It feel likes I’ve been running for a long time. 10 years to be precise. So by now you might expect the annual half marathon in town to feel like a routine date in the calendar. Absolutely not. I’m so excited for Sunday.

I’ve only completed 6 Hastings Half Marathon’s, and only 3 in the last 6 years. The last time I ran in 2024 I was really struggling with illness and only made a decision on the day to attempt it.

My gratitude right now is through the roof, just being able to run after a winter of rebuilding my strength and fitness. I feel blessed to be running Sunday and we never really know how many more opportunities will come our way, so cherishing these moments is crucial.

This is the reason I took up running in the first place. Inspired by so many back in 2015 to “give it a go”.  On my debut, seeing so many Black and Green Hastings Runners vests, it encouraged me to take a leap of faith and join the club. So I owe this event everything. It’s reshaped my entire life.

This weekend I have the honour of pacing 2 hours. That was the goal I had set the very first year I ran the event. I would have achieved that target had it not been for the extra 90 metres I hadn’t accounted for (I thought a half marathon was 21km exactly).

So to have the responsibility of trying to help others break that barrier is one I take very seriously, but am also really looking forward to. The support we get from the crowds is fantastic and obviously being quite tall and dressed in my favourite colour, it’s nice to have so many people call out my name in encouragement.

Enough about me and Sunday, let’s reflect on the past 7 days. My two runners from up North, Andy & Sarah, both put in a superb effort to complete the Croft Motor Circuit 20 Miler. Each lap of the track was about 2 miles, but the rain and wind, really added to the mental challenge.

Both Sarah and Andy achieved their goals, and clocked that key pre marathon distance, as they continue to set their sights on Paris. Andy even found the energy to run an extra lap with Sarah. Take note fellas.

Slightly closer to home, but still way outside the boundaries of East Sussex, James took part in the MK Festival of Running. He too completed 20 miles. He had 180 mins easy on his plan, so when he crossed the line in 2:55, he did the right thing and headed out for an extra 5 minutes. Take note everyone.

20 miles? How about 50k with 1,411 metres of elevation. That was the challenge that Anna tackled on Saturday at the Hundred Hills Centurion run. I think in hindsight the name of the event was a bit of a clue to the elevation that awaited, but Anna, as she always does, smashed it again.

There was one PB to celebrate this weekend, courtesy of Emily at Hastings parkrun. Her focus has primarily been her endurance as she continues to build towards Brighton Trail Marathon, but the track sessions and speed work that have still been part of her plan, helped her to a 23:24 PB on Saturday. Fantastic running Emily.

If you don’t often click on the PB Runner Strava group, I would recommend having a look. We had runners in London and Sydney at the weekend, both posting some lovely pictures from their runs. It’s a good way of seeing who else is part of this growing team, and positive comments, even if from a stranger on the other side of the World can boost our confidence.

We’ve had 2 new members sign up this week. Susie and Shain. Hopefully some of you will get the opportunity to meet them both over the next few months. Welcome to the Team!

I’ll finish by making a point about staying positive. Sunday will be a nervous day for most of us. But be sure to turn up with a smile on your face, give others some encouraging words and of course exchange the mandatory Team Orange fist bumps, pre and post race. If we all team together and support one another, it will only make our experiences that little bit more enjoyable.

Thanks for reading. See you Sunday.

Coach Simon