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colinhewes
182 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 9:33:31 PM
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After the nightmare of RNR my confidence was at an all time low. Also I had a nightmare at last year's GER and ran my slowest ever half marathon time. My training over the last couple of weeks has at best been patchy due to work pressures, so what was I doing on the start line of GER?
I arrived at about 9:30am and parked about 5 minutes from the starting area. I was determined to arrive relaxed and feeling positive.
I briefly bumped into Mike in the toilet queue and then made my way to the starting line. By now it was very crowded and I had to push through to my preferred starting point. I settled in with about 15 minutes to go. A few minutes later I found myself standing by Mike and Claire. I couldn't believe that I had bumped into Mike twice within 15 minutes even though there were several thousand people lined up.
The race began and I saw Claire go off just ahead of me. I didn't realise that I had got ahead of her again and assumed that she had disappeared into the distance.
I settled into my run, but then discovered that I had a Garmin malfunction. I somehow must have hit the stop button. As soon as I realised I switched it back on again but by now it was out of sync with the course. No matter, I was still able to pace my run by it.
I had intended to run a 8:10 pace, but I was feeling quite good and was ahead of pace. I won't bore you with my mile splits but I was maintaining a reasonable pace. I was fine until around mile 9 but then my legs were starting to feel a bit heavy. I was slowing through 10 and 11, but was still ahead on pace.
At the 11 mile mark, Claire suddenly appeared on my shoulder which surprised me because I thought she was in front of me already. She was now. I gave her some encouragement and said I would meet her at the finish.
Suddenly my pace started to pick up and for the next 2 miles I was maintaining the same pace as Claire about 10 feet behind her.
As we reached the grassy area near the finish I was feeling really strong and I pulled alongside her. We both went hell for leather for the finish line and I just managed to pip her at the post.
As I turned around to congratulate Claire, she was otherwise engaged throwing up over her shoes. What a finish that was. My official time was 1:44:24. That was 13 minutes faster than last year's time.
If it hadn't been for Claire I would have been at least 2 minutes slower, so massive thanks for giving me the kick I needed. 
Met up briefly with Dom, Dean and Mike. Heard that Mark was on the course so I hung around a while and saw him cross the finish line. Managed to eventually catch up with him through the crowded finish area and he showed me his sore bits. Not a pretty sight.
What was I doing on the start line at GER? Wearing my club shirt with pride.
Colin Hewes
Stage 4&5 vet.
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Mij0
848 Posts |
Posted - 12 Oct 2009 : 9:45:07 PM
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Excellent 
Fat again but not for long :-) |
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lincsfella
1209 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2009 : 06:39:29 AM
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Colin great report and even better running, your starting to fly again.
"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
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Heavyweight
1453 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2009 : 07:03:50 AM
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Well done Colin.
I think you deserve a special prize for having to inspect Marks sore bits! |
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fishyweb
2311 Posts |
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mdunn77
1545 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2009 : 08:00:14 AM
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| absolutely superb running Colin, well done |
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MarkWillcocks
1275 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2009 : 08:04:03 AM
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well done Colin....was nice to see your smiling face after the race and i,m so glad i was right about the HC.....
He who dares Rodney, he who dares. |
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LittleBigMan
1070 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2009 : 10:16:18 AM
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Congrats on a great performance Colin!
To improve your m/m by a minute on last years performance is very impressive, as Steve noted. Very well done!
_________________________________________________
"The will to win is worthless, without the will to prepare." |
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Wicked D
2207 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2009 : 2:35:16 PM
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well done Colin 13minutes better than last years time is awesome good on ya
sorry we didnt get to meet up & you was very close to me too so we nearly did 
see ya soon
"If you're going through hell, KEEP GOING"....W Churchill |
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claire1
487 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2009 : 7:15:15 PM
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Goodness just saw this ....was wondering where your report was!!
ROFLMHO!!!! How ladylike you make me sound!
What an absolutely brilliant time after last year! I can't believe how well you do when work keeps you so busy. And I am so glad you had such a good time after RNR and the tribulations there.
Thanks for checking me over for vomit before I disgraced the club!
You where 5 seconds ahead of me...that is weird In my head you where like something from Chariots of Fire .....surging away from me with ease asd I was left floundering behind ...trying valiantly and with little sucess to keep my insides where they belonged!
Looking forward to racing you over the line again! |
Edited by - claire1 on 14 Oct 2009 8:26:06 PM |
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colinhewes
182 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2009 : 8:20:58 PM
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Claire, I wouldn't say I was surging away from you with ease. If the race had been 5 metres more I would have been flat on my face.
Till the next time.
Colin Hewes
Stage 4&5 vet. |
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claire1
487 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2009 : 8:27:40 PM
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| Indeed... but surge you did Sir! The only thing I got wrong was how far it was!!! |
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Back from the brink at GER
