Bupa Great Birmingham Run: Top tips for the half marathon

The Bupa Great Birmingham Run is just round the corner. Here are a few of my top tips from my experience of running the race.

1. Eat, drink and be merry

Get the pasta down you! That's the conventional wisdom anyway. But also make sure you drink plenty of water - little and often. Being hydrated will make you feel fresher and improve your performance.
But don't fall into the trap of making huge changes to your diet in the days before a race.
There's no need to pile down litres of lucozade or stuff your face full of energy bars.
And I wouldn't even adapt your breakfast too much either.
If you've stuck to your training schedule and fueled up on water and a few carbs then you will be fine on the big day.
So eat and drink normally - and have fun on the run.

2. Bring warm clothes.

There's a good chance it's going to be cold on Sunday morning. Make sure you wrap up warm for as long as possible.
You will probably leave most of your warm layers with family/friends or at the baggage drop at the NIA.
You will be hanging around on the start line for around 30 minutes.
Bring an old warm t-shirt that you can throw away as you start. If you don't care about how you look then a binbag is good for insulation.
There are normally big bins around that you can throw them into once you have warmed up.

3. Start fast!

The usual advice for running a long distance race is don't start too fast.
But for the Birmingham half I'd say start hard and enjoy the first mile - it's the best bit of downhill you will get.
It's a great chance to build a cushion if you are going for a PB

4. Don't forget the big hill at mile 11

The killer part of the Birmingham half marathon is the 250 foot ascent from the Bristol Road to the Hagley Road. It lasts for a little more than a mile and is tough.
I'd advise to leave a little in the tank for it, factor it in to your race plan as one of your slower miles and then switch on mentally when you get to it.
Once at the top you are on a slight downhill road to the finish line - possibly the best bit of the race.

5. Smile for the cameras

The event is being photographed and filmed by the Birmingham Mail among many others. And it is also being televised live by Channel Five. Smile - you will be on camera!