Norwich Half Marathon

Most of the races are now over for the year, and I've cut back on the harder/longer training sessions for a month or two.  Still done a couple of organised runs/races though including the Mo-Run Battersea which i mentioned last week, and the Norwich Half Marathon.

The most recent race was the Norwich Half Marathon on Sunday.  Last year I got quite a good time at this one, but after a very long (but fun) weekend of tunnel flying, a lot of driving, and very little sleep I was feeling pretty rubbish at the start line.  I had met another girl Vicky the day before, and her friend Denise (both colleagues of my brother who works in Norwich), who were also running it and decided fairly early on I might stick with them and run at their pace as I didn't think I was going to get near my target time of 2.20 that morning.  I had not had much sleep (an hour at best, maybe less hahaha?!) and the day before had consisted of a long drive, getting home, having breakfast and going back out to volunteer at parkrun.  It was a beautiful morning for runnings but i have to say I was glad I was not running it that time.

Anyway - back to Norwich.  It was a good day for running, clear, sunny and cold but not freezing.  Quite bitter winds but not as bad as last year where the strong cross/headwinds made the going really tough!  We got there in time to drop off our bags and pretty much go straight to the start line as there was no point in getting there really early and hanging about in the cold.  On the start line I was probably the only one feeling like they had already run a half marathon that day, but there was of course no pulling out now!

We set off, for 1 lap round the showground of just under 1 mile, then 2 long laps round closed roads on the outskirts of Norwich and the surrounding villages, including another lap of the showground at the halfway point.  It was a nice route, good scenery and flat.  My legs had really begun to ache again after the tunnel and gym so I decided that I was definitely going to have to take it easy and so ran with Denise and Vicky (it was their 2nd and 1st half marathons).  It made it a lot more fun having people to chat to on the way round, so I got us going at a steady pace when possible and I hope that I encouraged them when the going get tough!  Knowing my time didn't really matter I was please to help them out including stopping to fill up their water bottles at the feed stations if they did not want to stop and stand still.  We did get overtaken/lapped by the lead runner at mile 6 but it was amazing to hear the crowds cheered us as much as they did the fast guys!  My Garmin battery died at mile 10 though which was annoying (I forgot to charge it the night before!) but it was probably not really needed other than for the time as we were not looking for even splits/miles but just to finish within the cut off time limit (had to do 90 minutes for 6.5 miles, which was fine!  Not sure if there was a 3 hour time limit but we assumed there was!).  

There were some low points in the race but I really wanted them to finish strong so we did a walk-run for the last few miles and also got together in a little group with other runner for the last 2 miles which was good.  It was nice to finally come back into the showground at mile 12 and run harder knowing that we did not need to hold anything back any longer!  There were still quite a few spectators and a lot of the finished runners were really encouraging.  In the final 200 yards you hear your name called out which was really nice and encouraging, and after the others encouraged me to go on for the last bit (they assured me they would certainly be finishing now!) I went for a faster last mile mile and sprint finish.  In the end my finish time was 2.42 (my slowest!) but I was so happy to have run with the others and seen them finishing the race - they finished in around 2.44!

Overall it was a good day out and the organisation was great and the marshals were amazing.  I think it was a lot easier to be running that morning rather than standing around in the freezing cold for over 3 hours!  There was also a lovely medal and plenty of food/drink in the goody-bag including a Red Bull-style drink that was much needed on the long drive home.

Yesterday I was a bit sore and tired to do the swimming session in the evening with Tri-Force, however I did go to a gymnastics session at the gym at work.  There is a good scheme on for students and staff at the Uni where I work, where they run free beginners sports sessions.  I used to do gymnastics until I was about 18 so I have long since lost the ability or flexibility and felt more like a stumbling baby elephant rather than gracefully cat-like!  So I mostly used the session totry and stretch/ease my muscles, and I think in time it will be good for conditioning and core work for the triathlon/running.  Was also good fun to use the beam and bars again, however unbalanced and ungainly I now am!!  Most people wanted to learn to backflip, however with myongoing back injury that is now sadly out of the question.

Finally I have signed up for my first Ultra - a 50k run in London, the Royal Parks Ultra next October.  It wasn't cheap but it looks brilliant and is fairly well timed after the Berlin Marathon.

My next race is the Pednor 10, a local 10 miler just after Christmas, and then the Polar Nights Half Marathon, in Tromso, Norway - dark, snowy and VERY cold but should be epic especially if the northern lights make an appearance!

MoRunners Unite! The MoRun Battersea 5k

Yesterday I took part in one of the MoRuns, in Battersea Park, London.  They are a series of 5k and 10k races throughout the UK in November which support Movember and men’s health charities such as Prostate Cancer UK and the Institute of Cancer Research.  I find them well organised a lots of fun, and nice to know that part of your entry fee does actually go directly to the charity (I am not sure how much exactly, but many so-called charity runs do not give any funds to the charity – fundraising/donations needs to be done on top of this by the runners).  This year I did the 5k (last year I did the Milton Keynes 10k).  Feels a bit odd travelling all the way into London and paying money to enter a 5k race but I fancied a day in London and with lots of guys at work taking part in the mo-growing for the good cause, I wanted to get involved myself (minus the facial hair growing part).

I do like the atmosphere of the MoRunning!  It’s open to all and you get a lot of first timers doing it for charity, but there’s a “work-hard play-hard” feel to it so some quite fast club runners were there as well.  As there are 1,000 runners, it’s not massively packed and overcrowded like the big city charity runs but still feels liek a good turn out.  Always plenty of fancy dress which I find a good laugh especially at the end of the season when the “serious” races are over.  I went on my own, but think I would have had more fun if I’d gone with friends (even first time runners) as it’s more about the camaraderie and community than just running.  I did go in fancy dress too, an Iron Man costume (girly version which was basically a short dress!) and drew on a Tony Stark mo.  There was probably more fancy dress runners than not!  The most popular theme was the 1980's "118" runners in red and white gear, plus superheroes and 60s/70s/80s costumes.

Wasn’t sure how the run itself was going to go, as I had given blood earlier than week and had found my previous two runs since very tough (e.g. my Parkrun time on Saturday was 30 mins – much slower and harder work than my 28 minutes a week ago).  I decided to try for a decent  time, but not worry if it didn’t go to plan and I did not feel recovered enough.

The run was 2 laps of Battersea Park and was very flat, with pretty surroundings.  Things went well at first and I was a bit ahead of my target pace.  Unfortunately I really don’t think I had recovered enough from the blood doning as soon it was feeling very hard work, very high heart rate, could not get enough oxygen to maintain pace (I know a 5k should be all-out, but this was a fairly standard 6 min km’s so hardly anything earth shattering for me!).  I got an awful stitch coming through the half-way point which lasted for most of that kilometer, and I had to slow right down to a jog.  The final km was better but didn’t make up for the lost time earlier.  I sort of wished I had just taken it slowly the whole way and not tried to push myself too early as I did not really enjoy it like I should have done due to the pain!!  I finished in the exact same time as the previous day’s Parkrun of 30min 12 sec (always annoying to get JUST over 30 mins in a 5k!).  

Still, I never regret doing a race however it goes, and once I had crossed the line it was the same good feeling of having done it as best as I could manage.  I really liked my medal, which was mo-shaped.  There was water, sweets and hot food at the finish.

Later I headed to the shops for a bit before it was too crowded with Christmas shoppers.  Having just done a race it was a good excuse to wear running gear for the rest of the morning on the way home which is sooo comfortable! (Although could do with a wash!).  I almost felt like going for a run along the Embankment since so many London runners were out running, but decided with my bulky backpack and coat that it wouldn't really be convenient so I got myself an early Christmas present from the running shop instead and then headed home.

Here is a paragraph from thier website, which I think sums up MoRunning.

To be a MoRunner means you are part of something bigger than yourself! You’re part of a community, a family, a team. When you step up to that start line at your MoRun, look to your left, look to your right, and remember friends are all around you! So whether there’s a MoBro with a funny moustache, or maybe a MoSista that’s painted one on, or even someone dressed up as a superhero, give them a smile, shake their hand, and just remember we are all in it together. Run hard, run fast, have fun and enjoy being part of something special!

Stevenage Half Marathon Race Recap

This was my second year of running this race – and last year I got my still-standing PB of 2.12.  I think that was timed quite well after the Loch Ness Marathon as I felt really good and fit, and fully recovered.  This year though it was only 2 weeks after the Eden Marathon, and I wasn’t quite recovered fully.  I decided to try and go for a fairly good time but not a PB – under 2.20 would be good.

The weather was a LOT better than last year – sunny blue skies instead of horizontal rain!  I drove to the football ground where car parking was allowed, and then there was a short coach ride to the start which was at the athletics track.  It was a good venue as there was plenty of room and places to sit, showers and changing, and a track to warm up on.  Baggage was in a marquee.  We had to pick up race numbers on the day but there was hardly any queue so it did all feel well-run and efficient.

It was cool, but not cold, so I opted for light capri-tights and a half-zip tee-shirt, with my hydration backpack.  I’m well used to that pack now – it feels uncomfortable to carry a bottle in my hands now.  The course was two laps along cycle tracks and paths (no roads) and did manage to make the most of the nicer areas as much of the run took place around the park.  It was a good sized race, about 600 I believe, mostly club and local runners although possibly a few charity runners (or at least they were wearing charity vests from a previous race).  I saw one of the guys, Trace, from Tri-Force at the start line.

I was feeling good at the start, having rested for a week, but did go out a bit too fast!  I felt fine for the first lap though and chatted with Trace for a bit, but about half way through I was feeling sore and my legs felt tired and heavy.  I had one of my gels and some fresh, cold water at the next feed station.  My pace slowed by quite a lot on the second lap and I was not sure if I could manage it in my target time.  I had to listen to my iPod to take my mind off my dead legs.  Sometimes I don’t wear the iPod if the crowds are good and I know a lot of people don’t like them (recently heard about a race where a large amount of people were actually disqualified for wearing earphones), but just for the record I do keep it on a low volume and make sure I can hear people’s voices, cars, etc.  When I pass a marshal I always pause it or take out an earbud in case they give instructions.  Anyway, the course was mostly flat but there were a lot of small hills in the way of underpasses – but still a fast course overall (and nothing compared to the Eden Marathon!).  The nicest part was going through Fairlands Valley Park which made good use of the cycle tracks and paths, and got more spectators as there were plenty of people out enjoying the nice Sunday morning weather.  The second lap is actually slightly longer than the first lap and has a slight hill, but then it’s a nice final few miles of mostly downhill back to the finish.

We finished back at the athletics track and did a lap of the track before coming up to the finish line.  Just before I entered the road leading up to the track, I noticed my watch was on 2.14, but heard someone said it was about 6 or 7 minutes to the finish line – so I tried to get my pace on to finish by 2.20!!  Pleased to say I just about managed it – a sprint round the track as best as I could meant I just scraped in at 2.19.41!  I was shattered and my legs were killing but I was really pleased as it was the best time of 2013 (which just proves that my half’s have not been what I have been concentrating on this year!).  I got a medal, banana, bottle of water, two £5 Sweatshop vouchers, 2 Lucozade drinks, a flapjack - and quite a few leaflets.  There may have been a chocolate bar as well, but I may have bought that with me myself, can’t remember.  Any food after a half is always good though!  I immediately sat on the grass to both rest and sort-of stretch and quickly ate the banana.  I also treated myself to a couple of mince pies and a cup of tea in the canteen afterwards before driving back home a hot bath and afternoon of DVD watching.

Thanks Fairlands Valley Spartans for a good race – no doubt I’ll be back next year!

Coming last vs being near the front

So really I am not a fast runner (or triathlete) and my main goals are generally to either get my own new PB, or if not running for a target time then to just enjoy the day as much as possible.  I think this is fine, and 99% of runner’s attitudes out there seems to be similar and not at all negative of anyone who isn’t a sub 4hr marathon runner or equivalent.  Ok so I’ve seen one or two elitist articles arguing that ALL marathons should have a 5 hour cut off limit (apparently to deter people who don’t take it seriously?!!) - I tend to get annoyed for a few minutes then forget about it as that is clearly never going to happen (imagine the revenue lost from the charity runners!!).

I was thinking about some of my races this evening where I have actually come last, or very close to last, and compared that to the two where I’ve done very well in in comparison to the rest of the field (mainly due to luck and timing).  I came to the conclusion that there was NO difference in how much I enjoyed the race, or how pleased I was with my own performance, whether I came last or near the front.  Here are a couple of examples!

Races I’ve come last or almost last (i.e. the final finisher).

Marlow olympic-distance triathlon:  I’m not sure if I was last, but on the 2^nd lap of the run I didn’t see anyone else behind me so I may well have been!  I really was not bothered about this at all – it was my first at this distance and just wanted to complete.  I was very happy with my time of 3hr 33mins.  The other runners were very encouraging as I did my first lap (as they did their 2^nd) and although I ran the 2^nd lap alone, the marshals were great.  Plus I got the biggest cheer coming back in!!

Eden Project Marathon:  I think I was 4^th from last.  I was certainly at the back for the first 6 or 7 miles as the back runner/marshal was staying with me that whole time.  I think I later over took one guy and 2 other girls, and the results back that up.  Again no worries.  I was more concerned about finishing within the 6 hour limit (it was a very tough, cross country race, and I was already well over 5 hours with 4 miles to go).  I still got great encouragement from the volunteers both on the course and at the finish line.  Was just very pleased to have done it and there was still plenty of goodies left both at the feed stations and the finish line.  They did not have the problem of running out of supplies for the later runners there!

Triathlon club training and races:  I have come last in nearly all the evening time trials, and last in the monthly duathlon and end of season sprint tri.  In the tri I got a great cheer as everyone else was back so more people around at the finish line!

Races where I’ve done well in comparison to the masses

Pink Ribbon Walk 20 mile – this was not a race, but an un-timed walk with no results list, so I am not sure whether to count this.  But I really wanted a good time for myself and the goal was to practice power walking, race walking and very slow jogging over a long distance.  There were a few others who were obviously also marathon runners all with the same sort of funny walk/trot pace plus 3 girls at the front who walked “normally” but very quickly.  I think I came 4^th in that walk which was pretty awesome but didn’t really feel much different to whether I’d come at the back!

London – Brighton Bike Ride – I was by no means at the front of this one, but due to being in the earliest wave, having just 1 very short break and working hard the whole way round, I finished within around hour later of the first lot (around 10am – to give you an idea, people were finished from 9am onwards all day to around 5 or 6pm) so it was great fun cycling with good club riders and being well ahead of the crowds.  Again, not a race, but when you see a finish line in front and finishing before most people are even out of London it felt pretty awesome.

Being last is certainly more humbling and really more motivating.  I have never met anyone who looked down on me or anyone else for coming at the back and often you get the biggest cheers.  Every final finisher at Parkrun gets the biggest cheer!  How else are people going to be motivated to start and carry on running without such encouragement from fellow runners?

As they say, 26.2 miles is still 26.2 miles to anyone.  And a 12 min mile is the same distance as a 6 min mile.  J

Berlin Marathon 2014 - I'm in!

Ballot came through for the Berlin Marathon - and I'm in again!!  Very pleased as I thought I would not get lucky having done it this year.  It's a brilliant race so really looking forward to doing it again.

If you don't know, they went and introduced a ballot for the first time this year (for entry into the 2014 race).  Prior to this is was simply first-come-first-served, selling out in 3.5 hours.  If you got in quick, you could get a place, but this time you were at the mercy of the lottery!

Very happy to see that Dennis and Audrey have also got places :)  Just a couple of others I am waiting to find out if they got in.

The hardest decision now is how to plan my autumn.  I have my heart set on the Royal Parks Ultra (50k) but it is only 2 weeks after Berlin.  Whilst I could use that as my final "long run" I'm not sure if 2 weeks is adequate tapering time so i may do the half (would consider a charity place if not successful in that ballot).   I also have the Vitruvian Half Iron at the end of August, and still waiting to hear if I got into Ride London or not.

Some other races I have recently entered for next year: Surrey Spitfire 20 mile race (April) in preparation for the spring marathons, and the Marlow half iron triathlon (July).

This weekend I am volunteering at Parkrun (have been "promoted" to bar-code scanner!) but a little jealous as they were running the off-road route this time and I have not done that one yet.  Then on Sunday it is the Stevenage Half Marathon.  I have made the radical decision not to do any running this week until Sunday to give my legs some sort of chance to recover after Eden and the Great South Run.  They have give me a bit of grief lately - and I have just remembered that Stevenage has a 2.5 hr time limit and although i got a PB of 2.12 last year, I am not that fresh this year so cannot afford to be too sore and risk not finishing on time!!

On a not-so-good note I discovered the Bupa London 10,000 date has changed and it now clashes with the Liverpool Rock & Roll Marathon.  So looks like I will be unable to make that one now :(