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!
Written by
JaySeeSkinny
Graduate10
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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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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
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!
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...
Why not - you're doing great 👍. 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.
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...
Wow JZ! Amazing! Congratulations on your achievement. 🏅 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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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!
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16k is amazing of course. Hope you feel okay about cutting short 
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