Well, it’s still 2020, there are still no ‘real’ running events taking place, and the UK is in second lockdown. Fun times! The Dirt Half is going ahead however as a ‘virtual’ event (run the distance in your own way and send in a strata screenshot to log your result).
I booked into this one at pretty much the last minute. I’m starting to get back into regular training and having a half marathon would give me something to aim for in November. I also wanted to support the event, it’s very well organised and a lot of fun when it’s on normally.
I wanted to make an effort to run the actual course, although slightly adapted for convenience. I’d start and finish at Rushmere Country Park (which is usually about half way), with the rest of the route being canal towpaths. I copped out a bit by avoiding the farmers ‘field’ on the way to the Globe Inn though (It’s more of a swamp at this time of the year) – in my adjusted route this would be in the first mile and I really didn’t fancy running in wet shoes for the whole way. I would also have the uphill trail to Great Brickhill to look forward right at the end too.
It was the first bright and dry day we’ve had in ages so seemed like a good opportunity to get out and attempt the distance. I wasn’t the only one with this idea though – with the pubs and shops being closed pretty much everyone in Leighton Buzzard were out for a nice walk in the parks and along the canal, especially with the decent weather. It’s hard to keep your distance along the canal path, so I covered my face with a running buff and there was a lot of weaving and holding my breath as I tried to give people some space.
After the uphill slog towards Brickhill and Rushmere I had to slow to a walk a couple of times but this was to be expected given my current level of fitness. I was feeling a little tired by the end, glad to finish but very pleased with how much I’d improved since the summer. It was enough to make me feel like I’d achieved something and motivated to keep up the training.
The first half was fairly uneventful, I was taking it easy and was feeling pretty good – much better than my last virtual event for the MK Marathon. By the time I got back past the Globe Inn the crowds had thinned out and I was able to take my face covering off (it was getting really hard to breathe through it by now).
I sent off a screenshot from my Strava to validate my result, and a few days later received a nice t-shirt and wooden laser-cut medal which I think looks great!
