Sunday 25th March 2007

Race: Stafford 1/2 Marathon
1hr 33 mins 41 secs (PB)
7.09 per/mile

I genuinely thought that this race would give me a great shout to achieve one of my major running goals for the year - a sub 1.35 half marathon. I had only cracked the 1.40 last October but with all the marathon training and anecdotes from others at the club regarding setting good times whilst training, I wanted to give this particular goal a really good go. Signs weren't great yesterday as I spent the evening in a smokey pub watching the England - Israel game over a couple of pints of guiness (to keep up the iron content and the game was poor!) and with the clocks going forward it meant an effectively earlier start. But arrived in Stafford in plenty of time on a chilly but dry day, and as the sun peeped out before the race it proved to be ideal running conditions.

The start was a shambles - near on 1000 runners bunched together in the town square, many having to vault over a railing to get into a starting position. It took a good half minute to get to the start line but after a frantic lap of the town, the field stretched out as we headed down the main road to the Shugborough Estate. Funny to thinkl I've brought the family here for days out - never envisaged running this section of road!). I was keen to break this into 3 races of 4 miles (aiming for 3 sub 30 minute sectors) with enough in the tank for a final quick mile. In reality I dug deep early on and rather than enjoy the scenery (my common folly!), worked a little harded than normal. Big incline at mile 3, but then enjoyed a 3 mile downhill burst running with a very quick older lady (who went on to win the 50+ female category). Excellent roadside support was given and the race changed direction at Shugborough, following an attractive country lane up and past the Estate before turning back into the Stafford area. All the training suddenly hit me at about 9 miles (one of those strange euphoric moments) - it dawned on me that I've probably not been this fit for a good 20 years! A life of desk slobbing and student debauchary was flying behind me! I was doing 7 minute miles and enjoying it! We headed up to an old disused railpath for a good 3 miles or so, on a flat scenic stretch and as we kicked back into Stafford, I put in a final sprint to clock shy of 1.34 (by my Garmin reckoning). Felt fantastic and like I'd really earnt this free medal! (and the Freetrade Banana!). Caught up with Simon Hall afterwards (who was running for Aldridge - he'd done a 1.27) and I believe that there was just one other Bournville representative, James Gittings. Then combined racing with family - met up with Tony + Helen and Amanada + Phil, and their families for lunch in Stafford

Interesting looking at the splits (the might of the Garmin system!), both by distance and by mile, as I think there may be a sub 1.30 in me! The fastest section was between the 10 mile and finish, indeed the slowest miles were the first few. Food for thought and I can honestly say that the post-race feelings are as special as when I clocked doing just over 2 hours in the Sheffield half, in 2005, my very first race!

Splits:

10km: 44.57 (7.15 p/m)
10m: 1.12.52 (split addition 7.04 p/m)
1/2m: 1.33.41 (last split addition 7.01 p/m)