Well, what a day, I don't really know where to begin!
For the beginning of the race I just took all the atmosphere in and just really enjoyed it! Not far in, I was running down a slight slope and I was just amazed by the sea of color that I could see for ages down this really long straight road! I remember going, wow look at that, and another runner next to me said the exact same thing straight after! It was very beautiful and amazing! So I kept on running and the first 10K of the race went so quickly, I suppose that was just adrenaline and taking in everything that was around me!
The second half of the race was when everything started to hurt a bit more and the further I got, the more pain my legs, feet and hips were in but I soldiered on giving myself little pep talks along the way! I even got a blister about three quarters through too which was steadily getting more painful! I was getting slower and slower and was definitely grimacing through the pain for the last few miles! But I didn't stop, no matter what! The crowd support for the whole race was amazing and really spurred me on and definitely gave me an extra boost when I needed it!
The last few miles were really painful and tough! As I swung round the corner passing the bridge by the bus station, I saw two runners that I knew who were running for the same charity as me on the side line (they had already finished but were waiting to see me come round), and they ran alongside me for the last mile! As soon as I saw them, I had a real kick of adrenaline and felt my pain drop significantly (it's amazing how adrenaline and endorphins act as a natural painkiller!)! I went from a probably 9 min per kilometre to a 6.7 per kilometre (so said the Nike tracking app) so I really upped my pace for the final stretch! Although it was hard and I really didn't know how much longer I could keep that pace going, the two runners encouraged me all the way, giving me tips and telling me that I was nearly there! I couldn't believe that I was going so fast despite being in so much pain five minutes before, I had no idea that I still had that in me! The runners peeled off as I turned into Great Pultney Street towards the finish line, but I could still hear them shouting, screaming and encouraging me to keep on going which really helped! For the last few metres I gave it all I got and all I had left, went right up against my red line in terms of effort and finally the moment I had been waiting for for months came, I crossed that finish line!
Now I should have just kept on walking straight after crossing the finish line but I just stopped dead because I really had to catch my breath from that really hard effort. I immediately felt a bit light-headed and dizzy because my blood pressure and heart rate obviously dropped following my sudden stop. I knelt down on one knee and almost sat on the floor but a medical marshal told me to get up and lean against the railings. So I did, fighting to get my breath back while the two medical marshals kept an eye on me to see if I was alright. I gradually got my breath back and didn't feel dizzy anymore, so then I shuffled over to the runner's village where I was greeted by the two runners who ran with me for the final mile and they told me that I ran the race in 02:57:00 on the nose! I couldn't believe it and was so happy! I still am! I went into this race with a goal of just running the whole thing without stopping (which I managed to do!) and maybe push for a sub-3 hour half marathon if I could but wouldn't be too disappointed it I didn't. I couldn't have done it under three hours without those two runners pushing me on at the end, they were amazing!
I am in a bit of pain and feeling sore now so I am resting on the sofa now with my medal round my neck and finisher's T-shirt on and I am still grinning and buzzing! But for some reason, I really do not feel hungry and don't fancy anything to eat. Apparently this is normal and I've experience this once before, but it may be a good idea to eat a little something. I was planning of having some pasta and chicken but I might just have a pitta bread or something because I really don't fancy eating a lot to be honest...
This whole thing, the HM training and the actual race itself and so on, has been one hell of a journey and adventure for me and I can't believe I finally did it! I also had to overcome a lot of obstacles like a sudden hospital visit, personal uncertainty and of course the whole uncertainty that the virus has caused during race week! But I endured through all of it (it was not easy) and now today I ran, conquered the distance and was victorious! Every pain-filled step I took today was totally worth it, now that I am on the other side! The race is a great analogy for other areas of my life - keep on pushing forward even when it feels uncomfortable, even when it is painful, in the hope that things do get better and greater things are yet to come. For me, this is the meaning of endurance. This is why I run.
Written by
Redcello41
Half Marathon
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A huge CONGRATULATIONS to you Redcello41, I have been waiting for your report of your run today, you will feel a little sore but the happyness of what you achieved today will make it not feel too bad
The run you ran today probably is the last running event for a few months because of the coronavirus, I got bad news today, the 3 concerts, including that New Music Plug Cello recital I was going to has been cancelled because of the same thing, once again congratulations on what you achieved today.
Thank you! Yes I am feeling a bit sore and stiff today but I am still smiling!
Yes, a lot of concerts my way have been cancelled too! I am a concert steward at a small concert hall and I was wondering how that would all pan out but it looks like gigs and shows are carrying on as normal, go figure!
Absolutely brilliant you! You certainly have gone through so much to get here and you should feel very proud of what is a fantastic, hard-won achievement 🏃♀️💪
Wear that medal with pride and this will be a memory in your bank for many years to come. Very well done x
Thank you so much IrishPrincess and thank you for all your encouragement these past few weeks, I've found it very helpful! I can't believe that I have finally done it, I have been dreaming of running it for a year! How are your niggles by the way?
Just brilliant! Congratulations on such a hard fought battle. It’s amazing how endorphins and adrenaline kick in at the last stretch eh? You’ve got some good run pals there too. Well done you!! 👏👏🎉👍🏼👊
Thank you! Yes I have never experienced it like that before! I remember thinking as I was running quite fast towards the finish line, where has my pain gone, how come I can't feel it, how can I be running this fast when I was almost crawling along gritting my teeth in pain 5 minutes ago? The human body is quite amazing, isn't it?
Yes it is. I had the same thing happen in my marathon where you feel utterly empty after 35k and then when you feel the finish line is close you get a final surge of strength from somewhere. I was also dizzy with some breathing issues for a few moments at the end so I can sympathize with what you encountered at the end. Once again awesome job!!
Wonderful news! You should grin and grin and grin! The sore feet will ease after a couple of days but you will never forget that feeling of support, adrenaline and achievement that you experienced in the last kilometre. That's really special. Huge congratulations, you worked so hard for this and were so determined. Wear that medal with pride 👏👏👏
Thank you so much Linda, I am sore and stiff this morning but still grinning!And you are right, I will never forget that final mile, even though it hurt at the time, it is a special and defining moment for me during the race!
Wonderful write up Redcello, so honest, I could feel all your emotions and pain. Joyful parts and toughing it out bits and sheer elation on crossing the finish line... It's good to know you were looked after at the finish line too.
Such an amazing acheivement, huge Congratulations to you. Rest and recover well. 🏅😊⭐⭐🏃♀️xxx
Thank you so much, it was definitely a lot of emotions and a lot of up and downs but I finally crossed that finish line in the end! All the staff and marshals were great throughout the course!
🎉👏🏼🎉🎶🎵🎶🏃🏼♀️🎉 Splendid! Congratulations. What a marvellous achievement. And I loved your very vivid race report. Keep that medal where you can see it and enjoy its glow. ⭐️🎉
You total superstar you Redcello, you’re made of strong stuff. What a fantastic race you had - I bet the experience will remain in your memory for years to come. 🏃♀️🏃♀️
We ended up running very similar times as it turns out! We could have literally run it together (although I couldn’t have managed your fast spurts!)
Enjoy your happy buzz and happy running (maybe not today!) 😅🏃♀️❤️
Thank you so much cheekychipmunks and well done on your run too, absolutely fantastic! You should be very proud of yourself! Yes, I will never forget it, especially the final stretch! Oh wow, yes very similar times! Maybe we can run another race together when you know what has sorted itself out and things go back to normal! I'm definitely not running today, my legs are not in the right state to cope with a run understandably after yesterday! I did go for a very short walk though this morning and that has seemed to have helped!
Yes we are very lucky to have a lot of races. I am currently sitting on the sofa icing my right ankle and knee and just resting today. I found the most pain free way for getting down the stairs is actually backwards, it's too painful going down forwards hahahaha! I am also feeling tired because I didn't sleep that well last night too, not because of pain but because my mind was going a 100 miles per hour. I've been awake since 5AM because that's when my official race photos came through and then my mind was off again! So I think I will have to have a nap later on.
Great report and amazing race! I loved reading it, especially that last km, well done!! It's amazing what we can achieve when we stop listening to the voices that say it's impossible
So pleased for you Redcello41, you have been through so much adversity to achieve this. I was really worried that the race would be cancelled. Be prepared to be hungry!! It was the day after my HM that my need for food struck! Lots of protein to repair and build up the muscles. I was starving for at least a week afterwards. Well done; for getting to the start line, for completing the race and for the sheer joy which is evident in your post 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🥇🏆
Thank you so much, I can't believe that I finally did it especially after everything that has happened to me since Christmas! It is a real achievement and victory! I feel my appetite is coming back a bit today so that's a good sign!
Well done! Great work! Lovely photo. Look at you with your medal!!!
Rest those blisters and your body and then get out for a gentle trot as soon as.
Eat after your run! Even if you don't feel like it. Eat something! A half marathon needs food - within 30 mins of finishing. Good habit to get into. If I'm not near home I take a ham sarni so I can eat straight away.
I hope you're ok now and basking in the afterglow. Great feeling isn't it. I expect you'll be browsing the internet etc for the next challenge xx
Thanks! It's crazy that I've actually gone and done it, can't believe it! I'm still feeling quit stiff and sore but am trying to move about a bit too to ease that. I appetite is going back to normal now which is good! Yep, I've got another half marathon planned for September (hopefully) and then I want to run a sub-35 5K too! Trying to work out a cross-training routine too so got plenty to be working on!
Great post and huge congratulations on your first HM. I can empathise with all the emotions you went through, as well as the blister (I got one too 😖). My legs are starting to feel a bit better after walking the dog, but, yes, stairs are still a little problem. Hope yours recover quickly and that you are still grinning 😃
Thanks! Yes stairs are still a trouble for me too. I am working tomorrow so should be able to move about a bit more thank goodness. I am still grinning, hope you are too!
Thank you! I am planning to run my second half in Nottingham with a friend in September (hopefully, if things settle down by then). And I want to work on a sub 35 5K too at some point too! 😃
Yes that's the plan (unless the country goes into lockdown, let's hope that doesn't happen!)! I'm sorry to hear that you are injured, nothing too serious I hope! No problem, I'm glad that I've helped a bit. Hope you can back to running really soon!
I hope it doesn't happen either, I work in food retail so probably won't effect me that much but who knows. Oh no, hope they get your knee sorted out soon! Yeah will definitely let you know how I get on! 😃
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My first 26.2
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