My first half marathon... !!!

Hey everyone, thanks so much for the advice and encouragement! I had an awesome race. I hardly slept last night and was too nervous to eat before, so it wasn't the best start... got there half an hour before the start too, so a little rushed. (Its about an hour's drive from my home).

The first ten km's were fairly easy, did it in 1:10 ish. There was one awfully long hill which almost got the better of me, but I managed to run the whole way. The second 11km was a quite bit slower, as I ended up walking some of the steeper hills. I don't have the official time yet, but it was around 2:45 ish on my watch.

The best thing was that a lovely gentleman from my new running club ran pretty much the whole race with me and we finished together. He gave me lots of encouragement and good advice too. Runners are awesome people!

After the race I had a really good cry (which surprised me), and I really can't wait for the next one! I think I am hooked. I posted some pics on my facebook wall - add me if you like: Elsabe Pieterse.

Awesome race!!!! I am so happy for you. I typically cry at the end of a longer race as well. Kind of a euphoria thing. Happy it's over, happy I did it...etc. I hope you sign up to another one soon. It's addicting.

Congratulations!!

Excellent work and Congrats on your first Half..Join the crowd who gets hooked after a fun one..Take a day off to recover fully and start back up slow and Congrats again .

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Compete and Improve

I'm so happy for you! I didn't cry after mine but I was high! I felt like I had drank a whole bottle of liquir! It took about an hour to come down from it! I had already decided to run another and started looking for a good one right away! You should plan your next one! Stay in training after your rest.

Congrats!! Feels pretty good doesnt it? Yeah I bet your searching for your next one! 8-)

LOL! Thanks everyone! I have already picked the next race in two weeks time... resting today though my body surprisingly feels quite good. No pain, no stiffness... I plan to do the 4km time trial at the club tomorrow night as a recovery run, and then ease back into my normal training routine on Wednesday.

Congratulations!! I just love reading posts like yours, good job! It is quite an accomplishment to do a run like that. How are you feeling today?

Thanks R&R! I am feeling fine. Did a 4km run at the time trial tonight, just a nice slow little run. Nothing really hurts... will pick up the training pace again towards the end of the week for the next half marathon on 22 August.

Congratulations on your first, of what will probably be many, Half Marathons!!

Congrats! Funny how addicting it can be isn't it. Good luck with your next one.