Two weeks after my first marathon, I decided to test my pace with a half marathon.

This is either the best idea, or the most stupid…

When and where?

13/10/24 – Manchester, Old Trafford area

Start: A main road near Old Trafford football stadium

Finish: A main road near the Old Trafford cricket ground

The Route

This was a main road route through several areas of Manchester around Old Trafford.

We were set off in waves to ensure things didn’t get too crowded.

We started off going down a road and round a roundabout and back down the road on the other side. I liked this because I got to see some friends, Chris and Jed just setting off.

I won’t lie, that was kind of the route. Lots of main roads running through Stretford, Sale, Chorlton and Old Trafford (probably missed one but ey well).

The streets were crowded on the route with well wishers and supporters. It’s not something that usually motivates me, but I knew I’d need it today.

It is a tedious route if you focus on it, but if you need something flat, fast and full of support you’re in the right place.

I did get elbowed once but other than that I didn’t feel crowded once. It was well signposted and never felt lonely.

The finish line had a bonus Puma thing you could run through before you made the finish. It was pointless and I wish I hadn’t. But the finish line. Oh was a beautiful sight!

Race Conditions

It was cold at the start, I did put on gloves and my arm sleeves but took them off once I warmed up.

It was fine and the road surface was pleasant to run on.

I wore shades even though it wasn’t sunny because I wanted to look good in the photos.

My Performance

Oh wow. It went much better than I had planned!

I put my hands up here – I was one of those twats who had been put in a fast wave when I’m not that fast. Apparently my wave was 1hr 45. Ha! I definitely put 2 hours down so I have no idea why I was put in this.

But I was there, I would be done sooner happy days.

Having not ran a decent half marathon for a while due to illness/injury etc, I had zero expectations. In fact, I believed I could run 2hr 10-2hr 15. Yeah – I was in the wrong wave sozzzz

When I set off, I immediately knew I had set off far too fast. This was my believed 10k pace. Oh my goodness what was I doing?

My legs felt good. I felt in control. I decided to carry on and see how long I could hold this on for.

I continued to feel in control, chatting to random people, seeing my friend Debbie overtake me as she absolutely smashed her PB… all was going well.

When I hit mile 8 I did start to feel a little bit of fatigue. I mentally patted myself on the back for doing this well. I backed off slightly and took a gel. Another friend Catherine cheerfully cruised past as she was on track for another PB.

I also took some of the water from the water station as I was drinking a fair bit. Running fast might get it done quicker, but you’re also burning through more!

I told myself to start pushing again at mile 10, but I started at mile 9 instead as it did feel good.

From mile 10 it was a struggle. Not because of the distance, oh no, this was nothing to me. But the effort was tough.

Just hold your head up high, pump those arms and try your best.

The last mile and a bit is the longest stretch of road ever. I tried zoning out to the traffic lights ahead but they felt so far away. I focused on the people in front. Could I catch them?

I felt like I had sped up but my strava splits say different, I was fighting. There was a last corner, my friend Gaz shouted ‘Come on Lindsay!’ from the crowd as he had long finished.

I knew it was nearly over.

The finish line was there. Oh beautiful. I sped up fast as I could and done!

I stopped my watch.

2hr 5mins 55 seconds.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A PB. A PB I had absolutely no expectations of getting close to.

I burst into tears. I’m on the verge of crying just writing this.

I have tried to get a half marathon PB since 2019 and finally I’ve done it. No, it’s not the lifetime goal of sub 2 but it’s something.

2 weeks after a marathon I go and bash that out. Absolutely amazing!

Would I recommend?

Well I’ve bloody signed up again next year haven’t I?

Yeah, it’s a good event. Not cheap but well organised, well supported and perfect if you’re chasing a time or to provide yourself with a benchmark.

Feels like a safe event for it to be your first half marathon too.

You won’t get the views but you’ll get people cheering you on as you race through those long roads.

Time: 2hr 5mins and 55secs