I just finished a 21.491km running that lasted about 1hh:58mm:41ss !
Today I was due to run the Greenway Challenge half marathon around Letchworth, but all races are cancelled for now. I decided that I would run the distance anyway to see how I had progressed since last year. I was just over two hours last time and hoped to get under that milestone.
I got up early to have some breakfast of cereal and fruit to fuel my run. I also set the bread machine going to make a loaf for lunch. As I went out it had just started to rain, but it did not last long. Conditions were generally good for running as I did not want it too warm.
It is a new experience to set off for my usual Sunday loop with the prospect of doing it twice in a row. I initially set off quite quick and had to force myself to slow down a bit. I needed about 5:40min/km to achieve my target. I slowed down a bit on the long slog up West Drive, but was feeling okay. The downhill stretches cancelled out some of the slower parts. I improvised a route through the new Stotfold estate that did not come out where I expected and I ended up doubling back to get to the main road. I took the longer way around Arlesey to complete a first lap of just over 12km.
I had left some water by our gate to re-hydrate. The selfie was taken then. I set off on the second lap wondering what I had set myself up for. I was still feeling okay. I get the odd twinge in my hip, but it never seems to get really bad. My feet were a little sore. The On Cloudflow shoes are light, but not as cushioned as some. I did wear the fancy socks I was given when I bought the shoes. They have a little more cushioning than my others.
Second time up the hill to Fairfield was okay and I was still on target. I saw different people on each lap. I had wondered if any would see me twice and possibly question why I was out so long, but that did not happen. I took a slightly different route through Stotfold as this lap could be a little shorter.
Getting into the last few kilometres I still had something to give some of the last few splits were the best of the run. I took the shortest route home through Arlesey as I knew it would be enough to hit the distance. I was not sure of the exact place it would end, so kept going a little longer and stopped the watch as I walked the last bit on the two hour mark.
I improved by five minutes over my previous best, so I am happy with that. I am even thinking I could do this more often. A full marathon still feels beyond me, but who knows what I could achieve.
I will use the #LockdownHalf tag on this and maybe others will join in.
Stay well and run free.
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Hey congratulations, that's a massive achievement!
Great to hit your target and with room to spare too!
I especially love the fact that you set the bread maker going in advance, I bet that will taste extra delicious now.
Good luck doing anything with the rest of the day, I imagine you're pretty wiped out.
I actually feel okay. The legs may be sore, but got things to do. It does feel good to beat my target comfortably. I may work on my 5km for the next few weeks and think about doing another half next month.
Congratulations! That's an awesome time to be slogging out there by yourself. A friend of one of my pals did a full marathon by herself last week as it was supposed to be race weekend for her, too. I don't think I would have had that in me! Cheers to many more runs ahead.
A race is different when you have all the runners and people cheering you on. My only inspiration was my watch. Still feels good to have done it.
Definitely makes a difference to have that crowd support! I decided to race against the clock yesterday for a mile time trial to see where I am. Got some work to do, but gives me a goal! :)
I think we need to keep pushing ourselves even if there are no races. We could all come back with new PBs after all this. I ought to try a mile some time. I have been doing a 5km to stand in for parkrun.
Wow, great pace! Been long since I did a half marathon. Now focusing on lowering my pace sub 6km/min. Have a great Sunday!
Thanks. It doesn't seem so long since 6min/km was a good pace for me. I have seen definite improvement recently.
Hello, you achieved your goal even stopping to hydrate, that guarantees you at least 3 to 4 minutes less in a competition, because of the adrenaline and others.
Particularly while I train at the bottom, I never stop, I carry the hydration with me, that slows you down a bit.
Excellent to have achieved your goal.
Have a happy day.
It was a fairly short stop. I just didn't want to carry a bottle around with me. Enjoy your day too.
Congratulations! It is not easy to do it all alone!
Awesome Steve - some great self-discipline there! And glad you had the benefit of decent running conditions!
Doing it with a few hundred others and some people cheering us along would have been different. I think I have potential to go quicker, but have to find the right pace that I can sustain. I need to do more long runs.
Great time! I would say a marathon is definitely within your reach. We're all capable of much more than we think. Looking forward to reading a post after your first one!
We shall see. I'm not looking to ease off yet.
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Good on you, @steevc! Nice work!
Cheers. I get inspired by the other Hive runners.
Excellent run indeed. Congrats! It shows you were preparing well and had your mind set up properly. Bravo!
Ps: did I tell you the last time around (half) that now would be a great time to start preparing for the marathon? 😉
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I was happy with how it went. Just had to push to meet my goal time. I am thinking of trying more longer runs. I can just see how it goes.
Nothing can stop a consistent Runner.
@runningproject
Reblogged by @runningproject
...and enjoy a good recovery !BEER
You have uploaded 128 running activities, and 2 of them have been of similar distances (within 10 percent)!
Here are your 5-fastest running activities of a similar distance:
Over these 2 similar activities, you have travelled approximately 42.73 kms at an average pace of roughly 5:41 min/km!
Your latest run was at a pace of approximately 5.522min/km!
Looks like you went a bit faster than usual this time! Nice work!
Have a !BEER for your troubles!
Excellent achievement. Well done :)
Nice job! We have been doing a lot of walking this past week too because the weather has been beautiful since Friday. It is looking cooler this week, but no rain in sight as far as I can see. Keep it up!
Cheers. I am happy to have done it. The legs are not too bad today. I want to try more long runs and see what I can do.
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