What an amazing day this has been for me and thank you everyone who has supported me, here, on FB and GarminConnect. Apart from the 5K RfL last year this is my first proper race and I felt so very nervous about the whole affair. I've only ever done one Parkrun and although it was good I like running alone with the freedom to go when and where I want, so the thought of running with so many people felt quite daunting and I was very grateful for the company of one daughter and 2 yr old grandchild to the start line. I dutifully placed myself somewhere in the middle between the 2 hour and 2.5 hour flags as I was hoping to finish in around 2hr 15mins. Off went the starting gun thingy and we slowly started edging towards the start line. Said 2 year old immediately threw a strop as I set off because she wanted to run with Grandma! But soon all was left behind and the shuffle turned into a jog as we set off over the bridge. The air was cool and the sky full of grey cloud but it was the most perfect day for running. The start was slow and there were so many people running together that there was very little room for manoeuver down the narrow streets at the start. Once out onto the open road things became a little more relaxed and off we headed to Beaumaris. There was a clear view across the straits to the snow capped mountains and I was so pleased that all those people who had traveled miles to come here could at least see how beautiful it is here today. For a short while I ran alongside a lovely lady from the Wirral while we had a bit of a natter. Such a pleasant diversion. For me this was a perfect opportunity to run along this route as it's certainly quite treacherous when there are cars on the road so although I know it so well it was lovely to be able to run it without the need to flatten myself against a wall or zig zag across the road for the sake of visibility (only done twice on a quiet Sunday morning!).
Before I had even reached the halfway point a young man came flying up in the opposite direction as if he had wings on his feet. Such a determined look on his face as his lovely long stride carried him past us like a whirlwind. I was awestruck! I later found out he finished in 1:09:43!
So on past the beautiful Beaumaris Castle where I got cheered on by a friend I haven't seen in years! Then turning up the hill to do the loop back towards Beaumaris again. Lovely to see flocks of birds twisting and turning low above the water and an unseen sun casting a light on the mountains so the white tops shone out to give a most stunning view. I do so love this place Amongst the sounds of feet on the road and the sounds of people breathing I felt myself carried along by this tide of humanity, t-shirts depicting the many different causes close to people's hearts. On past the gothic towers of Plas Rhianfa with the smoke breathing dragon and onto the home stretch. The jingling of those little blue cow bells was getting louder as was the cheering, searching for familiar faces in the crowd and an overwhelming feeling crossing the finish line. Yes! So, so totally on a high!
Unofficial chip time is 2:02:20 so way better than I had expected. Plus I got a 10K PB of 56:44. Still grinning, still amazed and finding it hard to believe.
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hilbean
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Oh wow, I love your post. I was with you all the way in my mind. What a beautiful run. And a medal! Very nice. I do 5k in 38 or 39 minutes so how amazing to me is your PB of 56.44 for 10k.
I can't quite believe any of it! I really never expected to be carried along by the tide like that. I suspect going back to my normal runs won't be anything like that fast lol
Thank you!
Awww absolutely brilliant hail , so pleased for you , a great run and a superb time plus a 10k on . Outstanding day I would say
I just passed by Healthunlocked to find inspiration to restart the C25K and yours was the first post I saw! You have obviously been sprouting wings of your own during my skive/absence - what a post! What a result! How inspired am I? Enough to get those blimmin running shoes back on. Thanks H.
Yoo Hoo Useit! Wuzzn't my fault, someone undid the wing nuts on the wheels. OK, it was my fault and I might have been negligent vis-a-vis the wing nuts, but they are tightened back up now.
Aw Slookie! How did that happen? You were one of my inspirations when I started out on the programme in the first place! Deffo get those shoes back on girl!
Fantastic Hilary and great post as usual. You have every right to feel pleased with yourself that's a great achievement, is a marathon within your sights now? Nice piece of bling you have there. Hope your legs are not giving any problems today, well done!
Thanks Frank! Legs have been absolutely fine today. Woke up with a sore throat though But I've still been wandering round with a stupid grin and a dazed look on my face I suspect!
You look so happy! What a wonderful picture Massive congratulations again, Hilary. You legend! xx
Wow hilbean! Just wow! That sounds a gorgeous run and what a time too! You must be chuffed to bits with that. Beautiful photo and I love that top. Go girl!
Wow hilbean!what a great time for your 1st HM! Just brilliant and so glad you enjoyed it!that finish line in sight is quite something isn't it! Very well done and great run report 😊
Thanks Tomas. I have you to thank for that too as I took on a lot of advice that you have offered on this forum and it really helped me plan my training.
Many Congratulations to you, what a fantastic achievement ! You describe it all so wonderfully, I could feel myself saying " Come on Hilly ! You can do it , Come on !! " whilst I was reading it .Ha ha !
Lovely photo and get a load of that bling !
Well done , you are amazing and an inspiration to us all ! xxx
Finally managed to track this post down. Many many congratulations Hil, this really was a superb run, you must be delighted. It's a beautiful photograph too- definitely one for the mantle piece. Well done
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But soon all was left behind and the shuffle turned into a jog as we set off over the bridge. The air was cool and the sky full of grey cloud but it was the most perfect day for running. The start was slow and there were so many people running together that there was very little room for manoeuver down the narrow streets at the start. Once out onto the open road things became a little more relaxed and off we headed to Beaumaris. There was a clear view across the straits to the snow capped mountains and I was so pleased that all those people who had traveled miles to come here could at least see how beautiful it is here today. For a short while I ran alongside a lovely lady from the Wirral while we had a bit of a natter. Such a pleasant diversion. For me this was a perfect opportunity to run along this route as it's certainly quite treacherous when there are cars on the road so although I know it so well it was lovely to be able to run it without the need to flatten myself against a wall or zig zag across the road for the sake of visibility (only done twice on a quiet Sunday morning!).
Amongst the sounds of feet on the road and the sounds of people breathing I felt myself carried along by this tide of humanity, t-shirts depicting the many different causes close to people's hearts. On past the gothic towers of Plas Rhianfa with the smoke breathing dragon and onto the home stretch. The jingling of those little blue cow bells was getting louder as was the cheering, searching for familiar faces in the crowd and an overwhelming feeling crossing the finish line. Yes! So, so totally on a high!
Have fun 
But I've still been wandering round with a stupid grin and a dazed look on my face I suspect! 
Race Report: Forfar 10k Road Race
first ever race report
Race Report
Gary's HM report.
