Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Keep on keeping on

I ran in the Blackmore's Half Marathon on Sunday. It was my first 'real' running event, and more than anything it was a learning experiece for me.

I learned the following:

Peking Duck is not a great choice for dinner the night before a 5am start, even if it is your favourite food of all time.

The ingestion of said Peking Duck, coupled with the jitters and nerves associated with being completely scared witless will require you to use a portaloo with 10 minutes to go before the start time.



The queue for the portaloo will be 25 minutes long, and while you're waiting you will be fail to realise that the race has already begun.

By the time you finally emerge from the portaloo, you will only have 2 minutes to get to the start line, which is 300m away at the top of a frigging very steep hill.

Sprinting up a steep hill and feeling completely parched in the heat before you begin your first half marathon isn't the best way to start.

Marathon photos will make you look nine months pregnant.


But like childbirth, the minute it's over you know you'd be happy to do it again.

14 comments:

DrK said...

i think you look totally awesome. i cant believe you did it, but i love that you did it in your usual indominatable ailsa fashion. well done.

Unknown said...

By that, I presume you mean 'late'. You're not the first person to say that either.

a
x

LynS said...

Congratulations. What an achievement!

Jan said...

Congratulations! Well done!

Donna said...

So proud of you!

Rose Red said...

I think that is amazing! (that you ran a half marathon, I mean). Such a huge achievement, congratulations!

CrochetBlogger said...

Congrats. Definitely something to be proud of. And some serious lessons learned! :)

Anonymous said...

I was talking about you to friends (who don't know you) as an inspiration.

I wish that I had looked like that when I was 9 months pregnant!

Lien said...

Congratulations! I've done the Bridge run 3 times now and really should sign myself up to do the half. We tried to get there early this year because of said portaloo problem. And it was HOT!!

Ann said...

Congratulations on your great achievement. I can never do a marathon.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your marathon that's inspirational.

Yarna said...

Well done! I thought it was amazing that you entered but to finish it as well - awesome!

Katriona Robertson said...

Congratulations! My favourite part about that picture is you looking like an awesome runner and the geezer behind who looks like he's walking!

1funkyknitwit said...

You look amazing - well done !!