September 21st 2009
It's been a while since I've updated the page and in that time, there have been two more races - Newark and Budapest.
Let's get Newark out of the way first - I think if I say I was overtaken by the man in the gorilla suit within two minutes of starting, you'll get the picture! It was a small field - less than 800, I think - a hideously hot day and really not a race for anyone other than the very serious runner (which, with the best will in the world, is not a phrase that could be used to describe me). That said, it was well organised and very friendly, just not what you'd call one of my speedier perfromances. But, I completed it, got the t-shirt - and that was number 8 in the bag.
I know I said when I started this that only serious illness or injury would prevent me from completing all 12 half marathons, but that was without taking into consideration the intransigence of the Budapest authorities! I hadn't realised when I signed up to this that there was a time limit of 2 hours, 30 minutes, so when my friend Deborah alerted me to it the week before, I knew there was going to be a problem. However, I naively assumed that I would be able to go as far as possible in the time and then, if I had a kilometre or two to go, I'd just be able to complete the course myself. Maybe I wouldn't get an official time, but I'd know I'd done it - and my lovely support team of Sally, Deborah, Tina, Tracey, Ann, Caroline and Becky would be able to provide independent corroboration.
Alas, it was not to be. Having successfully negotiated my way across the city to the start line, using the fantastic metro system, I collected my race number and asked the guy on the desk what would happen if I couldn't complete in the allotted time - would there be any flexibility? The answer was a resounding no. What could I do other than try my best to get as far as possible? So, that's what I did - aiming to run a steady pace of 7 minute kilometres, which would just about have got me round in time.
Not good enough, I'm afraid - by five kilometres, I became aware of an unwelcome presence beside me - the man on the bike whose job was, a little like the grim reaper, to let people know that their time was up and that they had to get on the bus. I was by no means the first one to be stopped, but after negotiating with him for about another half a kilometre, I accepted defeat and the humiliation of having my chip removed and a black cross drawn over my race number!
My firends were all waiting for me on the Liberty Bridge which was at about the 11km mark, by which time the bus was full of failed runners all enjoying quite a jolly, party-like atmosphere - after all, we no longer had to run 13.1 miles in the scorching heat. I got off the bus, met up with them, popped back to our flat for a shower and put the whole sorry experience behind me to have a fantastic weekend in Budapest.
Although everyone has reassured me that I tried and it's not my fault I didn't complete a race in September, it has still felt as if I have broken the spirit of my commitment - so I have now signed up to Macclesfield half marathon this Saturday which, all being well, will mean I do complete a full 13.1 miles in September. They too have a cut off point of 2 hours, 35 minutes, but I have spoken to them and am reassured that there will be a bit more scope to get to the end - and at least, even if I don't quite make it, there is no bus of humiliation to stop me in my tracks before the 2 hours, 35 minutes - so keep your fingers crossed for me!
July 13th 2009
Those of you who regularly receive these updates may have noticed that there was no entry for the Humber Bridge Half Marathon which took place on June 14th. The official reason for this was that I was waiting for a photograph from the race organisers, but the unofficial reason was that it was the worst race I have ever run and I really couldn't drum up the motivation to write about it!
Apart from the actual race it was another great weekend - I spent it with my friend Rachel who was running her first ever half marathon and has really got the bug - she is already talking about where and when she will run the next one. And the race itself was really well organised with lots of support, including my friend Julie who'd made a special trip to come and cheer us on, so there was really no justification for my somewhat negative attitude.
I was beginning to wonder whether I could face even one more half marathon - never mind the six that still lay ahead - but luckily the Achill Island half marathon which I ran last Saturday has changed all that. It was absolutely fantastic, in spite of it being extremely hot and including around six miles up hill - both things which I complained bitterly about in Hull! The scenery was stunning and I had new shoes - both of which helped a fair bit - but the biggest difference was in my head because I was just really in the right mood for it. I've always thought that running was 20% physical and 80% mental and my recent experiences certainly back up that theory.
I'd never heard of Achill Island until I came across it when I was looking for a race for July but what a wonderful place. Really tranquil with stunning beaches and dramatic mountains. We stayed for six days but I came back feeling as if I had had a month's holiday. It was great to be there with my family and particularly good to see David, Kate and Tom cheering me on as I reached the finish line. It's certainly one of the races I would consider doing again once this year is over!
I now have more races behind me than still to do, so am feeling very positive. Next stop is Newark on August 9th, with Budapest and Amsterdam to look forward to in September and October. I still haven't finalised plans for November and December yet - so that's my next job! Once again, thanks to everyone who has supported me - and if you know anyone else who might be prepared to sponsor me, please forward this page to them, as I still need another £1500 to reach my target of £5000 by the end of the year!
June 10th 2009
Gothenburg - great city, great company, great weekend. Not such a great race for me, but my friend Sarah who was running her first half marathon made her goal of coming in under 2 hours, 30 minutes, which was fantastic - so at least someone did a good performance!
We've been running together - or often walking and laughing together instead - for a long time - and first made our international debut in the Budapest women's 10k a few years ago. On that occasion, we managed to get ourselves photogragraphed at the elite starting point but this time, we went one better, and found ourselves in the elite tent!
Sarah was having some problems with her calf muscle just before the race and, as we were walking along towards the starting line up, we spotted some people having leg massages. We managed to persuade the guy at the entrance that we were indeed VIPs (he obviously didn't really believe it but went along with us anyway) and next thing we knew, we were in the tent getting a much appreciated leg massage. It was only when we'd finished that we realised that all the other runners in there had vest numbers ranging from 1 to about 25 - whereas ours were 40,000 plus. Yes, we had found our way into the elite runners' tent - strangely, though, no-one seemed to think that we were actually part of their team.
Sadly we didn't have a camera with us - and somehow I managed to elude the official race photographers (although I was definitely there, every painful step of the 13.1 miles) - so I have posted a suitable photo of our other elite experience in Budapest.
Since Gothenburg I have finally reached my fiftieth birthday, so this weekend's run in Hull will be the first one I have run at fifty - doubt if it will bring any major improvements in my performance though!
I've had many more very generous donations recently and am now very close to £3,500, which is fantastic - but still a way to go and it is going to get harder and harder as the year goes on - just like the races! So, as always, if you know anyone who might be willing to support me, please pass this link on to them.
And once again, thanks to all of you for your support - it definitely makes it all worthwhile. And special thanks to Sarah for such a fantastic weekend - may our bank balances and livers recover soon.
xx
A half marathon a month to celebrate my half century
Well, it seemed like a good idea when I first came up with it - celebrating reaching my half century with a half marathon every month in 2009! I've done lots of research, found it was possible to do a 13.1 mile race every calendar month, and even booked into quite a few of them, starting with the Shell Four Villages Half Marathon on January 18th.
Now all I have to do is actually run them! And I hope as many people as possible will be willing to support me by making a donation to my fundraising target of £5,000 - just £100 for every year I've been around.
I'm running for Mind as mental health is an issue I feel really strongly about, not just because it can be really difficult for people with mental health issues to get the services and support they need, but also because, even in the supposedly enlightened 21st century, people still often feel shame and embarrassment about experiencing mental health problems and I'd like to do my bit to help change that.
So, please sponsor me on my year-long challenge. You can either sponsor me every month when I've done the race - and I will be putting regular updates on here to let people know how it's going - or just a one off payment because - barring serious illness or injury - I am absolutely determined to complete every single race. I'll be funding all the running shoes, kit, race entries and travel myself - so every penny raised will go straight to Mind.
Be as generous as you can - I really appreciate your support.
