mike[space] dot net

A few months ago, I competed in my first 10k, and I enjoyed the experience so much that I decided I was capable of upping my game even further, and began toying with the idea of doing a half marathon. Unfortunately my brother took my toying seriously, and badgered me until I signed up for the Marlow Half Marathon, which it transpires is quite hilly (he was quite quiet about that).

Of course, whilst you can predict the course, you can't really predict the conditions. I hadn't really given much thought to the fact that we would be headed well and truly into winter for this race, but the forecast last week was a definite reminder - heavy rain and wind. Given the usual reliability of weather forecasting, I spent much of the week clinging to the hope that the forecast would be proven wrong. Sadly a text message from Dave on Sunday morning pretty much demolished that hope, and I set off for Marlow with a mild sense of dread in my heart.

In a surprisingly short period of time, Dave, Matt and I were being chivvied out to the holding pen for the start, listening to the Man from Marlow chatting to random runners over the tannoy system. The rain was coming down, but the gathering of so many bodies in a small space gave off a small glow to keep the chill at bay. We were soon herded out of the school playing field into the small road, quickly filling it up. I saw a couple of people shivering, but I was fortunate enough to remain feeling pretty comfortable. Small talk and banter continued for a couple of minutes, and then the rocket for the start shot into the sky with a fizzle and a small trail of smoke.

As we slowly made our toward the start line (we were a fair way back)I was surprised to find Dave and I running at a similar pace. I had rather assumed he'd be off ahead of me almost immediately but we stuck together for a while. I couldn't say when we did eventually split, but I do know that it was a very slow departure as I kept catching glimpses of his bright yellow top getting further and further into the distance. That or he was shrinking in the exceptionally wet conditions!

As we plodded along for the first few kilometres, I was relieved to find that it wasn't all uphill, enjoying the occasional gentle downhill respite. The rain was heavy, with small rivers running down the roads in places, making sure that we were all getting wet from top to bottom. As I began to heat it up it had the unusual effect of feeling like I was slicked with sweat; my body couldn't determine the difference between nature's contribution and my own to the overall dampness I was experiencing. My socks were soon saturated, giving the unusual sensation of running in pockets of rice pudding,

That being said, one of the most surprising thing was how little the weather actually bothered me. In some ways it may even have been a benefit, as I felt a comfortable temperature the whole way round, and there was no sense of a build up of discomfort from sweat; once you get to a certain level, you can't really get any wetter. That didn't stop the weather from trying though, one particular moment stands out in my mind as I emerged from a fairly sheltered point right out into some exceptional wind, a sheet of rain hitting me from head to toe in one hit.

The advice I received from YiShun proved sound as I reduced my stride length to get up the hills. I was determined that I wouldn't slow to a walk, in spite of the number of people who did so. I had it firmly in my head that to do so would be an admission of defeat, so I had the fun of overtaking quite a few people on the hills (I think most of them overtook me back later on, but it felt good at the time!). The downhills presented an entirely different challenge, the steepest hill just after the 8km point was my first realisation of how difficult it could be going down! You're worried that you're going to slip on the greasy wet leaves, trying to keep your pace up without losing control (a whole different set of muscles and sources of pain), and all the time trying to make sure you're not too close to your fellow runners who are trying to do the same thing.

Another surprise was how comfortable I felt most of the way round. I did have the occasional twinges of pain, getting foot sore for a kilometre or so at a couple of spots, and between 16km and 18km my right leg was in serious danger of cramping up (I developed a weird sort of straight legged gait on the downhill bits to stretch it out a bit, which seemed to help), but cardio-wise I never felt massively out of puff, and I don't think there was ever a moment where I thought I might not make it. As I neared the end, I was very pleased to realise how well I had paced it. My legs (in particular my calves) were really starting to tire, and I knew that had I pushed myself much more at the top, they would now be starting to give out. As it was, I was able to push on through, and really enjoy the last downhill section (the beginning in reverse). I was able to gradually up my pace, and for the last bit, even managed to squeeze in a bit of a sprint finish.

I was really impressed with how well it was organised. I don't think you went more than a few hundred metres without seeing at least one (usually more) marshall, and they were unfailingly encouraging, continually lifting the spirits of the very wet runners splashing past. Good on them for remaining enthusiastic for us, it really made a difference. It was particularly nice to hear my name being announced on the tannoy as I came down the home stretch.

Dave and Matt were there to welcome me home at the end, a cup of the sweetest tasting squash ever (I think even beating the amazing drink we got in Thailand). Claire was there, and it really meant a lot to see her at the final corner, cheering and taking a snap of me (hence the grin on my face!).

My official time was 2 hours, 9 minutes and 23 seconds. I had 22 seconds on my watch, but either way I am very chuffed to have not only finished my first half marathon, but to have done so with a pretty respectable time, on a difficult course, in difficult conditions.

Overall it was a fantastic experience, and I am definitely up for another one. A few people have already asked me if I am considering a marathon. Right now, I am not. But, I am definitely planning on doing another half, maybe two, as I really want to get my PB down under two hours. And then who knows, if I continue to enjoy the training, maybe I'll give a marathon a shot. I did apply for London after all ...

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