KYIV half marathon 2015 - first experience

Automatic pic. that was taken by the sponsors about 2 min. after the start.

OK, finally this has happened!! After about 10 month of preparation I have ran my first even half marathon. It was not only my first official half marathon, but also first time ever in my life when I have run such a distance (21 km)... I have meant to try running at least 18-20 km in my training, but for various reasons it has never happened. The longest run I have had was - 15 km. So, needless to say that to run a 21+ km was quite hard.

Everything went pretty well for me up untill about 16th kilometer. That's when I REALLY started feeling my legs and even had to start walking time aftre time (especially on steep hills) in order to restore some of my strengh. Now, as I think of it I also probably needed to tie my running shoes less, because especially my right foot felt quite stiff on the second part of the run. Conclusion? Pay attention even to how you tie your shoes when running on long distances... :-)


Also, since the weather was rather hot (around +22C) it was much harder to run for me then usuall (in the mornings, when I usually run, it is sunless and cold). Good thing was that the run itself was organized really well, so after each 5 km we had "hydration stations", WC and rest areas, where, if you got tired you could drink some wated, have a small fruit snack or do other needed "procedures". That helped A LOT!! All in all I have run with a slower time then expected - 2 hours 23 min. 35 sec., but still not bad, as for the first half marathon!! I came on 1 740th place out of over 2 000 participants:

Altogether, it was great to participate in this as an event, since it was very open and friendly for families. Katya and Luka came to support me and watch other people run as well. It was a wonderful time where we've seen some of our friends from the church, but also other people we know in Kyiv.

Most of all I am grateful to the Lord for giving me strength, health and desire to participate and finish such a run! I realized one more time that my body is weak and it is only by His infinite grace that I live and breath every day. Also, I am so grateful to Katya, that she has always encouraged me to start running and always allowed me the time to do it. May be we can start running together one day... :-)  Below, I put some pics of us before and after the run:



Before the start with Luka

Before the start with Katysha

After the FINISH with my medal :-)