Half Marathon Anniversary!

Its been 12months since I ran my first half marathon. It was the blackmore's half marathon this time last year Miles, Deven and I ran our first, thinking we would run around 105mins.....Well, last year it was not to be, we were all a fair way off that time as well!
This time round however, with the training I am doing, a little more experience (as it was to be my 4th half in the past 12months). My goal for this race was 82mins - estactic; 84mins chuft; 86mins just satisfied. I honestly did not think I would run 82mins, i thought I would be closer to 84mnins, maybe 85 at worst.
Well, it was an early start, 6.20am and for the 1st 3kms I felt sluggish (although the watch showed I ran splits of 3.30, 3.37 and 3.30) I soon go into my rythm, and found myself with about 15odd other runners all at the same sort of pace. I went through the 10km mark at 38.20 (which is another PB for me), and finished the race in 82.42. To give you an idea of how chuft I am, I did this same race in 120mnins just 12months ago! Anyway, I came 65th overall, and 17th in my age category, so am well chuft. Even more impressive was Vlads effort, he came 6th in 70mnins (a PB for him as well) and 2nd in our age category. Andrew Mildren finished in 82.23, so he pipped me but what a great run by him! Evenm more impressive about andrew's and Vlads results were they both did big sessions on Saturday morning....where as I was unable to (but had a huge friday!). Well done to them both, really really great times and efforts. Vlad and I did just over 1km swim straight after the race today, which helped the aching muscles. The bad thing about that is I know I am back in that pool again tomorrow morning....as I have said before...no let up!

Vlad did a presentation on Compression gear and its benefits and how to use it on Firday night at his shop. It was great, and with a good attendance. Hopefully it gets bigger in the future, and with the topics he has planned, I think it will. He had some interesting stats on how compression helps athletes improve their overall performance and recovery, and I reckon it certainly does (I am sitting here typing this in my long compression pants, and my legs feel much better for it!

So apart from the Half marathon, it was pretty much business as usual in terms of training. Monday was a hectic swim set, tuesday I did my interval traning with Vlad (I died, and he was so strong), Thursday was the 2nd last Bobbin head hill repeats for Vlad and I, and Friday I tried fitting in Saturdays session as well as the other items.

So, all up this week was :

Swim - 11.5kms (4hours)
Run - 55kms (4.5hours)
Cycle - 80kms + 1hr Turbo (4hours)
Total - 12.5hours

So another enjoyable week done and dusted. Another PB for me, and its pretty much down to the program, and having the training partners I have...because without the guys I train with, I dont think I would be anywhere near where I am...so thanks to everyone I train with (particulary Vlad as he is actually dragging me along, and improving me). He has 2 weeks to go before going to hawaii for Kona....so exciting for him, and for us, his supporters.......

Thats it for now...done and dusted!