A few weeks ago in a moment of madness I signed up for the Admiral City of Newport Virtual Half Marathon, which had to be completed by the 7th March....no worries, plenty of time........still plenty of time........oh the 7th is tomorrow !! 😮
So today was the day 😬 kit and new ASICS on, Coach Bennett riding shotgun to keep me company. I knew I had to try and pace myself as it’s a hell of a distance, so the plan was a slowish 10k to begin with, which would hopefully do the trick.
I combined two of my normal 10k routes to make up the distance. First route took me to the town centre, followed by a circuit of the park, both really busy. Running through the town centre I felt a bit conscious of some peoples view of joggers lately and them not wearing masks......so avoid eye contact 👀 and pick up the pace 🏃♂️still feeling good as I completed the park circuit and headed home.
But then having reached home, the daunting thought that you’ve got to turn around and head towards the other route 😳 is a shock to the system. All going well but the other route has a killer of a hill, so brisk walked up this, as I did this a lady jogger passed me and said it’s a tough one this isn’t it. I smiled and agreed, thinking it is when you’ve just done 11k !
Carried on jogging the other route but could feel the fatigue kicking in, so the jogging became a lot slower, I stuck with it though only changing this to a brief brisk walk on a few occasions when absolutely necessary.
Eventually and not before time I heard Coach Bennett’s cheery voice saying just 100 meters to go, I wanted to finish with a sprint...wanting to and being able to are two different things and I had absolutely nothing left in the tank so it was more of a victory stagger......but I’d made it!! Yeeeess!!!!! 🥳🥳🥳
My time was what I’d roughly expected, given my current level of fitness and preparation, but that’s ok for my first attempt and gives me something to work with in future, so I’ll take that 😁
Home, showered, hydrated, a nice steak dinner and a cold beer to celebrate 🍺 and I’m feeling as good as new.....except for my achey breaky legs, but it’s a great feeling to know I’ve completed my first half marathon. Another medal and tee shirt to look forward to too.
🏅👕🤗
Happy Running Everyone 🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️
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Couchphoenix
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Thanks Tasha99, I think I will be smiling all night 😁 it’s a lovely feeling to have completed that distance, tough though it was in parts 👍🏃♂️
I just carried a small hand held water bottle on the run, which seemed ok, maybe I should have carried some jelly beans too, I’m still learning so will probably try that next time I think 🤔
Thanks Ian, it was a killer, your brain thinks, we’re home now, time for a well earned rest......so I tried not to think about it too much to be honest 😂
That’s a nice time from where I’m standing...faster than my 5km pace 😂
I remember cursing when the live events occurred...Mr. L was an artisan baker and it used to be a nightmare as the local farmers market would be on the same day...and all the roads would be closed! 😬🙄
Thanks Lottie, second half was tough, which I knew it would be, but kept going. When I did my previous 10 mile run I completed it in 2hrs 8mins, but I had more energy on that day. I’m just pleased I managed to complete it 😁
Congratulations on completing your first Half Marathon, the only thing wrong is that you have posted it on this, the Bridge to 10K forum, I am sure the administrators will put the magic words HALF MARATHON next to your username but on the marathon forum, not this one, once again a big congratulations to you on running your first Half Marathon.
Wow, what a great run! Fantastic, you must be so pleased and proud, it really is an epic achievement! And doesn’t it make you feel great. So pleased for you. Many congratulations! 👏👏👏👍🥳💪
Thanks Jools 😊 it was a tough one, but I’m really proud and pleased I managed to achieve it 😁More preparation needed if I attempt another one in future though 🥵
Rightly so! It’s a long way. But a few 10Ks, couple of 10 milers maybe and you’ll be good to do it all over again 😊
I don’t know how you managed to reach your house and then set off again! I don’t think I could do that. I have a 10 mile circular route and a couple of side roads to add for the rest.
Give your legs time to recover or that walk in the park will feel like a trek
After thinking our hill walk up and run down was easy and running a slow 5k the next day getting out of bed the day after for work was a bit of a trial
I’m envious though and always want to run further but it takes me forever to go any real distance
That's amazing - what an achievement! You must be all smug and glowing by now - and knackered as well, I would have thought??? Well done - enjoy that well earned bling!
Massive well done! That's a very tough run, my legs the next day were a mess!!🤣 Massive grin on my face for a week though and I'm sure you will too 😁👍🏻
Thank You 😊 Definitely have that massive grin, I’m constantly shocked at what can be achieved 😁
Legs not too bad at moment, just took the dog for a walk around the block and they felt fine, but I’m sure it will be a different story in the morning 😬
Thanks Buddy34, I honestly had absolutely nothing left in the tank at that stage, so it really was a stagger 😂 a victory stagger is the best of all though 👍
Wow Couchphoenix - that is fantastic! What a great achievement! 💪Definitely pop over to the Marathon Running and Race Support Forum to request your Half Marathon badge - we can only ‘wear’ our Graduate 10 on this forum but over there you will be able to have your HM one!😃 Wear with pride!🏅
By the way, fuelling will definitely help. Don’t know if it’s been mentioned above but Tailwind is great IMO. I don’t like the ideas of gels but this will keep you fuelled and hydrated - it’s a powder you add to water. Link below.🙂
Maybe the second track first would have been a better plan 🤔 🤣
Maybe I was imagining it, I try to avoid busy places, didn’t expect it to be so busy with hardly any shops open, but I suppose people just want to get out for a hour. Helped me pick up my pace so not all bad 👍🏃♂️
Huge congratulations CP, that's brilliant, how must you be feeling ☺☺☺☺☺ if we could only bottle it, i'm envious now, but must be sensible and wait ☹ you certainly deserved that steak, and beer, hope you wont be too stiff tomorrow.
Thanks Peter44, I’d love to have a few bottles if we could 😁
wasn’t sure it was the best idea I’d ever had, I’d forgotten I’d signed up for it until I got a reminder email, but I thought why not give it a go, I’ve completed 10 miles twice before and I love a challenge, I’m so pleased I did now.
Keep being patient and sensible, it will get easier and your strength will return 💪🏻
Thanks Frizzbomb67, I took the dog for a walk around the block earlier and they felt ok, so fingers crossed 🤞
Brilliant running Couchphoenix and fab time👏👏👏👏 I really admire people that can do half marathon s and marathons.I just couldn’t do it I’m sure! The furthest I managed was 11k and some of that was a brisk walk as it was up a big incline 🤣🤣.
Thank You Now63 😊 I’m still surprised I managed that distance, much more preparation needed for the next one as that was really tough. You reached 11k which is great, so never say never. 👍🏃♀️
Thanks Couchphoenix I might one day. However it’s hard to do that here as there are many hills and inclines. I managed 10k this morning so that was my March Strava 10k challenge done🏃♀️😀😀
I agree, It’s difficult when you live in a place with hills and inclines. I live on a main road and fortunately I have a relatively flat route I could use for part of a HM.
Well done on completing your March Strava 10k challenge 👍
Thank You Smile23, I am proud of achieving that distance. The steak and beer didn’t touch the sides 😋😂.
My next HM will involve much more preparation and I’ll carry more fluid and a gel or something to maintain my energy level. You’ll get there, it’s tough but achievable 👍
Great work! Sometimes having a deadline is good for just doing it even when you feel you're not ready - and it's good to find out that actually you are ready after all!
Thanks BBP, you’re right, I’ve only been running 10 to 12k recently, so to take that on was a tough challenge, but again I’m shocked at what can be achieved if you tell yourself I’m doing this. I was shattered at the end, but it’s not put me off doing another in future, it’s like when you complete your first 10k and think I’ll do that again only better 👍
I'm hoping this will work for me - I'm sort of triply committed to do a half marathon on the 28th and training hasn't been going at all to plan, mostly due to lack of time and niggly knees. But knees are now doing better and I managed to cover 9 miles today, plus finding time for training should be easier from next week, so I'm hoping I'll be fine as long as I take it easily.
You’ll do it, 9 miles is great preparation and having committed to it will give you that extra incentive to get it done, just set off really slowly and pace yourself, which I’m sure you will and you’ll be fine. 👍
I tried not to think about it and just focused on how good I’d feel if I actually managed to complete it, it’s surprising what you can do if you put your mind to it....never say never ! 👍
Thank You GXR 😄 I did it as you say and that’s all that matters. Next HM I’ll be better prepared.
It’s a massive achievement for me, someone who’s always admired people who can run and finally built up the courage to have a go myself, complete C25k and go on from there 👍
Wow that is absolutely fantastic Geoff, 👏👏👏Congratulations on completing your first Half Marathon what an impressive achievement ⭐️⭐️⭐️💪💪💪and fantastic medal to your growing collection, 🏅🏅🏅Well done you, so proud of you.
Yummy well deserved celebratory meal and 🍺 I bet you enjoyed that!!
Thanks Rebecca, not sure where I found the energy from, but proud I completed it. I signed up for it a while ago and left it to the last minute so wasn’t properly prepared, but I will be next time. It’s increased my enthusiasm as I keep discovering what I’m actually capable of if I put my mind to it.
Meal was yummy 😋and I’m looking forward to my medal and tee shirt, which are extra special 😁
It is brilliant that you ran that distance you are going from strength to strength Geoff. So wonderful how focused and enthusiastic you are. It really is fantastic all you have achieved. You are a half marathon runner!!! I bet you never imaged that when you started C25K, you are so inspiring.
I bet!! lol I wouldn’t take the medal off 😂 look forward to seeing a photograph.
Great run congratulations on your achievement especially as you really dug deep to achieve. Have a rest this week, just gentle runs and then dream and plan for the next. 🏃💨🎉🏅🎉
Thanks Cmoi 😊 I pop over there from time to time to admire you all....yesterday’s effort has given me even more respect for people who complete Marathons. Proud of my achievement though and I’m constantly learning and surprising myself 😁🏃♂️
Congratulations CP on your first HM. Hope your legs are recovering and that your jaw aches from the constant grin on your face 😁 My HM was a year ago next weekend (the week before lockdown 1) and it is still my proudest running achievement. It is such a long way! Even more kudos for doing it on your own; I had a running buddy encouraging me all the way round!
Thank You Maisiecat1 😊 you’re doing it the sensible way, unlike I did, but I’m still very proud of my achievement. Much more preparation for my next one and like you I’ll be clocking up a few longer runs prior to attempting it.
Legs are ok actually, hips ache a little but I expected that. So all good 😀
Cheers Nowster ! 😂😂 Both the spirit and the legs were weak by the end of that one ! Next HM I’m determined to finish with a sprint, even if it’s only a tiny one 👍
Wow and wow a million times !!!! Congratulations !! 🥳🤸♂️ that’s absolutely brilliant. Oh my - such a long way !! Well done. Dunno what to say. I’ve completely backslided from my HM plan - I got to 10 miles jeffing but then had to stop for injury. Now I’m back on a working up to 10k non stop again, and today’s 7k nearly did me in - had to stop to walk after 30mins and 50 mins. Congratulations again. 🥳
Thanks Juliet202 😊 my running has been a bit erratic lately with all that’s been going on, but I’d completed a few 10 - 12k runs so even though I wasn’t that well prepared I thought I’d pace myself and see how I got on. I was really pleased to achieve that distance. I’d do another in future but much more sensible preparation next time. You reached 10 miles, so I’m sure when you fully recover you could do it too. 👍🏃♀️
I've got mine coming up in two weeks, I'll be doing much the same thing...slow running with a few "speed bumps" when I feel I can. I'm following the usual route for mine, and I will have to pass home at about 18K too, I know how hard that is!
Good luck, Curlygurly2 I’m sure you’ll do fine, at 18k your on the home stretch (excuse the pun) . Just focus on how amazing you’ll feel when you reach the finish line 🏁 👍
Thanks Run46, definitely proper preparation and fuelling next time....that one has given me something to build on, proud I achieved it though.....still learning and enjoying the journey 👍🏃♂️
Thanks LLJ, I’d completed two 10 mile runs previously, but they were some time ago, fortunately they were injury free, but I remember how tough they were, so I knew it was achievable. Proud to have achieved it.
I’m sure you could do it too, health permitting 👍🏃♂️
Thanks for your support, I do appreciate it. To be honest I couldn’t imagine I’d ever cover that distance, it was as much a mental battle as a physical one, but so pleased I managed it. 😁
Thank You Princess_pony69 😊 I was expecting it to be around 3 hrs as I hadn’t prepared as much as I should have. I know what to expect next time though, and I’m still proud to have actually done it 😁
so very well done CouchPhoenix - lots of congratulations to you!! You are so supportive of us beginners here on the forum, I am very glad you have achieved something brilliant for yourself. I ran my first 4k yesterday, which compared to you is nothing at all, but for me is excellent. 😁✅
Thank You Rosec25k 😊 that’s very kind of you to say that. I had plenty of encouragement when I was doing C25k and I couldn’t have completed it without that, so I like to support people who are on the same journey when I can.
Congratulations on your first 4K, it’s a great achievement 🥳🥳 and shows how much your fitness and stamina are increasing, Well Done 👍
Thank You Roxdog, 😊 I’m pleased I managed it, it was tough but that was my fault as I should have done more preparation, but I was proud to have completed it. I’m still surprised at what can be achieved when you put your mind to it 👍🏃♂️
I have come a long way since struggling to complete 60 seconds running when I began C25k.
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Half Marathon Done!
My first half-marathon!!
Completed 10k ‘Race’
1st half marathon!
