Another Half Marathon and a new PB...

NOT by a huge amount... but by quite a bit given I hadn't really been training since the last (first) one 6 or so weeks ago.

I've have been running... but not a lot, we are just about to get into our full marathon training. So I've kinda been taking it easy for the past few weeks... and I really paid for it today! As I knew I would... we just did today's run as a bit of a "oh why not"... 

Initially IronMumma and I were going to run as a Team of 2... but I wanted us to both get a medal. And IronMumma is up for pretty much anything. So it was decided, we'd run the half today.

Here we are before the race, me and the best running buddy EVER... IronMumma in blue.

Something today's run today demonstrated VERY well ... is that I want to train HARD for the marathon in September.

Having said that... I am really happy with my results today. Given I'd not really been training... I had no business to even PB at all. But I did.

I pushed myself very hard... our pace was rock solid early 5min kms for most of the run... those last few were much slower and really HURT me. I tried to be as strong as I could... I did okay.

Rowena (aka IronMumma) was an awesome running buddy and kept me going when I really felt I couldn't go any further. Thank you Row... you are the BOMB!!

Few things I'd do differently...

• a running skirt is a must as my pelvic floor is still a bit weak;
• DO NOT wear my camel pack again... I actually took it off before I even got to 2kms... dumped it on the side of the road, thankfully a volunteer picked it up and put it in the FIT tent for me;
• DO go to the toilet before hand... stopping en route is not pleasant at all.... especially as the one I went to had the "electric/automatic toilet dispenser"... and was OUT of toilet paper... WTF I was almost at the point of sheer desperation... then I turned to see the regular old massive sized toilet roll holder on the wall. WITH plenty of loo paper! Thank GOD;
• Take your hydration seriously dickhead! Like days before, not 12 hours prior!
• Train! DER!

Things I LOVED about this race:

• Running with Row the entire time, knowing she could take off ahead of me at a whim, lost toenails and all... and never feeling I had held her back or that she wasn't enjoying the run, she really is the best!!;
• The course... I love our lake... I love so many picturesque areas of the west basin;
• The plastic tubes that they had the water and electrolytes in... AWESOME!! They were so easy to use and carry... MUCH better than cups!
• That even tho I felt totally smashed up at some stages... I kept going as hard as I could go.
• That my SIL and her husband, and bubba Sean came down, and brought my boys to see me finish. Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate it :) xo
• That Row actually went over to get my son, Joshua to run to the finish line with me... was really fantastic :) 
• That I got a new PB.
• That just secretly... my little Joshua got a medal too :)
• That my hubs actually got me some celebratory flowers and chocolates... lesson learnt from not doing so last time LOL!
• That it started at a respectable hour of 9am, and so not so cold.
• That our beautiful city looks rather splendid in it's autumn splendor.
• That it was a low key deal for us and we were able to just enjoy the run.
• I'd already done the other half, I knew I could do this one, so lots of first time nerves were gone.
• That I have Row to run with... I know I already said that... but to have a running buddy like her is magic and I am very lucky!

I was disappointed that my hubs and daughter could not be there, but they had basketball... and I assured my daughter there would be PLENTY more opportunities for her to cheer me on :) She took it pretty hard tho and spent most of the morning in tears :( I told her that I thought of her the whole time when I ran a race.... that I will my legs to be half as strong as hers!!! That got a smile outta her.

So all in all another fabulous running experience, another medal around my neck and another half marathon to be proud about (time wise, performance wise... or another wise).

Oh... and I just want to give a little shout out to my near 2 year old... who was rather restless last night and HAD to sleep in our bed, tossing and turning for hours... until I cracked it, slightly. He responded by vomitting... at 3am, 4am, 5am, 6am... and about 720am. You are lucky you are SO darn cute Benjamin James!

You also taught me a valuable lesson... if I can get up to race after a crap night like that... I can certainly get up to train. Groan. I know those words are going to come back and haunt me over the next few months... but it really is a good reminder!

Here's to lots more running and enjoying the journey.

LOVE IT!!

Hugs

Bx

Comments

[Tanya]

Hey gorgeous! Love your motivation and how well you're doing with all the training. Can't wait to catch up in a few short (well, about 5) weeks! Love you lots.