So after months of focus on the Wokingham Half marathon the big day finally came on Sunday. Ever since Andy bought the race entry for my birthday in October I have been seriously working for a PB for this one. Fast, flat course with a small field - what could be better? Conditions were also perfect. Bright sunny, cold-ish day with no wind.
I have never been so focused on a time in my life. I actually warmed up before hand (don't tell anyone but I rarely do a warm up which is bad bad bad). I checked my watch every mile to make sure I was on target and even made sure I ran the shortest line round every bend. The first half was great - everything on track including fuelling. The second half was, in short, bloody hard work. The only thing that kept me going was that I'd only have to do it all again in another race if I gave in now so I might as well carry on! Cheering from Andy and Harrison at mile 8 and 9 was also great and really lifted me but mile 10 was the worst. Now bear in mind that Wokingham is flat. Pancakes have more bumps. But I knew there was a hill between mile 10 and 11. I could feel the thing in my legs. All form went out the window but the legs kept moving and I made it up the "hill" and into mile 12. Once I'd achieved this anything was possible and the finish came relatively quickly bringing a cup of tea and a new PB: 1:34:55!
Previous PB was 1:36:36 at Reading last year so absolutely over the moon with the new time. Not sure where I'll find any more speed to run faster but lets not think about that now! Lets just bask in being a sub 1:35 half marathon-er.
Oh and that hill? I checked my watch when I got home - total elevation of 30ft, over a mile! I think my garden has a bigger gradient. To be running up something that small and still know its a hill? Thats when you know you're working hard :0)
