14/06/09 Stoke Half Report

Set off at 7.30am to hopefully get to Stoke about 9.00am no problems finding my way and was parked up just after 9! The forecast on Friday had said showers but the weather was fine, too hot again! A quick tip if you are planning a trip out when you need good weather pick a day I am running a race I have not had a wet one yet!

Made my way to the chip collection point, now the chips were different from the ones I have used before needing to be attached to the laces of one of your shoes with wire ties but it fixed with no problems. So then I had about ninety minutes to keep hydrating and visiting the portaloo about a dozen times. I was surprised that so many people don’t read their race instructions and I was asked half a dozen times where the chip collection point was!

There was a short walk to the start which was downhill it was quite crowded and difficult to get up to speed but once away I realised how undulating the course was going to be. I felt pretty good a bit stiff from football on Friday (have decided not to play football just before a race again!) and was doing well until the first major hill about mile 3 or 4 now it takes me three or four miles to get into my rhythm so the last thing I want to see is a steep hill. But I made it up and carried on, the whole route is very up and down and I knew there was one more steep hill to come. Now the support around the route was fantastic the best I have experienced to date, people with hoses, water & jelly babies they really helped. A big thank you to the people of Stoke on Trent. The big hill came at about mile 12 and it was very steep it looked like a ski jump I got a bit angry with the hill and started to sprint fellow runners were shouting encouragement I was determined not to let it beat me, but beat me it did and I had to really slow down three quarters of the way up. Bit of a silly thing to do really as I expended nearly all of my energy reserves. The last mile was ok and the finish was great lots of support and I managed to sprint in with a time of 1:44.34 just under the 1:45 so qualified for a silver finisher’s medal. T shirt is very nice as is the plate and I was well chuffed with my time only 59 seconds off my personal best so when you take into account the hills and the heat I am happy.

Driving back was not much fun but a stop off at Maccy D’s for a chicken & bacon deli of the day was just what I needed.

Now Mansfield Half in two weeks! Can I beat that pb?

Stoke Half 14/06/09 stats;
Time: 01:44.34
Position: 333 (out of 1,476 finishers)
Condition: Knackered & bloody (see previous post)