Bournemouth HM - Race Report

[Ripcurlrana71]

Hello all

It’s been ages since I wrote on this forum but after my first half marathon seemed like the right time to do so. 😊

I followed the Garmin Coach HM plan throughout summer and loved the variety of the training. Initially my aim was to complete the HM in 2.30ish.

But oh how best laid plans can go out the window! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Was a very windy day on Sunday and it left a lot of the course exposed. I was doing fine till I hit 10k. The wind on the beach really affected me and with that it was hot!

I decided to run/walk the beach stretch and was doing fine. Then came the huge hill! I knew I was going to walk that anyway which really was tough.

At about 14k I got cramp in my calves so had to stop and stretch. I’ve never had cramp whilst training and couldn’t believe it hit me on race day! 😩

So that was it for continual running - I jeffed the rest of the race. I knew I wouldn’t hit my goal time. Accepted that and just tried to enjoy the rest. I did manage a sprint finish along the pier!

Reflecting back I may not have met my goal time but I completed a half marathon!! It’s a very long way. 😉

[Agelesslass Metric Marathon]

You did it, you’ve got the medal to prove it, well done 😀😀👍🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Agelesslass]

I did! Thank you. x

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Lovely photo and a great result! I certainly was windy down there on the beach💨😳 Still, we got through it finished!🙂💪 I haven’t signed up for next year yet, but it’s definitely on the cards.😊

I loved the atmosphere and all the support from the crowds. With hindsight I’d have run slower in the early stages but I’ve learnt that lesson now😀

Well done on a fantastic achievement! 🏃‍♀️🏅

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to David_G]

Thanks David. I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet up. it was a great atmosphere and fab support! Jury still out on doing another one. 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

It is a very long way, and you are amazing!!!!!! Well done xxx

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to roseabi]

Thank you! Xx

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

You did a great job, Alka, I am so proud of you. Despite the conditions and the very unfortunate cramp (what a bugger, turning up on race day 🤬), you finished, and that shows what a great runner you are. 😘 You’ve got grit! Congratulations on a massive achievement. 👏👏👏 And it was so nice that we were training around the same time, you were such a great support to me, so thank you.

Now, just enjoy running for running’s sake! I feel totally liberated! 😂

Sadie xxx

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Sadie-runs]

Awww thank you Sadie. It has been a fabulous summer training. Good to have yourself and our other Strava buddies all taking on the challenge of a HM! How far we have all come. 😘xx

[LoungeLizaard]

Great effort Alka - you should be super proud! x

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to LoungeLizaard]

Thanks Mitch. x

[BethMay Half Marathon 10 Miles]

It’s a great achievement Alka and, as you say, a very long way! Well done lovely VRB xxx

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to BethMay]

Thank you my VRB. 😘 xx

[paul1960 Marathon]

Well done got my first official half marathon on Sunday

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to paul1960]

Thanks and good luck!

[alisonx]

Well done! What a fantastic achievement, and however you did it you did it! 🥇🙌🏻🏃🏻‍♀️ Amazing!

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to alisonx]

Aww thank you! X

[backintime 10 Miles]

Congratulations - you did it!

That's what counts in my book - well done!

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to backintime]

Thanks! Yep that’s true. 😊

[Berksrover Half Marathon 10 Miles]

Was great to meet again on Sunday, and so pleased for you that you finished, it really is a long way. The wind really was a huge factor on those exposed beach fronts and on the piers. Like you am seriously debating whether I want to do this again, one thing is for sure a 10k now will seem like a short jog lol.

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Berksrover]

Ahhh my lovely running buddy. Was great to see you Sunday and share that experience. Of course you were a few miles ahead of me!

You’ll smash another HM for sure. Think I’ll do less mileage for winter. 😬xx

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

That's it! You got through it! So many things can affect a run on the day, you dealt with most of them. Well done! 👍🏻😁

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you Jo. X

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

It certainly is and you certainly did! Congratulations. Every run is different - all training does is teach us to struggle on to the end, but anything can happen on the day. Well done for persevering despite everything and giving it your all in the final leg. Fantastic achievement

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda. Yes you’re right about the training. No DNF for me! x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Ripcurlana, that’s a fantastic achievement no matter how you got there! How exciting that you did it, I bet you’re feeling on top of the world! 🏃‍♀️💪🎉🏅👏✅👍

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks - I really am now!! 😁x

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Whoohoo! Way to get it done Ripcurlrana71 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks! 😁

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Very well done. Impressive that you battled through the cramp to get to the finish. You should be very proud.

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thank you Stephen. 😊

[TailChaser Marathon]

Brilliant RCR! Well done you! 👏🏅👏 🏅👏 🏅👏

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to TailChaser]

Thank you!! X

[HoagyM Half Marathon]

Very well done my running twin, fantastic achievement, still can hardly believe how far we've all come - it really is a very long way isn't it!! I did my second HM on Sunday and, even for the second one, it was still very much a case of "just getting round" being the one and only objective!

Have to say, I found the training much more enjoyable for this second one, the long distances didn't seem quite so long, having done the HM distance before. So personally, yes I'd recommend doing it all again! In fact... earlier today I signed up for the Cardiff HM again next year

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to HoagyM]

Hey twin 🤖 . I’ve realised that HM’s are to be respected for the huge accomplishment they are. As for another one? Hmm jury is still out. 😬x

[Hidden]

Fantastic Alka, especially battling wind, hill and heat. Xx

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick. Yes the weather was against me. X

[Madge50 Marathon]

Love it, well done you 😎💪🏃‍♀️🏅👏

Mx

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Madge50]

Thanks Madge. x

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Well done Alka! You did fab! 😍

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Tasha99]

Ahhhh thank you Tasha. This running lark is full of ups and downs right? 😉 x

[Decker Ultramarathon]

You did indeed complete a half marathon! brilliant work and you managed a sprint finish too!

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Decker]

I did! Thank you. x

[Lordi Marathon]

You did it! Only 1% of the UK population will run a HM or marathon this year! Well done and welcome to the club.

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Lordi]

Oooh loving those stats! Thank you very much. 🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Brilliant Ripcurl, I know those hills and coastal winds. You are a star 💫

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you Dexy. x

[Rebounder]

What a great read and well done YOU! I’ve come over all emotional since reading your post Alka as I have my first half marathon in Birmingham this weekend - you’ve spurred me on as I’ve been having a lot of doubts about going through with it since my training has not been up to snuff. Since I signed up in June my step mother and mother in law have both died and it’s really thrown me off course. But reading your words this morning makes me think I CAN do it. Just going out now to do my last 3 miles before Sunday. Thanks for inspiring me x x

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to Rebounder]

I’m so sorry to hear about your losses. X Just do it your way. Run/walk whatever it takes to get you over the finish line.

Reflecting back I’ve realised what a huge accomplishment it is. I’m glad I’ve reassured you that you can do it! Good luck! Xx

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon]

Fantastic Alka! It is indeed a ridiculously long way - having done my second one on Sunday I'm pretty certain that it's a bit too far for me (about 7 miles too far 😂) but I still intend to do more!??!

Well done battling the conditions and getting round - super impressed with a sprint finish too xx

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to pianoteacher]

Ahh thank you!! I was hoping you’d say it feels shorter the next time! 😂 Well done to you doing a second one. Xx

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

To be fair I want every distance I ever run to be shorter than it actually is. When I do the 200m sprint relay at the track I've had enough after 50m 🤣

The distance is definitely easier to comprehend second time xx

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to pianoteacher]

This is very true! Xx

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Congratulations! 🍾🥂🏅🏃🏾‍♀️🤸‍♂️🏃🏾‍♀️🤸‍♂️🏃🏾‍♀️🤸‍♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊

[Ripcurlrana71 Half Marathon 10 Miles in reply to over61andstilltrying]

🙇🏻‍♀️ thank you! X