Chris’s Brighton Marathon Blog

Chris Satterley, 44, from Norwich ran the Brighton Marathon on 14th April 2019, raising a fantastic £950.00 for us. Chris kept us up to date with his progress in the lead up to the event and on the day. Here are some extracts from his blog:

11th March 2019

My name is Chris Satterley, I’m 44, married to Joanna and have two daughters – Isobel who is 11 and Jessica who is 7. I’m running my first marathon in April in Brighton, the second largest marathon in the UK. Training has been tough, with a number of injury setbacks, so I held off with my fundraising until I was confident I could actually make it, (what was I thinking?!)

I wanted to raise funds for a local charity that is very close to my heart. 3 and a half years ago, I lost my father-in-law to cancer and the staff at the Priscilla Bacon Lodge showed dedication, care and compassion and provided such a high standard of care at the end of his life. They are an amazing organisation, which is also looking to expand its palliative care service in Norfolk with a new hospice.

15th March 2019

This has got to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and as a life long asthma sufferer I never thought it would be possible. After a number of injury setbacks, I’m but a few weeks away. Longest run to date is 17.5 miles, only another 9 to go… Up early tomorrow for another slog before the weather turns later in the day. Wish me luck!

24th March 2019

So I made it around the Wymondham 20 mile race today, was very tough at the end with a rather nasty hill. That’s the last long run done just need to keep the legs ticking over now. Over half way towards my £500 target and with Aviva pound-for-pound matching that will take the total to £750. Thanks for all your support you lovely lot. X

14th April 2019

Ok, so it’s cold, I layer up and head off to Preston Park for my first marathon experience. Nerves are starting to get the better of me as I wait with the 16,000 other runners for the prompt to ‘go to the start corrals’. Trying to focus on all the good training runs and the reason I’m here, to prepare for the run ahead as I make my way to the start line.

The first mile isn’t as flat as I anticipated, but all is good. At this point I’m on a total high, crowds are amazing. As I wind my way through the streets of Brighton, (and a few more hills), back onto the sea front, I head out past the Royal Pavilion towards Rottingdean into a head wind and more hills. Seeing some of the front runners coming towards me is a sight I’m later to despise, at the start of a 6 mile double back and many more to come.

Coming back towards the Palace Pier at the half way mark, I’m not feeling great and to see the front runners crossing the finish line is a psychological blow. I make it to mile 16, where the effect of the ‘earlier layering’ in the day forces me to pull up as I’m now suffering from the temperature rise. To be fair, this is a welcome stop and now with my long sleeve top wrapped around my waist I’m off, away from the beach and back into the Brighton streets.

The crowds keep me going but not for long as I start to flag, grabbing any sweets or oranges that are on offer as I approach mile 18 and back on the sea front towards the power station. This is a real low point, when I meet a guy called Nick, a chance encounter at the water station that ends up being a crucial turning point. A 7-time marathon veteran who vows to stick with me and push me to the end. With a new game plan, I make the turn past mile 21, (totally new territory for me), into the final straight facing a 17 mph head wind.

The crowds are amazing as the adrenaline kicks in to see me back past the pier. I even manage a sprint finish to the line, no idea where that came from. The months of training do not prepare you for the feeling when you cross the line, that said I’m not rushing to book my next marathon.

So far, I’ve managed to raise a massive £950 for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice, (with Aviva’s pound-for-pound matching), which is fantastic!