On Sunday I ran the Solihull Half Marathon! Getting there was a bit rocky, as I didn't receive any information until the Friday evening, and even then there was limited information about where to park or pick up race packs. I got there in plenty of time though, and joined the crowds of people for the warm up.



The warm up was actually pretty good. He got that nobody wanted to expend any energy and did lots of stretches. Then they called people over depending on their estimated finish time. The group around me chuckled when he called out the people who were going to complete the course in 30 minutes. To my knowledge nobody moved! I just checked and the best time was about 1 hour 12.

They let us go in two waves, and as I'd estimated just under 2 hours for my time I was towards the front of the second wave. Here's what I apparently look like at the start of a race.


I remember everyone set off a lot faster than I'd wanted to. I'd planned a 10 minute mile for my first mile, but everyone set off at about 9, and because there was a crowd I had to stick with them. Thankfully I was able to split off shortly afterwards where the road widened, and slow down. I managed the first mile at 9:30 in the end, which felt reasonable.

The first few miles were also the last few miles, so whenever there was a big hill I at least knew that I was going to be running down it on the way back. My wife, kids, and even my mum were also at miles 4 and 9 to cheer me on, and there was a lovely moment when my daughter joined the run with me!



I had a strong race, my time for the second half was about the same as the first half, and then eventually I staggered over the finish line :)


I need to remember to look up at the finish line and not at my watch!

And my overall time? 1:55:41

More than happy with that one!








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