Our life is filled with a kaleidoscope of interesting experiences and events. Unfortunately, however, not everything we plan can be put into practice. Such setbacks do not force one to lower his hands, but on the contrary, become an impetus to find something better that can be a better replacement for unfulfilled plans. This happened to me as well - I was planning to take part in one event, but fate had made up for me so much that I had to look for something else to replace. Everything that is not done is for the better - so I was not at all upset by such a forced change.
In June, I returned to Kiev and began my search for tradition interesting running events, that will happen in Ukraine in the near future. Half a marathon attracted your attention at once "Ternopil Half Marathon", which is being held (you guessed it) in the city of Ternopil. I was interested in this half marathon because its route runs near the city center on the shores of the picturesque lake.
After running "Leiden Marathon” I rested for a few days and returned to active training in the most popular park" Victory ". I didn't expect anything grand from the usual provincial marathon: when I chose a running event, it seemed like it would be just a normal road race. But our lives are full of unpredictable events, which are sure to bring some "buts" that often surprise and give even more impressive emotions. Half marathon in Ternopil became just such an event for me.
On Saturday at 14:34 I left the central station in Kyiv for my destination. The road by train turned out to be easy, and I was lucky to meet several runners who also went to take part in the half marathon "Ternopil Half Marathon” and chat with them about their favorite hobby. I spent the rest of my time resting and sleeping.
Housing in Ternopil decided not to look, because there was no need. The train arrived at about ten in the evening, and we had to leave for the number all at seven in the morning. So I stayed to spend the night in the recreation area at the station, and decided to kill time by immersing myself in an interesting book. Time passed quickly, because I had not read such an exciting book for a long time - it was a novel by Ukrainian writer Laura Pidgorna called "Ombre. Above Darkness and Light, ”her style reminded me of Dan Brown's wonderful novels.
When morning came, I went to get my Ternopil Half Marathon number to the city's Theater Square. Along with the number, they handed out a backpack, campaign brochures and, unexpectedly, pasta. Why do you ask pasta? In fact, I did not understand it myself, because such a gift was waiting for me in the marathon set for the first time. Next was changing into a sports uniform and preparation for the start of the half marathon.
The last instructions and wishes for the participants were heard at nine in the morning and everyone went to the starting point of the track, which was 21 kilometers long. The shot was fired and the runners set out to overcome the marathon.
The half marathon route ran around the Ternopil Pond - two laps had to be run this way. At the beginning of the route there was a decent, which was a plus on the one hand, and a minus on the other, because before the finish it was necessary to run up a small hill. Further, the track lay on the side of the pond - this is where the same "but" that I mentioned at the beginning began.
Everyone ran down the flat road near the pond, then turned right, where the most pleasant surprise was waiting for us - a climb up the stairs. Running the first lap, it was not easy to climb the stairs, and the axis of the second lap can no longer be said. The next "but" was that the route also lay in the woods, where the road was not smooth and "pleased" with a considerable number of descents and ascents. After jogging through the woods, runners paved this way along the pond. There were 6 degradation stations along the route of the "Ternopil Half Marathon" - 3, 7, 9, 12, 16 and 18 kilometers. The finish and launch pad were combined.
The organization of the event and the work of volunteers were at the highest level. In my opinion, such a route will be ideal for preparing for a marathon in the mountains, because during its passage you can feel all the "charms" of off-road. Despite the fact that private sectors and residential neighborhoods met on the way to the half marathon, no one supported the participants of the "Ternopil Half Marathon". This upset me a lot, because taking part in similar races in other countries, the support of the residents was just crazy and very motivating to keep running. Only a few spectators met in Ternopil. I really hope that this will improve and the people of the city will start actively support marathoners in the following years.
I couldn't help but notice one more thing - there were a few runners on the track, which made it possible to get high speeds. This was particularly noticeable in the first lap of the race. In the second lap, participants began to stretch - sometimes I didn't even notice someone in front and behind. It motivated me to accelerate, because to run is somehow uninteresting. I think with the increasing popularity of this half marathon in Ternopil participants will become more and the race will become more lively.
In general, I was positive about the "Ternopil Half Marathon" - it has to do with the organization of the event and the track itself. The fourth half marathon I participated in was a happy one because this is the first time I've been able to overcome the whole journey in less than two hours. This is what made the "Ternopil Half Marathon" special for me.
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