Really I only need to say one word to review this race...OUCH! But since that doesn't make for very interesting reading I shall elaborate.
I signed up this year as I wanted to do my home towns half and also because I've been suffering a little lack of mojo recently. The London Marathon has really broken me and its taken a long time for me to recover and get back into running. I think I'd been building up to it for so long and really pushed myself on the day to get my much wanted 5 hour time that my bodies just decided that its had enough. I've been feeling a little 'where do I go from here'?
I knew I wasn't quite up to par as the longest run I've done since the marathon was about 8 miles (at a struggle) so nerves were running high on the day, despite my previous comment I was also wondering how tough the 'hard' bit was going to be. I was excited at the same time though as I was looking forward to doing another event and also to run with my best friend again.
The course starts and finishes in the lovely grounds of The Priory, a place which holds a lot of memories for me of many summer evening spent watching the Priory Picnic concerts and sitting in sun/dancing in the rain at Rhythms of the World. I couldn't help getting swept up by the sunny day, being in beautiful surrounding in my beloved town with so many other people as passionate about running as I am.
The warm up was lead by Ellen Tipping who I did a Pilates course with at the
Pilates Pod, I could definitely do better when it comes to warming up and cooling down so I was grateful to learn some new warm up exercises. I put these into practice a couple of days a go and woke up the next day not in the pain after a run for the first time since I don't know when, thanks Ellen and the Pilates Pod!
The race itself...they don't call it the 'hard half' for no reason. It started up hill, which was a good metaphor for my entire race. Due to taking a long time to recover from the London Marathon and not being quite on form I struggled the whole way round, I'd like to say that this was all down to the heat but I knew it wasn't just that. The hills really got to me, so much so that I almost broke into a walk run at times. I know that slowing it down and walking is the right thing to do sometimes and theres no shame in it but its always been my big no no when it comes to racing. I managed to keep running the whole way despite the downhills being as tough as the up...who said Hertfordshire was as flat as a pancake?
Despite its up and downs (literally), the run went through some beautiful local countryside and I really tried to appriciate how beautiful the course was. I never taken much time to get to know Hitchin's surrounding villages and I really should, maybe it'll be good motivation to get some practice in before next year (Preston Hill I'm coming to get you in 2015).
Despite the pull of the challenge, terrain will not be the thing that brings me back next year, however the event itself will be. It was one of the most organised races I have ever done. Organised by
Hitchin Tilehouse Rotary I wasn't sure what the organisation itself was going to be like but I was literally blow away. It was a painless experience picking up our race packs on the day (no annoying print outs), everything was made clear at the start, plenty of enthusiatic marshalls to guide the way (and no untrue statements of "the finish is only just round the corner" were uttered) and perfectly placed water stations every 3 miles.
No runner can deny the lure of the bling and goody bag at the end and the Hitchin Hard Half certainly did not disapoint. A bug bear of mine is when a race wheels out the same medal year after year so when the chord said 2014 that was the first thumbs up. The goody bag had me at 'Lucozade Orange' (my post run drink of choice) and blew every other one I have ever had out the water. Not only was it 'pick and mix' style so you didn't end up with a load of toot you don't want but you could take as much as you liked.
A nice little addition at the end was the £5 for 10 minute sports massages, all proceeds of which went to
Cancer Hair Care. It was here that I met Dave from
DW Sports Massage without whom I would have been in (even more) pain in the following days. He professionally delivered me some home truths about the need to improve the flexability in my legs and gave me tips on some cool down exercises to help with this. I'll definately be paying him a visit once I'm back on track and in need of a sports massage.
I can't sign off without giving my bestie Louise a mention, after watching her struggle at the
Standalone 10k last year she could have steamed on ahead of me this day. But she chose to run with me and get me through to the end. I'm so proud of what she has achieved this last year and it was a pleasure to run with her again. 2 hours 20 seconds ain't bad for the hottest day of the year so far.
Thanks to the Hitchin Tilehouse Rotary for putting on such a great event. I really hope this event grows and gets with it the attention from the running community it deserves. Also big thanks to all the volunteer stewards (and a little extra mention to favourite stewards, my Dad and my friend Jon) and the locals of Hitchin and surrounding villages who turned out to cheer us all on. The support and smiles of strangers always makes my day.
I definately wouldn't have been saying this at the time, but if you're looking for a new half marathon challenge then you'll be seeing me at the start line on 21st June 2015.
Happy running and if like me you're struggling a bit of the moment...hang in there!
Holly
x
