This is a short(ish) post and review of the Southend half marathon which I ran yesterday.
This wasn’t originally intended to be my first half marathon. I got a place in the ballot for the Royal Parks half later in the year but with plenty of time to prepare I thought I could fit in another half marathon before then and have enough time to prepare for both.
In preparation I looked at several half marathon plans but in the end I just made it up as I went along. Three runs a week, two of between 5 and 7km and a long slow run at the weekend gradually increasing the distance.
The weather was warm and sunny, enough to warrant a precautionary covering with factor 30.
The course started in Shoebury and after a couple of kilometres reached the seafront. Then it was along the shore to Southend and back, twice, before heading back inland to Shoebury for the finish.
The event was really well organised and the volunteer marshals were great. There was plenty of water provided and also wet sponges. I still haven’t worked out a way to drink from a cup while running! There was a good crowd along most of the route giving plenty of encouragement and there was no shortage of jelly babies and haribo on offer. My mother told me never to accept sweets from strangers, but I guess this is the exception.
As this was my first half marathon my main target was to just to finish, and hopefully under two and a half hours. I crossed the line in 2 hours and 13 minutes exactly! That was much better than I could ever have expected.
I would recommend this race to anybody as a first half marathon. It’s a nice flat course and very well supported. It is organised by, and in aid of, Havens Hospice, a really good local charity. As much as I am looking forward to the Royal Parks later in the year I can’t see how it could possibly be better than this.
Next year will be the 25th running of the event and I will definitely be on the start line.
Written by
Sigered
Half Marathon
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Thanks! Not so sure about the pictures. I have never seen a good picture yet of me running. They all seem to make me look like I am walking instead of flying along like Mo Farah which is how I think I look. 😂😂😂
Wow well done and congratulations for doing this. I have felt some butterflies as I signed up for one too in October. Now I have a challenge. Your finish time was great.
Thank you very much so dreading it and looking forward to it at the same time. I have signed up for the Birmingham half marathon in support of dementia. Thank you for the inspiration.
Great race report Sigered! Well done on a fab time - it sounds as though you really enjoyed the experience😀. Your training plan sounds very similar to the one I adopted when I ran a half - sometimes it pays not to overthink these things! Rest up well and enjoy your bling and good luck with the Royal Parks Half later in the year.🙂
Thanks. Now that the half marathon is out of the way I am going to take a short break from running, maybe only doing parkrun I then have a 10k in London in July and after that the training starts for the Royal Parks.
Keep us updated on your preparations for the Royal Parks!
That sounds like a perfect day 👍😃🏃♂️🏅. Well done. It all went to plan which is a relief isn’t it I stop to drink rather than get a face full and choking myself 😃
Well done! I was about a minute behind you which was far better than I expected. It was a great day and yes a flat course except for that cheeky short hill after mile 11! 😳
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