The Big Half

Sick, sick, sick, sick.

Um, anyway, going out for the American record about a month ago, he tore his hamstring at The Big Half in the UK.

Um, a nice 12-centimeter tear down the middle of his hamstring.

Um, which is just-

We've done some longer running recently as well.

Finally got the big half done, which wasn't quite as traumatic as we'd anticipated.

Yeah, you ran really well.

So Julia actually kindly agreed to run with me, which was so nice of her because she's much faster than me.

therapeutic but not therapy

yes

yes that was trojan who um i think i saw you pictured with at the big half actually

Oh, Trojan.

So a little bit about what I've been up to.

I recently ran the big half.

This was my second time running the event.

No PB this time, but I absolutely enjoyed the run out there a few Sundays ago.

Once again, of course, the crowds and the cheering zones didn't disappoint.

It took me right back to the London Marathon last year, actually.

Yeah, so a huge congrats to everyone who ran the big half, plus the relay run on the day.

It was great to sync up and see quite a few who have always encouraged, supported my journey, whilst even joining me on this podcast.

me ben holland each week we ask a special guest their best london venue event place to eat area and london life hack follow us on socials at ben pods with a zed listen to the last full length episode I've been cycling from London to Belgium which involved putting my bike on a very cheap ferry and even getting into the truck drivers only section on there.

I also ran the big half marathon in 1 hour and 46 minutes thanks for asking.

Thanks so much to all the supporters that were out there on the day.

And I also visited quite an unusual country park with a huge climbing area.

They've got a huge multi-level climbing structure where you have to be clipped in or you'd fall and die.

But even my super young nieces, like some of which are under seven years old, went on there and I couldn't believe they were going so crazy high there.

but they enjoyed it and nine of my 12 nieces and nephews were on there and they were loving it as were the adults so i would fully recommend that thanks to all the supporters for the big half marathon and it really helped me to get that one hour 46 minute time but i did take my shoes and socks off a few times because i thought there was something in there but it ended up being a blister if anyone knows how you can not get blisters or sore tops of toes when running i would love to know your tips Now in honour of my guest and her love of swing and jazz, I've done this parody track which isn't available anywhere else.

So see what you think.

It's been, it's been hard in the heat, but it's been fun to be back at track.

And then we had the, um, the big half was this Sunday just gone, which was kind of a disaster, which is what's triggered my maranoia because I sort of had hoped to be able to go in that at PB pace, and I was just miles off.

Um, everything felt really, really heavy and hard, so I'm hoping that was just a blip in the road and we can move on from it.

But it obviously led to lots of questions for myself around, "What am I gonna do in Chicago?" Um, but it is what it is.

It was really hot.

Um, I'll blame the cobbles.

That's what everyone does with the big half.

[laughs]