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Tour of Torfaen Half Marathon
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who is up for this one. every chance of a p.b. better than the cardiff half and a lot cheaper.....
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I'm planning on doing this one. Did a pb at Bristol yesterday, would be nice to have another pb next month too!
I hear it's all downhill?
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=110909&last=1&V=6&SP=
First half is downhill. Couple of uphill bits between 6 and 8. Then mostly flat from there (with a couple of railway crossing sized bridges to get over).
But don't let that fool you - it's still 13.1 miles long.
Thanks wilde rover, see you on that thread.
I entered the Cardiff 1/2 however I had to pull out because I woke up with some bad bug (fever, sickness, the works). I noticed this event and I'm thinking of entering it because I want to see if I can post the 1.45 that my training suggested that I could.
I'd like to know is what the standard is like. I noticed that its a smallish field and although I have done distance runs before, I'm only a casual runner and I'm a bit self conscious about the thought of being in a field full of club runners.
Also, I wondered what the chances are of being able to register on the day - I'm still feeling a bit ropey from what has been my second bout of sickness in 10 days so I don't yet know whether there will be time for me to recover and put in a bit of training to sharpen me up a bit.
If anyone could help me with any info I would appreciate it.
Thanks.
This is definitely that PB course - as long as you're not tempted to go off too fast and hit the wall at five miles.
It's typically a mix of club and fun runners. The first year I did it (yes, 1984!) I had started running three months earlier and finished in 1:55 - and there were loads of people behind me. Although it is a smallish field - but growing in recent years - there are always a few posting 2.30s. So don't worry - 1:45 will see you nearer the front than the back.
Yes, you can enter on the day. Don't leave it too late, as there's always a long queue.
Good luck! It starts almost outside my front door, so wave to the hubby as we go off!
Here are last year's results:
http://www.runnerswebuk.com/results/2006/torfaen_h.pdf
Drat, I thought those links were automatic now.........
http://www.runnerswebuk.com/results/2006/torfaen_h.pdf
That should do it.
CaesarC - I know where you are coming from although you have a good 15+ mins up on me. I am looking to break the infamous 2hr mark i reckon i should do it here. Scared stiff that i will be last and hoping on the day to find someone running my pace so that if i am going to be at the end of the finishers, i will not be running alone. Anyone out there looking to do this in sub 2hr and wanting company on the way around? Anyone wanting to pace me around to make a young girl happy? Quite desperate to break the 2hr barrier. Think of how good you would feel knowing that you have helped someone achieve something that has been a bloody big hurdle for the last 4 years.
Jackie - thanks for the info about transport. I think i will give Christine a ring later today.
Vicky - if you click on the results link above, you'll see that more than 50 people finished after 2hrs. You're not going to be last!
Good luck!
Yes, Mic Morris Trust, I think - I always enter on the day.
Hey, don't worry about my profile. I was pretty good back in the late 80s when I achieved a PB of 1:22. But last year I did 1:46. Hoping for a bit faster this year, but I'm just thrilled to be running it as a wrinkly!
Going on your Cardiff time - and I don't want to put pressure on you - but I'd say you're sure to break 2:00. As I say, don't go off too fast (although I always do, and this will be my 16th ToT). You'll really feel it in your legs when you get to the park in Cwmbran at around 10 miles, and then there's that slight climb to the finish - and horrible lap of the track. But be sensible, and you'll have a great time!
Don't be a wimp - go for it! My early half PBs were always on Torfaen, but then I started equalling them on hilly courses, which is very satisfying.
Why don't you arrange to run with Vicky and try to pull eachother through?
There's a good chance you will, by the sound of it.
I was on course to break my (Torfaen and other HM) PB many years ago, got to five miles in 29 minutes - and had to drop out because an old ankle injury was making my foot numb, a recurring problem in flat/downhill races. Three months later, I equalled my Torfaen PB in the much harder Islwyn Half - and never managed to improve on it. I still feel sad about what might have been - I'll never get the chance again - but, as they say, nobody died.
So don't worry about it being an 'easy' PB - just try your best. I hope it isn't the case, but it might just be the best time you'll ever do!
Hi Vicky ,
writing on behalf of my wife but I know shes in exactly the same position as you and is doing Torfaen. She did 2 hrs 03 at Cardiff and shes desperate to go under 2hrs in this one maybe you two can give it a go together???
Let me know if your interested and ill get her to email you ok?
Stephen - do you think you should be doing a half-marathon so soon after your op?! I didn't actually qualify as a doctor, but I'd say it was a bit soon!
However, if you insist! Where do you live? Blaenavon's easy to find - just head for Newport, then Cwmbran and keep travelling up the valley. Through Pontypool, Abersychan, Cwmavon - and there we are. It starts outside my house and my postcode's NP4 9LB.
This will show you where we are, and also the half marathon route. Just start at the northermost point and head for the southernmost!
http://www.maps-of-britain.co.uk/map-of-torfaen.htm
http://www.torfaenonline.co.uk/whereistorfaen.htm
You've got two years on me, Steve!
From Newbridge, it's probably quickest to go to Crumlin, then Hafodyrynys, Pontypool and up. Oops, just realised - you'll need to go straight to Cwmbran and be bussed to the start, otherwise you'll have to get back to Blaenavon for your car. I'd offer you a lift but I'm going out to lunch!
You'll enjoy Torfaen. It must be addictive, as this is my 16th.