what have I signed up for??

[Shake-and-run]

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!!!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

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

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Shake-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 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

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 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-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 10 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 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I couldn’t ask for better!

[Cmoi Marathon]

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 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

❤️❤️❤️🎭🏃‍♀️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Shake-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 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

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

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

my medal hanger has a quote from Macbeth on it.

Medal hanger

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

That is very excellent Shakes (unlike my English 😁)

[Week7 Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

thank you.

[TailChaser Marathon]

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 Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

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 Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

It’s a pleasure Shakes 😍

[SueAppleRun 10 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 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

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 Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

It feels odd being called a mentor!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

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

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

😻😻😻

[Time_Lord Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to Time_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 Marathon in reply to Time_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 Metric Marathon]

What a team Shake-and-run & TailChaser

You’ve got this ❤️🏃‍♀️

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

thank you.

[Kevin41 Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to Kevin41]

That will be fabulous Kevin. Thank you.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

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

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

You have absolutely got this! Good luck!🙂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

thank you.

[MissUnderstanding Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

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 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-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 Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

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

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Nope! I can’t face the training again

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Oh go on…😉

[cheekychipmunks Half 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 Half Marathon]

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

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

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 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

thank you Linda.

[Mudita11 Half 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 Half Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

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 Half 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!