Southend Half Marathon

[Sigered]

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.

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Congratulations! Sounds like a great half marathon to start off your HM career🏃‍♂️🙂It’s an excellent cause too👍👍

Your plan seems to have worked well for you so a great result all round. Bravo! 👏👏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Congratulations on your first half marathon - in a fabulous time too! The photo says it all

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

The photo was taken at about 10 miles and I think the jelly babies had just kicked in.

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Congrats on a great race! You should be pleased as punch with that time!

[Couchpotato2 Marathon]

Congratulations! Sounds indeed like a lovely race and you did a smashing time for it as well, very impressed. Well done 👍🏻

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

This is fabulous - well done!!!!! And I LOVE that photo 😊😊😊

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

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. 😂😂😂

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Fantastic! Sounds like a great day. Well done 👍💪😁🏅

Glad you had fun 😄

[Tony_68]

Well done, great post, I thought it was just me who has to mastered the running and drinking water 😊

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Tony_68]

Luckily I took my own bottle round with me so most of the water from the cups ended up being poured over my head to cool down.

[Deals1 Metric Marathon]

Congratulations!!

excellent and great pics!

[AceitGirl]

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.

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to AceitGirl]

Thanks! Good luck for October! Which race have you signed up for?

[AceitGirl in reply to Sigered]

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.

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Congratulations! It sounds like you had a perfect 1st half marathon experience. An amazing time as well! Nice pictures too. 🎉🏃🏻🏅

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

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.🙂

[Madge50 Marathon]

Well done, great time! 💪👍🏅🏃‍♂️

Mx

[Biddy62 Half Marathon]

Congratulations! That’s a great time for your first HM.🏅🎉🏃🏾‍♂️

I’m still saving myself for the Royal Parks and hoping for under 2.30. Sure you’ll be even faster then. Well done!! 👍🏻😊

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Biddy62]

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!

[Biddy62 Half Marathon in reply to Sigered]

Will do! Which London 10K are you running? A group of us are doing the Asics one on 21st. 😊

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to Biddy62]

I’m doing the Adidas City Run on July 14th in Shoreditch.

[Biddy62 Half Marathon in reply to Sigered]

That should be a good one too. Good luck!

Let us all know how you get on!

I’m also doing the Brentwood 10K on 7th July. 😬

[O505k Half Marathon]

Congratulations, really well done. Fabulous achievement🎉🎉

[misswobble Marathon]

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 😃

Good luck with your next one. 💪👍😃🏃‍♂️

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done. Cracking time for your first HM

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

I don't think anyone has mastered cup drinking on the run. You have clearly mastered HM running though, well done.

[ClareO65 Half Marathon]

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! 😳

[Sigered Half Marathon in reply to ClareO65]

Yes, that hill! It was only short but it came at completely the wrong time.