Sunday, Week 10 of 15

Run: "Half Marathon"
Time Taken: 93 mins
Total Mileage So Far: 339 miles

Week 10:
Total Weekly Mileage: 38.5 miles
Time running: 4 hrs 44 min

Last prep race now out of the way.

Once again I feel a bit let down by it and a bit disappointed with myself for the time, but I think I have a lot to be happy about.

Anyway, early start and drove over to my Uncle-in-law's drive before getting a lift right up to the start. Thanks John!

There was a great atmosphere at the start. Loads of people and (I guess) a real mix of experience. There was a real buzz and everyone seemed to be smiling.

My race started OK. At 5 miles I traded banter with Amir Khan as he tried to get past the bloke in front of us. He seemed like a really nice kid, but although he beat me in the race, I'm sure I could take him in a fight.

I reached 6 miles in under 41 minutes, and thought a pb was on at that point, but then started slowing down dramtically, so that by 10 miles I was only hitting 7 min 20 sec miles and more worryingly was feeling quite bad.

I reminded myself that I have my biggest mileage coming up this week, and didn't push too hard to the finish. Passed the line at 1:33.03 on my watch.

By then I was feeling Ok again, and trying to come up with reasons/excuses for the time:
1. Had a late night last night.
2. Took the 9 mile run on Thursday too quickly
3. I paced it wrong
4. It was hillier than Selby where I did my pb last year.
5. I'm rubbish

After checking the splits tonight I'm pretty sure it was number 3. I went out much too quick, assuming that my stamina would keep me going.

It didn't.

I then took the positives from it:
1. My second fastest half marathon
2. Had no twinges, injuries or problems in the race at all.
3. The time translates to a 3:15 ish marathon.

Just need to get my last few long runs done, and maybe I shouldn't abandon my stretch target after all.

Thanks again to John who had to do over an hour of walking in all to park the car and then to get me back to his house. I got to see some nice bits of Wilmslow coutryside after the race.