Tweety

It's been a while since I last wrote anything. My week has been filled with training and work and yes, occasionally sleep. I took a day off training on Thursday, but was due back yesterday. Little did I know that the gym closes early on Friday: by the time I arrived, there wasn't a car in the car park. And no, I didn't drive there, I walked.

This morning was a bit different though. I had plans to join another 5k run, but was a little unsure as to whether or not I would be allowed. My last 5k had been a 62 minute affair and the maximum today would be just under an hour, since the half marathon was due to start exactly an hour after the 5k!

But, I was allowed and I started jogging with the other 50 or so runners. I didn't keep that up for long though and quickly settled in a fast walk, using my arms to propel me forward just a bit faster. I wasn't even half way into my first round when one of the other contestants came flying past. And about two thirds of the way in, he came flying past again. By the time he had finished, I was still on round one!

I got encouragement though. From my colleagues who were there as well, from my tri-trainer and from random runners. A thumbs up, a pat on the shoulder, a big smile or just a few words of encouragement. By the time I had finished the second round, most of the other runners had come in. I had one more lap to go. I was joined by one of my colleagues and we kept walking and walking. 

When I finally came back into the stadium, it was filled with runners, all there to do the half marathon. I stuck to my guns and stayed in one lane, they could avoid me! The last fifty meters or so I jogged and once across the finish line I was received by my tri-trainer with a big hug! 

The time though? Well, it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be (just under an hour). It was much much BETTER!!! The time for my first run had been 1 hour, 2 minutes and 19 seconds. I haven't got the exact time yet, but it looks like I did it in about 51 minutes and 30 seconds. That is over ten minutes faster!

I may have come in last. I may have looked like a huge tweety bird, I may have lost my bottoms when running, but I made it. And I am proud of myself!!