It was a wet and what we in Scotland call a dreich morning in Alloa yesterday as my chums and I gathered for our first ever half marathon. The event was well organised and around 1250 runners participated.
Here’s a picture of the start to give you a rough idea of the conditions. I’m indebted to my long-suffering wife for the photos and for standing in the cold and rain to encourage me. You can’t see me at the start as I’m about 150 yards behind the start line near the back of the runners. It was a great ploy to start near the back because it meant I could overtake a few folk early on which always makes you feel good. I remember telling myself early on – just go out and enjoy this experience. All too soon, however, my competitiveness took over and I started speeding up. The first mile seemed to go very quickly and as we headed out of town I was enjoying the experience. The first few miles were pretty flat and I was surprised how comfortable I felt and how far ahead I was of my projected time. Although my head told me to slow down, my heart was pushing me on. As we turned left at Tillicoultry onto the long straight stretch of the middle section of the race came the wonderful realisation that the wind was actually behind us for the next four or five miles. I took some water at 6 miles which made me miss the 6 mile mile sign so for a short while I was worried until I heard someone say “almost half way” and I realised I had just missed seeing the 6 mile sign. By this point it was raining quite heavily. More water at 9 miles and the first of three jelly babies. My time was still ahead of schedule and I was feeling great. Just before the notorious Menstrie Brae at 11 miles I took my second jelly baby. This was when things started to go wrong. I think I pushed too hard up the hill. Just over the top of the hill I veered left to get more water and felt a bad twinge in my left calf muscle. Soon after I felt my right calf muscle. I was filled with dread and despondency. There were still two miles to go. I took my third jelly baby but as I passed the 12 mile marker I realised I was in real trouble. I didn’t know whether to stop, walk or keep going. I stopped momentarily and rubbed the offending muscles. I started again but slowed right down by running as straight legged as I could. Lots of people passed me at this stage and it was the absolute low point. But whether it was the jelly baby or sheer determination I realised that I was going to be able to finish. I kept going and before long the 13 mile sign appeared in the distance. From somewhere I got more reserves and even managed to pick up a bit of pace again. Maybe all the training and intervals had given me something extra. I was scared to look at my watch as I knew the last mile had been my slowest by a country mile. And as I rounded the final corner my wife captured me on camera. You can see how tired I was as I’m landing on my heel and my arm is across my chest – both real no-nos for running.
I can’t describe the feeling of elation mixed with relief as I crossed the line. There’s no picture of me crossing the line but here’s the proof that I finished – the shirt and the medal!
Apologies for such a long post. Well done if you’ve reached this far!
Don’t apologise! Well done and congratulations!
Thanks very much Jo.
Hurrah for jelly babies! I think this goes to show that you’ve got your training schedule spot on. You must have wondered during your period of the ‘flu recently if you would actually be fit for this race, and now look what you’ve achieved. I think the t-shirt and medal are a couple of classy objects, and very well earned.
Thanks Lorna. Perhaps one of your victoria sponges would have done the same job though!
Great run!
Thanks very much! I’m feeling it a bit today.
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Never heard the jelly babies thing before, but now that I’ve researched it I’ll be trying it out on my training runs. I don’t like the idea of gels and I can’t stand the energy drinks. Oh – well done! (and thanks for the JB tip)
Thanks for the comment. In all honesty I’ve only used jelly babies once but they certainly worked. I know what you mean about gels but they too appear to do the job. All the best with your running.
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