My 1st HM at London Landmarks yesterday...2.33.55. What an amazing event. Still smiling if legs tad achy😁😁

[Betj]

What a fabulous event this was with so much support from the crowds, loads of live music ... (my favourite had to be London Choral choir singing Queen Don't Stop Me Now outside The Guildhall at 6.5 miles!!!) & amazing historic sights along the way, with lots of memories as I used to live in London.

Perfect weather sunny, chilly & dry.. Started day feeling excited anxious & rather sick!! Managed to get myself into wrong wave group 🙄 & didn't want to be amongst the speedsters so did 2 warm ups and eventually set off at 10.20am Trying hard not to start out too fast & to keep all Coach Bennett's tips & tricks in my head but mile 8-11 we're tough & legs not so happy!! I also have type 1 diabetes so managing blood sugars is added fun. Rather higher than ideal but at least no hypos!!

Very chuffed at 58yrs old with my finishing time especially having training at week 8 going haywire following a fall & rib injury!

I ran to raise money for brain tumour research for good friend who died last Dec and he was with me all the way.

On this forum the pleasure, joys, pain and disappointments are all shared & I see that they are all there whether we run on our own as i usually do or amongst thousands where the atmosphere is infectious.

I never ever thought I'd run a HM & this was certainly one to beat but whenever & wherever your next run takes you just enjoy and always celebrate the amazing thing that is running 😁😁😁..

oh.. and it was a very nice bit of bling too!!

[sparky66 Half Marathon]

Huge congratulations on your first HM race🎊🌟👏👏👏Great achievement!

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to sparky66]

Thanks very much x

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations to you Betj on completing the London Landmarks Half Marathon, well done, great photo of you and your bling, you look so happy and should be very proud of yourself 😊 🏃🏾

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks still buzzing.. until I try to stand up and walk!!!😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Fabulous - congratulations!!!!

I have awarded you our special virtual Half Marathon badge xxx

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Brilliant thanks v much.. didn't quite ever claim my 10k badges 😁

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Your face says it all, what a lovely photo! Fabulous!!! Congratulations 👏 👏👏

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda.. it was a really lovely experience x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Woohoo Betj, an awesome time at a wonderful event! Huge congratulations to you. I hope you’re still grinning - you sure deserve to be. 🎉👊💥😍 🏃‍♀️🏅

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ah thanks very much.. it really was a very special event😁😁

[Katnap Marathon]

Fantastic achievement after a rib injury! Heroic even! 👏👏👏

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Ah thanks very much Katnap.. . That's lovely 😁😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Whoop whoop!!!! Well done 👏👏🥳

Sounds fabulous, such a memory in such a magical location. You’ll always remember this one 😍 I hope you wore your bling the rest of the day…

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Ah thank you very much. Still can't quite believe it when I look at it!!😊 Very special memories & event!! 😁😁

[misswobble Marathon]

Great stuff! Well done! Congratulations 👏 🥳 🏅

The music sounds fab 🎶🎵. Combined with good crowds and views makes the run bob along much better. Such distractions are really helpful 😀

I hope you feel ok after your exertions. Here’s to your next one 🥂

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks so much miss wobble. . 😊🎶🎵 definitely did lift the spirits and helped me through . In training I've done most of my long runs with headphones and my playlists. I wondered how it would feel without them but I needn't have worried!!Recovering well, done some yoga & moving less weirdly today😁😁 .

Had already booked up for Brighton 10k on Sunday but not sure bout any more HM's for a good while!! Though I did say never once before!!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Betj]

It’s ok to run music free. You’ll be fine listening to the birds and bees. Hopefully not juggernauts and sirens 😀. You can sing your own playlist if you get fed up, or write some lyrics of your own. I compose silly running rhymes, the words of which I’ve complete forgotten by the time I get home

[Frenc Half Marathon]

What a lovely post Betj , I love the sound of that choir, it must have really lifted the spirits, and the feet! Well done on a brilliant run. 😊

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Frenc... that's so kind. 😊. Yes it really did do the trick.

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done Betj 😍

[Lizcanrun Half Marathon]

WELL DONE!! You must be so chuffed! I am inspired!!

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to Lizcanrun]

Ah thanks very much Lizcanrun... that's the biggest compliment😊 I felt so supported by people I know and by total strangers.. its very heart warming❤

[TailChaser Marathon]

Congratulations on your first HM Betj. I heard about the bling on a podcast last week and got instant bling envy 😁 Does the clock really spin? Congratulations also on your bling next to your name on here, that’s always a special one 😍

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

😂🤣... Thanks TailChaser.. ou should sign up and do it!!! Yes the Big Ben clock really does spin and just to make you really green it opens up and inside is a mini image of the route .😊I'm not generally too fussed bout paying more money for individual time tab etc but im even getting tempted to do it this time cos they keep sending emails asking if you want to!!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Betj]

Oh wow! I am very sorely tempted to enter for next year. Apparently it’s a different landmark on the bling each year so you can get quite a collection going. My neighbour ran it so I might have to pop by and borrow a cup of sugar… 🤣

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Me too...😂.. yes i think it is a new one each year... have seen a pic of someone with the whole set! Your neighbour best keep it close round their neck😉😂!!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Betj]

🤣🤣🤣

[buzzards]

Congratulations on your first half marathon. 👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎊 You look quite refreshed and so happy with all your bling. Great achievement.

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to buzzards]

cheers thanks very much buzzards, it was such a great event and I was delighted with my time so the knackered bit didn't hit till later!!

[Cmoi Marathon]

Belated congratulations on your first HM Betj !

[Betj Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks very much Cmoi.. and for your earlier injury advice.