Yesterday was the Coventry Half Marathon, over 3500 people ran which is nearly double the amount in previous years.  I truly hope that this is the start in the run becoming more popular and making it as a 'proper' event on the circuit.

My initial concern with it being so early in the year was that it would deter beginners from taking part.  November and December are not the most pleasant of months to get started on a running plan.  Then there's Christmas to contend with too.

However, there were lots of runners taking part who had never ran that distance before and great support for everyone on the way round.

The route is pretty tough for a first half marathon but everyone gave a final burst across the finish line.  We saw a couple of people doing a 'Swainy'; a final sprint to the finish line leaving behind the person they had ran with for the previous 13 miles to win the race :)

Our Team Achieve runners all completed the run and the client I was running with achieved a personal best, knocking 3 minutes of his previous time.

If you ran yesterday and you're feeling a little sore, the best options you have are massaging magnesium oil in to your legs or having a warm bath with Epsom salts (you could go for the luxury version and get Dead Sea Salts).

All are available at the Ricoh Tesco and Drop in the Ocean in Coventry City Centre or you can order from Amazon using the links; you'd have to go for next day delivery to make it worth while though.

Well done to everybody who ran yesterday and remember that the time you achieved was much better than that of those who were sitting on their sofa watching Sunday brunch.  Be proud of that and keep working towards your goals.

Darren 'a little sore' Checkley

P.S.  Today's Daily Lent Challenge - 10 Burpees, 10 Press Ups x 5 as quickly as you can.