Run 3: Severn Bridge Half Marathon

Sunday, 30th August 2015 (09:00am)

Unfortunately he didn't run in this gear...

I will begin this account with complete honesty; I felt entirely unprepared for the first Half Marathon of the campaign and I was genuinely a little worried about what shape I'd be in when I completed it. I had done some training, but owing to a lack of time and a busy schedule, I felt I hadn't quite done enough.

Given that the event was in Chepstow and it started at 9am, I left Swansea at just after 6am - to be sure I'd have time to pick up my race bib, get to the start and be totally prepared. It turns out I was there with more than enough time before the start (a running theme now).

Silly wig? Check!

This particular event was incredibly well organised - as most half marathons tend to be - and had two very large car parks dedicated to its runners. The number of people competing in this event was something just over 2700.

Free lucozade sports were given out (incredibly useful for mid-course hydration) at the event village and there was a really good atmosphere.

The walk from the event village to the start of the race (halfway along the majestic Old Severn Bridge) was about 15 minutes and the course outline promised that towards the end (the 7 mile point) there would be a rather steep hill.

I haven't seen this many people on one bridge since the Lisbon Half Marathon

The course itself was very enjoyable. Crossing the Severn Bridge was windy but offered stunning views over the river Severn and of the backs of the mad scramble of people ahead. After crossing, bilingual signs welcomed us to England where the majority of the run took us around sleepy villages, filled with welcoming and encouraging people who had come out to support.

The organisers of the race had a great sense of humour, from the witty pre-race emails to the signage on the course that at every slight incline warned "This is not the hill" and "this is not the hill either." When the hill eventually came, it was a lot steeper than I anticipated. Neverthless, I ran up every inch of it, having to dodge the walkers who weren't considerate enough to stick to one side.

Halfway through the race, after passing the 7 mile mark, three thoughts hit me;
1. How on earth will I be able to do a marathon; TWICE the distance I'm about to do?
2. How many miles in a kilometre? I know there are roughly 22km in this half marathon, but are there 13 miles in this race? 11? How many miles do I have left?!?!
3. This is amazing. I am running a half marathon and I am not dead.

The answer to the second question was of course 13, and returning to Wales over the Severn Bridge was absolutely elating. One man remarked that the bridge "seemed shorter at the start of the race" and I contemplated using his joke with another runner later on but just pushed myself onwards towards the finish line; dreams of finishing the race with a good time firmly in my sweaty wig-covered head.

At the last 50 metres, I often sprint flat-out to get the best time possible. In the past two runs, I've not really done this. Here, inspired by another runner who had the same idea, I ran as fast as my chunky little legs could carry me and crossed the finish line at just under 1 hour 52 minutes.

Sweaty and happy with my third, and chunkiest, medal so far!

The chip time would later tell me that I had completed the half marathon in 1 hour, 50 minutes and 20 seconds. I discovered a few days later that this time was only one minute slower than my all-time personal best for a half marathon. I firmly believe I can make up that minute in my next half marathon; the Bristol Half Marathon on September 13th. Only time will tell...

Total money raised: £853.90