HU Spring 2021 HM race report 🏃‍♀️

[Run46]

Yay, ran my HU HM today and it went so well I somehow managed a totally unexpected PB 🏃‍♀️🎉

The timing was perfect with having 4 days off work but after struggling on my 2 mile run on Tuesday and with having a tight ankle I really didn't feel very confident.

I mean, I knew (injury withstanding) I could finish but would I enjoy it or at least, not hate it, and how much Jeffing may be needed 🤷‍♀️

I decided their was no rush this morning so slept for Britain and then allowed myself a couple of hours to hydrate, eat a tried and tested breakfast of a bagel with honey, rolled areas of concern, dynamic stretches and finally out the door.

After having no time expectations it was just one of those runs that started well, the 1st few k were faster that usual and as I felt good I carried on, letting the fact that this was an actual race get in the way of any sensible thoughts about preserving energy...I paid for that in the last few k and literally had to talk out loud to myself through a few more challenging sections with a 'you can do it Kerry', 'keep going Kerry', and at one point a telling off, 'no you can't pause the watch, walk if you need to but no stopping'...I do hope I wasn't over-heard 😂

Anyway the last 1k was a killer, started to feel like I was stiffening up and felt really slow put pushed on as my previous PB was just over 1:27 so it was a close call...made it at 1:26 with a smile on my face. I've no idea where that run came from, the excitement of race day clearly worked it's magic 😊

Can I just thank linda9389 & roseabi for setting this up...awesome job, loved the Spotify tracks, they really kept me going. Especially the Elvis song, Mummycav thinking of the lovely memory you shared about your brother and imagining a middle aged man, happy as Larry, swinging his hips to 'ahunka ahunka burning love' 🕺🎶 had me grinning through the whole song 😁

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Thats a fabulous run and an amazing PB! It's surprising what we can do when our heads are already telling us we can do no more. There's a proper name for that - when the brain goes into 'protection mode' too soon - but I forget what it is just now 🤦‍♀️🙄🤷‍♀️. I'll come back if I remember 😍

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Please do...then I can Google it 🤔

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Run46]

This made me google it! Central Governor Theory. This isn't a running article, but it's the first one that came up and reminded me what it was called: boxlifemagazine.com/the-cen...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Run46]

Here's a running link runnersconnect.net/central-...

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks, and for the links too 😊

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Interesting read 👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Run46]

I went on a guided trail run focused on endurance and that was one of the things they talked about 😊

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Hi R46. Very well done on the PB. Sounds like a great run. Have a good rest now.

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thanks Stephen, it was one of the good ones, few days off now 😊

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

That’s good to hear. Take it easy.

[Hidden]

Brilliant totally brilliant Run46 that last klm is definitely a grueller 💪 that PB is definitely bagel fuelled 🙂

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Imc, and my recovery brownie fuelled 😋😊

[AndrewJR75 Half Marathon]

Well done Run46! Congratulations on the PB, a nice bonus 👏👏👏

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to AndrewJR75]

It was thanks Andrew, I know we should be chuffed to finish but it was the PB that put a smile on my face...after a time they're few and far between 😊

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Congratulations Run46 both on your epic run and your report! When I started out running I thought it was all about physical ability, whereas in reality it’s mental endurance that counts, particularly on these longer runs!🙂👍

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Thanks David...so true, knowing you can achieve it, and convincing yourself to carry on even when you'd love nothing more than to stop is what gets you to the finish 🎉

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Brilliant run Run46 ...love the pep talk you gave yourself! I found the last 5km hard so well done!!

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks CLR, if I'm honest I starting counting down from 6k left to go but I try to use the word only to convince myself it's not far 😆...I think in the last few miles it's as much mind over matter as training.

Well done on yours too 🏆🎉

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Run46]

That is very true. Thinking about it I was talking myself through the last few km!! Power to our minds I say 👌🏃‍♀️

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Brilliant run and congratulations on the well earned PB. That pep talk clearly did the job!

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker, it definitely helped...I needed all the encouragement I could get!

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Well done Run46 on a great race and PB. It's a wonderful achievement 👏👏🎉🏅 xx

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thanks CSMN 😊👍