Beachy Head 2009
Was that a bizarre race or what? Ascending through a thick cloud of mist to who knows where, being blown about by strong winds, mud-sliding up and down hills, on top of doing a bit of running. I knew the race was getting tough when when I started hallucinating a man playing some bagpipes at top of a steep flight of steps, sheep talking to me about global warming, and I was holding hands with Dave Green across the finish line!
I thought the club created a fantastic atmosphere within the hotel (no farting joke intended), which made the whole event an enjoyable social occasion, in addition to allowing so many members the chance to get down to the serious business of running, so far away from Bracknell. A big thumbs-up to everyone involved in the organisation, I can't wait for next year. The only disappointing aspect was that I missed the opportunity of partaking in some line dancing on the Saturday, or rather, watching our chairman to some line dancing. I would question the efforts of those people who are still able line dance after a supposedly hard marathon, I was too knackered!
Jenny and I took some photos of the occasion, if you fancy a browse, or would prefer some were removed, click the link:-
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164813&id=731570794&l=b293befdfa
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164815&id=731570794&l=39ca59a141
addicted to the Beachy Head Marathon!
well, it sounds like your hooked now Paul!
Not a good year for your first experience of doing the Beachy head marathon but if you come back I promise it gets better without the rain! Well done to all you first timers!
Having first completed this marathon back in 1996, (when it was still called the Seven Sisters Marathon) I was only 16 years old and I walked it all with my Mum, I love going down every year with the club to not only complete a challenging run but to have a good social weekend. I think I have done this race 9 times now (it may be more but I can only count 9 medals!) and even tho most people who know me think i'm a bit mad I think i'll be back next year when i'll be 30 (arghh!) and doing the beachy head for the 10th time! (it's gotta be done!)
I'm so thankful that my Mum is still part of the club (as i'm sure she will be for a good many years to come) so that I can still be part of the club, even living in Winchester! It's great that so many of you old faces keep on going to this marathon weekend, even if you are not doing the full 26.2 miles, joining in, doing what you can and having fun is what it's all about.
oh, and no matter how tired you are a little dancing in the evening is nothing compared to 26.2 miles of running up and down hills! but a little alcohol does help - helps you forget what's hurting anyway!(until the morning!)
Great photos be the way Jenny, thanks.
See you all next year! (if not before up the lookout or maybe up another hill somewhere!)
in the words of Martin Bulger, "Living makes you Run Longer"
Alison
xx