A Half Marathon? In Blackpool? In February? Are you sure that's a good idea?
Stormy seas, freezing temperatures, biting winds, driving rain.... just some of the images conjured up when you think about Blackpool in the winter - not really appealing for my first half marathon since the Potters 'Arf last June. But I was persuaded to sign up for the Great North West Half Marathon by the promise of a flat-ish course and a fun day out with my Potters Trotters running buddies Liz and Bobbie...
As it turned out, the sea was calm, the rain stayed away, the wind was cold but manageable (at least when running south) and the sun even came out for a little while to give me the opportunity to try out my new Blaze running sunglasses (won in a competition from Women's Running Magazine). The course was flat-ish as promised and all the signs were good for a fast time and hopefully a new PB.
The race started and finished just outside the Blackpool Hilton - after collecting our race numbers and timing chips, we made use of the above-average facilities to prepare for the race ahead. We had just over an hour to wait for the start of the race and I demonstrated yet again that I'm not a waiter... I tried to limit the amount of energy I used up in anxious pacing but I'm not sure I succeeded. Eventually though it was time to head out on to the slightly chilly but not freezing Blackpool seafront and start the race.
The course is two laps along the seafront so is completely free of traffic, heading north from the start up towards Bispham along the top path (next to the tram lines) before dropping down to the lower path next to the beach to head south again, almost as far as Blackpool Tower but not quite. Then it's up to the top path and north again back over the start/finish line and around again. I'd been warned by Bobbie and Liz, who'd completed the race before, that it was not the most exciting route... I think the course map from my Garmin demonstrates that fact, especially in comparison to some of the crazy patterns I made whilst snow running in January.
Given the expected monotony of the route, I opted for music for this race and was glad of the distractions of my latest running playlist, particularly in the most exposed and quiet parts of the course. The spectators were concentrated around the start/finish area so for long stretches of the run, it was very quiet. I did have a few mid-race chats with other runners and was spurred along by catching sight of the Huddersfield Running Bunny (on tour from Huddersfield parkrun). However, there weren't too many sights or sounds to break up the run.
I'd been hoping to run a fairly even pace throughout the race just under 9 minutes per mile and complete the race in a time slightly faster than1 hour and 56 minutes (my time at the Potters 'Arf). The first few miles were run into the wind and it felt cold but manageable. I was running comfortably but at a slightly faster pace than I probably should have done... I reached half way in just over 55 minutes so was on for around 1hr50min if I could keep it going. However, second time around, I struggled with the wind between miles 7 and 9, keeping my pace pretty constant but working much harder. I got some energy from my emergency jelly babies but felt pretty tired by the time I turned back south again, finally out of the cold wind. I definitely regretted leaving my energy gels at home!
For the last two miles, I focused on keeping pace with runners just ahead of me - there were two runners in stripy blue shirts that I targeted and it seemed to work. Then it was the final turn, up on the top level of the promenade and back towards the Hilton. For some unknown reason, the bright blue sign, which I'd passed underneath at the start and then the half way point, had disappeared as I headed towards the finish. But I summoned up enough energy to cross the finish line with a sprint finish in a time registering on the official clock of 1:52:58, eventually rounded down to 1:52:33 on chip time. A new PB - I was a bit disappointed with myself for going a bit too fast at the start and tiring at the end, but really pleased with the time itself!
Time to pick up my medal, chat with other runners who'd already finished and and cheer home Bobbie, Liz, Andy and Billy. I think Liz was the most excited of all of us, improving her PB significantly and looking really strong at the finish line. Then it was home again for a rest and an afternoon of treats, including some lovely Danish pastries supplied my Mr T and a large bag of Chocolate Popcorn - I just can't resist it.
Now it's back to training - my next challenge is to build up to run 20 miles at a race in March... I'll just keep following my training plan and getting advice from my running buddies.
Happy Running
LizT
PS In an earlier post (Pretty in Pink) I wrote about the Alsager 5, my first race in the North Staffs Road Runners Association. I've since learned that I finished first in Group W, earning a maximum 50 points in Race 1. What an unexpected surprise!
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| Hoping for Calm Seas! |
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| Designer Sunglasses! |
The race started and finished just outside the Blackpool Hilton - after collecting our race numbers and timing chips, we made use of the above-average facilities to prepare for the race ahead. We had just over an hour to wait for the start of the race and I demonstrated yet again that I'm not a waiter... I tried to limit the amount of energy I used up in anxious pacing but I'm not sure I succeeded. Eventually though it was time to head out on to the slightly chilly but not freezing Blackpool seafront and start the race.
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| Out and back along the Seafront |
Given the expected monotony of the route, I opted for music for this race and was glad of the distractions of my latest running playlist, particularly in the most exposed and quiet parts of the course. The spectators were concentrated around the start/finish area so for long stretches of the run, it was very quiet. I did have a few mid-race chats with other runners and was spurred along by catching sight of the Huddersfield Running Bunny (on tour from Huddersfield parkrun). However, there weren't too many sights or sounds to break up the run.
For the last two miles, I focused on keeping pace with runners just ahead of me - there were two runners in stripy blue shirts that I targeted and it seemed to work. Then it was the final turn, up on the top level of the promenade and back towards the Hilton. For some unknown reason, the bright blue sign, which I'd passed underneath at the start and then the half way point, had disappeared as I headed towards the finish. But I summoned up enough energy to cross the finish line with a sprint finish in a time registering on the official clock of 1:52:58, eventually rounded down to 1:52:33 on chip time. A new PB - I was a bit disappointed with myself for going a bit too fast at the start and tiring at the end, but really pleased with the time itself!Time to pick up my medal, chat with other runners who'd already finished and and cheer home Bobbie, Liz, Andy and Billy. I think Liz was the most excited of all of us, improving her PB significantly and looking really strong at the finish line. Then it was home again for a rest and an afternoon of treats, including some lovely Danish pastries supplied my Mr T and a large bag of Chocolate Popcorn - I just can't resist it.
Now it's back to training - my next challenge is to build up to run 20 miles at a race in March... I'll just keep following my training plan and getting advice from my running buddies.
Happy Running
LizT
PS In an earlier post (Pretty in Pink) I wrote about the Alsager 5, my first race in the North Staffs Road Runners Association. I've since learned that I finished first in Group W, earning a maximum 50 points in Race 1. What an unexpected surprise!
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