http://www.theflamingjunehalf.co.uk
I entered this race when I was on a running high and frantically signing up to races earlier in the year. This is the Flaming June half marathonās first year but is organised by the Friends of Histon & Impington Recreation Ground (near Cambridge) who also organise the Bonfire Burn 10k among other events. The race is described as āa rural multi terrain half marathon across flowing Cambridgeshire countrysideā which is very accurate!
I was lucky enough to have my Husband and his son (8) supporting me this time around. In my previous one & only half, I went alone. It was a miserable wet, cold Sunday morning but I made it through on my own! Having company on the drive and other ears to listen to my nervous chatter helped me immensely as well as an excited 8 year old who wanted to run the race with me (one day I hope).
The race was organised by waves with the first starting at 10am, mine at 10.05am, 10.10am & 10.15 am and began a few minutesā walk from the recreation centre. As the āgunā went off, my nerves disappeared and the excitement of being with fellow runners replaced all my fears and worriesā¦ for about 5 minutes! From then on it was a constant battle with my body and mind not to phone my husband to collect me. I was un-prepared for the terrain, I mostly run on roads or the track, and the heat which in hindsight I should have been prepared for. My last long run ended with my being drenched from head to toe by the constant showers of late May- quite the contrast. Very early on I knew the only way I was going to make it through was by taking walking breaks, so I did as with minimal shade and the hot sun, the race was going to beat me.
I broke many rules that day- I ate a breakfast different to all my previous long run breakfasts, honey on wholemeal toast instead of porridge and honey, I wore an outfit that Iād only warn on a short run once, I changed my race fuel at the last second because Iād found some Cliff Shot Bloks in Tesco the day before that I wanted to try and I wasnāt 100% healthy/ injury free. Thankfully, all went to plan and I had NO chaffing or emergency stops.
The course itself was beautiful- lots of countryside and running through grassy trails and minimal roads meant it was very peaceful. Thankfully there was only one āhillā if you can call it that! Nothing to worry about there. Short parts were run on the guided bus way which was very un-eventful apart from when the lady in front of me had her cap blown off by the wind created from a passing bus!
When I finally made it to the end, I saw my husband waiting for me with his iPhone out taking photos- on a whim, I jumped through the finish line with my arms in the air resulting in my favourite race photo so far. He took one seconds later where I had a big grin on my face- quite the contrast to Octoberās half last year. I was presented with a medal, goody bag containing an almond & apricot Eat Natural bar and a trusty banana. There were also bottles of water on offer which I drank in about 5 seconds; I was very thirsty (!) Despite taking water at all 4 water stations on the course (2.5 miles, 5 miles, 7.5 miles & 10 miles). I had thought they might be an extra water station as it was a hot day but some relief was provided by the residents in Histon and their hose pipes- bliss.
The Marshalls on this race were fantastic as usual, Iāve found at all the races Iāve participated in, theyāve had words of encouragement to get me through. The residents who had come out to support their family, friends and runners in general was also over-whelming! They werenāt there for me at all but I felt like they were and thatās something special. So a massive and grateful THANK YOU to all who marshalled/ directed/ cheered/ clapped/ sprayed me with water on my way round š Also, the scouts at water station 3- are they available to hire as cheerleaders? I would love to have them on every run I do cheering me on.
All being said, I hope to enter again next year and my aim is to be better prepared with the heat and terrain, oh and to get a quicker time. Itās ironic that the worst race of my life has provided the best photos taken so far by my husband, and at least I got my medal and goody bag.
I, like many of us, struggle with long-term commitment. I’m talking specifically about dieting/ weight loss/ exercise here. 
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