I first planned to do Leeds Half Marathon 5 years ago. I have entered 3 times and today was the first time I actually managed to do it. YAY!!!!
This week I have tried really hard to eat properly and taper properly and spent most of yesterday drinking several gallons of water to make sure I was properly hydrated (I think the rest of the day was spent on the loo...).
We arrived quite early and the guy I was supposed to be running with decided at the very last minute to actually do it (even getting changed in the car park). I was incredibly nervous and had been awake since 5am getting worse and worse. Once we actually got to Millenium Square I started to feel a little better and more excited than nervous. I had set my Garmin up for between 7:50 and 8:20 minute miles hoping for a time of around 1:48. I had only managed one long run of 11 miles two weeks before and had just about collapsed afterwards despite it having been an average pace of 8:30. Still race day and you have to push yourself otherwise there's no point. Eventually after what seemed like a lifetime we were herded round to the starting line. And we were off and stopped again as the crowds seemed to only allow walking pace for the first little while. I did really well not to set off too quickly although it is so tempting, but I knew I couldn't do my usual on a race of this distance. We had to slow down on Meanwood Road because we were going too fast and I tried to keep us at around 7:45 - 8:00 minute pace.
Suddenly Stonegate Road loomed in the distance so out came my inhaler to calm my breathing down and J who I was running with said to go and leave him if I was able to. The hill was great. I was barely out of breath and J was behind me. I thought he would catch me up, but I couldn't stop or slow because I knew I would never get going again. At the top I felt really really good and popped my headphones on as J was nowhere in sight. A downhill section and I could really pick the pace up doing closer to 7:15 minute miles. I was still wary of running out of steam so took a gel onboard. I actually found the hill up to Lawnswood roundabout more tiring than Stonegate Road which I was surprised at.
7 miles at the top and over halfway. I looked at my Garmin and I was well ahead of schedule and still feeling really strong. I knew it was downhill from there so I picked up the pace again. The road seemed to fly by and in no time at all I was on the homeward stretch along Kirkstall Road. I felt brilliant all the way along until the flyover by the international pool. At the top I started to go dizzy and thought I would pass out so I slowed right down to let my heart rate and blood pressure come down a bit. The Headrow was a nightmare, but I knew the finish line was in sight and somehow managed to keep going. As I went over the line I felt dizzy again and got pins and needles in my hands. I thought I might have to get some medical attention, but after walking through the chip place and getting my t-shirt and MEDAL and a well needed drink I felt better and found a place to watch out for J. I knew he hadn't been feeling well and as time ticked by I started to get worried. Finally I saw him and was relieved he was okay.
So my time? 1:44:39 and 16th in my age group. I am very proud of myself and now have something to beat next time. J was disappointed in his time of 2:03:35, but I am proud of him for doing it and finishing.
Splits:
What's next then? Abbey Dash in November - sub 45 or else!, Brass Monkey in Jan - 1:40?
This week I have tried really hard to eat properly and taper properly and spent most of yesterday drinking several gallons of water to make sure I was properly hydrated (I think the rest of the day was spent on the loo...).
We arrived quite early and the guy I was supposed to be running with decided at the very last minute to actually do it (even getting changed in the car park). I was incredibly nervous and had been awake since 5am getting worse and worse. Once we actually got to Millenium Square I started to feel a little better and more excited than nervous. I had set my Garmin up for between 7:50 and 8:20 minute miles hoping for a time of around 1:48. I had only managed one long run of 11 miles two weeks before and had just about collapsed afterwards despite it having been an average pace of 8:30. Still race day and you have to push yourself otherwise there's no point. Eventually after what seemed like a lifetime we were herded round to the starting line. And we were off and stopped again as the crowds seemed to only allow walking pace for the first little while. I did really well not to set off too quickly although it is so tempting, but I knew I couldn't do my usual on a race of this distance. We had to slow down on Meanwood Road because we were going too fast and I tried to keep us at around 7:45 - 8:00 minute pace.
Suddenly Stonegate Road loomed in the distance so out came my inhaler to calm my breathing down and J who I was running with said to go and leave him if I was able to. The hill was great. I was barely out of breath and J was behind me. I thought he would catch me up, but I couldn't stop or slow because I knew I would never get going again. At the top I felt really really good and popped my headphones on as J was nowhere in sight. A downhill section and I could really pick the pace up doing closer to 7:15 minute miles. I was still wary of running out of steam so took a gel onboard. I actually found the hill up to Lawnswood roundabout more tiring than Stonegate Road which I was surprised at.
7 miles at the top and over halfway. I looked at my Garmin and I was well ahead of schedule and still feeling really strong. I knew it was downhill from there so I picked up the pace again. The road seemed to fly by and in no time at all I was on the homeward stretch along Kirkstall Road. I felt brilliant all the way along until the flyover by the international pool. At the top I started to go dizzy and thought I would pass out so I slowed right down to let my heart rate and blood pressure come down a bit. The Headrow was a nightmare, but I knew the finish line was in sight and somehow managed to keep going. As I went over the line I felt dizzy again and got pins and needles in my hands. I thought I might have to get some medical attention, but after walking through the chip place and getting my t-shirt and MEDAL and a well needed drink I felt better and found a place to watch out for J. I knew he hadn't been feeling well and as time ticked by I started to get worried. Finally I saw him and was relieved he was okay.
So my time? 1:44:39 and 16th in my age group. I am very proud of myself and now have something to beat next time. J was disappointed in his time of 2:03:35, but I am proud of him for doing it and finishing.
Splits:
- 7:51
- 7:54
- 8:03
- 8:19
- 8:05
- 7:35
- 8:11
- 7:24
- 7:21
- 7:43
- 7:42
- 7:57
- 8.18 last bit : 2.34
What's next then? Abbey Dash in November - sub 45 or else!, Brass Monkey in Jan - 1:40?
1 comment:
well done!
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