VLM in Oslo

[C3PO]

I'm sure there are people here who aren't surprised that I jumped at the chance to do the VLM here in Oslo. It has been 2.5 years since I did the distance (London), and even though my mileage all through the spring and summer was low due to injury, I wanted to give it a go.

I decided to try something new, and charted a course that had me doing four loops fairly close to home. I did a 17 k test run the week before, and things looked promising.

Like you in the UK, the forecast was horrendous, and I didn't feel in shape to do the bulk of my running in the rain, so I managed to get out in the dark around 7 am, as the rain wasn't supposed to hit properly until the afternoon. The lack of sleep due to maranoia also helped. Hubby was out of town, so I got my boys to run a bit with me on loops 2 and 3. My daughter was the crew boss, and met me at a central location from loops 2 onwards, and refilled my water bottle and fed me cheese. I also got a cheer from a good friend who lives along the course.

The app worked really well for me, so I made a point of not looking at the time until the end, and listened to my music and podcasts, and just concentrated on my loops. They went surprisingly well. Of course I walked a bit, but I expected that. I wasn't very warmly dressed, so I needed to keep moving to avoid getting cold.

I finished in 5:59, and got a 34 minute PB, compared with London 2018. Not bad, considering the lack of training and twice the elevation!

This has convinced me that I finally have a decent training base, and has given me quite a confidence boost. Imagine what I could do when I actually have the time to train!

roseabi , could I have my marathon badge back?

[Hidden]

👏👏👏👏👏🎽🥇

How awesome are you? That's a massive PB 😊😊😊 love that cheese kept you going too! You have every right to feel proud. Another Marathon achieved and in a super time. Very best wishes 😊

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon]

What an amazing achievement and personal best 👏👏👏

Must have been so lovely to have your kids supporting you along the way 🥰

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Absolutely! There you go xxx

Congratulations for a fabulous run!!!!!!

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Congratulations on an awesome run and that huge PB! It must have been great to have your children with you through it all too.

[Madge50 Marathon]

Super, super well done C3PO! 👏🎉🏃‍♀️, great stuff!

Mx

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Congratulations! That’s a brilliant achievement, C3PO.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

You did get out! Brilliant, well done!!! That's a massive time difference too, how fantastic. Hope you're still beaming 😀

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

Congratulations C3PO . So great you had your family to help out with drinks and food. But to take 34 minutes off your pb without the cheer of the crowds , elevation etc that really is amazing. Well done you🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏💪💪🥳🥳🥳

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Wow! That’s a serious PB there! Many congratulations and really well done to you. It sounds like a real family affair and that must have been so special 🥰

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Excellent! Very well done 👍🏻💪🏻😁

[C3PO Marathon]

Thanks for all the kind words, everybody! I'm so appreciative of the support from this group.

[misswobble Marathon]

Well done. Great work! 😃🏅. I bet you’re mighty glad it’s done and dusted. It takes over your life somewhat doesn’t it 😁

You make it sounds like a walk in the park which I’m sure it wasn’t 💪👍😃

Many congratulations 🥳🍰☕️🛀

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Congratulations C3PO, that’s a great result!🏃‍♀️👏👏👏

[Hidden]

What an amazing achievement! Loved that you had family support in restocking cheese and refilling drinks. Looks like you have a great training base especially as you got a pb too! Congratulations

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Congratulations on a fabulous run and with the support of close family too keeping you fed and your spirits up. Well done on the new PB 👍👏👏👏👏