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| POSE on the Chester Chronicle Online Website |
Chester Marathon
My 100th Marathon..... What can I say??????? Being treated like a celebrity ~ Loved every moment of it.
I
didn’t really get much sleep the night before. I was all nervous and
excited about my major milestone. It was going to be the 100th time I
would have crossed that finish line and it was
now up to me to get on with it and just to finish at whatever time it
would take me to complete all 26.2 Miles. Of course, I had the extra
pressure this time round of having a bunch of family and friends
waiting for me to finish at the Finish line and also
some important officials to present me with my medal. So even the
celebrity I was keen to maintain my slick no sweat running look (anyone
remember the ridiculously photogenic guy running the marathon, well I
was gonna give him a run for his money!) either that
/ or just gross everyone out.
We
arrived in good time at the start Chester race course and were shown
where to park by helpful marshals. The athletes village had different
stalls and advice stations all within an easy
walk. Plenty of clean toilets were also available as well as portaloos.
This day felt very surreal, this is the day I've been busting my gut
for, all those many thousands of miles ran over the years and memories
all swept over me as I stared across at the Start
line.
I
had the Chester Chronicle News & Official Race Photographers
waiting for me at 8.45am right at the start line. They were pretty
amazed at my achievement and were congratulating me. It's
quite strange but over the years I've not fully grasped what I have
achieved; it has become a way of life for me, almost like going shopping
on a weekend but today with the paparazzi all gathered around me, it
began to sink in. I had achieved quite a feat and
they were helping me realise the significance of it all. Running a 100
marathons was something I would have never have thought possible when I
first set out to run a marathon. This is what curiosity leads to!
I
heard my name being called out on the loud speaker before the start of
the marathon ‘So Mei Chan running her 100th Marathon today. What an
adrenaline boost that was! He continued over
the air "She started running at the age of 30 and ran her first marathon
in New York – 100 Marthons – Bonkers!". Yes complete bonkers that I was
being celebrated here for my achievement, what a memorable moment that
was! I still remember that first marathon,
how time passes and how amazing running is that it keeps you young,
healthy and active. I stood there for a moment and reflected on how a
twist of fate had turned me into a runner. Who would have thought, me a
runner! Life choices often lead to moments like
this, great moments, memorable times!
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| Official Chester Marathon Photographer |
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| Photographer from the Chester Chronicles |
The
race started and finished at Chester Racecourse, passing through the
Town Hall, Cathedral, split level Middle Ages 'Rows', Eastgate Clock and
through the Roman Walls before heading into
the Cheshire and North Wales countryside. There were plenty of
supporters out at such an early morning start. The course consisted of
19 miles in England and 7 miles in Wales.
So
the race started and I was running at a nice and easy pace throughout
the first couple of miles ensuring I was not burning myself out too
quickly.…. I bumped in to Tess at around Mile
5 (A friend I met at an ULTRA running event in 2013). I was telling her
that I was expecting a call from the BBC Radio Merseyside in around
10-15 minutes time so had to keep an eye on time. We both crossed the 6
Mile mat together and some how I had lost her
as I approached the next drink station. A few minutes
before 10.30am (Just after Mile 9 my phone rang). I was asked to hold on
the line as the presenters were playing a track and I would be passed
over to live presenter of the station for the interview. I stood
on the side of the pavement out of the other runners way. I think I must
have been on hold for at least 2 minutes until I was finally put
through. I was asked various questions on my challenge. I saw Paul
Nicholls run past me and heard him shout at me to keep
on going and forget about the phone interview (I was trying to play
catch up with him but never did see him again on the course – However,
he did manage to finish in a PB time). The interview finally finished
and I was all ready to goooooooooooo again!
The
weather had been kind to us which I was so thankful of, not as hot as
last year but just right for running. I was flying throughout and was
ahead of my 5 hour finish time. Hitting the
Half Way mark at 2 Hours & 11 Minutes I was already heading to a PB
time……….
Adrenaline hit high and I was going for it! I took the positive
and just kept on going. One girl running behind me tripped and fell (I
could hear the runners all crowded around her).
I couldn’t afford to stop. I just kept on running!
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| Running through Chester Town Centre |
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| Elite Runner BAGGAGE Store |
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| VIP Section |
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| 100 Marathon Cake - Made by Katherines friend - Ms Crumbs! |
I
started to in take the ‘Lucozade’ Gels they were distributing on the
course. These really helped me when I ran Chester last year so in took
the same again this year.
This
was the second time i ran the MBNA Chester Marathon. Approx. 5,000
runners turned out for the race. I really
enjoyed this marathon in every aspect including
scenery, support and organisation. Prior to the race, the communication
between myself and the race organisers was great, with plenty of emails
in between my marathon running keeping them updated that Chester
Marathon was still on schedule to be my 100th. I
also kindly asked for my running bIb to be 100 and they were very
helpful in getting this sorted with the printers. On the final run up to
big day, i had also requested for a space located near the finish line
for my 100th presentation as the 100 Club Marathon
Chairman 'Traviss' and Ruth who'd both kindly accepted to do my
presentation on this special momentous day.
Having
crossed the ancient Roman bridge to return to England and the home
stretch. On re-entering the City, we passed next to the River Dee along
the Groves which was a lovely area and
full of supporters shouting our names ( runners had names on their
numbers). We had a final stretch along Castle Drive before a triumphant
grandstand finish at the racecourse! The finish was great, although
running on grass at 26 miles was a bit tricky.
The
crowds were fantastic and once again my name was announced on the loud
speaker as I was about to cross the finish line to be greeted by my
family and friends taking photos and was handed
a can of refreshing Gin & Tonic from Emmett before heading to the
V.I.P. area which was reserved for presentation at 1:45pm where
Champagne and Cakes were served. The 100th cake was Vegan and made by my
colleague (Katherine's friend 'Mrs. Crumb'.... So Mrs.
Crumb if your reading this, just wanted to say Big'Thank You' for the
cake - Everyone enjoyed it).
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| Traviss, Me & Rachel.... In my NEW Running KIT |
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| With Honey Bunny - Jacky Mok! |
Champagne/Cake Time.....................
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| Emotional Moments.... With Wona! |
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| Refreshment Time................. With Rachel & Traviss |
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| At the FINISH Line with Gin & Tonic (Courtesy of Emmett) |
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| Just about to cross the FINISH Line................... |
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| Jacky waiting at the FINISH Line............. |
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| A few of the usual Suspects - Me, Kate, Emmett & Pam |
MEDAL Presentation Time
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| Presentation Time - With Traviss & Ruth |
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| Finish Time :- 4 Hours, 32 Minutes & 11 Seconds |
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| Chester Marathon FINISHER Medal |
Split Times :-
10k – 00:59:18
20k – 02:03:57
HALF – 02:11:29
30K – 03:11:44
40K – 04:17:38
FINISH – 04:32:11
My
time was 4.32.11 which I was happy with. Approx. a minute to a PB, but
hey Ho I got to go on Live radio for the very first time on a marathon
course. I ran so hard to push the pace, and
even the 4:30 Hour pacer was ahead of me by a minute or two away. Two
other gentlemen were also encouraging me on the final 2-3 miles, both
were running their first marathon in Chester, so John & Richard if
you're both reading this 'Thank You' for the encouragement
in dragging me over those 2 final hilly beasts just before the finish
line. I had absolutely no more reserved energy left in me at all!
The
medal and goodie bag was great and the technical long sleeved top was
one of the best I have had after a race. Overall the race was great,
organisation, cheerful marshals and supporters,
plenty of water and Lucozade sport (and just at the right distance
apart, every 3 miles), good announcements at the start and finish, well
marked by mile markers, and chip timing.
Chester Marathon - I will be back!
*** Special 'Thank You' to all those family/friends/supporters that turned up for my 100th and to all those wonderful people that believed in me all the way. Especially those that have sponsored/donated towards my fundraising. Your all awesome!!
