When I first started blogging back in the mists of time (2003-ish, pre-Wordpress) it was purely about athletics and running. The emphasis changed over the years and now it is of course mainly a writer’s blog.
Not the winner
I was never much good as a runner but I started to approach something like competence in 2010, the year I set all my PBs. It’s been pretty much downhill since then. I got older, did less miles, put on a fair bit of weight.
In July I started to turn things around, but it was back in May 2011 that I last ran a Half-Marathon. I therefore started with a bit of trepidation this morning. Although my PB is (and will remain) 1:46 I was hoping for 2:10 with a stretch target of 2:00. A final result of 2:05 was pretty satisfactory.
My running buddy Ella (in red) and her friend Rebecca, running her first Half.
I set off cautiously – there are a series of little uphills in miles 2 & 3. Then I fell in with Marie and we chatted and trotted along steadily up to the 7-mile marker at Gorey Pier. I felt OK so decided to see what I could do. I was able to pick it up significantly – and it’s always nice to pick other runners off. I timed it nicely for a final effort on the track only to find that, due to a re-measure, you now do a lap and a half on the track to finish 😦 But I was happy enough to have come through a bit of a test. Next target is 1:57 in the late Spring. Mile splits as follows.
9.25
10.30 hills
10.16 hills
9.41
10.06
9.36
9.49
9.07
9.14
9.13
8.57 🙂
9.04
9.09
Back On The Rock 
Well done. Good result.
LikeLike
Thank you Joan 🙂
LikeLike
Great going, Roy. Well done.
LikeLike
Thank you Jean, no writing today 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, Roy! You would have passed my ass somewhere in there. Hope you’re recovering and celebrating with a pint or two today.
LikeLike
Thanks Britt, happy with that ‘comeback’ but no writing today. Oh yes, into town for a few beers with the boys in a minute 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha…how did I know! I’m drinking coffee right now, but…cheers!
LikeLike
Long time since I was able to run. My knee gives out these days, so my main forms of exercise are Qi Gong and brisk walking. I miss the running though. You sound very healthy, Roy!
LikeLike
Had to Google Qi Gong 🙂 I would certainly be very frustrated if I could no longer run Sarah, though that day will probably come. I sympathise. Yes it took many years for me to learn to live healthily and what a difference it makes to quality of life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great job, Roy! I’m curious, do dream up new stories when you’re running?
LikeLike
Thanks Jill. Not in a race situation – if you’re not chatting you’re concentrating on running well. But on long training runs your mind is liable to transport you anywhere. I’ve found, in the past, tricky problems can be solved on the run with a bit of ‘fresh air’ thinking. And yes, the broad setting of my #2 novel was inspired on a run.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Serious negative split between your first and second half, Roy. Very impressive! We did do the London Royal Park Half last month; running the streets of central London was as awesome as I had expected. I’m blaming the result on age! 🙂 p.s. I’ve never come close to having a negative split!
LikeLike
Good to hear from you Jane, and to hear that you are still running. Pleased you enjoyed London. Negative splits feel awesome, though it does encourage a bit of laziness in the early stages 🙂
LikeLike
Pretty consistent timings there. Must be very satisfying, Roy as well as knowing it’s keeping you healthy!
LikeLike
Yes, please with the pacing Jenny, especially stepping up a gear in the second half of the race. Good to be able to do it at 61!
LikeLike
I walk around some of the farm in the afternoons, Roy (probably about 6 miles), but i don’t think I could run it – it’s far too hot here in the tropics and I’d end up on a stretcher! I admire you for getting into the spirit of it. It’s wonderful exercise 🙂
LikeLike
That sounds plenty good exercise to me Dianne, on top of all the building work around the RUC. I could possibly trot 6 miles in those conditions but it wouldn’t be very pretty and I’d need a long recovery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done! It’s also interesting to hear how your blogging has changed over the years.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 Yes indeed, the word ‘blog’ was only newly-coined about the time I set up a little rolling website to comment on local athletics, in despair that the club was doing nothing of its own accord. Lots more possibilities these days.
LikeLike
way to go Roy!! I might just stick to walking!!
LikeLike
Thank you Cybele, walking is just fine too!
LikeLike
Uphills on a half marathon, no fair! Good job on the run. I walked a half marathon once (boyfriend ran it and was waiting for my friend and I at the end with a beer) and ever since I have a great admiration for anyone who runs these things.
LikeLike
Non-runners think it’s a form of punishment, and you never see a runner smiling. But it’s addictive and I’m pleased to have gotten back in shape to be able to enter these races again. What a top boyfriend you had/have though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Roy I admire you, if we could combine a little running with our writing I am sure we would all be better off. Kath.
LikeLike
Thanks Kath. Indeed running has done my writing no harm. Generally it’s good for the mind as well as the body.
LikeLike
I admire you, Roy. Speed doesn’t matter. Commitment and making it through the long haul are what matters. Congrats!
LikeLike
That is so true Julie and something I continually emphasise to my beginner/returning runners.
LikeLike
Interesting to read how your blogging has evolved to embrace both of your passions. Congrats on this, your most recent running accomplishment and here’s to many more.You are having a busy November, aren’t you?
LikeLike
Thank you RH. Yes I guess my irregular blog doesn’t have a recurrent theme but tends to reflect things as they happen, and inevitably life changes over time. Sunday’s Half was a bit of a redemption run and I had misgivings about entering, but it’s given me confidence to push on.
LikeLike
You have my greatest admiration. I love a good brisk walk, the kind you took Con and me on when we were visiting Jersey, but I only run if there is a bear chasing me or a train to catch.
LikeLike
Thanks Naomi, it’s good to be back in good enough shape to run 13.1 miles, albeit not at world record pace. Maybe a bear could fix that 🙂 Yes, that was a great little jaunt through Noirmont & Portelet Commons.
LikeLike
Wow! Not something I’d even attempt, so kudos to you for having the gumption. I hope a warm epsom salts bath and a massage followed:).
LikeLike
Not so much Kay though I must admit it wasn’t without reservations after 3 1/2 years – it could have ended badly. A few quiet beers and I was fine 🙂
LikeLike