So it's been a week since I took part in possibly the most challenging thing I've ever done, I ran in the Bath Half Marathon and I thought it was about time that I put a little post up on here to get my thoughts down on the page.
Since the pack arrived a few months ago I've been living under the shadow of a number, a number that for a few hours would be my identity and would stand me apart from all others. That number was, the not very catchy series of digits, 13217 (check out the pic for proof). Just getting this number meant I had, in books anyway, taken a huge step towards actually achieving something in my life. If you had told me 3 or so years ago that I would be running 13 and a bit miles I would have told you to get stuffed, and tucked into another pork pie. For those of you who don't know up until a few years ago, I was double the man I am these days, quite literally. I knew something had to change as I was getting out of breath just walking up a flight of stairs, so I did it, I lost a load of weight (think it was about 10 stone in all) and got (relatively) fit. I can say it wasn't hard work, because it was but I got there in the end and eventually met the girl of my dreams (which is the best thing to have ever happened to me). But I needed something more I needed to achieve something so I could say "look, look what I've done" So the thought entered my head about running in the Bath Half. Then the thought went away as I thought it was just a bit silly, but then towards the end of last year a good friend of mine mentioned he and another friend of mine had entered the race and did I want to join them, so I stumped up the £30 to enter (reason enough to complete the race in my books) and then worried about what to do.
Thankfully, my personal trainer Andy Collins, was on hand to draw me up a plan and let me know what I needed to do, so on November 5th I went out on my first run and just kept going. I know it's all too easy to draw up "run forest run" jokes, etc but I wont, well not right now anyway. I can't say the training was easy going, certainly not and I think what made it harder for me was going out on my own. But then that's where my trainers and my trusty Nano came in handy. With the Nike + Apple kit popped into my trainers I was able to track ever bloody footstep I took whilst training for the race. In total I ended up running for 42.54 hours and covered a distance of 234 miles. Shocking I know, but it's always nice to have a record of these things.
Eventually the day of the race arrived and I was good to go, but then it rain. And it rained some more. Then we got the runners village and it was a bog, so that meant that even before the race started my feet were all muddy. To top it all off when I was getting ready to head towards taking my place they announced they were delaying the start of the race by an hour! So that meant more waiting, which was a little annoying. But boy was I thankful they did delay it, as it meant the rain passed and was dry for the duration of the race. So when the time arrived, I took my place with the masses (right behind scooby-doo), heard the gun and we were off. The first 6 - 8 miles were fine and I held up a bloody good pace (for me), but then I seemed to hit "the wall" at around the 10 mile mark and the last 3 miles weren't great, but I got there and as I rounded the corner into Pultney Street I swear I could have cried with relief, the finish was in sight. So I was there with a smile on my face as I stepped over that finish line, nothings ever felt better. Then to top it all off I got my medal! I'd hoped to finish the race in under 2 and a half hours and thought the best I could manage was probably going to be about 2:15. But you know what, it's strange the effect the crowds can have on you, as I managed to complete the race in 2:13, which meant I was chuffed to bits!
When I got home I kinda swore to myself that was it and my running career was over, but the more that time passed and keeps passing the more and more I think about going in for the race again next year and you know what I think I will. I don't see any reason why, with a little extra weight loss, an improvement in technique there's no reason why I couldn't break the 2 hour mark. So watch this space as it might just happen!
But for now (well this week after the race anyway) I'm doing no exercise and eating and drinking whatever I like. I think I've deserved it. It does mean however, I'm gonna be back in the gym with a vengance come the early part of next week! Bring on the blisters!