Today I ran this race for the fourth time, in brilliant sunshine. My time might have been better, if I had not had to stop for shoelaces twice and a wee once. I was poorly prepared: the shoelace problem would not have come up if I had paid attention when putting my shoes on, and I left too little time before the start for visits to the loo and so on.
In the event I was not too disappointed with a time under two hours. I think I ran faster in the second half and was able to mark my progress by overtaking various conspicuous runners towards the end. Events like this remind me how much running is a collective thing. I saw lots of runners encouraging each other. Everyone was good humoured, even on an eccentric route.
I may not do this again though. It was crowded, which is a good preparation for London, but it is very much for tourists. I may try Eastbourne next year.
Time: 1:59:09
Distance: 13.27
Pace: 8.59 (best 5.01)
Total this week: 31.5
Four weeks till the Hastings Half Marathon
Eight weeks till the London Marathon
