It was a beautiful day to be a spectator… not so much for running!

When and where?

19/05/24 – Chester, UK

Start: Chester Racecourse

Finish: By Chester Town Hall

The Route

The course began at Chester racecourse with a climb into the city centre. We ran through the centre, past the shops and cafes before heading out into the countryside.

A lot of the race involved running down Parkgate road. This worked out well as it allowed spectators to support runners in both directions.

We turned off to run through Mollington and Lea-by-Backford. Lovely country lanes with some friendly supporters – a fair few had their hosepipes out! Thank you!

We then rejoined Parkgate road before doing another little turn off. We rejoined at around 10 miles. This was then a 5k straight back down into the city centre, we could do this!

The last mile involved a fair bit of uphill, which is normally fine… but not at the end of a half marathon. Many of us were cursing! The final 100 metres the crowd roared and it was a relief to see that finish line. We had done it!

Race Conditions

It was boiling. The start line was at Chester Racecourse, where there was no shelter. I felt like I was baking!

It got hotter as the run went on, many of us dashed towards any bit of shade we could find and cheered whenever we saw a hosepipe or water station.

Many parts of the course had no cover at all and it was an energy vacuum! There was no fast running for me today.

My Performance

As I’ve previously mentioned, my running has been lacking recently. Job hunting has really taken its toll and I’ve been struggling to push myself when it comes with running.

There is also the weather… anyone who knows me will know that I really struggle in the heat. In one race I almost collapsed and I’ve thrown up etc… I just really struggle.

So when I set off, I knew immediately that this was not a race for me.

On June 10th, I will start 16 weeks of marathon training which will of course happen over the summer. So I used this race to mentally prepare for it.

It wasn’t easy. The first 5k I was already wanting to quit. What was I thinking?! I knew how slow I was and I didn’t feel strong at all.

Yet, I kept going. Run to mile 4… right we might as well run to 10k (6.2 miles) then. Before I knew it I was at mile 8. Again, slow but I was still running. Let’s get to mile 10 and see how we feel.

This is when I started to drag my feet, my form suffering. So when I got to mile 10 I began to walk. I updated my friends and my mum of how the race was going and took my time to refuel and see how I was feeling.

I felt a little better, enough to start running again until mile 12. The last mile! I’ve got this I thought.

Unfortunately I didn’t realise how unforgiving the last few hills were. I don’t mind hills, well, I have to accept them living in Huddersfield but I was spent. All my energy had gone into keeping going to staying strong. I walked a lot more than I wanted to in the last mile but I was done.

The finishing straight was a good boost, with the crowds cheering my name. I put in a strong trot towards the finish and finished with a smile. I did it, I didn’t cry or pass out. I just got to the finish line.

It was my 2nd worst half marathon time which honestly, I am disappointed about but it could have been worse…

Positives

I knew this wouldn’t be a ‘race’ for me so I took some positives from the race.

• New shoes: I bought some new shoes prior to the race – Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. I took them out for a spin the week before and they felt awful! The panic kicked in so I tried them again the Thursday before and thankfully, they clicked. When Sunday came I had ‘broken’ them in. And let me tell you… they felt amazing. I have never worn such comfortable shoes! I will definitely be wearing these for my marathon as they are fantastic.
• Fuelling: The week before the race, I had tried out some Salt Sticks FastChews. I wasn’t too sure about them but thought I might as well try them again on race day. I think they really helped me not cramp up or get dizzy. They are perfect for hot weather running and I will be adding them into my routine. I also had my trusty Torq gels with me, Strawberry Yoghurt and Cherry Bakewell flavour. A perfect pick me up to carry me to the next mile.
• Mental resilience: As mentioned, I was really struggling early on to carry on. It’s so easy to think ‘what’s the point?’ when you’re not feeling your best. Unfortunately, I haven’t and will unlikely feel my best for some time. So I had to bargain with myself, telling myself to run to the next mile and remind myself that in the summer it is going to be hotter. Best to start now rather than later.
• Marathon heat adaptation: Yes, I have set myself a challenge for the summer by training for a marathon. By running this race I’m sure I’ve adapted to the heat by 10% or something! Every run is towards my goal of running a marathon. It will take place at the end of September in Loch Ness, so I would think it shouldn’t be as hot then? Either way, I will have done my training.

After the race, my stomach did feel like it was doing somersaults which I think was a mixture of the fuel I took on and the heat. It soon sorted itself out, but it is something I will keep an eye out when I start marathon training.

Would I recommend?

Yes. The organiser, Active Leisure Events, were very coordinated and efficient. Despite being 6000 runners there I felt like the race ran smoothly. Getting over the start line was speedy and the course was well supported.

Some country lanes were quiet but I don’t class this as a bad thing, I do enjoy the quiet to get my head in the right space.

There were plenty of water stations and I did enjoy seeing ploggers out on the course to help tidy up. I always put my used gel wrappers back in my pocket but not everyone is as considerate!

Those spectators who were on the course were lovely and encouraging, cheering every runner on. It was ideal weather for them!

I was very pleased with the finishers goody bag, I see them less and less these days. One of the best I’ve had in a while! It was full of goodies, with yes – some Aldi goodies which I don’t mind at all! The medal and t-shirt are fantastic too.

Would I do it again? I did enjoy it, but probably not. I’ve got what I needed out of the race and there are so many out there to do!