Wokingham Half Marathon

Forget the
Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, right now it’s paranoia that gets me.

I wrote last week that I strained my left calf, the same one I tore this time last year. Following a physio trip, rest and much heat applied via a hot water bottle, the objective of this is to get the blood flowing and thus loosen the muscle up, I went for a test run on Thursday night.

With no target distance in mind, six miles soon became eight, and the leg in question felt pretty good. A steady eight miler is one thing, a competitive half marathon is another and, although I felt no reaction from the run on Thursday, I confess I was a little uneasy (or paranoid) that something could go wrong at Wokingham this morning. No evidence to back this up, but I was aware that a torn calf last year took at least a month to recover from, were this to be repeated it would be an enforced break I could ill afford. The next few weeks is crucial in terms of endurance building for the marathon, having sat out the planned eighteen miler last Sunday, I’m still to go past fifteen. The decision was taken to give Wokingham a go, but at the first sign of a concern I’d be pulling out.

Better safe than sorry of course, but sitting here now, having not only completed the race, but run quicker than either I or today’s guide Andrew expected, I’m wondering what the fuss was about.

If you’re looking to test how fast you can run a half marathon, Wokingham is the ideal place. Beginning on the outskirts of the Berkshire town, the route heads to the countryside for three miles, with a seven mile loop bringing runners back to retrace the first three on the way into the start finish point. The course is all road, which is closed to traffic. The ground is flat, the most inclines you experience are bridges crossing a major road.

The weather conditions today were pretty good for running. A bit of rain in the air which I didn’t really notice, but I imagine wasn’t much fun to stand in so it was great to see so many people marshalling and supporting. The wind was behind us at the start, and in our faces for the last couple of miles, something which is reflected in the mile splits which are below.

And the time?

1 hour 36.36.

My previous best was 1:44.19, but I don’t think you can compare like with like since that was two years ago and I’m a good deal faster now than then.

The target was to break 1:40, something which wasn’t too ambitious with protecting the calf in mind. At half way I was looking good for 1:37 as long as I held my form, it’s good to go even quicker.

The opening mile was deliberately the slowest, something I’m not known for doing. The thing which stands out from the set of splits below the most to me is, mile eleven was the second slowest and, in the past 7.40 would easily become 7.50 then 8 something. This time I was able to kick on again and increase the speed, the benefit of marathon training showing.

And, as always seem to happen, one particular song got stuck in my head as I was running. Luckily this time it was one I like,
‘Time Stand Still’ by Rush.

The race splits, for those that like stats, were:

1. 7.46
2. 6.54
3. 7.02
4. 7.10
5. 7.17
6. 7.24
7. 7.19
8. 7.33
9. 7.21
10. 7.30
11. 7.41
12. 7.25
13. 7.22
13.1. 0.52

I also have pace stats, I confess I’ve no idea how this is worked out, but they look pretty consistent so I’ll not ask questions.

1. 7.46
2.7.20
3. 7.14
4. 7.13
5. 7.14
6. 7.15
7. 7.16
8. 7.18
9. 7.18
10. 7.20
11. 7.22
12. 7.22
13. 7.22
13.1. 7.22