1h28m50s. 307th out of 6117 finishers. Splits: 6117 finishers. Splits: 6:48, 6:41, 6:40, 6:29, 6:43, 6:54, 6:45, 6:48, 6:57, 6:59, 6:53, 6:40, 6:50, 0:43; Average: 6:46.
Race map; Garmin data.

Like for the Frank Duffy 10 mile race in August I had all my gear ready a few days before the race. Despite no running for two weeks after that race (a combo of recovering, busy with work, getting ready for a holiday and the holiday itself) I did 4 running workouts and a long turbo trainer session.

My first training run after my holiday was almost 8 miles. It was a killer and my legs were very stiff for the next few days. The next training run 3 days later was a tough 12 mile run. Another 3 days later I did a draining 10 mile run (I had to stop a mile from home – I *never* do that!). As my legs weren’t recovering fully between those runs I did a long turbo trainer session 2 days later. Two days after that I did a fast 6 mile run. That left me with 2 full rest days before the half marathon.

I cycled to the start area by 9:45 (a little late) and jogged to the start area. I knew that the 1:30 pacers would be near the front of Wave 1 so I jumped in a few metres ahead of them.

When the race started I was able to get a reasonable pace quickly even though it was very busy. One guy in the middle of the road dropped his phone right after the start line and dashed back against the crowd to pick it up – dangerous! I soon heard the 1:30 pacers making their way through the crowd (i.e. those that should have started behind them). They were firmly informing people that they were coming through and those not keeping the pace should move aside. Within 30 seconds they were 20 metres ahead of me.

I slowly closed that gap and right after the 1 mile marker I moved onto the path and dashed ahead of them. People swarm around the pacers so there is a always space ahead of them (a sort of “calm before the storm/swarm” type thing).

My pace was reasonable for the first few miles. At the first water station at 2.5 miles I poured the water onto my back. I forgot to drink some so my mouth was a little dry. I find it very hard to drink from cups anyway.

I didn’t quite cruise up Wellington Road like I’d done in the 10 mile race, but I got up okay. We turned onto Chesterfield Avenue (not the path as mentioned on the map) and I got water at about 5.5 miles (outside road to the Zoo). I drank it this time. The slight climb up Chesterfield Avenue didn’t seem so back, possibly because we got to see the race leaders as they doubled back on Chesterfield Avenue. There was some large gaps between the top few runners.

We ran around the Phoenix Monument roundabout and then back down Chesterfield Avenue before turning onto Lord’s Walk beside the zoo. That road is a bit of a drag, especially after the slight downhill of Chesterfield Avenue.

North Road was tough mentally as there was still over 5 miles to go. I got more water at the 9 mile marker. Just over 4 miles to go! I fell back a place or two after the double back at the top of Chesterfield Avenue but tried to hold my place after we turned onto Ordnance Survey Road where I knew that the road was flat or slightly downhill from then on.

I wet the lips at the final water station at 11.5 miles (same as first one at 2.5 miles). I was quite surprised to be passed by a good number of people while running down hill at a reasonable pace before the 12 mile marker.

The short climb up past St Mary’s Hospital was tougher than a month ago. I struggled on to the finish, unable to make a break with a guy who took off as we approached the finish line.

I finished in 1h28m50s (100 sec slower than my PB of last year). I was reasonably happy though surprised how much slower I was over last year.

Aside: I ordered a pair of Skins Compression Half Tights a week before the race. I hoped to have them in time for post race recover but they took a whole week to get from Northern Ireland. Grrr.