I've always been one to do things at the last minute. Homework for school was always done in that way and packing to go on holiday definitely falls into that category too. So to today. I was pretty good in that I prepared my kit the night before, including attaching my number to my vest. Then came the timing chip attachment. Here was the first challenge, and I hadn't even made it to bed ahead of the race itself! I gave in, despite a few Facebook pictures showing how it might be done. As it turned out, those pictures were fine even though not matching the official direction I received on arriving at the start. This was round 9 of the Petts Wood Runners Grand Prix and so it was great to meet up with a number of fellow Petts Wood Runners, and competitors. Early on, I bumped into Richard, after he exited the portaloos complaining there was no water to wash his hands. David arrived at that point and suggested he use the bowl! Richard headed back but soon reappeared stating it wasn't quite working for him. Good move. Off we went to the clubhouse and around 9:15am, there was a call out for a club photo. Richard, who had decided not to run today, was the chosen one to take the photo. Then technology got in the way as he appeared to have difficulty finding the right button to press. Either that or a dodgy phone. All was fine in the end and everyone headed off to the start line. For PWR, there was a large contingent that started right at the back due to the late departure from the clubhouse. I was undecided until fairly late as to what I should do pace wise. On the one hand, my plan was saying 9:25 per mile but equally I was thinking I was in the best place I'd ever been to squeeze under 2 hours. I'd set my mile paces into my watch but only decided to use them at the last minute, literally as I joined the starting pack! The first few miles were rather uneventful, although at the back of my mind was a worry I may have gone off too quickly. However, as I progressed, I felt comfortable that all was good. A couple of short sharp hills in the first 5 miles didn't do any damage and I felt good. As I got to 8 miles and just beyond, it was nice to receive some support from friends, first Eden and Alex, soon followed by Mag and John at a milestone turn for me - the point at which I would head on my way towards Gore Hill, a hideous ascent with an increase in gradient around half way into its approximate half mile distance. Mike Reeves, Petts Wood Runners track coach, appears at a a few events where PWRs are present and makes some great YouTube videos for us to look back on. Today was no different and after showing his face early on, he moved himself to Gore Hill! I had tried to conserve some energy before starting my ascent and to start with, things seemed relatively good. Gravity gradually got the better of me and I slowed significantly as I headed towards Mile's position. I could hear him up ahead and soon saw his Mod bike. As I approached him, expecting a supportive comment, I heard, "Come on, my Gran could run faster than that!" That is the sort of comment I would have expected in my days as a football referee from a physio sent on to the pitch with a message from the manager! Luckily, all of us at PWR know Mike's enthusiasm for us all to succeed rises well above that and so it brought a chuckle and a smile in my case. The top of the hill meant that horror was out of the way. For me though, there were still challenges ahead. Although I dislike hills, they seem to give me a focus while the flat sections sometimes seem difficult. So with my legs still recovering from that hill, the next short flat section proved mentally tough. There were enough other runners around though to hang on to which saved me the effort of pacing. I knew there was a nice downhill towards Central Park coming and I couldn't wait to reach it. Well into the last 2 miles, I looked at my watch and tried to assess whether or not a sub 2 hour time was on. I determined it was touch and go and so continued at the pace I had established since the top of the hill. I reached the park and on looking to my left, saw the finish. The trouble was, we were diverted right! Ouch! Having been here twice before, I knew that turn was coming although it didn't make it any easier! I kept an eye on my watch. I knew we would finish up with a lap of the track and so I tried to calculate the likelihood of breaking through 2 hours. I knew it was touch and go. I was feeling so tired at this point that I considered walking but this thought was quickly trumped by how disappointed I would be if I missed the milestone by a few seconds. As I reached the final section, I took strength from the spring of the blue track. In the back straight was Richard, positively encouraging me, and every other PWR, over those last few yards. The home straight arrived and I knew my goal was there for the taking. A final push and I crossed the line. I stopped my watch just beyond the line but didn't know for sure whether I had achieved or not. As I passed the tables loaded with bananas and muffins as well as water, I was able to see my watch showed 1:59:52, later confirmed as official. Well, that certainly did cut it fairly fine! A fellow PWR had joked yesterday that I might go quicker if I lost my beard. I had also been nagged recently by my 9 year old daughter that it had become a bit prickly and it needed to go! So, I caved and it disappeared. Who knows whether cutting it fine may have saved me a second or two today. Maybe it leaves the door open for Hastings HM next week, where I was around three minutes quicker last year than at Dartford. We shall see!
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ABOUT MEHaving completed 5 marathons between 1999 and 2016, I decided this year, I would try to do it properly and plan my training! Alongside, I wanted to keep a blog as it went along, partly to look back on, and partly to help anyone else who may benefit from my own experiences. Archives
November 2023
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