Watford Half

The first weekend of Feb arrived

Which meant my first trot of the year

So off we went to Watford Half

With my Mum in tow to cheer.

Preparation for this had been dire

As I'd developed a dodgy hip

So my run mileage and training

Had taken a massive dip.

The goal originally was sub 1:30

Which I still think I can do

But with set backs thrown into the mix

I had to settle for something new.

The best I could do for training

Was ditch my trainers for the bike and pool

Chris told me if I did the half marathon

I would be a real fool.

Time and effort was invested into physio

And I was just keeping everything crossed

That I could at least make the start line

And all would not be lost!

So the new plan was to run 5k

Or 5 miles at a stretch

And when the hip pain came I would stop

And chill out on a bench.

I would sit and watch the others

Have a mars bar and a beer

Then I'd stroll back to the finish

It was a really great idea!

So off I set at a speedy pace

I heard people cheer my name

The first mile markers quickly passed

But the hip pain never came?

Yet another great action shot taken by my Mum!

So I just kept running to see if it did

Trying to enjoy the day

And around mile 8 it suddenly hit me

I'm going to have to run the whole way!

"Pleasantly undulating" the handbook said

More like "evil and vile"

My lack of running really showed….

…..my legs ached with every mile!

Course profile!!!

But I trotted round and made the finish

And felt a huge sense of relief

It's amazing what your body can do

With a bit of faith and belief!

I finished in 1 hour 36 in the end

The distance was a test!

And although originally I'd hoped for more

I knew I'd tried my best!