The Art of Falling Apart
DaveHi folks. ‘Fess up time. I had a REALLY bad run at a Half Marathon this Sunday.
I went along to the Hogweed Hilly Half in good spirits. It was a lovely Sunday morning, and it’s always nice to just turn up and run at these more intimate local events. The atmosphere was great, with lots of smiling helpful people from Hogweed Trotters.
However, there was a cloud on my horizon, knowing this would be a challenging race where the word ‘undulating’ lived up to its billing. I was more nervous before a race than I’ve been in a while. So I lined up at the start with some trepidation, with approx 250 runners; many in club vests from far and wide.
We all set off at a pretty good pace. I settled at the back as usual, and even at the back the first mile was sub 10 minutes, faster than I expected. In a relatively small field I wasn’t expecting that. And then came the first major hill, and I was in trouble.
Given my ‘bitty’ current training and condition, it all got too much for me, my legs and my head were pumping lactic and negative thoughts as quickly as I was breathing and struggling. I laboured on, with the sweeper car behind me for company, and even made ground back up and overtook on the downhills.
But by mile and hill four I was all out, and gone mentally. I stopped, unpinned my number, and walked back to the sweeper car, declining a lift. I then walked back to the start/finish, answering quizzical looks regards injury with ‘no, just my pride’. Bob Bell the smashing Hogweed Secretary consoled me regards DNF’s (Did Not Finish) as I passed, along with the lovely people at the baggage store, as I explained how I felt.
So I left, not stopping this year for a finishing reward of a cake from the village hall - I passed go, but did not pass finish. Sorry Hogweed Hilly, hope to be back, I’ve run and enjoyed you before, but need to get back to that shape.
What now? Well, that afternoon I took 2 boxes of beer round to my Parents: I’m going on the wagon, and started a diet yesterday, nothing too silly but I’ve got to turn this around, and some self-discipline has to play a part. I went out for a ‘recovery’ run tonight and plodded seven miles on easier roads. I wouldn’t say it was good, but I kept going. My goals remain the same, but I realise getting there is going to be some challenge this time, and when I line up at the start of my next Marathon, my first goal will be to finish.
Finally, my thanks and regards to Hogweed Trotters and their marshals, and a salute to the 243 who finished the Hilly Half, I hope to get my name back amongst you soon, and in the meantime I salute every single one of you as Winners.
Reader Comments (2)
Yes you're right, motivation is a factor, though funnily enough I have enjoyed running round Blaise Castle recently, except for those hills again! Might just take myself down to the Towpath from Ashton Gate to Pill, nice run, under the Suspension Bridge, with the added bonus it's flat. I'll take on board your suggested area too. Cheers.