I knew I had caught the marathon bug when I went out for a run on both Christmas Eve and Boxing Day! Now almost 5 months of training later I can say I am a marathon runner!!
The weather on Monday was pretty much perfect for a marathon – dry but not too warm. The Belfast marathon is well known for the fantastic support along the way and it really does make a difference to have people out along the whole course cheering the runners on. The sweeties being handed out were also very welcome!
I ran the whole way with my training partner, Elaine Andrew from U105, and we finished in 5 hours 9 minutes. Not fast by any means but we are proud to say we didn’t walk any of it! I would have loved to be under the 5 hour mark but partway round we decided that we would be happy just to finish and never mind the time! Nothing I had read could have prepared me for just how tough it was, and although I never once thought about giving up, at times the course seemed never-ending. The feeling as we turned into Ormeau Park and finally saw the finish line is impossible to describe!
A big thank you to the team at Belfast City Marathon, who put on an amazing event for Belfast every single year. The organisation that goes on behind the scenes is immense and they now have the first Belfast Half Marathon on 22nd September to get ready for!
Also thank you to the lovely volunteers from Cancer Focus NI, who were out in force along the route as well as providing tea and plasters at the end! I am delighted to say that Team Challenge 26.2 have raised over £3,300 for Cancer Focus NI, and donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/TeamChallenge26-2.