One of the best things about these big city races is getting to the start line. Stepping off the train and not having a clue which way to go is always made fun by playing a game of 'follow that runner' and with 23,000 people running this race, we were never going to get lost.
Waiting on the start line, I was nervous as training had been a bit, well -thin the last couple of weeks. I was also thanking the lord I was able to feel my fingers and toes- the sun really did have his hat on by now.
And off we went! The first couple of miles of these big races never feel that tough because you're too busy concentrating on not getting knocked flying.
Usually at this point I start to settle into my steady race pace of about 5.30mins p/km. However, every time I checked my pace was hitting at least 5mins p/km- my 5km or 10km (on a good day) pace. I was flying! Every time I tried to slow myself down I started to feel more tired so decided to keep pushing on. Before I knew it, I was at 5 miles in about 43 minutes. I was easily going to make my target of 1.5hours.
Great support round the course kept me going at this super hero (for me) pace. 7 miles and still going strong- where was this coming from?! However, at this point I knew what was coming- the last two miles straight back along the coast. I was fearing the worst so forced myself to slow down. But rather than the expected sea breeze, I was greeted by simmering heat, which did start to wipe me out. The Bupa energy station (i.e jelly babies) perked me up slightly. But where oh where was the 9 mile marker? It must be coming up soon? After what felt like 3 days it finally appeared. By this point I was almost conked out. But nothing has ever, ever looked so good as that '400 metres to go' sign. I was almost on the verge of tears, and a quick check at the time almost tipped me over the edge. I wasn't just going to make 1.5 hours- I was going to blitz it! In fact, if I could pull out a sprint finish I was going to smash through 1 hour 25 minutes. So some how I forced my jelly legs to move as fast as they possibly could and practically fell over the finish line in 1 hour, 24 minutes and 30 seconds! (The official time later said 1 hour 24 minutes and 44 seconds but my Ipod is usually spot on for time, and other people have said the timing was off so I'm sticking with mine. Up yours Bupa chip timing)
This is the first race when I've genuinely felt in danger of throwing up on the finish line, which I took as a good sign that I'd given it everything I had! I felt slightly delirious for a good 15 minutes after.
Overall, a great race. Fast, super flat course and luckily great weather. Really chuffed with my time and surprisingly my legs felt pretty normal after. I finished in 3660th place which is not too shabby.
All topped off with fish and chips on the pebble beach and a trip round the arcade. Couldn't ask for anything more. Thank you Portsmouth!
