Oxford Half - My second HM 😊

[TedG]

12mths after embarking on the C25K programme, I’ve just completed the Oxford Half, a month after doing the Great North Run!

Yesterday (Sunday) was perfect running conditions....cool and sunny. I arrived at University Park, the race village, with my partner Judy, my brother Del and his partner, in plenty of time to take in the atmosphere.

Nine to ten thousand runners were taking part so it was heaving by 8.30. We had a coffee and a banana and after that I was starting to feel quite nervous.... butterflies and all that goes with it! Toilet queues were really long so my ‘Urgency Card’ came in handy 🤗

Warm up started at 8.45, the usual prancing around 😂 before being asked to make our way to the starting pens, a 15min walk away.

The race started at 9.30 for the elite runners, it was 15mins later before we got away.

Taking in the sites of Oxford is fantastic, especially if you’re a tourist which many of the runners were. I had only gone a couple of Kms before nature called and I was breaking my neck. We got to the first block of portaloos where I had to stop leaving my brother to carry on. I carried on at my own pace and only saw my brother the once when we did a u turn coming back on ourselves at about 4 miles.

I got into a rhythm running at around 11min/mls, passing several uni’s and the Oxford Spires whilst counting down the miles. I was enjoying it, none of the walkers really getting in the way. However, once I passed the 7mile mark I felt my right glute begin to tighten up again just like the GNR! I thought ‘On no, not again!’

As soon as it started to get really uncomfortable, I resigned myself to the fact I wasn’t going to be able to run it all. I stopped twice to do some stretches before carrying on and starting jeffing at about 9mls....a lot more running than walking I might add!

Upon reaching the 10ml watering station, I was pleased to see it manned by a few of my club members who really egged me on shouting encouragement, that really gave me a boost as I was close to calling it a day because of the discomfort 😬

I though ‘No, I’m going to do this!’ and I did, crossing the finishing line in 2’29”, only 12 mins behind my brother who ran it all!

We collected our T Shirts and goodie bags but alas, no medals as the shipment was delayed due to Storm Ali.... took the edge off it a bit but Virgin Sport have assured us that they will be mailed to us ASAP..... that’s going to cost ‘em a few bob!

For me it’s still unfinished business as I haven’t yet run the complete HM distance so. as my brother is from Burgess Hill, it’s the Brighton Half in February next! 😀

Once again, if it wasn’t for my good friends support and encouragement on this forum, I wouldn’t be where I am now.... not bad for a Septuagenarian.... well I will be in 3mths 😳

This morning I went for another sports massage, the second in a week, good grief that hurt!!! 😫😬

[Hidden]

Super awesome Ted, and a splendid time for all you had to stop. I’m decinitely going to do this one next year. Well done with knobs on xxx

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick, you’ll be OK next year 🤗

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Amazing determination! Well done on your second half marathon! 👍🏃🏻🏅 Now, you have earned a decent rest to let all those niggles settle down!!🙂

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. I must resist the temptation to slip my running shoes on 😊

[Clairecandothis Graduate10]

Well done! Great time with stopping too. Ha I love you keep finding halves to do lol. Brighton should be lovely. I'd be gutted about my medal though! Rest now x

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Clairecandothis]

Thanks Claire. It was a toss up between Reading and Brighton but seeing as my brother made the effort to come up to Oxford, I thought I’d return the favour plus I have a daughter in Brighton 😊

Definitely resting up now, got some niggles to deal with 🙄x

[Clairecandothis Graduate10 in reply to TedG]

Yep sounds fair, and your daughter can cheer you on! I'd be drawn by the sea too! Yes best to rest, maybe get niggles checked too. February isn't all that far away either.... x

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Congratulations Ted, huge well done!!

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Thank you Lorijay 😊

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate10]

Fantastic Ted - what a great post and another great achievement! Amazing 😉

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Dizzysmum17]

Thank you, appreciated 😊

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Well done mate, brilliant effort again.

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Thanks Chris, still unfinished business though 😊

[Flyingred Graduate10]

Well done. Inspirational story. I'm going to look at the HM training plan next!

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Flyingred]

Thank for the kind words, so pleased I’m an inspiration to you 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well Done for sticking with it TedG, you definitely deserve that medal whenever it comes.

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy 😊

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Wow! Amazing! Congratulations! A great example to many. Thank you! 😊👏🏻🎉Enjoy the 🏅when it comes.

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you, appreciated 😊

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

That is a really inspiring post TedG. I started this C25k in April and running 10k races now and would aspire to do a half next year. When I read your post I thought to myself I must enter a half definitely. So well done to you.

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

Thank you for the kind words Agelesslass , if I can help you to achieve you’re goal I’ll be one happy chappy 🤗

[MikeJones68 Graduate10]

Fantastic work Ted. I believe you are well and truly a real runner

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to MikeJones68]

Thanks Mike but not til I’ve run a HM without walking, albeit forced on me due to an injury! 😊

[Langley-Loper Graduate10]

Well done, you need the third to make a hat trick of HMs!

Interested about the "Urgency Card" - I am a Crohns sufferer (fortunately mild and doesn't impact daily life too much at the moment) and spend my life constantly looking for toilets. I take loperamide before races/parkruns/long traning runs. Not ideal. I couldn't contemplate entering a massive event with the associated faffage. How can I get one of these cards and are they generally well accepted by fellow toilet queuers?

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Langley-Loper]

Sorry for the late reply Anne. Thank you.

I got my ‘Toilet Emergency’ card through the hospital, I had Prostate Cancer a few years ago. My other half has one too which she got at the Pelvic Floor clinic after a Bowel Cancer op.

It’s received quite well when you show the card at the front of the queue.....also handy if you get caught short when you’re out 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Ted, you are an absolute star and an inspiration to me! Doing these HM's is no easy thing, I think you are awesome. Hope you get some help for your glute issue. I have been doing a yoga stretch called the pidgeon pose for that area after advice from forum members.

Well done...don't belittle your acheivements. 😊xx

[TedG Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Sorry for the late reply Jan. Thanks for the kind words. And yes, I must stop beating myself up, I’m so competitive with myself!

I must remind myself that I ain’t a spring chicken anymore 😳