Harlow Running Club

Great Bentley Half Marathon - 7th February 2010

Race Length: Half Marathon

Course Best: 1:32.08 (7.02 min/mile) in February 2009

 PB: 1:30.12 (6.53 min/mile) at Reading half Marathon in March 2009

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

 Outcome: 1:28.30 (6.45min/mile)

Splits: 6:30 6:45 6:44 6:43 6:48 6:45 6:46 6:51 6:49 6:38 6:47 6:45 6:54 0.37

Nemesis score (Beat vs beat me): 4 - 1

There is only one thing wrong with the Great Bentley Half Marathon; is it too early in the season to get the maximum benefit from the near flat course! The race itself is well organised and fast unless the wind gets you on some of the exposed parts.

My race preparation had been far from perfect. I have had a lot going on since Christmas with my wife expecting our first child and us both looking for a new house/selling ours. All this has meant that I have had to move around runs and skip the odd few. Tempo runs that I have always found essential to a good half time were seriously lacking. Then in the final week I was informed I was going to be redundant - not good. I decided to direct my anger and frustration in to doing well.

The conditions on the day were pretty good, cold and misty, but no wind. Wind at Great Bentley can seriously damage your time! I started just behind two Saffron Striders ladies also aiming for sub 1:30 (and London Marathon championship start). I hoped to be up with a previous clubmate nemesis and an interweb runner, but they would probably be too fast. Beating the striders, a couple of clubmates and the 1:30 was the order of the day.

Miles 1-2 (6:30, 6:45)

I set my shop by going out pretty hard. I was running alongside one of the Saffron Striders (FT) going for the sub 1:30. She almost got me and the time at St Neots in November. Concerned at the initial pace, I slowed down a little for the second mile and some runners who started further back started to pass. My plan was for a "safe" 1:30, not to blow it by going off too fast and fading.

Miles 3-4 (6:44, 6.43)

I had got in to a rhythm now and at what felt like a good race speed (although faster than intened). Mile 2-3 saw a slight incline that felt pretty easy and I felt on track. FT and I were still swapping places running within 5m, but I went ahead on the approach to the village at ~3 miles where Vicky was waiting in a ditch with the camera. (good camera angle...)

Miles 5-7 (6:48, 6:45 6:46) 10k ~41.23

These miles are slightly downhill, but I had slowed a bit. I was still running well, but the other Saffron Strider (FH) had appeared behind after a slower start. I was surprised that clubmate (AF) had not not appeared on my shoulder yet. I ran the first 10K in ~41.23 - probably my 4th fastest 10K time ever and way faster than the Ely last December. I felt in control.

Miles 8-9 (6:51 6:49)

This is the toughest part of the course as it goes in to the wind and goes over what is the biggest 'hill' - a bridge over road. This would make or break my race. If I was able to hold 1:30 pace here and in to the return for home, I would be OK. I had now pulled away from the Striders.

Miles 10-11 (6:38 6:47) 10 miles ~1:07

The 10 mile marker is a big boost for me in a half, especially if my PB is on - only 5K to go with just 22 minutes of pain remaining. I was feeling very good and realed in a clubmate (JJ) with a 6:38. I was very concious that I was absolutely on the limit and things could go wrong very quickly. The approach to mile 11, saw me overtake another clubmate (AT). The 10 mile split of ~1:07 was a PB.

Mile 12 (6:45)

Mentally this mile was hard. I was running along with a Harwich runner who pulled me along, but despite a slight downhill gradient, it was not easy and I was tiring quickly. I spotted infront a runner that I thought was the interwen runner I wanted to beat. Spurred on with a new target I pressed on. It later turned out not to be them (2 mins further on) and I never caught them anyway.

Mile 13-13.1 (6:54 0.37)

The 13th mile sees one final test, a short bridge over the railway (steep by Great Bentley standards). Last year I was reeling from it and did not recover until near the end. This time I recovered my cadence and pace pretty quickly, but had slowed enough for AT to close on me. I was running in with a MV45 runner and as we hit the grass at the 13 mile marker the sprint was on. I kicked - he kicked. I kicked - no response. I focussed on the line, but sensed he was having one last go as he came along side. One last kick from me and I beat him to the line - I love a good head to head at the end (especially if I win!).

In all, I could not have run this any better! I finished elated with my sub 1:30, and by some way taking some 1.42 off my PB. AT and JJ finished not far behind, then came FT and FH. Both had had got inside the 1:30 and were shrieking with delight!

Sharing this moment of elation, having my pregnant wife supporting on the run, and the celebrations of some of our clubmates for whom this was their first half marathon wiped away all my thoughts about impending doom at work. Shared experiences in running are just the best, whether it be the fun of racing with clubmates, enjoying friendly rivalries between clubs/individuals or simply sharing in people's sheer elation of what they have just achieved. My life has changed a lot this year - both good and bad. Running for me is a big part of my life and I am especially looking forward to running with my wife pushing our first child in the baby jogger in the not too distant future.