Inverness Half Marathon

[Alissum]

Summed up in one word

Brutal 🤪

This is my best attempt at a race report because most of the run I was blocking out the pain of it all 🤣. I do remember thinking at one point that Bear Grylls would be proud of me 😁.

For weeks and up until Wednesday last week I had decided I wouldn’t be running, too old, too slow, knees won’t make it. Thursday I started carb loading 😂.

On the way to Inverness we kept seeing snow covered cars coming towards us, not a good start. Inverness was snow free but the mountains in the distance were spectacular.

Fast forward to the start line. Very windy, sleet, snow, hail showers, torrential rain. This weather carried on all day. By 5km I was soaked to my skin despite layers and waterproofing. My feet were squelching in my shoes. By 10km I had zoned out, shared my jelly babies with some fellow runners, and listened to a couple running right behind me having a domestic about a new kitchen 😵😂 . Around 16km it got really tough for me. The cold and wet triggered my Arthritis in my knees and the run began to get painful. Around 5km to go I overheard a teenage male spectator say to his mate that he was going to take up running as some of the girl runners were fit, made me smile 😂. The last couple of km’s I had to walk/ limp/ run. The finish line was in a sports stadium. We had to cross a road, which was marshalled but then run along a pavement which was busy with pedestrians leaving the stadium, chaos as the runners couldn’t get passed. Then in through the back door 🤣 to the stadium and over the finish line 😁

I thanked every single one of the marshalls I passed, and the young people handing out the water. All were soaking and had to be out in the awful weather for hours.

Thanks to roseabi for your training plan.

Thanks to everyone on here for the good wishes for my run.

Thanks to everyone on Strava for their kudos and comments.

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

P.s. haven’t slept for over 30 hours, since 5am on Sunday morning actually as I was waiting for my first Grandchild to be born 😁 He arrived at 6am this morning 🥰. I went to work for a few hours and now I’m back home waiting to go and see him 😁

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Thats sounds like one tough event. However, its seems you were more than equal to the task. Congratulations on the birth of you Grandson. I'm sure when he grows up he will be amazed to hear all your running exploits!

[Alissum Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

I’m already researching running buggies 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Oh my gosh! Congratulations, Grandma!!!!! 💗💗💗

But equally... FABULOUS!!!!!!!! Well done, you are amazing!!!!!!!!!

Fab report too, sounds like an awful but great sort of a day. It's so funny what people will talk about in the middle of racing, never ceases to amaze me 😊

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon]

Congratulations on the birth of your grandson ❤️

Great race report! Sounds really tough 😳 Love the bit about the couple having a domestic - not sure I could summon the energy for that! My boyfriend's always joking that running's the only thing that can stop me talking 😂

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

You made it! Hooray! Brilliant running and squelching 😄 And congratulations on acquiring a real life baby to replace the jelly ones 😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh wow. I think you're a hero for a. showing up, b. keeping going and c. finishing. I can only imagine your emotional roller coaster over the last few days. But what a wonderful reward. Congratulations on the race and on the birth of your grandson. Lovely ❤

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Wow! What a tough race but you’re one tough gramma who powered through and got it done! Great job. Enjoy the new Grandbaby!

[Windoze Half Marathon]

Great stuff! Congratulations on the birth of your Grandson! Wonderfull 🤗🤗🤗

[Anniemurph Half Marathon]

That sounds so tough - but you are even tougher for completing! Very well done

And congratulations on the birth of your grandson!

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

I thought my 10k was bad - your HM was indeed BRUTAL. Amazing report, so lovely to read and a huge well done from me.