Half Marathon. Done Free Style.

[mrrun]

My HM solo run attempt has been scheduled for Sunday 6 May. I spent many a lovely winter morning/day/evening tweaking all that needed to be tweaked in order to complete the run fit and injury free. I trimmed myself down to 158lbs against my 6 foot height, dropping 13lbs in process. All that was left were bones, muscle and skin. Drop more and l levitate rather than run.

Main targets: get there under 2.5hrs, pace it on average 6.15-6.30min per km, and - no stopping/walking breaks! If that happens, the deal's off and l would then have to go through it again. (I know, l know....)

Yesterday was my final long dress rehearsal with full orchestra and a senior conductor, aka 16k run. I had that distance before and was used to it so when l set off all felt right. Light breeze, 9C, l was rested, dinner full of carbs and protein, good breakfast hours ago, stretched and hydrated to the brim.

Started off in Battersea park, crossed Chelsea Bridge, cut through Sloane Sq then Knightsbridge, over to Hyde Park where l picked up the vibes while crossing the site of the '69 Stones gig (those who miss to do that, I'm sorry but l cannot take you seriously). At 8K I fully settled down in my rhythm and knew l got it then rather than having to wait for another week.

Green park, Buckingham palace (the front where Sex Pistols signed the deal that gave us Never Mind......), then The Mall and The Parliament at 16K, that was it, all was happening like a premature delivery of a baby half marathon. Forget the dress rehearsal, that's the actual gig, man, I'm not coming back next week!

The familiar straight along the river and seeing Battersea Power Station (Pink Floyd 'Animals') on the left, l was home free so when back in Battersea Patk and hitting the HM mark l was ready to hug strangers and accepts their candies.

This feels incredibly good and soul gratifying. I got through the training without troubling pains or fatigue, only had a small energy bar and some water towards the end of the run although wasn't sure if l really needed either. The posts and the information/knowledge on this forum helped me put all my voodoo together and nail it. Many thanks to all of you, you mighty gurus!

Now feeling a bit sore, I'll take a few days off then go back to the drawing board and do it all over again. I mean, what else could l do?!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I like this very much - well done!!

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

One of those things in life that you often classify as impossible. Then you simply go and do it.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to mrrun]

Would you like a badge?

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

The shiny one? Yes, please!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to mrrun]

There you go!

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Good times!

[Millsie-J]

Fantastic run and a great post!

All you need now is your badge 🏅

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Millsie-J]

Ha, thank you! I literary enjoyed myself. The body felt at ease, the mind then just followed. i will remember that run!

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done. You are proof that training plans are not set in stone.

You went for it; not when your plan said you should, but when your body said you could.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thank you, mate. One of those where you listen to the body and when everything just clicks together. Wish life was like that.....

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Yes!!! Well done mrrun! I like how you achieved it and some day may follow in your footsteps.

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Many thanks!

That's what I followed, except I jumped the last week

halhigdon.com/training/5113...

Good like with your runs, it isn't that difficult after all, the end result is what counts!

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

Thanks for the link. When I was reaching for my HM this winter I didn't have a plan and, well, weather and Mother Nature got the best of me. I'm focussing on a faster 10k in prep for my 10k trail race this fall, but have saved the link. I know I'll try for the HM again at some point and perhaps this is the plan to make it happen.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Yeah, winter was shocking at times. I had no choice, had to be done then as I wanted to run before it gets too warm (haha, I know..). Of course, I could have done it inside in the gym but, noo, that falls within my set of rules (no stopping, no walking, no gym, no treadmill, no logic, lol).

The program I found easy (well, it's all relative) and helpful, kindly recommended by Tomas .

[AnnieW55]

Congratulations. Brilliant run (amazing course you arranged), great report. Got my sunnies on - that badge is sooo shiny! 😄

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to AnnieW55]

Thank you! That was my route B. Route A was meant to reach St Paul's then pop over the river to Tate Modern and then South Bank all along but the crowds around the Parliament were everywhere, I couldn't cross the road so simply turned back, there and then.

[AnnieW55 in reply to mrrun]

Hurrah for Plan B, well any plan that works really 😄. Congrats again.

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

Well done that man! I am well impressed, and so pleased it was also a happy experience to boot. All your hard work and planning paid off. And love the route. London is a fantastic city to run in, what with all the royal parks and suchlike.

Enjoy a well earned rest for those noble legs.

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

I thank you, Sadie

The reason I picked that route rather than run in sarf London and get mowed down by a white van, and again by a courier biker, was because I was going to be on my own and needed something to stimulate me. Had no idea how the distance would affect the run. AND, I decided to run without music, wanted to be fully aware of the surroundings. Also, a section of Hyde Park from Albert Memorial to the Barracks was closed for all traffic so was able to run alone in the middle of the road. Priceless

As for my rest? I took the shower and went to the pub. To relax.

[Hidden]

Wow.... your route definitely required good duds..

Enjoy that rest

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

I looked like a pin up.

The route was great, actually. Apart from inevitable overcrowding around the Abbey and the Parliament, I picked the paths where there would barely be anyone, including Hyde park. That run will stay with me.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Brilliant! Well done you🙂👍Have you thought about entering an event and getting yourself a piece of bling for your troubles (or maybe you are not a big event person)? There's loads of half marathons around at this time of year. When I trained for the Bath Half last year I ran the distance twice in training - really helped my confidence and I ran a PB on the day. Just a thought...!🙂

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Hey, thank you, Sandra!

As much as l like crowds, socialising and associated interactions, my professional life tends to turn my head for a complete opposite. Hence solo running.

Running gives me an opportunity of solitude and health benefits, hand in hand.

I'll never say I will never run an event, but for the time, at least, I try and avoid two loud, busy environments, one being my job and another group running event. I need a contrast and currently the arrangement works fine altogether.

We shall see what happens next

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Fantastic result! well done, great running

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Many thanks! The fun part is, what could have been a challenging run turned out to be a much easier and very enjoyable day out. Large chunk of what decides the outcome is in our heads and somewhere/somehow during the process od training and running those bits simply sat together nicely. I'm grateful for that!

[Irish-John Marathon]

Great Run, Great Runner

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Thank you, John, but it's 'Great Run, Grateful Runner'! A day when great fun happened, not entirely planned. And my knees didn't even object once, lol. Hope your plans are looking up too!

All the best!

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Well done!! You did it! Great run my friend. Now I want go go listen to some Pink Floyd for some reason...

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

Haha, oh yes! I do tend to run where places are marked with Rock history, hence that particular route. It certainly helped me at many stages during the winter when at times l thought wdf am l doing to myself.

Towards the end of the program when the runs got frequent and longer l listened to Canada's finest, The Band's The Last Waltz.

Enjoy the Floyd and your big Sunday, buddy!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to mrrun]

Good inspiration, those musical landmarks. Love The Band!

[C3PO Marathon]

Congratulations on your HM!

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Thanks so much! The target was long in the making, now l will train some more, get used to it and see if l can increase the distance.

Best!

[misswobble Marathon]

👍 well done man! 💪😃. (Said in a Jaggeresque voice )

[misswobble Marathon]

Oh I forgot to say, love the badge!

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Far out (replied in a Keithesque drawl, hardly believing he's still around)..............

[misswobble Marathon]

Ah but he is! Too tough to die

I was looking for Nadine to download the other day and came upon a live version on YouTube with none other than Chuck and Keith 😃. Far out indeed. I was fortunate enough to see Chuck live but have never seen the Stones. Can’t flippin afford it! My neice is off to see them soon up in Edinburgh.

I liked your musical references as you ran round your chosen route. I’ll have to do the same around the sewage works, the tanning factory and pit tip. It’s grim oop,t’north 😎

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Yours sound like a proper blues circuit run All you need on top is wind and rain. Oh, hang on..

Missed Chuck but have seen the Stones quite a few times, here and abroad, even with Bill. Mind you, that was while people were still selling records and the tickets were very, very affordable.

Mr Ry Cooder is playing at Cadogan Hall in October, the gig sold out in minutes, before I even knew. They went for £55 (very decent), only to be re-sold through secondary sellers where they go 'from' £330.............................................

[lardofale Half Marathon]

Great stuff, love the sight seeing commentary and the rock refs, pictured those in my head and hummed a few tunes whilst reading! Good work old chap!

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Many thanks, sir! Indeed, running through those sites keeps you alert and in the zone (if being on the spot where Sid Vicious signed the deal is your kind of zone). The tourists though, oblivious as ever, were happily taking pictures of the poor Palace guards and their massive headgear.