If I were to sum this up in a word? Tough!! Oh my goodness, the rain. I think I’ve just about dried out and warmed up enough to string a coherent sentence together so here goes…
This was my first solo race and the logistics of getting there, using the bag drop, collecting my number on the day etc were causing more stress than the actual race. I think I’d got in a real panic about being really cold and wet before starting and afterwards. As it turned out, that was all absolutely fine. Relish Runs did a great job of having an organised, clear system for numbers and bags, and thankfully it wasn’t raining hard at the start,
This race is organised into masses of small waves. I had the civilised start time of 1120am. We were called forward and off we went towards the railway path.
It was a nice gentle start because the route was tight and really hard to overtake anyone, especially with runners from earlier waves coming back on the other side of the path. This was probably good for me with my tendency to go off like a rocket and burn up too early. If I was trying for a PB, it would have been frustrating. There were loads of puddles and my trainers were quickly soaked through, so coupled with a decent head wind, I’m that made for a tough start. It got worse-at 4km the rain absolutely hammered down. It was like being on a water ride an an amusement park where you suddenly go through a curtain of water from above. That didn’t ease off until near the end. The puddles got bigger. At one point both feet were totally submerged and slippery leaves didn’t help conditions.
The big disadvantage of this event is that once you leave the event village, it doesn’t feel like an event. The marshals and signage were great, and there was one water station on the 10km but there were no spectators, I didn’t think that would bother me but it actually made it much tougher mentally. Physically it was tough with the weather and I could have really done with a few people cheering me on. Still, I managed to keep running which felt like a battle won.
The later start time meant I didn’t quite get what to eat and when right. About 7km in I felt totally spent-the way I feel when I’m underfuelled. I ditched my “nothing new on race day” for a couple of cola gummies that were a reward for finishing the Worcester 10km a month ago. I think it was psychological but that gave me a little boost. I was glad of the impulse decision to shove them in a pocket. It was a trudge to the end but I made it, and finally there were some cheers about 20m across the line. Just over an hour according to Garmin which I’m super pleased with given the conditions and the fact I’ve been brewing a bit of a cold.
Reading that back, I wonder if it sounds more negative than it was. It was really tough but I kept going when I was tempted to stop. Massive positive. The event was really well organised and friendly. All the logistics worked out fine. I just think the course was a bit boring, probably not helped by the rubbish weather. I’m really pleased that I wasn’t doing the marathon distance today which was the original plan until covid binned my training. I think a big city run with spectators, plenty of room and generally more atmosphere will be more to my taste (which I never thought I’d say!).
I didn’t take pictures because of the rain but I’ll attach one in my medal. This was hard fought and I’m very proud of myself … and looking forward to a bath!!!
Massive thanks to all who waved their pom poms for me! It really means a lot and helped keep me going!
Written by
MissUnderstanding
Half Marathon
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Thank you! I’ve had a few runs like this in training before but I’ve been lucky with events up to now. This was hard! But I guess tough things show us how tough we and are I’m feeling like I’m made of steel right now. Tomorrow morning…we’ll see!!
Thank you-I am so proud of myself!! There was a moment where everything in me was screaming…just walk-it’s not a PB day, it doesn’t matter, nobody will care. It turned out I cared and I did manage to just keep running. That was so hard and I’m so pleased I did it. I’m extra pleased that the sun is now shining and I’ve got a lovely chilled afternoon planned!!! Xxx
Biblical is right-halfway round I think I could have done with an ark!!! I’ve been running a couple of years now and I can only remember two or three times it’s been as bad as that. I’m so pleased to have done it and I’m so pleased not to have to do it again 🤣🤣🤣
Fantastic run MissU; remarkable pace in those conditions. While we GSR would-be racers were returning our gear to drawers cupboards and wardrobes unused ☹️, you got out there and got the job done. Running in tough conditions is good for resilience and mood(especially in retrospect!). Brilliant 🏆
Thank you! I did think of all you poor GSR non-runners. Really sad for you all. I absolutely love a tough run like that…often once it’s over!! You are so right-it shows you you can do more than you think you can! Now the sun is shining and I’m home and warm, it was the best run I’ve done in ages!! This one will definitely stay with me!! Xx
Woo hoo 🥳💪 well done to you for what sounds tough conditions. I saw that rain here. It came on suddenly and was torrential. Literally like someone was sitting on a cloud and pouring buckets of water down 🤣
Relish do a great job at their events so I’m not surprised this one went well, despite the awful weather! And I love the blingy-bling 😍
That’s exactly what was so tough about the rain! It was grey, miserable and drizzly so I was prepared for that all the way round. Then suddenly it was like a monsoon! I had a nice chat with a lady running next to me about how we both must be nuts to not only be out in this but to have actually paid for the “pleasure”!!! Today was an excellent example of delayed gratification!! Super pleased with myself now I’m warm and dry!!!
I’ll definitely look at other relish events-maybe just with different routes to this one!
Really well done, especially in the driving rain! It didn’t sound negative…it sounds tough! And you know what they say about tough runs making tough runners!💪🙂
My most treasured medal of the year is one I got for a slow, undulating trail 10k back in February. The course was so muddy anddifficult to navigate in places but I was so proud of myself for completing it!
Thank you! I forgot I was amongst friends who totally get it here-the absolute amazing mess of completing a totally awful run and both loving and hating it until it’s done! That trail race of yours sounds epic. I can see see why it’s stuck with you! ❤️
Thank you!! Oh my goodness the internal monologue of “stop running…no you should keep going..you aren’t getting a pb today what does it matter…because it was your goal to run it all..,but the weather means that goal doesn’t count…but I could still do it…but it’s hard..,but you can still do it…but I don’t want to…but I do really….” on repeat! And then it was so close to the end that I thought I might as well just keep going!
Brains are such funny things! Running is such a mental sport! ❤️
Well done MissUnderstanding I think you did what you could in challenging circumstances and you kept going, which are all massive achievements in my book! 🙂👏👏
Well done MissU - it was challenging weather but I agree the race was really well organised. The 25k was a lovely route- I'm really tired now but I'll try and do a race report in a bit!!
I thought of you! I have to admit to a bit of FOMO when I saw the minibus for bags for the 25km. I’m so glad you had a good time. Enjoy a good rest now!! ❤️❤️❤️
Awesome. I used to live in that part of the world and have cycled that route many times. Well done on your massive achievement 👏 🏅against the foul weather.
🤣 two medals is a great idea! Thank you-if did feel like a bit of an epic achievement! Plus another tick on the training plan which felt extra satisfying!!!
Well done for running in such conditions MissUnderstanding . Although the cancellation of our run was disappointing, I knew exactly what it would be like if it had gone ahead and you have described it perfectly.
Yes I also like the support you get on City races; it seems to carry you along and give you a boost. I haven’t done a relish race , but I’ve heard good things about them.
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10km virtual race PB!