I've decided that all this new found enthusiasm for running has got to go somewhere, so I've put in an entry for the Bristol half marathon. Or the Rbk Bristol Half Marathon if you want to be pedantic.
Its on Sunday the 17th September, so that gives me plenty of time for my training schedule to slide down into through the trough of can't-be-arsedness before climbing back on the upward slope of undeniable necessity in the 2 weeks before the race 
. Secretly I quite like having a race to aim for, as otherwise its hard to get motivated purely on the basis that your trousers'll still fit if you do go for a run 
.
Why choose Bristol? Don't you live in Manchester? are two questions that would seem obvious to me if I was reading this entry, and yes, you do have a point as it happens. There is some method in the choice of this event. The Bristol Half is a relatively new event, but last time I did it (about 2 years ago) it was supremely well organised and a lovely course to run. You go out from the city along the Avon Gorge, and pass under the suspension bridge (watching out for jumpers when you get to that point 
), and then just as the road starts to go up an incline, you turn around and come back, passing the SS Great Britain (and Aardman Animation incidentally) and into the centre of town for the finish.
The other reason for choosing Bristol is that we have friends who are also running the race and are willing to put up with an additional sweaty runner for the weekend...
I'm hoping to get under 2 hours for the race this time, so wish me luck
