We both decided to do the Belfast Marathon because we had both wanted to do one at some point and it seemed the best time to go for it as we had the time. We started training in Feb this year. My friend Sharon had taken up running a couple of years ago but I had never managed to get into it properly therefore I really started then. Training went ok, we did 2-3 short runs in the week then a longer one at the weekends gradually increasing the miles to around 20 miles a couple of weeks before the marathon. We unfortunately had to cancel a couple of longer runs due to driving wind and snow, Aberdeen can have it’s drawbacks as a good training place in winter!
We stuffed ourselves full of roast dinner the day before which was great. The day of the marathon was very hot and sunny which was not ideal as it was hard to get enough water on board.
We took jelly beans and a mars bar as fuel and tried to keep a steady constant pace throughout. It was the hardest physical challenge we have both ever faced but we completed it in 4 hours 37 mins and not walked a single pace. It was much more enjoyable afterwards however we were pretty stiff for a few days.
We split the money jointly raised and gave it to Interface and an Indian charity Sharon was involved with during her elective.