Day 268: Lame filly is odds on for a painful run

RUN: 1.1 miles

Still in Chester, still on Cloud Nine, still sore from race day and still limping thanks to the tendonitis, we headed out for another single lap of Chester Racecourse.

The course is open to the public, who can use the running or walking track just inside the horse track, and the inside of the course for dog walking and recreation.

So off we jogged (limped) to clock up another mile to add to the total. Here's today's run

The foot needs a rest at five furlongs (that's a grimace not a smile!)

Day 267: A VERY special day at the racecourse

RUN: 1.2 miles

After a final night in Liverpool with a celebratory meal and some well-earned rest, we have come to Chester for a few days.

After the half marathon yesterday, my foot is feeling very bad. I have been struck down with peroneal tendonitis (sharp pain down the outside of my right foot behind the ankle bone), which feels like I've got a knife in my shoe.

We are staying at a hotel at Chester Racecourse, so I put on a brave face for a walk around the course.

As we were wandering (limping) along, boyfriend Andy stopped at a little viewing point overlooking the river and... ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM!!

We're engaged! Waaaaaaaa!!

 

I was so shocked, all the pain disappeared! He said he was thinking of proposing after the half marathon (but he diddecided against having the pressure of carrying the ring and the huge box!) or after the marathon (but he couldn't wait that long!) It was a perfect proposal, and I'm so happy!

We sat by the river for a while taking it all in, before walking (still limping) the rest of the way into Chester for a lovely lunch.

Although I was floating around on a cloud, there was still the small matter of today's run to tackle. Fiance Andy joined me for a one-mile lap of Chester Racecourse. At first the pain was bearable, but at five furlongs I got such a sharp stabbing pain, it made me scream out. I did manage to put on a brave face and jog the rest of the lap, but I hope this foot sorts itself out, or I'm in trouble!

Here's today's racecourse run

Day 266: Liverpool Half Marathon Day!

RUN: 13.1 miles

Half marathon day has finally arrived! Argh!
After quite a sleepless night, a panic over forgotten earphones and a bowl of porridge and banana, we headed down to Liverpool's Pier Head, to join the rest of the 8,000 runners.

We stored our bags, attached our race numbers and joined the (very long) queue for the portaloos!

Queueing to the start line

Unfortunately, by the time we had waited our turn and made our way to the start line, it was a bit of a melee and we didn't see the time pens, so in the confusion we ended up setting off from the 2.5-hour pen (for people who estimate they'll run it in that time) - much to boyfriend Andy's annoyance!

About to set off!

We said goodbye and good luck as soon as the crowd started moving, and we were on our way, and Andy was instantly out of sight.

The course took us towards Liverpool Cathedral and on to Sefton Park. There was a good atmosphere, with supporters cheering us all on from the sides of the road, and other runners chatting as we passed each other.

There was one hill to tackle near the beginning of the run, but to be honest I hardly noticed it and was expecting something much worse having looked at the course and the climb.

The crowds grew as we arrived at the park, and I decided to carry on past the first water station. At the second station, I was on the wrong side of the path and didn't fancy tripping anyone up to get some water, so again I carried on.

I had a bit of a mishap with my watch and managed to stop the timer and had to restart, so I only had a rough idea of my pace. Perhaps that was a good thing, meaning I took the course at a pace I felt good at and didn't panic I was going too fast or slow.

I was feeling good and going strong until just after I got to the third water station at nine miles.
I almost missed it (again!), but managed to grab a bottle, get out my energy gel and tried to take them on the go. Having chucked half the water down myself and failed to even open the gel, I decided on a strategic stop. So I stopped, gulped the gel and a bit of water and got on my way again after a few seconds.

Soon after, we were leaving Sefton Park, running through the tunnel of the underpass and into Otterspool Park.

As I started to struggle and was trying to convince myself to keep up the pace, some men ran past me wearing Help For Heroes t-shirts. One of them had a running blade in the place of one leg. That was enough to stop me feeling sorry for myself and get on with the task in hand.

As the Mersey came into sight and we turned the corner on to Otterspool Pier, we were on the final four-mile straight back towards central Liverpool. I had aimed to pick up my pace at this point, but my body had other ideas. Stitch strikes!

I have very rarely suffered stitches while I've been running, so I was a bit annoyed and unsure what to do. I went for just carrying on, but it was painful. As I had been doing all the way round, I thought of the cleft children, of my sponsors and my family and friends who would be cheering me on if they were there, and of Andy running ahead of me. Eventually the pain went away, and I came to the last water station with one mile to go.

I could see the Liver Birds on top of the Liver Building in the distance, so the end was in sight. Phew!
As another stitch started to stab me once again, I managed to keep going. People all around me were talking about finishing and saying they thought they might just miss the two hours. With a few rough sums and my dodgy watch timings, I worked out that I might just make it.

With a last push, I headed past the Museum of Liverpool, and with the deafening noise of the crowds spurring me on, I turned the final corner to see the finish line only a few metres away.

I finished in 1 hour 57 minutes. Phew!
Andy finished in 1 hour 41 minutes. Wow!

I was pleased with my time, but since I was so exhausted I hardly felt any emotion about finishing. The thought of doing it all again in the marathon is a very scary prospect at the moment. This is where it gets serious.

Here is our route for the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon 2013:
 

 

Hooray!