London Big Half Marathon complete!

[Zee221b]

I have completed my first half marathon! It was a lot of fun. I can't believe I've actually done it! I will definitely be signing up for more. My goal now is for half marathons to feel more natural. Leading up to the race I ran my longest distance of around 11.5 miles, so I was already pretty close to the 13-mile mark. I also know now that I can increase my pace as I didn't feel tired at all - my only goal was to complete it so I didn't want to run too fast too soon. Also, it was really fun taking in the views of London and waving to supporters. Crossing the finish line was truly elating - it was also Mo Farah's last race in London of his career so it was extra special. The race was on Sunday so it's been a few days since and I have been doing one-hour walks each day to help with recovery. I am pretty much fine now. Yay me! 😄

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

A big congratulations to you Zee221b on completing the London Big Half Marathon, well done, I watched some of it on television, you had lovely weather for it. 😊 🏃🏾 ✅✅

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! Yes the weather was perfect, its gotten much too hot now!

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done Zee221b 😍

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thank you! 😄

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Yay you indeed!!! Very well done and congratulations on your first HM. I’ve given you your well earned shiny new badge and it looks great 👏

You will have so many special memories of this run and of course, the bling and t-shirt are always there to remind you, not that you’ll ever forget.

That’s gorgeous looking bling too 😍 Whoop whoop 🥳🥳

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you so much!! Yes I have so many memories now, I'm glad I got to do it with my friends 😄

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Congratulations, was a hot day to fo your 1st HM!! 👌x

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Than you, and yes it was! Luckily the route was fairly shaded and I started early. At least it wasn't as hot as it been the last few days, over 30 degrees!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Congratulations, what a run to complete 👏👏👏

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you Sue! I already want to run it again!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow, congratulations! Not many can say they finished their first HM with energy left to spare, how fantastic is that? Have fun looking for more events - warning: it can become addictive 😍

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda! I had some knee pain towards the end but physically I felt fine as I kept it slow. I also tapered my runs in the weeks coming up to it so I had a lot of energy, the gels help too! I think I was just particularly excited and I had friends cheering me on. And yes I'm already looking for more events haha. I've got 5 medals so far this year, on my way to a sixth!

[misswobble Marathon]

yay, way to go Zee 🤗😀💪👍🏅✊

Not being tired is amazing 😁. Recover well and get ready for your next run 😀

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks misswobble! I have been walking everyday but resisting the urge to run just yet, also it is very hot!

[misswobble Marathon]

walking is lovely. I love going for a walk! You see so much more once you slow down 🙂

I walk backwards to stretch out my calves. I discovered this when waiting whilst watching a slow dog 🐶🙂. It feels good! 👍

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Agreed! I've never tried walking backwards, I will give it a go and incorporate it into my running cool downs!

[misswobble Marathon]

I am still walking an old dog (another one 😀🐕) so I do it while keeping an eye on him when he’s off the lead I have to keep an eye on myself periodically too 😁

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Haha, fair enough! 😅 Yeah definitely got to keep an eye on your doggo! 😊

[Papillon17 Half Marathon]

Well done on completing your first half marathon. The Big Half was my first official half marathon I did which was in March 2020 the last big run before Covid lockdown. I ran a half in training on Christmas Eve 2019 and this made me fully aware I could run a half non stop. My experience was it was a great event so pleased some of the family saw me at the finish but my experience was ruined after the finish being shepherded in to an area where we didn’t move for an hour before getting our medals and tee shirts. Stiffened up so badly I decided never again. Well done on your achievements they can never be taken away. Good luck on what you decide to do next.

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to Papillon17]

Thank you Papillon! I'm sorry you didn't have a great end to your Big Half. This year I got my medal straight away after crossing the finish line and then it was a bit of a walk to pick up t shirts - I do wish they gave out the t shirts along with the medals but it gave me an excuse to do a cool down walk I guess haha. I hope that experience doesn't discourage you from doing other races though! I hope to do some 5K or 10Ks to round off the year and try a half marathon again next year 🙂

[Papillon17 Half Marathon in reply to Zee221b]

I did the Vitality 10k virtually as it was cancelled because of Covid. In total I think I raised around or just over £2.5k from both the half and the 10K for the hospice that both my parents passed in. I have done a few 5Ks but currently on way back after injury so back on C25K currently at Week 8 Run 3. Good luck on your next races.

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to Papillon17]

That's an amazing achievement, you should be very proud. All the best with recovering from your injury, and best of luck with C25K 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wow, congratulations Zee221b! Very impressive to have energy at the end of a HM, and even more so given that it was your first! 👏👏

It’s fun doing races isn’t it? Bling helps of course! 😍

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Hi thank you! I was going very slow, and I think I managed to remain distracted for the most part. Just some knee pain but otherwise thankfully I felt good. And yes its so much fun! All the prep leading up to it and then being able to enjoy it on the day... so worth it! And collecting the medals is very satisfying 😅 I can see you have a half marathon badge as well, so congratulations to you too!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Zee221b]

Distracting yourself is a great tactic! And I’m glad your knee didn’t bother you too much. 🙏

I do indeed have an HM badge. I’m a slow trotter but I’m able to maintain for it for a nice long time, and I’ve run the distance several times. I can’t claim to have any energy left at the end though! I find the 4k from 17k onwards is the worst, but I haven’t been defeated yet! In fact I have the Cardiff HM coming up in 3 weeks. 😀

[Zee221b Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I think it was just beginners adrenaline for me, it will probably end up being harder for me next time, haha. And wow good luck for your Cardiff HM!! Slow and steady is the key isn't it? II don't know when i'm going to run my next half marathon yet, but in the meantime I am going to get back into cycling and strength training 🙂