I did it ! Woohoo 🙌

[Smile23]

First of al. Thank you to everyone for your advice given its very much appreciated 😀

Well I delayed my run from Saturday because of a nasty pain in my foot. No idea why but I figured rest was the answer.

Its a gorgeous day today the sun is definitely in Sunderland 😎

I had a leisurely start to the day and a healthy breakfast of oat cereal and fruit then took the dog for a walk-nicely warmed up. Packed my jelly babies and water into Lara Crofts Mothers running belt and set off.

The run itself was extremely slow and uneventful. My aim today was just to do the distance and guess what? I did😁😁😁

I am sure I was overtaken by a snail at one point but it didnt matter. My only stops were for traffic and I completed in 3.hours 15 minutes but I did run 13.3 miles to be sure. I actually felt not too bad at the end.phew

I decided to wear my cogh t shirt to bring a little bit of this forum with me.

If anyone had told me on June 23rd last year when I walked my first c25k I would and could run a HM I would have laughed at them.

Lots can happen if you just believe 😊

I think journeys dont stop believing got me through and has become my anthem and mantra

Now whats next???

Happy Sunday everyone

Alyson

Photos are before and after ps dog didnt run😆

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Flipping awesome, feeling really proud you did this, inspiring for the rest of us, lovely photos too

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you very kind words. I must admit to feeling a little smug atm. I couldnt have done it without everyone’s support x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Smile23]

Bet you feel smug and rightly so, 10 k is the longest I’ve run and now i want to run further lol x

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Before this 13k was my record I followed coach Greg on my Garmin. Worked for me x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Smile23]

Something for me to aim for, not sure Willie wants to run that long though x

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations! I've been waiting to read this all weekend -you did it, what an achievement hope you're celebrating in style.🏆🏅🏃‍♀️🥂

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Grabbing a takeaway coffee from costa? I know how to live the high life 😂😂you will do it next week x

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Smile23]

Enjoy your coffee!

My legs and feet have been quite "twingey" recently so will be ultra careful this week and give it a go if they feel OK.

You have made me think its doable- I also started C25k last June, we've followed the same training plan, and looks like we share a first name too! (*not sure that the latter is relevant)

Well done again-go and find some people to tell-hope you dropped it into the conversation in Costa!

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Oh missed this post earlier. Good luck for this weekend I had serious doubts and was convinced every twinge was a run stopping injury. Thankfully didnt even feel the toxic 10 last Sunday! Looking forward to your report.

Alysons unite 🤣🤣🤣

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Smile23]

Thanks- yesterday evening's final easy run was very twingey- Hoping it was because of being at desk all day!🤞

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Great run and photos of you Smile23, congratulations on running your first Half Marathon, it won't be long before you see the magic words HALF MARATHON next to your username, now go and celebrate your wonderful achievement 🏃🏾 👍 🎓

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks alMorr. I am basking in the glory with sore legs😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Woohoo! Congratulations half marathoner!!! You should be enormously proud of what you've achieved in such a short time - have a half marathon badge to show everyone 😀

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda

I am really proud cant quite believe it. Thanks for the shiny new badge x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Amazing achievement Smile! I’m so pleased for you. It’s a humongous distance and it’s yours today. Can you believe it? 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I am quite amazed i have done it. Thank you Xmas

[Lizcanrun Half Marathon]

Well done! What an achievement!! So pleased for you 🏆

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Lizcanrun]

Thank you Liz for your well wishes x

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Well done! I won't be joining you this weekend. See my post in Bridge to 10k. I got to 14k before the wheels came off.

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Thanks nowster. Oh dear hopefully you wont suffer too long. The hm isn’t going anywhere! You will do it.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Just amazing Smile! Huge congratulations to you!! 100% agree lots can happen if you just believe! Well done!

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. I know it sounds corny but It works. To coin an old phrase positive mental attitude. Gotta love kris akabusi 😆

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Wow! Smile23 thats a fantastic achievement. 👍

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done Smile23 👏❤️🏃‍♀️

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thank you x

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on your half marathon! 🎉Well done.👏

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Very kind x

[CandyCool Marathon]

Many many congratulations. Virtual marathon in October?? Not sure if there are any places left for the London, worth checking it’s great to have a focus. Just don’t stop xx

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to CandyCool]

Definitely not going to stop. I have just entered a real half marathon race in June falls on my 1st anniversary in my home city. Have to do that one!

[Frenc Half Marathon]

Drum roll! Well done you, I can only dream of such a distance - you are an inspiration 😊🏃‍♀️👍👏🏼🏆🎉.

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Inspirational? Me? I just put one foot in front of the other. Only yesterday was 42500 times! X

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Smile23]

Now that does put it into context 🤣🤣

[AndrewJR75 Half Marathon]

Congratulations Smile23. I hope you’re feeling ok this morning and also feeling extremely proud!

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to AndrewJR75]

Thank you AJR75 I am proud. Not sure my feet feel the same😩everywhere else is fine so thats a plus!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done!! It is surprising what happens on this running journey isn't it!Great achievement 🙌

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you CLR. No one least of all me can believe it. For 52 years I have always been a running denier however now I have become the running bore 🤣🤣🤣

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Smile23]

Great! Join the club! 😂

[00marks Marathon]

Congratulations! Very well done!

[Alib200]

Well done! I am doing my first HM on Saturday and you have inspired me! You must be over the moon, congratulations xx

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Alib200]

Ooh good luck. I am sure you will do it. If I can anyone can believe me !

[Cmoi Marathon]

Congratulations Smile23 on your first - and I'm sure not your last - HM! 🎉🏃‍♀️👍

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Just signed up for a real race in june😳

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Smile23]

Excellent! I've completely lost the plot and have signed up for a maratrail in October. Wibble.

[Mumpark Half Marathon]

Well done Alyson you have worked for your achievements so enjoy the glory.You have beaten me to the half marathon I never thought I could do 10K but I’m now doing 9 1/2 miles most Fridays.

For the first 9 years of my running I only did 5K and had no intentions of trying to go further.

But one day just went for it gradually building up.

[Smile23 Half Marathon in reply to Mumpark]

Thanks Jackie

Good to hear from you. i am impressed 91/2 miles every Friday. Thats more than I did on my build up!

I am still stunned I have completed my HM. I have entered a real HM in June and managed to shame the friend who got me started on c25k to join me😂she is stressing whilst I am thinking faster would be good🤔

I am sure you will decide the right path for you. Alyson x

[Mormor1 Half Marathon]

Gosh. That's such an achievement ( from where I'm sitting)... I started C25K last July and was happy, till I read your post, getting to 10k. Now I'm thinking maybe 10miles coukd be a goal. I was given a Garmin for my birthday, big 70, on Tuesday, and have just located Greg. Any idea how long it might take to do that, given I run 3 times a week usually, between 5-10 k. Took me about 80 minutes to do 10, so a plodding jogger..I'm not aiming for speed, just distance... Any advice??

[Smile23 Half Marathon]

Hi mormor1

You are about the same speed as me and run about the same amount. I inputted my details for completion not speed and just followed the plan. It adapted itself accordingly i think it was 14 weeks? You can pause it if you want a break from it then resume your hen you want. You could also put a fictitious race date in and it will work from there. Enjoy x

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Congratulations Smile23, that is a fantastic achievement. I see your shiny badge has been awarded so you can celebrate 🍾🥂The new T-shirt looks great too.

[Knittingrunner Half Marathon]

Absolutely brilliant. Well done. It gives me hope for my first HM in June. 👏👏

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles]

Woohoo indeed Smile23 - fantastic!