Newark Half Marathon 2009

Looking out my window today you wouldn't believe that it was blisteringly hot weather yesterday on the 9th August 2009. Well, I suppose it had to be like that because that was the date of the Newark half marathon, and nearly every year it is the same apparently. When I got back to my car after the race the temperature gauge said 33 degrees. I couldn't really argue with that as the temperature inside the car wasn't that different from outside.

I had come into this race feeling fit - if not very well rested as a result of a week at Center Parcs with its paper thin walls - and thought a sub 90 minute performance was pretty certain. Standing on the start line in the heat I thought I could still do it, even if a bit slower than I wanted.

My mouth is dry after 3 miles and I'm looking around for the water station. One cup of water over the head, and a quick sip from another cup, and that is my pattern for most of the way round. Some sponges would have been appreciated as well as cups of water, and while I'm thinking of it isotonic drinks on the route as well, but only cups of water were on offer. At the final drinks station before the finish I stop for the first time. What's the point in carrying on? I grab 2 drinks here, and a third cup goes over the head. I'm annoyed by the comment of the woman marshall at the drinks station: "I like the walkers." I'm not a walker! I'm off running again, but despite my anger and frustration find it hard to raise much of a sprint even at the finish.

The best way to describe the Newark half is:- A blur of concrete, streets, cars and byepasses. There is no scenery to mention, and I'd only come here because it looked like a fast course. So much for that, never mind! After 13 miles I stagger towards the Market Square. Yes, I had warmed up here earlier and my legs had felt good, but now they feel slow and sluggish and I stumble apathetically across the finish line.

1:35:22

I need a drink. Where's the water? Down the funnel, a chap hands me an entry form for the Worksop half with the words "Well done, Clowne", but still no water anywhere. There's the t-shirts but I don't give a damn about the t-shirts, oh perhaps I'll get one before the water then, finally I see the water stand across the square and help myself to a pint. I walk around in a daze looking for some shade. I go to the Lucozade nutrition stand where they're giving out free samples. I help myself to a recovery bar and a recovery powder. Now, in my confused state it is a nightmare trying to open the thing. Even when I'm not exhausted I have trouble open packets like this. I gnaw at it despairingly. I have a bright idea of asking the Lucozade girl if she has a pair of scissors. She just points out that there's a point on the packaging which is designed to be ripped open. I stagger off towards the shade while ripping at the packet with my teeth. I cover my face with the sugary powder before adding it to my water.

Several pints of water later and another Lucozade recovery bar I stagger back towards the car.

Next year I'll know better and go and Race the Train....

Retford Half Marathon

Well, I have to say that I think I underperformed in the Retford half marathon this year. Not to say I didn't run a decent time, but from my other race results and my level of fitness I think I could have run 5 minutes or so quicker.

Initially I blamed this on the wind, and the fact that the course is not as flat as I thought. Sure it was very windy, but looking at the results other people performed well, and I was further behind them than I would have expected.

My problem was perhaps that I went off too near the front, and did the first half mile in just over 5 minute mile pace, then I spent the next 6 or more miles looking at my watch; checking my heart rate and my pace. In future I should run without a watch and just run as I feel, then I may run better.

People inevitably came past me and I slipped down the field to finish in 85th place. If I had started off more conservatively I could have worked my way through and finished higher. But, that is all ifs and buts. I had a good run, enjoyed it, and gave it all I had on the day. And I have learnt to go off a little slower, and build up the speed as I go.

Looking forward to a good run in the Stratford Marathon in April.

Clowne Half Marathon Results

Well, I had a good run in the Clowne half marathon yesterday. I started very near to the front thinking I wouldn't have any problems running into anyone. Well, we went round the corner, a bloke tried to undertake me, I was crowded in from the other side as well so nowhere to go & then I couldn't avoid running into this woman & treading on her heel....

the thrills and spills are continued here

Before the Half Marathon

Getting ready to go to Half marathon as we have to collect our numbers before the race start. Two thousand people or so will be there, so will have to be there early; don't want to miss the start like I did in the Rother Valley Trail race.

Just putting my trainers on, but surely that's a Twitterish comment. Not sure what to think of Twitter to be honest, but had a bit of fun with it for a few days. One use is if anyone needs to monitor what you're up to they just need to follow you on Twitter. We don't need Government spies these days just social networking sites like this.

My Ashbourne Half Marathon Result (16th September 2007)

Well, I did the Ashbourne half marathon today, and I have to say that is a tough run! Lots of very steep hills, one particular one just before the 7 mile point that seemed to go on forever. I got to the top finally, but had to take a brief stop to stretch my calf muscle.

There was some really beautiful scenary, and it was a beautiful sunny day so I’m glad I did it. I did it once before many years ago, and I don’t remember it being that tough — perhaps the route has changed since then. Anyway, my finishing time was 1 hour 45 minutes — just in front of the first local lady from Ashbourne running club.

Afterwards, I did some more running round a field to push my time up to 2 hours 30 minutes. Not that I really wanted to, but I am training for a marathon, and then in January am doing a half marathon followed by a full marathon the next day (the Goofy Challenge in Florida) so I need the mileage.

Running Training (16th September 2007)

I’m going to do a half marathon later on this morning so looking forward to that. On my schedule I have to run for 2 hours 30 minutes, so I will probably have to run an extra hour on top of the race to make my time up. Should be good.

Last Sunday I ran for 2 hours 30 minutes, then did an extra 35 minutes of jogging/walking. Total mileage covered was 19.6 miles. Didn’t drink anything all the way round! Certainly not recommended - some water or energy drink would’ve been best, but I felt fine if a little tired towards the end. People do tend to over drink would running long distance races so at least I didn’t do that! I think you’ll find the most dehydrated runner in a race will be the winner so there are some good things to be said for getting used to a certain level of dehydration!

I bought a pair of cheaper running shoes less than 2 months ago, and was very pleased with them up until this week. Apart from the fact that I didn’t like the tongue, and the laces were rubbish as they kept coming undone especially when they got soaking wet. In fact I swapped the laces from an old pair of shoes that I like, and that solved the laces problem.

However, this week I felt the cushioning in these shoes wasn’t up to much and the support around the ankle wasn’t very good. Probably to do with the fact that I do a lot of my running off road, and down stony tracks - on top of running 19 miles in them last Sunday, and this was mostly off road.

So spent a good few hours yesterday trying different running shoes on, and over an hour in Decathlon. I tried maybe 8 pairs on in that shop. That’s the good thing about Decathlon - they have all their shoes out on display and you can easily try different pairs on without bothering a salesperson. Or should I say being bothered by a salesperson! Bought a pair of off road running shoes in the end, but thought I will probably have to buy another pair more suited to running marathons in as well.