Race Report: Brackenfell Half Marathon 2010

Where do I start on this one?? Its one of those completely unremarkable races that has suddenly and completely unexpectedly taken on new meaning for me. A race to be remembered for a long time to come.

Not for the scenery - unless you enjoy running through industria. Not for the course - it is mostly flat with a few small hills towards the end. Not for weather extremes or record field. Not for the organisation - even though it was very good (and sadly one tends to remember the disasters and not the races that go off without a hitch, like this one, so well done to Brackenfell AC for a wonderfully incident-less event!)

Then why??

Well, why else does one remember a particular race?? Personal reasons! Usually a race where you feel particularly strong and good, one of those where you feel like you can run forever and ever! Or you reach a personal goal, break a PB, or break that pesky sub-x barrier that you've been dreaming of for so long but just haven't quite been able to reach...!!! You know what I'm talking about! For some it may be breaking sub-2h30 on a half marathon. Or sub-1h30 (for the faster runners out there). But an even bigger barrier, one that takes on legendary status in many average runners' minds, is the elusive sub-2h00 barrier.

That was what made this race so memorable for me: not only did I achieve a new PB, completely out of the blue and even more exciting as a result, but I also, finally, broke the fabled sub-2h00 half-marathon barrier!!! After 4 years of running. Of dreaming of running a half marathon in under 2 hours. Of trying again and again and again and again.... And missing out each time for various reasons (the course was too hilly, the field too big resulting in too slow a start, just not a good running day, under-trained, injured, the list goes on and on). After running my 2h01 2 years ago, and then taking a couple of BIG steps back with injury rehabilitation followed by a nasty bout of flu, I'd completely given up on even getting close to this fabled barrier. Especially since I was struggling to run 2h20 a mere 2 months ago!!

So imagine my surprise on this particular Saturday morning, 3 weeks after a surprising marathon PB, when I set out at a conversational pace with a somewhat faster buddy of mine, and then left him behind!!!! Okay, granted, he was taking it easy on a pre-Comrades training run, but still it felt pretty good! I felt strong, and knew I was running a little faster than normal, but still, surprisingly, very comfortable! Then I passed another buddy and checked my pace. Imagine my shock and surprise to find I was running at a pace of 5m30/km!! This kind of speed usually has me beat and broken after 5km, 10 on a good day! Here I was 6-7km into a half marathon, and still feeling fantastic!!! So why not see how long I can keep this up?? Worst case I run out of steam (hit the dreaded wall) and finish slow - I mean, its not like I was going for any particular time anyway, just time on my feet, mileage. Best case I might get a decent time out of this, possibly a post-injury PB even. Go for it!

So off I go, keeping a closer eye on my Garmin from now on, making a conscious effort to maintain a 5m30 pace and get my average pace down (slow start meant that I was still just barely making 6m00 average at 7km, already 1/3 done!).

By the time I hit the 10km mark, I'd managed to maintain my pace at roughly 5m30 per km, and my average pace was done to 5m51/km. 58m30 for 10km. A brilliant time, equivalent to the last 10km race I ran. Good enough to catch sight of my 21km PB but not break it. Still, much better than I'd hoped for at the starting line so I'll take it!! But I was starting to feel the effort now, still strong but the first signs of strain setting in. Last Gu was at 6km, next at 14km. Gotta last! But keep up this pace for as long as possible!!!

Somewhere around 15km these 2 guys caught up to me, and joked about how they'd been trying to catch me for the last 10km, wouldn't I slow down so that they could pass me??  By now my pace was still around 5m30, and my average down to 5m43. PB in sight!!! So I joked back, but also half-serious, that I was on track for a PB if I kept up my current pace, so no way was I slowing down!! "So what is your PB??" I replied around 2h01, though if I could break 2h00 for the first time ever I'd be the happiest person on earth!! I guess they saw this as a challenge, as the one guy (who turned out to be a trainer for his buddy who is running his first Comrades this year) turned to the other and said "Bob, take this lady through in sub-2h00." I thought they were joking, but Bob and [Derrick/Dennis - I'm horrible with names unfortunately] were serious! From this point till the finish line, they stuck with me like glue. Keeping up when I pulled ahead (once or twice), and pulling me along when I started to lag behind. Derrick/Dennis full of encouragement all they way while Bob set a blistering pace!!

Next thing I know we're touching 5m00 pace!! I'm definitely feeling it, but somehow managed to keep up and contribute a few words to the conversation. Average pace for km's 15 and 16: 5m11!!! Wow. Ouch.

Kms's 17 and 18 were 'the hill' of the race. A gentle yet constant uphill pull. We managed km 17 in a very respectable 5m24. Km 18 forced me to take a brief walk-break - all of 90 meters before Derrick/Dennis pulled me ahead again. Average pace: 5m41. PB very likely!!! With my new friends, almost guaranteed!!!

By this time I am completely and utterly spent, however, my GU's finished - no more GU's in hand, and what I'd already eaten was completely used up. 18km water table had Cokes, thank goodness!!! A sloppy spilly attempt at drinking a full-ish cup of coke at least saw half of the sugar goodness go down my throat, which would have to do for the last 3 km's. The hills were over at least, just some flat and a short downhill stretch ahead.

Being brutally honest, I was contemplating giving up on sub-2h00 at this point. I was that tired! Exhausted. Legs jelly. My PB was in the bag. Barely. But sub-2h00 meant 3km of hard work to go. I wasn't entirely sure I'd be able to keep pushing for another 300m... 1 overriding thought kept me going. I wanted to be able to share some good news with my amazing boyfriend, Chris, when I saw him later that day. I wanted to be able to share with him that I had finally achieved one of my biggest running goals!!! That thought alone kept me pushing my limits when I would otherwise have given up. Derrick/Dennis's encouragement helped a lot too, but it took a bigger reason/goal to keep me trying to keep up with him and Bob instead of telling them to forget about me and go for their own sub-2h00...

Okay, so I'm going to do it. I AM!! Somehow I am going to keep moving.

And somehow I did. Km 19 was my fasted km of the race!!! We flew down the hill at 5m00/km. Don't ask me how I kept up with the guys, but I did. Km 20 in 5m08. Average pace down to 5m37/km. PB in the bag. Sub-2h00 in the bag as long as I keep running!!!

Km 21 slowed a little to 5m23/km. By now it was physically impossible for me to push any harder - I was maxed out!! And we'd hit a very slight uphill gradient. But nothing would stop me now. Nothing! The end is in sight. I can see the field, runners turning off the road. Good old Harold Berman welcoming runners home.

Then suddenly the field was in front of me. 200m to go and Bob is waiting at the gate for me and Derrick/Dennis. Both encouraging me, urging me on. "Home stretch, give it all you have, I know you can do it!"

And somehow I did. Somewhere in my empty tank was a last little bit of energy. The last 200m across the field was done in 1m00 flat. 4m30/km pace. Bringing my average pace for the whole race down to 5m36/km. And seeing the race clock ahead agreeing with my own Garmin, and hearing Harold calling out sub-2h00 still on, I sprinted as fast as I was able to the finish line. 1h58:45 according to my Garmin. Something similar on the official clock, but I didn't even see the seconds, just noticed that it was still officially under 1h59.

Check again. Yes, that's right. I've done it!!!!!!! I really have!!!! I have actually, finally, amazingly, run a half marathon in under 2 hours!!!!!

Somehow I managed to stay on my feet while I stopped to catch my breath. Big hugs all round! Who cares that everyone is stinky and sweaty? I owe these guys a huge debt of gratitude. I would not have been able to do this without them. I would not have been able to pull myself up those final hills at that blistering pace without their constant encouragement and determination.

When I was eventually able to get my legs moving again to move out of the finish chute, the 3 of us grabbed some coke and moved out of the way. The guys spotted some of their friends and had a chat. Brief introductions and congratulations for blushing me. I took a couple of our finish cards to the finishers board (we actually all made it onto the board!) and rejoined my new friends. Some light chit-chat, and I saw my friends starting to trickle in. More brief introductions, and hugs from my friends. I was in tears - tears of pure joy!

And that is why the Brackenfell Half Marathon will hold a special place in my heart from now on. I know that I'll run sub-2h00 again, on other races. But your first time always remains special.

I have no idea how many people have read my blog, and how many actually come back from time to time to catch updates, but I hope that all runners can draw inspiration from this experience - believe in yourself, you can achieve your goals if you just keep at it. And you don't have to do it alone - having friends around to give you a push when you need it most is sometimes the difference between success and failure. Between a good and a PB. As long as you don't give up!!!

Race Report: Outeniqua Marathon 2010

Wow!!! Amazing!!! Stunning!!! Breathtaking!!!

Just some of the words that come to mind when remembering my morning 'fun run' between Wilderness and George.

I arrived in Wilderness on Friday 23rd April. I'd collected my race number in George on my way, and had the rest of the afternoon to relax and enjoy the stunning Ebb & Flow resort. I took an easy walk from my cabin to the bus pick-up point, timing my route for the next morning. I didn't want to miss my lift to the start (this is a point-to-point race), but I didn't want to stand around outside in the icy morning air for any longer than necessary.

The morning dawned cold and clear, exactly as predicted. I made my careful way in the pitch dark from my cabin to the bus pickup, relying mainly on the sounds of other runners around me, and the light in the distance to navigate. I was lucky to reach the bus while there were still seats, so I got out of the cold quickly. Not 5 minutes later we were on our way to George, and the start of the Outeniqua Marathon. Exciting and scary at the same time: this would be my second marathon in a year and a half, and I had struggled quite badly at Cango 2 months previously. Was I going to make cut-off this time? I was pretty sure I'd finish, and hopefully in fair shape, as my training had been going well. But I had missed both my scheduled long runs (30km races Worcester and Bellville) due to an ankle injury. What would this day bring??

But I was here, on my way to the start, and the only way back was by running this race, so stop stressing and run! I met up with some friends at the start, and we headed out together. The small field meant a quick start. Cold temperatures meant that everyone was keen to get moving and warm up. There were mixed feelings at the starting line - due to drought conditions the route had changed at the last moment, and many people were worried about what the alternate route would be like. Others who, like me, were running this race for the first time, were looking forward to the new experience. The organisers had promised to try to keep the alternate route as scenic as possible.

The race started off very well. I ran with Shaun from Nedbank for a while. I was feeling strong and decided to just keep going while I felt strong, and rest when I felt I needed to - let my body dictate my pace. Shaun was working on a walk-run strategy, and I pulled ahead when he slowed for a walk-break, but he quickly caught up again, so I had good company most of the way. Early on in the route we met with the Half Marathon runners, which increased the field size dramatically for a few km's. But the Marathon route soon veered off for a little out-and-back and by the time we go back to the main road again, the Half Marathoners were long gone, and we had the road to ourselves again. 

The route had been amazingly scenic thus far, and I had been feeling surprisingly strong. I had aimed to make the half-way mark in around 2h20, giving me 2h40 for the second half to make a comfortable cut-off. Imagine my surprise when I looked at my watch and saw this: half way and under 2h15!!! This was my fastest half marathon time in well over a year, and I was feeling so good! I was definitely going to make cut-off on this race, maybe even a semi-decent time! At this point I was mentally thanking fellow-Hillbilly Josh for the speedy 5km we'd run 3 days earlier - my legs were remembering the sprint and were a lot more comfortable with a slightly quicker than normal marathon-pace as a result.

By this time the field had thinned somewhat, but amazingly I was never completely alone, as is the usual case on just about all of my long runs. I was feeling great, enjoying the scenery, fresh air, and getting lost in the calming thrill (oxymoron but yes, that's what it felt like) of running so comfortably for so long. I'd managed to get into a maintainable rhythm, walking sections of the worst up-hill climbs. But this race was very much the definition of 'mildly undulating'. An absolute pleasure to run! The day was also starting to warm slightly and I was soon able to strip off my outer layer and enjoy the clean air on my skin.

Outeniqua counts down the km's. During the first half this can be a little disheartening, especially if you are having a bad day. I barely noticed the marker boards, preferring to keep an eye on my Garmin every now and then to gauge my progress. And pleasantly surprised each time to find that my pace was actually somewhat faster than it felt. Meaning I was getting stronger and fitter (thanks Hillbillies!). Approaching '13km to go' (29km mark) the ocean came into view at the top of the hill. A couple of runners had stopped to admire the view, I opted to snap a couple of pictures on the run and admire in motion (I was starting to feel the first hints of tenderness and wanted to keep moving while I still felt strong).

Hearing the beep from my Garmin, knowing it was now 30km done, I checked my progress. And was utterly amazed and very pleasantly surprised to find that I had just run a 30km PB!! And by quite a margin too!!! My 'official' 30km PB (from 30km races) was around 3h28:30. 2/3 into this marathon I had somehow managed to run a comfortable sub 3h15!!! To say I was astonished would be an understatement!!!! I was so elated I couldn't help but let out a little yell of pure joy!!! And I couldn't resist documenting the moment to be remembered for all eternity!!! I still get excited thinking back to that moment.

By now I was sure that I'd not only make cut-off by a comfortable margin, but that I'd run a very good time too. Maybe a PB, maybe not, but my best marathon time in at least 2 years! Starting to feel the distance by now, I slowed just a little, but kept pushing myself. Keeping within my comfort-zone still. I didn't want to hit the wall this close to the end of such an amazing race! But for the next 12km my camera got to rest while I focused on keeping my legs moving. All went well, I chatted with some runners who I passed and who were passing me. I enjoyed the scenery. I enjoyed the experience and the knowledge that I was back  in the marathon scene, and stronger than ever!!

By 35km I was starting to feel fatigue creeping into my legs, so I started walking more frequently, but still managed to maintain a fair average pace. What kept me going was mainly the realisation that I was very much on track for a PB. A good PB. 5 minutes off my previous (2007) PB at the very least! If that isn't incentive to keep moving, then I don't know what is!! Also counting down the last 7km, knowing that with every step the finish line is drawing nearer, helped to keep my legs moving.

In the end I ran a comfortable 4h35. A good 8 minutes off my previous PB of 4h43, standing since 2007!!! I was ecstatic!!! Relieved to be finished, and feeling a lot less battered than expected, and utterly over the moon!!! I have regained my self-confidence and I'm looking forward to my next marathon. And I know that I will run a strong race at Winelands Marathon later this year. I'm not expecting another PB, but I do want a good time and comfortable finish. And there will be lots of photos to document that scenic route.

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