First half-marathon of the year…

That makes it sound like I do loads! It was my third ever half marathon after doing the same race last year and another, The Sturminster Newton Half in August.

This was very nearly the first race ever that I couldn’t finish. NEARLY! Some courses are labelled ‘flat’, some ‘undulating’ and some ‘hilly’ – well this was hilly with a capital H! As you’ll see on my About page, one of my running targets for this year is to run a half in under 90 minutes. I was so close and manged to knock four and a half minutes off my HM personal best to do it in 01:33:03!

Route Profile of the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon

My usual tactic in a longer race is to take it easy for much of the race and then, if I have something left in the tank, speed up for the last mile or so. However, I often have so much left at the end that I sprint over the finish line, frustrated with myself for not trying harder! So this time I thought, ‘screw it’ and went hard (for me) from the off. I felt good for around 7 miles but as you can see from the course profile above, there’s a particularly nasty incline slap bang in the middle of the race. Having run 6:30 minute miles up until this hill I was shattered! Coupled with a nasty blister I ended up shuffling along between 8-9 minute miles for the last two miles, with a horribly steep hill right at the end.

The final hill of the Blackmore Vale Half Marathon – doesn’t look too bad from here!:

End of the Blackmore Vale half marathon

Next Training

If this blister clears then Tuesday night speed session on the track.

Next Race

The Lytchett 10 miler

Map of course – Blackmore Vale Half Marathon

It was a lovely course, through Dorset countryside and on winding lanes. Up until 9 1/2 miles it went very quickly with the mile signs peeling away behind me unnoticed. Then came the mega-blister : ( I had decided to try wearing my new compression socks to see whether they actually work which, combined with fairly new trainers did not end well! Cue stopping at 8 miles to pull my socks up and retie my trainers and then cue limping on my blister for the last 4 miles!