Brighton Half Marathon Review - 19th February 2012

This was the first time I had entered the Brighton Half Marathon and I really enjoyed it. I got up early and had my breakfast which was porridge and casein (protein powder) followed by toast with peanut butter and banana.Yummy!!! I then got ready and headed to the start line an hour early because I did not want to be stressed out like I was in Cardiff trying to find my starting pen. I made sure I went to the toilet as soon as I found them and lucky I did because it soon got very busy and the queues were getting very long. I then headed to the pen I wanted which was sub 1:45 and waited there for the race to start.
It was a superb wintery sunny day and I was feeling good about the run. I joined in with the warm up which was upbeat and helped me get all geared up for the race ahead. I enjoyed the atmosphere at the start and the music playing definately got me focused for the race ahead.

The gun went off and away we went. I just went out at my own pace and kept saying to myself don't go out too fast yo've got a long way to go!! I would say it took about a mile and a half to warm up as my hands were freezing but  then I soon got into the run and I was enjoying the atmosphere and the crowds.

When coming back from the marina, we headed back towards the centre of Brighton and the crowds and support was fantastic. As we headed towards Hove we did not have as much support but it was still good.
I was feeling good until the last 2 miles when I really started to feel knackered and my legs were feeling very heavy. To see the finish line in sight after running past the world famous Brighton Pier made me very happy!!!
After crossing the line I realised I hadn't achieved my personal best time so I was very dissappointed.
However, I kept walking through the crowds of finishers and was handed a foil blanket which was fantastic and then handed an empty sweat shop carrier bag which I thought was a bit strange! Further a long I was handed a bottle of water, banana and my medal. I also got a wrist band with Brighton Half Marathon on it. A  t-shirt would have been better but hey ho.

Just passed the finishing line I saw a pink landrover parked up which was Katie Prices (also competing) so I had to have a picture taken next to it because I love pink!!

Even though I was dissappointed with not beating my time I still enjoyed the atmosphere and the day, especially the well deserved glasses of champagne afterwards!!

The next day I found out that the organisers had made a mistake with the distance and all our times were revised so I actually did get a PB. So I am chuffed to bits. 1 hour 42 09.......
So overall, I had a fab weekend in Brighton and looking forward to doing it again next year!!!