Hi C25K'ers Just a post I put on facebook a few days ago, race report from the Bolton Abbey Half Marathon. Sory for being so lazy copying and pasting! Have no energy and a bad knee!
Hi everyone sorry it has taken so long for an update. Well I did it and it was easily the hardest run I've ever done! It was also brilliant! You can see the elevation plot from my gps in dark grey shadow.
Logistically I messed up not bringing my watch so I used my phone in a running belt but didn't look at it during the race so had no idea how far or fast I was going. I also had it playing tool but didn't bother listening to it either as it was so peaceful. We got through the queues to the car park and thanks to my Mum & Dad and Steve, Yaxiang, Lesley, Pauline and Caitlin for coming to watch and cheer me on. It was really cold and must have been tough to stand around in that so much appreciated.
It started with a very steep climb in the first 2k right off the bat. I took it at a good pace, I was going to take it easier but pushed as much as I could while saving energy and wasn't out of breath but knew there were 19k and more hills to come. I was using my new trail shoes for the 1st time and they worked very well and had no issues with traction.
The scenery was very beautiful at the top and then some more descent, catching up to the 10k people down towards the river and back to the pavilion at about 15k, this is where the HM group goes and does the first big hill in reverse. I started to slow down a bit but did get a second wind and took over some more on the last ascent. It was very peaceful as you could see runners way off in the distance.
I had about 10 minutes during the last ascent where I felt like I had been floating around in space for years and just come into this body as something running around on 2 legs up a hill in an atmosphere. It was just me on my own for quite a lot going up and it was very peaceful. Then came the steep downhill to the finish..
My knee started to bother me for the 1st time at this point and I couldn't take advantage of the downhill phase so was overtaken by a few at this point. I descended out of some trees and saw the pavillion bridge ahead of me with all the spectators cheering and the finish line and when the route flattened managed to gain 2 more places, 13 miles down and sprinting towards the bridge and finish line when... a 4 by 4 pulled onto the bridge, blocking it and drove very slowly (as the bridge was also lined with spectators) across with me and then 2 other runners forced to walk behind it. 🤣 Oh well, then a last sprint to the finish, I got a bit lost as there was a u turn, another sprint and that was it. Finished 43rd chip and 44th gun which I am really delighted with out of 266 in 1:58:06
There was absolutely no way on earth I could have done it in anything near the Manchester time (would have been 6th....). That was a lot of climb, possibly the most I've done in one day including walking. I am impressed how people did it so fast, the 1st place was 1:22... Legs are still killing 2 days later but the knee is OK and the clicking sound has gone away.
I have attached some photos that were posted on the run for Manorlands page showing the ascent (last one) and the top of the first hill I think the other 2. It was a sell-out and really goods for Manorlands who raised lots of money so thank-you everyone for your amazing sponsorship and support! ❤️
xxx
Bournemouth HM - Race Report
