What ho gang! Thank you so much for your support and good wishes, I made it! π
It was wet, windy and cold, I'd been watching the weather reports with a sinking heart, we were going to get wet, and early on too, with cold gusty winds as well - oh deep joy and rapture...
Me and OH used the park and ride to get into town, very efficient, so efficient we were at the venue quite early, dry, but with a cold wind.....π¬...not too bad, but then it started to rain......we were shivering and cold trying to put off using the bag drop until the very, very last moment. We did have some plastic rain capes, which actually turned out to be very useful.
Pic top right is us waiting in the cold windy field......, then call to pens.....whilst waiting I took the middle pic on the right.....and off we went......
Kept my rain cape on, didn't fancy being overly soggy too early.....took it easy, kept thinking of AndyD 's post re tortoise and hare.....it wasn't as packed as I thought and I moved easily along (they did two starts) , then on the lookout for Curlygurly2 , who was marshalling near mile 3, at Kings Parade, in the city, hurray! Found her and had a lovely bear hug before carrying on.....
Due to the gusty wind the rain cape started to act a bit like a sail, plus I'd warmed up a bit and my toes had actually thawed out, so at mile 5 abandoned said cape and had a loo break......took a few minutes as there was a queue...just a little one....
Then off through the lovely village of Granchester for miles 6 - 9 , yes of the TV fame...a really good band was in the village which was playing (lucky me) a tune I really like, so that put a spring in my step π
Then back in towards town, along the historic 'backs', and through the colleges for mile 10, then back on part of the 'out' route, and there I was a mile from the end.....got a bit emotional here, this is the furthest I have ever run.......but soon found you can't cry, breathe and run at the same time π, so pulled myself up and just kept rocking along...and then there it was.......the finish......all that training, all that effort, the cold, the biting wind and rain, all forgotten.......it's over, I did it!
Top left photo is me walking down to collect medal and goodies.........
From trying to huddle from the cold and wind and waiting around before the start, my neck and shoulders are really sore, in fact my legs are fine in comparison.....π It's easing a bit after a nice hot bath, but I had trouble reaching the kitchen wall cupboards without shrugging my shoulders π
I really enjoyed it, the support all the way round was great, plus the surroundings are pretty nice too...........would I do it again? Even though we froze, got wet and got battered by gusty cold winds? Absolutely yes!
If I can do it, anyone can, but you must, must, must do the training.
Thank you to you all on here, I hope you enjoyed it, I did take you with me you know....π€
Mx
P.s. Please can I have that half marathon badge?
P.p.s - forgot to mention my time π 2hours 39...... very happy with that.... π
Written by
Madge50
Marathon
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50 Replies
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What a fab report and great photos too! So glad it went well despite the horrible weather. I shall be inspired by your achievement when I do my first event. Well done!
And then you'll be hooked! Even more so than doing C25K, it seems 'runners' are a really happy bunch......as long as they are in or about to, or just finished π a run........it's a great atmosphere to be in......you'll love it....π€
Lovely report, Madge! The weather has been like that here as well, and I was freezing when I went out for my Sunday run. I am glad you enjoyed it and am now looking even more forward to my first HM in three weeks.
Brilliant, Madge. I used to live in Cambridge so I can visualize some of the route. Over 30 years ago, so it's probably changed a lot, but it's still nice to hear familiar place names!
You trained so hard and it paid off. A great time for a HM, I am in awe. Well done and lovely piccies!
Hi JaySee, it's probably just as you remember it, very little changes in the old part of the city......and having a variety of things to look at, and the support makes a big, big difference, I did find the training really hard......
πππ₯ππ Brilliant Madge - so pleased for you! What a fab report and tough conditions too by the sound of it - no wonder you are pleased with that time! I thought of you a couple of times today, wondering how it was all going! Like Ibsen, reading your run report just makes me feel even more excited for mine next week. Lovely photos too - I'd sleep in that if I were you!!π Rest up well now - you deserve it!πx
Thanks Sandra, I was going to do a mock up of the 'it's all over' emoji, wearing my medal lying down asleep! That aside, I do think there is something to be said for these bigger organised runs, there was plenty of entertainment, a steel band, a brass band, a highland piper, and the band in Grantchester, the marshals are great. For those of us who are more sedate it makes a big difference......π
Thanks Dunder, one of our local parkrun directors was there and kept saying........'it's perfect weather'.........l wasn't convinced.........at the start.....π
Great stuff Made! βΊWell done! I saw the photos earlier on and it looked very cold, wet and windy. I was out today and got soaked but I only did a short run, so hats off to you βΊ
Have a rest up, eat well this week as you need good grub to aid your recovery βΊ I hope you can sleep tonight
Thanks Jacs, that's really kind of you, not sure about being a 'real runner' but I like wobbling along, having a chat, doing a bit of sightseeing.....and where a town is concerned you can always consider a bit of shopping......π
Oh well done - and a great time. That top left picture says it all - tired happiness. Seeing Curlygurly2 must have been a boost along the way. Hope you have had a lovely warm bath and sleep well tonight.
Thanks ar, oh yes, we were discussing hot baths in the starting pen! π......seeing Curlygurly2 was lovely, there were also a few people from parkrun volunteering too which was nice.
Oh Madge, you did so well! Great write up, I enjoyed that! It was a bit nippy wasn't it? I'm so glad I picked you out of all those runners, it was great to see you!
Nippy?, blimey waiting about in that wind and rain was hard, we tried to do like the penguins and huddle together in the pen π, that wind was raw...π¬
At least you could run to keep warm, I stood still for 3 hours....ok, I had a jumper and a fleece lined hoodie, a raincoat and my new bloo jacket, but even so...why on earth did they want us there so early We had to be in position at 8.45....in case some runners started early or what?
Oh BTW we saved someones "running" life, a man was out running, towards Trumpington, we spotted his race number, and managed to stop him..
Jolly well done, and thanks for the great report - it sounds like a lovely race! I definitely empathise about the rain and the cold gusts of wind, brrrrrr, I wore a black bin bag to the starting line of my 10k
Thanks roseabi, we did the bin bag thing a while ago, bit tricky with arms....π...so I bought some very (very) cheap disposable plastic rain capes with hoods and sleeves, from the magic internet market place.......first outing for them, and actually worked very well.
brilliant race report, huge well done to you...... it sounds tough and wonderful all at the same time!!! Brilliant time and a gorgeous medal too... Well done
Thanks Ju-ju, (and for the fabulous badge π), once we were moving it was great......loved the atmosphere, in a strange way the weather made it better? More enthusiastic encouragement I think, or maybe that's just us strange lot........π
Massive congratulations Madge, that sounds like a proper tough run in the cold and wet. You did brilliantly and got some great bling. Loving the photos, they give a real flavour of the day. So three cheers for you for a job well done! πππ πππ πππ
Looking forward to finally meeting you and Curlygurly2 in a couple of weeks time
Thanks AM, I really enjoyed it - not the freezing bit before the start though....the atmosphere and support was great. I would certainly do it again.....π
Yep, looking forward to that 10k, that's going to be a little pootle about, having a natter.......I won't be in any hurry - not that I ever am....π
Shhhhhh.. I am hoping folk forget I said I would do it...
If davelinks had not put it out there for me and Mcfitty...but, I said on the forum that I would do it and I shall. I was in North Wales this weekend and am there next, so, it is the week after
I do, finally, feel as if I am almost back up to par, after all the Lurgy monster's efforts!
Floss! You do it when your ready! And if you want to do it! My post wasn't to push you and fitty into doing a Parkrun, that wasn't the intention, but to give some motivation! After all, you mentioned about doing one, guilt trip springs to mind here!π
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