Marathon 10/15: New Forest: The one I ran with Pete

It was a strange feeling getting up on the morning of the 10th marathon of my 15 in 15 challenge. 

The previous three had been run in lockdown or near-lockdown conditions, and it was over 6 months since I had pinned on a race bib. 

I was feeling on good form, with plenty of mileage locked away from a summer of running both in Somerset and Yorkshire where we had enjoyed a family summer break, often up early whilst the rest of the family enjoyed their lie-in and downtime. Running along a canal or river path is downtime for me, and I’d loved one week in particular where I had completed more than 40 miles of running in a week for the first time. 

I had finally broken the four hour mark at the marathon I ran in Winchester in July, so was feeling good.

It had been a tough few months emotionally of course, in the middle of the pandemic, and the need for raising funds for Sands was obvious, after such a downturn of events and other fundraisers due to the socially-distanced conditions we were under. With rising demand for our services and reducing income, I felt really encouraged by the generous money that had come in over the summer, including a successful Facebook birthday appeal by my brother-in-law Pete, who was about to run his first marathon ever. 

From a race perspective today was different, it wasn’t about me or about my time, it was about trying to get Pete round for the first time. It was about partnering, collaborating, encouraging and running with him, partly to thank him for his continued support over the previous 12 months in helping me get to this, the 10th one. 

Pre-race caffeine top-up

Pete had suffered with a sore knee for the fortnight before the marathon but thankfully had received some emergency physio in time to give himself a chance of completing the course. He arrived in plenty of time and we made our way down to the Hampshire/Dorset border, where the New Forest marathon was taking place - it had been rescheduled and relocated due to the virus, and a private estate at Wimborne St Giles had offered to put on the event, with socially distanced conditions in place, and plenty of other restrictions and guidelines to ensure it went ahead in a secure way. The NFM has far fewer participants than some of the major UK races and as such it was logistically easier to relocate and revision the event. Sadly the biggest downside was that no spectators were allowed in or around the course. This meant that neither of our families could see us run, and although we had considered pulling out, we decided to go ahead with it after such a good summer training programme behind us.  

We got down to the venue in plenty of time, and it was a really warm morning waiting. It was strange walking across the fields from the car park to the event entry, where our ID was checked and we had a temperature check and sanitised our hands. Going through to the start line was slightly surreal, as there were so few people compared to last year when I had run my first marathon of the 15 challenge. On the plus side, we’ll never have such choice of portaloos, or such a short queue! A local journalist asked about the Sands t shirts and interviewed us for the New Milton Advertiser, so it was nice to share the story of the challenge and of the inspiring people I’ve met along the way and why I am doing this challenge. They included it in a nice write-up about the marathon later in the week: 

Over the course of about half an hour, the announcer invited runners to come over towards the start line in small groups, and we set off at 15 second intervals to ensure distancing. Once I had started I gently jogged along and waited for Pete to catch up, and we were away. We were to run the same course twice, 13.1 miles each time. The first mile or so was on the beautiful grounds of the Earl of Shaftesbury’s estate, lots of green grass and lovely scenery. Then off site around the country paths and lanes, along the edge of a number of fields and up a couple of hills, allowing for some breathtaking views up to Salisbury Plain and beyond. 

We're off! Pete coming over the start line

We felt good and before long had settled into a rhythm; the marshals dotted around the course were fantastic and we enjoyed some banter and encouragement with other runners. At about 7 miles a downhill section became tricky as we were essentially running along a bumpy field, along some rutty tracks churned up by tractors, and it was an effort to concentrate and keep your balance. Because of the recent dry weather I had decided to go with road shoes and not trails, which was of benefit on the softer grass but was challenging in sections like this. 

A beautiful setting! 

We went through a wooded section for a couple of miles and out into the open again at about mile 10. after a steep downhill section along a small road, we were faced with a daunting hill on uneven tracks, but we both pushed on and reached the top, out of breath, but feeling good and ready to press on. we arrived back at the site, in view of the magnificent country house and running alongside a beautiful river in some much-needed shade. we were running a smidgen over 9 minute miles, so hit the halfway mark at about 2 hours. as mentioned this was never about the pace but about making sure we both made it around the course safely. 

Things seemed on track but within a couple of miles of the second lap Pete was beginning to flag a little, the long climb taking longer to overcome than the first lap, and the pace dropping gradually. He’s an absolute trooper though and we pressed on, taking each half mile at a time, not stopping for fear of seizing up, just going slower than on the first lap. We reached 20 miles at about 3 hours 15, with each mile taking longer, 10 minutes, 10.5 minutes, 11 minutes. 

The marshals encouraged us on and a number of text and voice messages arrived from friends and family which helped enormously. I must confess there was a temptation to run on as I was feeling ok but every time I pulled away I stopped myself and waited for Pete, having promised to run it I with him I was determined to do so, even though it was challenging not to go ahead and run my race. It struck me at about 20 miles that this was very much like some of the stories families talk to me about in our work for Sands - once they’ve run their own marathon(s) they are more ready to help support others to run theirs. They move from being coached to being coach, from encouraged to encourager, from trained to trainer, supporting newly bereaved families along in their own endurance journey, even though it must be tempting at times to go their own way. The uphill at about 23 miles was a truly heroic effort by Pete to keep going, every time I ran I would stop and look back, there he was determined not to stop and walk, just running more slowly but completing his marathon his way, in his Sands vest. 

I was so proud of him for his efforts and so grateful for helping me over many years - not just on my Sands journey but in life in general since we had met back in the early 90s when he started dating my sister… so the least I could do was to hang in there with him and journey over the final few miles. At about mile 23 a runner just behind us had a nasty fall and luckily we were able to locate a nearby marshal to help him back on his feet again, the sun was pretty hot at this point and it was hard going for everyone. Runners were spread out well but we were always within a hundred yards of a runner and there was a good atmosphere throughout, exemplified by the half dozen or so runners going to his aid. He had some nasty grazes but was really keen to carry on and we saw him later on so he did well. 

Run/walking towards the end

We were back on the estate for the final push, running/trotting slowly by the river and the main house again, being cheered on by the marshals. It was a bit unfortunate that the course took you so near the finish area even though you had a couple of miles left! like a mirage, it felt rather tortuous. Anyway we pressed on and Pete found a second wind in the last mile as the end came into sight. I let him run ahead the final few metres to cross the line, and take the applause of a handful of runners nearby. it was a shame there wasn’t such a big crowd for him as there was last year at the NFM, but like everything at the moment, we have to cheer each other on virtually. We held onto the nearby fencing for support as the terrain and the heat had really taken it out of us.

Seconds after crossing the line! 

Sadly we couldn't embrace even though all I wanted to do was hug and high five Pete for his amazing efforts. It was quite an emotional phone call home to let the family know that it was all over. We finished in 4h35, so the second half really did take much longer than the first, but that’s not surprising, all things considered. And it really doesn't matter.

No hugs so a selfie will have to suffice 

Again it’s strange that we collect our t-shirt and medal from a table rather than being presented it from a volunteer, but it was just one element of a really well organised and safe race day, so it’s worth it for the experience. Mind you although the medal is environmentally friendly and quite unique, being made of wood it does feel quite flimsy. The t-shirts are nice though. 

The empty finish funnel 

It probably takes us an hour to get back from the finish line to the car, as we are both so stiff and sore, but we make it and head home. The temptation is to head to a pub for a pint to celebrate but instead we grab a take out coffee and get on the road, ready for a bath and to reflect on another amazing day. The fund has gone up beyond £3,500 and we can look ahead to more funds coming through in the coming weeks and months. 

Men in black - proud of our achievements 

So over a beer and a foot massage from my daughter - both are becoming a tradition!- I reflect on a really positive day, and again the importance of encouragement - but this time from a different perspective - using my experience to help someone else - and once again think about the amazing peer supporters in the Sands groups up and down the country and on the helpline and online forums.  

I’m 2/3 of the way into the challenge, 10 of 15 completed, and looking forward to the Virtual London Marathon in a couple of weeks time. Sadly it won’t have the atmosphere of a ‘proper’ race like today, but we will be able to run with family and friends and have some support, which was much missed today. 

I will be running the virtual London in Poole with someone else running his first ever marathon, my friend Keith, and I’m looking forward to learning the lessons of today in how to support someone on their first venture into an endurance run such as this. I don't think it can be this hard given the terrain and the heat, but we'll have to see. We will take whatever is thrown at us I'm sure...