The next morning I woke up with the thoughts of having a nice rest day after the 13.1 miles run less than 24 hours before. Then I remembered that I had another race to complete as part of my challenge. This was the Sport Relief Mile hosted by Ballymena United in conjunction with Ballymena Runners. What had I been thinking off? Worse still, I had entered the 6 mile race, it must have seemed better value! My intention was to arrive at the Showgrounds and enjoy a leisurely 6 mile run. After all, there was no pressure, this was not a race, it was a charity event.
The event was well attended and it was fantastic to see a great number of families at the event and more importantly many people taking part in their first ever running event. Of course, friends who were marshaling at the event started the old wind up routines. "Peter, you have a good chance of finishing in the medals etc etc' There did appear to be some 'serious runners' who had turned up, although as it will become apparent, they opted for the 1 and 3 mile options.
After the announcements, we were off and I decided to tuck in behind a couple of other runners and take it nice and steady. After approximately 1 mile it was clear that this was gonna be a 2 horse race. It was tough going and I could feel the time on my feet at Larne starting to make itself felt. Thankfully, I had given Jonny Graham from my club a drinks bottle and he was able to provide water on two occasions during the race. In true sportsmanship I offered the drink to my fellow runner who was still running with me at around the four mile mark. With just over two miles to go I apologetically made a break for it and picked up the pace (only very slightly). The run finished in the Ballymena Showgrounds. I was leading a race, in fact I was going to win one!! Entering the grandstand area I could hear the commentator announce my name and that I was the first 6 mile competitor home. After crossing the line, I was interviewed on the PA. I was absolutely 'spent' but have faint memories of saying how hot it was out there and congratulated everyone on such a great event.
For once when I got home and Julie asked me how I'd done, I was able to say I'd won!! For a club plodder like myself, I'll treasure that win, although I doubt many others will :)
Peter Fleming - Sport Relief 6 Miles - 1st place.
PS I won in just under 48 mins and most other entrants were 'walkers'
The local racing calendar has several landmark events throughout the year. The year commences with the fantastic Race Over The Glens hosted by Ballymena Runners. Larne Half Marathon is another event eagerly anticipated by thousands of local runners. This picturesque route along the coast towards Ballygalley and back into Larne provides runners of all abilities two opportunities. Firstly, the chance to discover how the months of hard (wet and cold) winter training have paid off (or not). Secondly, it is a great social occasion for runners to catch up with each other at the start of the 'road racing' season. A fabulously organised race coupled with superb hospitality afterwards guarantees fantastic numbers at this event with most participants viewing this as a 'must do' year after year.
My home club, Ballymena Runners had put on a free mini bus for members and the journey down was the usual mix of banter, advice and great craic. It was also an opportunity to meet many of the club's newest members donning club colours for the first time.
This half marathon would be different for me, I knew exactly the time I wanted (needed) to finish it in - just under 2 hrs 15 minutes. Belfast City Marathon organisers had asked myself and other BCM pacers to lead groups around the Larne Half Marathon. Many of the individuals running with me at Larne have signed up to be paced around Belfast by Jim Moore and myself. Jim planned to race at Larne therefore I was assisted by Stephen Brown, club secretary of B'mena Runners. Balloons were attached and a short briefing provided to our 'group' and off we set. The course had changed slightly bringing us through the town centre and I was very conscious of holding back and keeping strictly to the 10 minute 18 second average pace required. The craic around the course was good with loads of support. It was also great to see fellow club members racing their way back into Larne before we had even reached the 7 mile point.
The 'hill' at Larne had been shortened this year but perhaps made somewhat steeper? The heat was really building up at this stage with clear blue skies and the sun beating down. Thankfully there were loads of water stops and Stephen was doing a great job of ensuring our group had drinks and some of the jelly beans we had brought with us. As we approached the 10 mile mark, some of the original group dropped away. This is probably the toughest part of pacing - you really want everyone who starts off with your group to finish with you. This is not always possible due to the level of training that may or may not have been done. The positive flip side is that you start to gather runners who perhaps had set off too hard and are now struggling. Many of these guys attach themselves to the pacing group and maintain a steady run to the finish line.
Normally in a race - you try to kick to the finish line, eyeballs out, hoping to pick up a few places. At Larne, Stephen and myself finished the last mile in the same time as our first - 10 mins 18 seconds. Afterwards we got the lowdown on our clubs performance - a bagful of personal bests especially from our ladies team. The heat had been tough on everyone and this was going to be a sizzler of a weekend.
Another great event hosted by Larne AC - thankyou.
Run #6
S Brown Ballymena Runners 2:14:48
P Fleming Ballymena Runners 2:14:49
"I've a scotch egg in my pocket, do you think I'll get it through airport security?" This comment wasn't from my running partner for the weekend Robin Alexander, but from a fellow passenger at Exeter airport. When I overheard this, I knew the weekend would be good craic. Arriving at Exeter Airport (which is an oxymoron) Robin and myself were met off the plane by airport police. This is something which surprised us slightly and was a tad concerning. The question was "Gentlemen, may we ask you the purpose of your visit to Devon" We answered "To run in The Grizzly". To this reply, the security personnel burst into fits of laughter along with comments relating to our sanity or lack of it!" One thing was sure, The Grizzly may not be well known back home but in this part of the world it's legendary.
What is 'The Grizzly'? This is best explained by the organisers, Axe Valley Runners.
"Twentyish muddy, hilly, boggy, beachy miles of the multiest-terrain running experience you will find this side of the end of time"
Robin and myself were being hosted by Jeremy and Flo, who live in a beautiful hamlet in the rolling Devon countryside. Jeremy is a colleague of mine and the person who first planted the seed of doing this race a couple of years ago. The Saturday involved a nice long walk in the country and a 400 yard walk to the local hostelry were we watched the Scotland v Ireland Six Nations game. Whilst we watched the game, Jeremy not only had tended to the horses but also prepared a super Spag Bol, so the carb loading was well underway.
The next morning we set off for the 45 minute journey to the South Devon town of Seaton, where the race starts and finishes. The usual pre-race rituals of getting race numbers pinned on, vaseline rubbed on etc etc were complete. That just left the final 'toilet stop' or otherwise known as the Poo Queue. The usual banter was further enhanced by an impromptu game of Russian Poolette as one of the four 'sit down toilets' was not flushing. I'll let you use your own imagination as to how that one pans out...
The race would soon be underway and the clear blue skies and already warm temperatures gave an indication of what was to lie ahead. There were around 2500 runners lining the promenade and it took around two minutes for Robin, Jeremy and myself to eventually cross the start line. The first mile was along the sea front and through a boat yard before stepping onto the shingle beach which was a bed of large pebbles. The noise of thousands of runners on this surface was deafening and has to be experienced. Jeremy made a break early on, whilst Robin and myself were still getting to grips with this leg sapping surface. After a mile of running on this we were then to wade across the small estuary and onto a short road section. Already I was concerned at my heart rate and how hard it was working after such a short period of time. The climbing then started and for the next 6 or 7 miles we were up and down the rolling countryside, climbing from sea level to the cliff tops and then back towards sea level. There was no way around this, it was going to be brutal. At one of the stile crossings both Robin and myself discarded the t-shirts we had worn under our race vests as the temperatures were now soaring. My fitness or lack of, was certainly being tested and Robin had moved ahead on one of the descending sections. My phone rang around the 7 mile mark and it was fellow clubmate Jim Moore. I normally don't take calls during races but I was already having to walk some of the runnable sections and I was glad of the distraction. I relayed to Jim that I was struggling already and that I still had over two thirds of the course to run. Not finishing the race was something that was creeping into my mind although I was determined to complete it. Especially when I thought of the real suffering which many of the young children with various forms of cancer have to endure.
It was at this point I decided to eat the 'Magic' beans I had bought from the a local running store in Exeter. They were more expensive than the usual Bassetts Jelly Babies, but boy did they work. The effect was immediate and they helped me through this first mini wall. My recovery was further enhanced at around mile 10 when I struck up a conversation with a lady called 'Dot' who was running in aid of families who had suffered from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. She personally was involved in helping eight families dealing with the awful trauma that must inflict.
I was glad to be feeling strong again, because the amount of climbing was unreal. This year the name given to the Grizzly was 'Every Hill Has A Silver Lining' and myself and Robin have agreed that we have never been in any race with so many climbs. Up ahead I could hear screams and this was the infamous bogs section where the organisers thought it would be funny to have everyone run (walk) through nearly thigh deep mud. The brave could go for it through the middle but risk losing footwear and any sense of dignity. I decided to use the guide rope at the side and still managed to make difficult work of the section. After the bog then we had to cross a small river which not only cooled the calf muscles but also provided an opportunity to wash the mud off your body. The next few miles consisted of, you guessed it, more steep climbs and brutal descents. It must be pointed out though that the scenery of this Jurassic coastline was stunning and the support from spectators and marshals was heartwarming. A real cross section of running abilities were alongside me from grannies to top club athletes, this was a true representation of everything that is great about running the the running family we belong to.
Back to the task at hand, I was starting to think about my time. Yes, I know it's ludicrous, several miles earlier, I was hoping to just finish. Now, I was working out complicated maths to check if I could finish the nearly 21 mile course in under 4hrs 30mins. Deep down, I was also wondering if Robin or Jeremy had maybe went off to strong and I could catch them. My hopes of this were dashed when I entered the town of Beer (yes Beer!) for the second time and faced the steps back up to the cliff top before the final drop into Seaton. This is possibly the toughest climb I've ever done and half way up a spectator told me another Ballymena Runner had just gone before me. "How long ago?" I asked. The reply was "About 10 minutes ago." Forget Jeremy and Robin, this was going to be a straight race against the clock. The last couple of miles was littered with people giving out sweets, biscuits etc. The local Baptist Church were handing out water and sweets, there was even a lady dishing out recycled jelly babies. I later discovered that these were the sweets that runners had either dropped or couldn't quite fit into their mouths whilst running. They tasted fine to me. I was in the zone now and could hear the tannoy and the cheering crowds. Would I break 4hrs 30, the answer was yes and I even summoned up a sprint finish, picking up a few places along the promenade.
Upon crossing the line, I received the finishers t-shirt, which will be worn with pride. Robin and myself were duly cleansed by the local firefighters who were hosing everyone down afterwards. The 3 of us had all finished within around 20 minutes of each other and had a complete blast of a day.
Jeremy/Flo, many thanks again for your super hospitality and remember our offer to you both.
There is so much more I could write about this weekend. The stash of rifle bullets we found whilst out walking in the country lanes, the enormous amount of coffee Robin and myself drank, the fact that we had to share a double bed.... What I will say is that Robin has already committed to running next year and I for one intend to be there with him although hopefully in front this time!
Results
Jeremy Atkins 4:08:44
Robin Alexander 4:19:07
Peter Fleming 4:28:12
Robin, please can you add your report under comments as I feel this event deserves more than these few words.
