1h 13m 42s 7.48 miles 9m51s/mile 0 cals

Feet aching, small blister on toe, feeling of invincibility - I must have been for a longish run. Actually forget the last bit, I feel like I'm about to fall to pieces.

Under an hour!!

OK so the 'race' for the line wasn't necessary in the end - but how could I not go for it?

In the end I did it in 57'07" which is really gratifying.

The photos on the website are horrendous - I really must get my act together for the 1/2 marathon in September. Can't believe I am going to do it after this weekend's performance.

So this is the end of this blog but I shall return to the half marathon one which has been going since early 2006. And follow the journey to half marathon madness (or indeed glory - aiming to be under 2 hours??? Utterly crazed)

Done it!

That was the hardest run I've ever done - including, I think, the 1/2 marathon in 2006.

It was quite hot which didn't help and we slow types were held for 15 mins after the main start. And I needed the loo so badly before I started, that didn't help one bit.

There was the usual crush of people at the start but it wasn't too bad. Perhaps I should lie about my time and start with a faster group next time (NEXT time???) But apart from going onto the Portway it was quite wide enough for everyone.

I saw the boyf returning back under the bridge as I was approaching the bridge from the other direction - so I knew he was miles ahead. (He was also in the 1st group to go so there would have been a problem if I ever caught up with him!!)

There was a hot air balloon tethered at the turn on the Portway which was something to aim for - but perhaps I came unstuck believing that the turn indicated something like we were on our way home. It wasn't, it was far less than 1/2 way in reality. But at least there was a water station there. I had to have a glug even though I still wanted the loo. It's very frustrating running with crossed legs while along the side of the road there are blokes having a whizz. Hmmm.

So I'm on my way back by then but running onto the cumberland basin overpass thing it struck me that I was really tired and the hill was just awful. But going downhill on the other side felt sooo good. And that felt like the start of the run back - but I'm sure the km markers along the way were far further apart than 1km. The road just went on forever and ever. And I would promise myself it would be over quickly at the next corner - and it wasn't, and the km markers still wouldn't turn up (This was 3km out)

Hey ho - felt like walking, felt like giving up frankly, but then I saw there were plenty of other people around me who were suffering more so I just had to go for it.

And then. And then... heading around the centre - another hill before turning towards the imax - and the sound of the PA telling us 'if you can hear this, you can still make it back in under an hour...'
argh!! I felt there was nothing left in my kegs at all and I had no breath and I still wanted a wee... but there was the carrot dangling before me. And there were people overtaking me on both sides... I had to dig deep and push...

And then the finish line came in sight
'30 seconds' said the PA
'bugger' said my feet.
But I pushed on, really going for it, my legs felt weird, my head felt worse and then they began a countdown to the line - I really had to sprint as much as I could and I think I hit the line at zero...

:)

I hope so. I know it means I did get under an hour cos I started after the clock but it still felt good to get there!
And the website hasn't managed to get the times up yet, in fact they're all over teh place, but I"m sure they'll get there.

So glad I did it. Made me realise I"m quite unfit really and need to lose some weight for the 1/2 marathon (Why am I doing that???)

But very glad it's done!!

The Day Before

My knee hurts - not when I'm running, just going up and down stairs. It's the IT band problem again and I'd hoped it had gone away. It'll be OK tomorrow then I won't run for a week or so and let it get better, but I don't want to leave it too long. I'll stretch and so on and hope for the best.

Also I've discovered I'm in the green band of runners which is the slowest lot. Hmm. It's hurtful to the ego to know you're setting off at the back of everyone. I will try and not be right at the back. I know there'll be lots of other people running at te same sort of time and I won't let it bother me.
But, grrrr.

It will be over this time tomorrow - 11am. Looking forward to that bit. NOT looking forward to the getting there and back. Boyf wants to walk down - about 2 miles?? Really don't want to have to walk that far before starting and, more to the point, walk all the way back afterwards - and it's mostly uphill. I would drive, but the car was nicked at easter and we still haven't got it back.

So, baked spuds tonight, no wine, beer, sherry until a massive Sunday lunch tomorrow. Bring it on

Good luck all you green runners!

Gutted

My ipod has passed away.

The technical term was 'uneconomical to repair'... But what price can you put on an uncomplaining, entertaining and lightweight running partner?

I dedicate Sunday's 10K to you

RIP old chum.

It will soon be over...

Things which will be better on Sunday:

1. there will be drinks along the way
2. it's a different route to the training runs (which are feeling a bit stale frankly)
3. Won't have to set off at 0630 in order to get to work on time
4. It's a flat course
5. there will be people along the way supporting us
6. I might have got myself a new top for the big day (or I might not in which case it means I have saved a bit of money so it's a win-win situation)

I think it was the right decision this morning to go for the long run, the full 10k around the downs even though:
1. it was raining when I set off
2. I have no ipod to keep me company
It wasn't as bad as I'd feared - perhaps the endorphins are more addictive than I thought - but now my hamstrings are aching. As are my ankles a bit.
Hey ho - still managed to walk 1.6 miles into work so I guess everything still works properly and there are now 3 days to recover.

Good luck to everyone taking part - it's going to be sunny apparently but hopefully not too hot.

Bring it on!!!!
x

alas...

...poor ipod.

It works when it's plugged into the charger, but not otherwise.
Am going to send it to the ipod hospital and hope for the best.

I can't stress enough how important it is not to put ipods through any kind of wash cycle.