Ironman Wales is my main focus this year. I'm fairly nervous but excited about it. It feels like this enormous dragon, a big and angry race, waiting to be slayed in September. I want to be in the very best condition and the fittest I've ever been to be able to tackle it. It's not going to be easy.
As usual for the first few months of the year, I've been running quite a bit. I've also been swimming lots and enjoying the 50m pool in Cardiff. I've been doing a lot of pull and paddle work.....I think I'm getting faster. I've not done that much cycling, which is worrying me a bit, but I did manage to navigate my way, all by myself, around the Vale of Glamorgan to carve out a 50 mile ride on a beautiful spring-like morning. I felt great throughout the ride and I'm looking forward to building on it.
Since Christmas, I've been enjoying my running. Wearing my Newton trainers has certainly changed my running technique and I now feel springier and more efficient. The way I felt on my long runs around a mainly flat Cardiff had suggested that my aim of a spring sub 2 hour marathon may not be impossible. After the unpleasantness of the Cardiff Half in October, I was looking forward to seeing if less training over the winter (i.e. not Ironman training) meant that I could keep threshold running for longer.
On Sunday, my sister Elin and I drove down to Llanelli to take part in the Waterside Half Marathon. I had done this half four years ago, in preparation for the London Marathon so I knew the course was more or less flat with a few benign bumps here and there. Perfect for trying to get a pb.
We awoke at 5.15am to pissing rain outside. I've become immune to worrying about race weather now and "they'd" said that the rain would stop and clear by 9 o'clock, and so it did. We arrived in Llanelli in ample time to have a stroll around and a cup of tea in the car. It was cold and not as windy as I thought it would be. There was a nice atmosphere and I felt relaxed and happy. Waiting for the start with Elin, I actually felt excited to get the race going as opposed to indifferent which is how I felt before the Cardiff half.
Eventually, after a bit of standing on my tip-toes to see what was going on and why we hadn't started at the advertised 9am start time, the crowd shuffled forward and broke into a trot. Unusually for me, I also started trotting and I was off on my quest for a sub 2 hour or at the very least a pb.
I'd told myself before the race that I wasn't going to get hung up on checking my time at each mile marker. I couldn't resist though, and at mile 1 looked down to see 8m56. Wow, I thought, could I keep this up? I felt fairly comfortable and was enjoying 'people watching' the other runners with their various kit, paraphenalia and running styles, of which there were some bizarre displays.
The weather was perfect by now. A little bit of sun and a light cool breeze. I love running in the cold. At around mile 4 the course turns back on itself and I eventually see Elin, who's looking like she enjoying herself. I take on a shot blok and almost choke on some water.
By mile 5 I'd managed to start running alongside some bloke who had THE most annoying breathing sounds. Ok, everyone has to breathe, but this was ridiculous. He was running more or less the same speed as me so I couldn't shake him off. It was at this point as well that I started getting probably the worst stitch I've had, all down my right rib cage. I tried to take deep breaths and slowed down (but so did the annoying Breather!).
By the time we'd got back to the start point (to start another out and back section) it seemed I'd managed to get rid of the Breather and the stitch. Excellent. As we headed out along the coast I started to feel the wind stir a bit more but not enough to feel the benefit of a tail wind. The next time I remember on my watch was 1h30 at 10 miles. So up to this point, I'd been maintaining a pace of 9 minute 1 second per mile.
As we got to the final turnaround point at around 11 miles I started to tire. I tried to keep up with a small group who'd been talking about making it sub 2. As we turned to head west again, we were hit by a ferocious headwind. Well this isn't going to help is it, I thought. I could now feel my quads and hamstrings screaming out for me to stop. My heart rate was high.
I was slowing down but I was determined. The group I'd tried to follow had done well and were now about 50 metres ahead of me. I passed Elin coming the other way and she gave me a slight pained expresssion, as did I I'm sure. I took on some water and walked a few steps. I immeditely felt the momentum go and my hips starting to seize so I forced myself to run again. Turning the last corner near an appartment block, I could see the finish, a mile away.
I was getting a bit delirious and my quest was turning me into a messy, heavy breathing, snot covered, hair all over the place crazy woman. I looked at my watch and I remember it said 1h50 something. I had a slight panic. I powered on, leaning into the strong wind which seemed intent on pushing me backwards. Just before the 13 mile mark was a fairly steep, short hill. About half way up I broke into a walk again, wondering if it would be quicker to walk (!). Weirdly, a girl next to me started walking aswell and I slurred a "come on let's go" to her. I'm not sure she appreciated it. Running again, I got to the top of the hill. All that was left to do now was to run down the other side and turn a corner into the finish. I remember my watch saying 1h58 something.
I picked up great momentum down the hill and carried it on to the turn. I got blocked by a guy dressed as Big Bird from Sesame St. I rounded him (and tutted) and strided towards the line. I heard a familiar voice shouting "come on Lowriiiiii!!!!" (my mum) but there was no time to look. I cross the line and stopped my watch. 01:59:10.
I raised my arms aloft in rather embarrassing style. I was so relieved and happy. In dramatic fashion, I draped myself over the barriers and got asked by a St. John's Ambulance chap if I was ok. I certainly was.
For my troubles I received a rather novel trainer shaped trophy. An excellent memento to remind me of the day I finally got a 1h something against my name for a half marathon.
Of course I'm still not 100% satisfied. I wasn't happy with the way I wilted towards the end. Was it the headwind? Maybe. Next time I'd like to stay strong throughout the race.
Next race is San Domenico 20 with my friend Becca, who's running her first London Marathon next month.
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