So, I had committed to run the Half marathon this week but had no intentions of doing so today really.
I haven’t been running much and have been convincing myself that I’ve been ‘tapering’ but in all honesty life has been getting in the way. I wasn’t really that confident therefore that I’d make the distance having found 10 miles a real effort previously.
However, eating my Frostie’s this morning I put the London Marathon on the tv. Watching the women’s race (and unbelievable pace) was enough to make me think that maybe I’d run today and maybe I’d try the HM. After all, there were people everywhere running a full marathon- the least I could do would be to run half of one surely?!?!
What really sealed it for me was seeing others from the Autumn HUHM group posting their amazing marathon efforts, it really is inspiring and when out shopping I passed two runners in bright green tutu’s obviously running the marathon too. I did wonder whether any of our group ‘dressed’ for the occasion 😂
Anyway, the run itself was fairly uneventful. Pretty windy on the seafront and intermittent rain which actually is fairly welcome despite the fact it usually means I can’t see anything through my glasses. I used a High 5 gel half way (Banana- not recommended to be honest) and was fairly comfortable up until the last few Kms. After 10 miles my legs (particularly calves) ceased and cramped and my back wasn’t much better. I slowed down and was determined not to give up. And I didn’t. So pleased to finish. Whilst the day definitely belongs to the VLM runners really this is a major milestone for me and I’m proper chuffed. I now have a target of 2hrs 23mins to beat but I think I’ll get the vitality 10k done first..........
I’m looking forward to all the race reports over the coming days and weeks and it’s great to see the Autumn group achieve what we set out for and beyond...........whenever that happens!!