I’m always intrigued when I read race reports. How can people remember so much about a run? Here’s my race report from my half marathon yesterday. I went out, and I ran a long way, I got very tired and then I stopped, LOL. Actually, it wasn’t a bad morning out. Anja picked me up at around 4.30am and we drove into town in torrential rain. Figured I may drown above water before the day was out, but it stopped and the sky was starting to clear by the time the run started. It was a nice course, along the southern river bank and back, across the bridge, along the northern river bank and back, through the botanic gardens, back across the bridge and to the finish at South Bank. I ran with Anja for most of the race, but she had some kick left in her at the end and headed off for a strong finish. I thought about going with her but figured my shins were feeling so good, and I was looking like I’d come in just under 2 hours anyway, so just kept on going at my comfortable pace. I  managed to stay in front of the 2 hour pace runner for most of the way, but he loped gently past me with about 500m to go. My Garmin time was 1 hour 58 min 55 seconds, and my shins were feeling just fine, so I was a happy chappy.

brisbanehalf

Hubby and the kidlets were at the finish line waiting for me, then we hooked up with Anja and a couple of other Caboolture runners and went for coffee. Just looking at this photo from the finish chute, I really do need a bigger singlet, eh?

I found the last 3km or so the hardest, both physically and mentally. My legs were tiring, but the biggie is I really struggle with motivation on the long runs. I feel like I really can’t be bothered doing this, I might just pack it in but by then, I convinced myself if I could put up with 18km, it was a shame to give up with only 3 to go.

I iced my legs when I got home, and we took the dogs a walk (all 4 of them - more on that later!!) and my shins started to feel more uncomfortable, but still leagues better than they had been in the past. Today they’re stiff but still feeling fine.I’m aiming for an easy week this week, and then I may have a think about another goal. Not that having goals motivates me much either but it’s something.

chafednavel

Now here’s an interesting picture - has anyone ever come home from a race with a chafed belly button?? This was quite uncomfortable, and I have no idea whatsoever how I managed to score this. I guess it’s just one more place I’m going to have to roll the sportshield before a run!

I’m up to my second or third bagpipe lesson now, and I’m so enjoying it. I think it’s like riding a bike, it all comes back to you. I’m waiting on a reed for my pipe chanter, then I’ll be able to make some noise. It’ll be interesting to see if my running has made any difference to my blowing capacity.

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