Oxford Half Marathon

Ran the Oxford Half Marathon today – I had done x3 runs before turning up for this – 2, 3 and 5 miles the last of which was 4 weeks ago! So unsurprisingly I was anxious about entering this and how it would pan out because so many people were taking it so seriously and really putting in the training hours

Tash dropped me off down at the Uni Parks and then I met with all of Team Taylor before making my way to the start line where I met with Tash and Pauline Bampton & Julie Goodall. There were over 9,500 people entering and it was quite exciting and good to be part of the crowd. The start began at 9.30am and it took 20 minutes for us to make our way to the start line and cross it. I went at my slow and steady pass and managed to maintain it (albeit getting slower) throughout, I did get round the whole course without stopping – I couldn’t believe it, very pleased with myself in that I’d done no training but embarrassed by the time it took.

I didn’t go past many people and at the halfway point it got to the stage that people were walking, I’d go past them, they’d run past me and walk again and I’d go past them again! Familiar people were then dragging me along so to speak. Kept seeing Tash along the way which was nice and Jack as well after his football had finished down at Oxford City

It was nice being part of the Team Taylor as there were a lot of other runners with the same t-shirts so we kept encouraging one and other.

Got over the finish line in 2h 47m and got some goodies and then walked to the car and went home – the rest of the day I didn’t get much done at all, it really flaked me out and I crashed out on the sofa and that was pretty much it. I have so much work on my plate but I couldn’t face it so just went to bed early after a long bath – although we did make it down to the Apple Day in the village, that was nice as usual – we live in a lovely place.

Anyway, I’ve done it now so that’s that! Might enter the one next year but will see how it goes, I have pre-registered my interest, I think I should surely be able to improve the time if I try a bit harder!!

On the Start line…

At the Finish Line…almost 3 hours later..not smiling now!