The idea to enter this race was not my
own and if I’d had any idea of the elevation gain I’d encounter I
probably wouldn’t have been so quick to sign-up. Interestingly it
was one of my former RAF Regiment brothers who’d suggest we compete
in his local half. What a great idea, I’d get to kill two birds
with one stone, see my mate who I don’t get to see often enough and
I would be able to tick-off my second half marathon of 2014. Well of
course my mate didn’t get round to entering, strange that, but
luckily for Cath and I we were made very welcome by Stew and his
girlfriend Madeline. We went out for a nice Thai meal and I managed
to abstain, something that is becoming increasingly easier after a
successful dry January!
So I woke up to what I’d describe as
horrendous weather. Strong winds and chucking it down with
rain. The previous night the course had
come up in conversation and I’d taken some local knowledge that
hinted there may be a hill or two. The combination of the weather and
hilly course really threw my race plan, unlike the previous HM in
York (Brass Monkey), I knew I wouldn’t be able to run even
8min/mile splits. So I readjusted, by using my heart rate monitor and
adjust my pace to keep my heartrate between 160-170bpm in the first
half of the race, and slowly increase to over 180 in the latter
stages.
The first half went okay, the race has
a quick downhill start then up and onto a part of the course
known locally as Windy Hill, which
tells you everything you need to know about it. Mile 1 was
completed in 7:13, but as I made the
way up the first hills my pace decreased to a plod. Miles 2 – 6
came and went in 8:15, 8:47, 8:35, 8:20
and 8:01. Some serious hills took its toll on the pace between miles
7 and 10, with the splits 9:24, 8:26, 8:49, 9:14 with heart rate in
and around mid to high 170’s bpm. This was hilliest part of the
course with a total elevation gain of 112 meters over the 4 miles.
Some short and steep, others long and slow.
With the final three miles to go I
managed to pick the pace up a little with an increase of the heart
rate up to over 180bpm but with a small
elevation gain of 37m and the last 5km in 25:45. Hard race, very
hill. Total time 1:5028. Probably could of ran it slightly quicker,
but overall happy
enough with my effort. Importantly I
felt that it was a harder course than the GNR and I had
completed it 2mins quicker than my GRN
time.
Would really recommend the race, it is
well organised and a tough one to keep you ticking over and
your fitness up in the winter.
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