This post is about our 17 year old who did the Cardiff Half Marathon in Sub 90. it was his very first half marathon. But it is written from a parent perspective. If you are aiming for a sub 90 Half Marathon this probably isn’t the place to be looking, however I can ask him any questions you like!
Background to the Cardiff Half Marathon in Sub 90
Previous Exercise
Our children have been running at parkrun for a good number of years. In fact, they didn’t even really do that regularly. Their lifestyle otherwise involves a lot of playing computer games. He did used to belong to a swimming club, but that was for a matter of months, and a good many years ago. Last year he did do 6 months of swimming as part of his Silver DofE physical.
This Year’s Exercise
For the physical aspect of DofE Gold this year he is doing 12 months of running. This began back in January. He joined a running club so that he had an assessor and goes weekly. Also he is a qualified lifeguard – and therefore swims once a month as part of his training sessions.
Apart from playing football with his friends recreationally at school this is the only exercise he did (including continuing of parkrun).
Transferring Cardiff Half Marathon Place
Back at the end of July one of the members of his running club asked if anyone would like their place. To run a half marathon (generally) you have to be 17 years old. I checked the date and it made him just old enough. Cardiff Half Marathon 2024 was 6th October – and his birthday is in October!
The lady whose place it was did all the work with the transferring. But what I did learn is that what happens is you just “gift” your place. Any money exchanged is then just between yourselves.
Parkruns
At the point of accepting the Cardiff Half Marathon place he had recently got a PB of 19m 35s. Although, according to his watch, the course was slightly short. Well since then he’s had a further 2 PBs, taking his official parkrun PB down to 19m 32s. However, at that parkrun, his 5K PB time was 19m 18s!
Preparing for his Cardiff Half Marathon in Sub 90
The Starting Pen
He decided that he wanted to have a goal of a sub 90 half marathon. For his estimated finish time I put 95 minutes on the form. Also this is the time that Jonathan Pollinger had predicted as his time. Even though I had never met him, it just felt nicer knowing that my son would be with someone I “knew.” As it turned out there was actually someone we know from our home parkrun who was also in his pen.
This was particularly since the doctors flagged that he may have a problem with his heart and had referred him to have a scan at cardiology. However, not long before the race the hospital decided that he didn’t need one – that they were happy with his ECG results. This is still just based on the information that had been flagged at the doctors though!
Training
All he did was carry on running with club (usually around a 10k), parkrun but not even every week, and I had took him on a couple of long runs. One was when I Jeffed and he looped back – adding in some hills so I could skip them and catch up. This was over fields and things too.
The other I planned it so that he could try out fuelling and run faster. Myself and my husband meeting him at various points along the way. Not only were we worried about his heart but the effect the gel may have because he goes a bit woozy after a sugar hit.
Until this race his fastest time was 97 minutes for the half marathon distance.
The Cardiff Half Marathon Sub 90 Race Itself
After much deliberation we decided to travel down on the day. This meant that our son could sleep in his own bed. We are lucky enough to know someone who lives in Cardiff so parked at their house, used their facilities and walked to the start.
Near the Start of Cardiff Half Marathon
Personally I didn’t know anything about Cardiff Half Marathon other than the distance. Just before race day I heard how big it was. Apparently there were 29,000 signed up – imagine this and all their spectators. This is when our son decided he needed the toilet before the race.
Coincidentally people running from work had decided to use the same facilities, so I got to say hello and good luck to them too.
It was a very nervous wait for him to come back. His starting pen had opened and we still had to get there through the crowds. Fortunately, it had a 45 minute window and again we had someone with us with knowledge of Cardiff.
Getting into the White Pen
The pens are split depending on finish time. The fact that he was in the White Pen was probably a blessing and a curse. The Elites are at the front and then the sub 1.30 up to 1:45 (I believe) are all in this pen. They basically have to find their own place.
It wasn’t obvious where he was meant to get in, and they were crowded by now. Spectators just blocking where the entrance and all along. He did manage to get in and find the spot he wanted. Just a bit further than the two 1.30 pacers.
The Parent Experience
It was an amazing experience for myself as a parent. Despite all the runners I did catch sight of him running by at the start. We then headed straight over to 8 miles and incredibly we didn’t even have to wait long until he was there!
We had bought Jelly Babies but ended up eating them ourselves because there was someone opposite with some, and because no-one that fast was going to stop for them.
Again at 8 miles we had no problems seeing him (and a few of the speedier runners we know) and soon we were heading off for mile 13.
The difference was amazing along the route – suddenly there were less crowds and you could just hear the sounds of feet. Then we cut through a student area where they were sat outside with music playing for the runners.
The next thing I know we realised that we were not walking fast enough and may potentially miss him at the end! So we just ran to the finish! Sure enough it wasn’t long before he came across!
If I am honest it has taken me so long to finish this post because he was just seconds ahead of Stephen Jenkins. Unfortunately Stephen suffered a cardiac arrest at the finish line and unfortunately he could not be saved. Sending love to all who knew him.
Post Half Marathon
After the race we headed to the TAF for a roast dinner. He was so quick that it had just opened and so we were the first in there. During the race he had had no fuelling because he didn’t see the gels. All he had had was the Lucozade given to him at the end, and some water given in the middle of the race. The Hi-five I had mixed up he hadn’t wanted. But suddenly he didn’t feel great and so drank it then. Then he felt okay.
We then went to Krispy Kreme as I had some free doughnuts. His brother also bought him more doughnuts! We did a bit of shopping before heading home – just getting caught in the downpour of rain.
It also turned out he was just seconds behind a local speedster who challenged him to another half marathon!
To read about this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon from a runner’s perspective see Sarah’s post.
Very well done to him! What a fantastic achievement. It was interesting to hear about his training and the various sports he’s done over the years.
Thanks for the mention. You should probably have said ‘from a grumpy runner’s perspective’!
What an incredible achievement, especially for a first half marathon! Your son’s determination and training really paid off; sub 90 is no small feat!