10th July 2007

Heanor Half Marathon

Training Run

Date: 10th July 2007

Conditions: Sunny, Warm

Run Type: Long

Notes: Having had the day off work I decided to utilize my time off by going finally doing the imaginary ‘Heanor Half Marathon’. I had set out the course for my Sunday long run, however due to tiredness and fatigue I thought for the long term it would be best to miss it.
So I prepared like any other race, however I would not be pushing myself like in a race, this was simply a long, easy run, but I prepared mentally like any other race.
I set out late morning and the sun was already beaming down. It was a beautiful day, and although not ideal running conditions, I was happy to see the sun after the three weeks of constant rain and floods. I set out along Allsops, and did the now formality stretching, before setting off again towards Heanor into mile two. The course at this point takes many twists and turns thought the streets of Heanor, and this is what I really enjoy, changing roads and scenery. I felt good (however very warm) throughout the first four miles of this course.
It was not until the fifth mile, whilst running up Aldreds Lane that I hit my first low point of this run. The course takes a steady incline up towards Marlpool and with the heat and the slight aching in my lower legs, I had to use my mental strength to get through that mile.
The mile five marker comes at the top of the climb up Lcaeyfields Road, which was not half as challenging as I had imagined it to be. Right on the marker however is a shop and with the heat I decided it would be best to stop and refuel, so to not risk dehydration. Having drank, stretched and said hello to two friends, I set out again, back up towards Heanor.
As I approached Hands Road and the second major hill of this course and with the right mental approach I sailed up the hill and was soon on the main road at mile six. As I ran along Ilkeston Road I saw another friend and started to wonder if anybody that I knew even worked?
Once I passed yet another friend, the course takes a decline down through Marlpool, towards Ozbourne’s Pond and the eventual climb up Bell Lane to Shipley Park Visitors Centre. It was at this point in the race that the heat and fatigue really started to kick and I started to struggle a little with the run. I simply took my time and did not let it beat me, mentally.
Having passed through this hard part of the course, yet another challenge came in the form of Thorpes Road, which is a very challenging hill. This was tough, so I used the next mile through Heanor town centre as a recovery mile before final three miles.
As I led out passed Loggins garage towards the new housing estate next to Heanor Gate School, the lactic acid build up was starting to set in and my legs were becoming very tired. Although I was running slow, it was clearly still above my LT. I had to stop several times during this loop of the estate and it was hard to get any momentum back (hence the eleven minute mile). I struggled through and pushed on up ‘Heanor Hill’ and was thankful once I was at the top. “Final push” I kept telling myself as I struggled through the final mile. I crawled across the finish line, the first time I remember that I did not have any kick left in me.
In closing, the first part of this run was really enjoyable, however once the heat set in I found it really hard. I believe the lack of fluid played a part, but hey this was my first really long run since Edinburgh and I was only eleven minutes slower than my Half Marathon PB. I am not worried, as this is a training run and you learn something every time you complete a run.

Run time: 2:00:40 *CR

Pace: 9:13 / mile

Days to New York Marathon: 118



“There is no time to think about how much I hurt; there is only time to run.”