Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon 2013

Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon
7th April 2013
Bournemouth Pier
13.1 miles

This was my second year tackling my local half marathon, run by the British Heart Foundation. Considering I arrived late, without my number and timing chip and with a tantruming child in tow, I’m surprised I made it to the start! I wasn’t sure I wanted to run this year but I’m glad I did; it’s a well organised event with a good atmosphere, enthusiastic marshals and plenty of water stops. I particularly liked the commentating on the children’s 1k (very enthusiastic). I think this will have to be a yearly race for me.

On to the race- despite my best efforts, the organisers found me another number and I lined up for a 10am start. I have been in such a funk with my running recently that my only goal was to finish with a smile on my face. Luckily running in such a big crowd, particularly when many people are running for charity, makes it’s much easier to enjoy a race.

The route takes you in a westerly direction away from the pier, up through the chines and then back down onto the prom. As we headed east toward to Southbourne, there was a reasonable headwind on the prom so I stuck to a really steady pace. I had a gel at about 5 miles. I learnt from my last couple of runs that I need food pretty much every hour I run. The route takes you around some of the houses at Hengistbury Head before heading back towards Bournemouth along Southbourne cliff top and then Boscombe seafront. I sped up a tiny bit for the last two miles and came in through the finish at 1.46.20. This was quite a bit slower than last year, but i finished with a smile on my face- finally!