Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
Options
Blackmore Vale Half-Marathon
![[Deleted User]](https://wd.vanillicon.com/da472ee4ce1fbd84dc26b17dc2e4dd26_100.png)
If your a first timer to the BVHM then I will explain - the last mile consists of running up a very steep incline to the finish. I suggest you get in some hill work before this one as it undulates continuous through beautiful countryside.
A very rewarding and well run affair
Last year I raced it - this year it is a stepping stone to the Taunton Marathon so I should be less competitive!!!!
A very rewarding and well run affair
Last year I raced it - this year it is a stepping stone to the Taunton Marathon so I should be less competitive!!!!
The materials in this website are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified personal trainer, therapist, dietitian or nutritionist Runners's World, Part of the Hearst UK well-being network © Copyright 2017
Comments
Im not running for time im just going to get round it. Although I did 10 miles yesterday and could have kept going so im pretty cinfident I will be ok. Fingers crossed.
From about 6 to 10 is fairly flat, then at King's Stag (10 miles) you start a long climb up Packer's Hill (no too steep but about a mile of it). Then you rejoin the outbound course at Holwell, drop down a hill to the bottom of the big climb and then up you go to the finish.
See map at http://www.bvlions.co.uk/pdf%20files/BV%20Lions%20Course%20Map%202.pdf
How long can you leave it before you send entry money? Or will there be entries on the day?
Only im really strapped for cash until im paid but then that only leaves 5 days before the race to pay...........
You could try emailing the organiser.
Im getting excited now. My first half marathon. I hope its not raining!!
Let's see if we can get this forum going a bit, as in previous races i've run, they can be great for moral support and getting to know a few names/faces to look out for on the day. so anyone who's reading this who's doing their first race, or just never normally posts, just scribble something down...
i'm running this for the first time, and it just about fits in with the RW schedule i'm following for the FLM. have only done a couple of half marathons before, so this should be a good measure of where i'm at in terms of training. am hoping to do it in about 1hr 50ish, so nothing *too* speedy, but quick enough for my liking. mind you, with all this talk of hills at the finish, and throughout for that matter, might not hit that target. think i'll go for a drive around the course this weekend to see how bad it's going to be!
anyways, hope to hear a few other stories from other runners soon.
i'd also add that the hill up after crossing the river at about mile 2 or so was pretty brutal, albeit not too long. i mean, i even had to change down a gear ;-)
other than that it looks a good test, with some nice climbs and descents dotted around fairly evenly. let's hope the weather is similar to today as well.
Cut/paste or add your name to the following list to make up our predicted times:
yorkshire lad, entry #38, ~1hr 50
Mak's Friend, ~1hr 50
Alex Bidwell, <2hrs
Catys Dad
Bananas1
Quickstepper
ChristchurchJon
Look out for me I will be in grey 3/4 length trousers and a corn flower blue jumper looking cold!!
yorkshire lad, entry #38, ~1hr 50
Mak's Friend, ~1hr 50
Alex Bidwell, <2hrs
Catys Dad
Bananas1, <2hrs
Quickstepper
ChristchurchJon
yorkshire lad, entry #38, ~1hr 50
Mak's Friend, <2hrs
Alex Bidwell, <2hrs
Catys Dad
Bananas1, <2hrs
Quickstepper
ChristchurchJon
yorkshire lad, entry #38, ~1hr 50
Mak's Friend, <2hrs
Alex Bidwell, <2hrs
Catys Dad
Bananas1, <2hrs
Quickstepper
ChristchurchJon
CC <2hrs
This will only be my second half so I'm aiming for a pb but this hill talk is scary. Just how steep is the 'steep incline'. I'm coming from Fareham area so too far for a test drive. Does anybody out there have any hills to compare with i.e. Bishops Waltham Hampton Hill or Titchfield Hill? (mental preparation is everything for me!) I can do hills, but steep hills might be a whole new ball game!
yorkshire lad, entry #38, ~1hr 50
Mak's Friend, <2hrs
Alex Bidwell, <2hrs
Catys Dad
Bananas1, <2hrs
Quickstepper
ChristchurchJon
CC <2hrs
Little Lou, 2 hrs on the nose or <
Its only 3 days away now. What time is everyone getting there?
The only really step bit is the last half mile, plus a quarter mile at 11 miles and a very short 100m (1:4) at start of 2nd mile. The rest is undulating but this isn't a PB course (there again my PB is on this course but I have never run a flat half) so treat it with due respect or you'll be blowing out of an orifice far too early.
Take in the scenery for the first 6 miles, do not whizz down the 1st mile (use it as a warm-up to get into a comfortable pace).
Don't leave arriving too late - first you have to fight for your number and second there are only two sitters in the wooden toilet shack over the road. The worst bit will be freezing whilst waiting in the toilet queue before the race - far worse than any hill.
And good luck...
yorkshire lad, entry #38, ~1hr 50
Mak's Friend, <2hrs
Alex Bidwell, <2hrs
Catys Dad
Bananas1, <2hrs
Quickstepper 1:24:08 to beat but unlikely
ChristchurchJon
CC <2hrs
Little Lou, 2 hrs on the nose or <
Thank you also for toilet tip. I will need at least twenty stops between Southampton and... and... where is it again? Thank God I'm getting a lift.
thanks Quickstepper for the advice; great to read your tips on pacing yourself. think you're quite some way the best of all of us on here if you've done 1hr 24 on this course!! shudder to think how speedy you'd be on an "easy" half...
Little Lou-- you're brave, entering on the day after driving a fair distance after all that's been written about how full it's going to be!! good luck!
otherwise, it's all systems go for me now. did my last prep run tonight, and am having two clear days before the race. see you all Sunday!
Just out of interest, does anyone know roughly what the slowest time last year was? I know I'll be near the back if i manage 2hrs but it would be nice to know that there would be at least a few behind me...