A couple of weeks ago I took on my own multi day marathon, running the Maverick Original Kent 21k on the Saturday, followed by the second Beckenham Half Marathon on the Sunday.
We all headed down to Groombridge, where Kent meets Sussex, at 730 on Saturday morning. Nice easy journey, parked up and signed up.
http://maverick-race.com/event/the-original-kent-2/
Everything was nice and easy, there was a decent amount of runners, including plenty with dogs! There was a 7, 14 and 21k course - each looked rolling rather than hilly, and the weather was pretty good.
And as a special treat my dear mother treated me to a smart new Ciele cap for my Birthday. I always like to run with something on my head to mop up the sweat, and had been using visors. However I have a tendency to saturate them (sorry!) and steam up my sunglasses so I fancied giving something else a try!
After our briefing the gun went and the 21kers turned left and trotted out along the road and up the hill, where we had our first pinch point as we all ascended in single file. Wasn't the fastest first mile (11.56) but at least I didn't head off too quickly! I soon got into my running as the course opened up, clocking up 2-4 around 9.30 each.
It was a great course, a bit of climb, some open areas, runs through the woods (my favourite) and some interesting rock formations!
I slowed down a bit in the second half - probably because I had half a mind on the Sunday, that I was in a nice comfortable zone, and I was enjoying the scenery!
The last mile was a bit of a slog, but I got there in the end and clocked 2:14, which I was happy(ish) with...
All in all a great event, get to a Maverick race if you can - well organised, good atmosphere and excellent marshalling! Then I swing around on some swings and climbed around in the woods at Groombridge Place.
Sunday was the 2nd Beckenham Half Marathon, in aid of Action Against Cancer. It started from my rugby club and was run by club members/associates - Cheryl did a great job, and 400 runners lined up, double the number in the inaugural 2015 event.
There were a few people I knew running, and lots of club members involved. We set off with a couple of laps of the rugby pitches, with all the mini rugby players lined up offering encouragement and high fives, then set out onto the roads.
It was a bit strange being involved in a race where I train. I'm not sure knowing every hill was a good or bad thing!
It was great to see a few friendly faces out on the course, with all my family there in one spot or another. I really wanted to dip under 2 hours, but started to feel my legs pretty early on, and gave up on that about half way, and just settled down and aimed for the finish! The last 5 miles were just taken easy and stuck in a bit of a "sprint" in the last mile - got over the line in 2:06.
I did learn that my trusty Lunarglide 7s are knackered - got some lovely Asics Nimbus 18s on the way to break in....
Have a go next year...http://beckenhamhalfmarathon.org.uk
A great weekend - would have liked to have gone a bit faster but had plenty of miles in my legs over the week before. I've got the Henley half on the 9th Oct and I WILL go sub 2!!
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