Lockdown Diaries: Back to Bath

My last “normal” memory of the outside world was from Sunday 15th March, when I ran my biggest PB to date at Bath Half Marathon. I remember the lead-up to the event being so uncertain. Races were being cancelled left, right, and centre due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus across the world. As much as I hoped the event would go ahead, I knew there was a big chance that it wouldn’t – with big calls on social media to cancel the event, running was becoming less likely by the minute.

I entered Bath Half Marathon in 2019 but had to defer due to shin splints, nothing new unfortunately, but it made my “need” to run in 2020 even stronger. Thankfully, my training proved more successful the second time around and I managed to stay injury-free. This was probably the most I’d ever trained for an event, yet I had no idea what shape I was in or what I was actually capable of. I guessed the only way to find out was to run… Which thankfully I was able to do! The Bath Half Marathon organisers announced the race would go ahead so my decision was made, GAME ON!

Race day was unusual. A rather eerie feel was in the air, along with torrential rain, but thankfully I was able to meet up with some of my Runspire teammates (Aaron and Jonny) who had plenty of binbags, Vaseline, and laughs to share… If you know, you know! My warm-up consisted of standing inside a damp marquee whinging about my tight hamstrings, getting my brand new Brooks Hyperion Tempo’s muddy, and not much more. There was no 1-mile jog or dynamic stretches. It’s fair to say, my pre-race ritual was truly out the window and I was feeling far from confident. “Just relax and enjoy the run” – Coach Dylan text to say… Hmm… The words relax and enjoy should never be in the same sentence as the word run but anyway, I was willing to give it a go. 10 minutes until the start, we thought we better say our goodbyes and head to our start pens. Worlds shortest warm-up commenced and off we went.

Somewhere in my mind, which was full to the brim with self-doubt and a severe lack of motivation, there was an “A” goal that I’d been training for. This is a goal that I NEVER share with anyone before a race because I know I will always be disappointed if I don’t achieve it. This is where my backup “B” goal comes in, which I am usually happy to share with anyone, along with a “C” goal which is just to finish, and if I can’t do that, we know it's been a bad day at the office. My lingering “A” goal for Bath was a bit ambitious and like normal, I thought I was setting myself up to fail but when you’re stood on the start line, everything changes. My lack of warm-up was now irrelevant, it was just me and the road for 13.1 miles. Exciting. It was time to see what I could do.

I will never forget the moment I turned the last corner and saw the finish line. I glanced down at my watch and knew I didn’t have much time to play with. It turned into a race against time. Best foot forwards. 1:39.45. Quite honestly, I couldn’t believe it. The first time I’d ever achieved my “A” goal. It was a 5 minute PB and I was speechless, which doesn’t happen very often. That feeling that overwhelms you when you cross the finish line is something you will never forget and something that keeps you coming back race after race, hungry for more!

Back to reality and queuing for bag drop is a thing of the past for now. Instead, we queue outside supermarkets to purchase whatever we deem as “essential” and unfortunately, we are not rewarded with a medal or t-shirt, much to my disappointment. However, supermarket shopping does seem to resemble the randomness that can be found in a post-race goodie bag, particularly when the shelves are stocked with nothing you actually want.