I just ran a half-marathon: Wasn't sure if it... - Bridge to 10K

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I just ran a half-marathon

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10
โ€ข46 Replies

Wasn't sure if it was going to happen soon, but with a bit of planning (carb loading yesterday evening) and the decision more or less made yesterday evening I decided to go for a HM this morning (it's a Bank Holiday here in Germany). My little rucksack was packed with water bottles, fruit for energy and a light jacket just in case I got stranded hot and sweaty far from home and had to walk back.

The weather was perfect, 15 degrees C, sunny but with the occasional cloud and off I went. The aim was to go really slowly and not get near my heart rate maximum. This was just to see if I could do the distance and I planned 3 hours. Part of me said I could walk it in that time, but common sense prevailed and I was indeed very slow.

My chosen route took me out to a local lake, which is my favourite route at the moment, then across fields to the next town with its castle and beer garden. This is very familiar territory, all my long runs so far have been in this area. What I didn't know was that my planned footpath about 5 km from home was blocked off. Fortunately there was a big sign - and fortunately I noticed it - but it meant backtracking and added another 2km to my route. That was a bit demoralizing, especially as I was getting tired by then. The last few kms were not particularly fun, but they never are and I finished my 21.1km about 2 km from home which showed me that I'm really getting a good feeling for distance. This route had been planned in my head and if I hadn't had to backtrack I would have been spot on.

And during most of the run I felt really good. Trotting through woods at 8km I felt I could run for ever, at 15 km I decided to skip the 1 min walk I allowed myself every 3km because my rhythm was fine. The last 5 km were faster than the first 5. It was actually fun!

I have to say though that 21 km is a long way and I won't be doing this every week.

Blimey, my first half marathon! And a picture to prove it!

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JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinny
Graduate10
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46 Replies
โ€ข
Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-J

Wowzer! Go girl go!

We knew you were up for this JSS, from your previous posts it was clear you would be doing a HM any time soon. And you have! Fantastic run, congratulations!

Don't forget the badge! ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿƒ๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ๐ŸŽˆ

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply toMillsie-J

I'll claim the badge when I've done it twice (just so I know it's not a flash in the pan!). Gives me an incentive to do it again....... some time!

Tanethra profile image
TanethraGraduate10

Congratulations on you HM milestone!

Fantastic running! I cannot imagine running that distance at the moment. I had a love/hate relationship with my 10k this morning in temps of 23 degrees C. Maybe I need an energy injection!

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

You're a speedy runner - and quite ambitious - and I have no doubt you can get to a HM if you want to. Mind you running in 23 degrees C is no fun, I was glad it was quite cool this morning. It's supposed to go up to about 28 degrees C at the weekend - gulp. Good job I got my long run out of the way today!

โ€ข in reply toJaySeeSkinny

There must be an art to running in the heat which I am yet to master. I had two very short walk breaks to drink water then carried on. I tried running and drinking but ended up snorting water up my nose, never a good move lol.

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Yes, I only drank water during my walking breaks. I need to master the art of running and drinking/eating too. But we've got all summer to practise!

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate10

This is great work Jaysee, Really Well done and it sounds as if you really enjoyed it too !

Win- Win ! :-) xxx

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply topoppypug

Most of it was fun. Partly because I knew I was going to do it. And there were stretches where it felt good. But if it doesn't feel good at that speed then I have a real problem!

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate10

Wow that's brilliant, congratulations. That's a L O N G way to run and you did it. Big pat on the back. Now go claim that HM badge young lady -there's nothing in the rules about having to do it twice!

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate10

Wow, well done!

loisamelia profile image
loisameliaGraduate10

Brilliant! I am in awe of you right now :)

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Graduate10

Congratulations! That's a long run in those temperatures! Well done!๐Ÿ˜Š

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply toaliboo70

To be fair I think it's a bit cooler over here in Germany. Or I'm getting more acclimatized to the warmer running.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate10

Whoop whoop! That's brilliant JSS! You've been putting in the miles so I was expecting this post. Very well done to you ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿพ๐ŸŽˆ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply toIrishprincess

Aww, thank you! I like to meet expectations!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10

Oh my.. totally awesome... go you!

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate10

So - well done. It is a jolly long way!! Need to have a good rest now.

Really impressed - look at you! I love the organisation and logically talking your way through it, making yourself go really slow, and how it all came together! Great to see the pic of your route too. Proof indeed so definitely claim that badge. Absolutely brilliant :)

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

I do find if I set my mind to it and decide on the distance in advance then I can do it. If I just go out and see how far I can go, along the lines of "I'd like to do 12 but a minimum of 10" then I usually end up with just the minimum. If I tell myself I'm not going to accept anything under 21 then 21 it is!

โ€ข in reply toJaySeeSkinny

Hope you're not feeling it too much today - I see a few more long runs ahead of you - sounds like you're developing an endurance mindset :)

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

No, actually I'm fine. Legs a bit tired, wouldn't like to do it again today. But actually better than I expected. The advantages of going slow and keeping within HR range...

โ€ข in reply toJaySeeSkinny

That is so brilliant. Your first HM and everything feels fine. I'm curious whether it might ever be a possibility for me too...

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Why not - you're doing great ๐Ÿ‘. I do a lot of walking and think it's perfectly possible to walk 21k, so if necessary I can always resort to walking it. I think at a pinch I could probably walk a marathon aswell! Don't know if I could run one though - or if I ever will.

โ€ข in reply toJaySeeSkinny

I could definitely cycle it but I don't think that would help much! Again, loving your pragmatic approach. I think yes I could walk 21k. So from that perspective I could indeed do it. Hmmm... :)

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRunsโ€ข in reply to

I bet you've run one before Christmas :-) :-)

โ€ข in reply toPippiRuns

Was actually tentatively wondering about the Hackney Half next Spring...

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

Yay! Congratulations JaySeeSkinny! It is indeed a long way - but you nailed it anyway! Well done!๐Ÿ™‚

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

Yay! Well done

Finding your running groove is great isn't it. It would be fab if all runs were like that

Take a few days, or four, to recover. Eat healthily -you might feel really hungry ๐Ÿ™‚

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply tomisswobble

I do feel hungry - but today's a fasting day! And I probably devoured all the calories I worked off yesterday๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜ˆ

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate10

Woohoo! You are fab :) Great achievement, well done indeed.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

A fasting day! Really? Post long run! Crikey

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Yep, every Friday. Was feeling it today though on my evening walk after work. I was very glad to get home. That'll teach me!

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRuns

Wow JZ! Amazing! Congratulations on your achievement. ๐Ÿ… Lovely report.

I went out to run 18.5 today, but I had miscalculated the route and I reached the train station at 16 and just couldn't convince myself to continue. So, very well done on overcoming the road block/backtracking situation.

โ€ข in reply toPippiRuns

Oh no! I was thinking of you doing your 18.5k today while I was making myself keep going to 8k. If Iben can do 18.5k surely I can do 1k more... ;) 16k is amazing of course. Hope you feel okay about cutting short :)

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRunsโ€ข in reply to

I had a really wonderful run - took the subway 40 minutes to get out of the city and ran around two lakes. It was great! But I was supposed to do a little loop at some point and completely forgot -just followed the lakes instead - and only realised the mistake when I was almost back... I think it was because I listened to a podcast series. Very exiting. I totally forgot everything about time and place, just plodded on.

Halfway through I needed something to drink but bought an ice lolly instead... and walked for 5 minutes eating it.

I had a great time. It doesn't matter that I cut it short. I'm ready for that half marathon, I just know I am.

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply toPippiRuns

You are definitely ready for your next HM! And this time you'll be pleased with your time!

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRunsโ€ข in reply toJaySeeSkinny

The next HM might be harder - not a flat route like the first one - but it is not very important to me, actually. I am just looking forward to trying running in a really big event (last year it had 12,000 participants). It will be such a party!

โ€ข in reply toPippiRuns

Ooh brilliant. I just know you're in such a good place for this HM. I was wondering if we know the date it's on - it's early June right?

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRunsโ€ข in reply to

11 June - two weeks. Exiting!

โ€ข in reply toPippiRuns

Brilliant! Will make a note :)

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply toPippiRuns

It is a bit demoralising to run back along the route you've just done, but it was the only way to get home and the only way to get 21 k done. I don't know how people run laps, I think I would hate it!

โ€ข in reply toJaySeeSkinny

I don't recommend laps! The worst thing is however hard you try you're bound to lose count :o

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRunsโ€ข in reply toJaySeeSkinny

My first HM was two laps. But not too bad. After 10k I still felt great and thought "I can do that again", but it was much harder the second time around!

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10

Fantastic achievement, very well done! I think I remember the beer garden from previous post of yours :)

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate10โ€ข in reply toskysue16

Yep, that's the one. I can't really remember going past it at all this time (in the groove!), but I must have done!

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