Bupa Birmingham Great Half Marathon - 21st October 2012
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It was a very cold and foggy Sunday morning in Brum.......
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I woke up with a very bad hangover on the morning of the Half Marathon, was because I had a little school reunion with my old my friends from
secondary school. It’s been over 20+ years, and can't believe how time has flown! Well
it does when you drink 3 big glasses of
white wine and 1 small glass of rosé! We met up at the Brasshouse and
stayed on
there for most of the night and just as we started to get little bit
peckish, we moved on to the local Curry House on Broad Street. Knowing I
had a Half Marathon to run in just a few hours, I
didn’t think it would be wise to order one of their curries (as some of the others did).
I eventually opted for a Chicken and Chips with a Salad and I had
no problem finishing it, To clear my head I had 2 glasses of water too which was very much needed after my
previous drinking session. What an evening that was, one I’ll never forget!
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| As I arrived, I bumped into Sarah Morris outside the Symphony Hall and she
introduced Stewart Grittiths to me. I left them both so that I could check in my bags...... |
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| I met Jo inside the Symphony Hall after checking in my baggage. She was kind enough to introduce me to some of her other
friends and we all walked over towards the start of the Half Marathon together........ |
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Matt, Jo Jo & Me xXx
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| A Fancy Dress Costume Friend we met at the very START of Bupa Bham Half Marathon..... |
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| Doing our 'WARM UPS' at the START! |
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Photo taken by Jo - From Left to Right (Luke, Me, Mr Fancy Dress & Catriona)
It was such a cold day, and I was kicking myself for not bringing my gloves <note
to self> bring warm gloves next time! We all stood around shivering and I did my
little jiggy and jumping on the spot routine. And then we all started the warm up
together accompanied by one of our fancy dress costume friends. I couldn’t keep a
straight face because the costume was just too funny! Jo was just snapping away with her camera,
and I believe she must have some nice pictures of me in my strange warm up positions.
As soon as the run began, we all held hands and started together, we were relieved to start the marathon. ....
Just as I was getting half way around the course some guy said to me 'You left
your friend behind'....had no idea I was so easily recognisable in the crowds!
Must have identified me with our fancy dress costume friend!
The Bupa Birmingham half is a very fast course and this year was my 3rd time doing
this particular marathon. The first time I ran this course was in 2009 and I hit
a PB time of 02:13:19. And then my second time was in 2011. It’s a fairly flat course in most places until we
got to Stirchley and around the Bournville area... I think the route has
slightly changed from the previous years but all in all it always has a fantastic
atmosphere. I bumped into Jo along the course and we must have ran together for
at least a couple of miles. She kept going around taking photos of anything and
everything; she was so funny doing her 'hi fives' to all the slower runners
along the other side of the course. Brilliant that she helps to boost their
motivation. I also saw Craig Coates on the course, and if he'd not shouted
'May' at me loudly, I think I would not have even recognised him.
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| I managed to run the Bupa Birmingham Half Marathon (for the 3rd time) in 2 Hours, 24 Minutes and 04 Seconds. I'm
pretty impressed with this time as I was Hung-over the morning of the run. I
was just fine after the run, the running had killed off my hangover! |
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I would definitely register for this HALF Marathon again for next year (if i’m still in
the UK).
At the FINISH with my 3rd Bham Half MEDAL! |
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| Me, Ray and Carolie Pearson with our Bupa Tops and MEDALS on... |
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| When I got to
the finish I also coincidentally bumped in to Sarah Turner, we took a few
photos together before she had to head back home with her Hubby...... |
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Me and Sarah Morris at the FINISH...
Results in the Birmingham Mail on 23rd October 2012
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London Pride 10K - 15th September 2012
In 2011 over 800 runners took part. The February 2012 issue of Runners World
voted The Pride
Run
10K race 3rd of all 10Ks in the UK
and top 10K in London.
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| The Start/Finish Line... |
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| Anna and Me - Before the START | | |
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| Running Numbers and CHIP Collection |
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| Awesome Coffeeeee Van..... |
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| My way to start a morning RACE - COFFEEE........... |
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| Bananas |
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| Bagels... |
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| Me with MEDAL at FINISH... (Blue Goody Bag contained A White Towel and a Natural BAR |
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| Supervised Baggage Storage |
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| A Sussex Sport Photographer on the Course |
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| Live BAND |
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| Sussex Sport Photography |
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| WheelChairs Started at 10:55 am (10K Runners Started at 11am) |
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| Venue :- Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets. Course was a 3 lap certified 10k Course around the park on a smooth, flat, traffic-free path. |
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| The primary timing chip is attached to the back of the number, and there is a back-up chip, which can be attaced to shoes.... |
Burnham Beeches Half Marathon - 19th August 2012
(Special 'Thank You' to David Cadogan for taking all these wonderful photos on Race Day!)
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| At the START of the Burnham Beeches Half Marathon |
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| The START Line |
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| The HALF Way Mark.... |
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| The Runners........... Running up the first HILL! |
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| Struggling in the HOT weather |
First time I did this race. It was the hottest day of the year. Two-lap course with ups and downs but no brutal climbs. and plenty of shades in the woods. Started off with temperature of 25C and finishing around 27C. A PB was very tough to get, but course wasn't as brutal as feared. Very well organised and scenic with many undulations that give the course a bit more difficulty.
The marshalls were very supportive. There were drink stations at every 3 miles and we were given a Bottle of Water and a Mars Bar at the Finish. Not one I'd like to do again tho!
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The MEDAL for completing 13.1 Miles of the Burnham Beeches Half Marathon!
My CHIP FINISH Time was 2 Hours, 34 Minutes & 48 Seconds. |
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| Almost to the FINISH line... just a few yards to go!! |
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Collecting my MEDAL...
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| Me and Liz Small (She did Grimsthorpe Ultra with me in July 2012) - Both proud with our MEDALS! |
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| A Beautiful day - but not for running. Too HOT!! xXx |
3 comments:
You are a maniac.... a marathon maniac!
Fantastic!!
Wow, May, can't believe anyone could do a run in that kind of heat. I find it bad enough at times to go shopping on those hot days...lol. You are one terrific gal!!! All of you runners are a fantastic bunch! I just can't figure out how anyone in their right mind would do such a thing .. must be a 'love of the sport' thing I guess. Congratulations for your finish and medal...you must be getting quite a few of those by now...hope you make your goal of 40 by 40!!
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