Running away to the seaside...

Bridlington Half Marathon
Sunday 20th October

Host - Bridlington Road Runners
Weather - Dry and strong SW wind

Pudsey Pacers had down sized for the annual trip to the seaside; a minibus full of intrepid runners and a few spectators.  Things didn't start well when the driver not only didn't know the way - we had to navigate him - he also decided to fall asleep at the wheel when we were only a few miles from the destination.  Unideal preparation aside, we got changed, ruffled hair and pumped out chests.  A few statutory photos and were were formed for the start, with a mild breeze off the sea filled with salt and all things fishy. 

I kept Mark 'Grunter' Smith in sight for the first few miles without really having to try too hard.  I actually felt quite steady and not too knacked.  I'd kept to 8 minutes miles and maintained places with the vests around me.  The rolling roads north of Bridlington soon kicked in, though.  Both Grunter and Sue Ransome - further ahead - started edging out of sight around the 5 mile marker somewhere between Flamborough and Bempton. 

I gulped some water down on Bolam Lane just after Bempton village.  Lots of runners around me were struggling.  And the mini hill was soon approaching.  I remember I felt really strong here last year.  Not quite the same but still managed to ease past about half a dozen others.  Turning left at the top we were immediately confronted with a fierce wind straight into our faces.  I was somewhere between groups as pressed on to join a group with Debbie 'the Boss' Bland.  My momentum had increased my pace but I now had choices to make - stay in a pack and be sheltered from the wind or go out and try to increase pace.  I chose wrongly.

Soon, out on my own, I was again joined by a Pocklington runner who thankfully shared some of the headwind.  I also caught up with Steve Webb from Kirkstall who was feeling the strain.  Not quite as bad as a bloke collapsed at the road side and in receipt of medical assistance.  I ushered Steve to stay with us.  Moments later, as our group of three entered the norther limits of Brid, a larger group motored past.  This group included the Boss.  I had nothing with which to respond.  Steve Webb kept with them and I never saw him again until the end.

I was suddenly on my own with a gap growing between me and those ahead.  I'd given too much on the open road exposed to the winds.  Mentally, I dug deep and tried to stay with the person ahead of me.  As we entered Sewerby I found bit more strength and ploughed my way through the park and on to the cliff top path.  The wind again buffeted all runners.  The finish seemed to be a lot further away than the projected 1.5 miles.  I soon passed Debbie Bland and found myself making up places that I'd lost only a few miles before.  I knew the chance of the PB was gone but tried so hard along the promenade just to get under the 1.45 milestone.  Annoyingly, I missed this by 20 seconds.  I was ok though and much better than the many people who'd collapsed at the finish line. 

Post-script
Good mental strength even if the body couldn't quite respond.  I recognised that my training for the past few months had focused on slower endurance running that required a strong mental approach.  Well chuffed for Mark Smith who got under the 1.40 milestone.  Excellent running in the conditions.  Also great prizes claimed by Paul 'Merv' Gaile, Jim Cantwell and Sue Ransome.  And a PB for Neil Berry!