12 marathons in 12 months
This year I'm looking to run a marathon every month, and what better way to start the challenge than tackling the first one on the first day of the year.
A group called Saxons, Normans and Vikings Challenge arrange a number of marathons and ultra marathons in Kent and were staging one in Dymchurch a few miles down the coast. John, the other Bald Monkey, signed up with me. After a quiet New years Eve we were up and in the car by 7.30am and soon arrived in the small seaside town.
It was a beautiful morning with clear skies and little wind but plenty of glorious sunshine sparkling on the calm sea. Oh, and it was cold.
The start was located on the sea wall in the shelter of two concrete blocks. We received our numbers and greeted the other runners and race organisers. There was a very friendly atmosphere as we shared stories and compared experiences. Something about being together to run a marathon when most people were still in bed or nursing hangovers created a nice buzz and we were raring to go.
At 9:00 we were called together and given a briefing on the course. We also congratulated a guy called Jack who was running his 100th marathon. Then we were off.
The whole route was along the sea wall. We started with the sea on our left and the amusements and restaurants on our right. The path took us out for almost 2 miles in the direction of New Romney. Half way along this stretch the sea had washed up sand and pebbles and it became a case of picking your way through the clearest sections. Soon we were at Littlestone Golf Club where there was a sign which directed us to turn around and retrace our steps.
We had gone off at an easy pace allowing us to enjoy the views, chat to one another and some of those around us. It felt good. What a great way to start the year.
After another 2 miles we passed the race directors at the start/finish. There were jugs of water and squash available and bowls full of sweets, crisps, nuts and flapjack. We stopped briefly to refuel and re hydrate and then continued with the sea now on our right.
This part of the route was a longer section of about 2.5 miles and stretched all the way to the firing range on the edge of Hythe. By this time there were many walkers sharing the path with us who greeted us with waves and slight looks of bewilderment.
Again we were directed to turn around and head back the way we had come bringing us to the end of the first of three loops, just under 9 miles completed. We ate and drank once more and stretched out our legs. Both of us still felt strong and were managing to keep a very steady pace averaging 8:20 minute miles.
The second loop followed much the same pattern but the stops at the feeding station were a bit longer! We had also stopped talking as we both settled into our mental zone and focused on our running.
It was the third loop when I began to feel it. From 20 miles I was managing to maintain the pace but was running figures in my head trying to make the distance left feel shorter. Just 2 parkruns....under an hour....coffee and cake....a 10k and a bit....2.5, 2.5 and a last mile.....coffee and cake.....
John was suffering too and under the guise of motivating him I started shouting positive messages like "Feeling good, running strong!" to keep myself going. With just a mile to go we sped up aiming to finish in under 3 hours 45 which we did with almost a minute to spare.
Just 13 miles into 2019 and I had banked 26.2 miles. Next stop Lenham at the end of February.
