I had wanted to do this one for a few years now. It’s close to where I grew up and the area has many happy memories for me. Also, it’s a stunning coastline (AONB) and it looked a spectacular course. Oh, and it’s the second fastest HM in the world apparently (Valencia is the first) so a perfect race to test my training and aim for a PB.
It’s also a World Athletics Elite course and the BBC were filming (there’s coverage on iplayer). Mo Farah won it in the first year in a mind-boggling time of 1:00:27!!
I did see the elites whizz by on the other side. Blimey, they are super speedy!
Oh, and Jo Pavey was the 2 hour pacer. She does it every year and rates it as the most beautiful course she has seen.
Anyway, back to me 🤣 In the end, the training lasted 16 weeks rather than my usual 12 because I had a couple of races in the middle and after those weeks I just went back and re-did a few weeks just because I had time. I came through the training with zero niggles or problems so I was feeling strong when I got up at 530 yesterday morning and ready to go.
The roads were due to close at 8am but I wanted to get to the car park early. Even though I use to visit Larne regularly when I lived here, but I haven’t been in years and obviously things have changed a lot and I didn’t know where to go. Google maps got me there by 715 and so I then followed some other runners to the Race Start Hub, about a 20 minute walk away.
A quick visit to the loo and then it was just a question of waiting before we got into our various pens ready for another 20 minute-odd walk to the start line. This is where things got a bit wet and windy! There was no shelter, we were beside the sea and the wind was fierce. I was already cold before it started to rain. The day before I had bought a hoodie in a charity shop and thank goodness I did. But honestly, who would have thought you would have needed a hoodie in August?!!
A pipe band played for us on our way to the start. The same band that my dad played for in his youth 🥰 so I saw that as a good omen. They were there at the finish too, which was just lovely.
Once we got to the start line we just had to wait. For over an hour 🥶 The rain and wind were relentless, everyone was shivering, and I could see the hairs stand up on the arm of a girl in front of me. We all just wanted to get moving. I then started to feel hungry. I had stupidly forgotten my banana which was still lying on the seat in the car! But at that stage I could have done with a bacon butty and a nice big mug of tea 😋
My clothes were sodden and my legs felt numb and I just wanted it to be over. I did think, “why am I here? I should be in bed all snug and warm.” Then of course I remembered all the training I had done and the fact my brother told me the night before he was proud of me and so that was that ❤️
Eventually we got moving and crossed the start line. HURRAH for that 🥳
The legs took a wee while to get going but I was determined to stick to my training pace as closely as possible, so I kept a close eye on my watch to make sure I was on track.
The first few Ks were through the town centre and then along a carriageway but then we hit the coast road and it was just stunning from there on. Because of the weather, visibility wasn’t great so we couldn’t see Scotland. I kept looking out for seals but couldn’t spot any. My brother fishes around the waters and tells great stories about them surfacing and playing with the boat 🦭🥰
As expected, the run along this route brought back memories of my childhood. My dad singing in the car as we headed to another picnic beside the sea, the taste of egg sandwiches and lemonade once we found a suitable spot, mum’s worry that the rocks would somehow choose that moment to fall and crush us underneath even though they had stood there for millions of years 🙂, the Sunday car journeys to the swimming pool and, when I was older, where mum and I often shopped together on a Saturday. Little did I ever suspect that, one day, I would be able to run along this same road. Isn’t life grand?
At Ballygalley Castle we turned around to head back on the return route. I missed my brother and wife who live close by but were away on holiday and I must say I could have done with a boost here. We were now running into the wind and I was feeling very hungry. I took Tailwind with me but, because of the weather, I ended up not drinking enough of it and hence I think I felt “empty.”
It was about this point that my Garmin told me it was low in battery! What??? I had fully charged it the day before so I was surprised. Although it is old and I think maybe on its last legs, so I probably shouldn’t be that surprised. The message appeared right across the screen so I couldn’t see all the data. I know I could have got rid of it by pausing the watch but to be honest I didn’t have the energy 🤣 But it meant that from about 12K I couldn’t see my stats clearly so I had to go by feel a lot of the time.
The last three Ks were hard but I pushed deep and knew that I had been keeping to my targeted pace for most of the race, so I was determined to get a PB on this course.
Eventually the finish line was in sight and as I crossed over I glanced up at the timer and saw 2:28 something. I was so disappointed, and surprised, because I knew my splits should have shown a better time. But by that stage I was so hungry, cold, wet and in dire need of a loo that I put this to the back of my mind until I got back to mum’s.
After the finish line there was chaos. I kept looking for someone to hand me my medal but all I could see was a mountain of a queue going somewhere. I asked what people were queuing for and was told, “everything.” Toilets, bling, t-shirts, food. WHAT!!!
You know I love my bling folks. You know what it means to me. It’s what spurs me. But I was in such discomfort that I was planning to forego the bling just to find a loo and get back to the car for a change of clothes. That’s how desperate I was! I walked past the queue and really just wanted to check to see what the process was at the entrance to the finishers park. When I got to the entrance, lots of people were coming from all directions and just walking through and I couldn’t understand why there there was a massive queue to begin with. I could see there was no one waiting for the loos, so I headed through and that was my first stop.
With much relief, I then looked for my bling (you don’t honestly think I’d have left without it, do you? 🙂). In the end I found some in a container where you could just help yourself! I got my t-shirt pretty quickly (no queue) and off I headed back to the car.
Heaters on, banana and energy bar consumed and a change of clothes and I was beginning to feel a bit more human before I started the drive back. The body felt great, no niggles, nothing hurt, so I was very happy. Job done 👍
It was only after I was huddled in a warm dressing gown and eaten some food that I looked at the official results. That was more like it. I had clearly misread the time on the finish line and rather than the 2:28 something I thought I had, my time was actually 2:23:23, a PB!! I had mistaken the 3 for an 8 on the board 🙄
I am chuffed to bits because I worked hard on those splits and, apart from three, I was able to keep to my target pace throughout. So, the training and strength work paid off 🤗
Needless to say today is lovely weather. No rain, no wind and the sun is trying to break through. If only yesterday had been like this. I overheard a runner say that last year had been a heatwave. Thank goodness it wasn’t that. I’d take wet, windy conditions over heat any day. So, in the end, it was perfect really ❤️
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What a brilliant race report Irishprincess , I could imagine every emotion, you went through, and given the weather we had on Saturday at parkrun, I know exactly how you felt, just wanting to start moving. I just love the bling and T-shirt; definitely worth turning up for. Congratulations on a PB HM too.
The organisers have been inundated with complaints from runners on why we had to wait for over an hour at the start line. I guess it has to do with the elites but I could be wrong.
Like a little old lady who has no muscle tone, no energy and too many emotions, but the doctors tell me I have a good chance of walking and running again, it's just going to take a long time, I feel sad that I moved here with so many plans and got more and more unwell, but there's a little hope inside 😁
Thanks Linda. Loads of runners have apparently complained about the organisation so the bits behind the scenes were anything but perfect. But yes, everything else was 🤗
I did see an article about the many complaints. It seems the organisers had water stolen overnight which meant the first aid station was missing. That could be a real issue for anyone who didn't take their own drink
Interesting. Yes, there was were a couple of guys beside me who were asking for water but I don’t know what happened and if they got any. Someone did throw a bottle from the other lane which I thought was a stupid thing to do with all the runners so close together 🙄
Confusing 3’s and 8’s IP? Should have gone to S*** S****s!!
Lovely dramatic description, and a perfect happy ending. I like runs completed in diabolical conditions, when viewed in retrospect from the comfort of a chair, cup of coffee in hand and a sugar free snack to chew on …no bananas…(🙄).
You deserve your success; I was pleased with June’s 2:34 ….but 2:23:23 even ignoring the conditions, is absolutely superb. Proud of you 😍🙂
🤣🤣 yes I did think that too BC. Honestly what an idiot 🙄
Funny enough, I’ve just been to the opticians for a check up and he asked if I’d noticed whether my sight had got worse and I said no! Maybe I need to revisit that ….🤣
I’m now thinking that if I hadn’t stopped to take a few photos then I could perhaps have got closer to 2:20 🤔 Something to work on 💪
I think that you like a photographic record of your runs; they add extra colour to run reports. I on the other hand, have got into the habit of focussing on pace which my journeys through running plans has encouraged.Maybe I should take more photographs as well as drinking more water!
Woohoo IP, I’m so happy for you! That’s a big difference time wise to what you thought at first, and I can imagine your joy at smashing your PB! Hope you’ll be willing to wait for me after Bath! 😅
It sounds like a wonderful trip down memory lane for you. How special is that? ❤️ I bet you’re still on cloud 9. And don’t worry, not for one moment did I think you’d leave without that absolutely stunning bling. 😍
You had some serious weather didn’t you? No rain for us in S. Wales but plenty of wind. Like you though, how lucky we were it wasn’t hot. 🙏
I’m thrilled Munks especially as I worked hard in training and on the day. Part of me wanted to get the run over with as quickly as possible because it was so miserable. So maybe that’s where the pace came from 🤣
I did think about asking them to post the bling but then I saw someone wearing it and thought I really needed that one!
Great report Irishprincess ! I'm going to look for that coverage on iplayer later!! Wow that sounds hard with the weather and the waiting around, getting cold and wet is never pleasant! But so glad that you came though it brilliantly and you had an amazing time and all the memories associated with the route, and a marvellous PB ! Congratulations 😁 🏃♀️👌 💪xxx
Obviously the programme covers the elites mostly but it shows the route and scenery. I haven’t watched all of it, got about half way and needed a doze 🤣
Fabulous race report, Maj! I have been waiting for this
What an emotional, inspirational run.... it must have felt amazing ... and what a fabulous time too! One delight after the other.
Being so cold and wet at the start of the run was no joke for you... I could feel that damp and chill with you! Organization can make or break and I am sure there may have bee a few who did not make it...but not you,
Strong stuff, with those wonderful, wonderful memories to carry you onwards, and despite all, in those last Ks.... you had the strength, that you have demonstrated to us, so, so often, so you not only pushed through, you got a PB.
Simply WOW !
Huge well done to you,,, your medal, so, so well deserved . Relax and enjoy xxx
Great stuff IP! I’m sitting in my fluffy dressing gown, supping hot coffee, as I read of your chilly, cold, wet wait to get running. Can’t think of anything worse 😫. It’s horrible having a short delay at the start so bad luck there 😟
You nailed it though IP so good for you 💪😀
The scenery sounds amazing, and your childhood ties to it make it poignant and lovely 😍🙏
Training, commitment and grit pays off so well done 👏 The scrum at the end sounds a bit odd but you got that MEDAL🏅😀🤗. It’s a beauty 🥰
I hope you’ve thawed out and recovered nicely. Onto the next …..🏃♀️😀
Wow, excellent read and very well done to you! All that work paid off.
My wife read me a report last night about that run and it sounded unbelievable and very unorganised. I did the Warriors run in Sligo on the Saturday and got drenched waiting for the start but only had to wait 5 minuets for the start. It must have been torture waiting for a whole hour in the rain.
🙌🏃♀️👏🎈 Congratulations 🥳 and so well run especially after having to wait so long at the start 🙈 Absolutely love the medal which reflects the beauty of such a magnificent route! What a wonderful description you gave!! Felt like I had run it with you xx
This is a fantastic run report IP, I really loved reading it. You certainly have made some great memories for yourself with this run. And the bling is gorgeous. I am very motivated by bling 🤣 and that’s a beauty 👌🏻. Congratulations on a PB too.
What a thoroughly brilliant post Irishprincess Nostalgia, memories, support, training and bucket loads of grit and determination against the elements...not to mention general epic-ness on your part. What a fantastic achievement, huge congratulations on your PB. This one will always be a special one to look back on with real pride ⭐🏅😊🙌
Wow to you! Many, many congratulations! 👏🏃♀️🎉🏅 A PB after all! Discovering it after thinking it hadn't happened, must have been a special moment. And another wow to training with zero niggles or problems - oh what joy! I really hope that I can say this one day. Hard to comprehend organisation that leaves runners with sodden clothes and numb legs. Head shaking in negative astonishment - if there is such a thing. Waiting an hour in cold, wet and windy conditions, not all good. And the chaos at the end! More head shaking.
But .... running along a coast with spectacular views - a joy indeed and all the memories to go with the views. I am not surprised this is an event that you had wanted to do for a while. And then afterwards a whole half marathon and still having your body feeling great, with no niggles and nothing hurting - so many more wows. Astounding! Oh! Just so good after your injuries of previous times.
I hope that you are continuing to enjoy a long after glow. And may happy injury free running continue. 😊🏃♀️
Wow what a great story! So happy you got your PB after all the work you put in. That medal is a stunner. Seems like the race organization could have been better especially at the end. Reminds me of the last Toronto mara where the end was a free for all for medals, food and more. But more importantly what a special race for you, running through the places you grew up. I’m guessing this one will be fondly remembered in spite of the weather.
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