Half marathon new thread

Well done Irian

Snap londonmummy! I need 500 more words before midday on Wednesday...

Thankyou x

Irian that's brilliant, well done!

2.16. Really enjoyed it but the last mile was sooo hard. Windy and cold but so sunny that even Weston S Mare looked lovely

mad if you look on the Scottish running guide or on Scottish athletics website you will find a list of races on different surfaces, including cross country. And on Facebook there is a group called running friends Scotland who often mention smaller local races that they are doing.
In April if you fancy another trip to Aberdeenshire there is RunBalmoral, which has a lovely 15 mile race on the Sunday. It's a beautiful route through the foothills of Lochnagar, one of the best races I have ever done, and less ascent than the Illuminator!
Good luck Irian.
Hope your final week's preparation goes well standing

Good luck to anyone running this weekend. I have to admit to having done naff all training this week, and too much drinking.

I've been bitten by the bug though and am keen to do more. But would like to stick the the trail/X country type ones, instead of normal road ones. Any suggestions?

My HM a week away now, neef to catch up on the thread

I wouldn't have minded even a dreadful photo, I got completely missed the last half and 10k I did. Not that they ever look great but still

Race photos!! Oh lordy I have yet to see one of me that doing look really awful. One race they had a big sign up saying 'Smile for the camera!' and I really did try - but it just came out as a sweaty desperate grimace. H always likes to take one as I finish and am passing the timer. Which is lovely of him but.....

My last half still I made a point of watching for the photographer and smiling so I could get a good picture. When the photos came or I spent hours going through them - not one of me!! So that's it, I give up!

irian I found it really helpful having people with me the other week - but yes, there are some great race photos. I cannot understand how others manage to look happy or athletic, when everyone I know looks like they're going to cry!

Thanks both!

I am hoping I won't be sick. It's usually after a 10k when realise I am flagging at the end and really push myself hard for a sprint(ish) finish. I think I have trained myself to run steadily enough that it wont' happen this time but races do funny things to me.... [blush[

Last time it happened I had a chap trying to get me to stand still so he could get the timing chip off my trainers and getting annoyed with me when I kept moving. I escaped and managed to reach a ditch at the side of the car park - would have served him right if I'd puked on his back

Good luck Irian. I am afraid I am too lazy a runner to be ill at the end. I managed to make myself sick after a training run years ago, and I have never been able to push myself as hard since.

You will have 10 people wishing you well and congratulating you afterwards on your amazing run you mean Irian!
I also can be on the verge of vomiting after a race, there's some very unattractive finish line photos of me out there! Good luck, hope your last few days before it go well and you enjoy the race

5 days to go. Got my race number and instructions.

Just to pile on the pressure, DB is down from N Wales with my parents that weekend and they will all be watching me, and MIL has asked DH to pick her up so she can watch too....... So I will have about 10 people plus other members of my running club to watch me stumble over the finish line and fall flat on my face. Not to mention I have been known to vomit after a race

Hi flying visit - just to say, have entered Hampton Court Half - it is the only way I can imagine I will keep my running up!

I guess the tutu didn't hold him back then brilliant time, well done him. Your friend was never going to miss him dressed like that!

I admire you both fitting in studying too. I did a short course years ago and found it very intense. Great but hard work, so longer courses must have a big impact.

Not normal for me mad but great to hear!

Well done to your son Fifty.

I have to admit to feeling a little confused. I feel absolutely fantastic. I was expected to be tired and a little sore, but was bouncing off the walls yesterday (even after only 4 hours sleep!) and again, I'm raring to go today. Is this normal?

If this is how I feel after them, sign me up for more!!

Slowly FiftyNine, slowly! Started with rather boring topic, improved this week but now am fighting with misbehaving laptop which won't let me install the statistics programme. Sigh. Prefer running! Hope your's is a little better!

Thank you chutney and well done on all your running achievements over he last fortnight. DS did it in 48 minutes. He said there were lots of children pointing at him and saying "man in a skirt" . He is over 6 feet tall, was wearing a purple tutu and orange leggings, so not easy to miss. One of my friends bumped into him and has sent me a photo.

I too have another HM in December but am avoiding long runs - my OU study has re-started after a summer break and it's ramping up very quickly, so my Sundays will be study days for the next few weekends. How is your studying going emummy?

Oh really well done mad that is amazing. Shame about the sleep though, I bet your mind is still going over it all.

Good luck to DS Fifty - the tutu might not be aerodynamic.

I ought to get out for a long run but keep putting it off. The next half is in December and I've not really focused on it. I reckon I could start at 8 miles next weekend. Don't want to lose the time on feet but otherwise running has been good, 10kb PB, and two parkrun PBs in the last two weeks, one my all time best.