I won another race!

14M - incl half marathon race - Malvern Half Marathon

13.1M ('undulating') at 3.41min/M - 01:14:35; 1st position
1M warm up

I was dead chuffed with this. My time was about 45s off my PB, but undulating meant pretty hilly in patches and I'd guess my time might have been a minute or two faster on a flat course.

I paced the race according to how I felt rather than being too watch-obsessed. I also sussed out from early on that I might be able to win it, so thought it might be better not to risk going crazy speed-wise and risk blowing up, especially since I didn't know what hills the course had in store for me.

I felt good from the off and didn't slow too much on the hills. The first half was downhill overall, with the second half uphill. The worst hills came at about 11-12M. But I felt home and dry by then, having been on my own from the first drinks station at 3M. I decided not to bother drinking cos they had little flimsy plastic cups, which I can't manage. I did try one at 6M, but it all just went down my chin and chest.

I was anxious that my stomach might play up again like in the last half marathon I ran, especially as it felt a bit weird on the way to the race. Bat all was fine and there wasn't a twinge during the race.

I got a little cup for my endeavors (as well as some champagne and some vouchers for a running shop). A nice little bonus. But not half as classy as the enormous golden shoe I got for coming 2nd in Reedham in February...