what have I signed up for?? - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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what have I signed up for??

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

Last April I watched runners coming back into the Rec at Stratford on the last bit of their half or full marathon . The grandkids were with me and they enthusiastically cheered and clapped everyone. It was late in the day and these were the stragglers, I hope our efforts helped lift their spirits for those final few hundred yards .

This year I read that the medal had been designed locally and included a quote from Macbeth. Also as the full and half set off at the same time, the cut off is a full 6 hours . With a passion for Shakespeare I was tempted to think that maybe I could do it .

For weeks I wasn’t sure . I’m old, relatively new to running, slow and have a hip and knee that complain if I run more than 5k . I talked to my mentor, run buddy and friend TailChaser , she said she would help me with my training plan . I talked to my hubby who said I should be more confident and give it a go .

3 weeks ago I started my training . Last Sunday I did a 10k with a big hill for sausages, and on Wednesday I set off to run (and walk when I had to) 13k . I did it in under an hour and three-quarters. I was tired and with hindsight it was probably too far, but I needed to know I could do it. Consequently, today I entered the Stratford half marathon which takes place on Sunday 23rd of April .

And in order to keep my training fresh and exciting, I also entered the RED-FEB which requires me to run a least 1k each day for the month of February .

Thank you to everyone on here (especially those I have met in person) for your support and encouragement on my running journey. Here’s to this new adventure!!!

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Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-run
Half Marathon
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48 Replies
Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Brave decision Shakes; you can do this….I am on a HM plan, but haven’t had the confidence/ courage to enter a race…you are way ahead of me!!🙂

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toBeachcomber66

It is a leap of faith BC, but once done you can go public (here) and get loads of wonderful encouragement and support.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon in reply toShake-and-run

I think it's way braver and much more difficult to enter a race, train and tell people about it than just to go out and run a distance when you feel like it Shake-and-run . Go you!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toCmoi

accountability is a great motivator. Now I’ve told you all, I will do it, and you wonderful lot will help pick me up when i feel overwhelmed by it all.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon in reply toShake-and-run

I need to get a bit further down the road with the plan I think. When I started it,I said that I hadn’t decided to run an HM; the guided plan was a change to my “making things up as I go along” philosophy. So I will see where it takes me. Yes, of course I am avoiding making a commitment 😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles

Wow Shake-and-run , this came totally out of the blue today, but I am sure you are going to smash that HM, especially with a little help from TailChaser .

After that, there’s always the Great South Run. 😉 😈

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toDexy5

I couldn’t ask for better!

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon

Is this a HM which I see before me, The medal toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.

You'll be great Shake-and-run , have fun training!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toCmoi

❤️❤️❤️🎭🏃‍♀️

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon in reply toShake-and-run

My mind is boggling at which quote they could've picked Shake-and-run .

"I am afraid to think what I have done"

"Infirm of purpose!"

“Double, double, toil and trouble”

“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”

“They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly, But, bear-like, I must fight the course.”

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toCmoi

they haven’t told us Cmoi, we may have to finish the race to find out.

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toCmoi

my medal hanger has a quote from Macbeth on it.

Medal hanger
TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon in reply toShake-and-run

That is very excellent Shakes (unlike my English 😁)

Week7 profile image
Week7Half Marathon

Sounds like the perfect goal. Looking forward to hearing all about your training adventures and successful HM when the time comes.

Good luck!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toWeek7

thank you.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon

I have every confidence that you will smash it Shakes. Your commitment and drive these past few weeks has been a joy to behold and I’ve really enjoyed seeing you improve. The fact that you have the confidence now to do the sausage run AND enjoy it AND sign up for this speaks volumes of how far you’ve come 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toTailChaser

Still some way to go TC but I can’t do it without you, you are an essential part of my journey to the start line. Once there it is down to me. Thank you for being my guiding light.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon in reply toShake-and-run

It’s a pleasure Shakes 😍

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles

How exciting and sounds like you have a good plan and mentor, I shall watch for your progress reports with bated breath and hope your joints play ball and you keep injury free

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toSueAppleRun

Thank you W&S. I’m a bit worried about the joints, they are a bit old and battered for this type of adventure, but we will try and go gently.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon in reply toSueAppleRun

It feels odd being called a mentor!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toTailChaser

get use to it as you are a fabulous one!!

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon in reply toShake-and-run

😻😻😻

Time_Lord profile image
Time_LordHalf Marathon

That's brilliant Shake-and-run . You can't go wrong with TailChaser on your side. I'm hoping to do this one again so may see you.

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toTime_Lord

We can meet on the start line at least. With the London Marathon on the same day some of my mates will be elsewhere. It will be good to see a familiar face Timelord.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon in reply toTime_Lord

Thanks TL 🤗 I may well be there too… I was hoping to volunteer at LM but my club start too early for me to get there 😭

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieMarathon

What a team Shake-and-run & TailChaser

You’ve got this ❤️🏃‍♀️

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toRunWillie

thank you.

Kevin41 profile image
Kevin41Half Marathon

All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely……..runners!!!

I think you will absolutely smash the HM and I, like many others it would seem, are looking forward to shaking our virtual Pom poms and reading a subsequent race report all about it!!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toKevin41

That will be fabulous Kevin. Thank you.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

Here’s to the new adventure indeed! Good for you, it’s great to push ourselves from time to time.

Enjoy the training and let us know how it’s going. We’re all right behind you 🙂🍀

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toIrishprincess

Thank you for your support. I do think it is all a bit crazy and rather scary. Glad to have your support.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon

You have absolutely got this! Good luck!🙂

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toSandraj39

thank you.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingHalf Marathon

This is just a brilliant post. I think we’re at a similar stage-I’ve entered a HM on April 2nd and ran 13k as my long run last week. It was a tough one. I will have whatever the Shakespearean equivalent of pom poms waving for you!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toMissUnderstanding

Thank you MissU, great to have a fellow on a similar path. Good luck with your training. Thankfully I have a ‘cut back’ week this week to recharge my batteries, so no ‘long run’ this week. 🥰

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingHalf Marathon in reply toShake-and-run

Those cut back weeks are golden! Enjoy! I’m a week ahead of my training plan (miscounted how far it was to the race!) so I’ve got one in the back pocket to whip out when I need it. Very pleased about that!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon

I am so proud of you and know very well that when you set your mind on something, you will give it your all. I will be there to cheer you over the finish line. There will be another London volunteering opportunity, but not my BFF’s 1st HM xx

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toSandie1961

bless you! Are you going to enter it then????

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toShake-and-run

Nope! I can’t face the training again

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserMarathon in reply toSandie1961

Oh go on…😉

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

Ahh Shakes, you’re a star! What a wonderful surprise to hear that you’ve signed up for your first HM. You WILL smash it and imagine how epic it will feel knowing you have that distance under your belt. Absolutely brilliant news. ❤️

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

thanks Cheeky, still a bit scary but going to take it one day at a time.

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Wonderful! You absolutely can do this and with TC on your side I bet you'll have lots of fun doing it too. The satisfaction you will feel as you hang that medal around your neck will make every second of doubt worthwhile. Enjoy!!!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply tolinda9389

thank you Linda.

Mudita11 profile image
Mudita11Half Marathon

Lovely to read this. I’m hoping to do my first HM this year too but haven’t committed to one yet as they all seem too hilly for me 🤣. Enjoy the training and I will look out for your updates.

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon in reply toMudita11

Thank you Mudita, I hope your training is going well and you find a nice flat course for your first half. Stratford is not too bad with only two lumps of 20 and 40 metres, but I’m a real whimp at up hill.

Profile of course
Puddocks profile image
PuddocksHalf Marathon

well done you ! I’m a late to the party elderly(69) runner entered for first marathon in May- eek! Sharing this and asking for donations to MND had def sharpened my focus.Good luck!

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