I hadn't run a half marathon since the 2008 Hastings Half, which I ran in a sliver over 2 hours, so I really didn't know what to expect. My best time ever was at the Leeds Half Marathon 2007, which I did in 1:51.27, and I knew the Brass Monkey course was fast, and that I was doubtless better trained than I had been previously. When training for this race, I knew that I was coming back from illness, and that I needed to set myself a reasonable time, so I calculated an estimated time from a previous parkrun: 1:45. This seemed like a reasonable goal, and one I could achieve by running 5 minute kilometres, which seemed a very sustainable pace on my training runs.
When race day arrived, it seemed there was a real buzz, and I found myself starting further forward than I anticipated. When the gun went off, there was a real surge from the other runners, and I found myself going much faster than anticipated for the first few kilometres. I finally settled down into a pace that was slightly faster than my target pace, but a manageable one. The course was very flat, aside from a couple of bridges near the start/end, and it seemed everyone was speeding by as I tried to stick to a steady pace. I decided I would review my pace at the 6-mile mark, and when it came around, I decided to up my pace to around 4:40min/km and review at around 9 miles. After an hour, and a much-needed handful of jelly beans I was still feeling strong, and began to pass the people who had overtaken me earlier in the race. Again, I switched up a gear, and sped up to around 4:30/km, and felt I was still going strong. I felt reassured that I still had some energy in my legs to finish strong. By the time we arrived in Bishopthorpe, I was going for around 4:20/km, way above my target pace, and the finish was almost in sight. By the time we entered the racecourse, I was flying, and managed a sprint finish! My time was 1:37:41, which I was really pleased with, and gave me the reassurance that my training had been going well!
So training continues unabated, and the date for my marathon comes ever closer. One thing spurring me on is the launch of my justgiving page, on which I am raising funds for my chosen charity, The Stroke Association, more on which to come. I have set myself a modest target, which I hope will be achievable with your help.
