Run to the Beat

I did Run to the Beat last year (London Half Mara, 02) as first ever half. It was a real achievement coming in at a slow time of 2.37.

Starting 45mins late due to transport delays - i.e. taxis and buses had stopped going to the 02 due to heavy traffic due to closures of Jubilee Line (usual for a Sunday).

The rain soaked us before the off, was like running on sponges by the first mile. Specialising in running to music a lot of the bands had finished by the time I was round due to the rain.

Not a great route either, not scenic - most memorable moment was the 'cowbell man' who supported well and seemed to magically appear striking his bell in many of the places - he raised some smiles.

The end was almost tragic as I dry-heaved, almost collapsed, emotionally and physically drained (video footage to prove it), I'm doing it again this year but hopefully better image

The Reason: Two halves in two weeks (Royal Parks to follow) - annual charity fundraiser for this year.

Are you doing this? Why? How's your training with not long to go at all... ?

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Comments

  • doing this half marathon actually first ever half marathon for charity too, NSPCC, training hasn't been to bad although I have only been doing my long runs 3 weeks ago, this is becasue of injury, holiday and family commitments. I'm so scared, but also very excited, i'm hoping to do this within 2.30, but i don't care if i take longer, just want to complete it,
  • Hi Andreia image

    Wishing you the best of luck on your first ever half.

    Tracy

  • I've managed to get a late entry for this, first time i've done it, TracyB didn't i meet you at the horndon 10K??
  • I'm doing it. looking forwardto it, I've done aabout as much as I can in training so hoping for a PB (gotta beat 2:15:22). Is it a nice flat course? weather looks better than last year at the moment so hopefully wont have the problems.
  • Hey Flat Footed image Good memory.. mine's like a seive but yes we did. How you doing?

    Hi crazydiamond, Last year RTTB had forums and everything was shared including the elevation of the route and how to simulate it on a treadmill! From memory (it was all a blur amongst the late start and downpours), there are two 'hilly' areas, altho these could be called slopes to some image There's a couple of decent gradiations but can't remember at what miles... I think at around 2-3 then 6-8m. It's not completely flat is the answer image

  • Anyone know if the jubilee line will be running this year to make it easier to get across the river?
  • closures.pdfhttp://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/livetravelnews/realtime/tube/station-closures.pdf

    it will give you a list of all the station planned closures, key wor planned, many delays are not planned nor are a few closures

  • Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, suspended between Stanmore and Waterloo. Two rail replacement bus services operate.

    Service C (Saturday): between Stanmore and Stonebridge Park, calling at Canons Park, Queensbury, Kingsbury and Wembley Park.

    Service C (Sunday): between Stanmore and Baker Street, calling at Canons Park, Queensbury, Kingsbury and Wembley Park.

    Service D: between Wembley Park and Baker Street, calling at Neasden, Dollis Hill, Willesden Green, Kilburn, West Hampstead, Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage and St Johns Wood.

    See how we are transforming the Tube

    Close message
  • thank you tracy for my good luck, i will need all the luck in the world!
  • Cheers Andreia look like i should be able to get to the O2 from West Ham,
  • After the fiasco last year, I'm driving and booked a £5 parking space image
  • i have done that too, just wondering though how long i will be in the queue waiting to leave

  • I'm doing this one too.  Has anyone received their racepacks yet?
  • no, but if you go to http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk/event/event-info you can see which pen you are in and your race number.

  • Thanks AR - I must admit I've not even glanced at the website since entering!! image
  • Good point re. queue to leave image hadn't thought that far ahead, just the hassle I had of a mini cab, train, tube, black cab and 2 hours to do a less than 1 hour journey last year. Hmmm.. will wait around to have some lunch maybe... image
  • Hi all,

    It's my first Half as well. I was offered a place by Little Haven's Hospice in Essex as I have run a couple of 5k's at Gloucester Park for them recently.

     Only started running back in mid July, dropped 1st 4 lbs already and running 10k in training at 54 -55 mins.

     Jubilee Line is fine from West Ham, but if anyone is travelling with C2C you beter go via Pitsea to West Ham as there are BUS !!! replacement services all the way from Basildon to Barking and Upminster.

    Looking forward to the big event, got another 6 miler tommorrow and 10 miles on Friday or Saturday.

  • Hi Darren,

    Well done with becoming a runner and losing the weight image

    I've dropped similar since June, but started running begin last year.

    Back from 6m this morning (altho continued off-schedule to 6.2 to get a 10k PB of 1:04), 10k race Saturday - all following RW half mara schedule.

  • First ever sub-60 10k today at Batters - RW training schedule for half mara had me at a 10k race today. Horrible journey through road closures, at the start 10 minutes late. ... romped home at 59:36 image Am so ready for RTTB!
  • I'll be there - it's my first ever race nevermind my first half-marathon.

     I was doing really well following the sub 2:30 plan but seem to have started sabotaging myself in the past few weeks, skipping long runs and eating crap etc...now just hoping I haven't lost too much fitness...

     Anyone know if they have pacing groups? My 10 miler was at 11min/mile pacing but now with these few weeks off I might aim for 12min/mile...I'm kicking myself for being so stupid!

     - CJ

  • Tracey Sounds like your the one to beat this year!!

    LTR - sorry don't know about the pacing groups, but if you don't set off to fast you should "drop" into your pace by the 1/2nd mile. Main thing is to enjoy it!

  • They should have Pace markers in Fluoro vests with the times on.

    When they allocate you into Pens they are based on your estimated finish times you give when you register, that way you are not with 1h 40min runners if you are aiming for 2h 20mins.

     I estimated 2.20 and I'm in Pen 5.

  • Hey Darren, I estimated 2.30 and on the website I'm in Pen 4 image How does that work then..? Presuming it goes 1-6?

    Hi F-F, You are so sweet thank you image RW training plan is to get me within 2:30, if I can do today's pace for 13.1 I can do 2 hrs  (am making sure you aren't taking that comment seriously here image)! Considering Horndon was about 1:10 I think but very hilly. Batterseas is flat but the RW training plan jointly with my RW BF who's helping me train (was at Horndon at the finish with me)... it was easy image !

    LTR - well done on entering a half mara for your first race! So many people and peeing with rain last year, I never saw the pacer. Am sure they have them too though, also the 'pace bands' so you can check where you should be at each mile. Doesn't beat a Garmin though.. it's become my best friend (is that sad?!) You still have a week to get yourself together. Sort out your eating, load up on good carbs, drink plenty of water, and you will still get that 2:30.

    Have my tee (am raising money for Leukeamia), but not my race pack image

  • image... Hello gang i'll be joining you next week.. image

    hope you dont mind. 

  • The more the merrier image

    Can I bring your attention to vouchers if you are eating in the O2 afterwards... go to:

    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-restaurant-deals

    There's 2for1 vouchers for Ha Ha, Pizza, Zizzis, and others.. they are valid Sundays, and don't seem to say 'not valid at 02'. Happy to help credit crunch runners image

  • << pops in from Brighton thread>>

    TracyB - congrats on a shiny new 10k PB that's fantastic. Hope you have just as good a race next sunday at RTTB and feel better at the finish than last year !

    LTR - have a great first race, I am very impressed that you're starting with a HM. Enjoy it.

    The pacing band thing seems a little random. The three friends who persuaded me to enter all put down the same estimated finish time and have been given different pens to start from image

    I don't have my race pack either but then the post in SW London has been patchy to say the least. Read on the race website tho that you can collect your number from the O2 on the saturday if it's not arrived. That could save a bit of time on the morning itself.

  • Thanks LL - am sooooo pleased with self image

    What's your estimated finish for RTTB? Yeh, I just saw the Facebook group, and people are saying it seems a bit random which Pens (like pigs??) people are put in (prefer the word Waves.. like dolphins image ).

    Last year running buddy collected on the day... be prepared for a queue, although website says can also collect it day before....

  • Definitely agree the pens seem a little random. I (think) I estimated 2.15 and have been put in pen 3. Hopefully I won't be trampled as training has gone better than expected and I'm now hoping to be closer to the 2 hour mark. The organisers said they've had a lot of first timers this year so I wandering if that's made it harder to allocate pens based on our slightly random estimated finish times.
  • maybe thats the reason for the crazy pens set up, i'm off pen 3, and i'm sure i said 2.30!

     I might have lunch at the 02 after i finish although the parking is only until 3pm for £5, after 3pm you got to pay something like £20! but i dont want to miss the f1 which starts at 1pm image

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