So another year, and another challenge – this time I am going to try and run a half marathon every month for the year. I started in January with just a run around the village, as I could not find a half in Jan – Magor Half, but I booked myself into the Exeter Half for Feb.
The run was on the Sunday, as the Saturday was for people who were to complete the course in under two hours – and although just under was achievable I didn’t want to be pushing it. So we headed down ion the Saturday morning – decent run down, the M5 is pretty good when it’s not busy, straight to the hotel (yet another Premier Inn) and went out for a stroll.
We like Exeter, it has a number of bits to it, and it’s all well, quite nice really. It was a little chilly, so we went to Bill’s for a quick warming drink and then headed slightly out of town to see if we could get some food in the newly opened burger type place. We booked a slot for a half hour and went to have a quick look at the pub we were hoping to watch the rugby in in. Back for food, which was okay, then had a little walk around and after seeing the fullness of the pub we went to watch the rugby in the hotel opposite, where the Wasps were staying. So we watched Wales v England in England with a load of English people. It wasn’t perfect, and the last 10 mins when England scored to win, was a little unpleasant!
Off down to the river side then for a good pizza, and home to bed, after having probably too much food and drink.
Up early on the Sunday, got kitted up and walked down to the start point, after following some other people who didn’t actually know where they were going, I finally got registered and up to the start line, trying to warm up.
The course was up and back 4 miler, so it involved a lot of seeing the same things – not great for a runner, but good for a spectator. Loads of people sprinted away at the start, and I figured I would overtake them later – I didn’t. Did a lot of plodding and eventually overtook half a dozen people, from 4 miles to the end I pushed quite a bit to get under two hours, with a final finishing time of 1:56:39 and coming one hundred and first (276 finishers).
So official half No.1 completed – Exeter Half
6/10