I jumped on the busy train to Brighton
Gatwick airport – finally got seat
Mildly lost my way to hostel
But not too lost to hurt my feet

The bunk bed squeaked with every turn  
Scared to move, just wished for sleep
My bed fellow’s and mine ears burned
Both nervous about  - BEEP BEEP BEEP

I was up at six, pretty ready if you ask
Changed into my running gear
Mind focussed to task
Made my porridge and my tea

The morning was frosty but sunny
And the Brighton beach serene
Crowds started to gather quickly
Soon the pens resembled sardines

Ten, nine, eight and so on till start
The elite sprinted - we not so much
Four minutes when we finally crossed the start
Off we went with James, our 2hours pacers lad

First mile, damn it’s crowded - 
kept following the purple flag
Mile two and the ascend started
And didn’t finish till 4 and half

Narrow routes and elbows fights
Everyone wanted to go downhill fast
I said good bye to the pacer group
found a gap and zigzagged past

I chose my pace and stuck to it
Mile five, the gel was out
Mile six – almost half way there
Seventh came and went

I chose my pace and stuck to it
Except when the cold wind bit
My wind jacket's bound too tight
Round my waist, had to stop to clear the mess

Mile eight I felt bit bored
Water station after ninth
Sipped and sucked another gel 
Blackcurrant! What was I thinking?

Mile ten, just three too go
Mile eleven, almost home
Mile twelve when I saw the purple flag
So I sped up

Mile thirteen and my lugs now hurt
I could see the finish line
Few more steps and I’ll have my medal
Here I go - my first sub 2 half!

__

Ok, I admit I lost the ballad-y feel pretty early on and I am very much distracted and happy about my first sub two hours half marathon – that was yesterday 1:58:42 in Brighton so please forgive me 🙂

This is happy me 🙂