My first half marathon!

[MamaKeeves]

I am always reading the posts from so many of you and trying to take on board the tips and absorb the motivation that they bring. By way of offering a thank you to you all I thought I would share my news that yesterday I managed to complete my first half marathon. Can't quite believe it as it doesn't feel that long ago that I was huffing and puffing my way through C25k and then over the bridge to 10k. I still huff and puff - just for longer now!! (Actually that's not entirely true- I have finally managed to take on board the advice to run slower so can often trot along quite merrily now 😀)

Yesterday was such a good learning experience - despite having been training for months I still stood on the start line in complete nerves. I had decided to "Jeff it" the whole way round after a dodgy 10k experience when I shot off and then had legs like jelly by 8k. Met some lovely people to chat with on the way round and the support from the crowds was awesome - even though I was one of the last to finish!!

So I am sitting here this morning already thinking that my ankles don't hurt nearly as much as I thought they would and planning my winter training (which as my husband knows is code for treating myself to some new running kit!).

Anyway thank you again to all of you who have been posting - it really helped me get to that start line yesterday.

Happy running to you all!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Fantastic running journey! Well done on completing your first HM!🙂👏🏅

Have you thought of also posting this over on the ‘Fun beyond 10K and Race Support’ forum too?🙂

[MamaKeeves Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

There's a "fun beyond..." forum??? Will go and take a peek 😀

[prinj]

Oh my gosh a massive well done. This is inspirational.

I started my couch to 5k journey at the end of February this year and completed my first 5k race in May. The journey seemed long and a bit dispiriting at times, although advice from this site really helped me. My running was then a bit hit and miss across the summer and running a full 5k since has been patchy. I have started to do ParkRuns now and also joined a running club to help (really, me at a running club!). I can only dream of running 10K at the moment, so hats off to you for progressing this far.

On my days when I struggle my husband reminds me that only a few months ago I was struggling to run for 8 minutes which does remind me of how far I have come. I hope one day to be able to achieve what you have just done.

[MamaKeeves Graduate10 in reply to prinj]

Thank you for your kind words! I know what you mean though about when the running gets patchy - I just decided this year I was going to do it for me - I wanted to push myself to try to do something that I really didn't think I could (sounds a bit nuts I am sure!) So sometimes this summer we had Sunday tea rather than Sunday lunch, the housework got missed for a few days, ironing was a bit of a quick flick over... anyway family seen to have survived and currently have a mum who believes in herself again!!

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to MamaKeeves]

'anyway family seen to have survived and currently have a mum who believes in herself again!' This is awesome and something I can totally relate to too 😊

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Huge well done MamaKeeves, you’ve come such a long way! Deciding to Jeff it was a good idea, I do the same on longer runs - for some of us it’s the best way, and it seems to work!

[javo123j Graduate10]

Brilliant. Well done

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

How wonderful MamaKeeves! You have indeed come a long way and been brilliant in the process. 👏👏

Yes, as Sandra mentioned, if you head to the Fun Beyond forum, you can even request a shiny Half Marathon badge to appear next to your name. If you’re anything like me, you’ll gaze at it with admiration for days on end! Enjoy. 😍

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

What a fantastic achievement, well done!!

[OldManRunning Graduate10]

Well mum MamaKeeves 🏃🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️

[RollingPea]

Well done! 🥇

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Well done. Amazing achievement! 👏👏👏👍