![\"\"](\"https:\/\/irun.wales\/app\/uploads\/Finishing-swansea-224x300.jpg\")
Oh well it was only the first one of the year right?! I quickly turned my thoughts to doing another… but which one? Swansea, you lovely city with your nice, flat roads\u2026what could possibly go wrong?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It all started off with the challenge to run a sub 2hr half marathon. Previously I\u2019d only every one and that was a massive challenge for me. So, for 2017 I
\nthought where best to attempt another and a sub 2 than in my home town – Newport. Me and my running buddy Eddie started training \u2013 ferociously!\u00a0 After a hard winter and feeling good on the day, I really thought I\u2019d cross that line in 1.59. But, I did not have a great race and finished in 2.03.<\/p>\n
Oh well it was only the first one of the year right?! I quickly turned my thoughts to doing another… but which one? Swansea, you lovely city with your nice, flat roads\u2026what could possibly go wrong?<\/p>\n
7 miles into the race and I injured my foot, wobbled to the finish line to get my t-shirts. \u00a0I almost thought about giving up on the sub2hr challenge, but I couldn\u2019t resist when a few others decide to go for it at Cardiff.<\/p>\n
Race day came and we were all excited as we hopped on the bus down to Cardiff. I didn\u2019t even consider having breakfast beforehand, only a chocolate drink (one of my 5 a day obviously!) \u2013 I think I was too excited! The weather turned out better than it promised and I was feeling optimistic. I got onto the start line and by mile 4 I was in my stride. I kept up with Paul who was pacing me, I took all my gels and water at the stations. Mile 10 I picked up a Lucozade, but decided not to drink it \u2013 too my detriment possibly. \u00a0By mile 12 I was struggling, but with only a mile left I ploughed on. I saw the finish line, but the next thing I remember was laying on the floor.<\/p>\n
It turns out I had collapsed, in what is known as \u201cbonked\u201d. \u00a0My body had run out of fuel and gave in.\u00a0 I was helped to the finish line \u2013 I didn\u2019t even cross it, by Paul and a nice guy called Mike who I didn\u2019t know. \u00a0My club were amazing, and an hour and half later I was on the bus home. \u00a0Did I get sub 2hrs…hell no!<\/p>\n
So what did I learn from all these experiences;<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/irun.wales\/app\/uploads\/Yangi-with-Eddie-2-169x300.jpg\")
Three weeks later I was ready, mentally and physically (plus my tum was full\u00a0) to take on Stroud. This time around I didn\u2019t put any pressure on myself, I was determined to enjoy and get round, and as my hubby was there to watch and we were all having a pub lunch after I needed to finish without the drama! \u00a0But did I get a sub 2? ALMOST!<\/p>\n
I finished in 2hrs 50secs and it was the most enjoyable race I did in 2017.\u00a0 So the best lesson for me has been, have goals but don\u2019t forget what it\u2019s about in the end… it\u2019s not the time, it\u2019s the enjoyment of running\u2026 because without that, what is the point?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As the year draws to a close and now going into winter training I look back at 2017 and what have I learned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n