Reflections on the Brighton Half, or How I'm feeling after missing the sub-2 mark--AGAIN!

@rowenanews called me a "small ball of fury" this morning. When I told Hubs he laughed and said, "Sounds like she knows you well!"

My disappointment on Sunday was replaced by fury yesterday, when the Brighton Half officially acknowledged the distance error and made time adjustments. I know many fellow runners were happy but I wanted to scream when I saw my adjusted time of 2:00:24.

This was my 6th half and my 4th where I was trying to run a sub-2. If the distance had been correct I would have known how close I was to the 2 hour mark. I would have pushed even harder to the end. But I chose to trust the mile markers and when I hit 11 miles I believed I had missed the sub-2 already. And I know it made a difference to how I ran the last part of the race.

2:00:24 would have been a PB for me, but I just don't....can't....WON'T....think of it as one. I can't help thinking about how things might have played out differently if the distance had been marked correctly. True, maybe I still would have just missed it. But I FEEL like I'll never know. For me, this will always be a 2:03:21 for a 13.42 race.

I admit, my fury is probably down to the fact that my time was so close to a sub-2 AND because I've been pursuing it for so long. Would I be as upset if I had run a poor race and my time was no where near 2 hours anyway? Or if I had blown away the sub-2 mark even at the longer distance? Or if it had been my first half? Probably not. But for me, the circumstances of Brighton Half ended up as perfect storm for anger, frustration and disappointment.

The morning after my fury has dissipated. Stepping back and looking at the race (without considering the distance mistake), here are my thoughts:

• It was a tough race for me. In general, the race just felt tough. I didn't have as much energy as I thought I would, and my legs didn't feel that fresh. Around mile 7 my legs really started to tighten up, and I didn't feel like I had enough left to push it for the final 3 miles. I actually felt much better running the Southern California Half when I was tired and jet-lagged! We have good days and bad days...and for some reason it wasn't my best.
  
• I need to re-think my race strategy. My plan for this race was to stick as close to 9:09 pace as possible from the start, and then push the pace if I could starting at mile 10. But my legs really struggled and I wonder if this plan is counter to how I usually run best. Slow start, pick up in the middle, strong finish. Perhaps I should be starting underpace the first 3-4 miles, build up, and end up faster than goal pace the final 3 miles. Thoughts on this appreciated.
  
• I have to work on my mental toughness. I did get flustered when the mile markers started to go wrong. I had been keeping pace better than I had in other races....so I just couldn't understand how I was actually behind when I hit the race mile markers. Instead of pushing through and fighting harder, I think I let it affect me more than it should have.
  
• I am nearly there. I've never been THIS close to a sub-2 (my PB is 2:01:43), and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed to have missed it again. Wouldn't you be? I've tried 4 times and I've been working hard, and yet somehow it still eludes me! BUT after this race I should have no doubts in my mind that I can run fast enough.

So I've learned a lot from this race. I'm going to put the Brighton Half behind me and dive back into my training. Lots to work on and more hard work needed because I just can't give up now. Not ever.

And of course I'm already itching for my next race, if only as a release for any residual anger. If you are racing and see a small ball of fury go by.....IT WILL BE ME!


PS
I know we all say it, but the Twitter Running Family is amazing. Thank you for sharing in my anger and frustration, letting me wallow and whinge, and reminding me to stay positive!

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Review: Brighton Half Marathon - 19 February 2012

I first ran the Brighton Half in 2010. At the time it was my second half marathon and I was just hoping to improve on my first. It poured rain for the entire race and there were a few organizational issues, but I had a great time. After I missed it due to injury in 2011, I was excited to run it again this year.

It's been unusually cold these last few weeks so I was worried about the weather. Although rain is always a bummer I was more worried about gusty winds...since on the seafront it usually means running directly into the wind at some point! But after a rainy Saturday we had beautiful sunshine, even if it was still freezing!

We only live a few miles from the race start. I wanted to get there by 8:15 so Hubs just took me in the car and dropped me off. I hopped out near Old Steine and Madiera Drive, and it was exciting to see all the runners heading down from all directions.

The queue for the first set of public toilets was already pretty long so I immediately joined in. As with last time it was a long wait, and by the time I was done it was already 8:45.

As I headed for the starting pens the warm up was already starting. It was really crowded and I felt like I was being shuffled along in a giant sea of people. I only saw a sign for a 1:45 goal time but no others after that. It was hard to see where you could enter since most openings were unmarked and there were so many people. But I finally found a gap in a barriers and squeezed in. After a few words from the announcer we were off!

The race route was different to when I ran it before, but familiar since I run most of the course every weekend. It was reasonably crowded at the start as we headed up and around Old Steine, before heading east toward Rottingdean. Past the Marina was a little hilly and narrow at some parts, but I didn't think it was too bad for passing if needed.

After the turnaround I new it would be pretty straight forward from there--east towards the Hove Lagoon before heading back along the Promenade, and from there about 3 miles until the finish. There were lots of people cheering along the most of the course which gave the event a great atmosphere.

I usually carry my own drink but the water and Lucozade stations were as advertised, and I thought having bottled water was a nice touch. Easy to drink from and you could take it with you if needed.

The finish line was a little disorganized (at least I was able to cross it this time!) but as you walked through you could pick up a foil blanket, medal, goodie bag, bananas and Lucozade. I don't expect a goodie bag but feel if you offer one some effort should be made. Mine didn't have anything except a voucher and an advertisement. What's the point?

The medal was a nice one, though:

When I crossed the line my Garmin clocked 13.52 miles. It had been off compared to the mile markers since mile 5 or so...but since GPS can be inaccurate I assumed the mile markers were right. But soon after the race there was lots of grumbling about the course length, and it may have been the cones were incorrectly placed at the turnaround.

Brighton Half says they are investigating now, but I wonder whether they will actually 'fess up if they made a mistake. For now I will just stay that if it really was too long, I'm disappointed that the organizers could have made such a basic error.

So I've run 2 Brighton Halfs now and both had basic organizational issues. In 2010, I couldn't cross the finish line because it was too crowded--organizers had placed people removing timing chips too close to the line--and now this year the race may have been too long! I'm think I'm jinxed when it comes to this race.

However, as my local it's one I'll keep going back to again and again. I love running on the seafront, and despite any organizational issues the support you get from the crowds just can't be beat. Here's to a better race next year!


Overview
A mostly flat seaside course with lots of PB potential. Still seems to have some organizational issues year to year despite being a well-established race, but the great atmosphere and support from the crowds makes it an event worth running.

Stats in 2012:
Date: 19 February
Entry Fee: £29 unaffiliated
Number of runners: 7000+
Timing chip on race number
Goody bag (without any goodies)
Medals for every finisher

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Ten reasons why I'm ready to run the Brighton Half Marathon

On Sunday I'll be running the Brighton Half Marathon. When I ran it for the first time in 2010, it was my 2nd half. This time it's my 6th half...and the 4th time I'll be trying to run a sub-2.


I've been giving myself little pep talks. Visualizing each mile. Seeing myself charge across the finish line. I've worked hard. I feel good. I'm ready....and here are the 10 reasons why:


10. I've built a strong running base. I've been running 40-45 miles per week for the last 3 weeks. More than probably needed for a half, but now I feel like I have a good solid base to train for any race. The Edinburgh Marathon is already in the back of my mind!

9. I've focused more on speed work. I've always done fartleks, intevals and tempo runs, but this time around I did more at speeds faster than HM goal pace. @BrazilianGunner encouraged me to do mile repeats for the first time at 8:30 min/mi. Scary, but I hope they've made a difference!

8. I know the race route. Most weekends I do my long runs on the Brighton Seafront. I've run the route countless times...I even know the direction the wind usually blows! There will be no surprises.

7. I have great support. Hubs, family, friends....not to mention the most amazing runners on Twitter. Thanks for your encouragement!

6. I've been feeling consistent. It's not that I don't have any bad days....but I have far fewer awful days.

5. I'm a pseudo-early bird. My last few weeks of @6amClub have made early starts feel a little more natural. A little. No worries about getting up on race day!

4. I'm not jet lagged. My last half was in California, and after traveling from the UK, to Abu Dhabi, to LA....jet lag was definitely a factor. It's nice to be in the right time zone!

3. I haven't been sick. When I ran the Poppy Half I was recovering from a bad cold that hampered my training. This time I've been healthy and I'm feeling strong.

2. I have a race strategy. I learned my lesson after the Dublin Half....you have to go in with a plan! This time it's not just about staying on pace, but staying steady through the middle section and (hopefully) having enough energy to push it at the end.


And finally....


1. I love running. Plain and simple.


I. AM. READY.

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Week 11 Recap - Subzero temps and 6am Club

After an extended holiday season with lots of traveling and jet lag, these last few weeks have finally felt normal again. Last week my focus was on a big change: to start running in the morning as a devoted member of the @6amclub!

As a natural night owl (see my previous post here), trying to get up at 6am really frightened me! I was worried about fueling before my run (could get by without it?) and whether I'd actually be able to get out of bed! And as luck would have it, last week also happened to be the start of a major cold spell. Would I really be able to go to bed early, climb out of my warm bed, and then step out into subzero temps at 6am?

Turns out I am!

Wednesday was my first attempt. After being uncharacteristically organized and getting all my running kit ready the night before, AND getting myself to bed around 10:30....it wasn't as miserable as I thought it would be. In fact I was so determined to do it that I slept restlessly, anticipating that I needed to get up. On Wednesday morning I woke up, got dressed, and went out the door. I did it quickly, so I wouldn't have too much time to think about it.

The cold definitely affected my runs last week, but I was happy to find that I could get through a run without having something to eat first. I stuck with the early starts until Saturday, when I got up to eat breakfast before my long run.

I felt good about my mile repeats on Wednesday (nearly at target pace!) and long run on Saturday (my longest run ever by a wee bit).

Just two weeks until the Brighton Half Marathon. My 6th half! One more week to keep pushing before a mild taper. The plan is to continue with @6amclub to make sure I'm ready for it when my new job starts in 4 weeks.

So now I know....I CAN be an early bird!

But a questions still remains. Will the night owl return....?


PS
16 weeks until my first marathon in Edinburgh! Hopefully training for Brighton means I'm well on my way!

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