Salt Spray, Rain and Gales

Well instead of just rain we added salt spray into the mix today, not to mention wind that nearly knocked you off your feet!

We started off at the Adur Outdoor Activity Centre, through Shoreham and past the locks along the seafront towards Brighton.



It was quite nice to have a change of scenery! We had to wait while they flooded the lock for the fishing boats to come in.




We ran for 6.5 miles towards Brighton and then turned round so that we ran a total route of 13 miles. (Garmin watch data to follow)

I must admit I didn't realise how windy it was until we turned round to run into it! It was tough going coming home, it was welcome relief to have shelter from buildings when we got back to Shoreham!
Still, one more long run ticked off the list... Next long run in the schedule is 17 miles.... Legs ache just thinking about it!

Rain rain go away!

It was rather wet and windy on the seafront, thank god for good gear! Having the right kit makes a real difference.
It does feel like it has rained constantly for the last few months, everywhere is very muddy and where there are normally grassy fields on the seafront it has turned into a lagoon!



Rain rain go away come again another day!!

15.5 Miles of wind and rain!

Went for a long slow run, marathon training in full swing... It was very wet and windy! Hence we decided not to run on the downs and to stick to a fairly sheltered route. We even managed to plan the seafront stretch so we had the wind behind us.
We nearly had to dodge a few waves as they were coming up to the path, the only other people we saw were a few very brave dog walkers who looked very well wrapped up, (and nearly laughed at us in lycra) and a fisherman on the seafront selling his catch.

I can honestly say the last few miles were the hardest- a slight uphill all the way and my legs felt like they weren't really listening to my brain, instead they seemed to be stuck into a pace and doing their own thing. Still- no blisters which must be a good thing, and I could still walk the following day!
Quite looking forward to the marathon now :-)

My longest ever!

Ready- set- GO!

So- I've got my new road shoes ready for marathon training and a spare pair in their box for the last few miles (and of course the final 26.2)


(Pink shoes are obviously the best colour!)

Marathon training was never going to be easy- and with only 80 days to go its beginning to feel very real!

Everyone tells you how hard it is to run a marathon, how the crowd keep you going and how every time you hear your name its a welcome boost to your tired legs and weary head.

But that's only for the last 26.2 miles. There is nobody to cheer you on for the 500 miles of training runs, to keep you going through the sleet and snow, wind, rain and mud.
No children with jelly babies or cheering stations, no familiar faces.

What really surprises me is when I'm out running and I see other people they rarely return a hello.

So if you see a runner- please say hello, just a smile will do- and remember, when they say "GO" at the start line on 14th April, its the last 26.2 miles of a very long journey.

(Thanks for reading- and I really do promise to blog more!)