After seeing how quickly some half marathons sell out I decided that I wanted to try and get a couple more booked in for Spring next year before I miss my chance.
I did quite a bit of research and the 3 that took my fancy the most where Surrey, Reading and Cambridge.
Unfortunately Cambridge was sold out (what I’m trying to avoid!). Cambridge looks like a gorgeous picturesque city which is why I wanted to run it but you know, being sold out and all that means it’s not the one for me!
My second choice was Reading. I’ve heard that it’s a good one to get a PB on because it’s a flat easy course, but then I read Be Pretty Fit’s review of it which put me right off. Basically it just sounds very grey with the route going through lots of residential areas. I don’t think I can deal with a boring run, which put the Reading half on the “maybe but probably not” list.
I then saw someone on twitter mention the Surrey half, which piqued my interest. I was a tiny bit worried because I lived in Guildford for a year and thought the course might be a bit hilly, but the lovely Stephanie assured me it’s not.
It’s also the inaugural half marathon which definitely tempted me into signing, I think it will be great to be part of the first half marathon.
I know the area is pretty too, and my boyfriend would enjoy visiting Surrey for the day as he still has lots of friends there so I signed up!
The Surrey half is three weeks after the Brighton half. Considering Brighton is the first half marathon I will be running, signing up for one so soon after probably wasn’t my best idea ever, but I’m sure I’ll survive. Maybe. Hopefully, because I fly to Japan for my holiday the next week...
Is anyone else doing the Surrey half? What is on your criteria for picking races?
Awesome stuff! (I'm still uber jealous you have a place for Brighton - so wish I was doing that one too!). I'm currently toying with a *gulp* marathon training plan which has me running numerous long runs of half or over half marathon distance...so I might possibly be signing up to Surrey too, as it fits nicely into the training plan.
ReplyDeleteI think 3 weeks break between halves is a good idea - rest for a week (or so shorter, small runs), then do a longer mid-run the next week, then taper. You will be fine!
You should definitely do Surrey! It would be nice to see a familiar (well internet familiar?) and as you said it fits in with your training plan. Congratulations on contemplating a marathon!
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