All week the forecast for today was foul and having reviewed my choice of clothing whilst woken by the howling winds in the night, I'm glad I did. Having pushed my way to the front of the queue for the baggage tent in a very un-British way, I arrived at the start about 2 minutes before the gun went.
I had a plan to stick close to the Brooks pacing bloke who was promising to get us round in 3hrs 45. I hoped that I could hang on for as long as possible and then perhaps pick up the 4 hour group behind. I was running with a friend of mine who'd never done a marathon but is proper fast in 10k's so spent much of the first half talking him through it, which distracted me from thinking about me! Only havng one side of the roads closed off made it very congested for the majority of the run, my elbows will be testament to that! Coming into Dunham was really dodgy underfoot, a winter of Cross Country worked to my advantage here and I waded through while everybody around me pussyfooted!
Seeing the 'peleton' of Wilmslow vests supporting in Dunham Massey was incredible, Nick even had his loudhailer! It's such a boost, but even at that point I knew I was running really strongly and just had to keep it going. The rain came down even harder after Dunham, on those exposed roads out to Partington, it was Four Villages-esque, horizontal rain and winds fit to blow you over.I passed Amanda at 16ish who looked like she had a stitch? At 19 miles I dropped off the back of the 3.45 group and lost my mate but just got my head down and plowed on. At 20 my rain soaked garmin turned into a compass and I had no idea what time I was doing. I caught up with my mate again at 23 but was in the zone at this stage so powered onto the finish on my own.
I was smiling at mile 25 and didn't stop until I crossed the finish line, I just knew I'd done it. I also passed Gavin at 25ish who was looking a little uncomfortable. I finished in 3.46.02, smashing my previous PB of 4.11. All I've been wanting to do is finish in sub 4, I don't know why but it was important to me. I lost over a stone, drank concentrated beetroot juice for 3 days, carb loaded for 6 so who knows what I should attribute it to. Just my sheer determination to do it I reckon, that's priceless!! Also, something that I've never achieved before in either my 6 previous marathons or my long training runs, I ran every single step of the entire 26.2 miles..!! Maybe that was the biggest achievement of the day? Nah, the PB was!!
Sharon
Congratulations to you …And you have every reason to be very proud of yourself .Dont stop smiling .
Nick.
Well done Sharon awesome time and in those conditions. I spent most of the morning just feeling lucky I wasn’t running the Manchester marathon. I think you deserve a couple of beetroot juices to celebrate.
Amazing time Sharon in what were atrocious conditions, we were knackered just riding to Dunham. Anyone who laced up their trainerss today and attempted a Marathon should be very proud, win, lose, or draw, you all did great. PB on a day like this, wow!!!
You are just a star, enjoy it
Sharon, fantastic running, so very chuft for you – well and truly deserved!! Horrific weather conditions yet you well and truly smashed your previous PB!! Enjoy your celebrations and your chippy tea 🙂 Massive congratulations….Snail x
Well done Sharon, what a way to break a PB.. by a mile and in the most evil conditions… very very impressed. Janet x
In my haste to post my story, I forgot to thank the other club supporters: Nicky & Don, Janine, Patrick and Alan Turner – who popped up all over the place!!! And of course, anybody else I missed!! It really helps x
So pleased for you after being so disappointed after London last year and a few other races earlier this one.
And such terrible conditions! Fantastic!!
Yes! Well done Sharon, fantastic run and sounding like you could turn round and do it all over again. Just think what you’ll do on a calm day! Put some vodka in tonight’s beetroot juice and enjoy the post race relaxing. Clare
x
Sharon , on Sunday morning I was sitting on a plane waiting to take off at Manchester airport and they would not let it take off becaseu the conditions were so bad. I said to my neighbour on the plane that this would not stop wilmslow runners doing the marathon. But I never ever thought you could perform so brilliantly in those conditions. I am absolutely in awe of that performance – many congratulations.
Rod
What can I say?! fantastic!!! well done you and very well deserved!!
Well done Sharon – huge run in those conditions.
Rob