One word sums up Burnham Beeches…. Hills !! I had heard the
rumours and stories about this half but I don’t think anything prepared me for
this Sunday morning, We parked up and met Dave Peddle then had to walk a mile
to the start area ! to pick up our race numbers. So we where a little rushed
when we lined up at the start line. James had told me stories about this half
and I had not quite taken in how tough it was going to be.
We set off in a group for the first mile but it was clear
that James and David had more pace in them than I had. The first 3 miles had us twisting and turning
up and down hill through some lovely scenery. My legs felt sluggish so I tried
to pace myself for the first 10km. The course was one 6-mile loop and one 7-mile
loop and they had the markers out for the 2nd lap. That was little
disconcerting when you passed a 10 mile marker when you have only done 4 miles!
I settled down to a steady 9 min pace but the hills seamed
relentless just as you relaxed into a steady flat section another big hill was
around the corner! James and Dave where well out of sight and I passed half way
and I was hanging in looking forward to a drinks stop. I began the 2nd
loop knowing what was coming and mentally I knew there where plenty of hills to
get up and down and I was struggling and at 8 miles I cracked and had a little
walk I had little to no energy and I was tired. I dug in and pushed on for a
few miles trying to shake my negativity.
Getting to 10 miles was my next goal and another drinks stop I had a
walk and really tried to re-focus I had the words of Kelly my girlfriend
ringing in my head “just enjoy yourself and I’m really proud of you” so I had
that in my head as I pushed myself though the wall.
The last 3 miles had a mixture of downhill and a big climb
at 12 miles up to the finish so I had to be mentally tough! They where hard
miles but as I got to the top of the hill and turned into the field and down a
steep incline for the last 400 metres James was screaming me on and ran along
side me to push me to the end!.
James and Dave had run a blinder and had handled the
condition and course a lot better that I had. I had a bit of a nightmare walked
afew times struggled up the hills felt sluggish all morning. We all lay on the
grass exhausted we discussed what I thought was probably the most challenging
run I’ve done all year. As we collected our bags the heavens opened I poured
down a fitting end to a bit of a desperate morning for me.
But!! the good thing about 14#14 Is that the next half is
not too far away and with that in mind I need to train harder and run faster J
James 1:47:27
Dave 1:50:15
Duncan 1:57:21
