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Wasn't looking forward to today, but am now very chuffed,

I entered the Sheffield half marathon ages ago, but a really dodgy knee has cut back my training to a measly 7km for the whole of February and March put together.  I kept up the carb-loading though ;)  I have never done any form of organised running ever, and I was wondering if I should have started with a 5k or 10k as I was getting ready.

So at 09:30 when a big horn sounded in the centre of Sheffield I was not 100% sure if I would be able to do it.  My right calf cramped up almost immediately and slowed me down (fortunately it went after about 5 miles) and I had to walk up for the majority of the ascents.  It was also bloody hot (I am sporting the classic tomato face as I type) and was grabbing so much water at every stop to keep me going.  

Apparently I even ran past Chris Wilder (the manager of the newly-promoted Blades) as he was cheering people on: didn't even clock him as I was huffing and puffing so much.

There were people who properly suffered and it was a shame to see so many receiving medical attention.

But I did it - in a mightily slow 2:45:01 - a PB ;)  ha ha ha

I was elated for all of 30 seconds until the t-shirt hander-outer guy said, "Well, here's an XL if I ever I've seen one!"  I am hoping he was referring to my height.

The crowds were immense: jelly babies being handed out by almost every kid on the route, tons of very-supportive cheering (that helped on many occasions) and even people out with hoses and water pistols helping to cool us down.

Sheffield Rocks!!!!!