Snowdonia Half Marathon: I’m back

I was lying in bed the night before the race, and it struck me I had no clue at all how the race would go for me. Generally, I have some idea! But now I didn't. I hadn't run a half marathon without IT band problems since 2022, and I had managed to add a recovering knee sprain to the mix. But I had successfully run a 10 mile race since the IT band problems, and a 10k race since the knee sprain. So all sorts of things could happen. It could all go well. Or maybe my IT bands would protest and I would have to wear knee supports to be able to keep running. Or maybe I would get fatigued, misstep somewhere, and re-sprain my knee. And I struggled to evaluate the relative probability of all these options.

It started fine. I was car sharing with Mary, who I had met at the Rhostryfan race, and also the Trawsfynydd race. That was nice! And we had no problem parking, getting our race numbers, and doing a little warmup run combined with a wild wee (this race always has enormous toilet queues). I also made sure to apply sunscreen. It was a hot and sunny day! Just like last year.

Mary and me before the start

When the starting gun went we set off. I didn't start out too ambitious. This was not a sprint, after all! And there is a lot of uphill in the beginning. No need to wear yourself out on that. 

Quite soon the race reaches the first lake: Geirionydd. That signals a long flat bit. I ended up having a chat with another runner, in a pink top. She introduced herself as Ann, and she said she was also an Eryri Harrier, even though that wasn't obvious as she didn't have a club top. And he was already talking about finding the lake quite tempting in this weather. And we both greatly enjoyed the views. This race is known for them.

Generic pic of the race from Run Wales’ Facebook page 

There were many water stations. I don't know if they had introduced more than normal, because of the weather. I never accepted so much water in a race in my life! I might have turned down one bottle, but I accepted all the other ones. I typically drank about half, threw some of it in my face and over my neck to cool down, and then tried to throw the rest in the water bottle I carried with me. There was always space! I was really drinking a lot by race standards. And it's not really easy to empty a water bottle into one of these floppy runners’ bottles without making a complete mess, but well, quite a lot of the water ended up where it was supposed to go. Good enough.

Between the lakes there is more uphill and downhill. And the usual became obvious: I was a bit faster than Ann on the uphill, and she was a bit faster on the downhill. But we often ended up near each other again on the flat bits.

I was glad that everything was going alright, without my knees protesting. Slowly the kilometres ticked by, and nothing worrying happened. That was good. I got halfway and everything was fine. I got to where last year, my knees started to protest, and everything was fine. And then I knew I was approaching the big hill that makes this race a bit infamous. My knees were feeling fine! And I am quite happy with hills. So I started trundling up. And I overtook Ann along the way.

When I got to the top there was a woman there, who said I was sixth woman. Sixth! I didn't know I was doing that well. And she also said that three of the women in front of me quite close by. In other words: if I try my best, maybe I can overtake some. That is the sort of thing that sparks my competitive side. What doesn't, obviously, is that I was just on top of the hill; from there on, almost everything would be downhill, which I am rubbish at. But we first got a flat bit, and I accelerated on it. I still had something left in the tank, and it wasn't far now!

I might have gained a bit on some women on the flat, but soon indeed the downhill started. That was the end of me gaining on anyone. I just hoped I wasn't so slow that all sorts of women would be overtaking me. And I seemed to be doing ok; there was even no sign of Ann coming thundering past. And then I reached the bottom of the hill. The rest of the course was flat! And it was only 400 more meters. I looked behind me. No Ann. No other women either. But I remembered the sprint finishes of the Borders League and I didn't trust the situation. I looked over my shoulder again and spotted a pink top. Ann! 

As much as I had enjoyed her company, I didn't want to let her get past me now. So I accelerated again, as much as I could. I could feel myself grimacing in the last tens of meters. But if I was giving it so much, and she was a bit behind me, it would be very difficult for her to get past. And then there was the finish. I had done it!

Relief at coming over the finish line

Seconds later, Ann came over the finish too, and I gave her a hug. I had enjoyed competing against her. I hoped I would get more opportunities! And the announcer at the finish told us that we both had a category win: I was the fastest F45-50 at 1:51:59, and she the fastest F65-70 at 1:52:10. We were 6th and 7th woman, in a field of 235. I hope I am still that fast when I am her age!

The photographer appreciated our finish line hug

We went to get our medals and race T-shirt, and I went to get my bag. It had my recovery drink in it, and a lot of water, and sandwiches. And an apple. I took all of that to a good spot by the finish, and while refuelling myself I cheered on everybody else who came in. I was especially waiting for Mary, of course. She looked a bit knackered, and I wasn't sure she had spotted me cheering at her. But I caught her by the medals.

Only minutes later, the ceremony started. They don't wait for everyone to finish. I don't even think all category winners were already in. Do they not have an over 80 category? If the fast man from the Hebog running club would be here he would have easily finished, but most octogenarians would need a bit more time to run this race. It would be a bit rubbish if they have to slyly give you your medal and voucher when everybody else has already gone. And I looked it up: the category winners in the F70-75 and F75-80 categories indeed weren't in yet. They deserve as much applause as all the other category winners!

But anyway! This race attracts people from all over the country, so I didn't know many of the winners. I recognised the second man: he was also performing really well in the Nick Beer 10k and Ras Trawsfynydd. At the Nick Beer race they even asked me if he was related to me; his name is Sayer. But mine isn't!

Medal pic by Mary

With that over we could go home again. We both had enjoyed it! And both run it faster than last year. We were now both a bit boiled, though. It was nice to get into an air-conditioned car.

It was a pity that not more Harriers had wanted to car share. I really enjoyed sharing with Mary, like I had with the Borders League people. I might put a call on the club Facebook page a bit earlier next time! And I have Mary's phone number.

I was really glad that, making sure I did keep the advice of my running coach in mind throughout the race, I had managed to run it without problems. I am clearly still good for half marathons! Which is great, because I enjoy them. Which one will be next? Caernarfon again? Time will tell!