Race Review: North London Half 2016

Race Review: North London Half 2016

by | Apr 1, 2016 | race review, running

Lots of people arriving
Last year was the inaugural North London Half. (You can read my review here.) It was perfect for me at the time as I lived 2 miles from the start in Mill Hill and had 17 miles to run in prep for Prague marathon. My husband and dog were at mile 11 to cheer me on too, which gave me a boost at the end.

I think most people found the start line in 2015 challenging to get to because this year the race started and ended in Wembley Stadium. I have moved house since, so it took me ages to get to the stadium (between disruptions and a super early start). Once I got there, I saw a few friendly faces (Miss Wheezy and Lauren) and dropped my stuff off in the media area. It was a pain to get to the room as it was deep in the stadium but it was interesting to walk through central command where all the organizer’s and safety services were monitoring the race.

The race started on time but was uphill for at least a mile (this came in handy at the end though). My goal was to finish in 2 hours so I started off pacing with a woman, Catherine, who I met in the press area and aiming to keep to 9 minute miles.  Overall, the route was very similar to last year’s.  There were some fans cheering at the stadium and near the Tube stations, as well as a few bands along the way, but most of the route was quiet.  It was nice to have large roads to run on so it wasn’t too congested with runners. The route featured plenty of (heavily staffed with volunteers) water stations, loos, and Lucazade.

View of the start line as I exited the Tube station

At the halfway point, I stopped on the Allianz Park track for some photos so I finished up the race on my own.  I just couldn’t catch up with Catherine!  It was cool that at the track side there was a huge video screen that put your name up as you crossed over the timing mat.  I missed my name, unfortunately, but love the idea!  

Entering Allianz Park, the midway point

Names up on the big screen
Everyone who ran the race will agree the hill at mile 9.5-10.1 was the worst thing ever which I am naming Heartbreak Hill after the one in Boston Marathon. The next few miles were unremarkable as I was simply trying to keep on track with 9 minute miles.  The last mile was downhill and I was cutting it close to my cut-off so I kicked it up a notch.  I felt like I was close as I passed the Tube station and thought the end would be at the end of the Olympic Way.  In doing this and not seeing an end in sight, I had to have a gel in the car park, less than 0.2 miles to the finish because I was about to hit the wall.  We entered the stadium on the east end and finished on the turf in the stadium.  Fans were allowed into the stadium to watch for free, so it was cool to see some folks sitting and watching (but I wish they were cheering more loudly).  And I hit my goal with a finish time of 1:58:47!

Boom! Me and my new bling
After crossing the finish line and getting a million selfies inside the stadium, runners were corralled out and received a navy blue technical shirt, a great goody bag (last year’s had more chocolate) and a foil blankets. This was amazing as it was a bit cold, windy and a little rainy on the day.  These blankets would have been a great idea last year! 

I went back to media area where I met the 1st & 2nd place men’s winners who are on the Run Fast team and from Kenya. I asked them about the weather and the hills, they said the hills were similar to Kenya. They were really nice and I wish them the best with their running careers.

Trying to get a quick photo but we are too fast.  Ha!
Ronnie and the winners, not blurry
The North London Half is what I would call hilly (elevation of 534 feet).  If you live in west or north London, it is an easy race to get to and will take you through some familar sites.  It is also early enough in the year that it fits nicely into spring marathon training.  Pre-registration for 2017 is now open if you want to get an email notification when registration opens up.
Not often you can be in an empty stadium 🙂
Thanks to the North London Half for complimentary entry to this race in exchange for a review.  All opinions are honest and my own.
Marathon #2- done and dusted. Mill Hill Marathon review

Marathon #2- done and dusted. Mill Hill Marathon review

by | Mar 7, 2016 | product review, race review, running

Before we knew what was coming.
 Photo by Owen Fern

My second marathon ended up being nearly six hours of running up and down hills, through smelly ankle deep mud, and around neighbourhoods in Totterirdge and Barnet.  Trust me, I earned that medal!

I took a taxi to the start line, which gave me an hour to get organized.  My co-worker, Lucy had signed up with me and we have been training together on our lunch breaks.  I gave Lucy a gel before the race and packed 4 in my Fleetfoot 3 Max waist bag, along with my phone.  I sipper my The Protein Works iSurge  as pre- drink while I waited and just before we headed out the door, my Energy Bits.  I tried the iSurge once before but at a more diluted concentration.  I was worried it would be raise my heartbeat but I didn’t feel out of control (if that makes sense) at the recommended concentration. Overall, I averaged 1-2 gels per lap with Haribos and squash at check points.   Somehow, we didn’t warm up properly as we were worried about what to wear and how challenging the course would be.

Here is a very brief recap of the race:
Lap 1- Sunshine, laughter, and a quick realization that this was going to be a tough race.  Hill climb within first 10 minutes on a small gravel path.

Ready, set, go! Photo by Owen Fern

Lap 2- My friend, Pattie, who lived locally, came and kept us company. We discussed running the Loch Ness Marathon for 2017. Unfortunately, Pattie could not be convinced to join us for lap 3

Lap 3- Lucy’s calves started hurting her and she got a stitch, so we slowed down. My left piriformis and hamstrings were starting to play up a bit too so I didn’t mind.  It was a dark place mentally but we got out on the other side.  James, his brother, and his brother’s girlfriend were at the check point with more gels and Lucozade.  I didn’t plan very well and we needed some electrolyte replacement.

Lap 4- The last one brought us to a happy place mentally but Lucy still struggled with her calves.  We met a stallion meters from the finish line who was checking out his new neighbourhood.  Rather than a sprint finish, I had to stop to say hello so as to not spook him. Lucy did the same but then his trainer got a bit chatty.  But we both finished in under 6 hours.

In the end, we endured. Probably one of the hardest races I will ever do, and it was lonely too.  With only about 70 runners, we quickly spread out.  The route was a lap without any hairpin turns to see oncoming runners.  There were various signs marking the trail, but I got distracted by dogs twice and would have gotten lost if I was on my own.  Luckily, Lucy was paying attention. We did get lost once while chatting with Pattie, which lead to a short detour in a residential area.  This probably added a half mile to the 26.6 mile course.  At one point , I was so delusional I considered aiming for 30 miles so I could call myself an ultra runner but I quickly came to my senses.

Thank you everyone for you tweets & well wishes. I finished just under 6 hours. It was muddy, hilly & beautiful pic.twitter.com/g5nPuSuuaQ

— PTMollie (@PtMollie) March 6, 2016

Thanks to my friends for braving the hail, snow, and rain to watch me run by once or twice: Jamie, Miranda, Matt, Pattie (she came back after a hot shower), James, Michael and Lee.  The group of runners and organizer’s were smiling and friendly the entire day.  This community spirit was fantastic.  If they re-route the race to be flat next year, I might consider signing up.  If you like trail running, I would definitely recommend this race.  The first finisher crossed the finish line in 3:29 so it is not for the faint-hearted.

I was back to work the next day and am still struggling on stairs 2 days later.  I have 2 spinning sessions his week and will volunteer at Park Run on Saturday.  I will try to get a longer run on Sunday as the North London Half is not far off and I haven’t run much because of my cold (which still lingers).  No rest for the weary.

Note, this isn’t even the worst bit

A video posted by Mollie millington (@ptmollie) on