Watford Half Marathon

[Marek]

Ok, I know it isn't cycling, but did the Watford Half this morning. Was aiming for a sub 1.30, although with the profile of the race looking quite hilly and my lack of longer runs it was going to be a tough ask.

Ran with Max for the first few miles, he was going very well, we were hitting a good pace, probably too good. We then hit a climb at about the 3 mile mark and Max disappeared into the distance and I settled into my own Rhythm. The hills kept coming and it was feeling pretty hard, reached the halfway point in 44 m and 45 secs, so was just inside the desired time.

Was starting to slow down a bit now and was getting overtaken a lot, my 10km training runs had not been enough for me to keep up the pace, at about the 8 mile mark the pacer for the 1 hr 30 mins time came past. I managed to stick with him for about half a mile or so, but the pace was hurting so again I eased off and went at my own pace.

At the 10 mile mark things were starting to hurt and my pace felt pretty poor. Last half and I could hear the loud speaker announcing that we had 1 min left to get under 1.30mins, unfortunately I was still too far from the finish as had to run around the Watford park to the finish. Finished with a time of 1 hr 33 mins on the dot. A bit annoyed as probably went out a bit too fast.

Was a great event though, really well organised. Max managed to nail a 1 hr 24 min run, he is training for a sub 3 hour marathon in Paris in April which it looks like he might do.

Cheers

Marek....

[Sylv]

You should be glad about the hills if doing Ballbuster, so what running style do you use now?

[Marek]

Was on the toes, in my Nike Free Runs. They are ok for 10km or so, but longer distances not so good. Am going to look into the Newtons as they have a bit more padding but allow you to run on the front of your foot. Yes, you are right that the hills will do me some good, this was a test today to see how I would go on the longer distance in the Free Runs and I don't think am quite ready to do that kind of distance in them yet.

Cheers

Marek...