I had really stepped up my training over the past couple of months and had heard that this would be a good course for a PB (fast and flat) flat?
Didnt manage to get out running this week and as the week drew on I started to put alot of pressure on myself this also made me doubt my chances. I drove to the race and arrived in good time feeling very nervous a feeling I have never had before running as I have now done many halfs. Its a feeling I only get when playing with the band in a contest. I was greated by Jammylu who happened to pull into the car park at the same time and it was nice to have someone to chat to, it helped pass the time and take my mind off the job in hand, I also bumped into happy times and we wished eachother luck and after a short jog I made my way down to the start. I never know where to put myself in the pack so chose to start about halfway through. I had set the garmin virtual training partner so knew what pace to stick to, a strategy that worked well with my last PB.
I went off too quick but soon got comfortable and found I was running faster than my 7.42 plan and just stuck at this pace, following a couple of guys who where running together and some bella runners.I think I was looking for someone who ran a similae pace. I came across the incline at mile 3 which was steeper than I thought and was looking forward to a water station. The next think I saw was the runners coming on the back part of the course and was HT and shouted a word of encouragment he was very much in the zone. There was another small hill that I did not expect and that was me then on the way back. I looked out for Lu but didnt see her. I found this part of the run to be the fastest maybe because I was feeling strong or because the miles where slowly ticking down and I was soon picking off other runners. At mile 5 my feet felt like they were burining up and I knew that this was the start of the rubbing and some problems. I took a drink from a water station (plastic bottles) it must have gone down the wrong way or too much or something as it was soon spat out followed by a coughing fit something I have not experienced before. The marshalls where great cheering us on and one shouted well done or something too which I thanked her, I heard her say the further up the field you get the politer the runners get to which I turned back and
I know all of us are greatful of marshalls and I know myself you block all out at times due to the zone or pain or whatever. My pace slowed during the last 4 miles each step of hurting but I new I was infront of target but there was also the thought I could now get behind target. Alot of the runners I had overtaken very early in the race were now picking me off and i found myself looking at ym garmin all the time which made time seem to pause and the miles got longer. I looked at the garmin tho just before the clock tower 01:39 but didnt know how many secs somethign in my head kicked in and I just put on a mad sprint that got me past the line. It got madder when I saw the clock 01:39:55 and new it would be sub 01 40. I needed to keep walking after for ages and couldnt stomach the mars bar I felt sick and my quads where tightening up to the point of screaming. All in all a great race, glad the rain held up and a nice medal with the clock tower and the waverley on it. Need to sort these trainer problems tho, I will try my new size 9 as am in 8.5 at the min and get a second pair in the week maybe a different brand. I now have some gels so can experiment before Sept.Splits :7:35 7:39 7:51 7:33 7:32 7:31 7:26 7:31 7:20 7:38 7:48 7:51 7:51 38
