Taking a moment to say....

I am extremely social media shy.

I do not have a Facebook, Google+, or MySpace account. When I finally decided to join Twitter and Blogger last summer, I knew I didn't want to use my real name. Even my friends and family don't know my secret identity!

Most people will probably think that I'm completely paranoid, and maybe there's some truth to that. But I'm still just not sure about having myself totally out there. I'm not sure if I want random people to be able to see parts of my private life that I never said they could see. So until then, I will be happy to just be The Diminutive Runner.

So why I am I even on Twitter?

I decided I needed to understand how social media worked because I'd be behind the times if I didn't. When I took a career break about 6 months ago, it seemed like the perfect time to dip my toe in. I knew I wanted my profile to be based on one of two obsessions--food or running. And in the end running won out.

To make a long story short, I was completely surprised to discover the amazing network of Twitter runners. I've been so grateful for the:

• SUPPORT. You're the best cheering squad ever!
• ADVICE. I get to tap into the minds of so many wise, experienced runners.
• INSPIRATION. Your challenges and goals inspired me to sign up for my first triathlon and marathon.
• UNDERSTANDING. You know how I feel after I've had bad race, worry about niggles, or buy new running kit.

It's back to work for me tomorrow. After a two week induction (crazy, right?) there will be travel and long hours....and I probably won't be able to tweet as much as I would like (which Hubs says is all the time)! So before things get too crazy I just wanted to take a moment to say....

You've shown this shy girl a positive side to social media!

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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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