How Not to Prepare for a Half Marathon:
Start with a Cross Country race and two mid/longish distance training runs over three days, then with no rest days head for the hills and go fell-walking for three days, 'wild camping' (i.e. in the wild - up on the tops with no facilities, so you need to collect water on the way, carrying that and food, cooking gear, all your clothing for the trip and, of course, your 'accommodation').
Something like 45 miles and, I'm guessing, around a mile total climb.
One day of rest, but remaining on your feet all day, helping out at a race in the morning, then a bit of shopping before going to watch a local rugby match (Moseley v Bees) followed by the Ireland England match on the big screen at the ground, knocking back a few beers of course. Finally a birthday party, spending almost all the evening either standing or dancing.
That's how it shouldn't be done, and that's how I did it. No surprise really, then, that this morning my thighs were more than a little stiff.
We got to Stafford nice and early and chanced upon a car park really close to the finish, so we took a wander around checking out the start and finish areas and picked up our T-shirts. Our parkrun friends turned up shortly, in their space blankets saved from the Birmingham half marathon.
The race got going on time, and I'd already decided that I'd be happy to get round, never mind how long it might take, so Joe and I ran together until the first drinks station, which I ignored but Joe slowed to get water. That's where we parted company, and I was averaging about 7:30 to 7:40 miles, thinking I was going too fast and wouldn't be able to keep it up. There was a short two-way section with a U-turn where I missed Joe but saw Marion and Helen (Birchfield Harriers & Cannon Hill parkrun).
By about three miles I was struggling and thinking I really might not get round, and there were a few hills and bridges which had my leg muscles screaming and slowed my pace, but before too long I was beginning to find it a little easier, and around half way I'd decided that I was actually quite enjoying the race, as much as one can, and was beginning to take note of those around me and how we were each going through good an bad spells, overtaking and being overtaken but several faces (or backs) kept returning.
Aside from the effects of a couple more hills, my pace gradually picked up over the whole of the second half of the race, from about 8:20 at six miles to 7:25 at eleven and on the disused railway track I found I was overtaking more and more, and having to wait for gaps to squeeze through. Over the last two and a half miles I increased my pace further, almost an extended finish sprint, and was beginning to feel quite good despite the pain in my legs. About half a mile out I was watching for Fergal, who had said he be there and was - and gave me a huge lift and my pace increased again. the route snaked around the city centre streets and without my Garmin I'd have had no idea how far out I was, but turning into the short final straight I saw Hilary shouting for me, and the clock above the finish line. I threw everything I had into a sprint, though I was virtually spent by then. Apparently I managed to get up to 6:38 pace at the end. I knew though that I'd exceeded my own expectations and stopped my watch on 99 minutes dead.
Within three minutes of a PB!
After swapping congratulations with those around me (most of whom I'd just passed!) and getting my chip removed I made my way slowly along the funnel-cum-escape channel back round to Market Square, and once I'd gathered some breath wandered back up the course to see if I could see Joe come in. I first saw Barry and Paul from Sparkhill who had both finished before me, though Barry was disappointed with his time of around 1:31. Paul said little about his time, about a minute behind Barry, but I suspect he was fairly happy. His girlfriend Vicki was to come in about half an hour later.
Just as Barry and Paul headed off I saw Joe come past so gave him a good shout, which he later said he did hear, though it was quite noisy so he wasn't sure it was me. I headed back towards where we'd agreed to meet and then saw Mary coming in so gave her a shout too.
So all in all a good day, a pleasant enough course and very happy with my time, confirmed as officially 1:39:01. Enjoyed a couple of beers when we got back. Tomorrow I shall concentrate on staying awake at my desk. It may require a coffee or two.
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