MK Festival of Running Half Marathon

So yesterday I was out competing in the MK Festival of Running Half Marathon as part of my training plan for the MK Marathon. My target was to run the race at my marathon pace, something that I was not sure of being able to do as I had missed out on a number of long runs due to my calf problem. This was also a test to see whether my calf would be OK for the distance, the furthest I'd run since the problem was diagnosed being 8.5 miles.

I couldn't believe that after a spate of good weather there was a change that brought on rain for the weekend, I say the weekend but in-fact the Saturday was fine it was all saved up for the Sunday. Being as this was only a training run I did wonder why I was bothering to go out in such poor conditions but motivation got the better of me along with the thought of wasting my entry fee, this did not bode well in my mind.

Although raining it was not too cold with the worse part being the waiting to set off, as soon as you were on your way the rain was not a bother. I checked my pace at each mile and found that I was managing to maintain my marathon target of between 8:30 & 8:45 minute miles. This was a pleasing start and if I could keep it up I would have achieved my training goal.

As I got further into the run I started to think that the MK half marathon route was not the most scenic and could have been improved if it took in more of the lakes located around the city. Fortunately the MK marathon has taken this into account so the run should be more pleasurable or should I say bearable as 26.1 miles may not seem a distance of pleasure to most.

Mile 9 was my next milestone, I completed the distance with no calf problems which made the remaining 4.1 miles in my mind achievable. It's funny how you think you notice niggling sensations but then realise this is only because noticing these niggles is all that is on your mind. Using the powers of a Jedi master I was able to suppress these thoughts and carry on.

At mile 10 my endurance was put to the test as the rain became driving sleet which I found myself running against. I battled on through mile 11 and 12 which saw the only uphill stage of the race still maintaining my marathon pace. The final mile seemed the longest with the rain coming down harder and the cold setting in, I persevered and happily crossed the line in 1hr 52:23 my goal having been achieved and my calf holding up for the duration.

How did I feel....wet is the first word that comes to mind (funny how you don't really notice how wet you are until you stop running) but happy and very satisfied knowing that I can now progress my mileage increase as part of my marathon training.

Thank you for all the support (the conditions weren't great for the runners but if you're a supporter it's even worse) from the Olney Runners but especially my wife Rachael and daughter Imogen.