Greater Manchester Marathon – Sunday 2nd April 2017
This was a first marathon for me and I was so pleased to be running this along side my husband Alan, who is a seasoned marathon runner. The only problem was our pace difference! However, he was committed to running the marathon with me and he definitely gave me the best personal support prior, during and post marathon.
My training didn’t quite go according to plan, but then who’s does? It’s marathon training so I’ve been told! One thing I have learnt, you just have to get on with it and never under estimate the power of cross training if you get injured, as it was in my case.
Greater Manchester Marathon is billed as being UK’s fastest and friendliest Marathon, It did not disappoint. We stayed in the centre of Manchester and only had a short tram ride to the start at Old Trafford. The forecast for the Marathon was spot on and indeed perfect conditions. The race started at 9am and it took almost 20 minutes to cross the start line. The route took us around old Trafford, heading out towards Altrincham and back round to Sale and then to Urmston and finally finishing back at old Trafford. The crowd support was amazing, with steel bands, gospel singers and just about anyone who could sing or play an instrument had a go. I did have a chuckle at some of the hand written signs as we ran round, in particular “don’t worry, toenails are overrated” and “short cut this way, we won’t tell anyone” believe me that was so tempting at mile 22!
I didn’t quite reach my goal of a sub 4.30 marathon…. But so please with my time, completing it with Alan in a time of 4:43:21 achieving a bronze standard and new age group record. Adele and Alan Bushell.