This has taken a week to write, as I went on holiday the day afterwards, but I thought I should share my experience of Stockport trail half on 16th Feb. Partly because I love reading others experience of runs and partly in case anyone is interested in running it next year.
So the run was on the Sunday in the middle of Storm Dennis. The communication from the organisers was really amazing, keeping people update from the Friday that the race was still on and what circumstances would mean they had to cancel. Then updates on Saturday, with slight changes to where things were to account for the weather. We got there at 8 and were immediately greeted by a super friendly volunteer assisting with parking and the words "it's on!".
There was a bit of waiting around at the start, partly because I had got there so early as I was worried the journey might take a bit longer due to the storm. I said no to my friend offering me a banana - I would regret this later!
The carpark was right next to the bag drop, so I left my stuff in the car and went down to the start in my shorts and t shirt (with hindsight also probably a bad idea), where they did a quick briefing and got us going.
It's a really pretty trail run, plenty of lovely countryside to look at as you go along. Partly along the middlewood way and partly next to the canal. It was a lot flatter than I'd expected from entering a trail run, but there were lots of lovely muddy puddles. Despite the terrain being consistent, my pace was all over the place and I also got really hungry after about 5 miles in. I had one gel (normally I struggle with these), but do think the banana before the start and a second gel with me would have been a good idea.
Two new experiences for me. This was my third half marathon, the other two were much bigger events (Reading and Manchester) with loads of runners and spectators. I am confident with the distance now, so I really enjoyed it, but I think in those first two the crowds really helped keep me going when I was really struggling getting to the end. It was also the first time I've gone to a race with a running friend. While I do run with a club, racing has been something I go off and do on my own previously. I really enjoyed it and definitely makes me feel I'm becoming a bit more confident with my running and starting to feel a little bit like I belong!
I seem to have gone on a bit more than I intended, but if anyone's thinking of this race next year I would really recommend it! Good luck to everyone with their spring half marathons approaching.
Half + Half = FULL 🏃🏼♀️❤️
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