cross border 1/2 marathon report
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valentine4
Posts: 233 Member
Apologies in advance, this is probably going to be very long and rambling!
Sunday was my first half marathon running from Newry in Co. Down Northern Ireland to Dundalk, Co. Louth in the Republic ( my hometown).
I am extremely new to running I did the ladies mini marathon ( 10K) in Dublin last June for the cardiac unit my eldest son attends, and I was hooked. I the atmosphere was fantastic , I wish I could bottle the feeling I had crossing the finish line that day it was priceless
.
Anyway after that I started training in Oct/Nov I did a couple more 10K's and then, with advice from all on board here, I decided to do the half this month.
The training was all going to plan, I did a couple of duathlons but had an issue with my glute - psfirious sydnrome I think its called I was actually told about it here and went to a physio who confirmed it.
Anyway thats a bit of background info, last week before the race I hadn't a clue what to do in terms of a taper so I went to the speed work with my running club, went to Beyonce in concert ( wish all tapers could include that) and did the usual run around with kids/dog/hubby and cycle to work. On thur and fri my glute was very sore I was at the physio who told me to rest and foam roll on Saturday and not do anything. I found the physio very hard on the friday and was really down leaving her office, plus my *kitten* was in bits.
The day before the race I was a complete grump, did all the drop offs and collections with kids and then fell asleep on the sofa, something I would never do. Saturday night I was a ball of nerves, and just dying to get started.
The day of the race we were blessed with the weather - nice breeze and no rain or snow. We got a lift up to the start of the race, the whole way I was crapping myself thinking oh my god I am running back this way. I think what freaked me out was although I had run the distance before training I know when I am training I can always head for home at any stage. Plus while training I would often stop off and walk some of it ( or nip into my mothers for a coffee) but this was a run from one to another so completely different for me.
Everyone was really nice and friendly I interduced myself to the 2.20 pacer and before we knew it we were off. The race starts with a steep enough 2 mile hill. ( well to us it was steep!) the plan of action was to walk some of it if necessary and then walk the water stops too. I lost my pacer guy almost straightaway and headed up the hill with my friend. Before we knew it we were at the top of the hill, we took it nice and steady but it was fine we were happy out and could 'relax' into the run now it was behind us.
For the next couple of miles we ran and chatted, it was such a lovely morning and so nice to be out. Great feeling crossing the border - we are both old enough ( 36) to remember what it was a fortress with a huge army checkpoint and a no stop zone. If you stopped in that zone you were immediately surrounded by soldiers and guns. Now thank god it is all gone. We were saying too how well organised it was the PSNI took us up the hill, the changover to the Gardai in the south was great we didn't even notice the change.
Members here had advised against the use of music, I didn't bother listening as we headed off but once we were up on the country roads I stuck on the playlist my son had done for me the night before, and had beyonce and bruno mars keep me company. These few miles were the highlight of the race for me, the sun was shining I was feeling great and I surged on. Coming up to mile 6 we were passing a local hotel and I could see kids outside, my kids have never been to see me race - I have never raced locally prefering always to go further afield ( I literally think people will laugh at me which I know now is silly) so it was great to see the 4 of them there with their dad. That is until my youngest son shouted out ' mum why are you running so slowly?' lol I was like ' Danny I have a long way to go son..'
The buzz of seeing them kept me going the route was on a slight decline the whole time with one steep hill which is actually on the duathlon course I cycle which I dread, just before it I stumbled but didn't fall but it shook my confidence which meant by the time I got to the top of the hill I was a bit wobbly - but still going. At mile 9 I was starting to feel tired, so I started into my second gel ( normally on a long run I would take one, and that was just to get used to them) then I panicked cos I was out of water but turned the corner and my family were there with refill for me so I was grand.
Its a funny thing, I found the last 3 miles tough mentally, physically I was tired, but it was more of a mental struggle. At 11 or so miles I caught up with the 2 hr pacer he was great craic but ended up telling me to go ahead at my current pace and I would get in at 1.55. The last mile I was like ' just round this corner, just over this bridge..'
It was a brilliant feeling crossing the finish line, I could not wipe the smile of my face.
I didn't time the race, a watch is on the shopping list for the next one, nor did I use my run keeper which I silly because I don't know my pace but my chipped result was 1.56 which of course I was delighted with. I ran the whole race - the big hill which was the challenge was completed, and it felt like all the training had paid off.
I am definitely going to do it again, my friend whom I started with has done a couple of marathon, I was hugging her after the race with nothing but admiration for her and anyone who does a marathon...seriously how do you do it? but at the same time I did say to her that maybe next year I will join her on one....lol we will see in the meantime I have completed my first half and can't wait till the next.
I have to say thanks to all of you here on site, particularly Carson and weighloss32. Your advice and support has been invaluable and got me over the line.
thanks you,
valentine
Sunday was my first half marathon running from Newry in Co. Down Northern Ireland to Dundalk, Co. Louth in the Republic ( my hometown).
I am extremely new to running I did the ladies mini marathon ( 10K) in Dublin last June for the cardiac unit my eldest son attends, and I was hooked. I the atmosphere was fantastic , I wish I could bottle the feeling I had crossing the finish line that day it was priceless
.Anyway after that I started training in Oct/Nov I did a couple more 10K's and then, with advice from all on board here, I decided to do the half this month.
The training was all going to plan, I did a couple of duathlons but had an issue with my glute - psfirious sydnrome I think its called I was actually told about it here and went to a physio who confirmed it.
Anyway thats a bit of background info, last week before the race I hadn't a clue what to do in terms of a taper so I went to the speed work with my running club, went to Beyonce in concert ( wish all tapers could include that) and did the usual run around with kids/dog/hubby and cycle to work. On thur and fri my glute was very sore I was at the physio who told me to rest and foam roll on Saturday and not do anything. I found the physio very hard on the friday and was really down leaving her office, plus my *kitten* was in bits
.The day before the race I was a complete grump, did all the drop offs and collections with kids and then fell asleep on the sofa, something I would never do. Saturday night I was a ball of nerves, and just dying to get started.
The day of the race we were blessed with the weather - nice breeze and no rain or snow. We got a lift up to the start of the race, the whole way I was crapping myself thinking oh my god I am running back this way. I think what freaked me out was although I had run the distance before training I know when I am training I can always head for home at any stage. Plus while training I would often stop off and walk some of it ( or nip into my mothers for a coffee
) but this was a run from one to another so completely different for me.Everyone was really nice and friendly I interduced myself to the 2.20 pacer and before we knew it we were off. The race starts with a steep enough 2 mile hill. ( well to us it was steep!) the plan of action was to walk some of it if necessary and then walk the water stops too. I lost my pacer guy almost straightaway and headed up the hill with my friend. Before we knew it we were at the top of the hill, we took it nice and steady but it was fine we were happy out and could 'relax' into the run now it was behind us.
For the next couple of miles we ran and chatted, it was such a lovely morning and so nice to be out. Great feeling crossing the border - we are both old enough ( 36) to remember what it was a fortress with a huge army checkpoint and a no stop zone. If you stopped in that zone you were immediately surrounded by soldiers and guns. Now thank god it is all gone. We were saying too how well organised it was the PSNI took us up the hill, the changover to the Gardai in the south was great we didn't even notice the change.
Members here had advised against the use of music, I didn't bother listening as we headed off but once we were up on the country roads I stuck on the playlist my son had done for me the night before, and had beyonce and bruno mars keep me company
. These few miles were the highlight of the race for me, the sun was shining I was feeling great and I surged on. Coming up to mile 6 we were passing a local hotel and I could see kids outside, my kids have never been to see me race - I have never raced locally prefering always to go further afield ( I literally think people will laugh at me which I know now is silly) so it was great to see the 4 of them there with their dad. That is until my youngest son shouted out ' mum why are you running so slowly?' lol I was like ' Danny I have a long way to go son..'The buzz of seeing them kept me going the route was on a slight decline the whole time with one steep hill which is actually on the duathlon course I cycle which I dread, just before it I stumbled but didn't fall but it shook my confidence which meant by the time I got to the top of the hill I was a bit wobbly - but still going. At mile 9 I was starting to feel tired, so I started into my second gel ( normally on a long run I would take one, and that was just to get used to them) then I panicked cos I was out of water but turned the corner and my family were there with refill for me so I was grand.
Its a funny thing, I found the last 3 miles tough mentally, physically I was tired, but it was more of a mental struggle. At 11 or so miles I caught up with the 2 hr pacer he was great craic but ended up telling me to go ahead at my current pace and I would get in at 1.55. The last mile I was like ' just round this corner, just over this bridge..'
It was a brilliant feeling crossing the finish line, I could not wipe the smile of my face.
I didn't time the race, a watch is on the shopping list for the next one, nor did I use my run keeper which I silly because I don't know my pace but my chipped result was 1.56 which of course I was delighted with. I ran the whole race - the big hill which was the challenge was completed, and it felt like all the training had paid off.
I am definitely going to do it again, my friend whom I started with has done a couple of marathon, I was hugging her after the race with nothing but admiration for her and anyone who does a marathon...seriously how do you do it? but at the same time I did say to her that maybe next year I will join her on one....lol we will see in the meantime I have completed my first half and can't wait till the next.
I have to say thanks to all of you here on site, particularly Carson and weighloss32. Your advice and support has been invaluable and got me over the line.
thanks you,
valentine
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Replies
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This is great!! Congrats on an awesome race. 0
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Congratulations! Sounds like an amazing race And that's a killer time for a first half- under 2 hours! Well done. 0
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I just calculated your splits---8:51. You said you ran slowly but that is faster than my fastest 5K pace. And you ran 13.1 miles. Well Done!0
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Congratulations on your first half and a fantastic time, under 2 hours is amazing.0
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I had to lol at your son. Mine once asked me if I won, when I answered no, he told me, "well mom, not everyone can be a winner. But that doesn't mean you stop trying." Oh to have my own words thrown back at me :laugh:
Great job on your race, your pace was fantastic!!!! :drinker:0 -
Sounds like a great run, and I'm inspired by your sub 2 hour finish. :-)0
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Thanks all, I was happy out with my finishing time. I have yet to do a 5K going to do one in a couple of weeks, will make try and get a garmin beforehand and start tracking my races. I am still on a buzz from it can't wait for no.2. !!!!
I know what you mean about the kids renewed runner there is nothing like them for their logic. Speaking of kids my two eldest are going to do the 5K I am really pleased they are though of course with the teenager I need to play it cool . 0 -
WOW! 1:56 on your first half? That is more than fantastic. Wonderful report and congrats!0
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Congrats and great race report.0
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Nice! The best part of doing it again is seeing how much you've progressed. Congrats.0
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Way to go! Great time and it sounds like you really enjoyed it.0
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great report!0
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Congratulations, it sounds like you had an awesome race. You had a great time, that is awesome for your first Half Marathon you came in under two hours.
It sounds like your training paid off, and maybe not having a watch or runkeeper telling you your pace helped you to just go with the flow and listen to your body. You ran a 8:51 pace that is AWESOME!! I wish someday I could run that fast.
Keep up the good work and and I agree with Doug doing the same race again it helps to see how much you have improved, but if your first time you ran 8:51 you second time around you could be in 7's
And I love it that your son made a playlist for you, good choices.0 -
Great race and awesome time, congrats!!0
This discussion has been closed.