Hastings Half Marathon is well known for its hills so I was ready for its brutalness on a snowy morning as I left Horsham.  Checking whether it was going to be going ahead with all the races across the country falling foul to the weather. 

The organisers did a great job to get the race on in bitter conditions, however, as we approached Hastings there was no sign of snow, not a flake. The wind, however, was bitingly cold with one last blast we hoped from be East. It's always difficult to know what to wear when it's that cold, do I put extra layers on, will I get too hot. Should I wear tights or shorts, should I just wear shorts. In the end went with full skins and a hat, which I regretted at mile 12.

As we set off at 10:30am I was trying to remember where all the hills were, however, I didn't have to wait long for the first one mile 1, thanks for that. Then another at mile 2-3 and then the dreaded 2 mile hike up Queensway at mile  4-6. It doesn't matter how many hills you do and how prepared you are for it is never easy and throw in that bitter wind, it was brutal! Once over the top and the steep downhill parts sap your legs, going from a 7:47 mile uphill to a 6:00 mile downhill. It doesn't stop there small but sapping hills at 8 and 9 mile take your energy. However you always know at some point you have some more downhill parts onto the run in on the coast which is 2 miles down to the finish. It was strangely quiet as we came on the promenade with the wind behind. Having done all the hard work took the last  2 miles easy at 7:30, no injuries now please! Came in at 1:33 which I was very pleased with on such a difficult course.

would I recommend Hastings, absolutely, is it hard, absolutely, would I do it again, absolutely. Isn't this why we run for the challenge, absolutely.

highly recommend this race to everyone and just hope next time I do it, it's a little bit warmer please

thanks Hastings Half

Jason