Caernarfon half marathon

The time had come to improve my relationship with the Caernarfon half marathon. Last year I had run it, but about halfway along the course I had felt the need to put on two knee supports. My IT bands were playing up! They had done that for the first time that May, and I had hoped a whole summer of physiotherapy exercises would have meant that by September, I would be okay again. I was not. I really struggled with the second half. These knee supports restrict movement in your knees. It was uncomfortable, and I felt like I was running like a scarecrow. And the good thing is that I still ran a personal best, and a category win, but it nevertheless felt like a disappointment. All that physiotherapy, and still this!

This year I had run the Snowdonia half marathon without problems, so I had faith I could do the same in Caernarfon. I didn't even bring knee supports. 

At the start I saw some familiar faces. And I made sure to start near the front, but not too much so. My aim was run just under 1:40. The previous year I had done 1:40: 20. Surely I could do better now? And that, aiming at 1:39, required a pace of 4:41. And, of course, you're not going to run that at all times, as there are some undulations in the route. But it is a good number to hold onto. Soon I more or less settled into that pace.

The weather forecast has been horrible, but reality was so much milder! It barely rained. It was actually quite good running weather. I hadn't brought any water as I figured more than enough of it would be falling out of the sky, so when that didn't happen I accepted a bottle at the first water station. I had a pocket for it in my running vest.

I made sure to think about the advice from my running coach. And the physiotherapist as well. Run wide-legged, and when in doubt, make big strides! I was glad to run past a particular junction where I knew I had already started to feel knee problems the previous time. And I ran past the 7 mile marker, in the vicinity of which I had felt the need to put my knee supports on the previous time. So far so good! Unfortunately, it did not last. By the time I reached the 9 mile marker (I had missed the 8 mile one) my left knee was definitely protesting.

I hoped I would just manage to keep running until the finish. I did think it was likely. It was not that far anymore. And I also soon got some encouragement: a bloke on the side said I was in seventh position. That was so much better than I thought I would be! That cheered me up.

I did keep an eye on whether any women would be trying to overtake me, but I saw none. I did get overtaken by a few blokes in the last few miles, but I was okay with that. I wasn't very fast anymore, with that struggling knee! I was just trying to keep going, hoping no women would come running past. One guy overtook me towards the end of the bicycle path, and asked if we would have to run around the castle again. I confirmed that. He sounded like he wanted it over with by now!

When I was already in town, a race official on a bicycle came zipping past. He said I was undoubtedly on my way to a category win, again. How does he know that? Last year I didn't show up for the presentation. But I suppose he must be from Run Wales, and it's true I get a lot of category wins in their races.

I plodded my way to the actual finish. The last marshal I saw was Ian from the Thursday sessions. We enthusiastically yelled at each other. And then I was in. I wasn't really out of breath; I had spent some six kilometres not being able to run as fast as my lungs could carry me. And I went to collect my race T-shirt and medal, and then my bag. And I chatted with some other finishers. Then I made my way to where the presentation would be. This time I would stay!

Finishing pic

The official results were not publicised, but it became clear I had indeed run a category win. In a time of 1: 38:57. For that you need a pace of 4:41. Crikey! That was rather precise. And Emma, the Dutch lady who wins lots, had also won this race! That was fab.

Me with my loot! Pic by fellow runner 

As this race was in the Welsh Championships (like e.g. the Breakwater race), there was another presentation afterwards, where I obviously also had a category win, so I ended up with three medals around my neck. But then it was time to go to the toilet and head for my car. Time to go home, and shower!

Another thing I did was order knee supports that are, as far as I can tell, better suited to IT band problems than the ones I have. They should not limit your movement so much. So they should be a lot more comfortable. And hopefully, at least as effective. Next year I want to run this race again, and preferably faster than this time. I might need some strappy aids to help me do that!