Best laid plans to write during the week git away from me sorry. Here is my very delayed Cardiff HM report. Sorry also for all the exclamation marks!
It had been a grotty week weather wise with talk of a hurricane. But the day opened bright and clear. Up at 7 and peanut butter on toast and a fizz stick in my hot lemon, far too early I found out! Took my Imodium! Caught the bus into Cardiff with hubbie, son and his fiancé. Lots of people on the bus in sports gear and as we got nearer and nearer so many runners and friends.
Walked to the heaving start village, feeling very sick with nerves, wanted a coffee but not the consequences so restrained. Met my friend who at 79 was running her first HM as well, running with her daughter. I think I thought my son would start with me and then speed off but he stayed with me the whole way, but I digress.
Walked to our pen, we could hear the elites being named and they were off. Our 10.10 start was nearer 10.30 but we were off.
Gosh it was warm so glad I didn’t take any more clothes but wished I’d had some water at the start. It was very odd running with so many people and the crowds cheering you on were amazing.
Along the Penarth road we encountered big puddles and our first ambulance 😬. Smallish hill to first water station. Couldn’t believe the number of plastic bottles all over the floor, the lids were a real slip hazard. Running and drinking never goes well. Phil carried them bottle and I had little sips. Then up and out along the barrage. Nice sea breeze but I was beginning to feel not quite right. Very nauseated and lacking energy. We were at 5 miles!
Had about a mile of feeling rough, 20 second walk for a bit if water. Pace still on track, possibly a little quicker but seconds. Plodded on and at about 7 miles tried to eat some of my protein bar. But no saliva to swallow. Very bizarre!!
Between 8-9 miles met my husband and sons fiancée who had my water and fizz stick felt so much better.
Lots of people cheering, lots of kids with bowls of sweets. Did try a jelly baby but not my thing. Kept having to focus on the road on the heels ahead of me and then swerve round them if they stopped. Didn’t like seeing people looking poorly and the ambulances,as a retired nurse wanted to stop and help. But Phil said NO!!
Had a little walk about 10 miles up by the lake. Laughed at the signs that said ‘running better than the government’ and ‘ you think your legs ache my arms are killing me holding up this sign’. After 12 miles the ‘50p Uber from this spot!!’ By now my thighs felt like they weighed 10 tonnes each. Then suddenly you really know you are going to make it. Heard Hubbie yelling and could see the 13mile mark and we speeded up determined to get in under 3 hrs. The end was a bit of a blur, the end tempered by OMG that’s only half a marathon!
Learning: Long time at the beginning so need more energy and fluid at the beginning. Weather on the day can be very changeable, hot in October!! Need to carry a water pack just to keep my mouth moist. Protein bar doesn’t work without a bottle of water. Need to look at gels. Need motivation so either a buddy or something in my ears to keep me going and not giving up because actually my body is perfectly capable - as evidenced by no problems afterwards!
I cannot say I loved it BUT I’m just so delighted and a little shocked I did it. So 2 years C25K to the month HM. For a non runner who ‘hates’ running not bad! Now just have London 3 day’s before my 63rd Birthday and then Cardiff next year...hurry places are going fast xx
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