Great Scott!
Can Rhalou run three half marathons in one month? Hell yeah she can!
Thursday, 8 September, 2011
With one run down and two to go, I’m a third of the way through my September half marathon race trilogy and raring to go. My first half of the autumn race season, the Great Scottish Run was a lovely day out and an eventful run in more ways than one. As I don’t know many people up north I had originally planned to run it on my own, but then a Twitter friend offered to pace me and race day suddenly got interesting. Single runners out there will know that in run world, when a gentleman offers to pace you, he’s really asking for your phone number. Pacing is definitely the new run dating. So I not only had a half marathon to contend with, but a date in motion with a sexy Scotsman. No pressure then! Ordinarily I wouldn’t be mad enough to date someone I met online, but when a gorgeous tattooed ultra runner offers to take a girl out for a run, it’s hard to say no. So off I set for Scotland with a sub two half in my sights and a hot date (in more ways than one) to contend with. I won’t reveal too much about it, yet. For full details on the joys of run dating, check out my column in the December issue of Women’s Running magazine.
Back to race day; it was the first time I’ve ever approached a race with a time in mind, so the pressure was on. Following my intensive training regime with the CHHP crew at 76 Harley Street this past few months (check out The rise of the machines for details) I desperately wanted to break two hours to prove I had it in me. But aside from the all-consuming terror of meeting a prospective partner under the duress of sweat, clingy Lycra and 13 miles of tarmac, race day went relatively smoothly. The route started in central Glasgow and wove its way through the urban city landscape, via leafy parks and even a bit of dense woodland, before culminating in Glasgow Green. We started off well and I felt comfortable averaging nine-minute miles, but by mile ten I started to tire and the unexpectedly strong sunshine slowed me down. While most people pray for perfect weather, as a freckled redhead the sun is my enemy and I definitely prefer running in cooler climes. I’m also developing the theory that I might be a night owl, as I always seem to run much faster and slicker under the cover of moonlight when I’m with my beloved Run Dem Crew on Tuesday nights. I still had a great race day though. Every time I began to tire, a gentle nudge from my pacer really helped. I think I’ll insist on a gentleman companion to hold my Shot Blocks and water at every race from now on. I made it round the Great Scottish Run in a not too shabby 2.02 (or 2.04 depending on who you trust; my money’s on the Garmin) and was settled in the sunshine in time for lunch. I was frustrated not to get sub two but still very pleased to shave a jazzy 13 minutes off my PB, and even more pleased to make friends with a badass ultra runner, but that’s another story...So one down, two to go. I'm more determined than ever to break two hours at the Bristol Half Marathon this coming Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Back to race day; it was the first time I’ve ever approached a race with a time in mind, so the pressure was on. Following my intensive training regime with the CHHP crew at 76 Harley Street this past few months (check out The rise of the machines for details) I desperately wanted to break two hours to prove I had it in me. But aside from the all-consuming terror of meeting a prospective partner under the duress of sweat, clingy Lycra and 13 miles of tarmac, race day went relatively smoothly. The route started in central Glasgow and wove its way through the urban city landscape, via leafy parks and even a bit of dense woodland, before culminating in Glasgow Green. We started off well and I felt comfortable averaging nine-minute miles, but by mile ten I started to tire and the unexpectedly strong sunshine slowed me down. While most people pray for perfect weather, as a freckled redhead the sun is my enemy and I definitely prefer running in cooler climes. I’m also developing the theory that I might be a night owl, as I always seem to run much faster and slicker under the cover of moonlight when I’m with my beloved Run Dem Crew on Tuesday nights. I still had a great race day though. Every time I began to tire, a gentle nudge from my pacer really helped. I think I’ll insist on a gentleman companion to hold my Shot Blocks and water at every race from now on. I made it round the Great Scottish Run in a not too shabby 2.02 (or 2.04 depending on who you trust; my money’s on the Garmin) and was settled in the sunshine in time for lunch. I was frustrated not to get sub two but still very pleased to shave a jazzy 13 minutes off my PB, and even more pleased to make friends with a badass ultra runner, but that’s another story...So one down, two to go. I'm more determined than ever to break two hours at the Bristol Half Marathon this coming Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed for me!