Manawatu Striders Half Marathon May 2017

I know it has been a long time since I have posted in here.  I have been running and I decided to quietly enter another event to keep me training as the weather got cooler and darker.  I did find the training hard and I didn't get out as much as I would have liked to but nevertheless on Sunday 28 May 2017 I lined up for my 9th half marathon.

I was honest with myself right from the start that I wasn't sure how this run would go.  I had been suffering from a sore leg and even now I am not quite sure what is wrong with it but I didn't want it to stop me from giving it a go.  I was just going to go at my pace and do what I could.

The first half of the race I felt great - a little pain in my leg but I was feeling the energy and feeling like I could do this.  One of my lovely running buddies Kate wasn't entered today but was there waiting for me at around the 6k mark and then at about 8k as I headed back down the river.  It was wonderful having the support out there and having a quick laugh with her.  She even took some in action shots for me.

At 10k I was still feeling great and another photo opportunity came my way.  I was smiling, I was enjoying what I had run and still feeling confident with what I had to run.

At around the 13k mark we started running on limestone.  And a nasty little piece of this decided to get into the back of my shoe.  I tried to flick it out without really stopping a couple of times but in the end I knew the only way to get it out was to stop, remove the shoes and get it out.  This ended up being the end of me as well.  Once I had stopped, my body felt all those aches and pains.  My legs didn't want to start running again and everything hurt.  I tried my hardest to get going again even if it was very slowly.  By 15k I was not feeling good at all and even trying to run most of the km and walk the last little bit wasn't really working.  I started to get very disheartened and then I remember that all I needed to do was finish the run and it didn't matter whether this was through walking or running.  With just over 1k to go, I think the following photo shows just how I was feeling.  I really don't like this photo but decided I needed to include it as it is part of how today went.

I finished my half marathon with a run to the end (after walking up most of the hill at the end) and had one of my slowest runs to date.  I do know I gave my all though this day and was so thankful for all the support of people out there.  And it was very nice to receive a medal at the end as well.

I also have to include this in right at the end.  This was made up for me by the lovely Kate and something that I need to remember.  Yes I am awesome!

Until next time and the next event!