Glorious Gosport Half

Another Sunday, another Half Marathon!

If you had told me, even a year ago that I would complete a half marathon let alone two I would have laughed and said you were completely mad. Nope, that mad person is me. It's a week ago now since the Gosport Half Marathon but I wanted it to sink in as I learnt a lot of lessons that Sunday. I won't cover them all now as I think some of them are worthy of their own separate blogs but in summary: you never run alone

it is a mental journey (yes probably in both senses of the word!)

must always wear sun tan lotion

tartan attracts attention!

Obviously, I've never run the Gosport Half Marathon (but it won't be the last time either!) so I wasn't sure what to expect. I've only run one half marathon before that which was Goodwood in September to base anything on.

The race started at 10am but in true Jo fashion, I don't like to be late, I picked the gang up about 8am and actually I'm glad I did as the car park was already almost full.

Had a nice massage on my calves which warmed them up a bit; it was a bit cold out there even though the sun was shining.

I had already told my friend Tess to run this on her own so that a) I didn't hold her back and b) extra marathon training (see I'm a good friend really!!). However, what I wasn't expecting (and apparently my face was a picture) was that my other friend, Clare, (and PJC Team Leader) decided it was my turn to be dragged (sorry encouraged) around the course (yes, Karma is in there somewhere).

So off we go around what is a really lovely course. If you haven't done it before I certainly suggest it. The sun was shining, the marshal's were fantastic as well as the supporters. I had heard good things about the marshal's previously but I have to say they are one of the best group I've run with. They were very encouraging especially when they saw you struggling (I didn't say I found it easy...)

Anyway, I digress slightly. Clare had kindly (?!) set our pace and helped me keep to it. Actually telling me to slow down at some points! I wasn't expecting the couple of hills as I thought it was flat but I've run up worse! It's a two lap course and I thought I'd have a mental block at the start of the second lap. I actually didn't although it was at mile 8 where I struggled and 11 miles I really struggled. The animal alphabet game helped but struggled with 'u' which I know now as unicorn!!!!

I couldn't have been much happier when I saw the finish line..... what I know now is Clare (kindly) pushed me to run at 11.30 miles which made me take 18 minutes off my pb!!!! I was so happy and so very thankful for Clares support and my other friends who were at the finish line.

I've promised myself next year's training us to run 13.1 miles without stopping.... so who's with me????