Thought I’d post up some of the numbers from the race…quite arbitrary, but want to keep them to compare to in the future.
Total time spent training
swim: 24:52:34
bike: 72:10:00
run: 41:27:17
Total: 138:29:51
I kept these stats from about mid January to race day.
The Race, from my heart rate monitor:
Total time 5:44:58
Avg Hr : 152
Max Hr : 171
Calories: 3353
I am surprised by my average HR, I did most of my training at about 147 avg (a bit higher on the run and a bit lower on the bike), so I wouldn't have guessed I'd be able to maintain a higher HR for the race.
Race positions:
118 out of 210 girls who started the race (206 completed the race)
25 out of 40 in my age group (F30-35)
Would have been happier with top 50%!
Splits:
Total time 5:44:57
Swim: 27:56 (43)
T1: 3:07 (74)
Bike: 3:00:25 (88)
T2: 2:54 (130)
Run: 2:10:32 (179) lap 1: 41:47, lap 2: 46:46 lap 3: 41:57
The numbers in brackets is my position for each stage, just in the girls race. Predictably the swim is pretty ok, then just all going slowly downhill from there ending with my shocking run!!! To be honest, nothing I didn’t already know….like I really need to work on the run!!!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The race
Finally race day arrived…I got up at 5:40 after having a fairly good sleep, thank god for ear plugs!!!!
I quietly got ready while Bronson and Leo slept on. Then down for breakfast at 6am. I really find it impossible to eat on race mornings, but managed to get something in me.
The nerves where still all good. It was then up to the room to grab my stuff, then Martin drove us to the race. We headed for transition and got all our kit laid out. The vibe was great in transition, everyone in good spirits as the weather looked good for racing. Dry, but not too hot.
At 8am we cleared out of transition and headed for the start line, then we overheard the announcement, that morning the water temp was measured at 14 degrees, so the swim was shortened to 1400m. All the slow swimmers celebrated, I was not too happy. Well what could one do???
I quietly got ready while Bronson and Leo slept on. Then down for breakfast at 6am. I really find it impossible to eat on race mornings, but managed to get something in me.
The nerves where still all good. It was then up to the room to grab my stuff, then Martin drove us to the race. We headed for transition and got all our kit laid out. The vibe was great in transition, everyone in good spirits as the weather looked good for racing. Dry, but not too hot.
At 8am we cleared out of transition and headed for the start line, then we overheard the announcement, that morning the water temp was measured at 14 degrees, so the swim was shortened to 1400m. All the slow swimmers celebrated, I was not too happy. Well what could one do???
After watching the pro’s go off and the other men’s waves, the girls set off at 9:05 along with the blokes 40+ which made for quite a big start, the water was cold but once the gun went, it didn’t bother me at all.
The swim felt great, a bit of barging about in the beginning but nothing too worrying, I tried to keep my stroke long and slow, but don’t think I managed. I think it’s easy to do when you are swimming on your own in a nice calm lake. But when you swimming with 100’s of others and the chop is up, you just resort to what you know…and for me that’s my old waterpolo style of swimming from the shoulders with a stupid high stroke count, not efficient in a wet suit!!!
Anyway, I was out the water in 27:56. I saw Bronson and Leo as I exited the swim, I shouted my time, but didn’t have time to explain the swim was short, so poor Bronson thought I was super woman with a 27 min swim for 1900m…nice while it lasted!!!
The transition was on an Astroturf hockey field, and was a normal transition, i.e. not the usual bags etc. Took my time in T1, then out on the bike after 3:07. A bit slow, but as the hockey field was covered in sand, I tried to get as much of this off as possible before putting on my cycle shoes and socks.
The bike felt fast to begin with, I kept thinking if I keep going at this speed, I’m going to pay a price later…but I felt great so just went with it. The hills where fine, I even managed to overtake some people on them…I especial like it when it’s some flash git on an overpriced bike, never fails to amuse me!!!
I knew Holly would be on my tail, in fact I expected her to catch me before the first climb, as it turned out, she caught me exactly 1 hour into the ride, on the last cheeky little hill before the final decent and quick dash to the turnaround point. We exchanged some banter…or abuse, and then she was off.
I really respect Holly as a cyclist (and runner), that wee Welsh lass is nails, so I was pretty proud of myself for staying ahead of her for so long. In the end her bike split was only about 7 minutes faster then mine. Yippee for me, all those hours of training paid off.
Back to the race, I dashed to the turning point, watching my bike clock the whole time. I managed lap 1 in 1hr 28 ish, still feeling ok so off for lap 2. I started feeling quite tired on the second lap, especially the long hill, it just seemed to drag on. I did the second in 1hr 32 ish to leave me with a 3hr ish bike leg. I was really happy to discover on my results that the bike leg was 03:00:25.
I then pranced about in T2 again then off for the run. A 3 lapper. The first part of the first lap went fine, then somewhere between then and lap 2, the wheels came off a bit. Physically I felt fine but mentally I was knackered. I completely lost concentration and found myself wasting time. Had to have a real talk with myself, somehow managed to piece things together again and managed a 2hr 10 half marathon. So a total of 5:44:57.
I am really, really happy with that, even if the swim was 1900m, I would still have snuck in under 6 hours, which was my secret goal. I would have been happy with 6hr 30 min, I knew if everything went very well, 6hr was doable, but to get in under that was just heavenly. I will confess that I had a little cry as I crossed that finish line. It’s been a long old journey, so to finally cross that line was just glorious.
The race organizers where really well prepared, at the finish I got my medal, then went off for a well deserved drink, then we got our finishers T-shirts and a race certificate with all our splits on. It was then out to see Bronson and Leo, to shed some more tears…such girls we are!!! There was also a huge spread to tuck into, very much appreciated. According to my HRM, I burned 3300 odd calories, so set about replacing them.
Monday I felt pretty stiff and very tired, Tuesday a bit better, and by Wednesday I was mostly recovered. And now having trawled over the results for a few hours, I’m already thinking of another one. I’m sure I can shave some time off of that run and maybe squeeze that bike in a bit too….
I don’t want to sound like an Oscar winner, but I need to say a few thank yous because although I crossed that finish line on my own, it was thanks to several people that I got there at all. To friends and family for all the support before and after the race. To my training partners (you know who you are), much better then doing it on your own, thanx for the hours of company. To Clare who loaned me her wetsuit and bike food carrier thing, much appreciated.
Then a special thanks to Bronson and Leo, for the support and encouragement, for coming all the way to Switzerland for my race, for the advice and help with all matters technical and other. And especially for allowing me the time to do all the training. It meant the world to me!!!!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Leading up to the race
We left for Switzerland early on Wednesday morning. A quick dash down to Dover to hop on the ferry to Dunkerque. From there we made our way to Strasbourg where we spent the night. The trip was ok, just a bit mad navigating in French and driving on the wrong side of the road. Leo also hated the trip and started getting very impatient with being stuck in the car seat. Poor boy.
We then made our way to Switzerland via the German Autobahn on Thursday morning. Once again Leo started getting very irritable being stuck in the car, to make matters worse, as we got to Jona, we suffered a flat tire, thanx to driving over a hideous huge bolt that had snapped off a truck…ended up having to buy a new tire as it was beyond repair.
We got settled into our hotel, which also happened to be at the start of the race cycle route (good skills Sharon for some excellent booking skills), then went out to do one lap of the route. We where just getting ready to go when we met this girl and her bloke who had just come back from riding the route. As our map wasn’t too detailed, we asked her for some advice, she then went on to say that she got lost several times, it took her 4 hours to cycle the one lap route of 45 km. She complained the descents where really terrible, very steep and technical. She managed to put the fear of God into us. I thought for sure we’d be cycling back in the dark
Needless to say, Ryan (Holly’s other-half) was a master map reader and we made our way around just fine. The first 10km, nice and flat, then a 1,1km short sharp climb followed by the only bit of crappy road surface. Then a nice down hill and flat section to the next climb. The second climb was long (around 8km) but was broken up with the occasional flattish section. Then came the descents, the first was fast, we got up to 63km/h without trying. The second was a great straight flat section where we got up to 45km/ without too much effort. Then a short climb and some more down hill. All good!! There was only one section we missed, but as it was less then 4km of the route, we decided we could live without it.
Later I discovered that the girl we’d chatted to in the corridor was Alison Fitch from Australia, a professional on the long distance race circuit!!! She came 6th on Sunday in a time of 4:32:34, with a bike split of 2hr 40. I guess when you are on a flimsy timetrial bike going at that speed, then yes, those descents can be scary!!!
For Friday and Saturday the weather was really crap, it just rained continuously, but the weather report always looked ok for Sunday, so we held our thumbs. Friday morning I met up with Alex to hand over her bike, we took it down on the back of the car to save her from flying with it. As the weather was so crap, we offered to drive Alex around the course. We also managed to find the bit we missed the previous day so that was a bonus.
In the afternoon we made our way down to register, it was quick and simple, and we got really cool bags too!!! I love new kit, and these are great!!!
Saturday morning it was still raining…I was starting to think that their forcast for Sunday was one fat lie. Poor Leo was really getting annoyed at being locked in doors all the time, so we took him to the ‘Kinder Zoo’ (Children’s Zoo) that was next door to the race headquarters. Leo loved it, he rode on a pony, checked out all the animals and we got to see the seal and sea lion show.
After this, I met the others to go to the race briefing. The race briefing brought good and bad news for me…firstly the bike section was described as challenging with technical descent, and 950m of climbing. This was the good news, as having ridden the route on the Thursday, I thought it was pretty easy. Climbs were do-able, road surfaces great…hence no problem. I guess this is what happens when you train on a 90km route on crap roads with 1300m odd of climbing!!!
The bad news…there was a good chance the swim would be shortened as the lake temp was at 15 degrees. And to think that the previous week the temp had climbed a degree every day till 19 degrees and there was even talk that is would be a no wetsuit swim.
I also managed to bump into Chantal, who I met via my blog….she recognised my SA accent so introduced herself. Great meeting you Chantal!!!
I then set about racking my bike and checking out the transition area, run route and swim start. All nice and straight forward. Then it was time for the Pasta Party…yum yum. Bronson decided it would be too much for Leo so left me behind to get on with it. It was great, I quite liked these huge bells that the Swiss have, I forget what they called them but they where really cool.
We then headed home to get our stuff together before the big day. This was quite challenging as Leo was asleep in our room. So I had to drag everything out and down the corridor to Sharon’s room, get it all packed and ready, then pack it all back in our room. What a mission!!! The nervous were also setting in, the big day was only one sleep away.
We then made our way to Switzerland via the German Autobahn on Thursday morning. Once again Leo started getting very irritable being stuck in the car, to make matters worse, as we got to Jona, we suffered a flat tire, thanx to driving over a hideous huge bolt that had snapped off a truck…ended up having to buy a new tire as it was beyond repair.
We got settled into our hotel, which also happened to be at the start of the race cycle route (good skills Sharon for some excellent booking skills), then went out to do one lap of the route. We where just getting ready to go when we met this girl and her bloke who had just come back from riding the route. As our map wasn’t too detailed, we asked her for some advice, she then went on to say that she got lost several times, it took her 4 hours to cycle the one lap route of 45 km. She complained the descents where really terrible, very steep and technical. She managed to put the fear of God into us. I thought for sure we’d be cycling back in the dark
Needless to say, Ryan (Holly’s other-half) was a master map reader and we made our way around just fine. The first 10km, nice and flat, then a 1,1km short sharp climb followed by the only bit of crappy road surface. Then a nice down hill and flat section to the next climb. The second climb was long (around 8km) but was broken up with the occasional flattish section. Then came the descents, the first was fast, we got up to 63km/h without trying. The second was a great straight flat section where we got up to 45km/ without too much effort. Then a short climb and some more down hill. All good!! There was only one section we missed, but as it was less then 4km of the route, we decided we could live without it.
Later I discovered that the girl we’d chatted to in the corridor was Alison Fitch from Australia, a professional on the long distance race circuit!!! She came 6th on Sunday in a time of 4:32:34, with a bike split of 2hr 40. I guess when you are on a flimsy timetrial bike going at that speed, then yes, those descents can be scary!!!
For Friday and Saturday the weather was really crap, it just rained continuously, but the weather report always looked ok for Sunday, so we held our thumbs. Friday morning I met up with Alex to hand over her bike, we took it down on the back of the car to save her from flying with it. As the weather was so crap, we offered to drive Alex around the course. We also managed to find the bit we missed the previous day so that was a bonus.
In the afternoon we made our way down to register, it was quick and simple, and we got really cool bags too!!! I love new kit, and these are great!!!
Saturday morning it was still raining…I was starting to think that their forcast for Sunday was one fat lie. Poor Leo was really getting annoyed at being locked in doors all the time, so we took him to the ‘Kinder Zoo’ (Children’s Zoo) that was next door to the race headquarters. Leo loved it, he rode on a pony, checked out all the animals and we got to see the seal and sea lion show.
After this, I met the others to go to the race briefing. The race briefing brought good and bad news for me…firstly the bike section was described as challenging with technical descent, and 950m of climbing. This was the good news, as having ridden the route on the Thursday, I thought it was pretty easy. Climbs were do-able, road surfaces great…hence no problem. I guess this is what happens when you train on a 90km route on crap roads with 1300m odd of climbing!!!
The bad news…there was a good chance the swim would be shortened as the lake temp was at 15 degrees. And to think that the previous week the temp had climbed a degree every day till 19 degrees and there was even talk that is would be a no wetsuit swim.
I also managed to bump into Chantal, who I met via my blog….she recognised my SA accent so introduced herself. Great meeting you Chantal!!!
I then set about racking my bike and checking out the transition area, run route and swim start. All nice and straight forward. Then it was time for the Pasta Party…yum yum. Bronson decided it would be too much for Leo so left me behind to get on with it. It was great, I quite liked these huge bells that the Swiss have, I forget what they called them but they where really cool.
We then headed home to get our stuff together before the big day. This was quite challenging as Leo was asleep in our room. So I had to drag everything out and down the corridor to Sharon’s room, get it all packed and ready, then pack it all back in our room. What a mission!!! The nervous were also setting in, the big day was only one sleep away.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Bring on the Taper!!
For those of you who don’t know…No, a Taper is not some South American jungle animal…it is, in fact, what one does before killing themselves in a race!!
I thought the fist week of the taper would be easier…but No, still quite a lot to get done, this is what I was supposed to do….
I thought the fist week of the taper would be easier…but No, still quite a lot to get done, this is what I was supposed to do….
And this is what I did:
Monday:
Massage – Went round to Clare’s for a sport massage. Man it hurt!!! But I needed it, legs felt great after a day or two’s recovery. Also lent Clare’s food storage box as I couldn’t find Bronson’s one anywhere.
Tuesday
Swim – 1 hr, don’t know how far.
Wednesday
Run 40 min
Thursday
Bike 42km in 1 hour 30 mins.
Cycled to Richmond Park and did 3 laps of the park. Some idiot cut the grass in the park, so after the first lap, I started having a hideous hay fever episode. Not sneezing, thank heavens, but my eye’s started to swell and itch. Didn’t help that I left my glasses at home…
Saturday
Swim, 2100m in around 45 min
Bike, 64km (or 6 laps of Richmond Park) in 2hours 20 min.
Run, 1 lap in 1 hr 8 min (with toilet stop)
Another good brick session, and all went well. The weather has been really crap here, so when I left for the lake, it was in the rain, but I soldiered on. By the end of the swim, the rain had ceased so the bike and run were dry. The food strategy worked fine, but I still needed to make a toilet stop. Looks like I’m not going to get away from that, will just have to plan for it!!
In the last 15 minutes of the run, I started to feel quite tired, I was still to run up the short sharp hill, so wasn’t looking forward to that. But then, a great comedy moment that made me smile. A guy come past me on his mountain bike, with his helmet on back to front!!!
I then went off to Sigma Sport to get the last few things I needed before we leave...treated myself to a nice new helmet...
I was supposed to do a long run on Sunday or Monday, but the weather was just too terrible, and I didn’t want to risk getting sick just before the race.
This is what I'm supposed to do this week...but not sure how much I'll get done as we leave tomorrow for Switzerland....
Will hopefully get one more post in before the race...else, the next post will be the race report....
Monday, May 21, 2007
Week 16
Saturday
Swim – 2600m in around 1hr 10
Bike – 54km in around 2 hrs
Run – 1hr 5 min
Saturday was my BIG BRICK and food prep. Went down to princes lake to meet Clare (who is loaning me a wetsuit till mine comes back from Snugg). The wetsuit fit great and had a good swim, on my own…did two big laps and one small lap. Nice and steady, focusing on good technique and a nice rhythm. All good…
Then drove to Richmond Park to do some reps. Managed 5 reps of the park in 2hours. There was a terrible headwind which made the going quite hard, but managed to maintain 26,5 km average which is OK.
After the bike, I set off for 1 lap run of the park, the food trial was going fine until then, had to have a pit stop after 20 minutes (thank god for public loos in the park!!!). I then managed the rest of the run fine, I did start feeling some tummy cramps coming on, near the end, which is a bit of a worry. So back to the drawing board, not sure if it’s the bars themselves or the fact that I ate a whole one in one go?? Don’t really have time to try out another strategy so may just have to wing it on the day.
But overall, very happy with the day, and pretty confident of getting around CH 70,3 without killing myself.
Sunday
Bike – 81km in 3hr 15min.
After a tough Saturday, I decided to just go along for the club ride on Sunday, we ended up doing a good ride, Staples, Ranmore, box hill, then back via Leatherhead. The pace wasn’t fierce at all and the hills felt doable so happy with that session. But by Sunday afternoon I was pretty tired, then having to run after Leo tearing around on his bike took some doing.
Swim – 2600m in around 1hr 10
Bike – 54km in around 2 hrs
Run – 1hr 5 min
Saturday was my BIG BRICK and food prep. Went down to princes lake to meet Clare (who is loaning me a wetsuit till mine comes back from Snugg). The wetsuit fit great and had a good swim, on my own…did two big laps and one small lap. Nice and steady, focusing on good technique and a nice rhythm. All good…
Then drove to Richmond Park to do some reps. Managed 5 reps of the park in 2hours. There was a terrible headwind which made the going quite hard, but managed to maintain 26,5 km average which is OK.
After the bike, I set off for 1 lap run of the park, the food trial was going fine until then, had to have a pit stop after 20 minutes (thank god for public loos in the park!!!). I then managed the rest of the run fine, I did start feeling some tummy cramps coming on, near the end, which is a bit of a worry. So back to the drawing board, not sure if it’s the bars themselves or the fact that I ate a whole one in one go?? Don’t really have time to try out another strategy so may just have to wing it on the day.
But overall, very happy with the day, and pretty confident of getting around CH 70,3 without killing myself.
Sunday
Bike – 81km in 3hr 15min.
After a tough Saturday, I decided to just go along for the club ride on Sunday, we ended up doing a good ride, Staples, Ranmore, box hill, then back via Leatherhead. The pace wasn’t fierce at all and the hills felt doable so happy with that session. But by Sunday afternoon I was pretty tired, then having to run after Leo tearing around on his bike took some doing.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Week 16 – last speed week
Monday
Bike – 1hr 15
Easy recovery ride after the half. All felt fine, managed to cycle to Richmond park and did two laps. Hills hurt a bit, but otherwise fine…pleasantly surprised!!
Tuesday
Swim – 1hr
50m speed session. Some news on the wetsuit, I should have it back by the end of next week…if all goes well. Yippee!!! Had to do a bit of sweet talking on the phone on Wednesday. A club mate has very kindly offered me her old one to use till I get mine back...so swimming still on the cards for the weekend.
Wednesday
Run - Richmond Park relays (3 miles) 22:22.
Felt surprisingly good. Managed to run the whole thing hard as I could, was only overtaken by one runner, and I managed to catch one chap on the finish straight. So very happy with that. Usually I get overtaken by everyone and their dog!!! Maybe one day I’ll actually learn how to run!!! Wouldn’t that be nice!!!
Thursday
Turbo 1hr 25min – 6 X 6min hard, 2 min recovery.
Really hard work that. Am so happy it’s the last of my speed sessions. Can’t actually believe I did them all…bloody crazy!!
Weather is improving just in time for the last big weekend!!
Bike – 1hr 15
Easy recovery ride after the half. All felt fine, managed to cycle to Richmond park and did two laps. Hills hurt a bit, but otherwise fine…pleasantly surprised!!
Tuesday
Swim – 1hr
50m speed session. Some news on the wetsuit, I should have it back by the end of next week…if all goes well. Yippee!!! Had to do a bit of sweet talking on the phone on Wednesday. A club mate has very kindly offered me her old one to use till I get mine back...so swimming still on the cards for the weekend.
Wednesday
Run - Richmond Park relays (3 miles) 22:22.
Felt surprisingly good. Managed to run the whole thing hard as I could, was only overtaken by one runner, and I managed to catch one chap on the finish straight. So very happy with that. Usually I get overtaken by everyone and their dog!!! Maybe one day I’ll actually learn how to run!!! Wouldn’t that be nice!!!
Thursday
Turbo 1hr 25min – 6 X 6min hard, 2 min recovery.
Really hard work that. Am so happy it’s the last of my speed sessions. Can’t actually believe I did them all…bloody crazy!!
Weather is improving just in time for the last big weekend!!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The blur that was Week 15
Somehow managed to go a whole week without posting here…but rest assured that I have actually been training, so all still good.
The highlight of week 15 was my first Half Marathon…but I’ll get back to that, firstly, a breakdown:
Tuesday
1:30 swim around 3000m
Wednesday
1hr Track session, 4 X 1600m on around 7min 55sec. Not as difficult as I thought, I really enjoyed this run.
Thursday
Turbo, 1:25. Quite a tough set, consisting of ½ hour warm up, the 6 by 5 min hard, 2 min recovery, then a 20 min cool down. I have never done such a long turbo session, so really chuffed with myself. It hurt though. But also great knowing that I only have one more session to go.
Saturday
Lake Swim, 1hr 30 min. DISASTER the wetsuit is too BIG. I think I’ve just been kidding myself that the wetsuit was ok. Two mates saw me in it on Saturday and both said that it was way too big. I must admit it was taking on loads of water. 2XU, a new player in the wetsuit game, were at the lake, so I tested one of their suits, it was a much better fit. The thing is, I don’t really want to fork out £300 for a new suit, sooo I’ve sent my wetsuit off to Snugg, the people who made it, and am hoping they can make it smaller and get it back to me in time for the race. Worse case, if I don’t get it back in time, or if I do and it’s still too big, then I’m just going to borrow one. At the end of the day, my swim is strong enough to forfeit a minute or two on a bad fitting wetsuit.
Sunday
Run
Half marathon, 21km / 13 miles
2hr 2 min 8 sec!!!
Not a great time by any stretch of the imagination, but for my first half, I’m more then happy. I was hoping to come in under 2 hours, but it wasn’t to be.
The weather was pretty crap, started raining half way through and pretty much didn’t stop. Bronson was driving Leo to some friends to be baby sat, and managed to find me on the road between Kingston and Hampton Court, Leo peered out the window at me trying to figure out what his crazy mother was doing…very sweet.
I felt pretty tired by 10 miles, but knowing I only had 3 left was a real relief. Bronson met me on his mountain bike and rode with me for the last 3 miles. He kept asking me questions and trying to discuss what we should do with the garden…all I could think of was ‘keep breathing’ and ‘only 3 miles left’. If we were close to the Thames, I would have pushed him in!!!
But at least I know I can do the distance, and I have another PB to try and better.
I felt a bit stiff after the run, but not unbearable. So all good!
The highlight of week 15 was my first Half Marathon…but I’ll get back to that, firstly, a breakdown:
Tuesday
1:30 swim around 3000m
Wednesday
1hr Track session, 4 X 1600m on around 7min 55sec. Not as difficult as I thought, I really enjoyed this run.
Thursday
Turbo, 1:25. Quite a tough set, consisting of ½ hour warm up, the 6 by 5 min hard, 2 min recovery, then a 20 min cool down. I have never done such a long turbo session, so really chuffed with myself. It hurt though. But also great knowing that I only have one more session to go.
Saturday
Lake Swim, 1hr 30 min. DISASTER the wetsuit is too BIG. I think I’ve just been kidding myself that the wetsuit was ok. Two mates saw me in it on Saturday and both said that it was way too big. I must admit it was taking on loads of water. 2XU, a new player in the wetsuit game, were at the lake, so I tested one of their suits, it was a much better fit. The thing is, I don’t really want to fork out £300 for a new suit, sooo I’ve sent my wetsuit off to Snugg, the people who made it, and am hoping they can make it smaller and get it back to me in time for the race. Worse case, if I don’t get it back in time, or if I do and it’s still too big, then I’m just going to borrow one. At the end of the day, my swim is strong enough to forfeit a minute or two on a bad fitting wetsuit.
Sunday
Run
Half marathon, 21km / 13 miles
2hr 2 min 8 sec!!!
Not a great time by any stretch of the imagination, but for my first half, I’m more then happy. I was hoping to come in under 2 hours, but it wasn’t to be.
The weather was pretty crap, started raining half way through and pretty much didn’t stop. Bronson was driving Leo to some friends to be baby sat, and managed to find me on the road between Kingston and Hampton Court, Leo peered out the window at me trying to figure out what his crazy mother was doing…very sweet.
I felt pretty tired by 10 miles, but knowing I only had 3 left was a real relief. Bronson met me on his mountain bike and rode with me for the last 3 miles. He kept asking me questions and trying to discuss what we should do with the garden…all I could think of was ‘keep breathing’ and ‘only 3 miles left’. If we were close to the Thames, I would have pushed him in!!!
But at least I know I can do the distance, and I have another PB to try and better.
I felt a bit stiff after the run, but not unbearable. So all good!
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