Ironbridge Half Marathon 2011 Race Report

I survived!

It's probably not a surprise to you that I survived this race but believe me it is a surprise to me! 

Last year I ran a marathon. The marathon I ran was easier than this race. Honestly.

Still in one piece at the finish line

As a World Heritage Site, Ironbridge Gorge takes my breath away at the best of times with it's stunning beauty. Both times I have run this race I have been lucky enough to be bathed in sunshine which makes the valley all the more gorgeous to run through. However, in their wisdom, race organisers Telford Harriers, had reversed the course this year.

This change in direction made for a few surprised runners, despite the warning about the 'short, sharp hill at mile 8' delivered a few moments before the starting gun.  Naturally the race details were featured on the race website prior to the race - I wonder how many other others, like myself, didn't look at this because they thought they knew the course.

Starting from Town Park in Telford, with parents standing on the side lines ready to cheer me on and pick me up at the end, I was excited about the race. It had been by far my favourite race of the season in 2010 so I was looking forward to it very much. A 10:30am start is good for me - time for my porridge and honey to settle and for my brain to get in gear for the challenge ahead.  Not in gear enough it seemed.

I knew that the previous year I was 'marathon fit' so was expecting a bit more of a challenge as general training hadn't been as intense in the run up to this half marathon. However, I wasn't expecting to have to resort to WALKING in the race. WALKING! My worst fear - never had this been known previously in the Ashwell race repertoire. I have a few half marathons under my belt, a handful of 10Ks, even a 5K or two and a marathon. In none of these had I ever walked.

Disaster struck at mile 8 when faced with the 'short sharp hill', I may as well have been faced with a 50ft wall. I had to walk up it as my legs simply wouldn't run. Gutted. It was hard work even to walk up it as my legs were feeling quite tired by this stage. To make matters worse I wasn't sure if this was the hill that was referred to - as I hadn't seen a single mile marker. So there could be worse ahead!

There wasn't, luckily, however there were several smaller challenges ahead that seemed a lot harder than normal as the burn in my quads still hadn't dissipated from 'the hill'. I used to run the coastal path all the time and used to sprint up hills like a gazelle - more work required in this area evidently. Moreover, I was wearing newish trainers and the burn was starting to set in, there was no telling the state of my blisters. Eddie Izzard, Eddie Izzard became my mantra.

The rest of the course was tough but retrospectively enjoyable. At times I wanted to hide under one of the bushes in the park and cry. Not an option. The worst part for me was the shock of the hill and the mental disappointment of being forced to walk up it and then the not knowing how many miles were left to go. The only mile marker I saw was at mile 11 - which was a great relief I might add.

The last mini killer hill at 400 metres was a tester, but I pushed through this (it is on our regular running route with Wrekin Road Runners) knowing my family and friends were just around the corner and then we could go for a well deserved Sunday Roast. At this point I didn't even have the energy to look at my watch so the timing slip I received at the end advising me I was only 13 minutes slower than the previous year was somewhat of a surprise. All things considered.

Well done to everyone who finished and thanks to everyone who sponsored me for Hope House Children's Hospices.

Would I run it again? You betcha :-)

Do I still have blisters? Big ones :-(

Long distance Eve - 20 miles and still smiling like a Percy Pig

Amazing what you can do when everything just feels right.

Last night I consumed a healthy repast of grilled salmon, green lentils, new and sweet potatoes. Had a good sleep with a bit of a lie in. Popped a few ibuprofens to help knock the edge off my sciatica. Drank some Lucozade with carbohydrate and electrolytes and popped some into my Fuel Belt bottles for the long journey ahead. Now, here are the 2 other things that I think clinched the deal between my legs and the road on this my longest training run to date...

Sunshine + M&S Percy Pigs

Now I know tons of seasoned runners swear by Jelly Babies but by treating yourself to a Percy Pig every half an hour not only do you give yourself a little lift when you see his smiley face looking at you but you give yourself a competitive advantage of 5 calories and 2.3 grams of carbohydrates ahead of any babe made of jelly. I'll go for that! In addition there is no 'baby dust' to contend with so you can keep your running pouch clean. Bonus.

All these things together seemed to combine to make a good formula for my longest run ever - 3 hours and 13 minutes to do 20 miles.  Because I'm such a huge fan of the Ironbridge Half route I did that again and slapped another 7 on top of that, the last couple being uphill which I have come to learn is the quickest way for me to improve my performance overall.

I wasn't as shattered after this run as I thought I'd be and for the first time the feeling of utter dread and desperation about the marathon seemed to subside a little knowing that I'd only have to find enough juice to keep me going for another 6 on the big day...only...ha ha!

Ironbridge Half Marathon 21/03/2010

Wow, wow, wow! That’s all I can say… ...well not quite. If you are a relatively new runner don’t let the frequently published opinion that the Ironbridge Half Marathon is one of the toughest half marathons deter you from entering. If the weather conditions are on your side this is a truly inspiring course.  It is very well organised and timing is done by Sports Systems chips on your shoes so you know results are pretty accurate. Apparently this is a vast improvement on last year’s admin where chips were on race numbers and you got scanned at the end with a hand held device causing queues and wasted time. The race starts and finishes in Telford Town Park. It is a loop course that takes in some stunning scenery through Ironbridge Gorge. I found the toughest part of the race going up hill towards the famous iron bridge itself and over it, despite the rest of the race being a steady climb back to the finish line it’s a lovely route along the Silkin Way with plenty to feast your eyes upon on the way back. I felt a little tired around the 84 minute mark but spotted the mile markers and a giraffe (!) which kept me going. I think if I had started a little slower then I could have improved on my finish time of 1hr 58mins but for my first half marathon I was delighted with that time.  The sunshine helped a lot I think, especially as it was very unexpected as it had been tipping it down for the whole of the previous day. My lasting memories are coming through Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site itself with the hazy sunshine picking out the church and cottages on the embankments of the gorge, the spectacular bridge and somehow finding enough juice in my legs to sprint at the 200m mark desperate to ensure I came in under 2 hours. Funny as I can always remember my long distance runs around the track at school always seemed to finish with a 200m sprint at the end. Guess my legs have got a better memory than I thought J Here are the photos from the race.  Good show from my running club the Wrekin Road Runners as there were 19 of us, go Wrekin! Look forward to Ironbridge Half 2011!