At 6 miles :"You've been morphed" - a group of loud NSPCC greenies in their morphed suits.
And finally, at the finishing line - miss C in her orange full outfit, once clad with a battalion of gels, and 'just out of shower long hair'... start-stop-start-stop...she blocked me in my finishing line video...crossed it 7' of a second ahead of me...
As the announcer announced ..just crossing the line is Bonnie, Bonnie Wong (full name! When bib only said Bonnie W.)
First summer half marathon completed in Milton Keynes. Another half this year that I went to the starting line expecting sub- optimal results.
With my black, blue and red legs out of action for almost a week, lacking sleep and sufficient exercise (no biking to work most days, and a weary wrist)...I switched my focus on relaxation and rehabilitation.
There's only so many hours in a day, and weather being wet and humid...not the easiest remaining positive!
After a full Saturday enjoying my fave flower show at Hampton court palace with feet in wellies in anticipation of rain
I was expecting lots of it on Sunday. The drive up wasn't positive....torrential rain enveloped the car and all we can think of is keeping warm and the change of clothes afterwards.
Glad that it was almost bone dry in MK. The race itself was laid back, well marshalled and spectated. Mainly good natured fellow runners (refer to mentions at start of entry). Twists and turns on mainly soft but not boggy ground, along the canals, wooded walkways, in a New Town, well planned for industrial/residential use.
It almost felt like home. Except it was a paid race, I should make a good effort. I started too fast. Slowed down. Couldn't pick up again...bottled water to wash the one gel, and raisins. An electrolyte drink would've been good...
No music (organisers said I shouldnt bring iPod, but not many obeyed)! My mind playlist only did a few tracks / mantras as had to focus on not jarring knee or falling. Price was too high to pay... Not easy at all, although I enjoyed the free feeling of no wires and technology to fumble with, no bottle weights to balance.
Oh well. Got to the finish, collected the medal, gathered the 3 of us runners and spectator - for a Swedish style recovery meal in the famed furniture store. Lingonberries made it more palatable to absorb those well needed carbs/proteins!
Drove home with exciting Wimbledon finals on the radio, and then crashed on the couch, ice cream in hand, watching Federer finish off Murray.. Federer the eternal sportsman top of his game. I feel for Murray - to be almost there but not quite.
Clearly I, like him, has lots more work to do, to grab that PB.
Welcome to 13.1+ long run weekends.. For the next month or so. And more feet time during the week. In 18 hours approx!
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