How I’m feeling after running my first half marathon – the Cardiff Half

Wow! What an amazing day!

I’m so proud of our beautiful city for hosting the UK’s second biggest half marathon and the first Commonwealth Half Marathon. Around 25,000 runners took part today. Runners of all shapes and sizes and all different levels of running experience – from world class elite athletes to those who walked most of the route, but whose achievement is no less incredible. 13.1 miles is not ‘half’

of anything; it’s a whole lot of amazing. Everyone running today deserves to wear their medals with pride.

I am so proud to have been among those running today. It was my first half marathon and the longest I have ever run. When I signed up back in May after being persuaded by some friends, I could barely run 8K. I was hoping I’d finish in around 2 hours 30 but I amazed myself and somehow came in at 2 hours 6 minutes and 4 seconds. I had no idea I could run that fast.

I’m putting a lot of it down to the amazing support across the whole of the route. I can’t believe how many people were lining the streets today – an estimated 80,000! All the cheering, the posters, the bands, and the kids offering high fives helped so much.

(I made it onto the TV coverage!)

Not only is this a personal achievement for me but it’s helped raise £740 so far for Ty Hafan, the children’s hospice for Wales.

As a family we have taken part in several running events including the Ty Hafan 5K Bubble Rush, the Barry Island 10K for me and 2K for my children, yesterday’s 2.4K family run as part of the Cardiff Festival of Running – and of course today.

It’s not too late to donate to Ty Hafan. Our Just Giving page is here.

I’m tired, emotional, proud, and on a huge high. I felt invincible as I crossed that finishing line.

Congratulations to everyone who ran today and thank you to everyone who turned out to support.

Were you running today? Congratulations! Let me know how you got on.