Han’s Bath Half
“What?!”
“Yes, Hannah.”
“What?!! She is running? But Why? Really…”
Imagine my surprise to learn Han had entered, trained for six months, and was now running the Bath Half Marathon (yesterday). She hates running. Why surprise me? And she had shin splints from trampolining - surely unwise to run.
Walter and I, walking in fields flanking Bath, headed back to the race having watched the start to find Han. We lay in wait at Widcombe (enjoyed a twenty min rest in the Coffee Kindling Company) and spotted a tired yet cheery Han run past. Less than one mile to go. I cut a corner to the finish line and snapped her in the final leg down Pulteney Street:
“Having never run further than ten miles before, I hit a fatigue and pain brick-wall and really started to feel the strain. But spurred on by a sighting of Rob after thirteen gruelling miles, I knew that I had come so far and I had to keep going for the last half mile. Boy, it was hard work!”
Hannah
“Although the stopwatch showed a time of 2.21, I started five minutes after the hooter sounded due to record-breaking number of competitors (12,000) who were also trying to get to the start line as soon as possible. I had predicted that I would finish in 2.15 so I felt pleased that I was only a minute out!”
Hannah
“Look at me, I’ve got a big shiny medal!”
Hannah
Well done Han! I am so proud of you - you are my role model for all things requiring hard work and my inspiration to train for and enter in this race next year. Love you lots.
Just got the results from the website:
Position: 6515
Offical time: 2:21:43
Chip time: 2:16:41
Race number: 11202
Wait- so…. Han trained in secret for 6 months and you didn’t have any idea?
Well done Hannah!
Yeah, it was a surprise that started about six months ago when I decided that I needed a tough, yet achievable challenge in my life.
Starting with 30secs running and 30secs walking on the first week, and slowly building up, I found myself running five miles within about six weeks to my absolute amazement.
Sadly I developed shin splints which made running that bit tougher, but dosed up on the day with three paracetamol and three nurofen, I seemed relatively pain-free during the run. However, I am in a lot of pain now (the day after!) but hey ho, I’ve achieved my goal!
CONGRATULATIONS Hannah!!!!
Even though Rob likes to go running sometimes, I don’t “think” he has ever done a marathon, or even a half marathon! So hopefully you have showed him up! Ha ha!!
Congratulations my dear!
(I ran the Chichester marathon 3:18, and the South Downs Way which is four marathons end to end.)
Hannah has showed me up as I have been very slack and done zero running for ages.
Wahey! go Hannah!
YOu go Han
What an inspiration to us all!
Love
Colette
Congratulations Han! (For both the marathon and keeping it a secret from rob for 6 months!)
For someone who doesn’t like running and had shin splints you did a damn good job!
I’m amazed - congratulations Hannah!! - and delighted this achieved goal is encouraging Robert to dig out his running gear again…
Sally
I could have stayed another day in Bath with you - I’ve just been sent home from work, having been deemed unable to work in my current physical state!
Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I’m going to try to be proactive and do some work. However, this may prove to be harder than the half marathon itself - I’m not feeling very motivated to do anything apart from reading my book and listening to music and relaxing! Oops!
I’d also like to add my thanks to Mummy, Daddy and Rob for being at the event and supporting me. Baby, I have enormous respect for you doing the South Downs Way - how DID you do it? I’ll be there, cheering as loudly as I can, supporting you in the Bath Half next year I promise!x
Hannah, You’re an inspiration to us all. Not that you’ve inspired me to run the bath half next year, but that you’re motivated dedicated and passionate.
Hope the legs get better, see you sooon.
I have never been more proud of my little sis in my life!!! I can’t think of anything worse than running a marathon, (don’t you remember how grumpy we both were when we had to run back to our chalet in Switzerald cos we missed the bus?? It was only 10 minutes!! hahaha!)
You’re brilliant!!
Love Snotface XXX
I promise, no jumper next time! x