I’m delighted to say I completed my home town half marathon in Omagh today. I was very nervous about this run as my training this year has been disrupted by three bouts of illness. I had a heavy cold for most of the week and haven’t run since last Sunday. I wasn’t sure until Thursday I was going to run and, even then, was concerned I would be able to complete the course.
Somehow I did. Thankfully the weather conditions were kind and I awoke to dry, sunny conditions. My target was to complete the undulating course in under two hours and I set out hoping to stay ahead of the pacer. I plodded round at a steady pace, conscious I was always ahead of him but afraid to look over my shoulder to be greeted by the two hour pack bearing down on me.
At the half way mark I was over a minute ahead of schedule and I dared to dream. With 5K left I knew I only had to keep going and I would hit my target time. The final 400 metres is around the leisure centre’s running track and a big crowd dragged my flagging body round it. I was so pleased to look at my stopwatch and see the time at 1:58:05. I clutched my winner’s medal. It was over.
I don’t think I’ve ever been as pleased with a time. It’s nowhere near my fastest but, given my less than perfect preparation, it proved to the nagging voice in my head that I’m still a decent runner. My legs ache now but it was all worth it. I’ll take a break now and work on steady mileage before planning my next race. Thank you to everyone who has supported my moaning running posts in recent months.
Well done – fantastic time for not feeling 100%! It really is mind over body, truly. So pleased you did it & hope you can put your feet up & have a restful evening!
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Thank you Heather. Hopefully London will go as well for you 😊
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Congratulations! Very well done. I had faith in you. Nice looking shirt and medal. You look very well yourself, Stephen. Way to go!
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Thank you 😊
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Look at the shiny thing! Great job. Great time! I may have gotten roped in a princess mud run in June 😬. It’s a 5k for women. In support of my SILs fitness journey I said I’d do it if she did. What what have I done?! Dirt and running. Ugh.
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Lol. Shiny thing? Are you referring to my sweaty forehead or the medal? Do you have to dress as a princess and crawl through tunnels? 😂
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It’s all just glowing. There are definitely tuneless and a chain fences. I do hope there isn’t a dress involved tho.
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Maybe a tutu. I reckon you could carry off that look 😂
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Only ironically. 😆
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Is there any other way to run a 5K in a tutu?
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You would know best. I try not to run on purpose at this point. However. I did do the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco one year. My group dressed in beach wear and floaties. Oh and we walked. So yeah. I walk marathons.
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I’m sure that was quite the sight 😳😂
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Bay to Breakers is a sight. Our rubber duck inter tubes, wetsuits and beach balls were nothing compared to other get ups. Or lack there of if you know anything about that race. Lol
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Blimey. I’m going to have to google it 😳
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Yep
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Well done, nice bling!
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Thank you Deborah 😊
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Congrats. I loathe to exercise so I have no idea what it’s like to run a marathon. But I can imagine a whole lot, so I’m guessing it was a situation of mind over matter. As in your mind commanding you to run your body at a brisk pace to keep stamina and speed in equal measure. My hat’s off to you, sir. Good job.
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Thank you very much. Yes, it’s as much mental as it is physical.
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Congratulations Stephen. I knew you’d do it. Good pacing too with that 50:50 time split especially on an undulating course. 👍
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Thank you very much. Yes I was really pleased with how I paced it.
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Yay!!! You did it!! Well done Stephen!
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Thank you Meghan. Just about, yes 😊
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Congratulations!
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Thank you 😊
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Amazingly well done !
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Thank you very much 😊
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Yippee!!! I’m over here in Texas cheering for you! I’m so happy that it went well. 🙂
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Thank you very much Paula 🙂
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Better stick to safe surfaces, lol!
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Congratulations Stephen! 💥 Very happy for you!! Blessings✨
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Thank you 🙏🏻
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You’re welcome 🙏
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Congratulations on reaching your target and completing your goal! Have fun celebrating!
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Thank you very much Tilly 😊
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!🎉🎈
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Thank you 😊
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You are no longer allowed to post about being sick. I woke up at 3 am friday morning with a stomach virus. I have been pretty much dead since. You need to stay healthy until next May! I am running the Great Wall of China Marathon if I have to crawl it! BAHAHA. Your time is amazing to me. My fastest half was 2″16. Keep on running and please get well and stay well!
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Thank you Rachel. Hope you are feeling better soon. And I promise….no more blogs about sickness.
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I was going to in a half-marathon… after the first block, I called a cab. Beat everyones time though. 😀
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I think the race organisers might view that as cheating 😂
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Well done! I knew you would do it😁 Sheer determination you through and yes you are a decent runner!
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Thank you Lou. That means a lot to me coming from you 😊
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Awesome! I’ve had so many distractions from training but you give me encouragement.
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Thank you Christian. Yes, keep trying. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve 🏃🏻♂️
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YAY STEPHEN! Good job!
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Thank you Shae 😊😊
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Excellent work, Stephen! Congratulations!
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Thank you Padraig 🏃🏻♂️
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Impressive!
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Thank you 😊
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So glad the weather was favorable! Congrats to you.
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Thank you Meredith 🙂
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Well done and cheers!
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Thank you Mark 😊
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I am very happy for you. Not for running the race but for running it and believing in yourself despite the obstacles that were put in your path. Nice work!
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Thank you Rebecca. That’s very kind of you.
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That’s awesome. I have never participated in such a race. But would surely do that now. Truly encouraging. Keep Glittering, from TGA by Misha 😊😊👍
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Thank you Misha 😊
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That’s a fantastic time especially as you were not feeling your best – congratulations :O) x
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Thank you very much 😊
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That’s really awesome! Well done!
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Thank you 😊
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Well done you!
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Thank you Joanne 😊
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CONGRATULATIONS. Well done.
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Thank you 😊
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Congratulations 👍
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Thank you 😊
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Super stuff! Huge well done, no easy feat especially after being unwell. 🙌🏻
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Thank you very much Caroline 😊
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Well done on an awesome run!
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Thank you 😊
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Wooooo! Congratulations!
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Thank you Alice 😊
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Way to go! Bravo! Well done! Sláinte!
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Thank you very much 😊
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Congrats on finishing your marathon! I find marathons and their completion to be so relative to life and the goals we set- through struggle and strain though, you did it! That’s awesome!
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Thank you. Are you a marathoner as well?
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Well done!
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Thank you 😊
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I’m so proud of you.
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Thank you 😊
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You’re welcome 😊
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Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.
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Thank you 😊
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Congrats! Excellent time too!!
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Thank you 😊
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Ha! Fantastic! And looking cool as a cucumber too – I’m very impressed indeed. Congratulations. K
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Thank you Katie.
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