Berkhamsted half marathon, 2017

We left home early this morning in miserable, cold rain, and drove a circuitous route to Berkhamsted, avoiding all sorts of roadworks on the M3. We met up with the family clan in time for quick cup of tea and got ourselves sorted, with Lizzy and I running the half and Hazel and the lovely Mrs S doing the 5-miler.

The start was swamped with people in the car park of a small cricket club.  Lizzy and I, plus dozens of others, were sporting bin bags in the 5-degree damp.  The rain had eased and as we gathered on the start line it was just starting to brighten up.

Bin bags and grey skies

 Off we went, and we were quickly bathed in watery sunshine.  It was a strong field.  I like to pick people off, particularly fun on a longer race where plenty of people over-egg their start pace... but this wasn't the case today, and for every runner I caught there was another who came gliding past.  Grr.

At the start, with emerging sunshine

We climbed up on to the ridges of the Chilterns. As we headed back for home we were going into a headwind, so although there were more downhill sections it was sometimes quite tough and chilly going. From mile 12 it was all down, piling past the back of the 5-mile field. It was a tougher course than the Southampton half, where I'd clocked 1:22 last year, and I was keen to get under 1:25 if possible. Downwards, into the outskirts of Berko town, past the castle and a quick wave at the family before a charge to the finish line.

The final sprint

1:24:47 - a pleasing result. Given the knee-based travails I've had through February I'm more than happy.  I would have liked to have been in the top 20, and came out 31st - but it was a high quality field. Mrs S, Lizzy were all pleased with their times too. As a result, the post-race pub lunch felt particularly delicious and satisfying.

Hearty appetites