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Windsor Half Marathon Sunday 29th September 2002 |
 Report by Miles Cudmore |
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Arriving at the Windsor Half, it was clear that something BIG was afoot. Thousands of cars, acres of tents and masses of people milling around in bright sunshine in the meadows around Long Walk. Fabulous, if warm at 21 C. The race was superbly organised. First off 30min before the main start were the pushed wheelchair competitors – they had the biggest smiles of the day as they came by the crowds.
The start was memorable, a huge colourful snake flowing up Long Walk to the Copper Horse. After passing Bishopsgate, we turned towards Duke’s Lane and did the Village loop before returning to the Copper Horse where a large crowd gave fantastic encouragement. Passing Smith’s Lawn seemed to take an age, but after crossing the bridge below the Polo grounds we headed into new territory up a private road to link up with Duke’s Lane again. Very pleasant, if uphill ! The second dose of “Village Loop” was a bit of a puff – but at least the end was in sight. The finish down Long Walk seemed to go forever … but the superb encouragement spurred everyone on. A quite brilliant event.
My race did not go to plan, but the lessons are worth passing on. I soon realised that my planned pace was too fast with the heat and hills, so backed off and drank plenty of water. But I got more tired than I realised, and pushed the last mile too hard. After the finish I had to sit with the medics before being able to leave. Things gradually worsened, and after dousing with water for cooling failed to stop the slide, I was stretchered to the St Johns field unit and placed on oxygen. I am fine now – huge thanks to the medics. Causes are tricky to pin down – my recent long runs have been 20 - 22 miles and I was fully hydrated at the start. I put it down to the mix of heat + sun, fatigue after flying from the USA two days before the race, a slight cold, drinking less than training runs and pushing that last mile. Many others had difficulties, so be careful when pushing it in hot sunny conditions ! Time, not important really. 1:32:58 Fantastic !! Results
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