Barf arf or should that be 13.24 miles
Mar07201010:33 p.m.
Ran it, didn't push it and survived. Chilly start and didn't get off to a good one when we were met by a massive queue just to get a ticket for train from Bristol to Bath. The staff gave in eventually and told everyone who prebooked to go straight through...phew! that got rid of at least 90% of the queue.
Bath Half Runners village itself wasn't too packed. Simone hadn't arrived yet so went for the usual toilet stop, surprisingly there were plenty and barely a queue. Result!
Still no Simone. But after a few phone calls, finally united with the infamous Simone from Realbuzz blogging fame. So nice to finally meet and was like meeting an old friend. Didn't feel weird at all.
Chatted for a bit, then did all the pre start bits and pieces. Getting to the race pen was a pallaver and a half! Bottleneck galore! Took ages to get anywhere near where we had to be and I was sure we would soon approach a sheep dip! Eventually the crowd cleared, Simone went to the Green Pen and me and my friend Becca and I went to the Orange Pen. We trotted down and the marshals told us orange Es to keep straight on, so we did, got to the end and found we couldn't get in the pen. Ridiculous! 
People were climbing the rails to get in, then they managed to wedge one open so we (us and a hundred others) pushed our way in. Race started shortly after but I couldn't see the start as it was actually round the corner and quite a way off. Almost started the G too early! Oops! Almost!
Atmosphere on course was great! Lots of people out. Music - including the eye of the tiger! Drummers, radios. It was fun and a real taster for April. Scope cheerers were just after the 10k mark so got some cheers from them the first time round and a pic the second time!
BicycleRepairman – yes, I am sick to like a pic of myself (on FB)...hehe...I pressed it by accident and forgot to unlike it. Oops!
As I'd not run since last Sunday, I was going to take it quite easy to see how the knee felt. Planned 10mm for mile 1 but it came in at 9.30 so just stayed at that pace throughout. Still managed a decent time in the end. Thought. I might be in for a PW (personal worst) but nope, 2hrs 05min according to G man for 13.24 miles. Last .24 was paced at 7.47 – no wonder I felt sick at the end!! Pleased with that, as still standing. Knee held out too, just. I think it might very well be starting to grumble now though. Recent closer examination leads me to think it's still recovering from the fall earlier this year. The bruising is in the same place and perhaps it just never went away. These knee injuries just niggle on for forever, don’t they. Then they come back to haunt you when you least expect it. Oh well, just have to be careful over the next few weeks. Knee bruises take ages to recover, I remember someone saying- how long?! I guess I don't help it by running but I have a marathon to train for!!! I’m still applying my arnica but am thinking of trying the hot cold treatment. Anyone done this before – does it help?
Overall, a good day, nice race but sort out the congestion before and after, because it can ruin a good experience.
Hope everyone else's races/ runs were successful this weekend. Safe training!
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Comments (18)
gunes 'Well done ! you must be pleased with your time,and great photo, look at you go !!! My physio recommended the hot and cold treatment for my knee injury a few Years ago and I found it good and certainly helped. Have a well earned rest,you deserve it after today,well done again :)' added 7th Mar 2010
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Mineramountaingoat 'Great running Sabrina,and well done! Make sure you do plenty of chilling out to make sure you keep yourself off that dodgy knee bench. I'm off for physio on mine tomorrow.Hopefully be able to pick up some top grumbly knee tips.' added 8th Mar 2010
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Firefly123 'Well done! It sounds like you ran a good race and that time is really excellent. I'd have a bit of a rest today though!' added 8th Mar 2010
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fudge29 'Well done!!! looking fab x' added 8th Mar 2010
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Johnf 'Good run. I ran it last year and it is an enjoyable one with lots of support.' added 8th Mar 2010
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simonedumergue 'Nice post about the race. Wasn't the congestion at the start horrendous!! I hadn't realised you had that issue with the barrier for your pen. I made it to my Green start with 30 seconds to spare! If you thought the atmosphere at Bath was good, then you have to multiply that feeling by about a factor of 30 for London. Honestly, it will blow your socks off!! Hope the knee is OK today. My shin has been TOTALLY pain free since I strapped it yesterday. Fantastic :-) I didn't realise I was 'infamous' - LOL!! It was so great to meet you :-)' added 8th Mar 2010
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Hat 'Well done, well done! You had a wonderful day for it and did brilliantly. Hope the bruising goes away soon and that the knee is okay.x' added 8th Mar 2010
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Kendlef 'sounds like a good race and well done on a great time, bet your well chuffed with that. must be nice to meet one of your fellow real buzzers, we all chatter on n here but dont know each other at all!! :D' added 8th Mar 2010
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Suziewee 'Looking good, well done on a fantastic race!! You must be jolly chuffed and I hope the knee behaves. Well done :-)' added 8th Mar 2010
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kizzi10000 'WEll done :), though don't fancy the pallaver at the start!' added 8th Mar 2010
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michael_h 'Well done on another good run, that's a good pace for a half when you weren't looking to race it hard. From my (albeit limited) first aid training, ice for 10 minutes then warmth for 10 minutes then wait two hours then repeat works on muscle/tissue injuries but yours may be more a bruising of the bone and I'm not sure whether the same treatment would apply. ' added 8th Mar 2010
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Account_closed 'Well done on the piccie, it's a good one !! It's just wierd, that's all I'm saying, Wierd !! Anyway, I sympathise with the Knee I reckon mine is going to give me gyp all year. I hope it gets me around though as I want to do the Anglesey Marathon in September.' added 8th Mar 2010
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Way_Too_Slow 'Great running well done! It's a shame when a problem at the start can spoil the day a bit though. I'm sure meeting Simone made up for it! Like she says, the atmosphere in London is like nothing else I've ever experienced, not even my beloved Great north Run! You'll love it!! Hope the knee is behaving today.' added 8th Mar 2010
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STUBLACK 'Sounds like a good day and a good race apart from the runner jam, glad you're happy with your time. Have a nice rest, then back to it I'm afraid' added 8th Mar 2010
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Muffs 'Well done. You've got to be happy with that after what you'v been through lately with your knee.' added 9th Mar 2010
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glen_b 'Sorry, not had chance to check blogs since early Sunday evening. Well done, brilliant achievement, nice and quick for a 'steady' workout! Hope the knee is behaving 2 days later.....' added 9th Mar 2010
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eclipse 'Well done you look like you were having a great time out there. Tel http://www.justgiving.com/MarathonDesSablesorbust' added 9th Mar 2010
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RuddysMarathonEffort 'Great, run, day, photo and meeting Simone! Hope you look after that knee, race day is far to close! Daft question, but are you using a knee support to help? Well done.' added 10th Mar 2010
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