Monday 19 July 2010

Grant and Stone High Wycombe Half Marathon 2010

With the choice of the Milton Keynes Half Marathon, the Swanage Half Marathon (which I was 3rd in last year) and the Grant and Stone High Wycombe Half Marathon I was spoilt for choice. Whilst I am in the UK I am based in Welywn Garden City, so I decided to run the High Wycombe Half Marathon and  am really glad that I did. Handy Cross Runners did an amazing job and it was truely one of the best organised road races I have ever run.


(PHOTO: Alison Hill)



As for my performance, well things started off OK. I was a little stiff and sore after Tuesday's orienteering in Stanborough and the Bamford Village Fell race on Wednesday certainly took its toll on my gluts. I was hitting my target splits for the first several kilometres, but after about 7miles I started to really suffer in my hips, especially in the down hill sections... I am putting this down the 5mile (1000 feet) fell race on Wednesday night.

At about 9 miles I heard a pitter patter of footsteps behind me... I thought 'that doesn't sound like a man' and I turned around to see Sarah Gee, one of Britain's best female marathon runners! My male ego jumped in and I sped up to try to stay in front of her, but this did not last for long! I was extremely impressed with her pace and even more so now after 'googling' her and looking at how she has improved from a PB of 89mins in 2004 to a PB of 75mins in 2010, and she is in her 40s!!


(PHOTO: Alison Hill)

I managed to finish quite strongly and finished in 6th place (5th male).

The race was won by Eddie O'Gorman in a time of 1:13:16 which was a very respectable time considering how undulating the course was. In second spot was John Herbert in 1:13:58 again a very good time (Herbert only took up running 18months ago).


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Bamford Village Fell Race

On Wednesday night I ran in the Bamford Village Fell race near Sheffield. Even though this is a small race it attracts some of the best fell runners in the country.




(PHOTO: Alison Hill)

The race is an 8km 'up and down' with 300m climb. I found the race difficult from the start, partly due to my training being a little sporadic since being back in the UK. However I enjoyed the race and finished in a respectable 7th place (31.00mins).

(PHOTO: Alison Hill)

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