completed my first half marathon

so yestarday i set off at 6am to get to cardiff in time to find a parking space. i got to the start line by 8am with an hour to spare i was freezing cold and tired from being up so early. i didnt expect to see so many people there was 18000 runners and over 22000 spectatours.
we set off at 9am and i tried to get into my stride but with the sheazr amount of people it took at least hal,f a mile for this to happen. once i got into my stride i was away :)
the senery was amazing and the support from all the public kept me going.
i started to flag at mile 10 and really wanted to see a friendly face and up pops my boyfriend shouting my name this gave me a boost and i was on my way again.
my calfs started to burn at mile 12 but i knew it was only one to go so i persitsed and my only goal for today was NOT TO STOP at all on the run.

i crossed the finish line in 2hours 35mins

once i stopped running my legs turned to jelly and all my mucles started to hurt i went to the beer tent and sat there for the next 30mins lol
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Replies

  • KabbyGU
    KabbyGU Posts: 158 Member
    That is sooo awesome!! Super proud of you!
  • MissLotte
    MissLotte Posts: 101 Member
    Congratulations! What an amazing achievement. I hope that you are VERY pround of you because I think everyone else will be, I know I am. Well done. x
  • corlas0105
    corlas0105 Posts: 89 Member
    Awesome job! You should be very proud :)
  • szimba
    szimba Posts: 290 Member
    amazing!! What did you do to train?
  • FlamingJune67
    FlamingJune67 Posts: 96 Member
    You did great! And should feel very proud of your accomplishment. 13.1 miles without stopping? Incredible!
  • dipletti
    dipletti Posts: 33 Member
    What an accomplishment!! Congrats!!
  • clohessy
    clohessy Posts: 394 Member
    Great time!!! Training for my first in January in Miami Beach. Did you follow a specific training plan?
  • TheLongRunner
    TheLongRunner Posts: 688 Member
    Congrats! I completed my first one on Saturday so I can relate to this! Great work!!!!
  • marikevr
    marikevr Posts: 389 Member
    Awesome job!
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    Excellent, you should be proud
  • justmyalias
    justmyalias Posts: 153 Member
    you rock!!
  • tonilizzy88
    tonilizzy88 Posts: 920 Member
    thank you all. and to those asking regarding my training i didnt follow a plan to be honest i just made sure i got at least one big run in a week along with going to the gym. my runs were not massive they i aimed to get 6-7 miles in NO STOPPING and i did one 12 mile run three weeks before to make sure i could actualy go that far without dying lol.
    i wish i ate a bit better tho as my weight stayed the same the whole time i trained (mindyou i did eat what i wanted)
    im a lot happier with my figure since starting running in january 2012 (i could only run 30 secoonds 10 months ago now im running half marathons )

    if i ca do it any one can :)
  • swaymyway
    swaymyway Posts: 428 Member
    Awesome congratulations :)
  • Merithyn
    Merithyn Posts: 284 Member
    Wow! That's so amazing! Good for you!!!
  • dixiech1ck
    dixiech1ck Posts: 769 Member
    Awesome job!! Just wait.. they get addictive. I did my first a few weeks ago, have my second this Sunday and my third 20 days later. Relish that medal, wear it EVERYWHERE, be proud of what you've achieved!! =)
  • iarookie
    iarookie Posts: 140
    WOW! I'm proud of you! Great time too!
  • lenniebus
    lenniebus Posts: 321 Member
    That is fabulous!! And the time is really awesome!!! Way to go!!
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    Great job!

    My only advice would be if you cramped up at all when you stopped running--make yourself walk around for another 15-20 minutes after you're done. And lots of stretching, ice, and epsom salt baths should help your legs!

    :)

    PS When you're training for a marathon or a half marathon, from what I've been told, you should just be maintaining weight during the training period, not skimping on calories, so you did well :)
  • ATclassof2021
    ATclassof2021 Posts: 232 Member
    Congrats and well done!!!
  • laureltn
    laureltn Posts: 87 Member
    I know that feeling all too well -- just did my first one 9/22! Isn't is a wonderful feeling? You did great!!!

    It took me a few weeks to be able to run worth a flip afterward. I got really excited at the finish and didn't stretch or hydrate like I should have and ended up with some cramps in my calves about 30 minutes after the finish. Doh. I don't think I could do one again without a good rest in the middle but thinking about something for after the first of the year!
  • CrystalFlury
    CrystalFlury Posts: 400 Member
    That's SO great! Congrats to you! It's good to hear you accomplished your goal. I too, will be running my FIRST half marathon this coming December. I can't wait, but at the same time I can. I'm trying my best to train when I can but adding the miles seems to prove difficult. I know I can do it! Thanks for that extra motivation--hearing about a newbee half marathon runner just as myself can make it through!
  • Congratulations on your first half marathon and I bet the first of many to come!

    Los Angeles Marathon is the same way with some 25k people. It's tough to reach a goal finish time with that first mile being an avg 13 minute pace. Fortunately there are 25 more miles to catch up.

    It's always nice to see a familiar face along the course. Other runners are super encouraging too.
  • that's awsome! be proud of yourself. they are addictive, i love 'em. i've done four and can't wait until the next one.:smile:
  • hbarney
    hbarney Posts: 434
    Congrats!!! You did it!!! I completed my first 1/2 marathonn on 10/07/12 and said I would never do another one.....well I am now thinking about what I would change for the next one to beat my time.... :)
  • NavyKnightAh13
    NavyKnightAh13 Posts: 1,394 Member
    Congrats to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should be really proud :bigsmile: You accomplished something that many dream of, and will be an inspiration to those training to do so!!!!!!!
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Great job! I'm now contemplating running a 1/2
  • Well done! What a marvelous achievement. I started running in January and I know how difficult it can be, so I am in awe of people who complete half marathons. You should be proud of yourself. Rock on!
  • natalie412
    natalie412 Posts: 1,039 Member
    Woohoo! Congratulations. I started running in January too, and ran my first half in September in 2:36 - so very similar to you!
  • GuruOnAMountain
    GuruOnAMountain Posts: 489 Member
    That is so inspiring! I would love to become a runner......my aim is to run at least one marathon in my lifetime!

    I've tried and failed so many times at running but I've started the couch 2 5k app on my ipod and am determined to stick to it this time! I love hearing stories about people who couldn't run being able to run half marathons and marathons! They keep me going!
  • THuffman1967
    THuffman1967 Posts: 114 Member
    Congrats!! My 12 year old son is trying to get me to run a half marathon next spring. He ran it last spring with my husband, and wants to do it again. My husband wants to run it at his own pace for a change, so they think I should train and run with the boy. We'll see....
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