Brighton Marathon: The One Where I Didn’t Quite Know What Would Happen

Going into Brighton, I honestly didn’t know how it would go.

I had a rough goal of around 3:30, but there was a small part of me wondering… could I go under?

And if I’m being honest, I probably let that thought creep in a bit too early.

The Start: A Bit Too Ambitious

I set off feeling good. Maybe a little too good.

The pace felt comfortable, the crowds were great, and I think I got slightly carried away chasing that sub-3:30 feeling. Looking back, I probably went out a bit too fast — nothing dramatic, but enough that it would come back to bite later.

Early Struggles (That I Wasn’t Expecting)

Pretty much straight away, I knew things might not be smooth.

My stomach just wasn’t right — I was due on my period, and it definitely played a role. Normally, I actually look forward to my gels during a marathon (which says a lot), but this time I really struggled to take them.

That said, I stuck to the plan. One gel every 30 minutes. No matter what.

Because sometimes it’s not about how you feel — it’s about what you know your body needs.

The Reality of Race Conditions

I wore a hydration vest… which, in hindsight, wasn’t tight enough.

It chafed (a lot), and despite carrying water, I still ended up running low. It was one of those deceptively tough days — warmer than expected and very windy.

And something I think isn’t talked about enough: when you’re due on your period, hydration can feel completely different. I definitely felt like I needed more than usual.

The Hard Miles

The last 8km were tough.

Properly tough.

I started cramping and had to walk through water stations just to try and manage it. That point in a marathon where everything starts to unravel a bit — physically and mentally.

And the Brighton course… I didn’t love the fact you can’t really see the finish until the last few hundred metres. It genuinely felt like it was never going to come.

What Got Me Through

The crowds. Always the crowds.

And seeing my family — that changes everything, even when you feel awful.

But also, a fellow runner near the end. You know those unspoken moments in races where you just keep each other going? That was one of them. I’m not sure I would have pushed in quite the same way without that.

The Finish (and Immediate Regret 😅)

I felt awful at the finish.

The kind of awful where you think: “Never again. Why do I do this to myself?”

And yet… it didn’t take long before that thought started to shift.

Because underneath all of that — I was proud.

The Reality Check

I finished in 3:33.

Not quite the sub-3:30 I wondered about. Probably a reflection of going out a bit too fast, the fuelling struggles, the conditions… all of it.

But also?

A time I’m really proud of.

What I Learned

There’s always something to take away:

• Pacing matters more than you think (even when you feel good early on)

• Fuelling isn’t always going to feel easy — but sticking to a plan counts

• Hydration needs change — especially around your cycle

• Race day conditions can completely shift how things feel

And maybe one for next time…

I might try and train myself to rely slightly less on water — or at least be more prepared for when things don’t go to plan.

Would I Do It Again?

At the finish line: absolutely not.

Now?

I already want to do it again. And do it better.

The Bit That Matters Most

More than the time, more than the race itself — I’m really proud to have done this while raising money for Cancer Research UK in memory of my mum.

Thank you so much to everyone who donated, supported, and cheered me on. It genuinely made a difference out there.

If you’ve got a marathon coming up — or you’re thinking about one — just know this:

It doesn’t have to be perfect to be something you’re proud of.