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Cardiff Half Marathon 2009

The beginning... 8811 of us started the race so it took several minutes to cross the line after the gun went off. We've barely begun here, but it gives you an idea of how packed the field is. I didn't expect to spot Tom in the crowd and I was so pleased when I did.



Along the way I almost fell, got caught in the unwelcome crossfire when a runner gobbed in the wrong direction (ewwwwww!) and had a terrible episode of Jelly Legs at about mile 9 when they just wouldn't do what my brain was telling them... but I got there. Anyway, here is Mrs Clumpy-Clumpison crossing the finishing line looking ridiculously pleased with herself just after the blurred bit (no, it wasn't because I was speeding so fast).



And the final result? A chip time of 2:10:53, some seven minutes faster than last year's time. 70th in my class. (No, you cheeky thing, there were more than 70 in my class, 138 of us in the high numbers managed to stagger round the course). Next stop? Llanelli 7 March 2010

Comments

Jenny Beattie said…
Wow. All respect to you Chris; how brilliant.
Edward said…
Well done you - told you that it would be alright. Splendid time too.
pinkfairygran said…
Ditto the above Chris!
Tattieweasle said…
Berlimey speedy gonzales!!! Fantatstic and you didn't even look knackered.
Elizabethd said…
Oh congratulations!
You did so well, esp. after not being very well last week.
her at home said…
Oh very well done that woman!!
Lane Mathias said…
Oh well done! And look at your speedy finish and your great time!
sheepish said…
Well done you, especially after your touch of the lergy.
Maggie Christie said…
Totally well done! A whole 15 minutes faster than me too (and I was trying so hard to catch you up). See you at Llanelli. xx
Blimey, well done you. I think I would have had jelly legs about nine minutes in to the marathon.
mountainear said…
Well done Chris - a major achievement especially having fought the lurgy to get to the starting line.
Well done Chris - a fantastic time and all the more impressive for battling with that nasty bout of the lurgy. Respect!

Jeanne x
Frances said…
Oh Hooray Chris!

What a great result, and it's so lovely of you to let us see that finish. Congrats to the video star.

Now, please do a bit of grand rest up, and ... just collect all these congratulations. xo
Fred said…
Great North Run next year? We're very friendly oop north :)
pinkfairygran said…
Just a quick message... to say I am organising a Christmas-themed swap over on The Three R's blogspot, if you are interested.
pinkfairygran said…
Just a quick message... to say I am organising a Christmas-themed swap over on The Three R's blogspot, if you are interested.
Chris Stovell said…
JJ, thanks!

Edward, and how right you were! Thank you.

Thanks, Pfg!

Tattie - my legs were and still are knackered!

Thank you, Elizabeth.

HAH - it was the tea and sympathy wot done it!

Lane, I will look since you suggest it, hehe!

Sheepish, yes but you and JJ are winning the word count race.

Mags, look how much you exceeded your expected time by. Brilliant! Now you've got one under your belt there'll be no stopping you.

Debs, you've made me laugh!

Mountainear, thanks - I'd prefer not to have the lurgy in future but I'm glad I got there.

Jeanne, thank you!

Frances, you are kind! Be assured I am resting!

Fred - now that really IS a packed field, but I've no doubt you're friendly!
Pipany said…
Hurrah! Well done Chris, especially having felt so poorly x
muddyboots said…
help, another athlete, l used to run, at school but it's my knee you see, well done cheers claps horray
Wow! What an achievement and you were suffering in the run up too. You are a real star.
Brown Dog said…
Fan-bloody-tastic, Chris! I knew you could do it! Do you think those jelly legs might have just been one of those jelly babies trying to get his own bag (you did remember them, didn't you?) You go my girl!
Brown Dog said…
Ooops - meant to say 'his own back'. Otherwise it doesn't make sense.
Pondside said…
Chris, you are amazing!! Thanks to whoever took the video - I enjoyed it.
Flowerpot said…
Brilliant Chris - I hope you're very proud of your achievement!
You clever little writing runner you! Looks like you will have to have the lergy just before Llanelli then?
Chris Stovell said…
Thanks, Pip!

Muddyboots, come on, can't we tempt you?!

Elizabeth, I was suffering in the run too!!

Brown Dog, just goes to show how you can't trust a jelly baby, doesn't it? You never know when they will be out to get you! And I only ate two of them this year.

Pondside, thanks - Tom was the camera man! I was so pleased to see him at the beginning... but I lost him for a while at the end.

FP, I am - I've only just stopped wearing the medal!

SBS, thank you - but I think I'll skip the part of training where the lurgy strikes next time!
Anonymous said…
Well done, a most impressive time.
Chris Stovell said…
... is the right answer, Captain! Hope that Aviemore went well.
DOT said…
I am truly impressed. I used to run long distance when younger, but 2 hours, ten+ minutes!

If I were wearing a skirt, I'd curtsy, as it is I'll bow.
Fennie said…
Were you the one in yellow? I can't tell they all went so fast - but the one in the yellow looked pleased anyway. Or so I thought. But I'm bad at judging these things. I guess you can tell from this comment where I would have come - that's right about a week after everyone else. I've sort of got an excuse but it's really nothing more than being hopelessly adrift at the moment. Time has speeded up (it's called going on holiday) and left me standing a week behind. Where did they all go?
Ah that away!

Did I say well done? Typical! Berludy well done. Llanelli is voluntary I suppose?
Chris Stovell said…
Thank you, DOT - all curtseys gratefully received (yes, I'm still feeling pretty damn pleased with myself - tragic,eh?).

Fennie, yes, I hold my hand up to being The One In Yellow, waving her arms stupidly as she crossed the line. I hope you had a good holiday - you must have done or you'd have your 'every day' head back on by now.
Maria said…
Well done, Chris, well done!

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