Race Report: Stafford Half Marathon 17/03/2013

Today I ran the Stafford Half Marathon. When I first woke up to snow and ice I thought it might have been cancelled as normally they have more snow up that end, but alas it melted ever so quickly.  

I left at 8.30am and for once I was not driving but meeting up with Sue and Jan from South Cheshire Harriers.  We got there at 9.20am and as it was a bitterly cold day I decided to run in my 3/4s and long sleeves. My lovely wee hubby bought me some gore-tex mittens to keep my hands nice and warm and gave me them on Saturday morning, ( this of course had nothing to do with the fact he was off to Cardiff to watch the rugby). It was a nice surprise though. I thought to myself “I’ll write a report on these” !!! 

 

I saw Liz Clutton at the start so  I knew I was not going to get the first Vet prize today. No pressure.  I moved myself down from the 1.50 pen but I knew I’d do around about 2.05 as I am not as race fit this year. The Stafford half starts off in the Town Centre and the crowds are great are cheering you on.  The course is undulating.  At mile 3 there is a railway bridge and a bit of a climb after that. It was here I started with a headache, I kept on going and it eased off. As I was running I didn’t feel the cold in my hands as they were  really nice and toasty and a bit sweaty in my new mittens, however, I didn’t want to take them off.

 

At mile 11 you go along a track very like the salt line for a good two miles. I was in front of Sue and Jan and was going really well until mile 12 when I got a stomach cramp and had to make an unscheduled stop. Sue shouted to me and asked if I was ok.   I tried to catch her up when we got to the last half mile along the canal but crossed the line in 2.06.03. This was not a great time but considering it was windy, cold and my headache had returned I was just glad to finish. 

 

I picked up my t-shirt and medal and bottle of water and banana and then ran to the car, only to find the others were not back. Then, I notice to my horror I dropped my brand spanking new gloves.  I was gutted. Sorry guys I can’t write a report on them now. On the plus side, I ran back to the centre and found Sue who was shouting to me to go to the stage as I had won a Vet prize.   I got 2^nd lady Vet this year and a voucher for John Bourne, so I may be able to replace my gloves after all.

For more information visit the website.

 

Liz