Bath Half Marathon: Race Report

I hope you’re sitting comfortably, as this may be a long post, but yesterday I ran my first half marathon, so indulge me a little! :D

Woke early on Sunday - it was a gorgeous day; sunny but cool - perfect for running. We got the most packed train into Bath (think Central Line at 6pm on a Friday!). I was slightly concerned by my lack of nerves - was I denial or did I actually feel as though I’d done enough preparation..?

All my stuff ready, the night before.

My primary goal for this race was just to get round. I’d run 12.5 miles in training in around 2:40, and knowing that I always run a bit faster in races, I was hoping for a time of 2:35 - 2:40, with a secret 'I’d-be-over-the-moon‘ time of 2hrs 30mins.

Headed off to the slow runners’ pen (i.e. the last one!) and eventually crossed the start line at 13 minutes. All was good for the first mile, then my calf began to twinge. It felt *so* tight and I could feel it all the way down my calf and into my foot. I kept going for another mile or so, but it became too painful. I had awful visions of having to pull out after only two miles! I ran across to the pavement and really stretched my leg out, fortunately it felt fine after that and didn’t give me any hassle for the rest of the race. Phew!

Amy and I before the race

Bath is a two lap course, so my plan was to run 11 minute miles for the first lap and then aim for 12 minute miles to mile 10 and then hope I could struggle through the last 3 miles. The first lap flew by and I managed to match my 10km PB, so all was going well :) The longest race I’d previously run was the Great South Run which is 10 miles (in October). I’d hit a huge wall at 8 miles and really struggled with the last two, so I was expecting this to happen again (although hopefully further on than mile 8!). Mile 8 came and went, then I was halfway round the second lap, still feeling fine. I passed mile 10 (just over 15 minutes quicker than my Great South Run time! :D), legs still felt strong. Around the 12 mile sign, my legs started to tire and feel a bit sore, but I thought with just over a mile to go I wasn’t about to slow down or stop now! The last mile was a gentle uphill (just what you want at that point in the race!), I turned a corner and could see the finish line, a final push for the last 200 metres and I was done! :)

Me getting my sprint on at the end :D
(C) Marathon Photos

There was a long, cold wait for drinks, timing chip removal, medals and goody bags (not great planning by the organisers - 11,000 people going through an alley less than 5 metres wide). There is and has been many moans about the Bath half in terms of organisation, but I must just comment on the crowd support - it was amazing. There was barely an inch of the course thata didn't have people cheering the runners on, and in several sections the crowds were 5 people deep! People had steroes playing music out of their windows, chairs set up in their front gardens and children wanting high fives! It makes such a difference hearing cheers and shouts of encouragement all the way round. I thought the atmosphere during the race was brilliant :)

The Bath website has been down since the race finished (again, not great), but I finally received an email this morning confirming my time as 2hours 20 minutes and 25seconds! :D

Needless to say, I have a very big grin on my face! Aside from the last mile, I’m surprised at how comfortable I found the whole thing - I guess the training has been working. I can’t wait to do my next one, and will definitely have my sights on a sub 2:15 time :)

Short Long Run and Body Pump!

Although last week was my last long long run (12 miles) before Bath Half Marathon, today was still long run day - just a short one! I can't believe I'm actually calling a 6.5 mile run short - I sound like one of those annoying runner types! :D

Decided to go along the canal towpath, although it was more puddles than path in places!


Legs felt good throughout, and 6 miles felt like a breeze compared to my recent runs in excess of 9 miles. Can't believe my first half marathon is on Sunday! I keep alternating between total denial ("its not really happenening"), to complete delusion ("I'm definitely going to finish in under 90 minutes") to utter panic ("why on earth did I enter this?").

Went to my first body pump class in the evening - in a bid to try new exercises and also do more strength training - body pump ticked both boxes. Arrived at the class and told the instructor I was new etc, she helped me get some equipment (weights, step, matt). When deciding what weights to give me, she said 'you look pretty fit - you're a runner right?' and started selecting some heavy looking weights! "Don't be fooled", I said "I hardly ever lift weights!" I realise now, that perhaps wearing my 'Grim Race: Survivor' t-shirt might have given her the wrong impression! ;)


I made myself a scrummy tuna pasta bake when I got home - tuna, mixed veg (sweetcorn, peas carrots) and wholewheat pasta in a creamy tomato sauce topped with cheese (that's two portions in the picture by the way!).


Now to start my mental preparation for Sunday's race (and the carb loading of course!) :P

New Shoes!

I decided to bite the bullet and get some new running shoes today. These are quite overdue, but due to budget and time issues I haven't got around to getting new ones. I went to Sweatshop in Woking, where the lovely people helped me out.


The analysed my gait, and I tried on about five different pairs of shows - its amazing the differences you can feel - even between seemingly simlar shoes! After trying several of the shoes out on the instore treadmill, I am now the proud owner of a pair of New Balance WR1063 trainers!


I now have just one week to decide whether to wear these for Bath Half or to stick with my old, but knackered trainers - any thoughts?

Last Long Run...

...Before Bath Half. A 12 miler scheduled for today - my longest distance ever. Had my usual porridge breakfast, waited a couple of hours and got ready to go. Packed some Dextro energy tabs, lucozade and jelly beans for fuel.

My running fuel

Route was all planned out, so off I set. First 2 miles were okay, except I realised I need the loo, so had to make a little detour to Fleet train station to use their toilets (classy lady!). I struggled a bit around mile 3-4. It was a mental wobble, mainly because I realised I was only 1/4-1/3rd of the way through the run :(

Miles 4-9 were really good - I ran 95% of the distance and my legs felt strong :) I'd planned out a loop route, but as I got near mile 6, I reaslied that the second half of the run was mainly on the road (whereas the first half had been through woodland, around the pond and along the canal). I decided I wanted to stay off the road, so just turned around and went back the way I came. Its so much more tranquil off the road, with a lot less distractions and obstacles!

Basingstoke Canal

Legs got really tired around mile 9-10, and my knees started to hurt, which I haven't experienced before, I walked the majority of this mile, but the rest did me good and I was able to run the rest of the way home. The last 2 miles were tough, mentally and physically, but then I find the last 2 miles are always tough, no matter how far you run!

The trouble with off road running, is that its a lot muddier than pavements! My shoes were in a right state at the end!

My muddy shoes - think they'll need a wash!

Finally got home, and was starving! Well, breakfast had been some 6 hours earlier! I wanted something quick and satisfying, so had beanfeast (with added grated carrot and courgette), chips and cheese and a peach yogurt for after! It looks like a very unhealthy meal, but its actually not too bad. Around 600 calories for the meal and a good 50/25/25 split.

My beanfeast, chips and cheese combo :)

Slightly disappointed that the pace is so slow, as I know I kept a good pace for the middle 7 miles or so. I guess the walking didn't help and I had to stop a couple of times to stretch out. Will hopefully be quicker in two weeks! I know I'll be able to get round though, whatever the time. And, as I must keep reminding myself, my aim is just to finish - it'll be a PB whatever my time is! :)

Length: 12.27 miles
Time: 2hrs 35mins 50secs
Pace: 12:42 min/mile
Calories Earnt: 822

Bath Half Marathon

Just a quick update; I've entered Bath Half Marathon which takes place on March 7th 2010. Along with keeping this blog updated, I've also started a new blog tracking my progress as I train for my first ever half marathon!

You can read this new blog here. (http://rachels13point1.blogspot.com/). :)