Silverstone Half Marathon

This weekend was my first time running the Silverstone Half Marathon. I decided to run the local Park Run on the Saturday, which without time for a warm up resulted in me being a minute slower than when I ran back in January. I didn't feel too bad, so hoped Silverstone the next day would go well.

The instructions said to arrive by 10.30 am for the midday race, and as Silverstone has a reputation I allowed plenty of time. As it turned out going across country was a good move, as I didn't meet any traffic until I actually got to the Silverstone entrance. Parking wasn't too difficult and I had two hours to fill! Unfortunately it was bitterly cold so hanging around wasn't what I had in mind. The gathering area was around the pits, and there was a Adidas shop and small charity village, but not a lot of shelter. The warm cafe proved to be a popular spot as everyone warmed up prior to the race.
Heading for a last minute bag drop I met a fellow club runner, and another once out on the start line. With up to 7,000 runners expected it was difficult to see who was there. On the start line I found the pace runner I would have liked to keep in my sights. Sadly as the race progressed my legs felt heavier and heavier and the purple pacers flag gradually headed further and further away from me.
The race was a series of loops around the race track, support roads and other tarmac tracks around the circuit. While you were running in circles it never really felt like it as you were on different parts of the circuit. The start and end was on the main race circuit, but in opposite directions so it was difficult to know exactly where you were at any point. My pace deteriorated as the race progressed, but I just consoled myself with the fact I would finish. Another 13 miles towards week 2 of my Tanzania Challenge. Picking up a bit of pace towards the end, I just got in under the 2 hour window. This was five minutes slower than a hilly road marathon back in early December. However, on that occasion I hadn't run a 45 mile ultra two weeks earlier. Time to let my legs recover a bit as I've a 20 mile road race in two weeks!