My first half marathon, I may have been a bit too eager at the start, getting dragged along by the crowd to a first mile of nearly two minutes quicker than my scheduled pace. Along with the effects of spending the previous night looking after a very poorly Pippa (excuses excuses I know) this over enthusiastic start meant that by 3 miles my legs felt like anchors being dragged along the country roads by a very sweaty boat with a knackered engine. Basically I felt as laboured as this metaphor!
As I progressed around the 2 lap course, that took in the Showground and surrounding villages (Bawburgh, Easton and Marlingford), I saw my initial lead on my target pace eroded away until I had to rethink my planned 1.45 time. In the end I was glad to finish amongst the cheering crowds in under 1.50 (and beat my housemate Rich).
The race was on the whole well organised, the only down side being the fact that getting out of the car park literally took as long as it did to run the race (Thanks to Tom Pinnington for liftage and for the general lesson he gave me in distance running - he finished in a very good time of 1:35 and managed to give me a rather patronising pat on the back when he passed me after my overly eager start) which in turn meant I couldn't meet my parents for beer and a roast afterwards (which had fuelled my resolve when I was running on empty).
here is a link to the full results. (PDF)
here is a drive by of the course
and a map :
