Silverstone FLHM

[El Gordo]

Thanks EP. I know I should feel pleased, as 2:20 was my (modest) target, and my plan was really just to use this as a warm-up for Reading and Bath. But after I had a good first 5-7 miles (by my standards) I really thought I was on for 2:10 which would have really pleased me. As I explained I just sort of lost energy at that point and ended up struggling a bit.

Maybe I went off a bit too quickly. I started just behind the 2:15 pacer, and thought I'd stay with them, but I seemed to lose them (behind me) almost straight away. Perhaps I should have stuck with them. They passed me at around 8 miles and I didn't have the energy to stick with them.

But so be it. It's always good to do a race and yes it was a PB so I can't be unhappy with that.

On the subject of the young guy who died at the end, I don't know any more than I read about on the RW forum. It seems that the guy I saw may not have been the one who died after all.

You might be interested in reading Ian Painter's diary entry for today. He has a different attitude from most of us.

Yes, I'm looking forward to Reading. I'll find the run tough again, I've no doubt, but last year, I thought it was a really good event. Some good crowd support, particularly round Whitley.

I'm no 902.

Note for Daryl - thanks for posting your message. It was nice to meet you, and thanks for providing some good company on the journey. It's unusual to hear someone complaining about having too much energy at the end of a half marathon!

Say hello to Chicago for us when you return, and make sure you do that great marathon of yours one day.