I have just signed up for this one and am now sitting back waiting to see all the usual suspects putting their hands up. Are you in yet, Scotty or Sir Cowarde?
Cinders - as you know I DON'T LIKE HILLS! Having said that, this one has a MONSTER at the ten mile mark, which only the elites stand any chance of running up. Us mere mortals should not even try. There is a water station just before the foot of it and I tend to pick up a water and when I get to the foot of the hill power walk up it drinking my water and just accept that I am going to lose 3 or 4 minutes doing it. The upside is that when you get to the top the last 2.5 miles or so are almost downhill all the way to the finish. To get it in perspective, my best Canterbury time is 2:07:30 and my PB at Lydd which is pancake flat was 2:03:58
Do it, I am sure you will love it. You will know what you have let yourself in for as you go down the same hill on your way out. This was my first serious race 4 years ago and this will be my 5th running of it. It will also, if I get into Whitstable, be my 50th serious race.
It's very scenic and well-organised. The course changed a little for last year which meant there was a half-mile walk to the start. Be careful not to start too fast or the hill will get you at 10, but after that you can accelerate to the finish. As Bill said, there are faster half marathons around, but this is as good as any for a first one.
C Hyde This was my first half marathon 4 years ago and I am glad it was as it is at the slightly tougher end of the scale and having completed it encouraged me to go on and do many more. It is a scenic route, good local support, take it easy, finishing is the main objective in your first race, that will give you a good buzz as it is. I never try to run up the mile 10 hill, it isn't worth it. Take a breather, stride up it and then finish strongly at the finish.
Hi Guys, This is going to be my first one and I've just started training for it. It sounds great but does anyone know the route so I can in someway prepare myself???
CB, this is one of my favourites as well - my first half back when restarting. This will be my third, and I actually pb'd last year, and it was pretyt warm as I remember! As you say, the hill at 10 is far enough from the finish to be able to get going again on the run to the line. I'm also hoping to run Whitstable as well - congrats on making it to 50!
Managed 9 slow miles this morning.....................the longest run since Brighton Marathon.........so just hoping the legs will be up to it next week. Definitely not planning too break any records though!
I am 3346 (I think). When my number arrived the envelope was not franked and there was a £1.32 surcharge but fortunately the postman just stuck it through the door anyway and did not take it back to the sorting office or it would have been next Saturday before I could collect it. Did anybody else have that problem?
I put in an 11.5 and a 9 miles this weekend, so quite pleased with that. 2b you put some pretty impressive mileage in before Brighton according to Fetch, so I don't think you will have any problems, initial weather forecast is bright but cool and dry.
No postal problems for me, CB - they even returned my SAE. I like you early weather foreccast - hope it doesn't get too hot. As I recalll, ast year was a tad warm!
Roderick, you'll find out yourself by about 3 miles - you run down it early on. I hope I'm remembering it worse than it actually is, but I fear not.....
You are not Ed, you are not! There is a water station just before the foot of it so I just collect some water and walk up it and recover, it hardly loses you any time and you feel better for the 2 and a bit mile run to the finish.
I got my post on Tuesday with my running number and details. No problems with the postage my number is 3790. This will be the first time im running the canterbury half and I heared there are 2 big hills. One at 11 miles and I dont know were there other is. Anyone know the where abouts of the hill?
It's a long drag from 4 up to just short of 6, but the further up it you get, the more it eases off. In addition, most of it is pleasantly shady, whereas the hill at 10 miles is a full sun job.
Comments
I'm in too Bill. Entry posted yesterday.
Perhaps we could entice Sir Cowade with the promise of a very flattering photo print of him chatting me up on the Thanet 20.
Lumpy!
Not yet, Bill, but it's a club championship race for me, and the entry form is pinned up on the noticeboard beside me, so expect me to be there.
Cinders - as you know I DON'T LIKE HILLS! Having said that, this one has a MONSTER at the ten mile mark, which only the elites stand any chance of running up. Us mere mortals should not even try. There is a water station just before the foot of it and I tend to pick up a water and when I get to the foot of the hill power walk up it drinking my water and just accept that I am going to lose 3 or 4 minutes doing it. The upside is that when you get to the top the last 2.5 miles or so are almost downhill all the way to the finish. To get it in perspective, my best Canterbury time is 2:07:30 and my PB at Lydd which is pancake flat was 2:03:58
Do it, I am sure you will love it. You will know what you have let yourself in for as you go down the same hill on your way out. This was my first serious race 4 years ago and this will be my 5th running of it. It will also, if I get into Whitstable, be my 50th serious race.
http://www.runningahead.com/logs/4786e134fc6f435982b96e63b2938ad6/workouts/31699c483c0e4189b27d41bf58dcd862/map
anyone know what the total height gain is for this one?
I seem to remember a long steady climb at about mile 4 as well
....and mine..... 3100
Managed 9 slow miles this morning.....................the longest run since Brighton Marathon.........so just hoping the legs will be up to it next week. Definitely not planning too break any records though!
I am 3346 (I think). When my number arrived the envelope was not franked and there was a £1.32 surcharge but fortunately the postman just stuck it through the door anyway and did not take it back to the sorting office or it would have been next Saturday before I could collect it. Did anybody else have that problem?
I put in an 11.5 and a 9 miles this weekend, so quite pleased with that. 2b you put some pretty impressive mileage in before Brighton according to Fetch, so I don't think you will have any problems, initial weather forecast is bright but cool and dry.
No postal problems for me, CB - they even returned my SAE. I like you early weather foreccast - hope it doesn't get too hot. As I recalll, ast year was a tad warm!
....Postage paid here too .......and SAE returned...............think I shall use it for Mount Ephraim now!
Looking distinctly like it might be on the warm side??? But it is starting an hour earlier than last yr ...so that might help.
Looking forward to this one, despite a serious lack of training.
Eager to see how bad this hill at 10miles actually is!
I would never walk in a race, it's not the done thing...
Just have a knife and fork ready at the finish line so I can eat those words!
I got my post on Tuesday with my running number and details. No problems with the postage my number is 3790. This will be the first time im running the canterbury half and I heared there are 2 big hills. One at 11 miles and I dont know were there other is. Anyone know the where abouts of the hill?