Half Way to Victory

I have been a little slack updating my Blog recently (as Phil pointed out). Unfortunately I've been very busy in work & don't have a computer at home. But I thought no excuses now so I've come back early from lunch to catch up........

After our semi long run on Thursday Phil & I got out for further 2 runs through the week. Both consisted of 3 miles in 30 minutes & were probably the easiest runs I've ever done. Especially the first as we used our old 3 mile course which is just a run through the woods, starting at the cricket field, and back again.
The second run was just as easy but was run though the woods around the American Ambassadors house. We did want to run our old run again but as we were parking Phil spotted a young lad who looked a bit dodgy checked out my little purple corsa so we decided to move away from there or I might have gotten back to no car.
It is just as well Phil noticed really as I was totally oblivious to the young lad & instead was listening the rattling my car was making. As it turned out, my exhaust was broken in half so he probably wouldn't have gotten that far on his joy ride.

Anyway, that leads me to Saturday..................

Phil & I were up early for a good breakfast of porridge & honey in preparation for our 13 mile run, but before our run we had a few errands to run first.
Firstly we had to look for new runners as time was running out as we'd need to wear them in for the end of October. We spent a good part of the days looking for them & still ended up going home without any, though we knew what we were looking for. We decided to head back to the shops the next day instead.
Secondly we I had to take my car to Fast Fit as we'd discovered the exhaust was hanging off & had a hole in it. My car was making so much noise it sounded like a boy racer car. I was mortified to be driving it & had notions of looking in my rearview mirror to see the exhaust on the road behind me. As it turned out the exhaust was basically in half so I had to get a new one.
With that done we then went to see Phil's parents as planned.
Basically, with all the running around we were running very late for our run so we decided to postpone until the next day, Sunday.

So Sunday we were up early(ish) once again & out looking for runners. This time we got exactly what we wanted & set off back to Phil's to get ready for a big run.
I was getting nervous that the time had arrived.

We chose the Dublin Half Marathon course to run our 13 miles as we have registered for the Dublin Half Marathon on 23rd of this month & so wanted to be prepared as to what to expect.
Well now we know to expect VERY sore knees!

The run in itself was grand. The straight runs were incredibly boring but when we got to the winding roads it was more interesting & even on the hills, didn't seem so daunting.
(I do hate it when I can see what is ahead of me & usually spend most of my runs looking at the back of Phil's legs).
By about mile 7 Phil was feeling the strain on his knees & hips & at one point I thought he was ready to quit. At the same time I thought this I was feeling great & so was a bit worried whether we would finish at all & I knew this would disappoint us as this was a milestone we would be reaching together.
Soon enough I noticed a big improvement in Phil's attitude. I think he just pushed the pain to the back of his mind & the achievement of completing 13 miles to the front.
By about mile 10/ 11 it was my turn to feel the strain. My knees felt weaker & weaker by each stride & for the last mile, though my head was sure I would finish, I wondered if my legs thought otherwise. Phil too was still suffering but he must have buried deep & found the last of his energy as he was slightly ahead of a very tired me.
Running up the Ordnance Survey road I actually had no clue as to where our finish line was as I usually leave the course up to Phil, then all of a sudden Phil stopped me (not that I was going very fast) & gave me a big hug. We had completed a half marathon.

I did feel great about what we had just achieved but in reality, I was too tired to show it. Phil was the same too.
Now today, after most of my aches & pains have subsided, I feel great about it & I look forward to beating my personal best now when we attempt 15 miles on Saturday.
Fingers crossed!