Greenway Challenge Half Marathon: Harder than I hoped

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It was a nice day for a long run. I cycled over to Standalone Farm, which is about 5km away and is the base for the Greenway Challenge organised by North Herts Road Runners. I was there in plenty of time and was able to register before the long queue built up. My number actually says 2021 at the bottom as my entry was carried over from when it was cancelled then. It is a fairly small event with under 300 runners and mostly on footpaths across the fields. There are a few roads to cross where marshals help you out, but the roads are open to traffic. You have to guide yourself following the Greenway signs.

Selfie

Whilst I was hanging around a flock of guineafowl wandered across the car park making a lot of noise.

Guineafowl

We assembled at the start and then we were off.

Start

The Greenway runs right around Letchworth and I have used it a lot when running or cycling, so I know it fairly well.

Course

I really found it hard work today and had quite a few walks, especially up some of the hills. I just did not seem to have much energy. At around half way we were running under some trees and I tripped over a root. Down I went and collected a few scrapes. A guy behind me checked I was okay. I got up and carried on after a walk to see how I felt. If anything this seemed to give me extra energy and I was able to run for a fair way after that. I saw a friend marshalling at the major road crossing just after the fall.

Scrapes

I did have to walk some more later on, especially up the last big hill and even on part of the last bit around the fields back at the farm before I ran downhill to the finish. I had hoped to be under two hours, but I was just over. Not too bad considering how I had struggled.

After

There have been medals when I did this before, but there was nothing this time apart from cake, which I was much more interested in anyway. I had a nice chocolate tiffin. I had a chat to the guy who checked on me after my trip. I did try the first aid tent, but they were busy with someone, so I just went and washed myself in the loos.

Cycling home was a bit hard, but it is mostly downhill. I had a nice long shower and am resting up now. The run was a bit of an ordeal, but I am glad I did it. I think I may be sore for a while.

Stats

Run free.



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44 comments
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(Edited)

Well done, Steve! 😇
That's some distance..
Hope your injuries aren't too bad..
I've tripped over a few times lately; keep blaming the shoes.. 😂

Your rest is well deserved! 😀

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I'm a bit sore. I've had a couple of trips lately. Maybe I don't lift my feet up enough.

!BEER

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Comes with age, surely... 😂
Glad you're not too bad..

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I find I don't heal so quickly, but I don't get too upset by a few grazes.

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Great effort Steve. It's amazing how much adrenaline you can get from a little trip and fall. If you dont get too hurt it can give you quite a boost.

Have a great relaxing evening.

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Sometimes exhausting yourself can be uplifting.

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I'm feeling pretty rough right now, but there is still a sense of satisfaction.

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Yes, I know the feeling. Better being exhausted from sport than being exhausted from screen.

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Congrats on finishing the race. Sorry to hear that you tripped, but I'm glad it was only a relatively minor thing. It's nice that a fellow contestant checked to see if you were all right. That's good sportsmanship.

Biking home afterwards! That's practically a triathlon lol

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I'll probably be sore for a few days. I'm getting used to that. You don't heal so quickly as you get older.

!BEER

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Yeah it's unfortunate how that works. Rest up and feel better 👍

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Great job mate and hope the bruises heal up quickly.

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Cheers. Considering how I feel now I'm amazed I finished :)

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I had to laugh when you said that you were more interested in the cake. Yes, you did a great job, but the cake thing just stuck in my head. Probably because there was a 9-year-old boy a couple months ago who didn't want to go to a bridal shower with his parents (dad didn't want to either). While normally only for women (no wonder they didn't want to go), this was a family one. When I told him that they have cake at bridal showers, he changed his mind!

Yes, I know you didn't do it for cake, but I just had to laugh when I read that you were more interested in cake than medals, because of that recent event.

Great job!

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Well it's true! I don't need a medal, but I know some people collect such things. Other races give out shirts, but I have enough of those. It was really nice cake :)

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Well congratulations on finishing. Sorry about your fall. 2 hours, I'm sweating just thinking about it! WTG. That's an accomplishment in itself!

!BEER

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A great package of a run, congrats. Birds, trails, nice people, some flying and landing (not too hard), walks included when needed, ... a cake! A great day with a duathlon well done, congrats again.

There are days when you fly (and not fall) and there are days when you crawl. You need to experience both to appreciate the difference and all the steps in between.

Well done!

!invest_vote

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I did fly briefly before I crashed down. I am surprised I kept going considering how I feel now. I think I banged my ribs, but assuming nothing is broken.

The cake was good :)

!BEER !hivetips

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(Edited)

As long as you can move and everything is still in one piece you're good :)

Yes, isn't it interesting that, during the flight, it seems that the time passes slower, and you have time to think about your fall. At least this is the expression that I get during these flights. There were several in the past.

In the air, my though was "How do I land that nothing gets hurt?"

Then, still on the ground:

  • "Is everything OK?"
  • "Is there any blood?"
  • "Is the watch still working?" (I always fall on the left side first :) )

Take your time and some well deserved rest to heal the wounds.

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The watch and phone survived okay. Having had a few scrapes from running and cycling in recent years I don't fear it so much.

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(Edited)

Congratulations to you! 🏆 It's a big achievement regardless of your time. Take care of the scrapes and rest up!

(Was it that rooty section under bumpy tarmac along the outside of Jackman's Estate before you turn off along the allotments? It's very poor under foot/wheel there and the tarmac makes it harder to spot the roots.)

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I think it was around there. Had passed the allotments going clockwise and was heading for Letchworth Gate. It was on the verge under the trees.

So I have those bruises plus sore legs. I am impressed I kept going after the fall. I could have given up.

!BEER

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That's exactly where I shouted to B to watch out for roots on our bikes, just a few hours later. Well done you!

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I was so glad it's mostly downhill on the way back, but bombing down a gravelly path has its risks. I didn't want any more scrapes.

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I would count just over 2 hours on that sort of a course as a win! Would also be a nice goal to try and beat it next time too
!BEER

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I have done it quicker. Maybe age is catching up with me.

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