Humber-Half Marathon

With the only training 19 minutes HIiT training, I approached this race with some trepidation. However, on the Friday before the Sunday, I played football with great success. I wasn't tired, and I was happy.

On Sunday morning, though, I was hurting. My legs were stiff and my top foot tendons hurt to press on the clutch.

On the start line, too, I met some old teachers - Bob Bird and James Rowe.

Starting at 9:00 minutes miles, I decided the night before (or even Friday) that this was the best slow pace to do. On the day, I managed mostly 8:48 minute miles. This was only a minute slower than my current 10k pace. Most significantly, I didn't stop. Not once. I passed many people who did, or had indeed collapsed. I didn't.

My final time was 1:55:45. The clock on the line said differently, but my watch is accurate to me.

Although I felt a pride at this time, it is hard to feel pride when you are posting a time. http://misweb.cbi.msstate.edu/~rpearson/tables/mendist/menhlf30.html This is decent enough time - next time I will go for: 8:43 pace. Only eight seconds faster, but faster over the entire time.

Furthermore, I carbed up well on baked potatoes - four on the day before. I never ran out of energy. Was hydrated, although I needed to stop for the toilet.

It was good.

And the next race? Not this one. The next one... on the 25th July, the first weekend after I have broken up. I think I will attempt to do some sort of road trip arranged around road races... shall I? :-)

25th July Harrogate
31st July Lancaster
and the spartan race?

We'll see...

Castle Howard

I ran the fastest ever time I have have ever run today. It was, according the the miracle watch, 47:19. My next time? I should aim for 47:09. I really really really appreciate the steady progression of the age adjusted times.

I need six more 10ks until I progress under 45 minutes. I have, however, managed to progress at the rate of 4-5 10ks an improvement that I would expect after 16 10k races.

The day was a good temperature. I arrived late, but that was largely because of not leaving in time. However, as with many compromises, it didn't seem to matter too much. I did, though, not have chance to set my watch up, so I was running on pace rather than with a virtual running partner.

In the last few weeks I have been working out a tremendous amount. I have found the HIiT has made a huge difference. Long may it continue, especially without the impact training.

Another good thing was that I had a glucose sweet in the last 2k. I think that half of that sweet would have been even better.

I celebrated with some salmon, and measured portions of cous cous, a yoghurt (112 calories! Yikes!) and a banana. Yummy!