The Long Road ahead... by EmilieT

After enormous elation from completing the Portsmouth Half Marathon on Sunday, I seem to now be feeling the after effects in the form of sharp shooting pain through my left 'glute', a very sore left ankle and some impressively tight hamstrings.  (But at least I'm over my 'blister phase' thanks to my realbuzz-recommended socks...).

So in the name of re-living the elation of Sunday, I am proud to say I completed the race in 2hr 15 mins which considering the adverse conditions (which i'll come on to...) and one loo stop, was pretty good for me.  Five of us (three runners plus two 'groupies' in the form of our husbands...) ventured down on the saturday afternoon to spend the evening in a gorgeous little B&B.  Runners retired early to bed (to all seperately be met with anxiety-based insomnia!) whilst the husbands went out to have a surprisingly big win (hooray!) on the roulette tables at the local casino.  We all got up early on Saturday to 'fuel' ourselves for the race and made our way to the start line where, after some painfully long loo queues (i've heard they were NOTHING compared to the london marathon...), we were on our way.  The driving rain and strong coastal headwind were a bonus for the first few miles, followed by a water-logged field (and resultantly water-logged trainers...), thick mud and then seaweedy/shingly/quicksandy beach at the 11 mile-ish mark.  NOT terrain with which i'm familiar but I would imagine good training? 

My running 'buddies' are both on a different level to me so we all ran seperately, but contrary to what I had expected, I am pleased to say that I didn't find the race boring at all - not only because of the "mixed terrain", but also because it's interesting 'pacing' yourself against other runners - i'd read it on one of the advice pages and it was a good tactic.  Quite scary when people who (in the nicest possible way), don't really look like your classic 'runner' go whizzing past you!  And also very impressive.  There are some inspirational people out there.

After a lovely hot bath Sunday evening (which i'm not sure is techically the recommended marathon aftercare?) and a rest on Monday, I tried to run yesterday evening with my friend only to give up after less than two hours with ankle pain which I was very disappointed by.  So I figure I need to rest for the remainder of the working week and then attempt my 15/16 mile run this weekend... Very nervous about it but have some amazing new trainers to wear in that i'm very excited about.  In the short two mile run of last night I felt like I was running on bouncy clouds! (aside from the ankle pain that is...).  I am thinking of a sports massage to compliment the resting?  Any recommendations for the Central/West London area (W8, W6, W14, W11, W4, W5?)?

I hope anyone else who ran the Portsmouth race had a good run!  The organised races are definitely great training both physically and psychologically.  Made me very excited (and nervous) for the 'real thing'! x