Oh my gosh...I'm in. Plus Cardiff Half report

[BethC]

So...5 months ago I posted on here that I had entered the ballot for the London Marathon but that I won't get in. I've only gone and got a place. I am elated and terrified at the same time. I realise I've been extremely lucky to get in on the 1st attempt and I am going to make the most of it.

On Sunday hubby and I ran the Cardiff Half which was a fantastic experience. The crowd support was brilliant and the other runners so much fun. As as a slowey I often end up running the final bits alone or with just a few people but we were in crowds all the way. I came in at 2:46:05, a PB by 9 minutes and most importantly I ran the vast majority of it, wheareas big chunks of Oxford 2 years ago were walked. So..touch wood by next April I will have gone from C25K to a full marathon. Something I would never have contemplated!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Wow, that awesome!Congratulations 🎉🏃‍♀️🎉. I love your pictures!

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks!

[mfamilias Graduate10]

Well done for the half, and congratulations for getting a place in the London marathon! You've got time to train, you'll rock it.

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to mfamilias]

Thank you. Yes, I should be fine for time. Already have a plan.

[Hidden]

Amazing. That's proper big kid running. Well done! Nice beer

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! Beer was good. Free pints of Brains beer in the Cardiff pubs after the half. Went down very well!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Oh, lucky you! Really well done! I am still waiting to find out but am now expecting a rejection🙁. Having been out most of the summer with injury (better now), it is probably for the best but of course if I was lucky enough to get a 'You're in' mag I would be giving it my best shot! Fab photos and congratulations on your Cardiff Half too. What a week you're having! Good luck😀

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you. Have you heard it? I really can't believe I got in at the first attempt. I never win raffles or anything like that.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to BethC]

Email rejection this afternoon - 🙁. Never mind, I will try again next year!🙂

[Coddfish Graduate10]

That's great on both counts. Well done!

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks!

[Razouski]

That is just fabulous. Time to get your big girl pants on a enjoy running a distance I can't even dream of.

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

Ah yes big girl pants. Definately! I always wanted to do it but never thought I'd be brave enough to try. You never know what you might do in the future!

[aliboo70 Graduate10]

thats amazing news Beth and congratulation on you new PB too!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Wahay! Go you! It's amazingly bonkers but it's happening 😃👍🏃‍♀️✔️🏅

So, training. A gal needs a plan 🙂

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Thank you! I am still finding it hard to believe that I am in. Um..yes training. Well I have a plan to still be at half marathon distance by the end of the year and then increase my long runs up to around 22 miles (oh lord what am I saying!) by taper time. I won't be quick but hoping for sub 6 hours!!! It's more about time on my feet I think for a slowey like me. Any advice would be gratefully accepted of course!

[Shivani05]

What wonderful news, congratulations!

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to Shivani05]

Thanks!

[misswobble Graduate10]

A plan will prevent too Much running! You only run up to about 32km in training - once! Apparently anything over three hours is not necessary and doesn't help.

Have a look at a plan. I use myasics ones. The "EASY" one! It's anything but, but the others are just way out of my stratosphere. You get a tailor made free plan based on your previous half marathon time, or whatever race time you input, but the half would be a perfect time to estimate a full marathon for you. Then it asks how often you want to train, e.g. 2, 3 or 4 times a week. I tried 4 for a short while but reduced it to three days a week as I was knackered. The pace times are hard to achieve I find but I do my best 😃 The plan is interactive, so you can upload your training runs into the plan and they keep you up to date and let you know how you are doing and will suggest tweaks

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

I've tried myasics before and found it was too much about a pace which I never achieved. I got demoralised and injured. I am slow. 3 hours would just get me 23km no where near 32km!!! ☹I know that they say over 3 hours is not beneficial but I am not sure how I am going to train up to 20 miles without going over it a couple of times at least. Ho hum. Perhaps I should just not do it. ☹

[misswobble Graduate10]

Nah don't be defeatist 🙂

Slow is fine honestly. You could download the plan just for the information about the sessions and then run your own pace. It's just that you need to know what distances you should be doing. You can run too much if you're not careful

Longer, slower runs build legs. Do some hills while you're at it and you'll get stronger quicker 🙂

I ran a half yesterday as I am marathon training and have a half coming up. I ran through mud and cow shite, loads of hills and rutted stony footpaths where speed was not an option. It's fun though 🙂💪✔️👍🏃‍♀️

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Thanks! I think I'm just a bit overewhelmed. I have found an online plan that builds slowly and focuses on distance. It's similar to the one I've just used for the half. I am hoping to get a bit quicker as well but am aware I don't want to overtrain either (I've had shin splints in the past). I do have hills in my plans. Plenty to choose from in Banbury - I just hate them!!! Thanks for your advice. Really appreciate it.

[misswobble Graduate10]

I had a serious shin splint too. It was very serious and I thought my leg was broken, the pain was so bad 😣

So, we ain't ever going back there are we, which is why a plan will prevent you from over running.

Hills toughen your core for free 😃 Again, run em slow. No hurry.

[AncientMum Graduate10]

Congratulations on both counts Beth.

[BethC Graduate10 in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks!

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Wow! That is exciting! Well done for completing the HM 😀