Still my worst half marathon of the year? || Solihull Half Marathon 2023! || Race Day Vlog

Is my hometown race STILL my least favourite? Or am I just a ridiculous little whinger?
A break from KZbin Shorts? Back to the bread and butter!!
#solihullhalfmarathon #runthrough #halfmarathon #racereview

[@OlgasBritishFells]

Fascinating watch again, Marm! You have an amazing ability to talk well and to run even better. Fun as always!

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Olga. One bloke turned around yesterday to see who I’d suddenly started talking to. A selfie stick as it turned out! Thanks for your continued support.

[@OlgasBritishFells]

@@middleagedrunningman I am still not used to it, you are more out there than me. I would be petrified to have a go pro and talk into it amongst other people around me. ( Unless they talk with me into it ) You are very brave.

[@reisssmith97]

Just did the half marathon with my gf today. Great day! This man’s hilarious 😂

[@middleagedrunningman]

Good man Reiss. Hot old run today - great support though!

[@jonathanwake2964]

Undulating is an understatement. I did the Half today and loved it. Typical August day Rainy windy and cloudy!

[@middleagedrunningman]

Really was hilly. Great weather for running. Hope you are having a few beers.

[@jonathanwake2964]

Too right, next one Northampton. Are you doing it?

[@middleagedrunningman]

I will be there. It’s going to be AMAZING. (Or you could technically sue under the trades descriptions act.)

[@jonathanwake2964]

@@middleagedrunningman you are definitely NOT wrong!!

[@thetimoneers]

Those 10k runners were albatross around the neck for MARM . This should have been more than second best time, the psychological damage occasioned by running in your own manor has effected the physical performance, that and running through Knowle which must be a vexation to any enlightened spirit. Or it could have been the pasties ?

[@middleagedrunningman]

I’m blaming the 10k Pasties.

[@SuperHans469]

Has the wife given permission for the Nottingham half? Hope you can make it

[@middleagedrunningman]

When is it Dave??? Will slip it onto the calendar unnoticed….

[@SuperHans469]

September 24th 👍

[@fjm457]

I love your attitude! Really dry and witty. Cracking race review mate

[@johnandrews8590]

Mixing 2 races in infuriating isn't it? I had that with a trail race last summer here in Jappers. The short course runners started ten minutes after us as we ran an extra loop and they headed to the first trail ascent, when I got there I was stuck behind the majority of the short course runners. Cue Mt. Everest style traffic jam for the first 2km of the climb. I'm afraid I didn't hide my feelings of frustration very well and probably took it out on some of the beginners sporting brand new Hoka Speedgoats blocking my way on the single track. I guess we were all in the same boat, but it was bloody annoying I can tell you.

[@middleagedrunningman]

So glad you’ve said that John. I feel like a right misery, but it’s infuriating. Hate myself afterwards but, very very annoying. Not other runners fault, but you’d hope not to be playing bloody dodgems after 11 miles graft.

[@robbristle5642]

Adios Adizero Pro 3’s aren’t trainers they’re racers.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Sorry Rob. You are very right. (Don’t Bristle)

[@simonhodgson4941]

The nob fest is off the scale 😂😂😂😂

[@middleagedrunningman]

The needle did indeed go straight through the red. (Chinos)

[@simonhodgson4941]

@@middleagedrunningman I live in Hall green mate and couldn't disagree with any of your comments😂😂

[@middleagedrunningman]

@@simonhodgson4941 Hall Green: Solid.

[@burgieboy3586]

Come on MARM… where’s your helmet?!? Or is that another comment from the missus. 😉

[@middleagedrunningman]

Disappointing Steve. Let yourself down there.

[@BriandoesNewYork2024]

Did the same at taton half. Had the 10k runner stat as we were coming around for our second laps not the best idea

[@middleagedrunningman]

Fuming. Hate the traffic dodge.

[@mattwoodywoodRT]

“Life’s undulating” - Deep! Appreciate the honest review as always and have passed your kind words about the team to them. Also will look into the 10k / Half merge, normally something that’s thrust upon because it wouldn’t be made intentionally not as good as it could be, but will report back if we manage to work out how to stop that. Good to see you back at the event again!!

[@middleagedrunningman]

You’re a gentleman Matt. Didn’t want to offend. Have to say there was a great atmosphere yesterday and lots of smiles on faces, which is what it’s all about. No doubt I will be back next year, ready to give it another go. “Which, when you think about it, is perhaps a metaphor for life itself……”

[@deansummerton2577]

Hi Tim, are you doing this in 2024? My fiancée and I may come down from Middlesbrough to meet you if you are 😊

[@middleagedrunningman]

Deano!! I am doing this one in the summer. My school is doing it as a big fundraiser. Great to meeting you if you are running it. Are you doing Yorkshire in October?

[@deansummerton2577]

​@@middleagedrunningmanYes, I'm hoping to do the Marathon all being well 😊

[@middleagedrunningman]

Look forward to it Dean. Just be aware it’s usually red hot on that day.

[@emmarunyeard6832]

Knowle? Looks quite pleasant.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Don’t let it fool you. Vipers nest.

[@Sarahrun-ws1eh]

Im solihull born and bred love your humour

[@middleagedrunningman]

Nice one Sarah!! Fellow Silhillian!!

[@deansummerton2577]

Here for the channel early doors and the vlogs and shorts keep getting better. What a phenomenal run and time. Love seeing your progress mate. Magical Accolades Rewarding Magnificent

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Deano!! One of the most positive people out there!! Thanks for your support. Glad you aren’t getting bored with it just yet!!

[@PoetWithPace]

Making it look real easy buddy! Have you missed the G at front of MARM? ;-)

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Gonato! Hope you are ok. Can’t imagine how frustrating it must be at the moment. #backstronger

[@Timtherunner]

How the hell can you talk and run in that time 🤯 Also that Raleigh Nitro 👌 Proper 90s vibes

[@middleagedrunningman]

That Nitro has got me out of some tight corners over the years….

[@jasonhemming2646]

You're So dry, how do you not laugh at yourself when you're saying those things!? Love it mate 😂

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Jason. See you’re a Spa Strider?? See you bunch at loads of races. Think I recognise you!!

[@jasonhemming2646]

@@middleagedrunningman yes mate, love spa striders. So much so got a soa striders tattoo

[@middleagedrunningman]

@@jasonhemming2646 #commitment. Love all that. If I was ever going to join a running club - the Striders would be my tribe.

[@jasonhemming2646]

@@middleagedrunningman appreciate that. Top running club mate with fast , slower & great people in the club. Massive support for each other but then again you might think Leamington spa is abit like Knowle as it's royal Leamington spa. 🤣🤔

[@middleagedrunningman]

Jason!! How did you find it on Sunday?? Think I saw you. Was going to come over but you were with the team and were stuck into some pre-race Strider ritual!!

[@gloriab7801]

"He's like a misanthropic Alf Tupper", opined Matron. We agreed the lack of tedious detail around breakfasting & fuelling strategies, is a welcome contrast to your more ploddingly prosaic YT colleagues. I've always been well disposed towards all things Brum, especially the accent. I think the great Meades nails why with his "irony curtain" gag. Great time btw. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWKqmayJbLVgqck

[@middleagedrunningman]

Just watched a bit of that Glo. You are a KZbin encyclopaedia.

[@michaeldallaway1988]

Based on the 10k, I agree the route needs work. Not only have you got the congestion when the two races merge, the mini loop the 10kers do when we turn to the left feels very cattle pen-y, just feels like you're running up and down random country roads to make up the distance. In terms of difficulty, it could definitely be described as 'undulating' but I don't think it was so bad I'd warn people off it. Other than that it was my first RunThrough and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The warm up was a lot less of a cringe fest than I'd anticipated, there was a live band playing some excellent dad rock and the atmosphere around the course was really good.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Just being grumpy. Probably wouldn’t warn people off it…. Trying to be positive. I like the RunThrough lot. Loved the Dad Rock!!

[@justchrislloyd]

Amazing time! Well played 👏 I did the 10K (as a warm up for Kenilworth Half in 4 weeks) and I felt really bad for you fast HMers trying to dodge around and through us. Would have been better to go up to Bentley Heath?

[@middleagedrunningman]

Probably! Feel a bit of a meanie now. Nothing against other racers!! Love Kenilworth. Running it myself. See you there!!

[@justchrislloyd]

@@middleagedrunningman I'll try and find you and say hi pre-race 🙌

[@alexbrown651]

Time to bring out your own range of hats, bit of a sideline for you!

[@middleagedrunningman]

Would love that. Maybe have a catchphrase on it?? 🤣

[@trueredred859]

Hilarious, Love the edgy,earthy industrial humour 😂😂😂

[@middleagedrunningman]

Glad you enjoyed it Red. I’m all about industry.

[@trueredred859]

Industry on another level😎👊🏽

[@holesinthenarrative816]

Great review. Watched all of it. Nice.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Cheers Hole, appreciate that!! (Will probably still run it next year…)

[@holesinthenarrative816]

Thanks for the reply.

[@sergiodoriobranco8727]

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk ho may

[@daddykornflakes]

I ran the Birmingham Black Country HM yesterday and it was 22.39 kilometres long, even a race organiser admitted it after the race. Can you confirm that this is a pretty much accurately measured course before I enter it.

[@daddykornflakes]

Just watched your video of this race which came up after I commented here. I see your Garmin made it only 515 metres long (13.43 miles) when according the race organiser (the guy speaking in glasses and helmet in the Facebook video the day before the race) it was 22.39 km, which is 1,292 metres. He told me this at the finish of the race.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Just checked Strava. 13.10miles dead on.

[@daddykornflakes]

@@middleagedrunningman OK thanks. I'll try it out this year.