Getting
my half time down had stuck in my mind as vital for spring marathon
target. Flu bug the day before the half I'd aimed at all year was so
frustrating,
with running & half season virtually over till 2013 and no decent
races nearby. Or was there? Found a half in Stratford for £20 described
as fast and flat, just over 2 hours drive & chip timed. Even found a
travelodge down the road for £26. Perfect!
Course
is a 5k around a speedway track & old airstrip, so 4 of those laps
plus an extra out/ back to make up the 21.1k distance. Flat as a
pancake?
Probably flatter! Sounded do-able, but looking at speed required, sub 6:50 mile / 4:15
km pace all around, meaning four 5kms under 21m25s. Yikes! Have made
lots of progress this year, but only got 5k time under 21 min in June.
HTFU! Pace band printed for 1:29.
Grit teeth.
Conditions
perfect, 8 degrees, cool, bit damp. Lots of people but mostly 5 &
10k race, not the half. Course well organised, km AND mile markers, if
windy would be exposed but okay. Water or electrolyte just after the 5k
mark each lap. Clock visible at end of each lap. Spot on.
First
5k, got an idea of the course lap, roughly an oval but with 3 big
spikes off it, just needed to concentrate in some bits with sharp dead
turns,
also odd rubber surface on last 0.5k of a lap, very squeaky - but fast,
maybe for bike start? On garmin, manual km splits, all under 4m20s.
First 5k lap, 21:25. promising.
2nd
lap, course making more sense, could run a better line. On this lap
caught up to fast female runner that had been 200m ahead, also after sub
1:30,
ran with her for a minute or so, but kicked on, her pace was dropping a
touch, gotta run my race. Shouted to Missus that I was on target, under
42:50 for 10k.
3rd
lap, early on, tight in left calf so took a painkiller. Grabbed some
electrolyte, paper cups, managed to drink some but also pour a lot over
Garmin.
Beep beep. Watch started going a bit mad, had to take it off to dry.
Managed to wipe it - with buff and under control. Only a few to pace
against ahead, and catching most of them. Keeping splits under 4:17. Lap under 21:25 again. Looked at pace band, ideal
1h04 for 15k. Legs starting to ache, with
illness & league races, not many recent long runs (checked after,
lots of speed work and fast runs but only 2 LSRs of 12 miles+ in 6
weeks). I was bang on time, this was going to hurt, but hey, you really
want it?
Pain can wait. Steely focus time.
Last
lap. Max effort, aiming for nothing left in tank by end. That calf was
really tight, could it go or cramp? Down the last section of lap, 1:25
ish showing on watch and clock by finish line. Round again, little out
& back, 1.1km to go, teeth very gritted now, this was HURT-ing, full
speed, turned corner, still half km left but finish line in sight -
sprint legs! Through line, watch said 1:29:29 -
Yes!. I was jumping for joy. Guy in front gave funny look, 10 secs
outside his best, me 6 mins plus off my PB - understood & big high
five. Sooo happy. Elation-wise as good as last marathon, maybe better?
Checking after, had paced it well, course obviously helped. Each 5k lap under target & faster than the previous one (21:25, 21:22, 21:18, 21:10
mat
times), with a 4min last km. Negative split, and then some! Equalled my
June 10mile PB and that was flat out & collapse after then. Oh Legs
are very sore but couldn't care less. All ready for 2013 now.
