John Austin Half Marathon

Hope you all had a good club 10k this morning everyone ! Whilst you were pounding the route through Windlesham Zira & I were getting ready for a 10.30 am start in Brockenhurst ( New Forest ). First we had a walk  of nearly a mile from Brockenhurst college to the start  and  with a biting  wind to blow us up the first long straight uphill we began our 13miles .

We ran through forest, on gravel paths and some tarmac then out through a  flat open bit very cold due to that fierce unforgiving wind again -- very stark and dull . I felt so sorry for the poor marshalls doing a great job encouraging us all - but looking so blue with the cold !  A few muddy bits and forest again then back over a railway bridge to the college so good to be back and finished --- but then we had to run round the sports field to finish -- only a kilometer said the marshall a few swear words later I finished not a nice finish at all but we did it ! Well done to Zira who completed in 2hrs 4mins her 1st half marathon for over a year good one Zira !!

And me? As usual a slow one 2hrs 9mins --- one day I will get back to a sub 2hrs !

So overall quite a tough half BUT a really well organised one - great parking, great facilities , lovely goody bag with t-shirt and medal , well marshalled , loads of drink stations on route ( 5 I think ) , Lovely cheap home made cakes at the finish in the Sports Hall AND the most important ---ALL---- the proceeds go to the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington -- so come WVR we could get a team together for next year-- yes ?? 

Luv Pam & Zira x