So, the deed is done. 13.1 miles finished, in a time of 1 hour 49 minutes 37 seconds.
This was slower than the 1 hour 40 I had hoped for, but considering it was my first one, I'm still pretty pleased. On reflection, there were some good points and bad.
Good points number one-turns out the Queensway ascent isn't so bad! For all the fuss people made about it, that was actually an easier part of the race. Good point number two-I remembered my training. Otto, my race coach and general running Yoda, told me to make sure that I had nothing left to save. And I truly had NOTHING left. The presence of my family towards the finish line gave me a little burst of something, from somewhere, but after the line I could barely remember people's names.
Bad points were more diverse. It was hotter than I thought, so I dehydrated faster than planned, and because I didn't take any water, I started to slow in the second half. I chose my socks wrongly, so my feet bled. And it's just possible I did the first half a smidge too fast. But these are great learning points for next time.
I saw many people supporting me. So big thanks to Dan Stratford, Robin Hugh, Glenda Waller, Wendy Bennett and Joy Courts. Also a gigantic thank you to all the people who supported me with pledges of money and good luck wishes.
And finally, two special thank yous must go out. Thanks to my family for being there to see me off and cheer me home. Thanks to you I found a last burst of pace that I didn't know was there. I truly couldn't have done it without you all.
The final thank you goes to Otto Haas. Otto is my running coach, and through a casual conversation in the staff room, I decided to join him running on Saturday mornings. Otto has welcomed me into his running club, given me constant advice about techniques to help me running, but has always allowed me to choose what is best for me. A massive thank you to Otto and the rest of the Bexhill Breakfast club for all the help and support you have given me.
Next year I smash that time...
This was slower than the 1 hour 40 I had hoped for, but considering it was my first one, I'm still pretty pleased. On reflection, there were some good points and bad.
Good points number one-turns out the Queensway ascent isn't so bad! For all the fuss people made about it, that was actually an easier part of the race. Good point number two-I remembered my training. Otto, my race coach and general running Yoda, told me to make sure that I had nothing left to save. And I truly had NOTHING left. The presence of my family towards the finish line gave me a little burst of something, from somewhere, but after the line I could barely remember people's names.
Bad points were more diverse. It was hotter than I thought, so I dehydrated faster than planned, and because I didn't take any water, I started to slow in the second half. I chose my socks wrongly, so my feet bled. And it's just possible I did the first half a smidge too fast. But these are great learning points for next time.
I saw many people supporting me. So big thanks to Dan Stratford, Robin Hugh, Glenda Waller, Wendy Bennett and Joy Courts. Also a gigantic thank you to all the people who supported me with pledges of money and good luck wishes.
And finally, two special thank yous must go out. Thanks to my family for being there to see me off and cheer me home. Thanks to you I found a last burst of pace that I didn't know was there. I truly couldn't have done it without you all.
The final thank you goes to Otto Haas. Otto is my running coach, and through a casual conversation in the staff room, I decided to join him running on Saturday mornings. Otto has welcomed me into his running club, given me constant advice about techniques to help me running, but has always allowed me to choose what is best for me. A massive thank you to Otto and the rest of the Bexhill Breakfast club for all the help and support you have given me.
Next year I smash that time...
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