Some Like it Hot

Relaxing before the Start!

When you follow a training plan and execute your race strategy as planned, it feels great. That's what happened with my first marathon in Manchester just six weeks ago. Everything came together on the day - weather, crowd support, pacing, fitness, hydration - and I ran the best race I could and delivered the fastest possible time.

Yesterday I took on the hills of the Potters 'Arf - the local half marathon where I can walk to the start and then hobble home again after the race. It was sunny and warm, which was not so great for me, but brilliant for bringing out the spectators. The crowds were amazing and there was an endless supply of jelly babies around the course. But the race? Did the plan come together?

Since the marathon, I've continued to race on a fairly regular basis, including three races in the North Staffs Road Runners, and taken part in the Bupa 10k in Manchester and parkrun events in Hanley, Leeds and Manchester. But I've not really been training in the way I should have been to really deliver at the Potters 'Arf. I've not been doing hill sessions or speed work and the longest run I've completed in the last 5 weeks (since my accidental half marathon in Uttoxeter) was just 6.5 miles.

I knew it would be virtually impossible for me to better last year's time and performance, when I broke the 2 hour mark and picked up a bronze medal. Instead, as the sun broke through the crowds and the temperature rose, I knew that getting close to two hours would be the best I could manage on the day. With already slightly aching legs I needed to make sure I didn't do any further damage to myself by pushing too hard when I just hadn't done the training. So I played it safe - no risks, nothing to prove, get round, stay healthy.

I set off at roughly 2 hour pace - although there is quite a bit of downhill in the first couple of miles so it is difficult to judge before the steady climb to Longton. There were plenty of familiar faces amongst the runners and spectators, including 21 Potters Trotters in the main race plus two relay teams and everyone else from the club seemed to be out on the course supporting us. A huge well done to all the pink ladies.

After the climb up Anchor Road, there are a few more ups and downs before a long downhill section through Bentilee (roughly half way). It was here that Tommy Hill (from Hanley parkrun) came flying past me - check out Tommy's blog for a report by someone who did the training right and got the rewards - well done Tommy. As Tommy flew off into the distance, I was already tiring. Even the downhill sections didn't seem to offer much respite, although a shout-out and the clatter of a rattle from Justine and her family on Twigg Street spurred me on.


Poster made by Heather Blurton - thanks Hmel!

Down Fellbrook Lane and some more encouragement from the Blurton Family and Mr T kept me going - one foot in front of the other - and then on to my least favourite stretch of the course from Leek Road down to Leek New Road. This is when the mind games kick in... there are about 3 miles of undulating roads until you start to climb back up to Hanley and the dreaded Milton Road (aka Heartbreak Hill). On a good day, this flies by. On a hot, sunny day when you've not done the training, it is a slog. I looked at my watch and could see by kilometre split times were slowing - even on the flattest sections of the course. I thought my chances of sub-2 had vanished and I stopped looking at my watch.

I reached the bottom of Milton Road and, despite encouragement from Julie, Millie, Meg, Phil, Charlotte, Sharon, Andy and Bryn (who'd already finished and was walking back up the course showing off his shiny gold medal), I made the decision to walk up the steepest section. Head down, short steps, pushing on whilst trying to catch my breath. It was about 2 minutes of walking but it was what I needed to do on the day. I did get into my running again for the last mile and I tried to keep my pace going to get to the finish line. I couldn't muster a sprint finish, despite the wonderful support of the crowds including Mr T, who was probably moving faster than me to make it from the 8 mile point in time.

Celebrating with the Pink Ladies
(thanks to Nina for the photo)

Then it was over and I was amazed to discover that I was actually much closer to two hours than I expected. My official chip time was 2:00:08, compared with a clock time of 2:00:34. So I just missed out on a bronze medal - perhaps I could have pushed on to break that 2 hour mark but I didn't and I actually don't feel too disappointed at all. In terms of NSRRA, it was a great result and I've picked up good points again. There were some fantastic runs too from the other ladies of the Potters Trotters and it was great to celebrate with them afterwards too.

So I survived the Potters 'Arf and my aching legs will recover soon (as well as the scars on my waist where my shorts decided to attack me). And now it is time to get back to the training. Racing is great but it is the training runs that get you to the start line in the right physical and mental shape to race well. And I'm sure I'll run Potters 'Arf again - and next time I'll put in the training miles to really make a race of it.

Happy Running

LizT