Sun, sea and staying up too late! Benidorm Half Marathon 2019

Where to start with this one?! 

This race has been on my bucket list for ages. I love Benidorm and have visited most years since I was about thirteen. In more recent years, each visit involved a couple of extremely hungover trips out along the promenade to get the all-important running tourism Strava logs. So, when I opened my Birthday card from Des back in August to find he’d booked it as a surprise, I was absolutely delighted and counting down the weeks!  

Before Christmas, I really fell out with running if I’m honest. After collecting some impressive medals in the autumn, almost as soon as I’d finished the Worksop Half Marathon I almost completely lost interest. Not helped by a combination of dark nights, cold weather and not having anything too close to train for, my mileage plummeted heading into the festive season.

However as the new year approached, and with Benidorm quickly getting closer, I decided I really wanted to give it a good go. Having checked the previous year’s results, I knew that I’d need to pull my socks up quite a lot if I wanted to make the cut off and complete the race. So for the first time in ages, I had made myself a plan, scheduled the long runs in and was determined to get to the start line and be confident that I’d done all I could. 

So ignoring the cold and the dark, I set about running every day in January which, although scuppered a bit by being poorly, gave me a good boost. My training had been decent, spurred on my seeing my average times slowly but surely reducing. And as we boarded the plane (following a stint in the all-inclusive airport lounge) I couldn’t wait to get to one of my favourite places to do one of my favourite things with a gang of some of my favourite people.  

We arrived at our fantastic air BnB at about 11pm and decided we should have a little walk out to ‘go and see’ what was going on in Benidorm. Before we knew it, we were in a kebab shop at 5am having had far too many cheap vodka and diet cokes and with tired legs from dancing along to Benidorm’s answer to the Bay City Rollers. Not quite in the training plan and definitely not ideal for the night before race day!

Somewhat unusually (and fortunately for us, considering the previous night!) the run didn’t start until 6.30pm on the Saturday. After a relaxing afternoon collecting our race bibs and eating an almighty carb fest, it was time to head to the starting point. And for some reason at this point I became a huge bag of nerves.  

I think sometimes, it can be worse standing on the start line knowing you’ve prepared that standing there planning on winging it. But as quickly as the nerves has started, the excitement came back being surrounded by crowds of runners with some fantastic songs blasting out to get everyone motivated and ready tackle the 13.1 miles which lay ahead.

One of my favourite things about organised races is being able to run down the middle of roads which are normally cluttered with cars – and this was no different. Starting off along one of Benidorm’s main roads, listening to the rhythmic pounding of everyone’s trainers combined with the clapping and cheering of spectators helped the endorphins to kick in nice and early. I soon settled into a nice pace and enjoyed the view of the sun setting over the sea, ticking the kilometre markers off as I made my way up towards the old town.

After a short, sharp hill and a bit of winding through the Spanish street, the route took on a long out and back along the promenade of the old town. I always enjoy bits of a race where you can see the faster runners as scanning the steady stream for a friendly face provides a welcome distraction, and best of all I managed to spot Des just before heading down and turning away from the other runners.

With the kilometres still ticking along quite nicely and in exceptionally high spirits, I soon started chatting to some of my fellow runners a bit. Picking out some ladies from another running club local to me as well as talking about past races and hopes for this run with some others. The temperature had dropped to a comfortable level, spectators were 2-3 deep in some parts and I knew I was nearing the end of the first lap on track for a decent 10km time, ready to repeat the whole thing again and complete the half marathon. I felt really good and was soon heard the shouts of my parents and some friends willing my to carry on and get the job done.

There was an excellent buzz around the finishing area as the 10km racers completed their own challenges and those of us doing the Half headed off onto our second lap. But then all of a sudden it seemed very lonely on the big wide street I’d set off down an hour before surrounded by others. I still felt alright but I was starting to dip, so I slowed to a walk to take on a bit of water and some a few sweets for some sugar.

I hadn’t realised quite how many of the people around me about a kilometre before were dropping off at to 10km point until I realised there were only a couple of us around now. I managed to stay fairly jovial until I realised there were two bikes behind me, with little flags declaring “times’s up”… it’s fair to say at this point the panic set in.

Would I be pulled off the course? How could I face all my friends with their medals if I didn’t manage to finish it? Could I even be bothered to race these stupid bikes and finish it? All sorts of questions started whirring around, not to mention the huge self doubt I’d be spending the last five miles of the race fighting off.

I plodded on as I always do, putting in a bit of a spurt when I could to push ahead of the looming bikes and reminding myself that I was doing OK and that I’m fully capable of running a half marathon. This time, instead of merrily ticking the markers off, I just willed myself to get to each one. In time, those bloody biked passed me and I didn’t get kicked off the course which I was relieved about but still stayed slightly wary in case they changed their mind and came back.

Finally I reached the 10 mile point, really flagging with heavy legs and the energy from lunchtime’s carb-fest long depleted. Even ‘just a parkrun’ seemed like a bloody long way still to go but I did my best to keep in my head that even if everything in the world went wrong in those final miles, I’d be done in 45 minutes at the absolute most. 

It was that tactic that helped me to keep going through those final few miles. First it was 45 minutes at the most, then 40 and so on. All the while knowing that if I managed to keep running and not stop to talk, those minutes would be smaller and I’d be finished quicker.

Staying positive got particularly tough running back through the winding streets of the Old Town – the hundreds of spectators lined up cheering behind barriers on the first lap were now freely wandering all over the course. This left me and some fellow runners dodging and diving on less than nimble legs to make our way through the crowds and onto the final straight.

Dashing (well, probably shuffling/plodding/crawling) back past my personal support crew, I knew I only had a few hundred meters to go. I was shattered but I was nearly there! Seeing Des’s smiling face waiting at one of the last corners gave me the endorphin rush I needed to keep going through what seemed like a never ending finishing area, running past the line to then double back and run down the other side and finally over the finishing line!

In the end, I made it in a time of 2:44:03 making it my quickest half marathon in about a year so I felt quite content as I sipped the ridiculously welcome free cup of Coke Zero given to me in the finishing area. All-in-all, it was a great experience. Being at the back of the pack is never going to be easy, but I still surprise myself sometimes how much I manage to persevere and see it through.

And of course we all did plenty of celebrating after the run, taking in the ample Benidorm nightlife and partying into the not-so-small hours. We’re already planning next year’s trip and I already can’t wait!

Falling back in love with running

It’s been a long time since I’ve written about anything other than completing a race. I think, if I’m honest, that’s because although it took me until late in the year to admit I’d all-but fallen out with running, for a big chunk of the year I didn’t get too much enjoyment from it. Following the marathon, my running diary pretty much consisted of bouncing from half-marathon to half-marathon without any decent mileage in between – winging it on race day and therefore finishing in a series of mildly disappointing times.

So with Benidorm half-marathon on the horizon as the new year drew in, I decided to try a bit of shock tac-tics as a make or break and signed myself up for RED (run every day) January. Running streaks have worked well for me in the past for giving my training a bit of a boost and reminding me that even if I’m tired/busy/hungover/insert other excuse here, I am still able to get out and do at least a little bit.

Kicking off on the 1^st January with double park-run taking me to 10km on that first day, I was feeling positive for the month. By the weekend I was really starting to enjoy running again – then bloody illness struck! It takes quite a lot to knock me off my feet but when I decided I needed to give in to it and have a few days on the sofa, I had to be sensible and give the running a rest too. As soon as I was back ‘up and running’ the streak started again – and so did my enjoyment of it. There was a bit of a wobble towards the end where Des had to practically drag me kicking and screaming into the sub-zero temperatures late into the evening but all-in-all it was a very successful month as I hit a PB for mileage covered in a month – just over 80 miles done!

Anyone who has done a running streak will know that the real benefits tend to start showing once your body has had a few days to rest. Once your body has had a few days to recover, you get that excellent ‘fresh legs’ running feeling combined with the extra stamina you’ve built up from getting out there and pounding the streets every day. This, for me, was demonstrated in my 10 mile training run earlier this week.

Building up the miles ready for Benidorm Half, I have had a few really decent runs lately. From a couple of solid 5kms at running club where I’ve hit times I haven’t managed in a fair while, to a hilly eight-mile trek of the city which was enjoyable and challenging in equal measure. So setting out on Wednesday with 10 miles ahead of me felt just the right level of daunting – enough to know it will be a test but not so much that I didn’t think I could do it.

I’ve been going for a bit of a tactic of including hills in my runs quite a bit just lately. Mainly because I know that Benidorm is flat, so I feel like training good distances on hills will be a good way of building strength to take me those distances on the kind flat terrain of race day. So the second mile of my 10 mile run was essentially one long, gradual hill. It’s one I know really well, so I knew exactly how much I could push without compromising my energy levels for the rest of the long run and I’m really pleased with how well I tackled it – it was definitely my best attempt at that road in a good while and it was just the confidence boost I needed to put me in good stead for the rest of the run.

The next few miles were pretty uneventful on paper, but have put my head in a whole different place! I don’t know why or how, but they just melted away and were completely enjoyable! I was the right level of uncomfortable to that I knew I was working hard but felt strong in doing so, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt like that consistently over a long run. As I half glanced at my watch a few times I couldn’t believe the numbers I was seeing for my pace, and before I knew it I’d arrived at the Southbank ready for the last leg of the route which I’d planned to incorporate the usual Wednesday night club run.

With about 4.4 miles to go, it was great to see lots of friendly faces ready and raring to go, before unpausing  my Garmin and heading back out myself. Again, as the miles ticked over and six turned into seven and then eight, I still couldn’t quite believe I was doing it…and enjoying it!!

I slowed up a bit during mile eight and had a very little walk, knowing I needed to keep a bit back because the last bit would involve the test of heading past the normal finishing point and looping round a bit to get up to that magic 10 miles. But I took it all in my stride and went for the tactic of staying one the wrong side of the road and trying not to look over at my friends who were finished and recovering at my counter crept ever closer to my own finish.

Bloody hell did that last mile go on a bit! Round the corner, over the bridge, back over the road, up the other side of the bridge, down to the City Ground, back up again… “just flipping tick over to 10 miles!” I thought.. but with a few more expletives. Until finally it was done, my first 10 solo training run in about a year and nicely in a sub-2 hour time too. But most of all, I’d enjoyed almost every step of it!

I’m not naïve and I do know that (for me especially) a couple of good runs doesn’t mean it’s completely clicked back in. But I’m feeling so much better and it’s an absolute pleasure to be looking forward to getting out there when I get my trainers on. I am very fortunate in that I have some fantastic people who make even the rubbish runs bearable – there’s Des who drags me out on the run that build up the strength ready for the good ones, and some absolutely lovely friends who make going for a run more of a social event than anything.

So for the first time in ages (it feels like I’ve said that a lot in this post) I’m feeling positive about running and I’m looking forward to seeing just what I can do over the next few weeks and months!

Worksop Halloween Half.. and the end of the 2018 race calendar

I’d had my eye on this particular race for a couple of years, but Halloween fun and drinking plans had trumped it in the few years previously. Normally, instead of running it I’d spied a few of the people doing it while on my drive back from family in Sheffield – this year, though, no fun plans means it made sense to get signed up. Above all, it’s a great priced race considering it’s always a decent medal and technical tee!

When the day rolled round, Des and I were both quite reluctant. Him full of cold and me not really ‘feeling’ running at the time, I think if either of us has said we weren’t bothered the other would happily have agreed. But runners are glutton for punishment so we head off up the A614 a little later than we should have and on our way.

Following a few laps of Worksop, finally finding a parking space, speed-walking a mile to the start then a mad rush to get numbers and drop bags off, we made it to the start with almost exactly a minute to spare. There wasn’t even time for a nervous wee!

Setting off with a few hundred runners, many in fab fancy dress, we headed through the little crowds and out onto the open roads away from the town centre. It’s an area I vaguely know and so I had the route sort-of in my head, knowing it was pretty much broken down into a 5km to Clumber Park, 10km into and around the park and the 5km out of and back to the starting point. Also, from what friends who have done the race before told me, I knew the course was undulating.

So the first hill hit and I did my best to run as much as I could, being really conscious that if I gave up with the running too soon in the race I’d be dangerously close to the back, and I knew I need to kind of bank some time in case I needed a stop following not having time for that nervous pee back at the start line.

I knew it wasn’t ever going to be a speedy one so I took my time under the uncharacteristically warm October sun, chatting to a few people here and there.  Before too long we hit the first water station and turned into Clumber Park, having ran down a road I’ve driven down loads and never quite appreciated how long it is!

I was on the lookout from this point as my family had said they’d be around here somewhere. It’s amazing how much not wanting to be caught walking can spur you on, no matter how much you’re finding it tough. I carried on running as much as I could, doing my best to enjoy the autumnal scenery as I did. Eventually, when I was about half way through the total distance, I could just about make out the familiar faces in the distance! After a little walk with them, they wished me well as I carried on my run and they dashed off in the car ready to wait at the finishing line. Seeing them was just the endorphin boost I needed to get through the next few miles – it really does make a huge difference seeing people you know while you’re running a difficult (or even not-difficult) race!

Carrying on through the North Notts countryside, by around mile eight I had caught up with two ladies who I’d had in my sights for a while. One had done the race before and one was doing her first ever half marathon. They were lovely and I stayed running with them for about a mile, through a fantastic tunnel of motivational signs which were great at giving me a little giggle and taking my mind off how much my legs didn’t really want to be running a half marathon.

After mile nine I did the best I could to pick the pace up a bit, carrying on up and over the various bumps doing everything in my power to get the race done as quickly as possible. To be honest, it was lovely and tranquil, listening partly to the rhythmic slapping of my feet on the road and also to my music – an eclectic mix of featuring classic rock, drum and bass and everything in between.  I had a huge boost at the mile 10-ish water station when I was handed a drink by some fellow members of Girlguiding! When reluctantly getting my running gear on before I left that morning I’d decided to wear my London Marathon vest as a reminder that I can run a bloody long way when I put my mind to it – so I got extra claps and cheers from them when they recognised the logos I had on.

I tend to find that whatever distance I’m running, the last 20% tends to just melt away a bit if you just keep in your head that you’re the top side of it and you can do it, and this was no different. That’s not to say it’s easy – far from it! I don’t know what it is, but I just find it somewhere to get cracking and get it done with. It probably helped in this case that there were some extremely welcome downhills on this part of this route.

13 miles later and the starting area which I’d left behind almost three hours ago was back in view as I turned that final corner and did my best sprint finish over the line, cheered on by my family and some of my friends from Southbank Bar Running Club who had kindly hung around after they’d finished to clap me in.

The medal and t-shirt certainly didn’t disappoint! But I was certainly happy to be finished and be reunited with Des and my family at the end. The course wasn’t easy but I did enjoy it, despite not being at my running best – definite potential for the 2019 event list.

Importantly, half marathon number five of the year completed! Not to be sniffed at considering in the two years before I’d just done one per year. It was also the final big event of 2018, therefore concluding a fantastic year of running – but I dare say that’s another blog post!

 

Hands on hips, powering through!

 

All smiles at the end!

Great South Run 2018

This was to be my first ever ‘just’ 10 mile race and I was really looking forward to getting my teeth into it. Cutting off the last 5km of the half-marathon distance I’ve already done quite a few times this year but longer and therefore more epic than a 10km race. Overall, something different – and a completely flat course too! 

I made the journey south with some friends, so the race was squashed into a lovely weekend which gave the opportunity for a bit of Parkrun tourism with a tricky yet enjoyable route in the New Forest on the Saturday morning and then some general tourism in the afternoon through to the evening. Despite getting to bed at a reasonable time, that 6am Sunday alarm felt evil as I forced some porridge down and we headed, bleary eyed, to the train station. 

After a bit of panic at the hands of National Rail, we made it over to Portsmouth and it seemed no time at all until we split up and headed over to our respective starting areas. Although it was nearing the end of October, the sun shone brightly along the promenade and I made a last minute decision to ditch my under layer – I’m so glad I did! By the time I crossed the start-line the temperature had really climbed as thousands of us set off on our way under the beaming southern sunshine.

I had in my head that I wanted to do this in as close to the two hour mark as I could. So when I spotted the 2 hour pacer a little ahead not long after I’d started, I decided try and stick with them to help reach the target. However my rhythm was good and my breathing worked well so I soon passed them and decided I may as well carry on while everything was working well. 

Something particularly special about this race was that, all the way around, there was a fantastic atmosphere. From the runners to the spectators and the various bands playing on the way round, there was a really light hearted feel – and for once my feet seemed light as well as the miles ticked by with no sign of the ‘wall’ which usually comes at some point in most of my runs. 

Reaching the half way point just about on track and then the 10km mark in a decent time, I decided to have a little walk. I was shattered but not exhausted and I wanted to save some energy to get me through the last mile. A real highlight at this point was the run down a residential street – it was like one long street party! Everyone stood outside their homes, some playing music and all clapping and cheering, as I moved back into a run I really enjoyed taking it all in before turning onto the last two-mile straight across the sea front. 

The view now was absolutely magnificent – I wish I’d have stopped to take a couple of photos! The bright blue skies blending on the horizon to the sea which shimmered under the low late-autumn sun, then the promenade sprinkled with runners all coming to the end of their latest challenge, surrounded by cheering crowds. I really had to keep reminding myself to focus on looking in front to make sure I didn’t trip over any discarded water bottles – or fellow runners. 

With my music pumping in my ears and a big smile spread across my face, I was truly enjoying this run as I made my way around the last corner and sprinted towards the finish. Spirits at the end of the route were just as high as at the start with everyone congratulating each other while making our way to collect our medals. 

With an excellent backdrop for those all important medal photos, it was great to be reunited with my friends who had equally good experiences. Although I just missed my two hour target, I was pleased with my average pace and my overall time. 

I definitely intend on ticking off some more of the ‘Great Run’ series over the next couple of years. Excellently organised, good medal and t-shirt and great on-route entertainment to keep the motivation up!

 

 

Smiles all around!

 

Parkrun Tourism in our club t-shirts!

Robin Hood Half Marathon 2018

I always look forward to this one – it’s my home half marathon and was my first race at that distance back in 2016. It's also significant for Des and I as it's when things took a serious turn with us last year! However despite this, I was approaching it with mixed feelings this year. Although I’d done more miles-to-date than before the Robin Hood in the previous years, it was probably the least prepared I’d been for it and I knew I wasn’t going to come close to the two times I’d ran it in before.

So really, this year was going to be about enjoying the event rather than chasing a time and a week-or-so beforehand I agreed with a friend from running club that we’d tackle it together. On the foggy morning of 30^th September after the obligatory Southbank Bar Running Club team photo I headed into the starting pen and met up with Nik and a couple of other friendly faces. Eventually the ‘start-line shuffle’ all runners are familiar with turned into a run as we made our way through the spectator-lined Embankment and turned onto London Road with 13 miles ahead of us. 

We fell into a good pace together and the first mile melted away, bringing us to the familiar and somewhat dreaded hilly section of the route through the Park Estate – when Nik asked what my plan was for tackling the hills, I believe I said “get the f*uck up them”… and we did! Out of my three attempts at this race, it was the best I’ve ever done the hills, managing to run though nearly all of them, only slowing to a power-walk for the final couple. I was so glad to see the back of them though, and ready to enjoy the long-steady downhill of Derby Road for a bit of recovery. 

Before long we started to see the speedy people who were coming back in the other direction, a couple of miles ahead of where we were – some runners hate this but for some reason I really enjoy it! Knowing at least 30 people taking part meant lots of familiar faces passed so high fives, smiles and encouragement flicked between the two sides of the course. Then, just as we were turning into the loop section I spotted Des! A quick hug and kiss and we carried on... if I’d have been any quicker I wouldn’t have seen him so that was a definite bonus of slowing down!

I started struggling a bit on the next part – but not half as much as last year. With Nik’s words of encouragement I managed to run through the niggles which had forced me to walk at this point back in 2017. This particular part of the route is a long, lonely straight road which seems never ending as you wait to turn into the lovely and well-spectated Wollaton Park. It’s without a doubt my least favourite part of the course but with someone to chat to we managed to tick another mile off without too much drama. 

After the infamous Wollaton Hall climb and some deer spotting we’d reached the half way point and, turning onto the ring road, we were on our way home! I think one of my favourite things about road races is having the opportunity to run in places you’re never normally allowed – so this ring road section is a highlight for me. I love the calmness of a closed dual-carriageway, being pounded by enthusiastic runners rather than lined with queuing traffic.

Another couple of miles and a short burst of rain ticked off along with about a million “this is the last little hill” and we really were just a couple of miles from the finish. Accompanied by lots more conversation, putting the world to rights and talking about our various motivations for running and testing ourselves – we headed into the ‘final Parkrun’ fully determined… and I was hardly even moaning! 

It was around this time I put my music on as an extra bit of encouragement for the final stretch. I did really well and managed to keep my normal “I’ve nearly done this” cry at bay when the balance shifted a bit when Nik needed a bit more encouragement fro a little while as we weaved through the Meadows and finally that turn back onto the Embankment was in site. 

If you speak to anyone who has ran the Robin Hood, they’ll tell you the last section seems to go on a good while longer than you expect it to. You end up doing a weird collection of sprinting to get there quicker then realising it’s still bloody far until the finish line. With Nik holding my hand and all but dragging me there we eventually made it – with lots of clapping crowds still gathered to cheer us in!

Beaming at each other with a hug and “we did it!” we proudly collected our medals. Another one ticked of the list and very much a team effort! It’s the first time I’ve ever done a race from start to finish with someone and it truly did make it much more enjoyable. There are a few times Nik could have definitely left me behind, but “we started together and we’ll finish together”… and I’m so grateful that we did. 

To be completely honest, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me that it was the slowest time I’ve completed that particular race in. During the post race celebrations, it was tricky to keep it in the back of my mind and focus on having done it as many revelled in PB times and great races. But now that some time has passed, I can’t even remember the exact time I did it in, but I can remember a lovely run with my friend through my favourite city in the world… and surely that’s more important? 

 

 

 

Me and my running buddy!

 

Action shot

Showing off our medals - it's a very significant race for us!

Proudly with my nephew and medal

Equinox - medals and mud

My first and only 10km race 2018! To be honest, with my performance in it ‘organised event’ is a better description that race. To give some background, Equinox is a 24 hour endurance event which takes place the beautiful yet extremely undulating grounds of Belvoir Castle. People can take part solo, in pairs or in teams with the aim of completing as many 10km laps as they can over the 24 hour period. 

I found myself there as Des decided he wanted to take on the 24 hour challenge solo as part of his “Super September” trio of events. Browsing the website a few weeks before the event I found there was the option of completing a lap at both 12noon and 8pm and gaining two medals for the trouble! “Brilliant” I thought, my medal haul for 2018 so far not matching the same point in previous years. I signed up to both events looking forward to taking on a challenge a little different to the standard road running I am used to. 

After a glorious and seemingly never ending summer, that weekend in September well and truly saw the start of autumn. As we made our way through fields and battled with gale force winds and torrential rain to set up camp, not for the first time on my running journey, I really bloody questioned my life choices! 

Following a freezing and somewhat uncomfortable sleep (I was desperate for a wee all night but refused to go trotting across a field in the dark) the morning came round and finally a gap in the rain. By the time the mass start came round at 12 noon I was again looking forward to the run and wished my friends luck and encouragement as we all set about our various challenges. 

The course really was beautiful with some spectacular views. However the thing about such spectacular views is the extremely high-up vantage point they require to enjoy them. Knowing before the race there was an infamous “that hill” section, I paced myself in the first couple of miles in anticipation. Flipping heck did I need the energy reserve! Apart from the first third, the rest of the race followed some killer elevation paths and took on bumpy and uneven fields. It was about half way around that I really remembered why I stick to straightforward road running – I’m extremely clumsy at the best of times so add in slippy paths, rabbit holes and a few tree routes and it’s a recipe for disaster. 

Despite really wondering why I ever thought it would be a good idea, I must say the morale out on the course was brilliant! There were a few people I chatted to quite a bit as we made our way around and it was fantastic running the last mile through the campsite which was full of fellow runners willing the people on course on. It’s definitely a special kind of atmosphere which I’d definitely recommend and runner takes the chance to experience. 

As the end slowly came into sight, so did the rain – just a few drops at first but with huge dark clouds looming and by the time I’d collected my medal and got back to our camp area it was well and truly hammering it down! Des came back from his second lap absolutely sodden and the dry paths which had been cracked with dehydration from the long summer had become complete mud trails. 

Later on, with darkness starting to fall, I was in genuine and utter turmoil about whether to go ahead with the 8pm leg which I’d signed up for. I had massively underestimated just how dark it would be (I don’t like the dark!) and I knew the lashings of rain would have made the course even more tricky than when I’d set about it earlier on that day. Right up until around 7.30 I was weighing up the pros and cons until I eventually decided it would be much more sensible to get myself wrapped up and stay with the people on our camping plot. I tried not to beat myself up too much – if I’m completely honest I would almost definitely have just walked around crying wishing I hadn’t done it!

So that was Equinox. Despite the cold and the rain it was a truly lovely weekend spend with friends with the medal being a bonus to take home with me. Des did fantastically and managed to complete five laps within the time – that’s with his legs only having had one week to recover from Berlin Marathon! 

As I said earlier, I would definitely recommend one of these events – it’s essentially like a bit of a festival for runners really. Lovely atmosphere and it’s great fun watching people completing their laps all through the day and night.

 

The view with "that hill" in the foreground

I was glad this was over!

Des still smiling after his 50 miler!