A bit of a half marathon

[Yesletsgo]

I'm going to start off by coming clean, this event was a half marathon with a shorter 3.9 km route for those of us who aren't that capable, so when I say 'a bit of' I mean 'a fraction of'

Our Russian friend Andrey told us that there was a running event deep in the forest at 11.00am Saturday. Woo hoo, much better than his usual 8am start. I was even able to eat some breakfast beforehand.

As inevitably happens we were a bit late setting off driving to the venue and it wasn't very well signposted. The roads are all dirt tracks, luckily we met someone else heading our way who knew where to go so we arrived with just 5 minutes to spare. Not long enough to warm up or even pin my number on my shirt so I just ran to the back of the pack and husband started the race chasing after me with the number.

I decided that my intention was just to complete it. If I could 'not be last' it would be a bonus. I was probably the oldest person there by a good ten years, definitely the oldest woman but who cares? Took my place behind some very slow twenty somethings and a couple of km in the path widened enough for me to pass them.

It was pretty chilly, no more than 2 or 3C and drizzly. The path was uneven and rutted in places, lots of wet leaves and mud to avoid but fairly level. Lots of concentration needed not to fall over. I overtook a woman in her 40s running alone.

About a km from the end the youngsters behind me decided to let their youthful fresh and rested legs take over and they sped up and overtook me. About 500m from the end decided to run a bit quicker but there was a big puddle and my shoelace was undone so did it up and then sped up.

At the end, much to my surprise, I was congratulated for finishing and passed a medal. MY FIRST BLING!! And it says 'half marathon'!!! If I was less honest I could really show off.

The organisers had set up a bunch of tents and a PA in a clearing. Andrey 'interviewed' me for the benefit of the people standing round then it was time to grab a black tea brewed over an open fire and some home made salami. Fantastic way to spend a Saturday morning. And I wasn't last, the woman I overtook came in a couple of minutes after me

[Sulley101 Graduate10]

How adventurous and what a lovely way to start the day! Love the Bling too! Sounds like you had a really enjoyable run. 😁👍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations on completing your first Half Marathon, great run, you must be very pleased with yourself, well done, you should soon see the magic words HALF MARATHON next to your username, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement 🏃🏾 👍

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

My 'about a fifth or sixth of a half marathon'? 😂 I'll take it 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

👍 🏃🏾

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That sounds like a right old adventure, deep in the woods and tea over a fire 🔥. I like the sound of it! Well done on your “HM”, and on your first bling 💍. Hurrah OBK! 😊😊😊

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thank you, I'm quite pleased with myself

[Mormor1 Graduate10]

Definitely sounds like the kind of Hm that would suit me perfectly.

[Yesletsgo Graduate10]

Here's the refreshment stand. Can't beat a cuppa boiled over an open fire

Pans boiling over an open fire in the forest

[SkiMonday Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Congrats on completing a bit of an HM! That sounds like a good morning and you achieved your goals!

The only thing that I can read on your medal is the date!

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to SkiMonday]

Half marathon IV 'Autumn Kiss' then the town name, Svetliy, and the date. I admit, Mr OBK had to help with the cursive writing 😁

[SkiMonday Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

That's a great memento!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Sounds like my idea of a HM OBK! I love the idea of your husband chasing you at the start to get your number on! And bling - what’s not to love!

[nowster Graduate10]

Do you have to do the other 17.2km at a later date? 🤣

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

This time last year the idea of me running 3.9km would have seemed ridiculous. Who knows, maybe I will complete it (don't hold your breath)

[Folkylass Administrator]

Congratulations on your half marathon and super medal ! I particularly like the refreshment stand ! 👍👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏👏🍂🍁

[Getfitordietrying Graduate10]

Love the image of your husband running after you trying to pin your number on a moving target. Hopefully, he got the right person 😆

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Getfitordietrying]

I'd have had something to say about that!😱😂

[Roxdog Graduate10]

A run 'deep in the forest' sounds exciting whatever the distance! Sounds great!

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Yes indeed 😊