The Robin Hood Half Marathon 2021 – a very engaging race!

This race is always the absolute highlight of my racing calendar, so naturally as it approached this time after no official event last year, my excitement levels went into overdrive.

For our running club, the Robin Hood is like Christmas. We’re out in force and we always celebrate with a big party afterwards – and it was at that very party four years ago that Des and I got together, so it’s extra special for us.

The weekend got off to a great start when we were invited on the BBC Radio Nottingham to give our top tips for listeners taking part in the race. It was great fun, even running up the big hill in the Park in jeans and a hoody. It really set the tone for the weekend!

When Sunday rolled around and it as time to start getting ready, nerves did kick in a little. I tried to focus on telling myself I’m the most prepared I’d ever been for this event and reminding myself there was no pressure for time today, I was just going out there to enjoy it as part of the final stages of marathon preparation.

The race

Waiting for the off! 

After meeting the rest of the DOrunning team for our obligatory pre-race team photo and half an hour of the standard “are you ready?” “what time are you hoping for?” chatter, it was time to head for my starting pen. It felt a bit weird because for the first time in a couple of years non of my friends had been allocated the same starting wave as me.

Starting to feel the late September chill, I was so relieved when, after a 10-ish minute delay, we were finally given the signal to shuffle towards the start line. Time to press GO on the Garmin and getting on with the task in hand.

Even in the years where I’ve struggled, the first mile of the Robin Hood always melts away – first with the crowds of spectators lining up on the Embankment then finding a rhythm down London Road. This year was no different and I had the added encouragement of knowing my parents would be stood at their marshalling spot by the train station.

Support crew!

Even the first tough climb up towards the Castle didn’t seem too much of a bother, no-doubt thanks to the months of horrible hill training Des has had us doing! The Park section is never easy, but with a smile on my face I retraced the steps I’d done with Des and the Charlie from the radio on Friday morning and dug deep to get to the top ready for the long forgiving downhill of Derby Road.

I always enjoy the next stretch, turning into Triumph Road to start spotting the speedy front-runners coming back through mile eight as I’m just ticking off mile four. There weren’t quite as many to spot this year as I reached that section a good 10-15 minutes ahead of normal, but it still gave an excellent boost as I managed a few waves to friends when approaching Crown Island before the course splits again.

The temperature really was climbing now and I was starting to flag as I reached the half way point – not helped by the weird small cartons of water that seemed impossible to get enough hydration on board, coupled with the short sharp climb up to Wollaton Hall.

The next quarter of a mile or so down the very picturesque Lime Tree Avenue back towards the ring road was quite congested with runners, which forced a slight slowing of pace. I think to be honest this probably did me a favour and allowed me to get my head together a bit ready to push on when the paths opened up again back on the ring road.

A lot of people say they find the next couple of miles a bit boring. But for me, there’s always something pretty cool around running down the middle of one of my city’s busiest vessels, ignoring the traffic lights I wait patiently at every day. No vehicles around, just the sound of pairs of trainers hitting the tarmac supported by the cheering from spectators. I love it!

Seven miles turned to eight and then nine as I made my way around the familiar course, still trying to spot my friends where I could while also making new ones, chatting to my fellow runners about the climbing heat, how nice it was to be back and the relief at having ‘just a parkrun left to go’! I was taking it all in, really embracing being back at one of my favourite events after the extended break.

By the time I got to 11 miles I was really tired but determined to get to the end without walking now I’d made it this far. The much needed boost of seeing my parents as I turned back off Queens Drive and towards The Meadows and home!

The sun was really shining by this time as midday approached, so the last couple of miles took some effort and I felt quite dehydrated thanks to the fiddly cartons of water being handed out on the course. Passing my house just after the 12 mile marker was quite a challenge but I was excited to be turning back onto the embankment for the final stretch of the race.

As I made my way down the tree-lined path I must run down 100 times a year, it felt really special to be back – and that was before the fantastic surprise of seeing my brother, sister-in-law and nephew stood on the side-line cheering me on.

The final turn back onto the field for the very end of the route saw the crowds of

spectators thicken and the noise levels grow considerably. Spotting loads of familiar faces really spurred me on enough to almost manage a sprint finish over the line in 2:07:17, a massive course PB for me and huge progress on the last few years!

Enjoying my first pepsi
maxx in a month! 

The after party

Despite achieving a really pleasing run, the real story of the day comes from what happened next!

Surrounded by our friends and family, Des took the opportunity to ask me to marry him, and of course I said yes! It really made what was a brilliant day into a perfect one, I truly couldn’t have asked for anything more!!

I could be writing all day and couldn't do it justice, so check out Des's YouTube for the video!