Monday, 11 September 2017

I did it!


I am now a half marathon runner! Words that I never ever thought I'd say! I had an absolutely amazing weekend in Newcastle with the girls from the gym. Race day was incredible - an electric atmosphere and so many runners! It took me 45 minutes after the race started to actually cross the start line! The support from the locals along the route was great, and I spotted Denise Lewis doing an interview and Dame Tanni Grey Thompson on a water station as I was passing. I finished in a time of 3:12:20 and I don't think I will ever forget that feeling as I crossed the finish line. I managed to hold myself together but when the medal was put round my neck, I cried! All the emotion of the weekend finally got to me. I think that Mr JK would be so proud of me. Thank you for all your support - your comments and donations have meant the world to me and when the going got tough yesterday, your support kept me going. I don't have any official race photos yet but here are a couple from the weekend. My Just Giving page will stay active for a while longer, so if you'd like to donate, you can find the link at the top of the sidebar on my blog. Thank you again for all your kindness and generosity. Now please excuse me while I go and rest my legs and put an ice pack on my knee! xxx



Checking out the start the day before with Jules, Charlie and Beckie.


Start line selfie!


I felt like a proper athlete with my foil blanket! I'd just finished the race.


Chilling out in the pub afterwards!

15 comments:

Cindy said...

Congratulations to you!! What a terrific accomplishment. I am very proud of you.

zetor said...

That is wonderful. Congratulations!!! x

Judy said...

I am SO-O-O excited for you, Helen! This is such an amazing accomplishment! Well done! :-)

Clicky Needles said...

Not only would Mr JK have been proud, we are all too! You are amazing. Well done.

VeggieMummy said...

Whoop! Whoop! Well done, Helen. That's such an incredible achievement. Many, many congratulations. Now, go and rest that knee! xx

Suzanne said...

Congratulations!

LT said...

Congratulations! What an accomplishment! I have been 'a runner' for the last 22 years and have always wanted to do a half marathon and I haven't yet. I was thinking that my opportunity might have passed, but you have given me inspiration. Well done!

cristina said...

Good for you, congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! Really well done. What a fantastic achievement.

PixieFoxtrot said...

Well done, Helen! We all knew you could do it!
So what challenge are you setting yourself next?
You have set a brilliant example to us all, well done x

Jennyff said...

Very well done. Hope you are still on a high and back training, you can't stop now.

Lynne said...

Congratulations!! What an achievement, you are brilliant! :)

peahen said...

Impressive! A real achievement, well done.

TT in MD said...

congratulations! what a great accomplishment

Unknown said...

Congrats. good luck all - if I am to be stuck on an island - I want to take with me the following: scissors, crochet hooks of every size, metal rings, and yarn of all different types (cotton for some clothing or heavier for a hammock for ex.)