Training Log Archive: LOST_Richard

Event: White Peak Half marathon
 

After months of training finally the day arrived to do my first Half Marathon for over 10 years.

The White Peak Half runs along an old rail line across the High Peak in Derbyshire before dropping down three decent slopes to the village of Cromford. Around 200 people out on a wet and windy morning, but no where near as bad as the weather forecast.

Started towards the back of the pack and slowly worked my way through about 20 or thirty places to find the right pace group. Pretty much stuck with these runners for the rest of the race, with just one or two people dropping off and another couple getting a second wind. The first 13km was pretty much dead flat and swapped in and out of old railway cuttings, which were out of the wind and raised embankments that had a blustery cold wind and a few drops of rain. After 13km the first of the downhills was a welcome change as my legs were starting to suffer. I was focused on getting through each Km at this stage and at 15km got the second down hill for around 1km which was a nice change of pace. From there I had to survive to the 18km mark and major downhill into the valley. Not so steep that you could not run down but the legs were getting stiff and it was hard to stride out but did get the pace back under 6mins/km.

Andrew (brother) had run out to short way up the last downhill so it was good to have some motivation to keep going for the last 1.5km along the canal tow path.

Very pleased to have managed to run the whole way and to just squeeze under 6 min/km - 2 hours was out of the question on my current training, so a return to those times will have to wait for another day.

nephew Charlie who took Andrew's spot did 1:37 so I still have bragging rights against my all time best Half Marathon time of 1:31

C • Good work! 4

With the Half Marathon on Saturday I thought I should do at least one run this week to check that my legs still can run. Felt Ok but 21km is going to hurt I am sure.

From Beddgelert to Pont Aberglasyit then up Cym Bychan past a line of old copper mines and some old pylons that would have carried the ore back down the valley. Over the top of the ridge then a very steep rough trail back down to the village. Found out that a slightly longer but easier trail runs north to the valley then back into Beddgelert.

Nice sunny morning, with good views across to Snowdon and other local mountains. It was due to give way to low cloud and drizzle mid arfternoon and the weather man was pretty accurate so it was good to get out early for the walk.

C • Copper mines 9