So this amazing day was upon me! I'd been out for a friends birthday on the Friday and having a little too much to drink, as well as boogieing a little too hard (not getting in till 7am that morning). Me and my best friend awoke Saturday feeling a little groggy, but were all set out to get the train to Birmingham and attempt to find the hotel we'd booked!
After getting lost in Birmingham town centre, attempting to find a taxi rank- we finally got to the hotel at about 7:30. McDonald's in hand (I swear to you, whenever I've had a McDonald's up to 2 days before a race, I manage to get new PB- thank you fast food. Your not all that bad after all!). I washed myself of all my alcoholic sins and attempted to get an early night, which didn't go as planned. I had an really bad sleep. Was this nerves? Probably. At the time, I was thinking, what happens if my
groin gets worse? I didn't want to pull out of the race half way round. Or even worse, have to walk 3 mile like my first half marathon. (The week prior to this run. I went on a 12miler and seriously injured my groin at about 10miles- I was devastated. I hoped with a week of complete rest before race day it would be okay!
I awoke nice and early, with ease due to excitement for the day ahead. Whilst my best friend was still snoring her head off in dreamland. I wouldn't dare wake her as she'd have actually killed me. I very proudly put on my Alzhimers Society Vest, made sure I applied some deep heat to my affected groin area and continued to get prepared physically and mentally... I then waited for sleeping beauty to come back into reality, whilst simultaneously checking my phone due to noting a few 'good luck' posts. I found that these words of encouragement were partly why I did so well... I'll describe how later on. I felt kind of ready. But not completely, my groin still had a slight wince of pain when doing a certain movement. I was like shit! Please no! Be okay, just for one day- I can rest for 3 weeks if I had too after. Just not today!
After the Vickster was dressed. I decided against my usual 'no eaty breakfast' tradition and took full advantage of the hotels continental. I only snacked lightly, with some fruit and a piece of toast. I thought to myself, no overloading as I'd probably have to roll myself like a whale round the first mile or two! So with my phone sat nav in hand, we decided to take a brisk, slightly cold walk to start. We arrived fairly early (without getting lost), the elites had just been set off. So I went to put my bag in the baggage bus. The atmosphere already was so intense. It just goes to show how many different runner there are in the world, as well as a colourful variety of charity running tops and vests- it's incredible. Everyone hyped. Whether it was their first half marathon, whether it was their first Great Brimingham run or whether they'd ran this event every year. Some with PB's in mind, some to just be greatful to cross the finish line after the dreaded incline.
Vickie had to leave me so I could start to progress with the other people in the pink wave down Jennens road toward the start line. Even though I was due to be set off last, it really didn't feel like it. The time flew by. After a mess up with the green wave, (I think or orange starting just 7-10 minutes before us) everyone had somehow been integrated together, due to being marshalled into the wrong starting side of the road. Already I was panicking, like shit the barriers are all the way up the centre of the road. How am I going to jump over to the pink side? Shall I just set off with the other colours? Luckily, me and this other woman found a slip through gap and slid back on to the correct side. Panic over!
With all these people surrounding me and invading my personal bubble, I felt exceedingly anxious. I just wanted to go. They didn't set us off until about 10 minutes after the official time confirmed in our race packs.
Erghh let me go, before I change my mind. Ha.
After a very anticipated wait. The start gun went off. Yeeeey!!!
My journey starts here! I Paced myself almost immediately- setting a do-able, comfortable rhythm, as to not knacker myself out too much. The first part, i.e 1-2 miles in were fairly pleasent. No majory up hill inclines, quite a bit downward. Then the dreaded, tedious Pershore road leading on to Kensington Road which was quite a short, scopy incline. The first proper hill. In my opinion. But I felt utter relief coming up and around Selly Park Road, which fairly flat/ and down hill. It was a nice to break up from the tedious Pershore. I felt surprisingly fine at about 5-6 miles in, going along Bourneville Road was quite pleasant again, due to the downhill on to Mary Vale Road. This ultimately led back on to Pershore, I was making okay-ish time. I think I looked at my Garmin around the 10km point. According to the Great Brigham time chip split, I made it to the half way point in 1:06:43 only 1:13 over my personal best for a 10km of which, I achieved in Wolverhamoton the September just gone. I thought. Hell yeah. I got this. However, I badly wanted to get out one of my SIS gels, but I thought to myself. No. Save it for mile 8, then take one at around 11-12 miles. My fatigue Is only going to get worse- I thought, anyway.
As I crossed the 8 mile point, I revitalised myself by taking the gel. I'd only ever taken one once in my 12 miler the week before last. Jesus, it was like a Duracell bunny had erupted within me. I was on fire and itching to continue. My groin started to get uneasy going through Edgebaston Cricket ground. I was again cursing in my head. Reiterating and praying to God that if I pushed that little bit harder and got my muscles that little bit warmer, it would ease the pain. Which surprisingly, it did! Ooo happy days! Coming through Canon Hill Park. I felt my fatigue slowly, but surely burning itself back into me. I'd never gone beyond this part of the course, having only done the 10k, as well as having no geographical knowledge beyond this point until I reached the killer hill- I was effectively blind to the next mile and a half ahead of me! Canon hill park was a fair incline in itself. I was checking my watch, whilst simultaneously trying not to look half dead and retarded for the photographers. Haha. Call it vanity, call it proof/ evidence, or what you will!
The course levelled out, you could say for about a mile and a half or so. I was feeling great! It had started spitting too, which further revitalised and refreshed me, as well as going into that cold spray thingy on the course. That was pretty awesome.
Then came Charlotte Road. I actually said in my head. Here we go chuck. This is where you either make this section your bitch, or it makes you its bitch. Lone and behold, I felt tired of course. But no where near as bad as I recall being when taking part in the 10km. This furthered into a positive.
Running has clearly impacted on my fitness level since May of this year. I felt fairly happy indeed. A handful of Jelly babies were practically thrown at me as I passed the 11 mile. Once again, looking at my Garmin. I was either concentrating on not letting my legs go from beneath me, or I was slightly disorientated. I could not visualise whether I was making good time or not, so I thought screw it! I'll just soldier on. It was only up until mile 12 that I thoughourouly knew I was making a very, very good time. Passing the 12 miler point, I upped my pace, knowing I was nearly finished gave me a surge of adrenaline, as well as seeing the Alzhimers Society Supporters shouting words of encouragement from the side line to me. Coming up Calthorpe road (this was the last incliney bit- I believe) I decided to get my phone out of my back pocket and read over all the motivational posts from my family and close friends. Which significantly helped to take my mind off the hill, as well as helping to make my pace more consistent.
Up Hagley Road, I felt captivated with all the support, and knew I was near Broad Street. Coming up to the last 0.20 miles, I decided to go all out to get to the finish. I looked at my Garmin and thought:
Shit, I'm going to break the what I personally thought to be impossible, possible. I sprinted through the finish line and checked my watch, which was at 13.15miles with a time of...
Drum roll please.........
2:25:53! Chip confirmation of 2:25:43
I was in absolute shock. I had indeed made the what I thought impossible, possible and succeeded. I knocked a grand total of 33 mins off my first half marathon time in July, on an undulating course oppose to a flat, fast route. I was on the brink of tears. After the collection of my medal. I sat down at the village bit at the end of Broad Street.
I got my phone out. Which I noted, had 3% battery. I still had to ring Vickie to tell her where I was and that I'd finished. Shit! I rang her like "my phones gonna die. I'm in between G-H, please find me!" I sat there for about 45 mins. With a dead phone, hunderds of people everywhere and no sign of my best friend. I was thinking, what happens if I can't find her? I know nobodies numbers off the top of my head. I'd just have to leave her and get the train home or stay in Brum looking for her. But no, I thought, stay where you told her. Do not move!
Finally I found her and hobbled into a big hug with an ever so painful groin. I slightly forgot that as soon as I'd sat down for 45 mins, it would sieze up and the pain was excruciating. So we began to walk to Robs Car, which was about a mile away. We got near on there and I turn to Vickie like, "I've left my bag on the baggage bus on the other side of town!!" . So, as you can imagine, after being called every name under the sun. We begun our journey back on ourselves, to collected the baggage and got back to the car in twice the time it should have took us, due to my fish memory of a brain hahaha!
With this we decided to park up outside the town centre and walk into the bullring, have some lunch and then head back home. Exceedingly thankful for the lift back, I managed to fall asleep! Bad mofo-ing idea!!! Don't you worry, Vickie gladly took the most horrendous photos of me. Which I may share further down.
So there you have it. I absolutely smashed my previous half marathon time, regained a groin injury, but as ever hyped, believing I could do it all again next weekend... Little did I forget the immense muscle pain the day after. I almost had to get my mother to peel me off of my bed for university the next day!
Photos to follow a little later. I'm off for a job interview. Wish me luck!
