Surprised myself at 2nd HM

[Bazza1234]

I had intended to run/walk my second HM at around the same pace of my 1st. I had no ambitions for anything "faster" because I am still daunted by the distance and attempts at this distance are so few and far between it is difficult to get an idea of just how "fit for the purpose" I am ( as opposed to weekly 5K's at parkrun) .

My last HM averaged 7:30 mins per k for a 2 hours 37 mins finish - and , although I must admit that I had done the calculations as to what average pace an "under 2;30" time would require, it turned out that this pace would have to be quicker than my recent 10K PB pace of 7:10 mins per K. When I collected my race bib at the Marathon Expo centre, I did download a wrist band for a 2hours 30 finish - pacing times for each klm marker - but on the morning I decided not to even wear it because there was no chance that I would be anywhere even close to the pace required.

So - off we went ( with 10,000 other starters on the annual Gold Coast Half Marathon) - I started right at the back because i figured that it didn't matter where I started because my "Nett" time is the important time - and seeing as how I was intending to run/walk this race, I didn't want to be a nuisance to real runners !! BUT - within 20 minutes of starting, my run/walk device went Kaput - flat battery!!! So I was left to my own devices after that - I resorted to my "long distance fartlekking" strategy - pick some thing a couple of hundred yards ahead, run to it and then walk for a short while ( usually around 60 paces) At the 10K mark, my watch was showing that I was averaging 7 mins per k - 10 seconds faster than my 10K PB pace - I wondered how long I could hold this?? 6 k later it had fallen to 7:02 pace and I was getting tired - theoretically I could let it fall to 7:09 pace and could still crack the 2 hours 30 mins time. At 17K , I realised that my garmin was reading a bit fast - it was showing 17.15K at the 17 K marker - - a quick mental calculation on the run told me that I was really averaging around 7:06 per k and couldn't afford to lose much ,more over the final 4K. So, over the last few K's I pushed myself as hard as I could knowing that I would have only seconds to spare if that at the finish. I finished so hard that in the final 250 metres of the finish chute, I HAD to stop and walk!!!!!! But - lo and behold - an official finish time of 2hours 28minutes 44 seconds!!!

I am not really one to worry too much about running pace and times - and certainly not to constantly strive to better them But, for me this "under 2:30" is a bit like that magical " under 30 mins) for the 5K - I have done that once and have no ambition now to better it - and this HM PB will probably remain with me forever. I do have to revisit my 10K time however - because now my HM PB pace is faster than my 10K PB pace

As for a full marathon - I don't really think so . I don't think I have the legs for it!!

[Dunnja]

Well done you, superb result xx

[AncientMum Graduate10]

Such a great time Bazza. The race atmosphere does lift us, but even with that in mind, you did brilliantly. Well done m'dear

[AnnieW55]

Well done Bazza, great result. That's the sort of time I'm aiming for on my HM in October, so you have shown me the way - thank you.

Know what you mean about starting near the back. At my last 10k I was the last in my wave by a good few yards, my husband thought he'd missed me passing him by, I had to shout to him 😀

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

Great result well done. I find it amazing how many calculations we can do in our head while running. I'm the sort of person if you ask me a mathmatical question any time I start with ummmmmmm. But while running I do so many pace related calculations without even hesitating at all. Look after yourself the next few days and allow your body to heal. Well done again.

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Well done. That's a brilliant achievement and well deserved payback for all your efforts.

[Noaky12 Graduate10]

Well done Bazza! You've put the training hours in so this is a well deserved outcome for you. Now where's the pic of the bling please???

[Bazza1234 Graduate10 in reply to Noaky12]

The bling was pretty boring really - so much so that I can't be bothered photographing it!!! But the local scenery was very good - female runners I mean!!!!

[Noaky12 Graduate10 in reply to Bazza1234]

Lol. Trust you Bazza!!!

[Zev1963]

Well done, I know what you mean about starting at the back. I always start at the back on Parkrun, I'd rather move up throught the field if I can than be in everyone elses way