I owe you a proper race recap but I'm just not feeling the computer-love today. So instead, briefly, here are the essentials:
Race: Ten and a half thousand runners, crowded!
Atmosphere: Absolutely amazing!!!! Best race I've ever done in that regard.
Weather: Perfect. Sunny, bright, maybe even a bit too warm for February...
Goodie bag: Rubbish! Sweatshop plastic bag, three fliers, one bag of crisps, one Mars bar.
Crampage: From mile 10 onwards, both calves, twinge in the hamstring, WTF???
Result: Embarrassingly slow. I tanked it, again (and I use the American meaning of tanked, i.e. bottled it for you Brits...). 2:07:50, still my second fastest HM time, but also 5:30 mins slower than my October time. Will attempt race-analysis in a later post.
Verdict: Yes, I'm a bit gutted that I screwed up my time again but I just loved running the race in perfect conditions and the beautiful weather, I happily plodded along and that was ok. Yesterday that is. Today I'm getting a bit annoyed with myself. But am trying not to dwell...
 |
| Obligatory pre-race pic |
 |
| And 13.1 miles later. G, clearly too hot, me, freezing! |
 | ||
| I wish I could lie and pretend this was my time. But as soon as G realized I was gonna tank it again, he took off (with my blessing) and still managed to get a super-respectable time for a 1st half marathon and zero training! |
 |
| Medal-beach-shot |
 |
| Ghetto-medal-beach-shot |
 | |
| Me and my favorite post-race beverage... |
 |
| ... with a side of burger (beef, I think, not horse!) |
How was your weekend? Did you race? How did you do?
Hey well done again Jen, nothing wrong with that time in my opinion, you'll get speedier and you know it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul! :)
DeleteI'm proud of you! It's still your second best time, that is something to celebrate. And I've been thinking...maybe the half isn't your best distance, maybe it's the marathon!
ReplyDeleteHaha... maybe it is??? Is it because I get to run it slower??? ;)
DeleteWas thinking - this was only your 4th, it took til my 6th (I think) to finally nail the sub-2h! You can do it, don't give up!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yeah, I'll keep plodding. Maybe someone can recommend a good sports psychologist?! ;)
DeleteI'm sorry it wasn't everything you wanted (time wise), but seriously, CONGRATS. You did great!! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! At least I had a fun day so it was still totally worth it! :)
DeleteCongrats Jen!! The race sounds awesome, even if you didn't quite hit your own personal goals - at the end of the day, you still ran a half in your new backyard! The weather looks amaze too.
ReplyDeleteFrom all the brilliant race recaps I am thinking I might miiiiiight put the Brighton half on my list for next year. Just gotta somehow get over the running in the cold thing. Training could be difficult otherwise!
P.S. Totally agree with your post race beverage of choice!
Yes, it was definitely a fun race, if you're ok with crowds!!!
DeleteAnd do it, we could organize a pre-race blogger-pasta-party with a post-race beer-fest. Would be so fun. :)