Harlow Running Club

St Neots Riverside  Half Marathon 15th November 2009 (target autumn half marathon)

Race Length: Half Marathon

Course Best: 1:33.18 (7.07 min/mile)

PB: 1:30.12 (6.53 min/mile) at Reading HM (March 2009)

MacMillan Predicted time: 1:30.12 (6.53 min/mile)

Target Time: 1:29.59 (6:52 min/mile)

Outcome: 1:30.57 (6.56 min/mile)

Splits: 6.46, 6.38, 6.53, 20.48(5K), 7.02, 6.50, 6.48, 42.04(10K), 44.48(HW), 6.52, 7.04, 7.17, 1:04.41(15K), 7.23, 7.01, 6.52, 1:26.23(20K), 6.38, 0.45

The St Neots RIverside Half Marathon is a well organised and popular event. So popular infact that it sells out well before the race. This year it was in May - 6 months before race date!  This could be because the the race has a lot going for it. It is a scenic figure of eight course passing through the attractive village of Abbotsley. Although it has PB potential it is challenging due to the undulations. The organisation is like clockwork with a good race HQ. You also get a lot for your entry fee of £15: Chip timing, a high quality technical long sleve top (the sort you CAN actually use:)), pacers and a full goody bag.:)

Preparation for the event was not exactly perfect. I had been feeling a bit under the weather, but this seemed to have cleared by the morning of the race, as did Saturdays weather! Conditions were about as perfect as you could get unless you removed all the wind. I had a late night as Vicky and I were up late at a dinner at Cambridge University. Although I managed to not drink much (this was hard:dry:), it was still a very late night.

The race plan was to start off with the 1:30 pacers supplied by the organisers and not to panic if they went ahead at the hills. I would calmy reel them back in slowly on the downhill/flat particuarly in the last 5K as this was downhill. If I was slightly adrift, a fast finish would get me home in time.

Miles 1-3 (6.46, 6.38, 6.53)
These miles take you out of St Neots uphill towards the village of Abbottsley. I was in a good rhythm behind the pacers and there were making a little time for the hilly bit ahead. All was good.

 

Mile 4 (7.02)

Having gone through 5K in 5K in 20.48 (3 seconds slower than my official 5K PB), the course through the village up the first of the steeper climbs. I dropped back from the pacers and took on board water/gel. It was a little windy here.

 

Mile 4-6 (6.50, 6:48)

Downhill, up another climb then gradual downhill. I was nicely getting back on track slightly faster than 6:52 pace catching the pacers again.

 

Miles 7-8 (6.52, 7.04)

Was just a case of keeping settled here. Went through 10K in what would be a not too bad 10K time for me of 42.04. Halfway came in 44.48, so I was up by 12 seconds. The problem was as the mile 8 split shows, I was feeling tired and I doubted that I could do the same time again. I was still on target (just) at this point.

Miles 9-10 (7.17, 7.23)

Oh dear! Mile 9 took me back in to the village up I hill I do not remember from last year! I new the next one was coming as this is the 'middle' bit fo the figure of '8'. Things were getting hard and I started getting a bit of blurred vision. I took a gel, but struggled to get water in me to wash it down. This cost me more time, but I was slowing more with fatigue and the wind. I was in to mile 10 now and the steepness of the hill slackend off. Just needed to get to mile 10 then downhill!. I got myself sorted and by mile 10 felt better, but some 56 seconds has gone - just like that!. :(Ironic that I missed my target by 57 seconds!

Mile 11-12 (7.01, 6:52)

The road winds gradually down hill here. It is not a steep gradient that you can see, just one that makes things feel easier. I could not quite get on pace for mile 11, but come mile I was winding it up, A riverside runner came along side and I started to keep with him, This may get me a chance of a good race photo I thought!

Mile 13-13.1 (6.38, 0.45)

I began to wind it up. I did not finish as fast as last year (did 6:30) but was not chasing a PB. I Had to essentially run a sub 6 min mile for 1.1 miles to do that! I had decided to settle for inside 1:31 - a good time onsidering my PB was set at the end of marathon training this spring. I got my name read out as I crossed the line (always good) and finished just infront of one of our Cross country rivals (Saffron Striders) fastest women, who told me she was not running the cross country series - gives the Harlow women a chance!

So, the analysis... Could I have done it today - I would have to say no. I was lacking some endurace, particuarly on hills. My feeling 'off' may have contributed, but not all the missing 57 seconds. Had this course been Royal Parks last month when I did 1:31.57, then I think I would not be looking at a PB and perhaps sub 1:30. Last year I ran 1:33.18 here, going on to run 1:32.06 (Great Bentley) and 1:30.12 (Reading). Given my lower starting point, I should do it next year.