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Beachy Head Marathon
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anyroads - to answer you. firstly - how the hell do you keep getting lost? the route is pretty straightforward but I guess it's easy for me having done it 3x. where are you going wrong? perhaps I can point you in the right direction. I suspect I know where it is but let me know
as for most challenging hill - well I don't think there's one that's much tougher than another, they're all tough enough and have their different characteristics. BUT undoubtedly it's the Seven Sisters, aka the Seven Bitches when you run them, that hurt most as your legs are already mashed by the previous 20 miles when you hit them. short steep downs followed by short steep ups just serially hurt and then that's capped off with the long climb from Birling Gap to Beachy Head.
FB - the short steep hill up to the forest was interesting in the mud last year. I hate the steps and bitches, but love this race.
They do a lovely cuppa at Birling Gap
they just add to the occasion
Old Goon - I take a long time to get to the steps that the bagpiper has gone
Forgot the little wall you have to climb over after 2nd lot of steps.
"Forgot the little wall you have to climb over after 2nd lot of steps." - and don't forget that little bugger of a steep downhill after....that usually hurts as well
kilbrider - are we selling you on this event???
Remember the piper has to pipe everyone up at the start (Kilbrider - have you checked the You Tube clip of the start yet?) where he looked seriously ghostly in the fog, before heading off to make everyone's life a misery later on. There's only so many places he can be in a day.
Traditionally it's fish and chips for me the night before, this is my 3rd time.
Have pre and post-race carb loading locations been decided for this year yet? I was too cold and damp to hang around for drinks last year but I'd like to try this year.
Helly D - last year was really eerie at the start wasn't it........all very atmospheric
Thanks for reminding me about the wall. I'd forgotten about that (not as bad as the many stiles in the Farnham marathon last week though - nightmare for me as I cramp up easily).
No-one has mentioned the riverbank on the Cuckmere yet - great fun if it is as wet as last year, like a skating rink !
Kilbrider - about 45 mins to an hour on top of average road time seems to be the norm (well for me anyway). You'll be on track for a decent time at 16 miles, then the fun starts.......................so have a good feed in the village !
Hi Peter
Beachy was my first mara last year and I hadn't run further than 13 miles. I went with the plan of walk the up bits and try and run the rest. It got me to the finish.
kilbrider - I ran Beachy last year and the Midsummer Munro this year. IMO two trips up the Eiger steps is far harder than any of the steps at Beachy. Having said that I agree with fb that having 20 odd miles in the legs makes the Seven Sisters the biggest challenge. Running down one of them got me the closest I've ever been to cramping in a race but thankfully there was a flat bit coming up which allowed me to shake it out. I'm pretty sure my legs felt more battered at the end of the Munro than Beachy, although obviously you've got the extra distance to cover.
My advice for pre-race day prep is a couple of pints in the pub at the start, and karaoke. I went with "Final Countdown" by Europe. Not really in my key but certainly got the lungs going.
only one technique for this ; walk the ups (as above) , jog the downs (as above) eat everywhere (as above) enjoy the views (as above) , have a nice day (as above), talk to everyone on the way round (as above).
It's all been said before, really......
nb. this is a very very addicitve race and could ruin all your Octobers for years to come. You have been warned!
Desperately seeking a number if anyone is dropping out, please email me darren_lock@hotmail.com, its for a friend who want to run her first. Obviously Ill reimperse your costs and postage
Daza
Unfortunately I can't make this now as I'm going to be away at the time.
If anyone wants my place let me know, just looking for the entrance fee back + postage.
I also have a twin family room in the Eastbourne Travelodge if anyone wants it - it's arriving on Friday 22nd October and checking out on Saturday 23rd. I booked it well in advance so I got it for just £37.
Drop me a mail at: ppiper@hotmail.com
Paul
or DL - mail Pipes....
I'm hoping to check some of the tracks this w/e coming - the ones in Friston Forest mainly - will let you have feedback asap
Did my longest run today of 17 miles. Not done as much training this year, but I know I can do it as it is year no 5.
just over 3 weeks to go
last long run this sunday..........well maybe
am i the only one who takes beachy head more seriously than the others runs? or am i just nuts?
Only done two long training runs, but both were local trail marathons in the last month. Not doing much in between but hoping these have built up a bit more endurance. Know where I am fitness-wise relative to other years (not good at all) so looking at just dipping under 5hrs all being well (was just over last year). I have however been training VERY hard for the feeding stations
Claire - sub 4 for you this year then ?
Mordo - anyone doing this is nuts. As we'll all remind ourselves at the bottom of B*tch no 3 or thereabouts.
Hey OG - you made me laugh on the FLM Forum!
Under 4.15 I've set myself!!
Yeah right!!