As I sit down to write this post I am in two minds on where to set the focus. Yesterday was great and inspirational to me in so many ways. I learnt a lot about myself and I realise I learnt these things through running and all the advice given on here so I am writing both versions. Both versions are true but have a slightly different view of the day. Both are positive but for different reasons. I was lucky enough to live both versions and take positive things from each.
Version one
Got to the event and it was packed. I was told the end count with charity runners was 14,000. I had had all my fuel and I was raring to go. I got in my 2hour + pen and started the slow walk towards the start. As we crossed the start I set of with a fantastic pace, one that I had never achieved before and I kept this speedy pace up for the first 5km. This was confirmed at the end of the event as my Garmin informed me I had 4 new records. I got my fastest ever 1km, 5km and 10km plus longest run. The day got hotter and hotter as time went by but I kept on going at a slightly slower pace and ran over the finish line to the cheering crowds as I fell hot and sweaty and red faced into my husbands arms. The support and cheering were great and helped to push me through the whole 3+ hours.
Version two
Woke up every 45 min from 3am in case I had missed the alarm. Travel to the venue was great and I met some people on the way. Running is such a social, chatty sport. It must be because everyone has a good amount of lovely endorphins to live on. I got there with only 10min to spare after I dropped my bag. The queues were 50 deep almost waiting to go to the loo so I made a decision I would be ok and went and found my pen. There were loos along the course if I needed to go. Strangely enough I didn't need to go all run.
The race started the same but when I crossed the start line my Garmin wasn't on run/walk and I didn't realise I just got so caught up I ran for 1km in 7.02. I tried for the next 6km to find my rhythm. I mentally had a discussion with my self whether to stop and start again but I could not bring myself to lose the HM on my record for my Garmin. The things that become important to you. So I made things easier and tried to adopt a 1/1 run walk so it was easier to keep up with. My pace was still quicker than my 2/1. (Note to self must try this out on training next)
At seven km I was lagging. I was hot and done in. By 10km I was wondering how on earth I could finish. All I could see was I had to do the whole thing again but I would take me a lot longer at a slower pace.
I made a decision. I am not a quitter but I felt like it, so a compromise was needed. I walked. I walked like the wind at a 9 - 9.35 pace but I walked for 10km. I did little spurts of running in that 10 km. There were two other girls that were at the same pace as me and they were run/ walking so I just made sure I kept up with them sometimes in front if I had a running spurt sometimes behind. We just kept an eye out for each other and egged each other on. We all finished close together.
I ran for the last 1.1km, this was pride. The roads were packed with so many people all shouting my name (names were put on our bibs with our number) telling me I could do it and I really wanted to look and feel like I could. Just As I was coming to the end my favourite running song came on and it made me smile the biggest smile and everything felt good so I went for it. It was a special feeling and I felt like a star. I was beaming like a Cheshire Cat and waving back at everyone. I thanked the steel bands as I ran past. They had been there all day helping the runners.
Am I upset, a little, am I disappointed, no. I completed and I did it within the time I set myself. So I have to take it as a win. Is it the way it's supposed to be done probably not, but as all of my friends have said over the last 24 hours your unique you always do stuff your own way and make it work.
So the up shot of the two versions. I have completed a half marathon in the time I wanted and had a great day. It's in the memory banks as one of my life achievements. So yes it was a gold star of a great day.
Would I do it again???? Past experience has told me never to say never. I used to say I never wanted to run!
Now to get over the aches, blisters ( still do not understand how an extra 25 min of running can produce so many blisters) and General soreness. Also I still have a beetroot face but that is down to sunburn. I must make sure I use sun cream more often while running.
As I always say take the positives from every run, there will always be some. Not least of all your off that couch. I was off the couch for 3:08:43.
Happy running to you all
Written by
Realfoodieclub
Graduate
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RFC, I had to go back and re-read your post several times before I could work what you were a teeny bit upset about!
Makes me smile how hard it is to learn and re-learn and re-learn 'don't set off too fast' I love your 'two stories' - so true for many of us on our big endeavours (however big or small they are)
Here's hoping your skin is soon much more comfortable, head to toe.
If you can try to go for a walk today, I did that last week and it really helped with the sore legs... , a nice slow swim can do miracles too! I let 2 days pass before running again, and was ok on a short run.
That's a fantastic report RFC and you did fantastically well. Your grit and determination really comes through and as you say this will be in your memory bank forever. Fab photo as it shows just how happy you are. Amazing job! x
What an amazing achievement, you should be so proud you did it!! HM is a b****y long way!!! You are inspiring to everyone here, because you prove to us all we can do it!! From taking on the c25k to HM, it's amazing!!
Thank you. I love a bit of a challenge. Running has brought out the kid in me, my husband shakes his head and laughs now when I say guess what Ive done.
Thank you. Resting up as much as possible but I have to keep moving every 20 min or I seize up. Hehe the things we do to ourselves. Still it makes me smile ever time I start walking like a 100 year old, I earned it.
Absolutely fantastic and well done on sending your Garmin personal record dashboard into meltdown! I completely forgot about the toilets on the road - it looked quite strange with queues of runners outside them as I went past. Best bit for me, as you said, was the crowds and their enthusiasm. Unforgettable! Did you get a big rush from that lot cheering us on on the bridge just before Stratford? They're called the Run Dem Crew and they sound like a lot of fun. This is them cheering us on:
Thank you. They were fanatsic. I am seriously thinking about maybe volunteering for next year as a Marshall Then You get a free place 2017. That way I might be better prepared. I mention that to my husband he just shook his head and laughed at me as He watched me hobble round the house.
That is a great way to write up the event, RFC and a belated massive congratulations on your first HM (still catching up on everyone's news from yesterday!).
I think what you wrote is also a good way of looking at the event from an external and an internal way of running. To us and everyone else the first description is actually what we are hearing/reading: the fact that you were well prepared, achieved personal records and got round in a fab time in baking hot conditions. The second story is what we wrestle with internally using up mental energy but also using that energy to keep driving ourselves forward.
Thank you. I know so much goes through your head as you run. I realise that on training runs I daydream and sort out a lot things but while your doing an event I found it very hard to zone out.
Wow!!! That's excellent. Well done you. You did it!!!! What percentage of the population can say that? Sounds like a fab atmosphere!!! Makes me want to do one!!! Ish!!!! Xx
Thank you. Normally I would of hidden the picture but I keep saying to everyone wear your red face with pride, so I felt I had to practice what I preach.
Well done RFC - you are inspiring because you have gone out and done it, in a way which suited you and you have achieved all the goals you set - and by the times on your watch 3 more as well. The blisters will heal soon and the soreness disappear - but you will have always run the Hackney HM.
Thank you. I was not expecting the garmin trophies they are an added bonus. I must tell myself now to not try and beat them for a while. I need some fun runs for a while.
Thank you. I've promised my husband I will have a break from the big stuff for a while, only because we have a lot going on and taking 2.5 hours out for training runs is a bit hard but I am signed up for the winter run 10km on 31 January.
Wish I had seen you there Rob's westie (Bailey) would have given you one major high five. He was at the start line! You are an inspiration to us all. If you see a Westie on any of the pics then you can bet it's him. Thought my pic of rob and Bailey wasn't too shabby. If you can do it then I can certainly try. Again well done. So impressed.
Thank you. Guess what I was looking out for a westie just in case. I loved the picture they both look very proud. It was great atmosphere. Maybe if I Marshall it next year I can cheer you on. 😃
this is such a wonderful post RFC. You've managed to capture the highs and lows so clearly. A HM is a massive achievement whether it's run or walked. Just the sheer bl**dy effort involved in propelling yourself forward for 13 miles is huge, whether you run it all, run/walk it or walk it all. So, whatever you do, feel supremely proud of what you achieved, you did something amazing
Thank you. I learnt a lot yesterday. I think I would maybe in a few years time like to walk a marathon like allboo has. As I think running one would be out for me.
Congratulations RFC - you're a real inspiration. So much of this running lark is about what happens internally and not externally, and you captured that perfectly. Hope you are resting up and the achiness is getting better!
Well you did it RfC, your first half marathon.!!! Love your write up, it helps me to read about your varying experiences and emotions along the way and I really thank you for sharing both sides of the story. Of course the end result was the same - you did the half marathon in a great time. Many many congratulations for that great achievement. Hope you're not too stiff today x
wow...RFC you are amazing, I was thinking of you Sunday and I know how big this was for you....what a gorgeous blog, I totally love the versions you gave...and you are so right, how boring the world would be if we all approached this in the same way...we wouldn't have a blog for a start!! you are a amazing and well done from me for that fantastic achievement. Happy panthering xxxxx
Thank you so much for your lovely words and all the encouragement to get me there. I really appreciate it. I promise I pushed and punished this body of mine and it was all worth it. Nearly back to normal now still got stiff glutes but a walk tomorrow should help that. As always happy panthering.
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First post graduation run outdoors with my new running partner :) 
