Run > Race

NIKE MILTON KEYNES HALF-MARATHON (Chip - 1:42.44 / Watch - 1:42.43) (Mile splits - 7.37 / 7.35 / 7.48 / 7.57 / 7.52 / 7.51 / 7.57 / 7.42 / 7.58 / 7.52 / 8.06 / 8.03 / 7.42 / Last 0.1 miles - 0.44) (KM splits - 1st 5kms - 23.51 / 2nd 5kms - 24.31 / 3rd 5kms - 24.27 / 4th 5kms - 24.45 / Last 1.1kms - 5.10)

Got there quite early, but disappointed to meet very few people pre-race. I felt like a right old "Larry No Mates" at times. Nothing to do but chomp away on an enormous choccie bar (well I didn't want to fade away to nothing pre-race, did I?)

Did see Davina from my gym, which was great (especially the kiss on each cheek lol). She was really up for the run and I'm sure will have got a good time. Saw Jenni from Fetch heading towards the start line, but she was too far away to speak. (I know that Jenni passed out at Finish - take care Jenni)

As to the race itself, my MP3 started 'playing up' from the off. I spent the first mile and a half doing nothing but fiddle with it, but in the end had to settle for a mono music stream through just the left ear - weird. (Luckily, it turned out to be the headphones that were knackered. New pair plugged in - sorted.)

I ticked off the early miles comfortably enough. Had an horrendous stretch into the wind somewhat after half-way - I think along the dual-carriageway.

At the end of Mile 10, I was still feeling good from a cardio. perspective. And I had plenty of energy. However, my "short-session gym bunny" legs started complaining big time. "You having a laugh?" they cried? "What's happened to the 40 minutes on that nice soft rubber?". "We can't be doing with this hard tarmac stuff". Fair enough, I suppose.

To humour the old legs, I relaxed a bit in Miles 11 and 12. Then, to the annoyance of my 'pins', I put in a biddy bit of an 'Alpha Male' style final mile. However, I resisted the urge to sprint to the Finish Line.

Gratefully accepted my (fabulous) medal and 'celebrated' finishing my 21st half-marathon since taking up running in Summer 2002. Then, into the warm for copious Lucozade drinks and other choccie bar (blushes).

Tired, bit of a headache and one small blister (my fault for not strapping this 'problem' toe enough). Legs are now totally pain-free, but I'm sure that quads will 'hum' tomorrow. Got to be very careful this week, with Silverstone Half next Sunday - gulp!