We're not as brave as cheekychipmunks ; we took the easy option for our Bath Half along the old railway line, part of which we trained on last week. After yesterday's buffeting in the wind during our (not)parkrun I really needed somewhere a bit more sheltered as the wind was still with us, just not as intense as the day before.
I was worried as I hadn't had much sleep and yesterday's run/walk in the wind had made me feel a little poorly. Thankfully I may have not had much sleep but it was good quality and the body seemed in good nick for the run. Katnap was still recovering from his mad marathon earlier on in the week and had blisters on the heels of both feet, so he had his demons too. Who tapers for a half marathon by doing a marathon!!! 😂
The weather wasn't as good as I'd been led to believe last night so I piled stuff into my hydration vest: phone, tissues, food, gels, water, jelly babies and gave Katnap my lightweight running jacket in case the heavens opened. It felt like we were going on a major expedition by the time we were ready to go.
We cut back our warm up walk as it was just so cold that warming up wasn't an option, and got going. Now normally, in March, the old railway line is quite quiet, but these aren't normal times and I think everyone has got a little hardier and more determined so there were lots of families on Mother's Day walks despite the conditions. Still, our practice run last week held us in good stead and, after a steady pace, we were soon past the point we turned round the previous week.
A brief stop to take on gels and water and call the kittens to meet us with coats at the RSC at the end, we were on our way again. This second half we stepped up the pace. Last week I made the mistake of speeding up too early and too fast, so this time I held back and just slowly went through the gears.
My last HM, the last 3km were torture; I hadn't trained well enough. This time my 6 week plan did me a treat and we really motored through the last few km. No calves on fire at the end of this run, just the joy of a race well run. And it really did feel like a race: the first Virtual run where I've actually felt like it was a challenge and an achievement. My only problem was Strava seemed to completely muck up the feed from Garmin and, although it was a HM PB (2:19:46), Strava said my HM was longer than my moving time...work that one out!
The kittens met us at the finish which was lovely. And we all had a Mother's Day treat at a new cafe that does the most brilliant brownies ever! Then home for a long, long soak in a different sort of bath 😊 Looking forward to a bottle of wine and a lovely meal cooked by the kittens tonight 😃👍😍
Written by
TailChaser
Marathon
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You two are really amazing! Ok, so I ran a HM too, but even in picture perfect conditions I certainly couldn’t race that distance! Awesome run, and huge congratulations on your PB! Bet you’re looking forward to receiving your well deserved bling. 🏅😍
Katnap is some kind of superhuman, running his marathon just prior to the HM! 💥 Quadruple kudos! 👊🏃♂️
He’s an amazing nutter cheeky, I don’t know how he does it! Wish I had that sort of energy. Really looking forward to the bling, I just hope they accept the time I put in. I sent in the Garmin feed rather than the short changed Strava one 😁 When we next meet we’ll have to wear our new tops ☺️
Well done to you both. The woolly hats and sunglasses say it all - the weather has gone quite mad. I hope Katnap ’s feet survived the run. I hope you got some support along the way by running in your bibs. A hot bath after a long run is definitely the way to go. Enjoy your evening meal cooked by the kittens and relax. 🏃♀️🏃♂️👏👏👏
Lots of Epsom salts in the bath Dexy. Learning a lot with these longer runs. The glasses came from yesterday’s run when the wind made my eyes leak. They did the job perfectly today. Always something new learn!
We did have a few people cheering us on, particularly towards the end when we sped up, a fellow runner who’s words really helped as I started to struggle a bit. Can’t wait to feel that from crowds again but it was so nice to hear just a few. Thank you 🙏🤗
What a fantastic run TC/K! You've got your prep down to a fine art and the execution was perfect!!! Hope the resting and celebrating are up to the same high standard 👏👏👏🥂
Thanks Linda. I think having to do it all off our own backs (and with the massive support from HU) without the distraction of gyms and other ‘normal’ elements of everyday life has helped. Barebones training I suppose you could call it. Really enjoying the telly and the sofa now 😊
Yes I did it! And just under my target of 2hours 40 as I managed it at 2hours 36.13! The last mile and a half was hard- particularly as the wind was just really strong and I was running into it- but it was such a sense of achievement when I got to the end! 🤗🏃♀️ My post is First Half Marathon Done!
Thanks so much guys! It’s so great to have the support of everyone and to hear such inspiring achievements! I’m getting hooked! Massive well done to you both too on an excellent HM! 😊😊🎉🎉🤗🤗
Oooh congratulations on your PB TC! That’s brilliant 💪👍 and well done to both of you on a fab sounding run. You sound strong and very much in control right to the end.
And what lovely kittens you have 🥰 enjoy all the treats and being spoiled!
Thanks IP, we have been. And it’s definitely the strongest I’ve felt at the end of a HM. First one where I haven’t had to wander around trying to calm my burning calves down! I think we got it just right 👍
Well done TC and Katnap. That is an amazingly speedy HM. Nothing like cold weather to make you move a bit quicker! Enjoy dinner and a well earned night’s sleep! 🥂🥇🥇
Thanks BC! Just woken up after dozing in front of the telly, too easy to do tonight! The cold weather certainly kept us going this morning! I hope that wind goes away soon but in a way it was quite handy today 😊
It always surprises me these days what we can battle through and for how long Sandie. As long as we can get a cake and a warm drink at the end of it I think we can take most of what the elements can chuck at us. Thank you 🙏🤗
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