marathon MEDAL and 2013 Tee-Shirt, Special RPM 2013 Mug, Pot of Healthy Porridge, Full Sized Mars Bar, Running Magazines and Vouchers. What a treat!

The race was very well organised and the spectators at the end were amazing for a small low key event like Richmond. The only disappointment I had was almost taking the wrong direction after the first lap. Instead of going on to the second lap I took the turn to the finish and was directed by a marshall to take the correct turn. Also as i approached  the last mile towards the end I started to hallucinate a little due to the heat exhaustion and was a little lost as i had not seen any familiar sign posts around, I decided to hang around a little for Bridget who was doing a 1 minute walk and 3 minute run strategy. She was running her 106th'ish marathon and was taking it easy. If it wasn't for her i think I'd still be hanging around looking for the end.

FINISH Medal - Time :- 5 Hours, 18 Minutes & 35 Seconds