WigboroughWRX

Morning all, is anyone from the site competing at the Reading half marathon this Sunday? I'm using the race as final preperation for my attack on the London marathon. Would be good to meet up if anyone is running in it. Cheers Andy

hodgy0_2

i did it as prep for the 2005 marathon

boy was I fuvked around the 9 mile mark, was overtaken by a 5 man team running as a caterpillar -- but had a great time, pretty well run, and actually pipped to the post by a bloke in an Elvis costume complete with boogie box playing "a little less concentration"

the last 3 miles around the industrial/trading estate (Green Park?) is a killer

could not believe that is was possible to double it

good luck

WigboroughWRX

Hi Hodgy, i've heard the last few miles are not nice and you get close to the stadium then turned away when you get close to do a little loop. I blew up in a 10k in Manchester last year and got overtaken by a scooby doo ironically. Think that's the only time a fancy dress runner has beaten me, i'm sure as I get older and slower it'll become an everyday occurance ;-) Take care, Andy.

hodgy0_2

yes, you,ve heard right, thats a killer loop, but its all good fun and the actual london marathon day day ranks in my all time top 7 days (i;ve been married once and have five kids -- do tha math as they say in the US)


its a fantastic day and you will enjoy every second

good luck!!!!

WigboroughWRX

Hi Hodgy, had a great day at Reading today. I managed 1:27:57 so am happy with that as i've lost the last 4-5 weeks with a calf niggle. The last couple of miles were awful, the dreary industrial followed by the dreaded loop at the end. You could also see people who had already finished through the fencing as you skirted round the stadium.
Saw debbie mcgee on the way down in her lovely old Merc( 8 DEBS) i saw her on the finish line so told her i'd seen her driving down. 4 weeks to London, bring it on! i've put a full race report on my website The Forgotten One Cheers Andy.

hodgy0_2

thats impressive Andy, looks like a sub 4 marathon time to me

WigboroughWRX

I was hoping initially to runa sub 3 hour marathon as I was running close to 1:20 for a half. After missing a few key weeks i'll be happy with a sub 3:20 clocking now. Fingers crossed. Andy

ChrisB

That's a cracking time - I did my the Stafford Half a few weeks ago (my first half) and clocked 02:03:44.

WigboroughWRX

Thanks Chris, so how did you find your 1st half? I've not run the Stafford half before, is it a good one? Andy

ChrisB

It was a whole world of pain the day after (the Monday)!

Dragged myself out for a very very slow 2.5 miles on the Monday evening which I think helped a bit.

Next up is the Sheffield half in a few weeks - I'm keen to break 2 hours for that.

I enjoyed Stafford - field was increased to 2500 runners this year and it sold out pretty quickly. Two noticeable hills, a bit undulating once you've left the town but the rural section was very nice.

WigboroughWRX

Best of luck with the Sheffield Half Chris, Hope it goes well for you. Let me know how you get on?
It's good to get out running as soon as possible after a hard run to ease the legs out. I did a very slow 2mile jog Sunday evening after the race, sitting in the scooby for 2 and half hours after the race didn't help.