With only two weeks to go for the M7 marathon, this was a ‘C’ race for me. When I included this in my race plan for the year, the plan was to complete it at marathon-pace and maybe do another 5-10km and make it the last long run before the M7 marathon. But having missed the sub 2hr in the SMH half (2:00:34 – yes, frustratingly close), I have since been secretly targeting a faster half marathon time too! I was undecided until the race started if I wanted to try for a PB or do a long run – probably not the best game plan for the M7 marathon or any A or B grade races, but being a no-pressure/relaxed race, it didn’t concern me too much..
It may be hard to believe but I wasn’t sure what pace to do even when I started the race!!.. It was only after a KM or two, I decided to stick to a quicker pace than the marathon and hope for a PB.. In the back of my mind, I was still thinking that if I do feel sore or couldn’t push it hard enough, I’ll slow down and decide to do a longer run!! – I couldn’t have been anymore indecisive!!
The race was a small loop at the start and then 2x10K loops . Most of the course was nice and flat, except for the bridge. (As always) You see the faster runners crossing you in the opposite direction.. You always wonder how they do it and what more you’d have to do to atleast keep these guys within a 5-10minute reach!!! – Let alone running at their pace.
The water stations were approximately every 4-5ks. They did offer some ‘sports drink’ at one of the stations – but I could only taste water in it..
I stuck to a good pace until about 19ks and got there in 1hr 45mins. At that point, I was almost certain that I would do sub 2hrs (despite being really tired and sore) but decided to stick with two other runners and push myself to the end. My biggest highlight of the race was the 20th KM. This was my fastest KM in the race – and on par with most of my ‘fast’(short) runs :)
1 comment:
interesting article
Richard / Germany
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