Helsby Half Marathon on Sunday and during the week before I was unsure whether to do it. I don't enjoy racing when I'm not at least 90% fit and right now I'd put myself at about 60% fit! 3 weeks of training after my post marathon break and also not easing up one bit at all before the race I wasn't sure it was a good idea.I then decided that I should race as it will let me know where my current base level is and it all helps towards race fitness.
I had terrible start. They've changed it from when I did it 4 years ago. Now you start in a very narrow line up in the car park and do a few tight turns before getting onto the main road. In hindsight I should have started a bit nearer to the front and over to the left (which I didn't). I ended up shuffling along for the first 100m or so. 1km in and I was still overtaking people who I should have been in front of from the start. Once into the race a few people were shouting that I was in 2nd place. This was fine by me but I didn't see the lead girl at all so I presumed she must be someone super fast who was going to beat me by about 5 minutes!
I had a fairly relaxed and comfortable run (shouldn't really feel that when you are racing but that's what not feeling that fit did to me). In the end I finished in 2nd and was only just over 1 minute behind first place. I'm a bit frustrated with myself as had I known she wasn't that far ahead I really would have put a bit more effort in. Overall it was good to do it and I'm pleased with my result from just a few weeks training.
Chester Tri Club had some great results from members with lots of pbs. The guys I coach at the club track session ran really well - showing that their consistent training is paying off!
