In the book of Revelation, St John describes a
vision of hell containing a beast with seven heads, where ‘every head was a
hill’. Apparently most theologians think that this was a cryptic reference to
his persecutors in Rome, although last Sunday morning I started wondering if
the vision of hell was of another city, also built on seven hills but in
Staffordshire rather than Italy…
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2½ downhill miles gone, why does everyone say this
race is so hard?
|
I’d entered the race a couple of weeks before, when
a friend of Grant’s offered to give
his number to me in return for a donation
to the Find John Lawton fund. When I mentioned to other Striders that this
would be my first Potters Arf, the reply was usually a sadistic laugh followed
by a comment of ‘you know it’s hilly’ or ‘save something for the run up the
cliff at mile 11’.
Arriving at the start, it seemed very well
organised for an event of this size. As the start is in the centre of Hanley
there’s plenty of parking, and a lot more for spectators to do during the race
than in other events. There are also a lot more fancy dress charity runners, a
lot of who set off half an hour early to walk the route. All of this, as well
as the sunny weather, meant a big crowd and a good atmosphere at the start for
the four Striders running on the day, viz. me, Heather, Terry & Liz.
The first couple of miles started with a loop
through the centre of Hanley past the cheering crowds, then a long downhill
stretch out to the shopping estates on the main road towards Longton. So a nice
easy start, but I had to try not to think about coming back up the hill at the
end! A couple more miles with a few ups & downs got us to the four mile
point and everything seemed OK, despite the heat. The crowds helped us along
too. The Potters Arf is a bit unusual for a half marathon as it’s all in built
up areas so there’s never a shortage of people watching from their front
gardens & shouting a bit of encouragement.
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| Approaching the 13 mile mark. I think she started about half an hour before me |
As we left Longton High Street we rounded a bend
& out of nowhere this LONG hill had appeared, stretching straight up for
nearly a mile with no shade. Five minutes later I still couldn’t see the top
and was being further tormented by the smell of breakfast oatcakes from the
local takeaways. This was where I first had the thought ‘This Is Hell’! Eventually
it levelled out, but the run was never going to be easy after that. Another few
miles running through back street residential areas passed with several ups
& downs. The local support was great and there were a couple of unplanned
water stations as well as a very welcome hosepipe spray. Then the eleven mile
mark approached. There had been a mile or so beforehand running downhill or on
the flat, so the gentle hill there didn’t seem too bad. Then the signs started
to appear - ‘Heartbreak Hill in 200m’…
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Must try harder with the jazz hands
|
Again the organisers had put the hill immediately
after a sharp bend so we couldn’t see what was coming. I’m not sure if that was
good or bad. And yes, it was steep, not Killer Mile steep but pretty bad and
long. Much as I was tempted to walk, I forced myself to keep going. Shouting
‘DON’T STOP’ at myself regularly seemed to help me, although I’m not sure what
the spectators thought of it. I’ve also got a vivid memory of overtaking two
very plump ladies who were dressed as ballerinas & walking up the hill
complaining loudly that it was torture. I couldn’t resist telling them to try
running it on the way past! At the top of the steep bit you think it’s over,
but there’s still another quarter mile or so of leg sapping uphill slope before
it finally levels out. The last mile isn’t too bad, there’s a bit of gentle up &
down but overall it’s downhill to the finish line back in the centre of Hanley.
There are big crowds there which make for a great atmosphere at the end. And
finishing in just under 1h35 I was the first Strider in on the day so had a
chance to wander back up the course & give a bit of encouragement to the clubmates
coming in later. Terry had obviously saved a lot for the end. I tried to run
the last quarter mile with him but couldn’t keep up!
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| It took a few days to get his time on the results list, but he WAS there! |
Final thoughts. Would I run it again? Probably, for
the challenge & the atmosphere although not for a fast time. Was St John’s vision of Hell really 21st
century Stoke? No. Too many friendly people about for a start. The marshals
were very helpful and encouraging for struggling runners. I’m sure the marshals
in Hell would be a lot less sympathetic. And I don’t know what’s in the middle
of Hell, but I’m sure it’s not the oatcake & doughnut van which provided ideal
recovery food!
For more information visit the Potters 'Arf website.
Martin
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