Run > Race

Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.

But at least I am alive. The St Albans half was hell, really hell. Crucifying heat, no shade, thumping great climbs pretty much all the way round - the first 6 miles were continuously uphill. I almost dropped out at 5 miles, by which time I was already suffering. Then I got cut up by a dickhead in a car and I used this to vent all my frustration (I'm afraid I said a very rude word. Very loudly.) But it gave me the push I needed to at least keep going.

I've never seen so many people in trouble in a race, not even in the final stages of a marathon. It was a bit frightening to be honest. I saw at least four people being taken off in ambulances and there must have been more.

As for me, I stopped running and drank at every water station. It was a matter of finishing in one piece rather than racing by that point. I probably walked for 20 minutes or so, too.

I finished in well over 2 hours. I'm just happy I didn't end up on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance.

I am never going to run a summer half marathon again!