I got round, but I am not finished, I will keep shouting...
20 November 2022
Morning/Evening all,
An update on the run. This was my first mass run, by this I mean I was one of 12000 people that turned up to run or walk a Marathon, Half Marathon or 10km. This meant there were several new things for me, and I made some rookie mistakes. The main rookie mistake was misjudging the final portaloo visit, having to queue for 25 mins , which meant I missed my wave (to stop slow runners getting in the way of the fast ones, they send groups off in waves).
The next mistake was a result of the first. Not settling into a rhythm. I spent the first 8kms dodging people and having to walk due to the narrow course. It all ended up with my legs getting heavy at 11kms and I could not keep up the pace I needed/wanted. It sounds like moaning or excuses, it isn’t, I now know much more and will be better prepared for the next one.
I finished at 2:22:55, just over 26:30 faster than last year, and 3:51 faster than my best training run. But now, Sunday 9am, I can walk 🙂.
Am I pleased with what I have achieved? Yes I am. I ran a race with thousands of others and had to negotiate narrow paths, slow runners, walkers, my own head and the nagging doubt (16kms, then 17kms were the toughest given my experience last year) and then the missed target of under 2:20, but I made it round and I am up and about, a little sore, but feeling really good.
Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for sponsoring me. The cause I am running for, does not go away, so you will see more posts from me about Drug Resistant epilepsy and NZ children. If you can please help me by letting me know I am not shouting to an empty room, like, share and follow, it all helps.
All the best.
Andy