Well done both of you!

Phil - don't lose heart if you miss out in the ballot - there are other marathons out there.

Clare - try running a different route - that 'same place' might just be a mental trigger.

Hi Phil. I too am quite new to running but have not managed  a 1/2 marathan yet. The longest was a 10k but it is still a great feeling when it is your first. I still struggle not to stop and walk in exactly the same place each run burt have started with parkruns and that has shown me I can run further and a bit faster without stopping.

good look with your furure runs

clare

HI,COMPLETED MY 106TH RUN/JOG/WALK TODAY,THIS TIME LAST YEAR WAITING TO GO INTO HOSPITA L FOR OPERATION,UNFIT AND STILL SMOKING NO EXERCISE.!!... TOOK UP WALK/RUNNING DECEMBER 2010.DID 1ST HALF MARATHON THIS JUNE,VERY SLOOOWLY,BUT MANAGED TO FINISH :-) .WORN OUT 1 PAIR OF ASICS..TOO ENTHUSIASTIC SOMETIMES,PICKED UP A COUPLE MINOR NIGGLES,DETERMINED TO CARRY ON,EVEN MY 18 YR OLD HAS STARTED RUNNING THIS WEEK,SHE WANTS TO JOIN ME IN NEXT YEARS ST.ALBANS RUN.STILL OFF THE CIGARETTES,AND WISHED I HAD STOPPED YEARS AGO!!.HOPE TO HEAR ABOUT WHETHER SUCCESSFUL WITH 2012 BALLOT.HOPEFULLY KNEES HOLD OUT,AND IF I DO,DETERMINED TO GET ROUND,COME WHAT MAY.LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE FROSTY MORNING RUNS.