Liverpool half marathon

I did it! 2 hours 15 minutes and 8 seconds. I'm really pleased. Throughout training I had no idea what time I would get really, after some training runs I felt like I could do 2 hours 15 and then others felt more like 2 hours 30! I am now really achey, my legs are in a whole new world of pain. But, I feel pretty awesome that I've ran a half marathon.

We arrived at the start line at about 8.30 with half an hour spare to park up, go for a wee and get in line. Plenty of time eh? NO! The queue for the toilets was crazy. I wasn't bothered about starting on time as you have your chip time to go off anyway, I just knew that I needed to empty my bladder. I ran from the portaloo to the start line and off I went. It was good in a way as it didn't give me much time to think about the impending 13.1 miles ahead of me.

The first 3 miles went by quite easily, albeit a bit boring. When we hit Sefton Park, I felt a bit more upbeat and enjoyed running past the band at the cricket club. We then did a few miles around the park. At one point, I was keeping pace with some girls from a local running club who were aiming for 2 hours 10 and it really kept me going. It did make me wish I was running it with someone though! They then broke away and I knew we were nearly at Otterspool Park. The leader of the running club said that he was going to be there cheering on his brother, so when I saw him and he cheered me on, it really carried me through the park and I hit 8 miles in 1 hour 21 minutes. Once we got out on to the front though and I hit 10 miles, then I started to struggle. All I kept thinking was 'I haven't ran this far before!'. I was half thinking 'yes, go me, I can do it' and half thinking 'Oh crap, what if I can't run this far?'.I only had to stop once and that was to tie my shoelaces. I also ran it all which I think is pretty good going! Now all I keep thinking about is what personal best I can break next...Going to aim for a 10k pb over the summer I think.

I was so pleased to see Scott as I had a few hundred yards to go until the finish line! Then just around the corner my Mum & Dad were waiting for me too. Afterwards my Mum commented on how amazed she was at how good I looked. I think she thought I wasn't going to make it and would come plodding around like a sack of spuds! Crossing the finishing line felt amazing, it was a bit emotional. There have been times during my training when I just didn't want to go out but dragged myself out and other times when I didn't go out when I should have because the demands of the new job were tiring me out too much.

Tired faces all around!
When I finished, all I wanted to do was eat something! Well, except for a banana and that was what they were giving away in the race packs. I hadn't brought any snacks which I definitely will do next time. Luckily my Mum had a tangerine which she kindly peeled and fed me as I hobbled back to the car after a few stretches to cool down. Then we got home, ate some cake and I had a super hot bath with some radox muscle therapy. I know everyone swears by ice baths, but I am too wimpy for them and instead prefer a scalding hot bath to ease muscles. Then I napped for 2 hours! Bliss. My knees and thighs are currently covered in deep heat to try to sooth the aches. And the fear is that tomorrow I will feel even worse! But for now, I am so so pleased to say that I have ran a half marathon.
Now, to choose what race to enter next!