Valencia HM: "Vamos!Vamos!"

[Teresa1632]

I signed up for this HM as part of the Superhalfs series, where there are 6 HMs in the series, completion of all 6 earns a Superhalf Medal. Being the shallow person I am, there is nothing like an extra large medal to attract my attention.When I signed up, I didn't look at too much if the detail- just the date & where I could get a flight from. So it was a bit of a shock when I checked out the run the day before, and found the cut off was 2hr.30m. Eeek! I'm a slow runner by choice, I like being at the back with the fancy dress ones - far more fun, and the medal/t-shirt is the same. My PB is 2.25!

I asked about the cut off at the Expo, and was told that it is strictly adhered to, anyone not making the time is disqualified & has to get the bus back. No medal either.

So the pressure was on. At the start line, stewards were very strict about the wave pens, and they also formed a chain at the top of each wave, so no one could get ahead of the pack. It was all very serious. Lots of tense faces around, not what I'm used to at all. I also learned there was a cut off at the 10k mark , so disqualification could come early.

Added to the tension was that I have a niggle in my achilles- push too hard and I could be stretchered off. Arrrgh.

So, it was hard to relax and get into the zone. As we got to every water station the shout was "Vamos! Vamos!" Take a gulp of water and keep running! All the iconic sights passed in a blur. It became hotter than Satan's armpit. I stopped once to take on a gel and everyone was flying past.

I was never as glad to see the count down markers from the last 900m, and the blue mat at the finish! I made it with 2 minutes to spare. Glancing behind me, there were a lot of runners still out on the course - I have no idea what happened to them.

Valencia is a good place to compete and get a PB if that's your goal - the course is flat.

I was happy to get it done within the time. It felt more clinical than usual as there were no fancy dress runners, and not as much sense of fun as you'd normally see. But that's maybe just my perception, as I felt the pressure of the cut off/disqualification throughout the run. I didn't want to travel all the way there and come home without a medal! It was hard earned!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Wonderful - well done! 👏👏🙂And that is a lovely medal,😍🏅Shame about that cut-off time though - I feel sorry for those runners not making it to the finish line in time 😕, although I guess that as long as the organisers made sure everyone was aware on signing up, then people knee what they were signing up for.🤷‍♀️

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

The detail of the cut of time was in the very small print 😬. I only found out at the Expo when I collected my bib. Most HMs have a 3hr cut off. I think this one was short as the course is on a main road (no footpath), so the option of finishing later isn't there.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Oh wow! So much pressure but you did it 👍 Well done. I’m sure there were others who didn't read the detail and had no idea there was a cut-off. It does sound a bit harsh but as long as they let people know beforehand….

No wonder you made an extra push, you wouldn’t have wanted to lose out on that fab looking bling 🤩

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Well done on that half marathon run Tesrsa1632, certainly not a fun run with that pressure to finish in 2 hours 30 or get disqualified, I assume runners at 10K who were over 1 hour were also disqualified, no point on going further, always read the instructions regarding cut off times at any race from now on, however, that's a lovely 🥉 medal 🥉

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

The cut off at 10k point was 1hr 15. The series of Superhalfs is targeted at the "leisure" runner, so I had assumed it would be the usual 3hr cut off. Cardiff was a very generous 4.15, and even Berlin is 3.15!

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Teresa1632]

Most if not all of my 10Ks are sub 1hr 15 minutes, my last 10K was ran in a time of 1:09:22, my quickest HM was 2:57:30 so I could have run Cardiff and even Berlin but not that Velencia HM.

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Its surprising what adrenaline can do! Did it, but not enjoyable- apart from getting the medal!

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Teresa1632]

Adrenaline could have got me that sub 70 minutes time, I ran with the 70 minute pacer, she told me to sprint for the last 120 metres hence me getting the run completed 38 seconds sub 70 minutes

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Well done! Its a great feeling when you have enough in the tank to sprint for the finish. Makes you feel like one of the elite 👏

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Teresa1632]

👍 🏃🏾 ✔️

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Goodness me, huge well done, I'd never have made the cut off, lots of pressure but you did it yay 😁

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Your report made me laugh, brilliant! Congratulations. But what pressure - you did amazingly to stick with that but I'm sure it must have coloured the whole experience for you. Did you see MamaKeeves post about the same race?

Massive well done to you both. I have to say I'm tempted by that superhalf bling too ....

[Teresa1632 Marathon]

Oh, you should do it, a great excuse to experience a big race, and get some Vit D too 🌞. Cardiff is my favourite so far. Lisbon is next on my list - next March. Here's the link, get signed up! superhalfs.com/en/

[misswobble Marathon]

The medal looks like it should be pinned to the front of a car. It’s beautifully vintage looking marque 😍. Or is that just me 🤷‍♀️😀

Well done Teresa! Congratulations 🥳👏

Stingy cut-off time but I suppose it would make a runner hurry up Being “vamoosed” and chased away from the water stations is a bit novel. Maybe not in Valencia 😁 Sounds like fun though 👍🏃‍♀️

[Teresa1632 Marathon]

I thought the same about the medal design! It looks a bit like a Bentley car badge. Goodness knows what they were thinking - maybe designed by a college student on a boring afternoon.It was hard earned though 🥵. And being "vamoosed" was certainly new 😱. I was glad to see the finish line and head to the beach to get my hot feet in the sea 🏃‍♀️🥳