The Hastings Half Marathon provided a fitting conclusion to a dozen Team Orange training plans. I guess most coaches will be judged on the performances of their runners, but I felt no anxiety whatsoever about how the team would run. Is time really that important? Or is enjoyment the number one priority?
Getting feedback on a regular basis has allowed me to focus on making running enjoyable. The biggest sense of pride for myself was that all of the runners were injury free and able to take part.
I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank every single supporter that gave up their time to come out onto the course and cheer us on. It really makes a huge difference and tops any other half marathon I’ve completed so far.
10 members of Team Orange toed the start line yesterday morning. 4 of them ran a Half Marathon Personal Best.
Adam Holland started late with his training plan, giving him only 7 weeks to prepare. Combined with a difficult work schedule, sending him all over the UK, he still produced a PB of 2:25:04.
Craig Weeks had never ran a Half Marathon when he started his training block. He’s been so consistent with his sessions and recently smashed his 5K PB. A recent illness and stag do 🤯 couldn’t stop him in his tracks, he crossed the line in 2:07:20. For a first half that’s a great time and I’m excited about following Craig’s progress going forward.
Jo French has been amazing. She just gets it done. She’s already run 413.5km this year with an elevation gain of 3594 meters. Any challenge I set her in training, she does, no questions asked. Jo ran a PB of 2:03:13 yesterday, a 7 minute improvement on her previous best around the undulating Hastings route.
Ruth Spiller ran a fantastic race yesterday. I had advised she follow the 2 hour pacer, but I’m glad she left Sarah behind as Ruth clocked a 1:57:10 PB. Ruth who has a demanding role in the NHS and also loves to cycle and hike, has been brilliant during her training block, completing almost every session without a murmur. Plus she always seems happy whenever I see her.
Finlay Garlick is a great runner. His biggest obstacle is his busy lifestyle, juggling family life and a career. When you run at his level it can be tricky to get the balance right but we utilized the limited time available to get the most out of his training. 2 weeks ago at Paddock Wood he ran a half marathon PB and yesterday he improved on last years time by over 3 minutes.
I didn’t know Kate Lewis before she approached me on a recommendation from a friend. I nagged her to joined Hastings Runners and I’m glad she did. Kate is amazing. Her enthusiasm is incredible and she makes me smile every time I see her. She’s a regular at track now and I beg everyone to go and have a chat with Kate and get to know her. Kate ran 2:11:09 yesterday, a new course PB at Hastings.
Darren Barzee is a Hastings Half Marathon legend having now completed all 39 races since it began. Just think about that for a moment, it’s amazing. Darren had a tough year in 2022 with injury and I convinced him to let me help him. I’ll be honest my main role was to hold him back and just ensure he stayed injury free. Darren ran 1:31:13 yesterday and if he continues to be smart with his training, I wouldn’t be surprised if he reaches 50 HHM’s in a row!
Susan Mann approached me towards the end of January giving us only 9 weeks to prepare. I’ll be honest, at first, given her fitness at the time, I was a little concerned we didn’t have enough of a window to get ready. I needn’t of worried. Sue turned up for track every Monday, she often led the Wednesday core group and without fail did her weekend long run on a Sunday. On the days she doesn’t run she does 12 hour shifts for the NHS. Not to mention yoga and pilates. Sue was hoping to break 3 hours and did so with ease, coming home in 2:43:47. Well done Sue.
Helen Cassell is one of the most determined runners I’ve come across. Her training has been scuppered by huge demands at work and often she’d head out to squeeze in a session despite a tiring 12 hour shift. She initially approached me because her running mojo had gone having done Brighton Marathon last April. Helen ran 2:13:06 yesterday. Not her quickest half but I feel that running mojo is back and it was a pleasure having her as part of the team.
Jo Lambourne also took part. She combined Hastings Half with her 35km long run as she continues to prepare for Manchester and London marathons in 3-4 weeks time.
Finally myself. I took the last minute decision to pace as the rain blurred up my GoPro lens and made filming unsuitable. It gave me the opportunity to test my pre devised race strategy (more on that to come) and help some others runners. I loved it. The Hastings Half Marathon is the reason I started running in the first place and hopefully going forward I can help many other runners complete the challenging route and achieve their goals.
Until next year. Coach Simon.
Credit Photo: Vincent Read Photography
