Virtual HM completed

[SmilingTortoise1]

Woo hoo! I completed my HUHM virtual HM yesterday. Hope it's ok to woo hoo myself 🤣

My route was along the Exe Estuary cycle and walkway. I chose the route mainly as there was no chance of getting lost (my brain turns to fudge after 12km and finds it hard to follow any directions involving left or right turns 🤪). Although an added bonus was it was a nice flat route.

At the start of the run it was quite cool being in the shade and the wind was against me. However about 7 km I crossed to the other side of the river and into the sun and warmth 🥵

When I got to 11km, I thought, 'brill over half way... only 10 km to go'. I think I laughed out loud at that point. When I joined this group 4 months ago, I had done 10 km a handful of times and each time I had been on my knees by the end of it. Yet yesterday I was pleased that's 'all' I had left to do.

I found it really hard going about 17km and have to admit to talking aloud to myself to keep going 😂

Many times throughout the run I thought of all the positive posts of your running journeys on here and on strava and it helped motivate me to keep going - thank you 👍

I was absolutely shattered by the end of it but so chuffed with having completed it. I feel like I can now call myself a runner not just someone who goes for a jog.

Happy running 😊

[misswobble Marathon]

😃💪👍☹️🏅🍰☕️🛀

Sounds fab! Woo hoo away 😁

I’m with you on the lack loss of decision-making skills when fatigue sets in ☺️

Congratulations on your half marathon. Be proud! 👊✊. I see your badge 👍

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble - I have to admit to feeling fairly proud 😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Woohoo! You are most definitely a runner!!! That's amazing progress and a wonderful HM, look at the pace! 17k is a notorious tough spot, but by the time that hits you, you know there's no giving up. Well done, huge congratulations 👏 👏👏

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks so much Linda. I really would never have done it without this group. I really appreciate all that you and Roseabi do for us - you are awesome 😍🤩

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to SmilingTortoise1]

Let's face it, we're ALL pretty awesome here 😅.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to SmilingTortoise1]

I've added you to the Woohoo board and given you the coveted, limited edition virtual HM badge 👏👏👏

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you. I wear it with pride 🤩

[Madge50 Marathon]

Definitely, and here’s another woohoo! And a rah, rah, rah! 🎉A HM is a big deal, we’ll done you!

Mx

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Thanks Madge50 for not only a woo hoo but a rah, rah, rah 😊

[2718281 Half Marathon]

Woohoo!!! Well done looks like a wonderful route and you did a great run. Enjoy the moment and get some very well deserved rest

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon]

Thank you 😊

Hope you've managed to dry out and warm up from your marathon last week.

[TailChaser Marathon]

Whoopheewhoopheeewhoopee! Brilliant ST! And a great time too! Don’t forget the miles you have put in to get to this point - they definitely made you a runner way before now 💪💪💪👏👏

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon]

Thank you so much TC 😊 yes it's amazing how each of the smaller runs put together enable us to become runners. Never thought I'd be able to say that about myself when I started.

[Katnap Marathon]

Woohoo and congratulations! 🎉

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thank you so much Katnap 😊

[Katnap Marathon in reply to SmilingTortoise1]

You can go into hibernation now! 😃

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

🤣🤣

[Runsome Marathon]

And it’s a Woo Hoo from me too excellent run well done 👍😊

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Runsome]

Thank you so much Runsome 😊

[C3PO Marathon]

Congratulations! I remember what a milestone it was to say "only 10 km to go".

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to C3PO]

Thank you so much C3PO 😊

[Hidden]

What an absolutely fabulous achievement! It's a milestone distance and you ran it in an excellent time too. You deserve lots of woo-hoos because this is such a terrific distance. Those last few miles can be a real test but you came through! Many congratulations 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much GTFC 😊

Oh yes the last leg was definitely testing and I'm really pleased with myself that I kept going to the end.

[Kevin41 Half Marathon]

Such a great run and time SmilingTortoise1 - Woohoo!!

I too can often be heard giving myself a talking to and encouragement to keep going when it gets tough, It’s good to know I’m not alone 😂😂😂

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Kevin41]

Thank you Kevin so much 😊

Glad I'm not the only one 🤣🤣🤣

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!! Absolutely you should Woohoo yourself - it's the virtual racing equivalent of a huge cheering crowd 😊😊😊

Fabulous work, congratulations, runner!!!

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thank you so much Roseabi 😊

And a massive thank you for all you and Linda do for us in this group. I would never have been able to do this run without the group. You're both awesome 😍🤩 As are all the other runners here are too 😍

[Fran6500 Half Marathon]

Such a good time too! Well done x

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Fran6500]

Thank you so much Fran 😊

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Woo hoo! Congratulations! 🥳

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you so much Lavender1962 😊

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

🤣🤣of course its okay to woohoo yourself . We should all do it more often.

Congratulations on your HM 👏👏🥳🥳

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon]

Thank you so much Buddy34 😊

[Run46 Half Marathon]

The last few miles are flippin hard work aren't they 😅...but you persevered 👏

Fabulous run, excellent pace...not so much of a tortoise any more! Great job 🎉😊

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon]

Thanks so much Run46 😊