22nd November 2016

Number of glasses of wine consumed: Many

Number of miles run: 0

It's been a while. Getting engaged, followed my a new job, and then becoming horribly ill have got in the way of updating my blog. As has down right laziness! 

I completed the Amsterdam Half Marathon over a month ago. In the run up to the race I ended up with a chest infection, and 10 days before the race I could barely run for a bus, let alone run 13.1 miles! 

However, I managed it. In my slowest time ever, but I managed it. 

The race was amazing, and the atmosphere was fantastic, so I'm not too fussed about my shitty time. 

As well as being unwell in the run up to the race so my training plan went out of the window, I also managed to make a number of strategic errors.

1. I decided I was really thirsty just after I got in my starting pen, so ran the first 5km really fast, as I was desperate for a drink at the first aid station. 

2. The consequence of mistake number 1, was that I then ended up very tired and had a horrible stitch. Although that could also have been a warning sign for error number 3. 

3. Disaster stuck. 5 miles in I decided I needed a poo.

I eyed up every portaloo for the next 8 miles, trying to decide whether I should risk it or not. But I couldn't face it, and I was certainly not going to pull a Paula Radcliffe, and just squat in the street. So I kept going. Concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, and trying to ignore every other sensation in my body. 

I made it through the finish line, and then had to just carry on running straight to my hotel. Much to the shock of Mr Runner, who was waiting for me at the end with another friend.

However, once I had been safely deposited at the hotel, and had found the toilet, I heard how they had enjoyed tracking me round the course on a handy app, while they sampled the local beer. Mr Runner enjoyed this immensely, and proceeded to enjoy the tour round the Carlsberg factory while I was having a post race nap. I was informed that I could do any race I wanted in the future as long as it involved a beer tent, at a minimum, for him. 

Since my adventure in Amsterdam I've not done very much running. I've popped out for the odd 3 miles round the block, telling myself it's all recovery, but I think I'm at a point now where there isn't an awful lot more recovery to do. So it's time to find a new goal to work towards, and I've heard a rumour that the Loch Ness Marathon is pretty good, just waiting for Mr Runner's approval...