Had a great weekend in Bath for the half marathon event last Sunday (3rd March). Went by train on the Saturday and spent a relaxing day browsing the shops and having a nice carby pasta in a lovely Italian place. Also stopped for a Bath cream tea - the buns are very light and easier on the stomach than a traditional scone!
I stayed in the youth hostel, which was excellent value although about a mile's walk up a steep hill (luckily this was NOT part of the race course haha). Didn't get much sleep as people were coming and going out of the dorms, and just generally more difficult to sleep in a strnage bed. There were quite a few other girls there, 4 or 5, also doing the Bath Half.
Arrived at the Runner's Village early, so plenty of time ffor last minute race preparation. It was chilly so was in a dilemma as to what to wear - long sleeves or tee-shirt? I went with t-shirt. If anything I got there too early as it was very cold and no indoor areas (apart from the info and charity marquees) to wait in. So was eager to get to the start line and get on with it!
Knew this would have to be another slow run - treating it as a "rest week" training run - so aimed for a time between 2:20 and 2:25 and just wanted to enjoy the event. Did not want to knacker myself out for the following 20 mile run the following week. It was a big field, over 10,000 runners, many of them running for charity. Started off slowly and just enjoyed the crowds, which were fantastic! Spectators the whole way round, live bands, people setting up chairs and tables, playing music from their gardens, and in the prime spots there were crowds 4-5 people deep! Crowd support as good as Run to the Beat, London 10,000 or the Great North Run. In the end I was quite warm despite the cold day over all, as the sun came out for a bit and probably could have done with a vest top instead of t-shirt!
The route was two laps of a mostly flat course (only one short, shallow hills of any note per lap) so it was fast. The elites went past on their second lap as we came up to about mile 6 or 7! I kept my pace easy, speeding up a little on the second lap and managing a sprint finish past thousands of spectators.
Got a few goodies afterwards, a smart medal, a unisex large t-shirt, energy bar, sweets and drinks. I hadn't run this one for charity so afterwards i had something to eat then quickly got changed into much warmer clothing as it was still very cold. Headed back to the team room for more scones and tea - there were a few other runners all wrapped up in foil blankets so quite a funny sight! Treated myself to the luxury of the thermal bath spas, this was lovely and just what i needed! Very popular with runners, so so many people who looked like they had also come straight from the race. Had a big fat pizza and cookie dough ice cream for dinner, then headed back to the youth hostel for night, before getting the train home the next day.
My final time was 2:23 but this was much more about enjoying the race and taking it easy than breaking any PBs! A brilliant weekend and I have also signed up for next year's Bath Half.
Total training for 3rd March 2013
Bath Half Marathon 13.1 miles, 2hr23min
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