Tonbridge Half Marathon Race Report 😁

[pianoteacher]

Yesterday I ran the Tonbridge Half Marathon. It was a bit of a last minute decision as I was supposed to be doing a 15 mile training run in preparation for my upcoming Beachy Head Marathon. When the was moved to next Sunday I decided to give this a go instead. Described as hilly and challenging it's also a race that counts towards my club's championship so it seemed an ideal choice.

It's an out and back pan handle course so as we ran out I knew that the ups and downs of the first 3 miles would be reversed on the way back. It all seemed very manageable - nothing too steep and you could see the brow of each hill which I find makes them psychologically much easier to deal with!

Having recently got a 10k PB on an undulating course I'd set myself a target time per mile based on this. Each mile passed and I was running really strongly and confidently and inside the time. It really is a beautiful course, mostly through country lanes, the highlight of which was the village of Leigh which we went through on the way out and the way back. The support from the villagers there was just amazing! Well organised by Nice Work I highly recommend it if you're in the South East.

At around mile 10 there was a steep climb which I managed to run up - I use the term run loosely - and then I suddenly started to feel really tired. The undulations of the way out suddenly appeared mountainous and I had to concede and do some walking. Even the downhills weren't providing me with any respite and I actually stopped at the water station at mile 12. I sort of got going again but was very pleased to see the 400m to go sign - it was honestly the longest 400m of my life! My boyfriend and son were near the finish line and were apparently cheering me on but I didn't hear or see them - I was so focused on reaching the finish line. I usually manage a bit of a spurt in the last 100m but not this time - I was absolutely spent.

I crossed the line in 2:05:50 - 7 and a half minutes quicker than my first HM 😁

Well done to everyone running this weekend particularly those doing their first HMs - 13.1 miles really is a very long way 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wow well done PT - what a fantastic time too! Hills on a HM would do me in I think, so massive kudos to you for tackling those. 🏃‍♀️👍👊🏅

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheeky! We're all mountain goats in Hastings as unless you run along the seafront there's always a massive hill at some point 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Pretty similar to here in Bristol, although fortunately our 10k and HM routes are pretty flat (not entirely as advertised though!) 😅

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done pianoteacher, a PB time for a half marathon in a lovely part of the country. You should be so proud of what you have achieved. So great to have the support when you’ve crossed that finish line too. I’m sure your boys will understand you not noticing them at the time . 🏃‍♀️👏👏👏🏆🎖🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy! They said I looked dreadful so I think they forgave me for not acknowledging them. They'd been for a massive breakfast plus pudding - who has pudding at 11 in the morning?!? - so they were quite happy 😁

[alisonx]

Wow huge congratulations, and what a way to smash your previous attempt!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to alisonx]

Thanks alison 😀

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Nice going Marie. Sounds like a great run, if a little challenging. Another PB to tick of though so well done. 13.1 is ideed a very long way!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks Dave! It doesn't matter what distance I race it always seems a bit too far 🤣

[Hidden]

Brilliant race Marie. The thing about hilly courses is that you can make up a lot of time and pace on the downward bits, but the uppy bits take their toll. I beat my 10k PB by 10 minutes at Blenheim 10k last year, but by 7k i was really struggling and i nearly fainted at the end of the race (should have kept walking for a bit!). but really well done, that's an awesome time! xxx

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick! A 10 min PB over 10k is huge - we'll done!

I actually prefer hills - the changes of pace and effort you mention there really suit me. One of my running club friends suggested I try a flat HM to break 2 hours but I honestly think I'd find it harder - it's just too relentless xx

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

I prefer hills too. I had a huge problem adapting when we moved here which is flat. Xx

[backintime 10 Miles]

Amazing - 7 and a half minutes better!

You must have been going some to improve by so much and walk a bit even!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to backintime]

Thank you backintime 😀 I do have some speed (although not enough for sprints or middle distance) it's endurance that I'm lacking in. Going to keep plugging away until hopefully that comes🤞

[misswobble Marathon]

Great job 😃💪🏃‍♀️🌪✊👊. Job done ✅. Well done for hanging in there I usually stop at the water station too.

The undulations are tiring, no two ways about it, and facing them on the return leg can be draining. You held out though. Congratulations 😃👍🏅

I hope you’re feeling ok now 🙂

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks miss wobble! All good now thanks although I don't intend to run until Wednesday. I've been doing a lot of mileage (for me) in prep for the marathon at the end of the month - time to cut back a bit now I think xx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

I ran today as I like to give my legs a shake out. My ankles were dead niggly at first but fine by the time I got home

Enjoy your our taper 😃👍

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles]

Well done Marie!! Your progression is outstanding! Yep 13.1 is a LONG way. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😁x

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

Thanks Alka! It's a stupidly long way - we've certainly made some progress in the last 18 months 😎

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Well done PT! Sounds like you had a tough time but you got through it and live to run another day!

There were so many of us out doing various challenges yesterday and we all did it🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🙂👍 That’s got to say something about C25K and all the support we’ve received here!😊👏👏👏

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Thanks David! It was great that so many of us were all out there together yesterday. You're absolutely right couch25k and these forums are amazing 😁

[GeorgiosA Marathon]

Well done! It is a tough course - I haven't ran it, but have cycled parts of it, and am not in any rush to run it, despite being local!

You mention your club championship? Is that club PWAC? If yes , hello from a fellow member

I'll be in Beachy Head too - doing the 10k... Best of luck with your preparation for the Marathon!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to GeorgiosA]

Thanks Georgios! I'm a Hastings Runner - great that you're in a club too. I was 4th lady back for my club yesterday (most of the fast ones weren't there 😂) so I've bagged myself quite a few championship points.

Good Luck with your Beachy 10k xx

[GeorgiosA Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Oh Hastings! I got a couple of online friends from there - Ben & Lucy - I think Ben ran Tonbridge Half too, and Lucy is running Beachy Head

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to GeorgiosA]

OMG it's a small world! I've done quite a bit of running with them - they're lovely 😊

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Congratulations PT! That is a great improvement so the challenge really paid off!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker 😄

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Fantastic time on an undulating course, no wonder you were spent! Well done 👍🏻😁

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks JoJo 😁

[Irish-John Marathon]

Well done and great time!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you xx

[BethMay Half Marathon 10 Miles]

Aaaah well done lovely Marie! Storming it! xxx

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to BethMay]

Thanks Beth! Huge well done to you too xx

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Great report - well done on your half marathon and fantastic speedy time!👍 I have had those runs - where you are just hanging on for the finish line and putting in a sprint finish is a step too far! (see what I did there😉).

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra 😁

[Windoze Half Marathon]

Awesome time! Great report! 😎😎🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🍾🍾🍾

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Windoze]

Thank you xx

[Runsome Marathon]

Well done. Stronger and stronger💪👍😀

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Runsome]

Thanks Del! Just got to sort my parkrun out now - need to get on with lowering my PB as everyone I know is catching me up and overtaking me. Daniel's trying to break 23mins and his Dad who has only just started training ran 23:40 at Eastbourne on Saturday 😳

[Runsome Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

They are really good times and I’m sure you will be there too once you get your long distance Training and BHM done 👍😀

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Wow well done Marie that’s amazing!

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha xx

[CandyCool Marathon]

Wow that is an amazing time. You must be so proud of yourself. I have no idea how I’d claw 50 mins back!! Many congratulations 🏆🥇👍🏻

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to CandyCool]

Thank you xx

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Wow - massive congratulations!!!!

This one's going on my list 😊😊😊

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi! You'll love it 😀

[Macmac Marathon]

Amazing result! Well done - and on hills too. Great stuff!! 👏🏻👏🏻

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Macmac]

Thanks Macmac 😀