Running for waffles - St. Hansgaloppen

[C3PO]

This race is a 14.5K held at 9pm on the Friday closest to Midsummer's Eve, and yesterday hubby and I ran it for the third time.

It circles a major lake in northern Oslo. It's fairly undulating, but manageable. As you know, I'd been unwell for over a week, and was at about 90% yesterday. Hubby was unwell on Thursday.

It was about 11 degrees, and the dark clouds turned into light rain, then heavy rain when we hit half way, before clearing up. I was really glad that I had decided to run in trail shoes. The last 3km were the darkest we've experienced during this race. I tried not to push myself too hard, and enjoyed seeing a horse nursing her foal and deer in a field. I was less pleased about the lethargic frogs that I had to jump over.

The marshals cheered really enthusiastically, which was much appreciated, as we knew we were the last two runners.

We finished 6 minutes slower than last year, which I was quite happy with, considering our health. I felt I handled the hills better than last year. Two years ago, I had lots of pain in my feet for the last 4K, but no such problems this year. My lungs were clearly still on the mend.

The best part is that you get all the free waffles you can eat after the race, and they served up plenty once we arrived.

It's nice to see that my basic running form is good enough now for me to complete such a distance even when I don't feel very fit.

[Tomas Marathon]

What a wonderful way to celebrate Sankt Hans. Well done for getting through like you did after the illness. Clearly the lure of the waffles worked their magic

[ju-ju- Marathon]

How fabulous!! Huge well done to you both and great pics too, thanks for sharing 😎 Mmmmmm waffles 😻

[JaySeeSkinny Half Marathon]

Lovely write-up, great run and great pictures. I think it's brilliant you have the confidence to come last and still really enjoy yourself. That, for me, is the sign of a real runner.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Sounds so lovely, and jolly well done!!!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done! that sounds like a fun race! waffles look good!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done - wish I could run 14k when I don't feel very fit! Waffles are a good incentive though!🙂

[runningnearbeirut]

I've not yet managed to run 14km when in peak fitness (for me, haha), so very well done for getting round. And well done for being very restrained on the waffle consumption afterwards!

[Eatcakeandrun Marathon]

Congratulations, I think you are both amazing to run that far when not feeling too great, and in rain! But I guess the waffles made up for it!

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon]

Well done! I want to do a race with free waffles! What an incentive.