Virtual HUHM done and dusted ✅🏃‍♀️😀

[cheekychipmunks]

All done, despite a less than ideal couple of weeks’ run-in with a tweaked back and lack of motivation after a walking break in Cornwall. I possibly over-tapered, and it was that which seemed to take the pressure off today’s HM attempt. 😀 I didn’t even get the pre long run jitters.

I set off around 7am and had to take a photo of the serene looking Moon and Venus (it is Venus isn’t it?! ⭐️) It was a lovely crisp clear morning, around 7 degrees. Parked up, leapt out of the car started my Garmin and started on my ill-planned way. I bimbled around the Harbour with a handful of other runners, and headed out to the Portway and under the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Anyone who’s done the Bristol 10k or HM will know this segment.

I continued on further. It goes along the Avon Gorge and it’s a great place to eat up some “easy” miles - but wind, I have a question: why were you a headwind on the way out and on the way back? Eh? 😩 Anyway, I felt good and turned round at around 9k. I didn’t fancy the downhill which followed (which would have meant another uphill coming back!) 🥵

I felt great and pretty fresh until 13k when I began to flag a bit, then a bit more at the infamous 17k (why?), but I continued running. After some route planning on the fly I clocked up my 21.1km and was happy with a nice PB, knocking 6 minutes off the virtual Bath Half in March. 👏

Strava also awarded me PBs for 10 miles, 15km and 20km - plus a 2nd best 10k time too. So roseabi , if I could have my badge on here please I’ll be bling-happy! It’s all about the bling! 🏅🏅🏅🏅

Oh, and I picked up a running injury! A rub on my arm where my phone holder usually sits! It’s usually protected but today I used my belt and it must have been rubbing against my top. It’s an injury I can live with!

Thanks for all your support guys. You were in my thoughts as I was trotting along! 🥰

[Katkins27]

Whats HUHM stand for?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Katkins27]

HeathUnlocked Half Marathon!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Awesome effort cheeky; pbs all over the place. You just keep going and going and going!! I have lost track of the number of HMs you have done now. 🥂🏆🥇🏃‍♀️ Cheers to the cheekiest chipmunk in town 🙂👏👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks so much BC! This is my 3rd, but I’ve yet to do a real race. One day ...... 🤞🤞🤞

The PBs were an added bonus I must admit, and it’s thanks to all you wonderful guys on here that I’m a runner! 🥰

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🙂 you keep us all on our toes cheeky ; you just keep churning out the K’s. 👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Your turn again next BC. Yep. 😅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Woohoo Munks!!! Fab sounding run (apart from the rub thing ☹️) and a big well done for all those PB’s! Absolutely brilliant. You must be chuffed with all of those 💪 🙂

I know your route from the Bristol 10K where I somehow missed running under the bridge. How I have no idea, 🙄 it’s big enough. But this route is always part of our journey to the airport and I usually see runners along the gorge. Lovely looking run, fab photos there 😍 it must have been just lovely at that time of day.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh thanks so much IP, yes the weather was perfect. Capris and a short sleeved shirt did me just fine! 😀

Erm, you missed the Suspension Bridge? Sorry what?! 🤣 Never mind, it’ll still be there next time! 😅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know! I think I might have been watching the firefighters instead 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

You’re let off! 🤣😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🙂😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Whoop whoop whoop cheekychipmunks, I hope you could feel my presence as you were running along the Bristol 10k route, I was virtually with you.

You have done so well, and lots of PBs too.

The Virtual vitality 10000 will seem like a walk in the park, or hopefully, a prance on the prom.

🏃‍♀️👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, yes I definitely thought of you running under the bridge, and wistfully again at the rock climbing area where they had the hot air balloon and we turned for home. No turning there for me today! 😩😅

I’m so looking forward to the VV 10000. However if you asked my legs to do it today or tomorrow, they’d probably fall off! 🤣

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations on completing your HUHM run today, well done, as well as a great run you took 4 lovely photos, I especially like the one with the moon and nearby Venus to the right. 😊 🏃🏾

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al. Yes I couldn’t resist taking that photo. It was perfect weather for a run today. 😀

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Well done, CC. Sounds like a nice scenic route. Impressive how you smashed the time from Bath.

Hope that arm injury is healing up.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thanks Stephen! It was raining cats and dogs on the virtual Bath Half day, but it was a similar route I took. I’ve been doing lots of trails since lockdown and it’s really helped my road running. 😀

The arm is fine. A plaster will be all that’s needed. 😀

[BaddieThePirate]

Wow Cheeky, that is an epic achievement. So many PBs too. Well earned medals 🏅🏅🏅🏅indeed 🥂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks Baddie! We love medals on here don’t we? 🏅🏅🏅🏅

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

WOOHOO!!!!! docs.google.com/spreadsheet...

And there is your HUHM medal, congratulations!!! xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Oh yesss! That’s what I’m talking about, thanks roseabi ! 🥰🏅

[Hidden]

Yesssssss!! Utterly brilliant 🥳🥳🥳🥳

I know how much this meant to you. How deserved to get all...yes ALL those PB's too. I'm absolutely thrilled for you. You give so much to others and you deserve it back tenfold.

Have a great afternoon and evening now knowing you've achieved this milestone distance again. So, so happy reading this 👏👏👏🥇🥇🥇🎽🎽🎽

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, thank you GTFC! I owe so much to these forums, and contributors like you really spur me on too, so it’s lovely to pay it back. I know how much running means to all of us!🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️

But my legs are in absolute total extreme awe of people like you who have done the big FM. Not a single chance I could do that! 😅

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You know when I read your post I shouted out 'Yesssss!' because it meant so much to me for you to get back to where you wanted to be. I'm more pleased for people like you than I am for people like me. Honestly, running gives us so much more than anyone can ever realise that doesn't do it. Be proud. Be chuffed and goodness...celebrate!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Isn’t it amazing that something so simple as putting one foot in front of the other a bit faster than normal can have such an amazing effect on us? I wonder how many of us would still be so enthusiastic without the forums? You take so much time to reply to people’s posts, so thank you, it really helps!

[Bluebirdrunner]

Congratulations on a super run! So pleased for you as I know your back was worrying you last week. To get a PB too shows you are in good form. Woo hoo hope you enjoy some deserved celebrations and recover well. xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Aww thanks BBR, I could feel my back (and the rest of my body actually!) from 17k onwards, but it behaved and let me finish. Yes I would have been mighty disappointed if I’d have had to cut it short, or walk any - or worse still, not run it at all.

I’ve requested chocolate to be brought home. And a nice G&T later I think too! 😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sounds like a lovely relaxed run Cheeky! Congratulations on a great PB !!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda9389 . Can’t compare to your amazing accomplishments, but I’ll take it! 🥰

[SueKen Half Marathon]

Congratulations, and well done on all the PBs 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻. I’m liking your approach to tapering too😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueKen]

Haha, well the tapering was somewhat more than I’d planned, but I had to weigh up the tweaked back vs running. The fact we were away meant it was easier not to run, and it helped my back, so win-win!

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Woo hoo! Congratulations on a super half marathon and on such a beautiful day. What a joy 🌟🏅🏅🏅🥳🥳🥳

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Oh yes, it was the perfect day CSMN! Not often all the stars align on these longer runs, I was very lucky this morning. 😍

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes, I remember you got soaked last time! So pleased for you 😃

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Oh yes, drenched to the last stitch! 😅

[Kevin41 Half Marathon]

Fantastic!!! I’ve been wondering about your run and was hoping to see a race report when I noticed the Woohoo board hadn’t yet clocked you in!! Well done and Woohoo. It’s great to see so many from the group completing it and another HM!! Congratulations on your PB

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Kevin41]

Thanks Kevin! Yes I’d planned it for today as I’m a creature of habit and tend to do my long runs on Wednesdays! Also it’s much quieter round the Harbour than at weekends. It was a lovely run. 😀

[Hidden]

Well done on that distance cheekychipmunks 👍🏅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much lmc! 😀

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

Cracking HM cheekychipmunks and lots of pb's along the way. Beautiful photos as well.

Well done you👏👏💪💪

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks so much Buddy! 🥰

[Windoze Half Marathon]

Whoop whoop go Cheeky 🙌

Great piccies and great running 🥇🔥🎉🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Windoze]

Thank you Windoze, it was a lovely run. 😀

[SmilingTortoise1 Half Marathon]

Woohoo 🥳🥳🥳 Well done on an amazing half marathon and PB 👏👏👏

The 17k point is so tough isn't it - well done for persevering on through to 21.1k. Loving the photos, especially the moon pic 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SmilingTortoise1]

Thanks ST! Yes it’s weird isn’t it? It feels like the longest 4k coming up in the world. Just dug deep and thought of the finish. 😀

[triumph-tiger Half Marathon]

Congrats - well done on completing the HM and a PB 😀👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to triumph-tiger]

Thanks t-t, a PB is always nice. 😍

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Woohoo, you superstar 🥳👏🏻🥳👏🏻🙌 What a fantastic run and a huge haul of PBs too. Brilliant!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie! I must admit to be pretty surprised at the sheer number of Strava blings I picked up today! I’m not going to say no though. I like bling, me! 🤣

[Speedy60 Half Marathon]

Congratulations! Sounds like a great run.👏👏👏🥳

Can I ask where you parked? This is a run that I could easily do, but I've never tried going into Bristol because of the parking.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

It was, thanks Speedy! I parked on Hotwell Road at the little carpark by the Grain Barge, but it did cost £5.40! There’s cheaper parking down near the Nova Scotia on the Cumberland Basin if you know that?

[Speedy60 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know it well. £5.40? That's why I don't run in Bristol! I often run out through the car parks at Avonmouth to Pill.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Speedy60]

Very sensible! Yes I was a bit taken aback at the £5.40 - I’m sure it didn’t cost that last time. but I wanted a flattish route so I sucked it up. I used to run on the Downs a lot, and that’s free. Bit too undulating for my run today though.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Congratulations Cheeky 👏👏👏🏅🎉🎉 - especially on all those PBs! You were definitely on form for this one!💪

Here’s hoping we all get to do a ‘real’ Half in the not too distant future too!🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. I put it down to all my trails during lockdown and the summer. It made the pavements much easier than I remember!

Oh yes, I’d love to run a real HM race some time ..... 🤞🤞🤞

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Sounds like a very enjoyable HM Cheeky - and look at all those PBs!🥇🥇🥇😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

I enjoyed it JonathanP , thanks! It’s too far to do very often though. The PBs were very welcome. 😍

[Katnap Marathon]

So when's your marathon?

And yes. Moon and Venus.

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Let me think for a moment Katnap - oh that’s right, never! 🤣 I have no idea how people run double what I did yesterday. Absolute heroes!

When’s yours? 😈

[Katnap Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Dunno. Need to enter one first! 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Oooo, so definitely on the cards then. Exciting stuff! 🏃‍♂️ 👏

[Fabulous450]

Woooh hooooo!! Cheeky...you’re so amazing!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽💥☄️⚡️! Love this! Well done you!! ❤️ Sorry I missed it. First week in new job and it’s kept me very busy! 😂😉❤️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Fabulous450]

Ahh Fab, no apologies needed, you’re a busy lady. I was simply trotting around Bristol! 🏃‍♀️

But thank you! It’s a long way and I’m happy to have achieved it again. ❤️

[Fabulous450 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I knew you would Cheeky!! I know you’ve done it before and will do it again!! 🤗 See...amazing!! 😁❤️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Fabulous450]

(But not for a while!) 🤣🤣🤣

[C3PO Marathon]

Well done! Bad luck with the headwind.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to C3PO]

Thanks C3PO, it was nothing compared to how it’s been in the past, but it was ironic how it felt the same in both directions!

[PurpleFish59]

Woohoo!!! Great run cheeky 🎉🍾🥂🏃🏼‍♀️Fantastic PB on what looks like a beautiful day and route Congratulations 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

Thanks PF, I was so lucky with the weather. My last HM was in March and I got soaked through! The PBs yesterday were unexpected, but very well received! 😍

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon]

Whoohoo cheeky!!! That is great to read. Congrats on the PB as well 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Aww thanks Sask, it was fun! How are you? 🥰

[SaskAlliecat Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I’m hanging in there. Since my HM in the summer I haven’t been running any distance. I took a break from running this summer after my HM, ate too much, drank too much but made great memories with some great friends. Now I’m just running what I can when I can and enjoying each run for what it is.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Aww that sounds like the perfect way to spend summer, and you’re now running the way it should be. I’m so happy for you! Take lots of care. 🥰

[RunSkippyRun Half Marathon]

Woohoo! Great run report and pics. Many congratulations 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to RunSkippyRun]

Thank you RSR. Glad you like the pics, it was a gorgeous morning. 😍

[Run46 Half Marathon]

I've got that Gladiators TV show theme tune going around in my head now.....you know the one 🎵bmm, bmm, bmm, bmm, another one bites the dust🎵

Fabulous job Cheeky, congrats, not that there was ever any doubt that you'd get it done 👊🏃‍♀️🎉

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

Hahaha, yes I know it well, thanks Run46! It was a great run, and I’m definitely happy with the PBs! 😍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Many congratulations cheekychipmunks 🍾🥂🏅🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊 2hrs 49mins of running wow, wow, wow! A mega super star! 🌟

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61! My first HM just over a year ago took me 3hrs 15 minutes! Imagine that!! 😳🤣

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Hard to imagine 3 ¼ minutes, yet alone 3 ¼ hours running since my fall which caused a tibial fracture, meniscus tear, very large Baker's cyst, cellulitis and unexplained lumps. Boo! 😞 If I ever reach such dizzy heights it will be many months in the future. How many days does it take you to recover from a HM, you absolute star you?! 🌟

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

It’s my lack of speed which means I’m totally recovered the next day! I swear by not “rushing”! 🤣 You’ll be back, I know you will - you’re such a determined runner. 🥰

[Wimborne Half Marathon]

Way to go Cheeky... those Duracell legs were in perfect form I see. Fabulous time and huge well done on all those PBs ....👏👏👏🥳🥳

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Wimborne]

Thanks Wimborne. They weren’t quite so perky in the final 4k, but they didn’t let me down! 🏃‍♀️😀

[Wimborne Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I am sensing rocket legs for your next 10k run... I am happy to watch your back 😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Wimborne]

I have absolutely no doubt at all that I’ll be watching your back next weekend Wimborne - and seeing it gradually disappear into the distance! 💥💥💥

[Wimborne Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Mmmm not sure gazelle legs are working recently.... But who cares... It’s my very first event and now I have done my first PR and soon my first 10k event with the most fabulous runners I know 😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Wimborne]

🥰🥰