News from South London Harriers
March 11th, 2007: Fleet Half Marathon Report
Posted by Runningclogs at 8:00 amWith the 22 April (the date of the little jog) slowly getting in sight a number of races are recommended to test the water! Read runningclogs report below
As it was booked out at the end of the first week of january only a few very fortunate club members managed to get a place though! As a result a greater contingent of runners started at the same time as we left for Fleet from the clubhouse for their long run which I believe went to Reigate (a popular resort?) again! – to have a points competition which includes races which are booked up almost before one realises that they are part of the competition is not fair … – and hence is only for the clairvoyants! And is a distraction to serious marathon training?……….
On a bright sunny morning our convoy of two vehicles cruised at a steady pace towards Fleet and when we decided to find a parking place as we were almost there turning right we found an empty road so that was no problem – other people were not so fortunate as many a tale could be heard just before the start.
After a quick trek through the shopping centre – for the loos of course! – got us to the main field and the preparations for the race. As the six of were a reasonable crowd most of the other SLHers managed to find us before the race, Chris only afterwards and I never saw Jo at all!
But “I did not know what to wear”?
And like last year I got it wrong……I have never been so pleased to hear the shouts of a supporter … in this case Andy Collins, who had set of on his bike at the same time from the clubhouse – at one moment I thought he was going to run the race as well… - I guess as a fireman you need to be able to shout loud over the roar of a fire – I think the whole of Fleet and Hart Council area now know about “South London Harriers” and their brilliant achievements – so he kindly took my Tshirt for safe keeping – what a relief not to be so hot!
After extreme slow progress in the company of a few battalions of the army we tried to forge our way to the start at a pace even a snail could have been able to keep up with – why do people always try and walk the opposite way in these circumstances? – this was not helped either by the fact that once at the road of the start this was already full and decisions needed to be made as where to start from!….
Anyway we seemed to be able to slot in ok – never saw the army again? – I thought they were all in Iraq in any case….. Just before 11.30 there was a search forward and after wishing all around a “good run” and having spotted many of the usual runners from the Surrey clubs the start signal was given … and nothing moved …. Had started watch … stopped again, as it would have been no use for pacing … when we finally got into jog mode I started my clock again a little distance before the mats… the jog was not for long as it developed very quickly in a mad fury of galloping horses seeing a spring meadow for the first time!
I have heard of people doing the first mile in 5min, 6min & 7 min – this may or may not have foiled some runners ambitions and time hoped for!… - I was slightly more sedate than my last years 7:45 with a mere 8:25! All my attempts to slow down were in vain!… mile two in 8:37 where I found this very hot looking lady in yellow Tshirt with huge paper hanky in right hand … we leapfrogged my times until 10m, when.. Mile 3 in 8:32… met “my angel” who took my Tshirt on the way to 4m at which stage sanity prevailed and right up to mile 11 target miles of 9 to 9:15 were achieved.
Lots of people about cheering us on – had two cups of water every drinking station and one over my head – which ensured I did not get dehydrated as I did on my long run at home the previous Monday!… – saw some very hot runners though – one even with a coat around her waist, long trousers and heavy T shirts on – she past me at 4m ….. – course not quite as flat I remembered it to be – but certainly much flatter than Coulsdon but even than Horsham!
The village around 11m is a treat to come through in the nice weather with lots of people in the garden of the pub and villagers on their folding chairs in front of their houses cheering one on – with daffodils, crocuses and snow drops; birds singing in the trees; what more do you want – agh a pb!…
I thought negative splits were only things the gods and people like Paula Radcliffe and Jane Luxton can do – so feeling still remarkable good I decided to try and achieve a negative split and accelerated from 10mp first tentatively but increasingly more aggressively – it is a very strange sensation starting to pass first the odd few runners but as the pace increased large numbers – I estimate I must have passed 100 to 200 which is not surprising as my mile 11 = 9:02; mile12 = 8:18; mile 13 = 8:10 and last 300m at 7:12min/mile pace! Left yellow Tshirt lady behind at 10m, the overdressed runner at 11.5m and to the girl who I met half a mile from the finish who asked me anxiously will I get there within 2hours I replied “easily” …. “but I can’t keep up with you!” ….. she must have done it because there was at least 1.5 minutes to go to two hours when I went over the line – I never looked at the clock – but stopped my watch at 1:57:04 (about a minute slower than last year) – which is a time between the gun and the chip! But I failed to get a negative split by 24 secs… I have learned something though which has boosted my confidence for trying it again for the Cranleigh 21.
But Andy was right to announce “South London Harriers” virtues as Chris Phelan was 3rd vet 45 and our ladies, even without Pippa who did not finish because she was unwell, finished 1st team! Absolutely brilliant Sue, Clare and Jo.
I believe those taking part finished in this order Mark Farmer 30th, Chris Phelan 3rd vet 45, - Mark Burtwell - Sue McDonald - Clare Settle - Colin Young - Jo
Quantrill - Kathy Southall - Alison Collins - Jennie Burdett and Jake. (plus Pippa)
Runningclogs
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