First time | The Ealing Half Marathon was launched this year to immense popularity. (Image | Active Spirit Events)

Earlier this year I signed up for the Ealing Half Marathon in west London. Having started running daily last summer, I really wanted to test myself by getting into a situation where I would be forced to run 13.1 miles. Safe to say, there were many moments when I wanted to give up, sit down, lie on the floor, go to the pub, have a bacon sandwich or just go to bed.

I resisted these temptations, however. Crossing the line in a time of 1 hour 47 minutes, I had only failed to reach my pre-race target by two minutes. Not bad for a first attempt, I thought, as I finished alongside plenty of other knackered half marathoners, some running their first race, but most part of clubs or serial entrants.

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