First-ever race: 22k (hmm... allegedly...) on the trails

[Cmoi]

It's 14 months to the day since I started C25K, and I absolutely never expected to be posting this.

Ran - or more accurately ran-walked - my first race today, all on trails. Yes, that photo *does* show part of the route!

Came third from last of 67 runners: 58 men, 9 women, and I was the oldest female by 10 or 11 years. Weather was kind, started in 14° and finished in 23°, and quite a lot of the time we were in the forest, so it was relatively sheltered.

Although the event was billed as 22.8k, 770m elevation gain, both Strava and Garmin say more. Strava stats are 24.32k, 851m, 3:06:35, 7:40/km. This is overly complimentary on pace and distance as they've measured a km more than Garmin, and deducted my stopping time.

Garmin has more elevation though, and as I didn't pause my watch at all, the time includes all the photo and refreshment stops etc. Oh, and the part at the end where I took a wrong turn as there was no signage! Only added maybe 400m distance, and a couple of minutes of wandering about being lost, but grr. Garmin stats, probably more accurate, for comparison: 23.22km, 3:28:55, 876m, 9:00/km.

I'm chuffed that I finished (there were a couple of points when only the thought of the HU pompoms kept me going!) but it's confirmed that racing isn't for me. I stayed right at the back, everyone went hammering off ahead of me, and I went off too fast too. After about 4k I lost a couple of minutes looking on the ground for the cap of my hydration pack tube (found it!), by which time everyone else in front of me had vanished. A blessing in disguise, as I ended up running on my own and enjoyed that much more.

No bling - we got a jar of powdered local cep mushrooms instead, which frankly I'm happier with than a medal - and I won a bag in the tombola! Also bought a lovely pair of earrings which are apparently imbued with magical therapeutic powers. Am already wearing them! So all-in-all, not a bad result at all.

PS Just realised that this run has taken me over 20,000m elevation for 2021. My tiny little mind (cf my brother) is boggling!

[HeavyFoot Half Marathon]

That’s fantastique!! A half marathon plus some. 🤩

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Well done! That’s such an achievement, especially when you think it’s only a little over a year from your C25K. Hope you are recovering now.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Well done! That's a respectable finish, especially if it's hot too! 👍🏻😁

[Frenc Half Marathon]

Superb Cmoi! Félicitations 🎈🍾🎉. The mushrooms 🍄 will go into something yummy I bet, and how brill to win something on the tombola 😊. A good day all round, well done. Now go and put your feet 🆙. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Absolutely amazing, says he from his temporary position of comfort on the sofa.

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow that is unreal elevation Cmoi! Massive congratulations! Trail HMs are renowned for being over distance, but getting lost as well must've been tough to deal with. Not all races are full of young club runners - don't let that put you off! And the going off too fast thing ... hmm, you're definitely not alone on that!!! All in all what a fabulous 14 months, an amazing achievement. Rest well and feel very proud of yourself 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

You’ve achieved so much in 14 months, you must be thrilled. Really well done to you for putting yourself out there in what sounds a tough run. You should be very proud 👏

I’m fascinated by the sound of the earrings, you must let us know if they work 🙂

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Wow! That's seriously steep! Congratulations on completing your first race! On a tough HM+ course too.

I think pacing at the start of an event is something that comes with practice; I've found that I tend to go off quicker than planned, even on a ParkRun (I've yet to run in a real event).

[Katnap Marathon]

Well done on going at your own pace. Nearly everyone starts off too quick in a race. Learning to find your pace early on is a difficult thing to do that even top athletes struggle with.

Awesome annual elevation gain! 💪

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[TailChaser Marathon]

I am in awe Cmoi, that is an incredible amount of elevation, you should be really proud of that and your race. It was worth doing just to find out you don’t like them!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a good run, races aren’t for us either but the distance makes me envious

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done Cmoi ❤️🏃‍♀️

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Blimey, well done on completing the run Cmoi and congratulations on that elevation total!! 🤩

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Magnifique; I am gasping at the thought of 700 metres elevation gain. Especially in the heat….amazing achievement Cmoi.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

This is so awesome - well done!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE that prize 😊😊😊

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Wow, that's an impressive run and not that far off mountain elevation...I bet your legs will know about it in the morning!Well done on getting to the finish line, fabulous job...and what a fab prize, much better than a medal. 👏🎉

I hope you make something delicious with it, maybe a pasta dish you can enjoy with a glass of wine while you smile & think that you just had an awesome run where those mushrooms grew, very cool 😊

[sparky66 Half Marathon]

Wow congratulations on your HM and some run 👏👏👏Looks a tough trail.. but you done it 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀

Well done, hope you well recovered now 🤞🍄

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

That’s a huge amount of climbing and those descents are a lot more disturbing than anything around here. It really does look much more like an ultra than a marathon. Congratulations on your achievement.

It’s going to be interesting to see what you go for next!