Wilm-Slow day dawned cold and blustery, but I did wake up in time. I was in a bit of a daze when I collected all my stuff together and bundled it into the car for the short drive there. Directed to park in a field, not good as I knew with past experience how long it would take me to get out after the run.
Sat in the car for ages as it was so cold. I had decided to wear my long running tights and running jacket instead of tee shirt and ¾ tights because of the weather. Eventually I left for the 10 minute walk to the start area before queuing the regulation 10 minutes for the loo. Tannoy was calling people to the start as I left the loo queue, so I ambled up and wandered into the start area, at lest it was a lot warmer with all those bodies despite so many shivering people in shorts, I have never seen so many goose bumps collected together in one place before.
I felt a little anxious before the race, I had already run 35 miles in the last week so was feeling a little jaded, but I reminded myself that this was just a training run in the company of others. We had chip timers on, only the second year that Wilmslow have had these, although they still award best in category according to gun time – very odd.
I mentally chose a person to act as a pacer - a woman perhaps 15 years younger than me sporting a pair of long compression socks- as we shuffled off through the beeping start. I ambled along, feeling OK. Continued to amble along, walked up the hills, walked thorough the feed stations, why they continue to serve water in plastic cups I have no idea. The weather began to warm up a little although the wind was gusting strongly and by the time we turned for home I was very pleased to have the blast behind me at long last. I had glanced at the Garmin a few times, the mile markers were coming up consistently .25 of a mile after the Garmin had buzzed for the mile marker, so I was a little confused by the times I was achieving. Pleasantly surprised to glance at it when I though we were at about mile 9 ish to find it was already through mile 10. I slowed down just about this point to help a woman who was obviously having a terrible time, her companion was trying to encourage her with a wet sponge and promise of a goody bag plus feeling of achievemetn and relief she would feel on finishing. I gave her a few jelly beans and she did revive a bit. I was now beginning to rein in quite a few people who had passed me in the early stages, I had cruised past woman in long socks at about mile 7. All quite gratifying although I continued just to try and run relaxed and forget about the time. The finish post was achieved with a slight burst of speed ( speed is all relative!!) 13.57 miles on the Garmin and a time of 2 hours 26 something. Under 11 minute miles, so I was quietly pleased. Felt absolutely fine too which is more to the point at this time in the mara training.
I’m not saying I would happily have done 26 miles on Sunday ‘though;-) Mind you, late night partying with lots of beer on Friday night, followed by sitting still in orchestra for a 3 hour rehearsal plus a 2 hour concert followed by a couple of pints on Saturday and the start of BST probably isn’t the best preparation for a half marathon
Enjoyed every minute of the prep ‘though;-)
I am currently concentrating on carb loading - I love carbs!
March - Maddening Hares and all
