On Saturday I had a 10 hour flight back to the UK, getting back to my house just before 9pm. I ate lots, set my alarm for 5.30am and went to sleep.
Getting up to drive to Manchester in the morning I had messages from my sister (who's house I was parking at) saying I was crazy and I did kind of agree with her. Kept going, got to the run, it was a bit drizzly which is perfect I think and I had my jacket bought for the occasion which kept me warm until we started.
I started with the 2:15 group just behind the pacers, thinking that if I kept with the pacers I would achieve my target of just below that, which I did for mile 1. But then things started to feel good and by mile 3 I was ahead of both including the one that started quite a bit in front of me. Then something odd happened and I kept feeling good and let myself go a bit quicker. Half way round realising that 2:10 was possible and allowing myself to push for that. So my 10 minute miles became 9:45s, then 9:30s, then miles 10 and 11 were both 9:17. It started to get hard at mile 12, but by that point I had realised a 2:05 was within reach if I really pushed, so I really pushed. I did the last full mile in 9:02.
The crowds almost got in the way of my sprint finish (that may be a slight exaggeration), but I had the energy left to push for it. I did it in 2:04:50. When I run I have two targets, one I tell people (2:15 here) which I think is sensible. One that's in my head if everything goes to plan, but I won't be disappointed if I don't get (2:10). I honestly didn't think I had this speed in me, no idea where it came from. I want to say a huge thanks to Roseabi for the training plan and all of the Oct half marathon group who have kept me going when the training got tough more than you will know.
Now I get a bit put down sometimes by people posting that they did really slow runs (Snail emogis and all) and go at what is to me an unachievable fast pace. So I just want to share with the world, I can't believe how fast I was, I'm so happy
Yes I am writing this at 3am, wide awake! While jetlag may help my running, work today may be fun!!
Written by
R4inbow
Ultramarathon
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And I’ve got up in the middle of the night for a drink of water . I know I shouldn’t look at my phone but please let me be the first to congratulate you R4inbow. Sounds like a fantastic time to me.
Simply amazing R4ainbow! I’m glad you didn’t feel the need to use 🐌 emojis, because that was an incredible time and you should be super proud of yourself! It’s ok though, they’ll be used legitimately next weekend when I run the GSR! 😅🐌🏃♀️
I hope you managed to get some sleep in the end, but you totally understand why you were wide awake last night. All that jet lag, adrenaline and excitement! Fantastic. 🏅🎉
Wow that must've been a great feeling. I can imagine how noisy it was inside your head with all those calculations too! I can identify with the public and private targets as well 😀. Post longhaul flights I've found my first run suffers quite a bit, so sub 2 hours may well be in your sights when you're well rested and raring to go. Congratulations on a fantastic HM 👏👏👏🥇
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