Manchester Half-Marathon

A marathon 3 weeks ago, a 47-mile ultra a week ago and a Half marathon today.

After last weeks' ultra I wasn't sure whether I could do the Manchester half today. It's for a good cause (Heartbeat North West Cardiac Care). I would just have to see what I could manage. Part of me was worried that something might happen.

I woke at 1 am and was not sure whether it was a good idea to run having sleep deprivation. But I can't let people down who sponsored me.

My day didn't really start well, I couldn't find my lucky buff or my lucky shorts. Also I can't make my mind which trainers to wear.

Getting to Manchester with only 15 minutes to spare was normal; I am always late. The parking costs me £15.60, and that's for 5 hours.

My bladder was having fun as well, so it was a trip to McDonald's with only 7 minutes to spare before the Orange wave starts. What a nightmare!!

Sometimes I do believe that things happen for a reason. Standing behind tall people is always a pain when you are a midget. I nearly got elbowed, tripped, but also sometimes it is an advantage when it's sunny, you can hide behind them.

Seriously... got to 1 mile and the bladder was like saying 'hello, you remember me, don't you?'

In my head, no, I'm not stopping for a wee, I know I will lose that rhythm if I stop. So would you believe it? I held my wee for 13 miles.

Then a funny thing happened; a colleague of mine messaged me when I got to 7 miles. She only messages me when overtime at work is up for grabs. I slowed down and considered stopping to get some overtime 😂 but I said to myself, maybe it's a sign and not meant for me.

Running won!!, but I felt sad because I'm experiencing Overtime Withdrawal Syndrome already 😂😂

I noticed the route changed a bit when we got to Etihad Stadium (Manchester City Football ground), as we didn't run the bridge twice (what a relief). It was boiling all the way, and when I got to 8 miles, I noticed that I was feeling great, as in awesome, despite the persistent neck/shoulder pain.

I didn't want to push my luck to go faster, just in case I injured myself. Marathon, Ultra Marathon, and Half marathon with single weeks in between worries me these days. To be honest, I'm not young anymore.

On the 12-mile mark, I saw at least 4 photographers;) well, Bella…get ready and smile, which I totally did😂

1 mile to go, and everyone was sprinting while passing me, oh, I can't do that. I did my best to run faster with 400 meters to go.

I'm not a fast runner, but I know I can run. It's always a privilege to finish a run and feel good afterwards. I complain sometimes I always try to be positive. I smile/ laugh a lot, but it doesn't mean that I have no worries, because I do... a lot.

After dropping by to visit Mum, we decided to eat in Burnley because by then I was starving. One of the reasons why I love running is that I love eating too. Well, you can't blame me…food is always winking at me😜