1st virtual half marathon

[Cantstopmenow]

I did it! Something I never thought possible. I've never been a runner. But this morning I ran 13.13 miles in just over 2 hours and 35 minutes.

I've never run much further than 10miles and was hoping for an extra 2k today to push it up to 18k before the planned half marathon next week.

It was a lovely sunny morning, no wind and I decided to forget about pace and enjoy the countryside. I ran on both new and familar roads and made up the route as I ran. I found it hard after 10 miles, but kept telling myself to keep going, I could do it! By 18k my legs were tired but I pushed on, feeling excited as I realised the hm was within grasp and I could head for home. I summond a little more energy for final downhill stretch that took me across the virtual finishing line, tred but happy.

My run today is a result of the amazing training advice and tips given by experienced runners and the encouragement of everyone who contributes on these forums. Enjoy your runs 😊😊

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Wahoo, I'm so pleased for you Ruth...bloody well done you star👏🏃‍♀️🎉

If you're anything like me you'll be a wee bit shattered for a day or two...enjoy your laziness, you've earned it xx

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

Thank you Kerry. Yes, I enjoyed a long soak in the bath and a good book. xx

[BaddieThePirate]

Well done you, that’s amazing 👏🏅💥🥂

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you Baddie. Time to put my feet up now 😊

[Speedy60 Half Marathon]

Congratulations! Well done you! 👏👏👏🥳🏅

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Thank you Speedy60 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Woohoo, so happy for you! Epic run, and a great time too. 🏃‍♀️🎉👊🏅

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheeky. I'm still smiling. 😊

[Decker Ultramarathon]

That's just fantastic! Congratulations to you! And here is your new forum badge!

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Wow, the badge! Thank you. I didn't like to ask 😃

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on your first HM. Thats an amazing achievement and your shiny new badge suits you well 👏👏🥳🥳💪💪

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you Buddy. I love the badge. 😃

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Hi Cantstopmeow. So pleased to read this. Sounds like you absolutely smashed it. That’s very impressive indeed. There really is no stopping you.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thanks Stephen. I was chatting to a seasoned runner in his 80's recently. I asked him for his top tip and he said " just keep going, think just another 0.5k" I think I'll be stopping for a while now though😃

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

That’s good advice, isn’t it? But yes, please take it easy for a few days!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Whoop whoop 🎉🎈🎊👍💪 a big well done and many congratulations to you. You’ve really lived up to your name!

I hope you’re still smiling and the legs feel ok today today.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you Irishprincess. Yes, I am definitely still smiling. 😃😃

[misswobble Marathon]

Yay! Well done. Great job!💪👍😃👊✊🏅

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you Misswobble 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Woohoo! What a fantastic achievement. HM is such a 'proper' milestone somehow. I think it was a real turning point for me in terms of believing in myself as far as this running lark is concerned. A runner? yes- absolutely!! Congratulations!!!

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. It's a great confidence booster 😊

[2718281 Half Marathon]

Wow!!! Well done! Enjoy the feeling, it's great

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to 2718281]

Thank you - elated, is probably a good description 😃

[Hidden]

Gosh, what an achievement!!

Congratulations on a milestone run and distance. I really like your time too 😊 it's such a relief when you finish as I've found the last few miles can be tough at times so well done you!! Thoroughly deserved!

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you GTFC, I was hoping to do this before lockdown, so I'm relieved to have finally made it! 😊

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

You certainly live up to your username, congratulations on running the first of 2 half marathon's, great time as well, good luck for your planned half marathon next week, perhaps you might get a even better time. 😊 🏃🏾

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you Al. I may postpone the second hm for a couple of weeks.

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Wise, there is always a chance to get a injury if you run 2 half marathons too close to each other, perhaps a 4 weeks break would be advisable.

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Good idea thank you

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

Wow! How wonderful- congratulations 👏

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Thanks Skysue. I'm delighted 😊

[SueKen Half Marathon]

Well done - a great time too!

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to SueKen]

Thank you SueKen. It felt slow at the time! 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Brilliant run and a great time ! We are all different, but I was starving for a whole week after my HM!! Hi protein yoghurt disappeared by the ton. I did the same as you; set off for a shorter run and just kept going. Sort of sneaked up on myself and ran the extra K's when I wasn't paying attention. 🙂👏👏👏👏👏🥂🥇🎖🏆

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you. Beachcomber66. It's a good way to run a virtual hm. I'm not too hungry, but I did have a jam donut today- not as healthy as high protein yogurt!

[Irish-John Marathon]

Well done!!!

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you 😊

[Wimborne Half Marathon]

That’s amazing... well done on your first HM. Such a brilliant achievement and for pushing on at the end 🥳🥳👏👏👏🥇😁

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to Wimborne]

Thank you. I'm still smiling 😊

[OnlineTwin Half Marathon]

Saw it on Strava but it absolutely deserves a big WOOHOO here too! 🥳🥇

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

😂😂 thank you. You can never have too many woohoos. 😃

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

roseabi can you add me on to the spreadsheet please - I cant see my name x

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

WOOHOO there you go! I have awarded you the HUHM medal also xxx

docs.google.com/spreadsheet...