Brett Lydd 20 - Report

[CosmicBuffalo]

After seeing reports from previous years (up to 50 mph winds 😦) I really lucked out with the weather, absolutely beautiful start to the day.

My cousin put me up for the night so only a twenty five minute drive, her and her husband both run so a nice sensible meal the night before.

The actual race to say, not too much to say, lovely weather throughout, the course is REALLY flat - I was warned that twenty miles of flat fields for a view might get boring, it didn't but maybe that was due to the weather.

Around 13 miles in I had to give myself a little talking to, and then towards the end I really started to flag - for the last few kms I changed to three minutes running/two minutes walking which worked a treat to get me to the end, lifted my spirits I even had the oomph to attempt a sprint finish.

All in all a lovely day, lessons learnt:

- I should probably schedule some runs that aren't early in the moring.

- I should practice running with sunglasses and hat/sweatband and see how they work, if they work at all.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

Well done, that's an unusual distance, and a super medal.

I couldn't run withut sunglasses...

[CosmicBuffalo 20 Miles in reply to Curlygurly2]

I think it helps them advertise it as a pre-spring marathon warm up.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

A huge well done 👍👏 Lovely photo and great looking bling 🤩

For that distance you've earned yourself a brand new shiny badge!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Job done, you had a great day and you have a shiny new badge; brilliant work!

You may have noticed that certain siren colleagues are tempting( they might say “encouraging”) me to venture beyond the HM distance in the HU Spring event. Of course the 26.2 k Metric Marathon is way shorter than your run this weekend and to use the old cliche it is “just a park run further than HM”. Reading your account, the step beyond HM feels like a big one, and you began to feel the pain at around HM? I will have a go if I feel confident on the day, but I am wondering just how big this challenge is likely to be!

On hats and sun glasses, I always wear a cap with a long peak in summer; I need sunglasses sometimes, particularly if I am running early or late in the day when the sun is rising/setting. My one massive mistake pre cap wearing was putting sun cream on my forehead……my eyes felt as though they were being burned out!

You seem to be set up for a good Spring, Summer and Autumn; who knows what you will achieve this year!👍

[CosmicBuffalo 20 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks for the advice, re hat and sunglasses.

In all honesty I think it was the weather that caught me on the hop, in my lead up runs I'd been rolling through the HM quite comfortably - and it wasn't really until 27km (ish) that I really felt it.

Best of luck for whatever you choose!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to CosmicBuffalo]

Thanks CB. Barring injury, I will definitely give it a go. I am hoping to hit that sweet spot between having got enough miles in to make me match fit, but not having too many miles in my legs so as to be due for a niggle. Gets harder to judge as I get older 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh that's a magnificent medal! Well done 👏👏👏 That's a great distance (although not one that we have a specific badge for here on this forum ... not sure why🤔) . Did you run it as a pre- marathon run?

I too always wear sunglasses. Mostly it's fine, but they're a bit loose just now which was blooming irritating over 21k let alone 20 miles!!!

[CosmicBuffalo 20 Miles in reply to linda9389]

I suppose the answer is to make sure you can stash them somewhere if they get annoying.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to CosmicBuffalo]

Mine are prescription sunglasses so they have to stay on. The only exception is in heavy rain when, on a couple of occasions, I've seen more by carrying my glasses 😀

[CosmicBuffalo 20 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Oh yes - I signed up originally because I fancied it, however since I was following a marathon training plan to get there it seemed silly to not sign up for a marathon - so I've signed up for the Bewl Water marathon in May, which looks like it could be hard work bit has a really long cut off time so I don't need to worry about that.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to CosmicBuffalo]

Oh that's fabulous! Definitely sunglasses for May (and hope that doesn't jinx the weather!)

[RiceAndPeas Marathon]

Bravo, looks like you made the most of the glorious weather. That's a lovely bit of bling to show for your efforts too. 👏👏👏

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a run, very well done, a peaked cap helps keep the sun off the eyes, enjoyed reading your report

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

well done CB, and great bling. I need to wear specs to see where I’m going so have some reactor-light ones, which is fab when it is sunny. I’ve added extra stops on the arms to go behind the ears and stop them sliding down my nose when things get a bit sweaty. I also wear a Sun visor (hate anything on the top of my head) that keeps the rain off the specs and reduces the glare when it’s very sunny. 😎

[CosmicBuffalo 20 Miles in reply to Shake-and-run]

Cool, sounds like there's some experimenting to be done.

[CosmicBuffalo 20 Miles in reply to Shake-and-run]

And I've been wanting an excuse to buy a visor.

[00marks Marathon]

Congratulations! Well done!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Belated congratulations! A pre-spring marathon warm up! A joy for your body to be working so well that these distances are a reality for you. And the first to be awarded the new HU 20 mile badge! Brilliant! 🏃🏻‍♂️🎉🏁🏅👏

All the very best for your onward marathon preparation. I used to go to Lydd a lot, in particular Lydd-on-Sea. Did you venture there on your visit? Probably not, race done and set off home is perhaps more likely.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done CosmicBuffalo , what a lovely dry weekend for a race in March.

I have some goodr sunglasses which are designed for runners and not only do they come in great colours, they don’t slip or steam up while running like some I’ve worn. They are reasonably priced too.