Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon

[Cowladyrunning]

The sunny, frosty weather was perfect for the race today. I knew I'd been cold at last weeks race and so for the first time (not advisable) I decided to wear a thermal top under my teeshirt - and gloves. It was fine - only at one point I felt a bit too warm but slowed down and that cooled me. The gloves came off fairly quickly too.

I wasn't expecting such a scenic run. I'd heard reports before of a route round the industrail sites that were boring, but not so in this race. We did a quick loop of the city then headed out to Caerleon - the old Roman fortress town, along the river banks then looped back to Newport though the wetlands paths beside the River Usk. It was very peaceful, but still well supported with a choir, drumming band and the Welsh bagpipe player at various points. Several peole had speakers playing from their houses with motivating music playing.

This is the first time I have run a race with company right round. The neighbour who supported my marathon training said she'd run with me as she is training for an ultra, so not racing this one. It was great and I was surprised when I saw the 5 mile sign as I hadn't realise we'd come so far. She was good at making me keep a steady pace. I felt fine until the last 3 miles - where my lack of consistent training showed and I struggled - mostly because you could see the finish the other side of the river but knew it was a long way to the bridge to get back there!

At the start of the race on a loop back on yourself section I kept an eye out for OldManRunning because he had such an easy number to spot. I did see him and unceremoniously yelled across to him to say Hi - so I'm sorry for shouting at you and hope you realised who it was OMR!!! I finished with a chip time of 2 hours 20 which I was quite amazed at considering I wasn't going to run this race until 2 weeks ago!

I even managed a walk in the afternoon - but then felt so tired I was in bed by 8pm 😆 Photo of the medal which depicts the Roman fortress.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That sounds like a great race! Bagpipes, drums, choir, what else do you need? And such a fab time too 👍 well done!

I find the last 3 miles hard regardless of what training I’ve done or not done but you must be chuffed with that.

Lovely bling too 🥰

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you - yes I'm going to highly recommend this race 😊

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

nice bling! Well done Cowlady, glad you had a fabulous time. You didn’t mention the ‘H’ word so i assume they do not bother you or your route was fairly flat. Enjoy your post run relax while it lasts.

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

🤣 There were a couple but I'd say very manageable and flat for most of it. Umm can only say this is Wales and hills become normal?!!!

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

I thought you meant Hereford’s 🐂😀

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

🤣🤣🤣🐮🐂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

What a fabulous last minute decision that was CLR! A great day all round. No wonder you were in bed by 8pm. Phew!!!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to linda9389]

More tired than I thought ....

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

If you need to sleep then go for it. Restorative stuff 💤🙂

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Party animal that I am 🤣

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Me too 😁

[OldManRunning Half Marathon]

Hi Cowladyrunning, I did hear you very clearly and thank you for the name check, I was just finishing my first parkrun 🤣🤣 the shout of my name made my son-in-law with me laugh that I'd been recognised. I did explain about the forum's here. I kept my eye open at the finish for your number but was feeling so tired I wasn't concentrating much. I did check your result and you finished about 2 mins in front of me. I really struggled in the 4th parkrun probably due to running away from the finish 🤣 but as you said above a lovely run with excellent weather. Nice to meet you 😁🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🤸🤸‍♂️🤸‍♀️

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to OldManRunning]

Fantastic run for your first HM! Well done and sorry I didn't see you at the end as we were so close but they move you on through quite fast don't they. One of the parents of a child in my class finished 2 mins before me but I didn't see her either! Busy. It's so funny explaining the forum isn't it but lovely to have the chance to meet people and the support on here is unbelievable and great. 😍

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Just wow! 😁 How lovely to have someone run this with you and help pass the time. It would take me another hour I'm sure if not more so a great run/race in my eyes and a beautiful medal too

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you it was lovely

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

You smashed that race CLR! Amazing time, and I do love that medal. 🏅😍

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you - it's really heavy too!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Hefty is always good! 🏅

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Fab time for your Half Marathon Cowladyrunning - no wonder you were pleased and a very well deserved early night!🛌🙂🏅

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Another superb HM from Newport. Congratulations CLR. “Struggling” and running at 2.20 pace really don’t belong in the same post. Both Newport HM reports today have been really inspiring. Just amazing 🥂

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you 😊

[GTFC Marathon]

Brilliant run Cowladyrunning HM's are always a terrific distance to run and that's a super time. Really well done 👏👏👏👏

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thank you 😊

[Freecloud Marathon]

Fantastic time, great scenery and medal. Good on you! Very well done indeed.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Freecloud]

I was really surprised how scenic it was - will do this one again 👍

[Dendev75 Half Marathon]

Oh wow! Congratulations 🎉 especially as you said you wasn’t going to take part until two weeks ago (very brave). Do you normally run alone? I’d find a distance that long would be hard to do without a chat. 🤣

I’ve got my first half in just under two weeks and I feel I’m going to struggle at the same point. In just hope the atmosphere is enough to get me to the finish.

Great medal! 👏🏻

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Dendev75]

Good luck with yours! I have always run alone before - I don't mind it and will take music or listen to podcasts. I don't tend to listen to anything in races or on a long run though, but love a race that's well supported like this one too. Nice bit of variety!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Many congratulations! Only decided to enter two weeks ago! Wow!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Yes probably not advisable but I finally felt better after winter colds so thought I'd see how I faired on a 10 mile run and I was fine so I went for it. I entered ages ago and don't like to opt out 😊