Adidas Silverstone Half Marathon
15/3/2009 - 13.1 Miles
This is my first proper running event.
Decided to do this on a whim, sitting there looking on the web and this event popped up. I thought I should do an event as I have been running for 9 months. This will give me something to aim for. The next thing I knew I was tapping in my credit card number and hitting the submit button.
Then it hit my, Oh My God, what have I just done! It is 13.1 miles you idiot and so far you have only run 3.5 miles, I am going to be the first person to die on the track at Silverstone that was not in a motor vehicle.
So I could not pull out I decided to do my bit for charity and am doing this event for Cancer Research.
Training had gone well and I had managed to do the distance in training so I knew I would be able to make it around if I walked some bits.
Arrived at Silverstone the weather was perfect. Sunny, not to hot and a gentle breeze. I did have a Cancer Research shirt, but decided not to wear this. It is cotton and the last time I wore it, it held on to the sweat and was uncomfortable.
Got dressed, pinned my number (6545) on and put my chip on my shoe. Dropped my bag off at the bag drop and made my way to the starting grid. Quick warm up and made my way onto the grid. The start had markers on the wall with your target times on so I found a place in the 2:15 - 2:30.
It was at this point they announced the start was delayed by 5 mins as people had problems getting into Silverstone. It was then announced that the start was delayed by 15mins. The delay was now causing me a problem. I had taken on enough fluid to burn during the first 4 miles to the first water stop and now was not moving.
Gun goes and we start the walk to the start line. As the event was chip timed the 3 mins taken to get to the actual line does not matter as my time starts when I cross the line.
With thousands of people there the first 1/2 mile was very congested. By now the delayed start had an affect and I needed a wee. It seemed like a load of others did as well as around 30 off us made our way over to the side of the track for a call of nature.
Made my way back into the pack. There where pace runners so I made my way past the 11 min mile guy and sat behind the 10 min guy. By the first mile marker this pace seemed a it off so decided to go pick the pace up a bit to a pace I was more happy with and try and find the 9min guy and stay ahead to the 10min guy.
By the 3 mile mark I was on pace for 2:10. Knew this would slow as I would need to take a couple of walking breaks. At the 4 mile water station I grabbed a bottle and made my way to the side of the track so I could walk and drink, just can not run with an open bottle and drink at the same time. As we came into the pit lane had taken on enough water so dumped the bottle and started running again.
Amazingly by the 5 mile mark I was still on the a 2:10. It was at this point we release there is still 8 miles to go! Bit odd at this point as the course as you could see people everywhere so not sure if you where ahead or behind these people.
You then come around the corner you could see people running in the other direction. Not sure if they where behind you or in front. You then see more people running and you realise that this was the bit you did a mile ago. There is then a tight turn as you run back up the way you just came up to the 6 mile mark.
As I pass the 6 mile mark I grab my Gel and walk and squeeze this down and start running again. You hear the front runners are in there last mile! At 67mins you hear the PA going crazy as the first finisher is through the line and I am about half way around.
At the 7 mile water station I grab a bottle and keep running. This is the furthest part of the course and there is an up hill climb. I start walking a water is going everywhere. Finish my bottle at the top of the hill so dump it and start running.
At 8 miles it is up hill again so short walking break, now just outside the 10min mile pace.
Grab a bottle of Lucozade at the 9 mile mark. I hate orange Lucozade but it is in a sports bottle so I can run with it. Drink and run up the hill taking a walking break at the top to finish the bottle and dump it.
At the 10 mile mark was slipping further outside the 10 min mile pace. As we cross the foot bridge the 10min mile pacer passes me. Very congested at this point but I try and stick with him.
By11 miles and I take another walking break and get passed by a chicken and a rhino! My son’s words echo around my head "Dad you have to beat the chicken and the rhinos". I start running again and pass the rhino and chase after the chicken.
With the chicken still in sight I hit the 12 mile mark as see a guy collapsed against the side of the track being given oxygen. The 2 mins later another staggers over to the side of the track and flakes out. St. Johns are instantly on the case.
I decide that the chicken is too fast for me so settle into a pace for the last half mile. As I round the corner the finish is in sight. Nothing left to sprint finish even with the people shouting encouragement. It is very emotional at this point as you realise you have made it just 300, then 200, the 100 meters to go. Cross the line and check my time around 2:20.
Over £700 raised I am knackered but feeling great.