The Sheffield Half Marathon 2012
It was a very hot day!
13 miles in upwards of 27 degrees C.
The first couple of miles were awful (and terrifying) because the bit between Don Valley stadium and Sheffield is just all very exposed motorways, so it was extremely hot and very tiring, and I knew there was so much further to go!
It was quite euphoric actually arriving in Sheffield, because it was very familiar, but also because there was quite a lot of shade from all of the buildings. We ran down past the bus interchange, and then past Staples, through Heeley and then back down London Road before bearing left at Waitrose. Then we had to run up Eccy road (which, tbh, is long and boring to walk up at the best of times…).
That was quite exposed to the sun, and also a tiny bit demoralising because everyone who had already reached the half way point and was running back were passing me on the otherside of the road. Running all the way back down Eccy road was a bit boring, and then we headed past Corporation, round Devonshire Green, and then through town, across the peace gardens and back out of the city past ponds forge. By that point I was desperate to go to the toilet, and so hot!
The next few miles back to the stadium were quite frightening, because I saw at least 6 people (all healthy looking guys) just passed out or being put into ambulances. I think it was the heat, because by this point we’d been in direct sunlight for at least 90mins and running the whole time.
It was hot, but then also you feel hot, like, I could feel the heat coming off of me. One guy had really badly injured legs where I think he’d fallen over, and then passed out. So, although I felt I could go faster, I was deliberately pacing myself so that didn’t happen. A couple of times I felt woozy, like I was watching myself running rather than actually running, which I think must have been heat stroke taking its toll.
We finally re-entered the stadium and had to run all the way around the outside of the track before reaching the finish. I forced myself to do a sprint finish. As soon as it was over I just wanted to get out of the sun- but there was no where to go! We were stuck in the middle of the stadium. So I picked up my medal and made a break for the tram stop, then got off at uni stop and went into Jessop West for a long shower. I felt a bit better then, but realised I was massively hungry, so I went to wetherspoons and had a gorumet burger, and then caught the train home. And then went into hibernation.
My time was 2 hours and 23mins.
HERE WE GO AGAIN…
Mid-Winter last year my old friend James suggested I should sign-up to the Bupa Manchester 10K. I’d never ran any great distance (or indeed done anything particularly sporty) before that. I was very strict about training, and ran regularly throughout January, February and March, building up to a 10K dress rehearsal with James in Cardiff over Easter. The rehearsal could have gone better, but thankfully I was able to pull it out of the bag on the day (a very wet and cold day in Manchester). Amidst one of the busiest weeks over the Mphil year on the PhD, just days before a Post-grad conference and the afternoon before my first day on a paid research project (… against all odds! …) I completed the Manchester 10K; with a time of 55mins, and over £150 raised for cancer research. A Happy ending.
But that wasn’t enough. Still high from the success I was persuaded by my girlfriend at the time to sign up for the Sheffield Bupa 10K, which was scheduled for October. However, this race coincided with my end of first year upgrade viva, which needed a lot of preparation. Consequently, I did significantly less training for this run. On the day my girlfriend and I ran the race together, and it was colder and tougher than Manchester, but we did it. I thought that might have been the end of my running career.
But no! James has persuaded my once again to slip back into my running shoes, to clip on the electronic timing chip and take to the streets once more. This time though, I’ll be running significantly further… I’ve registered for the Sheffield half-marathon- a full 13 miles - that’s two 10k’s back to back. Twice the distance that I’ve previously ran.
And this time I’m even busier than before, midpoint in my PhD and juggling conferences, journal articles, undergraduate teaching and the the actual writing of my thesis.
The race is one the (not ever so far away) 27th May.
I’ll need to work hard, train hard, and manage my time masterfully.
I’m also hoping to raise money for Alzheimer research.
So, if you’re interested in following me on this journey (or in watching me crash and burn in spectacular style) then stay tuned…
The Race is Over… But Stay Tuned
The Manchester 10K might be in the bag, but come back soon for a full account of the days action, and to find out more about my plans for an encore
Digital Tracker
When I was first issues with this device and told that it would be strapped to my shoe on the day of the race I thought it was going to explode if I ran away on race day. Turns out it is in actual fact a digital tracker which sends a signal first when you cross the start line, again at half way, and then finally at the finish. It then calculates your personal time. Pretty swish.
Special Thanks to all my Sponsors
Those of you who have followed this blog from the beginning will be familiar with my often melodramatic commentary and tendency to describe, in what some might believe to be slightly hyperbolic terms, the immense ‘challenge’ of physically going from having next to no physical ability to being able to confidently run the earth shattering terrifyingly staggering distance of 10 whole K. And I maintain that this has been, and remains, a frightening prospect. However, to be honest, it was the fundraising element itself which I found the most daunting…
Although I’ve always been happy to donate to charity, I’ve never myself been a fundraiser, or ever been in a position where I’ve needed to ask friends and family to give money to charity on my behalf (one Year 5 Blue Peter Swimmathon aside). I was anxious about even asking, and excessively grateful for any donation at all.
But hear we are, 7 days before the race, and my friends have step forward and not only supported me but knocked the ball completely out of the park- with 7 days still to go the pledge I made (which I thought initially overly optimistic) has been shattered. We’ve not only smashed the £100 mark but we’re now over £120. I am in awe, and moved beyond words. Well, not completely beyond words, because here I am typing out a blog made entirely of words… but hey ho.
So, as a sign of my gratitude, I’d like to take this oppertunity to thank all of my sponsors both personally, and publicly.
Annonymous- Thank you annonymous sponsor, whoever you may be. I know more than anyone, you understand what this has been like, and I owe you especially for starting the ball rolling.
Gavin - Thanks a lot man. You were my first proper sponsor, and came forward to show your support way back in February. If it wasn’t for your initial sponsorship I don’t think I’d have had the confidence to keep promoting the fundraising page.
Fiona- When your sponsorship came in I was amazed. ‘Maybe this fundraising stuff really does work’ was my initial reaction. I’m very greatful that you had faith in me to be able to pull this off- at times I suspect more faith than I’ve had in myself.
Liz- I’m amazed that you sponsored so early, and amazed that you believed- and continued to believe that I was always destined to succeed. Aside from your sponsorship, thank you aswell for your consistent encouragement!
Nikki Collins- What can I say? You not only sponsored me, but even thought to sponsor me enough to get me to half way. I can’t convey what a morale boost this proved to be.
James-Very generous Mr Mak! Thanks a lot. I luck forward to running by your side on the big day.
Sarah ‘feel the’ Burn - Thank you Sarah! It’s always nice to have a fan. You’ve been there from the beginning and proved an inspiration. I hope one day to be able to run the immense distances that you do.
Liam- I felt nothing but pleasant surprise when I saw your name on the fundraising site. Many of the people who came forward to show support have been amongst my eldest friends, but here I found one of my newest. Very generous!
Caz- I think you were one of the first people that I told that I was considering maybe doing this, and since that moment you have been a constant source of support! Thank you.
Leila- As we lurched forward into May and the final countdown began you were there to lead the charge, sparking off what would be the final set of donations. As ever, I can always rely on you, and you’ve proved yourself yet again as a true BFF.
Laura S- Thank you. I’ve been nothing but impressed by your interest in what I’m doing and kind words of encouragement. I look forward to returning the favour when you set out on your own running career.
Lucy- My eternal friend and companion, and above all else a surprising generous sponsor! You carried my not only do my pledge, but with your amazing donation, well over! As ever, I’m impressed by the faith you have in me. I will finish, and I will make you proud.
Derinda-Wow. When I was imagining who might come forward to sponsor me I have to say the Train station café was not in the top ten, but I’m amazed, grateful and pleasantly surprised! I hope to make you proud, and I’m grateful also for all of the useful advice that Chris and yourself have given me.
Janine- Thank you! I know that you understand what this has been like since you too are a new runner. I look forward to returning the favour and following you in your no doubt spectacular fledgling running career!
Viki- It was great to have support from the old MA crowd (which you here signify), thanks Viki. It’s great to know you’ve still got my back!
Matty- What a brilliant surpise! I can’t tell you how good it is to have the support of one of my oldest and bestest friends. Long live the Tapton Massif. Hopefully I will do well on the day and not end up with the likeness of a pulped yam.
LIVING THE RUN
The final week is upon us, and as the date (May 15th) draws ever nearer I find it becoming my only preoccupation. Where ever I am, whatever I’m doing, if my mind drifts for even a second I’m no longer in the room, I’m thinking: Have I trained enough? Should I be training now? What if I don’t raise enough money? What if I fall over? What if I have an allergic reaction to Manchester Smog and fall over dead?
Any moment of silence, particularly bed time - regardless of how tired I am when my head hits the pillow - and this is what I’m thinking. The only time I have pure resolve and self-belief in the fact that I know I have trained enough, I know I won’t let my sponsors down and I know I’ll finish and make myself and everyone else proud, is when I’m actually running. And lucky for me I’ll be running on the day!
So it’s all going to be ok.
…
right?
