Manchester City Half Marathon

On Sunday I ran the Manchester City Half Marathon. According to the local news, this year's race started with a record 2500 runners including some 600 displaced NYC Marathon runners! It was a beautiful day for a race with temperatures in the low 40s, bright sunny skies, and cool breezes.

After getting an extra hour of sleep, my favorite cheerleader (aka husband) drove me downtown to meet up with the girls. I found Daisy easily (thanks to her "prime parking spot" in a no parking area next to Veteran's Park, but Katherine was off getting a replacement bib for the one she left at home. We did manage to all meet up at the starting line.

You may remember from my previous blog posts or my comments on Daily Mile how this course had some serious hills. The first hill starts around mile 1 and continues until mile 2.5. There's a brief breather before the next climb at mile 3.5 which lasts through mile 5. Here runners are rewarded with a long downhill into Livingston Park before hitting the next group of climbs. At mile 6 the rolling begins (and seems to never end) and goes on and on through mile 10. Just when you think you might be able to cruise to the finish thanks to gravity and Hanover Street, runners hit a final tough climb between mile 11 and 12. For those runners with feeling left in their legs (not me) the final mile is a fast downhill that flattens out to the finish line.

13.1 - 2:08:24  

Clearly, I was dead tired. I didn't hear them announce me as Amy from Jamaica Plain and then correct it. I barely cracked a smile when Katherine and Ami cheered for me as I passed by. I didn't even have the energy to grab one of those awesome mylar heat sheets they were offering.

I did have enough spark to hang out with the girls and our families while savoring the moment. I took on a challenge running this half marathon with its monster hills that scare some runners away and I completed it. #7 done.

What I wore:

Let's Go Clown Around Sweaty Bands

Grey Nike Legend Training Tank

Red Nike Thermal Pullover

Black Nike Running Capris

Nike Dri-Fit No Show Compression Socks

Mizuno Wave Rider 8s

Red Aspaeris Compression Shorts (after)

Pink Zensah Compression Socks (after)

What's the toughest race you've ever done?

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