This is probably one of my first seasons (in six years) where I hadn't raced as much, which is a shame as its always good to see the training paying off, especially when you set a new PB. Despite this, the plan for this season was to peak twice. I had already peaked for the European duathlon championships in Soria, Spain (end of April). Since then I've just been in the training grove to peak again for Castle Howard 70.3 (end of July). The Humber Bridge half marathon was my first of two races (running and triathlon) to build me up, to peak for my final "A" race of the season (Castle Howard).
In the final week leading up to the half marathon training was going really well and I knew I was going well as a few weeks prior I was only 5-seconds away from a 10 km PB. Added to this on the Tuesday before Sundays race I had just set a new PB in one of my local TT's. All that was left was for me to tick over and taper down, to ensure I was super fresh for the race.
So it was the morning of the race, I woke up feeling good and started my pre-race breakfast and hydration ritual. After about an hour of chilling it was time for me to head to the race, allowing plenty of time, as with over 2000 runners the car parking situation can get a bit crazy. Fortunately, I got there with plenty of time and took a gentle jog to the start/finish area before starting my tried and tested pre-race warm-up routine and all important final caffeine boost!!! With about 10-minutes to go the race organizers called us to the start line, I positioned myself close to the front, as I was confident of a really good race, so didn't want to get held up by the fun runners!
The klaxon sounded and we where off! I was careful to pace the first few km's as I knew that could make or break my race, had a quick glimpse of my watch and noticed I was pacing it perfectly, hovering around 4:00 min/km. Once through Hessle, I turned to approach the bridge, which was into a head wind. This is where some slight tactics pay off, I was in a group of four runners, so just tucked in behind them, sheltering from the wind (hopefully saving a bit of energy). Once across the bridge the wind died down, so that was my cue to open up a bit and break free from the small group. Once passing the water station, the route then dropped into Barton and I was able to use the slight downhill to pick up the pace.
The next main section of the race took me through Barton market place and out though the housing and industrial parts to Barton. This section which was was deadpan flat, so I was able to kick again and try and hold a fast, threshold pace. I felt really really strong and fit and when looking at my watch could see that I was going really well too (~3:50 min/km). After running on my own for a good few km's I now started catching some of the runners ahead of me, which really helped give me a confidence boost!
The next stretch of road took us under the Humber bridge, so I knew that the infamous "Cardiac Hill" was fast approaching. A few weeks prior, in training I ran part of this route which incorporated this hill. This helped re-familiarise myself with the elevation profile so I knew exactly when and where to conserve my effort etc. The hill is in four distinct parts; a gradual rise, false flat, steep rise and the another false flat section before turning left back for the bridge. During the first section I knocked off the pace slightly but not too much as I knew I was on for a good time. Then I tried to accelerate slight during the next flatter section. The next section is where the hill really kicks up, so I made sure I knocked off the pace a little more as I didn't want to go too deep into the "red" as I knew this could ruin my race. There was some good support out during this section, which really helped give me an extra boost and to help put the pain out of my mind. During the final false flat section there was a small bit of respite along the slip road. Once I crested the climb I knew most of the final few km's were either downhill or flat before the bridge. I kept on pushing as was able to pass a few more runners. I still felt in pretty good shape at this point.
Once on to the bridge I knew there was less than 3 km to go. I had one last glimpse at my watch and it was at this point I knew I was on for a PB!! The first half of the bridge was uphill but I could see a runner ahead of me and that was my goal, to pass him. We had the wind behind us so I was able to really give it everything knowing that I was getting pushed along. Once off the bridge, I was now running side-by-side to the runner I spotted and I started to feel confident I would beat him. The last km was lined with supporters, so this gave me the final little boost I needed. This was my cue to give it everything and soon breezed past this runner. As I turned left for the final time before the finish line, I had a quick look over my shoulder and notice that I had put about 100 m into him so wouldn't be caught. I could now see the clock over the finish line and saw it was at 1h:24, which I couldn't believe!!
The final kick to the finish (left him for dust 😉)
I finished in 1:24:55, which I was buzzing about as I had smashed by PB by over 2-minutes. I came in the top 25 out of a field of ~2000 runners, so again buzzing with that!!
As always a massive thanks to my sponsors Meridian Foods and Coconoil and to my coach Ian Mayhew (Gears & Tears). Picture courtesy of http://www.humber-half.org.uk/
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