This was the big session. The one that would prove to myself if I could truly run a marathon. 21 long miles.

It’s was also the first week at my new job. So much is happening and it’s exciting, but pretty tiring as well!

W/C 19th August

Tuesday

To my delight, I didn’t need to be in the office today so it meant I could head to the park with LRC for some tasty intervals.

We had a session favourite, the Mario kart loop with a twist. Rather than doing all the efforts in the same direction, half way through we went the other way.

It was really good for me to stretch my legs after my first two days back at work. I was still great.

The session started with some dark clouds, but I stuck with my sunglasses. I didn’t want folks to see how tired I was.

Unfortunately the weather was determined. It began bouncing down with rain halfway through. I was not impressed at all!

It made some of the corners quite slippy but I am pleased to report that my efforts were spot on (ignore the first one, I call that my warm up).

Thursday

Club run Thursday! I had looked at the route earlier in the day but my brain is full of new information that I soon forgot it.

Fortunately, the other bronze runners had an idea of the route. Phew! Panic over.

With it being holiday season, the sensible bronze runners were not around this week. I was left with some speed demons that had me working HARD!

It was a hilly run and was hard work. I did well and I was still smiling at the end, but it wasn’t what I expected!

Saturday

I paced 34 minutes and it was my 200th parkrun!

Nothing else to add other than I am badass 🙂

Sunday

Today was the day.

The biggest and longest run on my training plan. 21 miles.

I was nervous, but also looking forward to it. I made a Facebook plea earlier in the week for some support on route and my lovely friends delivered.

The first 8 miles I ran solo, running a little on the Greenway and then onto the canal in Huddersfield town centre heading towards Standedge tunnel.

I met Rachel and Sue in Milnsbridge at 8 miles and I was grateful for their company. They’re both very chatty and it helped distract me from the idea of the amount I had to run as it had got to me a little!

It was a very relaxed pace, I didn’t want to go any faster as again I’d get caught up in my head.

At mile 11 in Slaithwaite, we picked up my friend Becky. I now had 3 friendly voices chatting away.

I have complained about this before, but I find the canal between Slaithwaite and Marsden awful. So I was nearly a half marathon in and I was struggling mentally.

My cheer squad kept me plodding along. It was slow, it wasn’t pretty but we kept moving.

At Marsden, I said goodbye to Rachel and Sue and said hello to Lisa. She it getting back into running and thought my relaxed pace would help… it would!

We made it to tunnel end and turned around. We were heading to the finish!

We made it past Sparth reservoir and then… COWS!

Cows were blocking the canal path as they had escaped from their field. It was a comical moment and an excuse for us to have a breather 🙂

Once the cows were safely back in their field, we carried on.

We reached Slaithwaite and said goodbye to Becky. Then we met my friend Pete and his dog Daphne!

I was very popular today haha. I was very tired at this point but Lisa stuck with me and Pete led the way. The finish line was in sight.

I had to run a little loop in Milnsbridge as I didn’t know if I was able to run that extra mile to make it 21. Yet I felt OK, fatigued, slow but not ruined. I was going to finish this.

Milnsbridge is tedious but a convenient location to finish.

As I reached the 21 mile mark I screamed “I’ve done it! I’ve run 21 miles!!!!”

A woman just finishing her run congratulated me. I had done it!!! Now it was time to eat all the food. Thanks Pete!

And thank you to Lisa, Rachel, Sue and Becky for running with me. You helped make my longest ever run so special.

Week 12 thoughts

I am so proud of myself! Of course the highlight was that 21 mile run.

I now know I can run a marathon. It was a lot slower than I was expecting but I was able to run it and talk at the same time. Training runs aren’t supposed to ruin me, I need to be able to recharge and run again. That being said, I plan to miss my intervals run on Tuesday. I have to be in the office anyway.

So there we have it. I feel like a champion, 5 weeks to go until I reach that starting line.

Bit of dad rock for you hahahhaa