Well, that was wet. No, I mean really wet! The rain in rained like a rainy thing. Pretty blowy in places too. Not ideal conditions then.
After a brief chat with the coach (she was running too) that went along the lines of "Not too fast at the start!" we headed for the pens. She towards the front, me a little further back than that... The plan was for a steady first two miles and pick the pace up to come in under 2:10. So off we went, following the start shuffle. And after a little bit of bottleknecking it settled down okay.
And the first two miles were too quick, not surprisingly. But it felt okay, I was into a rhythm and slotted in amongst a crowd trotting along at a similar pace, but with a fair bit of room.
So the first part of the plan was a bust, but I felt comfortable at the pace and was still on target for the finish. All good.
There's a lump in the course somewhere near mile 7 or 8 that slowed me down a little. And, to be honest, took a bit out of me. I'd recovered from the hill, but was struggling to keep the pace after that. By mile 10 it was pretty clear that I'd mistimed it. And it was pretty much all pain from there. Then there was the last mile. Bloody hell, that hill!
I managed to pick my feet up for the last few yards, but was completely spent on the line, and I obviously didn't look good, St John's hovering menacingly as I tried not to keel over. Composed myself sufficiently to remain upright though and staggered to collect a hard fought medal.
2:11:23. Which, considering the conditions and that bloody hill in the last mile, I'm not unhappy with.
My turn for Forest of Dean Half race report!
Feel ready for the half marathon 
Virtual half marathon race report
Spitsbergen Marathon (half)
