any sign of another gear? Helsby Half Marathon Sunday, 20^th January 2008

I seem to be getting the miles in but there is something missing and that is any sign of another gear. I have had one big hiccup and that was the Helsby Half where everything was fine until 7 miles. Half Marathons don’t faze me - they are, and should, be well within everyone’s capabilities. Helsby was down for my qualifying time for this year New York Marathon. All I had to do was run under 1:40:00 and, since I love the course and ran 1:20:00 some 4 years ago, I was going into this one a bit too cocky. I always had a time in mind that I am aiming for at Helsby as 1:29:00.

I was the taxi for the day with passengers Michaela, Tanya and Lee. We set off well early, leaving nothing to chance, and found a spot on the main car park. This race was also the start of Caroline’s preparation for London and there she was all ‘Girlie’ with her usual big smile. Her biggest supporters had brought her - Harold and Lynne her Dad and Mum. It has been a long time since she ran a half - at least two kids ago? Tanya also needed her qualifying time for NY which was 1:37:00, so the both of us had something to aim at.

The girls and I did a short warm up, then a trot to the start. We managed to get as near to the front as we should be. The first couple of miles are slightly uphill and a bit of a drag then your into the country within the narrow lanes. I slowed for the first water station at around six and drank a full cup. Things started going wrong at seven! First of all I got a little irritating stitch which I slowed down for. Then at nine a disaster! I needed a sit down loo. There may have been plenty of hedges but I did not think I would find any toilet paper in the grass. I knew we passed no pubs. If we had I would have run straight in. I was in agony and, when you need to go, the running motion does not help. The next four miles where slow, slow, quick, quick slow. The Big Apple was now the last thing on my mind. As I slowed I kept looking back to see if there was anyone coming up who I could run in with. If I could talk to someone it would take my mind from the potential explosion below. In the race between ten and eleven miles you are at the highest point which is a mile of a rolling, hilly road. At ten miles I was passed by a blind runner and his helper. He had his name on his back: “Dave,” running for Guide Dogs for the Blind”. I chatted to them both for a few minutes then tucked in behind them as they gradually pulled away. I told them at eleven that there was a terrific downhill and we were on course for a 1:29:00. Normally this downhill is where I put in a good quick mile but not today; no accidents please. I struggled the last two miles and the time was now the last thing on my mind. As I neared the finished I let the 100 metre sprinters enjoy their 14 seconds of fame. I crossed the line, the ladies removed my timing chip, and walked past the black bin full of polluted water with the box of paper cups beside. Back at the clubhouse I visited the boy’s room - too many times to count! Lee ran a great 1:17:00, Michaela 1:33:00, Tanya achieved her 1:36:00 qualifying time. Caroline ran 1:24:00 and I gently eased in at 1:32:00 - New York here I come!!

I fell out of love with Helsby that day. The black bin of water, the medal for finishing, the £14 entry fee, they won’t let people exchange numbers and, the final nail, only three ladies prizes as opposed to ten for the men. I had my say on the Message Board and the, “Have a go at George nameless Heroes” had there’s. I always wonder if any of them ever race. I know some must but the rest must roam message boards between WWWF and eating popcorn.

I went to race the Chernobyl 10K at Preston only to find there was no numbers available. So taxi driver Tanya and I ran the course twice. We started 45 minutes before the 10k start and ended adding 13 miles to our weekly training miles. It’s a hard life!

Written By: George Kennedy

Submitted: 28^th January 2008

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor