Well it’s been a month since the epic Fleet half and Bracknell half was next up
in our #14in14 challenge. The Peddles again joined up for this run and they
were looking for revenge for Fleet where Chris certainly felt he under
performed. James has been resting his hip all of April was looking to get a
quick time on the course that he got his PB in 2013. As for Dave well he ran
the London Marathon out of the blue earlier in the month and has been running
really well all month and was really keen to run hard. As for myself I was
concentrating on pushing Chris for as long and as I could and maybe we could
push each other to a quick time.
As for
the Ball brothers rivalry well James is 2-1 ahead and today I was going to draw
level!
For a
change we arrived very early and the weather was grim. Not cold but showery and
looked like it could rain all morning! We met up
with coach Rich and Amanda then found the Peddle brothers for some pre-race
planing and banter. We all moved over to the start line and although feeling
tired and a little apprehensive I had been given a plan!. As for James he had
not run a lot because of his hip injury so he just wanted to get around in a reasonable time and run with coach Rich and Dave for as long as he could.
We all crossed the start line in a group and coach Paula’s
plan was going around my head, start slowly and build but most importantly don’t
let Chris dictate my pace. So as I watched Chris slowly pull away in early
miles I was panicking a bit but I was going to run my own race! After 2 miles he
had probably a 20 meter gap but I was comfortable and my pace felt good.
Bracknell Half is unlike any other half we will do this year it’s a very strange
course full of twists and turns long hills and long down hill sections a few under
passes along with some grass and bike paths and through housing estates.Having done
the race last year with James and coach Rich I had the advantage of knowing
what was around the corner and more importantly where the hills were.
So as the early miles slipped away I felt like being pulled
along and maybe even moving closer to Chris and by mile 4 I was just behind him
tucked in so he was unaware I was so close. As mentioned before the course is a
bit odd and because of the weather there when not that many people supporting us runners and of course loads of volunteers doing a amazing job! Chris
had told me that he never looks behind when racing so I knew that I could keep
in his pocket but unfortunately one of the crowed shouted my name and gave away
my position and as usual I am surprised when people call out my name! even
though I have it written on my shirt :-). The day felt different from the previous 3 half marathons.
On Good Friday I had ran really well at the Maidenhead 10miler and although
Chris had beaten me I knew that I could smash out the 8 min mile over that distance but could i over 13?.
Chris had a few words and we reassured each other we where running a
good pace. So from mile 4 up and down the hills and leafy pavements we ran
together side by side for miles.! Occasionally eying each other up. I let Chris know
when the hills where coming and we worked together to get each other up them.
It was nice to be running the same pace and work as a team but that was only
going to last until the last few miles. Might sound obvious but I find mile 10
onwards in a half challenging both mentally and physically. Chris let me know it
was only a parkrun to go!! Last week at Maidenhead 10 I was broken when he said
that and let him get away from me. This week I was not going to let that happen.
I decided that probably at mile 11 I was going to push it and Chris was not
stepping the pace up so i thought I might be in with a chance.
Remembering last year when I stepped up the pace at the same
point on the course to break James I thought I would try the same tactics so it was a 2 man race of stamina
to the finish line. From mile 11 I dug deep and pushed on to my surprise Chris
gave me some encouraging words “go on push on” or words to that effect. He was
struggling a bit and i was hurting but I knew mentally how far on the course was
left and as a u turn in the course came up I saw that I had pulled away just
slightly! The last mile went on forever and as I made the turn into the park I felt
that Chris must be gaining on me. I had to hang on and dig hard I dare not
glace behind me so I just focused on the finish line. I approached to bridge to
the 13 mile mark and with only a sprint to go Chris was on my shoulder!! I don’t
know where I got the legs from but I found something and nailed it!!! Think
there must have only been 1 or 2 seconds in it but I crossed the line in
front.!! Epic.
After a bit of recovery and a look a my time a unbelievable 9 mins faster than last year, we found each other and had a man hug and wondered over to the finish line to see our brothers complete the race. We managed to see James cross the line with a elated look on his face! but not Dave it transpired that he had a great run also coach Rich had recorded his fastest time ever!
We all did pretty amazing times and everybody apart from me got
a PB! The Peddle brothers both smashed there times at Fleet Half Marathon and James was 4 mins quicker while Rich loads off his PB. We picked apart the race over a pub lunch with a few pints what a great
morning. My running friends and my true inspiration. 2-2 in James vs Duncan stakes!!
Duncan 1:44:39
Chris 1:44:40 PB
Rich 1:47:03 PB
Dave 1:47:42 PB
James 1:49:14 PB
