Oldham Half Marathon 12-10-14

On September 28th I ran the Macclesfield Half Marathon in 2.04 and I was a bit disappointed that I lost my mojo by 8 miles and slipped away from the 2 hr mark. Still, there's always another chance to run a race isn't there?
Following relentless nagging from Tracy V, the Mrs. Doyle of the running community, I decided to join her and Steve B for the Oldham Milltown to Moors Half. I knew that the course was hilly, there's no escaping that in Oldham but as a veteran of 2 Buxton Halves I was not particularly bothered. I decided that if I could get done in 10 minute miles max 2hs 10, that would be satisfactory. 
I always say these things to myself then I think, oh, I could have gone faster.... but I like to be able to walk the next day. Ideally, I finish with a smile on my face; not vomiting onto my shoes and gasping like a stranded cod. If you want to see me looking really ill you should see me at the end of parkrun where I do actually run quite hard, I'm clinging onto the wall and shaking after the finish. 
The start is right into the centre of Oldham, I think there were about 400 entrants, not too big, not too small, it is the Goldilocks of half marathons. Registration at the leisure centre was busy but not insane; you could have a pee without waiting 30 mins in a queue. Kaye B complained about the terrible pong in the hall of trainers and ralgex - I think I have become immune to it over the years. The timing was by chip timers fastened to your laces by twisty ties, very fiddly.
The weather was cool and cloudy, about 8C, ideal for a hot person like me who always feels warm.

3 complete nutters on an outing

Out we trotted, following a half-hearted attempt at a warm up, and took our places at the start area. Steve went off to find the photographer from the Oldham Chronicle for his feature picture. Following a set of inaudible and incomprehensible garbed announcements we were off. A circuit round the town centre took up the first mile and then we hit the main road and the start of an evil 3 mile slog uphill on the Ripponden Road. Gruelling is a popular adjective in running land but this definitely deserves it. I was going well for the first 3 miles, just slightly over 9 minute miles, but I knew I couldn't sustain this pace. I deliberately slowed to a walk for a few paces a couple of times to break my stride. I kept being passed by, then overtaking, the same set of runners. I can't be bothered to do really slow running just so that I can say I kept running. As long as you get there in the end it doesn't really matter how you did it. I'm not sure if it was as hard as the climb up to Axe Edge in Buxton but it felt like it was never-ending.
I had been told that the views as we gained height would be stunning and worth the effort. but all I could see was grey clag. The cloud was so low my hair was soaked and dripping cold. I will have to take people's word for it that it is scenic. 
It was such a relief to finally reach the summit and begin the long downhill into Delph. I took the opportunity to gallop down as fast as possible, knowing that this would be a good opportunity to make up lost time. People clapped and cheered as we reached the town, it really felt good to have support along the way. 
The route turns back toward Oldham at about the 6 mile mark, following the A6052 Delph New Road by the river Tame.  I had done 6 miles in about 55mins so I knew I was comfortably within my estimate. The course here was reasonably level and I plodded along, the pavements are very broken up  so I ran on the road. On this stretch a small child pointed at me and said "Look Mam, that lady's not running very fast!" I laughed gamely, trying not to feel hurt, and said I was doing my best. Steve said I should have told them to F*** off.
For this race, I had some jelly babies and water with electrolyte with me. I'd had a touch of cramp on the Macc half and rubber legs by 11 miles so I thought I'd try to eat and drink a little by 8 miles. The route turned off up a smaller lane that leads past Saddleworth golf course past the 7 mile mark and I refuelled a little, slowing to a walk on the steep climb up. It's amazing how much effort you have to put in to chew up a jelly baby, they have the consistency of raw stewing steak when you are running.
After 8 miles, the hill back up on the Oldham Road was a complete slog and I was starting to lag now on my time. Once we reached the top of the hill though, the crowds were out in force, really cheering us on and I felt totally uplifted. Little kids offered us trays of Haribos and I had a couple and felt really good. The run back into town was mostly downhill to the 11th mile, and I was still within my target time, going through Lees and towards the town centre. As we entered the town centre, owners of the small shops along the route had set up informal water stations and little kids and their Mams and Dads cheered us on. It was fantastic, I can't say how much better it made me feel, like I really was part of an an important community event.
There is a vile sting in the tail to the Oldham Half, a total uphill finish. People yelled and bellowed at me to keep going as I struggled along on and I must say I really did put some serious effort in.  I knew I'd beaten the 10 minute mile target and finished in 2.07.42. Not a great time but at least I had been realistic on an unknown course. Tracy and Steve broke the 2hr barrier, really good going. That's my aim for next year but maybe not at Oldham. I'll definitely be back though!