Mission Accomplished

Posted byFractured Faith BlogPosted inA Fractured FaithTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

90 thoughts on “Mission Accomplished”

  1. 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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  3. 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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              1. 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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                  1. 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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  5. 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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  14. 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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  34. 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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