Passed the point of no return (but returned anyway), Garmin fankle and a Clydesdale horse.

[Cianalas]

I'm gearing up for my first HM in 3 weeks. Following advice on here I decided to try and run 11 miles yesterday, which is further than I've ever gone.

It was terrible! All my own fault. I tried out an unfamiliar route and got in a muddle with my Garmin half an hour into the run. I stopped and restarted it, but forgot to check how far I'd run before I stopped it.

Then inexplicably, when I was well beyond the point I'd guessed was half way round the loop, I decided to turn and run back the way I'd come. This meant running up a long, steep hill. If I'd only kept going, the incline would have been in easier stages. 🙄 I couldn't run it, so ended up walking for 5-10mins.

All this time I was distracted by trying to guesstimate the distance I'd run and how far I was from home ...determined to reach the eleven mile goal, but not go too far beyond it because I felt really tired, especially after the hill.

I did twelve miles in the end and, with the walking elements, was gone longer than expected. As I neared my house I saw my husband who was out looking for me. I'd forgotten to warn him I'd gone for an epic run instead of my usual ten km. 😬

Oh, and in the woods someone was riding a huge horse, which suddenly veered towards me and almost pinned me against a tree. "You're ok," the rider called down from her great height, "he just likes a cuddle." 😅

My husband poured me a lovely, hot bath but refused to rub my poor battered feet. My legs were sore last night, but are ok today.

I'm planning some nice, easy runs this week.

[Irish-John Marathon]

Epic!

Love this post - true grit, sense of humour and not sugar-coated

I can see the Marathon Runner in you CG

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

PS - horses don't like 'big eyes'. If you are approached by one, widen yours to the utmost, make "glasses" with your your fingers and thumbs and stare at them directly.

(Does not work against Mounted Police horsies though 😉)

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks for the tip Irish-John, I'll remember it for next time. 👀

Intrigued to know in which circumstances you learned that about the police horses?!

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Cianalas]

Erm- if you look very closely at my photo you will see an old hoof mark on my...

Lol. Just one of those "might come in handy one riot day" bits of info you pick up along the way 😂

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

PS - seriously though. THE FRONT of a horse is more worrisome than the back. A horse kicking you is not to be sneered at, but all the weight of a horse concentrated in it's FRONT hooves coming down on you is horrendous. I've seen people walk away from rear kicks, and thighs snapped like twigs by front jumps.

I literally always walk a ludicrous distance around horses, they can be unpredictability skittish.

That Rider you encountered was totally out of order - I'm guessing a "Lord of the Universe" personality

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

That's a scary thing Irish-John. I guess it pays to be cautious around big beasts. It's quite a horsey area and they're often ridden through the woods where I run. I'll be ready to dodge into the trees in case one looks frisky.

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

😂

[JaySeeSkinny Half Marathon]

I would have cuddled the horse.....

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

You wouldn't have had much choice. He was a lovely boy though!

[misswobble Marathon]

Oh darn it! It's the tech glitches that really get on our nerves and mess our heads up as well. We have to try and just crack on. It happens and is so madenning but we have to salvage the run and put it out of our mind and move on.

The horse thing was bloody scary! Hosses scare the shite out of me. I had a horse run down a hill at me once when I was on the ground trying to get a root of greater celandine (what a pillock) It bore down on me and skidded to a halt inches away from me. I thought I was dead. It bit me on the arm, the bastid! It wanted a polo apparently.

These things are sent to try us but come the big day all that pales into insignificance. You'll be glad of the training and thinking that if you've coped with technical failures, terrible weather, runaways hosses etc etc, then the half marathon itself will be a doddle.

Your husband sounds a diamond!

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Your horse story sounds terrifying misswobble. Hope there was no damage to your arm.

Good point about terrible runs being good experience. I really love how, on this forum, people always find the positive in the negative!

Yes, my husband is a keeper, he keeps telling me! 🙊

[C3PO Marathon]

Well done! My worst runs have usually had to do with tech, so I sympathize. Despite the terrible conditions, at least you're that much closer to HM distance and won't have to run that much further next week.

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to C3PO]

Thank you C3PO. Yes I'm nearly done with the long runs down now. 😅

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

Well done - the technology can drive you mad, had a similar problem myself of late. At least you know you are well prepared and hope the legs feel better

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to ancientrunner]

Thank you ancientrunner. I hope your running tech is behaving now!

[Hidden]

Wow that was an epic run! I think that whatever your hm throws at you, you will get round it! Enjoy your shorter runs as you head to tapering.

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks runfasterdoyle. I'm feeling a wee bit more confident that I'll get to the finish line. I'm looking to tapering!

[Decker Ultramarathon]

One long hard run you got through there! Well done! Scary moment there too with the large horse. Beautiful animals but crushingly large. You are well prepped for the unexpected on your HM.

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. Yes, he was a beautiful boy, but I'm not used to horses. Wasn't sure what he planned to do!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Oh my god - horse cuddles! That's a first Pretty darn scary though.

Jolly well done, you certainly have the grit and determination required for the half marathon! Walking up hills is fine, well I do it anyway

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks you roseabi. Yes the horse cuddle was unexpected! I did wonder if people run the whole HM...I'm going to look at the course route and see how steep the hills are before the day.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cianalas]

Plenty of people walk part of their half marathons

[Anniemurph Half Marathon]

Bad horse rider. When I had horses I was always very careful around people on the ground because I know how intimidating they can be, and also when people aren't used to them they can make sudden movements that can scare the horse (they're not terribly clever animals, really!). Glad you survived your epic run - well done!

[Cianalas Half Marathon in reply to Anniemurph]

Hi Anniemurph...I did think the rider could have checked that I was comfortable before letting the horse approach me. I was fine about it when I realised he was being friendly, but you're right, not everyone would be relaxed with it.

Thanks for the kind words!