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HOLIDAY
HALF MARATHON No.3
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| Having been to the same area of France for the past three years we again went to La Tranche-sur-mer in the Southern Vendee. We knew that it was unlikely that we would be able to resist the opportunity to run in the half marathon, and as this year it didn’t coincide with our last night away the decision was made easy. We made another visit to Dr Chevalier for the usual medical checks that are compulsory in France before he countersigns your entry. He remembered us and had a laugh at Sue’s slow heart rate. His price of 20 Euros has remained unchanged for three years, no inflation here. As it’s a point-to-point race we caught the coach to the start at 6pm for an 8pm start. This meant a fair bit of hanging around in our Birstall vests but the ‘people watching’ was good fun and as it was at a Sports Hall at least we could wait out of the sun. Sue even managed to encourage me to do a warm up, unusual for me I know but I managed a whole ten minutes, and some stretches too. As the race began it started to rain, nothing too heavy though but we couldn’t believe it – rain two years out of three and it had been 25 degrees three hours ago. We didn’t see any other Brits this year, maybe there were some around but kept a low profile. However on looking at the results on the Internet it seems that we were the sole representatives. The field was pretty similar to home, mainly men and a high number of vets too, there was also a sprinkling of ladies (only 41 though in a field of 400). We warmed up near to one of the younger females and I remarked at how she appeared to limp, carrying one leg and that she had no chance: 2nd in 1.20 - nice judgement Ian! The start was a bit quick for a half and with all the distance markers in kilometres it made pace judgement tricky. It took 7 or 8k for the race to settle down, many had gone off too quickly but they still speeded up when we went past: they don’t like being passed by a woman. The drinks stations are interesting events, there were about ten of them but only one person at each one. You have to pick up your own cup and help yourself to a slice of orange, but there’s only enough for about a quarter of the field so a bit of a scramble is the norm. We ran at 4.30/k for the first 10k giving us 45 minutes but we split up then as Sue could run a quicker second half. A Frenchman who has seen us in the last two years gave us both encouragement as he passed us in the final 5k, he waited at the finish for us and hoped to see us again next year. I had my post race beer from the refreshment table although it probably wasn’t the best idea and I felt a bit crap for a while. Still I had another one half an hour later while we waited for the presentations. Sue came 5th Lady and 1st FV40 but it was funny to see her on the stage to collect her award, as the compere went off on one and left her standing there for what seemed like ages. It was a surprise to get an email from a runner called Wally from County Donegal who had read about the run on our club website. He had hoped to run but arrived in France too late to make it. It would have been nice to meet up. Another well organised event, and certainly well worth doing. A bit different to home but running is running wherever you are. | ||