Southend Half Marathon - 1:54:53 - Happy with the PB and running in 25 degrees is hard!

[Aftabs]

Hi all!

So the last two months of training came to a head today on a gloriously sunny day in Southend...well it was glorious for all the non runners...for us runners it was a bit less glorious :-).

My training to date has been to try to finish around 1 hour 50 mins, but that wasn't possible in today's heat. I got to Southend nice and early, with a friend who was running his first HM, and it was already hot at 8:30am. We got ready and hung around near the beach for a while. I warmed up (warmed up even more that is) and was raring to go.

I was aiming for a much faster time than my friend so as soon as we when through the starting funnel I pulled away to move up to a slot where the runners were going closer to my pace. I ran the first 3kms very quickly (15:20) and then settled into a more steady pace. I was still hoping for a time around 1hr 50 mins but realised after a few more kms that it just wouldn't be possible in the heat. So I set myself to aim for a 1hr 55 min time and did a quick bit of mental maths to work out what I would splits I would need to achieve it.

As an aside I was running close to an older chap who after a few kms was making what I would describe as a moaning sound with every other breath. At about 10km another runner quipped that the guy sounded like he felt! The older chap said he was using a deep breathing technique but I am sure the moaning must have been using a lot of energy!

Anyway there were plenty of water stations along the route where they were giving out cups and sponges. This is the first time I have ever used cups during a run and it is very difficult. I couldn't take much in and later in the run I started to stop at the water station and gulp the water down before running again. I also started to tip half the cup over my head to cool me down!

If you follow the link at the bottom of this post you will see the route, it was mainly flat and it included running along the coast to the town, then back, then back to the town and then back again! The good thing with the route was that I could see a lot of people I knew running on the other side of the road along the route. It appeared that half of the regular runner at Barking Parkrun were there, so I exchanged a few encouragements to them as we crossed paths. When I passed my friend the second time we exchanged a high five.

I had three gels in my pocket and I had them at 7km, 12km and 16km, it definitely helped me get through the run.

When I got to 16km I told myself that it was only a Parkrun to go, so even though I was close to exhaustion I pushed myself on. I looked at my Garmin saw that if I hung on I should get a sub 1:55. At about the 17.5km mark we left the coast and turned left, there was a slight incline but it felt like a mountain at that stage. I tried to up my pace at but it wasn't possible, I increased my effort but the times stayed the same.

My Dad came along with me to spectate and when I was 1km from the end I passed him walking back to the start and shouted over to him, I very much wanted to walk back with him but knew I was so close so I kept plugging away. There were a few twists and turns at the end and then I saw a "300m" to go sign and decided now was the time to go for it. I went from doing 5:45 min/km pace to 4:20 min/km pace and kept it up.

It was an amazing feeling running through at the end with all the spectators cheering us on and made it all well worth it. When I finished my legs turned to jelly and I had to lean on a post while a marshall took off my timing chip.

So overall a challenging experience but well worth it. I have now run two HM races and both were very challenging, you can read this post to see how difficult my previous one was:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Thanks to everyone who reached the end of this mammoth post. Here is a link to my run and happy running all!

connect.garmin.com/activity...

[janda Graduate]

Well done Aftabs!! Congratulations on a brilliant time in difficult heat. All that hard work really paid off and especially good with that sprint finish. Get some rest and enjoy the success. James

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to janda]

Thanks James and I hope you recover in time for the Hackney HM. I am not too achy today but do feel tired so will be using that as an excuse to eat a lot!

[c4ts Graduate]

Great run Aftabs, glad you managed in the heat.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to c4ts]

Thanks, it was very trying but worth it in the end.

[Becca66 Graduate]

Wow, well done! I can't believe people have the breath to talk during a half marathon. And to have the energy for a fast finish.... amazing!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Becca66]

I only shouted the odd word of encouragement but there were people around me who were holding conversations the whole way around! Also the fast finish is more mind over body, there is always something left in the tank if you pace yourself, it is just a matter of accepting the pain and going for it!

[Lovefood1984 Graduate]

Well done glad to see you managed to fit your race number under the c25k graduate logo, not sure there is as much room on the female top but I'll give it a go during my first ever competitive race tomorrow! (Dead nervous already so any tips welcome!)

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Lovefood1984]

I had to make sure the C25K logo was visable! Good luck for your race today. There is no need to be nervous, the volunteers at races are always great and give encouragement. Just focus on the time that you want and don't get sucked into running with the very fast guys. Let us know how it goes.

[Lovefood1984 Graduate in reply to Aftabs]

Hi Aftabs, thanks for the advice, I'll try to not get sucked in and will update you all on my progress later

[tanyag_163 Graduate]

Very amazing run given the heat. Congratulations.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to tanyag_163]

Thanks!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

blimey..thats amazing...well done bionic man!!!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks JJ. I'll be have a bit of a rest now

[mrqwest Graduate]

Well done buddy, that's a great time too! No idea how you managed it in the heat!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to mrqwest]

Thanks. I think it was a case that once you commit to doing something you just have to follow through. Had I known what the heat was going to be like in advance I wouldn't have signed up and could have gone to the funfair that my wife went to with the kids!

[notbad Graduate]

Oh my gosh, I don't know how you put on that 4.20 spurt, amazing - well done Aftab!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to notbad]

Thanks! I decided to use the little energy that I had left but it was painful.

[Windswept1 Graduate]

Good stuff, well done.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Windswept1]

Thank you

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Brilliant effort and brilliant report, Aftab. 5:45m/k, I can comprehend.....4:20 is beyond my experience. Well done!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks!