Forest of Dean Half-Marathon

seren nos

I would say normal running shoes are the ideal for this....

i love the fact that the first half is slightly uphill so its easier in the second half...

[Deleted User]

It's getting nearer, and I see on the website they have had nearly 1000 entries already.

Anyone else doing it?

seren nos

I'm still hoping to get a PB for this one even though I'm doing the San Domenico 20 miler the week before.....

Training is going well.......

[Deleted User]

I'm also doing San Domenico seren nos,  just using this one as a training run, and one of my 40 half marathons for my 40th. Great to hear your training is going well

seren nos

how many 1/2s have you done now Zoom......

[Deleted User]

15 so far seren nos, hoping to get 15 in this year, but might be tight as I'm hoping to do Shakespeare and Snowdonia Marathons.

[Deleted User]

So who's doing this one?

Karl w.b.h.

Sounds good to me.

seren nos

Can't wait.... I've got a 8 miler Sunday at Liswerry which should help me see what speed I can get to and then hopefully a PB here.....

[Deleted User]

Sorry to be missing Lliswerry 8, did it a couple of years ago and very pleased with my time (which I put down to the fact that I drank a bottle of malibu at at the Harriers D&D the night before. It must have acted like rocket fuel as couldn't go anywhere near that pace for a good year after!!) I also work at the college next door and drive home along some of the route. Never mind, marathon training comes first. Good luck seren nos!

Welsh Alex

I'm in but with Rhayader the day before it will only be a recovery run. 

[Deleted User]

If anyone would like to do a practice run of the course then get in touch. I live nearby and would be happy to take a group round at a leisurely pace if anyone would like a taster of whats in store come the 16th

Suggest either last weekend in Feb or first one in March if anyone is interested. Feel free to make suggestions though as I can do every weekend bar the coming one (Mallards Pike 10k Race) 

 I also know a few shortcuts if you don't fancy the whole 13!

[Deleted User]

I must get organised and apply for this one.

seren nos

merseyman have you entered yet?????????

I love this race... 

[Deleted User]

Hi Seren.

Yes I have entered. This will be my second hm. My last one was 4 years ago. I did the silverstone half in prep for London 2004. That was dull and boring. Looking forward to this.

It will also make a change from running the same route each weekend. It will also be part of my tapering and not having to do 18 plus miles at weekend will be fab.

Welsh Alex

My last was 4 years ago too, it has always clashed with something else since then but glad to be back this year. Really going to enjoy. 

[Deleted User]

well, i am gutted - now unable to do this one. just out of hospital having had something bizarre called stevens-johnson syndrome. have lost nearly  a stone (only 8 to start with!), and still can't really eat properly with sore mouth. was so looking forward to this - near my parents and i know how beautiful it is. hope you are enjoy it. i'll just be glad to get out running again - might not happen for a few weeks. definitely one for next year now......plum x

[Deleted User]

Hum....looking at this one, not sure upto half again yet........been lazy for the last 3 months.........

[Deleted User]

Darn, I have missed the postal closing date................

seren nos

Its cheaper to enter this one on line...... and easier

ironman 1984

First time this yest (lived in Bristol for 19 years and never got arond to it). Any advice on the best way to get there (via Glouster is further but saves mega bucks on bridge tolls) also when should I target getting there to get parked, kit droped off and to the start ?

[Deleted User]

Ironman - Just as well to come over the bridge (even though it is a rip off by the French!) Head into Chepstow then on up towards Lydney. Come into the town and you will pass Tesco and then the Fire station. Turn Left and that will take you up towards Whitecroft and Parkend.

As for parking then I am not sure if the Dean Forest Railway are bringing people up to Parkend by train this year again. If they are then you can always park at the DFR (just out of Lydney towards Whitecroft) and hitch a lift on Thomas. If not then guess you will have to fight for a space with everyone else. Will be signposted though so you should be ok.

[Deleted User]

This is my first time for this event- it looks like good fun.

I don't like running in the mud though, so I hope it doesn't rain much more before Sunday.

[Deleted User]

Looking through the race information I can't see anything about water stations. Are there any ?

[Deleted User]

Yes there are at roughly 3, 6,9 and 11 miles (or there were last year)

[Deleted User]

Thanks. I emailed the organizer and he confirmed that there are 4 water points on the course.

Barkles

and a few streams, ponds etc..

[Deleted User]

Looks like the course will be one big water point haha. Its lashing down here tonight haha

[Deleted User]

Well - A bit tricky out there today under foot what with the big puddles and the water running down the tracks!! Not one for the PB's today but still enjoyed it.Feet are in bits though after running about 12 miles in me wet trainers.

Lets hope that the guy who was having the treatment near the finish line is Ok and makes a speedy recovery!!

seren nos

Hi all

In the last 16 months I've managed to knock 6 seconds off my half PB... today I beat it by about 2 1/2 minutes and the conditions weren't perfect for a PB at all..... and i argued with myself half the way round telling myself I shouldn't be racing as my hamstring has been dodgy  but i wouldn't listen....

The sad point though was that a man collapsed 1/2 mile from the end... There were 7/8 people around him and st johns on the way.......Someone was giving him CPR so I didn't stop as a crowd wasn't needed....... he was still there at least 7/8 minutes later so it didn't look good........Its always sad when these things happen