Bristol Half Marathon

The thing about running is that it is sometimes a real pain in the bum! I went in to the race off the back of a 14.26 for 5k and then 29.54 for 10k even though I knew I had struggled more mental battles than physical. I went off nicely and got straight into a good group of guys including Martin Williams, Matt James, Ben Moreau, Gareth Raven etc, along with surprise runners Ben Whitby and Mark Miles who I thought would be up with the leader. We got through a twisty first mile in 4.55 and felt alright then 3miles in 14.55 and we were ticking along up the river and I was sitting right at the back behind training partner (sometimes) Craig Hopkins and fellow Runnerslife athlete Ben Moreau. I didn't really encounter any real problems on the way up and at the turn of course there was a bit of work being done but not anything to worry about. Then at 6miles we went through in 29.33 on my watch but I was now off the back, I think 'Milsey' kicked a bit and split us all up into a line although we had lots a few guys by now including a surprise (Matt Janes had gone although said night before of big training).

So I had decided having gone through a bit quick I would let it go but soon regretted when the guy I choose to run behind slowed up so I went round but now into a breeze I couldn't quite get on the back of Craig and Ben. I chased for a few miles before it started to hurt a bit, now this is where you have to switch on, focus on the floor and start pushing but as in most races this year I am not pushing. I honestly couldn't say the exact reason but I have ideas.

Now I was slowing and Craig was moving away, I slowed more...then Tom Payn went past and I didn't even try to hang on. I was just heavy tired now and as we got back into the town I was a bit surprised to go through 10miles in about 50.20 having been slowing up last couple of miles and feeling like it was 6min milling. Dave Norman then came past and not long later on a patch of cobbles I cut the corner and not concentrating got it wrong and ankle went! Most runners will have done and 'bounce' when it goes but it sort of bounces back up, it hurt but I hadn't broken and damaged badly but it put me right off. I started to get frustrated that it was going wrong again, then all tight and annoyed. Now I knew I wasn't working and letting my self down and the more I thought about it the slower I was getting and at 11miles I stepped off. Yes my ankle hurt but I could have got to the line, after all it was only 2 miles and it was nothing of the pain back when I finished a marathon.

It has been happening all year, I am not pushing through when you know as a distance runner you will have to at some point. On way home I thought about the long run when we raced each other 2 weeks ago and I was knackered but still dug deep to push on and try to win and that's what I needed today. On the positive side I have got respectable times at the 5k, 10k and 10miles over the summer when I am not getting the full effort. It is frustrating because I am running harder in training runs than races and it could be the fear of failure which has crept in after I blew up badly in January and running 32.53 and I don't want to go through that again...I don't know but I will get there and when I do I know I will get the results all the training deserves.

Well done to everyone else and those that gave me a shout while they were running!

Simx