Pre-race
The train was on time and got to the venue in good time. The runners village was packed. I visited the toilet. I changed in to my running shoes and attached the timing chip. I decided it was chilly enough to put the long sleeve top on, so unattached the race number, put the new top on, and re-attached the number. Mrs Matt and I both visited the toilets. The sun came out and I decided the short sleeve shirt was now the best option. Unattach, re-attach the race number. I said goodbye to Mrs Matt who was on her way to a pre-arranged viewing point on the loop I would go round twice. I visited the toilet. Nerves? me? naahhh! I warmed up in a park opposite the road that my colour was queuing to the start. Lots of people were diving in and out of bushes for toilet. I took my place in the queue, which was around a bend from where the start was and all the action was happing. 15-20 mins later we were off. Round the corner, cross the timing mat, press the garmin. Game on.
Miles 1-4
I started next to a 6ft 5in oompa loompa. Not having been in a race with more than 250 people, 11000 was amazing. I was warned to fight against the pace early on, but it was about 8.40 which was about my target anyway, so I was happy. Saw Mrs Matt at mile 2, by the time she saw me, it was a picture of my arse. I had 2 dates at mile 3 with some water, hoping that having something early would pay off in the middle of the race. I pumped my arms on the uphill parts which really helped. The live bands around the course were amazing and people had their house music blaring, which was great.
Miles 5-9
At mile 5, I took a water bottle from a volunteer, took a big gulp and swallowed it the wrong way, choaking like I was drowning. Then I dropped the top and water was sloshing about all over the place. Poured some over my head and threw it away. Had the last 2 dates at mile 6 with some water. I felt like I still had metal in my legs which was reassuring. 8-9 I started to feel some jelly creeping in. A bloke with a massive boob attached to his chest, nipple n all (like a small bean bag) was going at my pace of 8.30-8.45. I told him he was doing well and to keep going. How he was doing that I dont know. Saw Mrs Matt again, I was 3 meters in front of her (no one inbetween) with thumbs up and shouting her name. She missed me. Another shot of my arse.
Miles 10-13
At mile 10 it was the last straight ish (the part I liked the most) leg of the 2nd loop. Another water, some over the head. A little further down I had a lucozade which was very welcome. The legs and feet were suffering, and I started to wonder if I was going to be able to hold this pace down for the last 3 miles. Mile 11 seemed like the longest of my life. My body was saying 'just stop man, walk for a bit, you've got time in the bank'. I didnt stop for fear of the effort it would take to start again. At mile 12 I was shot, all I could do was bargin with myself that if all the others around me kept going, so would I. Pace was holding, some how. There were atleast 2 ambulances coming up through the runners to deal with people collapsing. I came to the final hill which I was desperate to see. Saw Mrs Matt half way up, which also helped. Turned the corner and saw the finish. I was absolutely shattered, but kept going. Finish.
Garmin Time: 1:56:34
Chip Time: 1:56:39
Garmin Distance: 13.27 miles
Afterwards, we found a cafe with an upstairs seating area. We got a table by the window so we could people watch the whole square, it was lovely. A chocolate milkshake and burger and chips later and all was right with the world.
And.. not forgetting... that is 2012 goal #3 Completed!!!
