Well, I made it in one piece, if a bit wind-swept, as there was a damned awful 20MPH(?) head-wind for the last 6 (or so) miles :x
Joanne (SWMBO) decided against doing the 6-mile walk, so it was decided that (instead of getting the 'laid-on' transport) she'd accompany me to the start; wave me off & high-tail it back to the finish
(we went up in the XKR :D )
Once we'd got to the start-point, with over 90 minutes to the start!, the strength of the wind became apparant.
Click on pics to open/enlarge
She stayed there until we started (which allowed me to keep my training top on to the last 2 minutes)
Once onto the sand themselves, the first half-mile or so was awful! it was very soft & almost like running in a 'play-pit'.
Then we reached the firmer (if not dry) sand, with the constant movement of the Bay-Guides on their Quads, & the 'Search & Rescue' in their
HaggLunds rattling past to the major river crossing.
http://www.baysearchandrescue.org.uk/ (watch the video-clip on the home-page)
Quite surprisingly, I found the pace over the first 5-6 miles fairly easy, my legs/breathing & heart-rate were all good (I felt better than I usually do running the 4 miles to work)
The sand varied in texture, from 'concrete', to rippled, to jelly at points
Then......... we could see the river crossing (Kent Channel) in the distance, intially we were running in ankle-deep water for about a 1/2mile approaching it.
On entering it, it was impossible to run, or even 'speed-walk' as it was about 400 yards wide & varying from knee-deep to 'crotch-depth' (hence very wet short-liners!)
From the 7 mile board, there was even more water then, as the sands were draining to another river & 3/4 mile was splashed through.
Up to this point, I was in about 25th-30th position, but started to fade slightly.
Then the head-wind hit us, as we turned south-east to 'shadow' the coast, that was nasty!!! - 6 solid miles into that 20MPH head-wind
Another river crossing (Keer Channel), shallower this time, & only 100 yards wide
After what seemed like an eternity, the 12 mile sign appeared, & we were almost on the shore-line.
We left the beach at the point where the official road over the bay leaves the sands & then followed the fishermans track to the finish-line
Joanne made it back to Hest Bank just in time to see the first 3 approaching the line!, that's how far it is to drive around the Bay (including her using the M6 part of the way)
Looking over the Bay, we'd started out of the left hand side of the shot.
And then she started to see a 'yellow dot' staggering over the sands........
I'll admit that I didn't look at my best as I wandered back up to meet her :lol:
But, once I'd got my top back on, had a drink, blown my nose, I felt slightly better
My 'self-forecasted' finishing time (I'll state it now) is under 1.45:00
I reckon I could run a 1.35:00 - 1.38:00 half-marathon on the road, but I'm allowing myself extra-time for the river-crossing/wet sands
My actual time was
1.42:52, giving me placings of
Overall = 51st/237 &
Male 40-45 = 11th/32 :D
I'm happy with that, as a 'virgin-halfer', especially given the wind & the river crossing
Now the 'question of the day' is?
Do I feel good enough to run a 'Trunce' (as mentioned in earlier postings) tonight? (@ 18:45)
