Cardiff Half Marathon with 13 hours notice…



Helen Watkinson report on her late decision to run and Cedric’s best performance for the distance.

Sunday 17th October saw the flat and fast Cardiff Half Marathon. I’ve been suffering with self-diagnosed shin splints since May as a result in over-training for the Great North Run. As not to let Team Vegan down, I hobbled my way from Newcastle to South Shields with the promise that, although I’d already entered for Cardiff Half 3 weeks later, I’d take a break from running to sort out my injury. As there’s not the option of a refund or deferment on Cardiff I offered my race number to a friend. At 8.30pm the night before the race the friend phoned and said they where sick and unable to run….so I ummmmm-ed and ahhhhh-ed and didn’t want to waste the money so thought I’d give it a go – and promised to take it easy.

Sunday morning was 2 degrees when we woke and the thought of going back to bed sounded much more inviting. By the time we’d got to the start line it was warming up a bit and the sun was shining. The course had changed a bit from last year with it now starting in Cardiff Bay. It’s a lovely scenic course heading into town, then into Bute Park, along the Taff Trail back towards the Bay, to Penarth Marina then back over the Barrage to the finish line. On the barrage there was a sign saying ‘Sunday 17th October – Sightseeing tour of Cardiff – 13.1 miles – 1 to 4 hours’ which just about summed it up. It was a great, flat, fast course although a little narrow in places.
I took it easy as I promised myself and really enjoyed it coming home in 2.05.30 while Cedric set a new PB of 1.35.21. Can’t seem to be able to copy and paste the official photos here, but click below to view them:
http://www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/photos_2010.htm

Race NoFirstnameLastnameCatCat PosGun TimeGun PosChip TimeChip PosClub
4216
CEDRIC
DAVID
MSEN73101:36:47122201:35:211281VEGAN RUNNERS UK
4215
HELEN
WATKINSON
FSEN117802:14:45732102:05:307198VEGAN RUNNERS UK