Earlier in the week I decided to race the Newbury Race Course half marathon today. It has been a little while since my last stand alone half marathon race, which was most likley the Milton Keynes half in 2019. So it was fun to get back out there.
Leading into this race, I had a minor calf injury in March and i had to take a few weeks off running. As a result, i had only had a couple of run sessions since then. This was not an ideal build up into a race. However, the whole point of entering this race was to give me some confidence of where my running and fitness level is at. I was hoping some of my winter training would carry me through. Which it did … massively.
Todays course was fairly flat so I was hoping for a good time.
I started fairly quickly with another runner and within a few minutes we had broken off to the front of the race. Within the first 10 minutes the runner I was with pulled out, which was a shame as it was helping me not be too silly and go to hard! I was by myself from that point until the end.
I went through halfway at the pace I knew I could hold before my injury in March. So this was very promising. I had a slight drop off over the last couple of kilometres but that was okay, I was expecting that as I have not had the build up of strength from recent run sessions.
I stayed out at the front of the race for the whole time, which was interesting as I have never been in that position before. there was no one to chase down. I found this the hardest bit of the race, but I embraced the challenge of it and loved it. It made me keep up my pace as I wanted to not be overtaken.
It was not until I turned the last corner and heard the lady on the microphone say that I was their first finisher that it clicked in my mind that I had just won the race. People were cheering and congratulating me! I was trying to embrace the moment. I finished in a time of 1:15:39 and was placed first overall. This was my personal best time! I am very excited to get into the triathlon race season now and continue to improve even more!
I would like to thank my sponsors, Smith Heath for their continued support in me, Infrastar for the amazing race and training kit that I get to wear and Veritable Solutions for all their support. Spinavita for keeping me in shape and able to race and also Chloe Witts for my ongoing sports therapy and recovery sessions. Finally my coach from T3, Mark Threlfall for all the coaching and support! It has made a massive impact on my triathlon and I couldn’t be more grateful to you all.
Please don’t hesitate to email me any questions or advice that you have for me, and follow me on Instagram and Facebook (see link at the bottom of my page) so we can go through our triathlon journeys together.
Email me on: ryan@ryancoombstriathlon.com
Ryan Coombs Triathlon 
Fantastic. Well done Ryan.
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Massive and well due congratulations, first of many I’m sure.
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