Bath is a beautiful place so yesterday was a treat to spend the afternoon there. I had also treated myself to staying in a lovely guesthouse that was part of the Mr & Mrs Smith group...a group of hotels I had always wanted to stay in.
The hotel did not disappoint. I was actually quite pleased that the only dinner reservation time I could get was at 18:30 (since town was totally full of runners) as it meant I got to spend more time relaxing in the room.
The race today was also due to start at 11am. Again another treat in that I could "sleep in" until 07:30 before getting up for breakfast. Race days normally involve a very early rise time due to most races starting at 9am.
So today I had a relaxed breakfast in the hotel and made the short wander to the start line. There were 15,000 people or so taking part so there were lots of runners everywhere. It was a little chilly and about 09:45 the heavens opened and I had to take shelter in one of the tents surrounding the baggage drop area. I was worried it was going to be a pretty miserable race if the weather stayed like this. Rain would mean a very cold wait for the start, a soggy outfit on the way round plus less spectators as they take cover in the warm.
However; after 20 minutes or so the clouds had emptied and the sun actually came out. I made my way to the start line. I was in the first start wave but I didn't push my way to the front because today I was using the race as a training run for the Seoul Marathon on the 15th March. I was therefore not aiming for a PB and wanted to do the Bath Half in my planned Marathon pace (which would mean just under 1h 30m for today.)
The route of the race was gorgeous. I would say it is actually close to being a favourite of mine out of all the races I have ever done. Starting in the city firstly meant taking in the amazing architecture. Secondly the crowds were super supportive. Thirdly we then went out to the countryside which was stunning.
At the start of the race they said that the Bath Half was so good you get to run it twice i.e. it was two laps of the same loop. Ordinarily I am not a massive fan of going back over the same ground but this time it didn't feel like we ran the same route twice. Not quite sure why?!
I felt good all the way through the race despite being a little toasty. I had opted for warmth whilst waiting for the start line and thus was paying for it now. At least I found this out now so that I can adopt my warmth strategy for the start of the Seoul Marathon as it will be pretty chilly there too. I used the water and drinks stations as practice for the marathon day too. I would class myself as a polite runner. I always thank the volunteers handing out the drinks and throw the bottles in the bins provided if there is one. Today though a man just behind me in the race took a drink from a volunteer and belched at the same time. Not quite as polite eh?!
A couple of miles into the race I heard an ambulance siren behind me which is something I have never experienced. All runners moved over to the right to let it go past. I am not sure if it was on its way to rescue someone or already had someone in. Either way I hope whoever it was is ok.
I could tell I was pacing a little too quick versus my planned marathon pace so I eased up a little around 10 miles and didn't race to the finish despite others really going for it in the last few hundred meters.
I crossed the line in 1 hour 23 minutes 53 seconds (with a 10km split of 39m 01s) placing me 264th. Not bad at all.
I loved everything about the race and it made me feel prepared for the marathon two weeks today. Let's see if I can get the pace right then....
Will let you know!
Mid race turn:
My impersonation of a friendly runner:
Almost there....final stretch:
Done:
Done just in time before more rain (check the clouds):
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