What is there left to say about a first (and last) HM, I wonder? Too much probably - long post warning :-(

[UpTheStanley]

You'll already have seen the reports from cheekychipmunks and Dexy5 on their achievements today, and Dexy's report very adequately covers the first 10 miles of my run too. And I normally confine my efforts to the B210K forum, as I have no intention of ever running a competitive half or full marathon. But to back up a claim for virtual bling , I suppose I'd better burst into composition mode here …..

Through the spring and summer I've been using the Quest on B210K to push me on to running ever-increasing distances as one arm of my preparation for the Great South Run next month (I just want it to seem short ). I've been going 2k further each month and August saw me get to 20, so with one month to go I thought the HM distance would be an appropriate final target. Tactics for these "long slow" monthly runs have been for me to be paced by Dexy for as far as she feels like running on the day, then carry on solo for the rest of the way. She is also doing the GSR and increasing her range steadily - today was her dress rehearsal over the full distance.

And she did it , with just a bit of Jeffing, during which periods I carried on jogging, weaving weird oval patterns around her moving datum. So by the time she completed her 16.1, I had clocked up something like 16.6 in 2h 13m and had less than a parkrun to go. So I summoned up what was left in the tank and managed some pleasing negative splits from k17 (6'52") to k21 (5'27"). And seeing Dexy already established in the pavement café, the extra 200m (200 to be sure, to be sure) in 57 secs just to show off, followed by an inability to speak for several minutes, to the bemusement and amusement of the tourist couple who had joined her at her table.

So, the distance is done . And I have to say I still have no intention of doing one of these competitively …….

Onwards and upwards!!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Great stuff, congratulations!!!!! Have a badge 😊😊😊

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Wow, such service!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

A little bit of coincidence is afoot this time, but we aim to please! 😄

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Oh wow!!! That is fabulous...Huge Well done...and Dexy too for keeping you nicely paced😉xx

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you …. and we're hoping to see you on Saturday at Wilmslow

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Are you meeting up with lexi6 ? Serious FOMO!

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

That’s the plan - staying with friends, running Wilmslow 🏃‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️and watching Stanley ⚽️🙏🙄

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Sounds perfect 👌 Hope they do better than they did against the Imps last month 😂

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Hah!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

😂🤣😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

😈

[backintime 10 Miles]

Amazing !!

Are you sure you'll never do it again ?

Congrats on that badge !

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to backintime]

Thank you!

Yes, yes, yes!

Thank you!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Deffo? 😁

Go on, you know you want to 😎

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

No, no, no!!!

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

An amazing achievement. Huge well done to you!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Brilliant UTS....the "togetherness " with Dexy5 and Cheeky adds another dimension to your amazing run. Fish and chips with beer; a feast fit for fine athletes....drink deep and long 😊🍺🍺🍺🍺

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Brilliant, well done our Stanley! 👏👏🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️💥⚡️That badge suits you 🏆 How on earth you managed to run so fast for those last few km goodness only knows. GSR will be a doddle for you. You will wait for us at the end won’t you? 😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done. I couldn’t believe you finished so quickly after me. Practically parkrun speed.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Loooove your badge Dexy! 😍😍😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Me too cheeky 😍

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Well done, you made it 💪🏻😁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Awesome UTS! We blooming well did it! Yessss!! 😅 I did the same with adding a bit on the end (0.1k). Imagine coming up a bit short after all that way! 😩

I am running the Bath Half with Irishprincess in March - lovely and cool (or even 🥶) in March, but there is no way I’m going to run a marathon! Sounds like you won’t be either!

Well done UTS, brilliant run today! 🏃‍♂️👊

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

The extra 100m took me to the cafe🍮, but I’d always intended to take out some insurance against Garmin incidents 😀

A good day for all of us, methinks 👍

[LoungeLizaard]

Well done to you both 💪💪👍 sounds like a good day had by all!

[uncle_wiggy Half Marathon 10 Miles]

Nice one Stanley although with neg splits like those I wouldn't bit the slightest bit surprised if we see more of these yet!?? 🤔🤣👍👍

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to uncle_wiggy]

I would …...

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Great achievement UTS - you'll certainly have some 'in the tank' for GSR!👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sounds like a fabulous run. An organised HM is such fun though .... 😂

[TailChaser Marathon]

Brilliant UTS! Fab post and lovely badge! (And relieved to see I haven’t outed Dexy5 with mentioning GSR!! 😳😁) 👏👏👏

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Many congratulations and well done Stanley 🎉🎈🍾💪 Brilliant stuff.

How you had the energy to do those speeds at the end I have no idea. But I’m giggling at the image of you huffing and puffing in front of the tourists. You know it’s situations like this that give runners a bad name? 🙄🙂

Can’t wait to see your time at the GSR!

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

The speed at the end is all down to the magic pacer who reins me in early on. Otherwise I'd never make the distance at all , never mind finishing with a bit of a flourish!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Fantastic effort all round! I have no plans whatsoever to run that far! Well done to you and Dexy! 👏👏👏👏

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

Oh well done UTS! 👏👏👏 Brilliantly done, it is definitely a landmark distance. You should be very proud of your achievement. 👍

To be honest, I found the distance 16km+ in training incredibly hard and laborious, but much easier in race conditions because of the many distractions and excitement - so never say never!

Sadie-runs xx

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Sadie-runs]

I'm still saying never …. once was enough

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done mate. I have no intention of ever doing one of these competitively either - I do like to take part in an event or two though.

The thought of running a HM off the bat alone just for the sake of it, I'm not sure I could do. So credit to you for achieving this. Personally I need to have the investment in an organised event to focus my training - otherwise there would be too much temptation to just not. Congratulations!!

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thanks - though I wasn't alone, as I had Dexy5 with me for the first 10 miles, and it was the climax of a semi-planned build up to the Great South next month - but having ticked the box, I don't see me putting myself through it again. I think after October I'll be sticking to 10k as my max distance .

[Whatsapp Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Credit to you both! When I say alone I meant without a planned run event.

I will be a GSR too. It does take a lot of time and focus to build up for these longer runs. Over the summer and until recently I have been doing no more than 10ks and I forgot how much more tired I feel on a Sunday after getting up and doing these longer runs.

That said, it does get easier. All the best with the GSR next month

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Yes, I’ve been working up very gently for about 6 months now

[alisonx]

Wow well done UTS (Dexy5 & cheeky) you are totally awesome! 🐱‍🚀🙌🏆 love the badge too 🤩

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Never say never 😉. As I crossed the finish line of my 20k race my first words out of my mouth were never again, but I'm already thinking of when I should run it again (but am going to stick to my guns and not compete next year). Congrats on your great achievement and a crazy fast finish, you speed demon you!

[Katnap Marathon]

Congrats... I think 😁👏👏👏

Enjoy the Indian Summer

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Awesome! twice UTS 👍👍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Well done to you sir! You have a way of making it all sound so easy!!! Many congratulations!🍾🥂🏅👏🏻😊🎉👍🌟 💥⚡️ 🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️The energy you still have at the end of your run is amazing! Any secrets to pass on?

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Run the first 10 miles with a Dexy 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃‍♂️👍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Lol!🤣 Not that easy as I'm in Derbyshire! Currently running 10 miles with anyone is not a realistic proposition. The badge looks good, so may be one day ... 😊