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Great Bristol HM and a long-awaited meetup! πŸ˜€

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon
β€’90 Replies

Long one. Sorry guys. πŸ™„πŸ˜…

First of all, fast and flat was a barefaced lie! That’ll teach me for only running my virtual HMs over mainly flat routes! πŸ˜‚ And it was hot too. The forecast was for grey and drizzly - wouldn’t that have been nice? Instead the sun shone for the vast majority of the run, and often we seemed to be running into it! β˜€οΈ

Anyway, I was waiting in the very long loo queue before we set off, and I heard β€œMunks?” Irishprincess spotted me!! We squealed and jumped around a bit (sure people thought we were bonkers!) and agreed to meet later. She was in the wave before me. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

The atmosphere was fantastic and very upbeat. I saw a friend who had a gazelle running, so we watched him fly off πŸ’₯πŸ’₯ My wave set off spot on 10am and I felt great for the most part at a lovely steady trot. IP and I saw each other on the course two more times, on opposite sides of the Portway! Isn’t having names on numbers a fabulous idea? πŸ‘πŸ‘ I was sandwiched between four lovely firemen for a while. No complaints! 🀣

As a bonus we had SkiMonday marshalling near the 5k mark. We exchanged greetings both times I passed him! The goatee definitely helps SM! Don’t shave it off will you? πŸ˜…

By this point the sun was really quite warm and full in our faces. The Portway isn’t flat, but its inclines were nothing compared with what was to come. 😨

I began to struggle a bit at around 10k, which is unusual for me. But I dug deep and continued on, being spurred on by the wonderful bands and people calling out encouragement. I saw my family who’d booked a table for brunch by the docks, and they gave me another boost. This is where it started to get seriously hard, and it was unknown running-wise for me. Little hills here, cobbles there, bigger hills (thankfully none too long), and I had to grit my teeth and trot on. Why won’t I let myself walk? I annoy myself sometimes πŸ˜‚

Anyway, I dug uber deep at the end as a lady had passed me and that wouldn’t do. I managed a slow sprint and pipped her to the post! We high fived as we’d both given it our all. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈMy time was 3:09:54. Slower than I hoped but it was a harder course than I expected. I rummaged around in my goodie bag to find the all important bling which I duly put round my neck. Then the heavens opened! Oh why not an hour earlier? It felt wonderful! πŸ’¦πŸ’¦

I met up with IP and SM for a tasty pizza and a Peroni 🍺 We had a lovely catch up and agreed to do the same in Bath next March.

I’m putting it on here so she won’t forget, but IP needs to send me her bank details so I can repay her for lunch. My phone died as I walked into the restaurant! It had full charge when I set out too. I’m that slow clearly! πŸ˜… Of course I didn’t bring any cards or cash πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ Worst thing though, no restaurant photos. 😩

So, would I do Bristol again? Yes, but I’d add more hills to my long runs. Bath should be easier. Would I ever do a marathon? Absolutely NO! Did I enjoy today? YES!

Thanks for all your support on here and on Strava. Without it I wouldn’t have completed today’s run. Next up - GSR! Yippee. πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

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cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunks
Half Marathon
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90 Replies
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linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Congratulations!!! A REAL HM!!! Sounds like you had a fabulous day - especially once you finished running up those hills! GSR should be a breeze for you after that run today.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tolinda9389

Yes a real HM at last Linda! So much fun, but of course you can’t pick and choose what hills to avoid! I enjoyed the GSR last time. It’ll be great to do it again. πŸ˜€

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles

Congratulations πŸŽ‰ what a run!! and lovely to meet up with IP and SM

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toSueAppleRun

Thanks Sola! It was the icing on the cake, meeting up with some VRBs. It was a first for IP and I too! πŸ‘πŸ‘

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Milesβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

That must have felt great

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toSueAppleRun

Yes it did! ❀️

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

On the drive home I thought β€œwe didn't get a photo!” But that probably had to do with us nattering so much πŸ€— we’ll have to get some at Bath.

What a fab day Munks! We did well with the heat and those ruddy hills. When I got home I was telling my husband about the hills and he said he knew because a neighbour called him today and said a friend of hers had done Bristol before and said it wasn’t flat! At least we’ll know next time πŸ™‚

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toIrishprincess

Yes we’ll know for next time IP! My gazelle running friend who did the 10k today said she was mighty pleased not to be doing the HM πŸ™„ We’re clearly tough nuts! So lovely to meet you after all the false alarms! ❀️

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

At least in March it shouldn’t be so hot! How are you feeling today?

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon

Congratulations, fantastic effort xx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toShake-and-run

Thanks so much Shakes. πŸ˜€

Stephen_UK profile image
Stephen_UKHalf Marathon

Hello CC. Thanks for a very entertaining report. So nice that you met IP after all this time. The run sounds like a bit of a nightmare and you did so well to keep pushing on with it. What an amazing achievement. Take it easy for a bit and get some rest, won’t you?

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toStephen_UK

Thanks Stephen, it caught me off guard a bit I must admit, but lesson learned - run hills more during my long runs in future! But yes, I’m happy I kept going. πŸ’ͺ

I fully intend to take it very easy for the next couple of days. πŸ˜€

Stephen_UK profile image
Stephen_UKHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

Glad to hear it!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles

Very well done Cheekychipmunks. I looked at the forecast yesterday and thought you’d have perfect conditions for the race, but the cloud and rain had moved to Southsea by mistake.

You have done a HM on your own turf, and you didn’t stop to walk? Incredible. You wear that bling with pride , because you are a superstar 🌟

Good to hear you’ve had practice on cobblestones because there’s more to follow in the GSR.

Can’t wait to meet up again.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toDexy5

I definitely feel like I earned my bling today, thanks Dexy! There were lots of walkers at the pace I was going but I was able to trundle along. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

I’m really looking forward to seeing you all again at the GSR. Not long now. πŸ‘πŸ‘

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Milesβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

What a privilege to meet her maj too β˜˜οΈπŸ‘ΈπŸ½

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toDexy5

Oh I know Dexy. Forum royalty! πŸ‘Έ

Katnap profile image
KatnapMarathon

Phones and batteries 😑Sometimes they forget to talk to each other so it's handy to have a little backup battery to give them a jump start!

Looking forward to GSR!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toKatnap

It was totally unexpected too Katnap. My phone’s usually quite good, but probably a combination of having Coach Bennett in my ear for 3 hours plus, and the fact it got wet when I’d finished couldn’t have helped. No post run photos though …… 😩😩

See you next month! πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Half Marathon

Oow, congratulations! πŸ₯³My friend ran it without me because I'm still on the injury couch. 😞 On the plus side, her time was so good, she's guaranteed a place in the London marathon next year apparently. She'd never have done that with me!

I've been doing a spot of googling. Weston super mare half marathon in March looks flat. πŸ€”

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toSpeedy60

I’ve never considered doing Weston Speedy. Could be an idea for 2023 - I’m doing Bath next March, and I don’t fancy 2 x HMs in quick succession (been there, done that!) 😨

I bet the warmth and hills didn’t bother the speedy runners. Your friend seems to have dealt with it very well! πŸ’ͺπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Speedy60 profile image
Speedy60Half Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

899th out of 2317 females, and she's 64!The thing that gives me pause for thought about Weston is the weather. Running along that seafront in strong winds doesn't bear thinking about. πŸ™

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toSpeedy60

Just wow! What an amazing runner she must be. πŸ‘πŸ‘

Wind isn’t pleasant, but after yesterday I’d take wind over heat and hills! I’ll definitely consider Weston! You’ll have to report back if you run it next year. πŸ˜€

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon

Congratulations on your Half Marathon today Cheekychipmunks, a good run and detailed post from you, that was nice seeing Irishprincess and SkiMonday marshalling at 5K, perhaps regarding the conditions being so warm you thought 5K would be enough but you continued to complete the run not walking at all, once again well done πŸ˜€ πŸƒπŸΎ πŸŽ“

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toAlMorr

Thanks Al! Yes 5k would have been very tempting today I must admit! The lure of pizza with my VRBs, and of course the ever important bling, definitely helped however. πŸ˜€

I can’t walk, because I’m not convinced I’d get going again! I’m happier at a slow trundle when the going gets tough. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Comfortnotspeed profile image
ComfortnotspeedMarathon

Brilliant!!! Well done πŸ‘ πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toComfortnotspeed

Thanks so much CNS! πŸ˜€

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon

Great report! Sounds like a tough, but fun day. Well done on getting through it and still smiling πŸ’ͺπŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ˜

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Thanks JoJo. Definitely tough, but definitely fun. I had comments from spectators about the fact I was smiling a lot. How can you not when you’re part of a big event like that? I love races. ❀️

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

It's those smiled over the miles that really count! No point if you're not having a level of fun πŸ’–

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Absolutely right JoJo. It’s why we come back for more. πŸ˜€

David_G profile image
David_GMetric Marathon

Well done cheekychipmunks that’s an epic effort over a difficult course. πŸ‘πŸ‘ I don’t know whether the GSR is a hilly course but I’d better get some practice in, just in case!πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘Congratulations on finishing today, it must have been tough in the heat!πŸ₯΅

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathonβ€’ in reply toDavid_G

Don’t worry David_G it’s as flat as a pancake, but with a little cobbly bit through the historic dockyard. Beware the Southsea wind though 🌬🌬

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toDavid_G

Thanks David! No we’re definitely ok for the GSR. As Sandie said, it’s flat as a pancake, which right now seems very appealing to me! πŸ˜…

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Milesβ€’ in reply toDavid_G

There is an incline at the eastern end of the run from the pitch and putt course , past the Eastney Tavern and up to Henderson Road, but only noticeable to those of us who don’t do hills much. The worst thing about the GSR is usually the westerly prevailing wind which hits you in the last few kms. But you’ll be used to that in Bognor Regis David. It didn’t blow from the west in 2019 so Sandie1961 and cheekychipmunks were let off lightly. Hopefully we will be this year too

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toDexy5

After yesterday I’ll take wind Dexy, although I might regret saying that on the day! πŸ˜‚

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon

Congratulations Cheeky πŸ₯³πŸ₯³πŸ₯³ You completed a tougher course than you expected, you ran it all, you had a VRB meet up, bling and a nice lunch. What more could you want? 4 weeks to GSR - the excitement is just building now πŸ˜ƒ

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toSandie1961

Thanks Sandie! Course organisers are sneaky aren’t they? Bristol is definitely advertised as fast and flat. πŸ™„πŸ˜… Never mind, a VRB meetup is always fun and it spurred me on.

Yay, GSR soon! It’ll be such fun. πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

Week7 profile image
Week7Half Marathon

Congratulations!! Nice bling. Tso did you have to run on the cobbles down by the m-shed? If do that must have been very awkward.Running has taught me that roads I have always thought are flat definitely go up hill!

Sounds great fun having your HU meet up to round off !

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toWeek7

Thanks W7! No, the cobbles were down by the Welsh Back. To be honest they didn’t bother me too much - it was the unexpected hills. I like hills as a rule, but I’ve never run a hilly HM before. πŸ₯΅ You’re right though - driving or walking doesn’t show up hills like running - I could have sworn some of the hills today didn’t exist before today! πŸ˜‚

The meetup was lovely to round the day off. πŸ˜€

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingHalf Marathon

Oh you super star! πŸŒŸπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ…πŸ Running for three hours is what super stars are made of, digging deep for unexpected hills. I have lost count of how many half marathons you have run! What a great runner you are. How lovely to spot your family and meet up with Irishprincess and SkiMonday. Wonderful! πŸŽ‰πŸ‘πŸ’₯πŸ‘πŸ’₯πŸ‘πŸŽ‰

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toover61andstilltrying

You’re too kind over61! ❀️ I think that was my 6th or 7th HM, and it was definitely the toughest, purely because the others have been solo runs where I’ve picked the route! πŸ˜… Today was a rude awakening to the fact I need to add hills to my long runs in future! πŸ˜…

It was so lovely to meet IP and SM for lunch afterwards. πŸ˜€

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

What elevation gain did Mr Garmin reveal? Oh yes these VRB meetings sound so good. 😊

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toover61andstilltrying

Only 49m, but there was little reprieve especially in the second half of the course. Constant ups and downs.

Elevation graph from Bristol HM
over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

What a graph! Hard to believe that only represents 49m elevation gain. I let myself walk the 'quarry' part of my run on the last two Saturdays. Unheard of for me! Perhaps it is the slippery slope of age! We must all find the way that suits us. 😊

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toover61andstilltrying

They were short sharp hills, especially that last one. πŸ₯΅ I’d definitely have had a better time if I’d walked them as I can walk far quicker than my slow hill trundle. Maybe one day I’ll allow myself to! Quarries are nasty - I don’t blame you one bit!

Frenc profile image
FrencHalf Marathon

That sounds like a wonderful day especially as you got to meet some vrbs too! They were naughty not to mention the hills, but heck, you did β€˜em! Note to self add some hills to long runs 🀣. Well done on a great day with pizza and peroni to finish it all off. πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌ

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toFrenc

I know Frenc! Fast and flat? No, it wasn’t! I’m sure there are way hillier courses, but today’s was plenty hard enough for me. πŸ₯΅ The meetup was such fun afterwards.

Tabbles profile image
TabblesHalf Marathon

Well done no way I could do a HM Picture from today, watched some of the runners. Did my own 10k. Did involve crossing the bridge and following part of the route.

Clifton suspension bridge.
cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toTabbles

It was a wonderful day for marshals and spectators I suspect Tabbles - that’s a lovely photo. 😍 I’ve never run over the bridge but I drive under it almost daily. I bet it was lovely for you today. πŸ˜€

Tabbles profile image
TabblesHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

Very inspirational , I watched the blind runners and their guides and some of the elite runners. Thought you may have been visiting so posted the photo as a memento.

Climb up to the bridge was 85m, I tried the wooded trial may have to rethink or wear longer socks.

Path to bridge.
cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toTabbles

I felt really emotional when I saw the blind runners and their guides. I was walking past the start on my way to the event village when they all started. Amazing. ❀️

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon

Well done cheekychipmunks , great report and lovely to hear about the meet-ups too!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toCmoi

Thanks Cmoi. A fun day all round. πŸ‘πŸ‘

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Half Marathon

Great race report - many congratulations πŸ‘ you did really well especially with the sun and hills to contend with!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toskysue16

Thanks SS. Neither was expected! The forecast changed its mind and the organisers were having a laugh! πŸ˜…

Cantstopmenow profile image
CantstopmenowHalf Marathon

Congratulations on a super successful half marathon. You did really well with those hills in the heat. It sounds like you had an amazing day. πŸ₯‡πŸŒŸπŸŽŠ xxx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toCantstopmenow

I really did, thanks CSMN. I was momentarily disappointed not to get a PB, but I reminded myself I’ve never run a hilly HM before, and the sun didn’t help. It was great fun! πŸ˜€

Bluebirdrunner profile image
Bluebirdrunner

Super report cheeky. Huge Congratulations on your actual HM race, a great event by the sound of it, even with the heat and the hills!πŸ˜…

Great that you and IP finally got to meet up and lovely that Ski Monday was there too...

Rest up lovely lady and stretch out those tired legs on your mat!πŸ™

πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ…xxxx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toBluebirdrunner

Aww BBR, thanks! The meetup was the icing on the cake. It’s always fun to dissect a race with someone, and it was so lovely to have that long awaited meetup. πŸ˜€

lexi6 profile image
lexi610 Miles

Great report Cheeky, congratulations! that was a brilliant run and it must have been lovely to meet up with VRBs. πŸ‘πŸ˜Š

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tolexi6

Thanks Lexi, it was! This forum just keeps on giving. The race was brilliant, tough or not! πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieMarathon

Well done cheekychipmunks β€οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toRunWillie

Thanks so much RW. πŸ™πŸ»

RunBrianRun profile image
RunBrianRunHalf Marathon

That sounds like a great run all round and you even pipped someone on the home straight, which always feels good πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘ congratulations on completing the HM! πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ 🍾 Pizza and Peroni is a great recovery combo too πŸ‘πŸ˜ Well done πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toRunBrianRun

Oh yes it does doesn’t it Brian? I felt like crawling but I persuaded my legs to give me one last effort, and they did! πŸ‘πŸ‘

I agree, pizza and a cold Peroni was the perfect post run treat! πŸ• 🍺

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyHalf Marathon

Great stuff Cheeky. Roll on the GSR …. 😜

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toUpTheStanley

Too right UTS, cannot wait ……. πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

JonathanP profile image
JonathanP10 Miles

Well done Cheeky! Sounds like a bit of a trial in parts but worth it in the end.PS Only 27 days until you know what!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toJonathanP

It was definitely a trial in places Jonathan, but running has made me even more stubborn than I already was! I’m very proud! πŸ˜€

Not sure what you’re talking about …… 27 days? What? (Argggghhhh! πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ) πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

Huge congratulations cheeky, sounds pretty tough, and the weather is making running feel more of an effort at the moment. Although the firemen would have helped you take your mind off it😁Extra special to bump into running royalty too, sounds like a pretty special day altogether.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply togrumpyoldgirl

Thanks Grumpy, I’ve run in hotter temperatures and I’ve run up steeper hills, but never over HM distance, so that was an achievement I won’t forget!

Yes indeed. I felt privileged to meet our wonderful IP, and it was lovely to see SM for a second time too. πŸ˜€

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Milesβ€’ in reply togrumpyoldgirl

I asked the firemen if they’d give me a fireman’s lift in the Bristol 10k , but they thought I looked stronger than them at that point. Running in firemen’s kit must be hard.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toDexy5

They were lovely firemen Dexy. You’d have approved! πŸ˜…

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirlβ€’ in reply toDexy5

Ah well, don't ask don't get eh, Dexy! πŸ˜‰ Yes they've got to be tough

Dups profile image
DupsHalf Marathon

Congratulations πŸ‘πŸ‘ in that heat with those hills you did brilliantly. Sounds like you had an amazing day. Well done. A well earned medal πŸ…πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toDups

Oh yes Dups, this is probably my hardest earned medal. I’ve done a couple of very hot 10ks (28 degrees πŸ₯΅), but the sheer distance of a HM amplifies everything.

Beatlesforever profile image
Beatlesforever

Oh wow, congratulations my HM training buddy!!! πŸ₯³πŸŽ‰πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ Amazing achievement for you and the others, very well done πŸ₯‚πŸ˜ƒπŸ’ͺπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toBeatlesforever

Thanks Beatles! How are you doing at the moment? πŸ˜€πŸ˜€

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseHalf Marathon10 Miles

The Scottish Half styles itself as fast an flat too, but I suspect much more accurately and, although there are a few gentle inclines (which feel worse than the actually are on tired legs) it has much more of a downhill aspect to it.Very much in the same camp as you though. Did I enjoy and would I do my event again? Absolutely! Would I attempt a marathon? Uh, I think not... I have still to get to the end on an HM and think, "You know what? I could just do that all over again..." I don't think I'm ever going to get to that particular place.

Well done on your run, and it is lovely to bump into familiar faces (even if they are passing you in the opposite direction some times...)

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tosTrongFuse

Yes SF, any incline is amplified on tired legs! The killer yesterday was the frequency of the inclines in the last third of the race. Just about had time to recover from one, then another …. and another.

I’ve never felt like I could continue on to a FM after running 13.1 miles, but speaking to our resident Ultra Marathon runner SkiMonday yesterday, he reminded us that any target distance is hard whether it’s 5k, 10k or the longer runs. I’m still not tempted though. I’m too slow and it would take from dawn until dusk! πŸ˜…

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseHalf Marathon10 Milesβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

I have a friend that is an Ultra runner. Officially, I could beat her over HM distance but, the difference is, like yesterday, I'd be just about ready to be put down at the finish line where as she'd still really only be warming up and would keep going for another 3 hours.I'm happy sticking to HMs. At least we know we're only half-mad...🀣

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tosTrongFuse

Good point! 🀣🀣

Forest_Run_Beginner profile image
Forest_Run_BeginnerMarathon

Well done CC, I only did the 10K and found it very warm despite the forecast suggesting cool and cloudy, so even tougher for your HM. I do wonder if there is a definition of what is considered 'flat' for a race/event, as your elevation picture would definitely go against that. A lovely VRB meetup too, how nice. 😊

I hope you enjoy the nice flat of the GSR next πŸ…πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathonβ€’ in reply toForest_Run_Beginner

I think you've got an interesting point about definitions there Forest_Run_Beginner . Where I am, in mid-mountain France, that elevation picture does represent a flat course. But there again, I'm a freak who spends as much time as possible going up and down on trails. And yes, I walk a fair bit too. Can't cope with heat or flat roads either.

sparky66 profile image
sparky66Half Marathon

Huge congratulations πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ Cheekychipmonks

Wow well done on keeping running on those hills!!!

Ooh you and IP are making me jealous.. thinking I really need to sign up for my first HM race sometime soon πŸ˜†

Hope you feeling brilliant and very proud πŸ₯‡πŸŒŸ

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tosparky66

Thanks Sparky! Oh you must, it’s wonderful and very addictive. I need to have a race booked to look forward to all the time! Luckily I have the GSR next month and the Bath Half in April - both involving VRB meetups! ❀️

I’m still very proud today, although my quads have been stiffening nicely as the day has gone on. I’m planning a short slow jog in the morning to limber things up a bit. πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ˜€

sparky66 profile image
sparky66Half Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

I have another 10K race on the 3rd October, but I've been too afraid to try a real HM one YET! But I'm looking for something local 😊So lovely to get to meet with your vrbs πŸ’•

Good luck with the limberingπŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸŒ πŸ‘πŸ˜œ

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tosparky66

Ooo that’s not long to wait, good luck with that one! πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ I definitely recommend running a real HM race, it’s very special. Just make sure you know the course well to avoid surprises! πŸ˜‚

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