Half marathons are boring unless you're quick
I dream that one day I'll start a blog post, and I won't start it with a line about meaning to blog more. But it's not going to happen.
Yesterday I ran a half marathon and it was one of the hardest things I've done in my life. It was also one of the most boring. Seriously.
Out of all the things I was prepared for, I wasn't ready for the monotony. I have anaemia, so I was ready for my lungs to hurt, but they didn't. It was a long way to run, so I was ready for my legs to hurt, but they didn't. Instead I found my knees and hips aching, and my mind bored stiff despite the lovely villages and great views.
As a sort-of newbie runner, I was proud of completing it in sub-two and a half hours (only just though - 2:26:34!). I didn't stop and I didn't swear at anyone and I didn't cry* and I left myself enough energy at the end to sprint the last 100m. In hindsight, this was a god awful outcome.
I'm not good at many things in running but I'm good at pacing myself, and I managed just under 7 minute kilometres throughout. Now I realise I could've probably done it in more like 6:50 minute kilometres. But you live and you learn.
I was told to expect a sense of euphoria when it was over. In fact, I just really wanted to wash my hands. Sweat is grim but there's something oddly gruesome being covered in it out of choice. Yeah. I wanted tea and to wash my hands.
But I did it! With very little training (a 15k run a week before, 11k a few weeks before that) I magically ran a half marathon with energy still left in the tank. It's one off the bucket list, but I only suggest you do it if you're a) quick or b) not bored easily.
The best thing about being a newbie is that everyone has really low expectations of what you can achieve, and they're really impressed when you exceed them.
Now for the full thing.
*I cried a lot before the race. A lot.
Yesterday I ran a half marathon and it was one of the hardest things I've done in my life. It was also one of the most boring. Seriously.
Out of all the things I was prepared for, I wasn't ready for the monotony. I have anaemia, so I was ready for my lungs to hurt, but they didn't. It was a long way to run, so I was ready for my legs to hurt, but they didn't. Instead I found my knees and hips aching, and my mind bored stiff despite the lovely villages and great views.
As a sort-of newbie runner, I was proud of completing it in sub-two and a half hours (only just though - 2:26:34!). I didn't stop and I didn't swear at anyone and I didn't cry* and I left myself enough energy at the end to sprint the last 100m. In hindsight, this was a god awful outcome.
I'm not good at many things in running but I'm good at pacing myself, and I managed just under 7 minute kilometres throughout. Now I realise I could've probably done it in more like 6:50 minute kilometres. But you live and you learn.
But I did it! With very little training (a 15k run a week before, 11k a few weeks before that) I magically ran a half marathon with energy still left in the tank. It's one off the bucket list, but I only suggest you do it if you're a) quick or b) not bored easily.
The best thing about being a newbie is that everyone has really low expectations of what you can achieve, and they're really impressed when you exceed them.
Now for the full thing.
*I cried a lot before the race. A lot.
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