Half marathon #7 - Bronze

July begins and I've already completed half marathon number 7. I went up to the Lakes to run the first Lakeland Trails half marathon in Coniston. The wet conditions, judging by the results, meant that there were a few non-runners but 382 still braved the rain and I managed to come 3rd :) the first time I have ever come in a position to win a prize! I was even leading for a couple of miles in the middle but a more experienced fell runner came past me! Extremely happy with it though! 

The race itself was fantastic despite the rain. There were lots of hills (steep up and down which were both tough!) and through trails in forests and it was a beautiful course. I think it might have been short given that I ran it in 1:27 and went through the 10k marker in 33 mins but that doesn't take away from the race! This probably makes up for the slightly longer Brighton half marathon! 

Thanks very much to Hannah for coming and supporting me and for a cracking weekend of strange occurances! Including a mosher to hippy music in a local pub and a fish on a windowsill ...

I have now raised £1,291.05 and this is rising fast! Thanks to everyone who has donated so far. Anyone who hasn't yet, you can donate by text by texting "JGHM62 £?" to 70070 or on my just giving page at:

https://www.justgiving.com/James-Gardner-2012

My next one is the Cross bay challenge up near Lancaster in August. This is definitely the point in the year when it is time for me to take a 2-3 week break from training fully to let my legs recover!

Over and out for 6 weeks x