Race 3 completed!
Run Wales Bangor Half Marathon: Saturday 8th October 2016;Time completed 02.03hrs; Weather clear, dry and warm (for October!).
Well what can I say, another PB and another successful race for all (not one drop of blood shed by anyone this time!). I knew the Bangor course would be slightly easier than the Abersoch one, but considering the lack of training and feeling unwell for the past 2 weeks I am rather chuffed that I managed to shave 13 minutes off my time. Don't get me wrong, I did feel the effects of managing only a 3 mile treadmill run in 2 weeks...it was hard work.
I was hoping that the start of the race would be a little more relaxed than our marathon hill walk start at Abersoch. Well it didn't start to look too promising as we tried to negotiated our way through that mystical labyrinth that is a multi story car park. Who knew Bangor multi story car park could be so hair-raising, an obstacle galore...people and cars?! Luckily we managed to survive the journey and find a car parking space, paid up and off we went to find the starting line.
We picked up our race numbers and chip tag which we had to tie to our shoes, a new experience for me as previously they have been embedded in the race numbers...so I was just hoping it stayed on...knowing my luck and all that...!
The atmosphere was good, lots of people and supporters already there. I felt that this would be similar to the Wirral Half in that there was a 10K race starting at the same time, but this time no pace makers. After a last minute dash to the loo....I managed to catch the end of the line as the race started off......phew!
The race was a little undulating, a few hills here and there but not as hilly as I had anticipated, which was good. With that said, I did feel a little heavy on the legs and had struggled with my breathing throughout. I am not surprised though as (1) I had only run 3 miles in two weeks and (2) still getting over a cold.
Bangor is supposed to be a lovely scenic route, but to be honest I was really not paying too much attention. I do remember seeing Penrhyn Castle and the Pier which was lovely but in all honesty my focus was more on, how many more paces to catch up with the next runner and playing mind games with myself! On one part of the course I could feel someone hot my heels going up the hill, my response, " You can't pass me mate, it'll do me in! " His response? " Sorry mate", and sprints off. Great, I thought...who can I pass next? Anyway a while later, who do I catch sight of....yes, it's the 'Sorry mate' guy. He is struggling and I know he was sorry he attacked the hill like Mo Farah....who is sorry now mate? I breeze past him as he looks on in despair. Me competitive...no not at all.
Towards the final mile I realised I was still on for a PB finish. The finish was a not a gruelling beach finish this time but a small hill in the centre of Bangor town. I put in some extra effort and decided on a sprint finish. Another PB, another success.
What was rather amusing was after discussing my race and tactics later on in the day with Julie (I apparently looked knackered and legs looked really heavy at the end). Well, I did just do 13 miles and attempt a sprint finish.
Looking back on the photos and Apple's live photos....I could swear I was going some 50mph up that final hill to the finish.... No no my sprinting was all in my head, it was that fast that people were actually strolling and had enough time to reverse back and window shop before crossing again out of my way. Funny how you think you are having a Mo Farah moment when I may as well have walked across the line!
Jane and Michael did amazing again, more PBs! Well done to you both! Thanks to the lovely trio of Deni, Den and Lily who came to show their support again. Thank you so much!
I have to say what a friendly town Bangor is. The people and supporters were fantastic, they really encouraged and cheered all the competitors on which was great to see. Great atmosphere, Thank you Bangor and Run Wales.
So race 4 tomorrow...Leicester Half Marathon....a newbie joining us for this one...are you ready Ben? Another PB and sprint finish?
Clarke
Ok so tomorrow is race day and I am literally writing this in bed! My preparations for this race has been zero and I really can't believe that race 3 is actually happening tomorrow!
The reason I have been so unprepared? Well since the amazing feat of Abersoch I have since suffered a terrible cold and have been unable to train. In fact since Abersoch I have ran 3 miles, and that was on a treadmill! I had planned two 4 or 5 mile runs this week as I was feeling better but actually managed 0. So preparations for tomorrow couldn't have gone any better. With that said, I am looking forward to it and although I haven't been able to train I have still been cycling to work and so hopefully this has kept me in some sort of fit state. Only time will tell (12hrs precisely)!
Clarke
Race 2 completed!
Chaparral Abersoch Half Marathon: Saturday 24th September 2016; Time completed 02.07hrs; Weather overcast and windy.
Firstly apologies for the untimely update of race number 2. It has been a busy week since and time just flies (to the point where I am writing this with only 2 days to go to race 3!).
The Abersoch Half was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed the race, I will be putting it on my to do list again for next year! It was a small race compared to the Wirral Half with just over 300 runners. The course was very undulating with plenty of hills, which made it challenging but also exciting and interesting; it definitely keeps you on your toes.
It was a windy start to race day (no not that kind of wind). With an interrupted nights sleep due to heavy rain and howling wind, I woke with a little feeling of dread at the thought of a 13.1 mile run in wind, rain, cold, hills, sand, mountains and perhaps snow?! But luckily by the time we had finished breakfast (in sheer fear I'll add) it had died down to just some wind. As we headed off to collect Jane and Michaels race numbers from the pub next door to our cottage, we were full of new found confidence, happily strolling and taking in the atmosphere. What we didn't realise was that race numbers were being handed out at race headquarters by the finish line on the beach (not from the pub where I got mine the night before). That's ok, we still had time and its only a 10 minute walk away... Well a brisk marathon walk down then up a mammoth hill later we were all set and legs were well and truly warmed up. As we approached the start line we spotted Deni, Den and the lovely Lily (as Michael accurately described her, a lovely little flirt, that's the dog not Deni!).
The race started off and I had positioned myself near the back as my tactic for this hilly half was to go steady and not try to push for a time; hills, wind, sand did not equal a fast time. I knew from the Wirral half that I struggled at mile 8 and 9 so I wanted to make sure I had enough in reserve and for the hill at mile 10 (so extra jelly babies were needed too). The course was beautiful, going through quaint little villages in the countryside and down narrow lanes. Thankfully at the beginning of the race I did not have to contend with a Banana man; and Wonder woman was obviously off being wonderful somewhere else. I did have to negotiate and dodge some traffic though as not all roads were closed. This wasn't too bad as the roads seemed generally quiet. What I did find confusing is that at some points of the course, it was difficult to work out where to go. At miles 9 and 12 you pass the same part of the course (you complete a loop twice before heading to the finish) and I did think to myself it'll be my luck that I miss 4 miles out and finish first (I'll re-phrase that, be one of the first to finish).
Heading up to mile 10 was the dreaded hill named ' Tocyn Brutal ' (translation please Deni, although I think we get the gist). This was one hilly hill! As I approached, I made sure that I took shorter steps, head up, concentrated on breathing and finding the correct path up. I have to say, my competitive side made me run all the way up (I may as well have been walking at the pace I was going) but the majority of runners were indeed walking up. They should have took more jelly babies with them!
Throughout the race I felt great (apart from needing the toilet from mile 7) and I definitely felt that all the training I was doing was paying off. From about mile 4 to 12.5 miles, I had the company of a green vested Macmillan runner. As we approached the beach finish, she all of a sudden thanked me for the company and for being her wind shield throughout the race, She then scampered off kicking sand in my face! I felt cheated! Never found out your name but thanks for your company and the sand bath!
The dreaded beach finish was made all the more entertaining by the added bonus of having to negotiate a dozen or so groynes. These were not too high, but were very challenging at the end of a race and in the end I resorted to stopping and stepping over them. Looking at my watch, I knew I was on for a PB, but this was not your normal finish, I still had the little problem of negotiating half a mile of sand. The end was in sight and the clock was ticking and no matter how fast I thought I was going I just didn't seem to be getting any closer. Finally spotted Julie, Deni, Den and Lily and to a big round of cheers applause I managed a PB 02.07hrs. A medal, banana, Mars bar and a well deserved cider topped of a great race.
Not far behind was Jane and Michael. A great relief that Michael did not look like he had been shot this time, but instead some race wounds from Jane's dainty fall on the beach! Well done to you both, more PBs with everyone improving on their time from the Wirral half. And who said there would be no PBs at Abersoch. Race 2 done!
For anyone remotely interested my mile splits were:
Mile 1: 9m
Mile 2-4: 8m
Mile 5-7: 9m
Mile 8-9: 10m
Mile 10-13: 11m
Thank you to Abersoch for such a wonderful scenic race. Lets hope the Sensations Group do their homework and realise that people run these races for their own charities, no one charity is more deserving than another!
Good job Team!
Race 3 is nearly here. Roll on Bangor!
Clarke
