Iโve been looking forward to this race since last year - it was the only real bling that I earned in 2020. Due to covid it was run as a time trial over a slightly different course (England-Wales-England), but this year was back to the proper 10k course Wales-England-Wales. When I did the race in 2019 it was 28 degrees, and I was mighty thankful it was nowhere near that today, and I knocked a whopping 20+ minutes off that painful time! Strava says it was 11 degrees at the start - Iโm not sure it was that chilly, but it was certainly comfortable, and when the sun disappeared and the wind picked up a little, it was ideal. ๐๐ป๐
It was a rolling start in self picked โpensโ. I positioned myself between 1hr 12 and 1hr 14 and was overjoyed to come in at 1:11:57 chip time! Strava measured it at 9.93k, denying me a second day in a row of a PB - but it definitely was! I knocked 1:38 minutes off my virtual London Vitality 10000 previous PB. Pleased isnโt the word, and this isnโt a flat course. Up and over the Bridge, down off it entirely after the turnaround point, then all the way back up the slip road and over it again. Even the final run-in is up a wickedly steep little slope, but my training paid off and I conquered it. Iโll definitely be back next year! ๐
Spoke to a gazelle work friend of Mr Cheekyโs who was happy with his time of 58:03. He was kind enough to cheer me in. ๐๐ป
I wholeheartedly recommend this race. Itโs phenomenal. Next up Bristol HM on September 19th โฆโฆ ๐๐
Thanks for all the pom-pom waving guys. It worked. โค๏ธ
Written by
cheekychipmunks
Half Marathon
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Excellent run and time for you cheekychipmunks, well done on your 10K this morning, if I had been running it I would have also gone into the same pen as most of the 10k runs I have ran are in that same time zone, once again congratulations.
Thanks so much Beatles. ๐ฅฐ I was happy with my time! There was a HM race too, which was 2 laps. I certainly couldnโt have done that particular course twice - Bristol is flatter! ๐๐ป๐๐ป
Iโll have to run in Bristol. Iโve only been once and loved it. Such an interesting place. So much to explore! I have never been as cold in my life though ๐ณ๐ฅถ Jeez
Thatโs fantastic Cheekychipmunks, what a great event it sounds too! ๐๐ Great news that โrealโ events are coming back too. Long May that continue! ๐๐๐
Woohoo cheeky! ๐ฅณ๐๐ Fantastic achievement and you must be so chuffed at coming in bang on your predicted time - the organisers will love you! Enjoy the bling and the rest of your bank holiday weekend- I think you deserve it!
Hi CC. So pleased to hear that this went well. Sounds like everything clicked for you. Great work on the time. You should be really proud. Have a good rest today.
Congratulations!- sounds amazing-perhaps I'll give it a try next year.
It was seeing the signs for the Severnbride half marathon and 10k which gave me the push to coninue after c25k when I realised for the first time that those distances might actually be a realistic goal!
Oh yes W7, do come along next year itโs great fun!
I always get a sense of pride when I see all the signs and highway vehicles coming to close the motorway especially for us. I had to drive home over the 2nd Severn crossing as of course the old bridge was still closed for the HM runners. I didnโt mind one bit. ๐
Speaking of slithering, I was running with Coach Blu Benadum the other day with the Nike app, doing fast intervals with recovery jogs in between. He ordered me not to resort to โshufflingโ He could see me ! ๐ณ๐ฑ๐๐๐
Whoopee! Whoopee!Whoopee! You are a star! ๐ A really happy, speedy, running and smiley star! Well done to you. I am so pleased that you enjoyed it. ๐๐๐ฅ๐โโ๏ธ๐ ๐ I do hope that Mr cheeky is continuing to get better.
Aww thanks over61. I must admit I was smiling even whilst running some of the time this morning! It felt so good to be running a real race again. ๐๐โโ๏ธ๐ฅฐ
And yes thanks, Mr C is still improving, thanks for asking. Pins out of hand and just one left over staple in his head (there were over 100 ๐จ) Still a way to go, but things are still going in the right direction. ๐๐ป
Well done cheeky, no snails used today! I didnโt enter this one because it was advertised as a time trial race but things have moved on since then. If festivals can happen, big races certainly can. Iโm glad it was nice and cool and dry for you. Bling, bling, beautiful bling.
Haha thanks Dexy. Compared to some of the gazelles flying along Iโm going to say I was still a snail, but one with little legs for a change! It felt very safe with the rolling start and the large expanse of motorway to run on. ๐๐ป
Well, you are now officially faster than me . My PB from Bristol 10k is 1.12:57. That time with Coach Bennett has paid dividends. You are a strong runner too.
I suspect weโre near enough identical now Dexy5 . Remember our Virtual Vitality, coming in pretty much stride for stride (except my watch made me run further for the 10k? ๐)
NRC has been great I must admit. Itโs made me do intervals and enjoy them too! I used to avoid them like the plague!
Oh Munks, that sounds such a great event I might have to do it next year!
A massive well done on your time! Knocking 1.25 minutes off is quite an achievement ๐ช You must be thrilled with that. All the HM training clearly helps ๐
Iโm not quite sure why thereโs a photo of Poldark there but Iโm sure it was very welcome and encouraging ๐
That bling looks the business, I bet it makes a noise when you lay it down ๐
Isnโt it just wonderful that races are back? And bling too? ๐ ๐
Haha, IP, Poldark was there as an incentive to get the ladies (and some men I expect!) running as quick as they could to the finish! Worked for me. ๐คฃ
And yes the bling weighed a ton. So different from previous years but lovely and chunky. ๐
How was your race? Itโs lovely to have them back, youโre right! ๐ฅฐ
Thanks UTS - I donโt know about finding the GSR course gentle - I find running on the flat quite fatiguing. I know I did last time. Canโt wait nonetheless. ๐๐๐
Really well done Cheeky and congratulations on your PB (don't take any notice of Strava!). Sounds like a perfect race and beating your 'planned' time must have been the icing on the cake!๐
Iโm so pleased for you cheeky. Massive congratulations on your time and PB. ๐๐๐๐ It sounded like quite a challenge too with those inclines. I hope you celebrated in style ๐
Aww thanks Brian. It was challenging, but the fact I managed it is testament to my regular trail running route. It made the smooth road seem easier! ๐
Oh well done ๐๐๐๐ช๐ช๐ช๐ช๐ช๐ช๐๐
So pleased the weather was kind. Phew ๐. To be racing again is fabulous. Iโm champing at the bit. Wonderful to read the race reports today as itโs keeping us ticking over and motivated til our chance comes
Ah what a great run Cheeky! Was Poldark waiting for you at the end? That pic did make me laugh ๐. Sounds as though you really enjoyed it, well done you ๐๐ผ๐๐คฉ๐๐โโ๏ธ.
Noooo he wasnโt Frenc! Some nifty gazelle obviously got to him first and whisked him away! ๐คฃ๐คฃ Oh yes, it was such a wonderful race. ๐๐๐ป๐โโ๏ธ
Wonderful, very well done Cheeky - what a great time, especially going up and over the bridge twice!! Sounds hard work๐ฌ but I might be persuaded to give it a go! Not long now to the HM - hope your training continues to go well. I have a Canicross event (10k) on Sept 19 - first ever! ๐ถ๐พ
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ASICS 10k London