Worksop Halloween Half.. and the end of the 2018 race calendar

I’d had my eye on this particular race for a couple of years, but Halloween fun and drinking plans had trumped it in the few years previously. Normally, instead of running it I’d spied a few of the people doing it while on my drive back from family in Sheffield – this year, though, no fun plans means it made sense to get signed up. Above all, it’s a great priced race considering it’s always a decent medal and technical tee!

When the day rolled round, Des and I were both quite reluctant. Him full of cold and me not really ‘feeling’ running at the time, I think if either of us has said we weren’t bothered the other would happily have agreed. But runners are glutton for punishment so we head off up the A614 a little later than we should have and on our way.

Following a few laps of Worksop, finally finding a parking space, speed-walking a mile to the start then a mad rush to get numbers and drop bags off, we made it to the start with almost exactly a minute to spare. There wasn’t even time for a nervous wee!

Setting off with a few hundred runners, many in fab fancy dress, we headed through the little crowds and out onto the open roads away from the town centre. It’s an area I vaguely know and so I had the route sort-of in my head, knowing it was pretty much broken down into a 5km to Clumber Park, 10km into and around the park and the 5km out of and back to the starting point. Also, from what friends who have done the race before told me, I knew the course was undulating.

So the first hill hit and I did my best to run as much as I could, being really conscious that if I gave up with the running too soon in the race I’d be dangerously close to the back, and I knew I need to kind of bank some time in case I needed a stop following not having time for that nervous pee back at the start line.

I knew it wasn’t ever going to be a speedy one so I took my time under the uncharacteristically warm October sun, chatting to a few people here and there.  Before too long we hit the first water station and turned into Clumber Park, having ran down a road I’ve driven down loads and never quite appreciated how long it is!

I was on the lookout from this point as my family had said they’d be around here somewhere. It’s amazing how much not wanting to be caught walking can spur you on, no matter how much you’re finding it tough. I carried on running as much as I could, doing my best to enjoy the autumnal scenery as I did. Eventually, when I was about half way through the total distance, I could just about make out the familiar faces in the distance! After a little walk with them, they wished me well as I carried on my run and they dashed off in the car ready to wait at the finishing line. Seeing them was just the endorphin boost I needed to get through the next few miles – it really does make a huge difference seeing people you know while you’re running a difficult (or even not-difficult) race!

Carrying on through the North Notts countryside, by around mile eight I had caught up with two ladies who I’d had in my sights for a while. One had done the race before and one was doing her first ever half marathon. They were lovely and I stayed running with them for about a mile, through a fantastic tunnel of motivational signs which were great at giving me a little giggle and taking my mind off how much my legs didn’t really want to be running a half marathon.

After mile nine I did the best I could to pick the pace up a bit, carrying on up and over the various bumps doing everything in my power to get the race done as quickly as possible. To be honest, it was lovely and tranquil, listening partly to the rhythmic slapping of my feet on the road and also to my music – an eclectic mix of featuring classic rock, drum and bass and everything in between.  I had a huge boost at the mile 10-ish water station when I was handed a drink by some fellow members of Girlguiding! When reluctantly getting my running gear on before I left that morning I’d decided to wear my London Marathon vest as a reminder that I can run a bloody long way when I put my mind to it – so I got extra claps and cheers from them when they recognised the logos I had on.

I tend to find that whatever distance I’m running, the last 20% tends to just melt away a bit if you just keep in your head that you’re the top side of it and you can do it, and this was no different. That’s not to say it’s easy – far from it! I don’t know what it is, but I just find it somewhere to get cracking and get it done with. It probably helped in this case that there were some extremely welcome downhills on this part of this route.

13 miles later and the starting area which I’d left behind almost three hours ago was back in view as I turned that final corner and did my best sprint finish over the line, cheered on by my family and some of my friends from Southbank Bar Running Club who had kindly hung around after they’d finished to clap me in.

The medal and t-shirt certainly didn’t disappoint! But I was certainly happy to be finished and be reunited with Des and my family at the end. The course wasn’t easy but I did enjoy it, despite not being at my running best – definite potential for the 2019 event list.

Importantly, half marathon number five of the year completed! Not to be sniffed at considering in the two years before I’d just done one per year. It was also the final big event of 2018, therefore concluding a fantastic year of running – but I dare say that’s another blog post!

 

Hands on hips, powering through!

 

All smiles at the end!

Great South Run 2018

This was to be my first ever ‘just’ 10 mile race and I was really looking forward to getting my teeth into it. Cutting off the last 5km of the half-marathon distance I’ve already done quite a few times this year but longer and therefore more epic than a 10km race. Overall, something different – and a completely flat course too! 

I made the journey south with some friends, so the race was squashed into a lovely weekend which gave the opportunity for a bit of Parkrun tourism with a tricky yet enjoyable route in the New Forest on the Saturday morning and then some general tourism in the afternoon through to the evening. Despite getting to bed at a reasonable time, that 6am Sunday alarm felt evil as I forced some porridge down and we headed, bleary eyed, to the train station. 

After a bit of panic at the hands of National Rail, we made it over to Portsmouth and it seemed no time at all until we split up and headed over to our respective starting areas. Although it was nearing the end of October, the sun shone brightly along the promenade and I made a last minute decision to ditch my under layer – I’m so glad I did! By the time I crossed the start-line the temperature had really climbed as thousands of us set off on our way under the beaming southern sunshine.

I had in my head that I wanted to do this in as close to the two hour mark as I could. So when I spotted the 2 hour pacer a little ahead not long after I’d started, I decided try and stick with them to help reach the target. However my rhythm was good and my breathing worked well so I soon passed them and decided I may as well carry on while everything was working well. 

Something particularly special about this race was that, all the way around, there was a fantastic atmosphere. From the runners to the spectators and the various bands playing on the way round, there was a really light hearted feel – and for once my feet seemed light as well as the miles ticked by with no sign of the ‘wall’ which usually comes at some point in most of my runs. 

Reaching the half way point just about on track and then the 10km mark in a decent time, I decided to have a little walk. I was shattered but not exhausted and I wanted to save some energy to get me through the last mile. A real highlight at this point was the run down a residential street – it was like one long street party! Everyone stood outside their homes, some playing music and all clapping and cheering, as I moved back into a run I really enjoyed taking it all in before turning onto the last two-mile straight across the sea front. 

The view now was absolutely magnificent – I wish I’d have stopped to take a couple of photos! The bright blue skies blending on the horizon to the sea which shimmered under the low late-autumn sun, then the promenade sprinkled with runners all coming to the end of their latest challenge, surrounded by cheering crowds. I really had to keep reminding myself to focus on looking in front to make sure I didn’t trip over any discarded water bottles – or fellow runners. 

With my music pumping in my ears and a big smile spread across my face, I was truly enjoying this run as I made my way around the last corner and sprinted towards the finish. Spirits at the end of the route were just as high as at the start with everyone congratulating each other while making our way to collect our medals. 

With an excellent backdrop for those all important medal photos, it was great to be reunited with my friends who had equally good experiences. Although I just missed my two hour target, I was pleased with my average pace and my overall time. 

I definitely intend on ticking off some more of the ‘Great Run’ series over the next couple of years. Excellently organised, good medal and t-shirt and great on-route entertainment to keep the motivation up!

 

 

Smiles all around!

 

Parkrun Tourism in our club t-shirts!

Robin Hood Half Marathon 2018

I always look forward to this one – it’s my home half marathon and was my first race at that distance back in 2016. It's also significant for Des and I as it's when things took a serious turn with us last year! However despite this, I was approaching it with mixed feelings this year. Although I’d done more miles-to-date than before the Robin Hood in the previous years, it was probably the least prepared I’d been for it and I knew I wasn’t going to come close to the two times I’d ran it in before.

So really, this year was going to be about enjoying the event rather than chasing a time and a week-or-so beforehand I agreed with a friend from running club that we’d tackle it together. On the foggy morning of 30^th September after the obligatory Southbank Bar Running Club team photo I headed into the starting pen and met up with Nik and a couple of other friendly faces. Eventually the ‘start-line shuffle’ all runners are familiar with turned into a run as we made our way through the spectator-lined Embankment and turned onto London Road with 13 miles ahead of us. 

We fell into a good pace together and the first mile melted away, bringing us to the familiar and somewhat dreaded hilly section of the route through the Park Estate – when Nik asked what my plan was for tackling the hills, I believe I said “get the f*uck up them”… and we did! Out of my three attempts at this race, it was the best I’ve ever done the hills, managing to run though nearly all of them, only slowing to a power-walk for the final couple. I was so glad to see the back of them though, and ready to enjoy the long-steady downhill of Derby Road for a bit of recovery. 

Before long we started to see the speedy people who were coming back in the other direction, a couple of miles ahead of where we were – some runners hate this but for some reason I really enjoy it! Knowing at least 30 people taking part meant lots of familiar faces passed so high fives, smiles and encouragement flicked between the two sides of the course. Then, just as we were turning into the loop section I spotted Des! A quick hug and kiss and we carried on... if I’d have been any quicker I wouldn’t have seen him so that was a definite bonus of slowing down!

I started struggling a bit on the next part – but not half as much as last year. With Nik’s words of encouragement I managed to run through the niggles which had forced me to walk at this point back in 2017. This particular part of the route is a long, lonely straight road which seems never ending as you wait to turn into the lovely and well-spectated Wollaton Park. It’s without a doubt my least favourite part of the course but with someone to chat to we managed to tick another mile off without too much drama. 

After the infamous Wollaton Hall climb and some deer spotting we’d reached the half way point and, turning onto the ring road, we were on our way home! I think one of my favourite things about road races is having the opportunity to run in places you’re never normally allowed – so this ring road section is a highlight for me. I love the calmness of a closed dual-carriageway, being pounded by enthusiastic runners rather than lined with queuing traffic.

Another couple of miles and a short burst of rain ticked off along with about a million “this is the last little hill” and we really were just a couple of miles from the finish. Accompanied by lots more conversation, putting the world to rights and talking about our various motivations for running and testing ourselves – we headed into the ‘final Parkrun’ fully determined… and I was hardly even moaning! 

It was around this time I put my music on as an extra bit of encouragement for the final stretch. I did really well and managed to keep my normal “I’ve nearly done this” cry at bay when the balance shifted a bit when Nik needed a bit more encouragement fro a little while as we weaved through the Meadows and finally that turn back onto the Embankment was in site. 

If you speak to anyone who has ran the Robin Hood, they’ll tell you the last section seems to go on a good while longer than you expect it to. You end up doing a weird collection of sprinting to get there quicker then realising it’s still bloody far until the finish line. With Nik holding my hand and all but dragging me there we eventually made it – with lots of clapping crowds still gathered to cheer us in!

Beaming at each other with a hug and “we did it!” we proudly collected our medals. Another one ticked of the list and very much a team effort! It’s the first time I’ve ever done a race from start to finish with someone and it truly did make it much more enjoyable. There are a few times Nik could have definitely left me behind, but “we started together and we’ll finish together”… and I’m so grateful that we did. 

To be completely honest, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me that it was the slowest time I’ve completed that particular race in. During the post race celebrations, it was tricky to keep it in the back of my mind and focus on having done it as many revelled in PB times and great races. But now that some time has passed, I can’t even remember the exact time I did it in, but I can remember a lovely run with my friend through my favourite city in the world… and surely that’s more important? 

 

 

 

Me and my running buddy!

 

Action shot

Showing off our medals - it's a very significant race for us!

Proudly with my nephew and medal

Equinox - medals and mud

My first and only 10km race 2018! To be honest, with my performance in it ‘organised event’ is a better description that race. To give some background, Equinox is a 24 hour endurance event which takes place the beautiful yet extremely undulating grounds of Belvoir Castle. People can take part solo, in pairs or in teams with the aim of completing as many 10km laps as they can over the 24 hour period. 

I found myself there as Des decided he wanted to take on the 24 hour challenge solo as part of his “Super September” trio of events. Browsing the website a few weeks before the event I found there was the option of completing a lap at both 12noon and 8pm and gaining two medals for the trouble! “Brilliant” I thought, my medal haul for 2018 so far not matching the same point in previous years. I signed up to both events looking forward to taking on a challenge a little different to the standard road running I am used to. 

After a glorious and seemingly never ending summer, that weekend in September well and truly saw the start of autumn. As we made our way through fields and battled with gale force winds and torrential rain to set up camp, not for the first time on my running journey, I really bloody questioned my life choices! 

Following a freezing and somewhat uncomfortable sleep (I was desperate for a wee all night but refused to go trotting across a field in the dark) the morning came round and finally a gap in the rain. By the time the mass start came round at 12 noon I was again looking forward to the run and wished my friends luck and encouragement as we all set about our various challenges. 

The course really was beautiful with some spectacular views. However the thing about such spectacular views is the extremely high-up vantage point they require to enjoy them. Knowing before the race there was an infamous “that hill” section, I paced myself in the first couple of miles in anticipation. Flipping heck did I need the energy reserve! Apart from the first third, the rest of the race followed some killer elevation paths and took on bumpy and uneven fields. It was about half way around that I really remembered why I stick to straightforward road running – I’m extremely clumsy at the best of times so add in slippy paths, rabbit holes and a few tree routes and it’s a recipe for disaster. 

Despite really wondering why I ever thought it would be a good idea, I must say the morale out on the course was brilliant! There were a few people I chatted to quite a bit as we made our way around and it was fantastic running the last mile through the campsite which was full of fellow runners willing the people on course on. It’s definitely a special kind of atmosphere which I’d definitely recommend and runner takes the chance to experience. 

As the end slowly came into sight, so did the rain – just a few drops at first but with huge dark clouds looming and by the time I’d collected my medal and got back to our camp area it was well and truly hammering it down! Des came back from his second lap absolutely sodden and the dry paths which had been cracked with dehydration from the long summer had become complete mud trails. 

Later on, with darkness starting to fall, I was in genuine and utter turmoil about whether to go ahead with the 8pm leg which I’d signed up for. I had massively underestimated just how dark it would be (I don’t like the dark!) and I knew the lashings of rain would have made the course even more tricky than when I’d set about it earlier on that day. Right up until around 7.30 I was weighing up the pros and cons until I eventually decided it would be much more sensible to get myself wrapped up and stay with the people on our camping plot. I tried not to beat myself up too much – if I’m completely honest I would almost definitely have just walked around crying wishing I hadn’t done it!

So that was Equinox. Despite the cold and the rain it was a truly lovely weekend spend with friends with the medal being a bonus to take home with me. Des did fantastically and managed to complete five laps within the time – that’s with his legs only having had one week to recover from Berlin Marathon! 

As I said earlier, I would definitely recommend one of these events – it’s essentially like a bit of a festival for runners really. Lovely atmosphere and it’s great fun watching people completing their laps all through the day and night.

 

The view with "that hill" in the foreground

I was glad this was over!

Des still smiling after his 50 miler!

Dublin Rock and Roll Half - my first international running experience!

I’d been looking forward to this one for ages! Booked months ago as a surprise for Des’s Birthday (I was so relieved once he knew and I didn’t have to live in fear of it slipping out) I couldn’t wait to get to Dublin for my first bit of international running tourism! 

I knew that it was never going to be my fastest race – in fact I was fully prepared for it to be my slowest after that bloody injury and generally letting go of the reins, leading to this being the probably the least training I’d done for any race in the three years now that I’ve been running. But that didn’t matter, it was a weekend away and a chance to take part in a race series I’ve been eyeing up for a while.

For anyone who doesn’t know, the Rock And Roll series is a global running brand with races in all sorts of exciting places including the Las Vegas strip. They’re famed for their ‘live bands at every mile’ and the big celebration concert they throw at the end of the race. Being someone who’s been brought up to love music, it’s no wonder it appeared on the running bucket list.

As well as the excitement of the main event, arriving in Dublin at the crack of dawn on Saturday morning gave us the added bonus of fitting in some Parkrun tourism... well a Saturday morning just isn’t the same without it! A quick dash from the airport to Father Collins park where we were greeted by fellow runners from Nottingham and before we knew it, it was time for the off.

Without going into too much detail, I had a shocker the week before at a more local Parkrun, so the flat course and lower temperatures were extremely welcomed as I worked my way around one of ‘those’ runs where everything just feels right! As I made my way round the bends and finally up to the finishing funnel I was feeling confident and strong ready for the half marathon ahead of me the very next day.

The Saturday afternoon was spent soaking up some traditional Irish culture (of course I’m talking about a visit to the Guinness Storehouse!) then we were sensible and got a nice early night ready for the Sunday morning 6am alarm call when we made our way bleary eyed to the start line. And after a bit of a rush in the toilet queues and baggage drop off, all of a sudden the starting claxon was going and the thousands of pairs of feet began to pound the Dublin pavements settling in to their 13.1 miles journey around the city.

As per usual, the first couple of miles were fairly uneventful. I was feeling fairly jovial and pushing any thoughts of the lack of training to the back of my mind and taking in the sights and sounds of the event. Things started to get a bit more tough at around the 4 mile mark but I kept going, telling myself I could do it and reminding myself to take it steadily mile by mile.

Getting toward the five mile marker, the road was split and those of us still in the first third of our journey plodding along could now see those reaching their final few miles dashing down the other side. Some runners hate this but for some reason I’ve always enjoyed it – I don’t really know why but something about seeing those completely in the zone who’ll be finishing in perhaps half the time it will take me really motivates me!

And bloody hell did I need some motivation as the first of the hills I’d been anxiously anticipating started to come into view. Having looked at the elevation map earlier in the week, I knew there were going to be some killer hills but I’d nowhere near mentally prepared myself for what lay over the next five miles! Massive evalation followed by massive elevation up into some beautiful little villages, it genuinely seemed never ending. Accepting that there was no way I’d be running up these and living to tell the tale, I just had to crack on doing what I could. To be honest, somewhat surprisingly, I was still enjoying the race despite this as I chatted a bit to some of the other suffering runners around me. All of us cursing the hills, wondering quite why we thought it would be a good idea!

The miles extremely slowly ticked by, passing the half way mark where I could begin counting down instead of up (I always count up the miles to the first half then down to the end). The hills didn’t stop – there were some sharp downhills too which were almost more tricky to run that the declines, but definitely more fun! But I was making my way through the race eagerly looking forward to getting to the end.

By about mile 10 I was shattered, running when I could down a long sloping hill nervously checking the time every now and again to make sure I had plenty of time before they needed to open the roads. So I was bloody gutted when way ahead of time, I was asked to move onto the pavement because they needed to get the traffic moving, my head started going a bit and those all too familiar thoughts of being a ‘rubbish runner’ crept in. This all escalated when some of the bloody volunteers (I want to make it clear here, people who volunteer for races are generally magnificent and should be praised as such) who were obviously keen to get home started absent mindedly chucking rope off of cones and into the path of those of us still giving absolutely everything to get this race done. After nearly tripping twice and shouting at them the bloody be careful, that was it – the waterworks tap was on.

I cried for about the next half a mile – definitely not uncommon… but massively not helped by passing one of these “bands at every mile” who was packing up before those of us at the back of the pack had chance to enjoy it. Feeling thoroughly demotivated, if I hadn’t have been aware that I didn’t have too much left to go I couldn’t easily have thrown the towel in here.

But doing what I always do I kept on going and it did get a little better. I suppose I have the rope throwing volunteers to thank a bit because I kept running to make sure I was far enough ahead to not encounter them again! I soon started to hear some live music just in the distance and as I made my way around a bend a young lady was on stage still singing – back to crying but because I was happy this time “bless her she’s still playing for us” tears! 

Getting excitingly close to the end it was up another bloody hill – nothing compared to those earlier in the race but much more than necessary at 12.5 miles in – and past another band (yes I cried again!) and finally the end was in sight.

Excited and relieved in equal measure to see the finish line with Des’s big smiling face next to it waiting for me, I ran as fast as I could (probably the world’s slowest sprint finish) and at long last it was all over!

One of the perks of being one of the last to finish is that it takes no time to get through the finishing area (collecting the all-important medal and freebies) and retrieve my bag from baggage collection. Reunited with Des and both of us hobbling around in loads of pain we somehow managed to clamber to the floor to enjoy the last of the live music on stage. I have to say at this point that I was slightly (read very) gutted there was only non-alcoholic drinks on offer!

So that was it! Half marathon number five done and dusted. It was definitely a story of ups and downs and that counts for more than just the bloody hills! To be honest the atmosphere and other main selling points of the Rock and Roll series were a little disappointing. It was generally a great race which I did enjoy, but I was expecting much more from the bands on course and there were some other gaps in the organisation which tarnished the experience a little.

However, I must say I enjoyed my first taste of international running – and Temple Bar in the evening was an extremely welcome wind down to the weekend!

The all important medal!

Not the view you want more than 10 miles in!

#justdoingwhatwelove

This almost shows how evil it was!