"Down Tow Up Flow" Half-Marathon

Can't let this one get away ... sells out early every year, for good reason. Glorious little bimble along the river from Windsor to Marlow.

I'm in!

Thanks for the reminder Mutley. I've just entered. Always a good one.

Part of the route along the Thames path near Dorney Lake is currently shut due to the Olympics but presumably that will all be sorted out by July.

I'm running this one just so I can say I've done both directions

I've done the last two years of this event.  It's a great event.  The hardest part for me is running past the boats when they are cooking their early morning fry-up and the smell of bacon has me drooling

When I read the previous comments from earlier years that seemed to be the general consensus - that yes, it's flat, but because of potential congestion etc. it was quite a bit slower than a true road half marathon.

I've got no more evidence than that but have in my head that if I can drag myself through in around 2 and a half hours I won't embarrass myself too much!  Looking at results from previous years there seems to be a really good spread of runners and loads of slower runners like me.

Worryingy I'm on holiday for the 2 weeks prior to the race and only come back on the Wednesday so at least I'll be well rested and well carbed up (too much Greek beer and pasta), but if I can get my long runs done before I go I should be OK 

Ah, congestion. I suppose it's inevitable in the South East!

There's a lovely campsite at Hurley on the banks of the river. I think I'll make a weekend of it.

I've entered this and am looking forward to getting a PB. There was congestion on the Reading Half marathon (only HM I've completed) - presumably it will thin out as the run progresses?

What happens at Maidenhead  - is this a road crossing point dodging the traffic on the A4? I'll be doing this for the first time. I often uses the Thames path  for long runs and have covered the path between Windor and  Hurley.

Hope the path will be open at Dorney - I find the current diversion around the rowing lake dull

The Thames Path at Maidenhead goes over the bridge and then you go down some steps and go under the bridge. So there's no traffic dodging involved.

I know what you mean about the diversion around the rowing lake, but I think the path is being upgraded for the Olympics so I assume it must be finished by July.

Ah yes, the steps. Not a huge obstacle in their own right but given the rest of the course is flat they do crunch your quads somewhat ...

I've just enetered a 10K race for next week and I can run that fine but I haven't pushed myself further than that yet. Do you think it's possible to get half marathon ready by July?  I'm considering entering this one to make me work harder, and because this one looks flat.  Please tell me if you think that's a crazy idea! 

8 weeks to half marathon.... no problem. just up your long run by a mile or two per week and you're there

Thank you for the advice IKFY. Looking at it like that it sounds very achievable.  Provided progress is ok, I will see you there.

You'll be fine a long as you stay healthy.  I've not run since the MK marathon due to man flu so hoping it'll go over the weekend so I can get back out. 

Loz - your comment about "doing both directions" concerns me.........

Does your wife know?

haha, you should have been worried before we shared a room in Benidorm