Running into the wind

I was at Silverstone sunday for the first time and thankfully changed into a long sleeved top to run in as it was cold. The weather was horrendous and the wind blew me sideways a few times, as for the hailstones they really hurt !! By mile 9 l was wondering if l was ever going to finish and decided to forget times and just concentrate on finishing had a second wind ( pardon the pun )between miles 10 and 11 and felt great but by mile 12 l was praying to see the finish line.
I crossed the line with relief ,it had been my hardest race and l was surprised to see it was the fastest l had run a half marathon !!! I feel very HAPPY.

Trini, if I'd known/thought about the drag effect of clothes I'd have worn cycling-type shorts instead of traditional-type running shorts. D'you think I could have save a few mins ? But seriously I'll think about several of your suggestions, - clothing, and keeping arms in etc next time i have to run in those sort of conditions.

And Vrap, if its any help, my HR yesterday was about what I'd have expected for a half marathon, though perhaps I could have pushed it up a bit earlier. There are certainly no variations that look like the difference between into the wind and with wind behind, though there is a big dip when the hailstones happened, and I was definately keeping my head down and not looking ahead, and at one point covering my face with my hand. I think a thick bushy beard would have been the most useful, as even if it had increased drag into the wind it would have been splendid protection from the hailstones :-)