Macc Half

Macclesfield Half Marathon – Sunday 27^th September 

Having spent most of this year struggling with plantar fasciitis, the furthest I’ve run is 11 miles on a Sunday morning training run so I decided against entering the summer series Congleton Half as I figured I really didn’t need the pressure!  Instead I entered Macclesfield, which I’ve always said is my very least favourite half because of all the hills.  Since I started running again over the past couple of months, I’ve been trying to ‘embrace’ my local hills but do admit to liking the canal runs more! Anyway, Sunday brought a beautiful autumn day, perfect for running, maybe a tad warm but just a lovely day to be out.

I was the only WRC runner there, other than Andrew taking on the 5K so I figured I could just relax and enjoy it. Which I did.  My lack of fitness & minimal training started to tell at about 10.5 miles but up until that point I felt good. Up the hill on the Whirley Road, the 1hr 50 pacers came by and I was rather hoping they’d got their timings wrong but no, it was me who had slowed. I crossed the line in 1.52.11 and was 3^rd FV45.

I was more than happy with that and on the back of very little training. The last time I ran that distance was at Macc last September.  The organisation is always good, marshals very friendly and nice goody bags (albeit a RED t-shirt L) . It was great to have the support of the Sunday Morning Run crew, at 3 points along the way, which really helped.  Thanks also to Chairman Chris and to Nick for announcing me to the crowd on the home straight who cheered me over the line!  All in all, a good morning’s work – and I was home and in the bath by 12.15, result!

 269      3^rd FV45            Chip time: 1.52.11         Gun time: 1.52.16
655 ran

Sharon Jones