Forest City Road Races, London
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Race report from Heather...
Date: Mon May 12, 2003
Subject: 3 Races in 1 Day
Sounds kind of like a Crowded House song!! I finished the Forest City Half marathon in London yesterday thanks to my good buddy Dave.
I got up bright and early for the 2 hour drive to London but circumstances would conspire against me!! Heavy rain and thunderstorms (and having to stop for gas) stole all the extra time I had built into my schedule and I ended up running into the stadium as the gun went off to start the race. I didn't have my number yet and I REALLY had to use the facilities. I decided it didn't really matter, went and took care of business, got my number and started the race. Dave ran out with me for the first bit and (thankfully) took my bag of stuff.
The 10K race was starting just as I left the stadium - some of them are very speedy!! The 1/2 marathon course followed the 10K course for most of their race so I felt like I was running a 10K for awhile (likely why my first half of the race was so much faster than my second half). At one point I heard a man passing me, he said "good run" - I looked up .... I was being passed by a race walker!!! Now, I know I'm slow but....... All I could think to say was "good walk"!!
After I left the 10K runners, I was off alone on a beautiful trail along the water. It reminded my a bit of the Humber River trail that I like to train on. There were birds and the violets were blooming - it was so nice and peaceful!! (the things you notice when you know you're last and don't care!!) After awhile, I started to meet the 1/2 runners coming back in from the out-and-back portion of the race. Lots of people saying "looking good", "great work", "keep it up" - it really helps you get through!
I saw Maryanna looking totally relaxed – I sure she had a great race! The medical teams on their bikes were really friendly (they even met me at the finish line yelling "great race!") I finally found the turnaround (I was starting to wonder if I'd missed it!) – it was at around 15K.
As I headed back in, I'm not really sure when, but I was suddenly being passed by people running the full marathon. They were looking pretty worn out. I was hitting just over 2 hours and starting to feel pretty tired myself. I knew Dave was going to meet me at some point to run in with me so I just kept going. I stopped at one point for man who looked like he was going to pass out – he assured me he was OK (and later passed me again!)
Finally…. There was Dave off in the distance (I was really tired at this point). Dave ran me into the stadium, I ran around the track, and I was done!! YAY!!! The clock said 3:44 (marathon timing) – my official time was 2:45:08. My watch time, since I was late getting going, was 2:38 give or take. I was sure I was last (since I didn't pass anyone) but I wasn't! Damn! There was one person after me who finished at 3:03:55.
A great day overall. Nice medals, good course support, beautiful course, bagels!!!, and Dave to run me in. I'd highly recommend an encounter in London. This was my second race there and I really enjoyed both of them.
Be Well
H J
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