Things in the Birmingham half marathon didn't start off well. By mile four, I knew I was in trouble. I felt sick and my legs felt like lead. Being overtaken by a runner dressed as Bananaman who was smiling and waving to the crowd really didn't help! At mile six, I started drinking the Orbana, despite worrying that it would make my stomach feel worse. If anything I think the slight effervescence settled my stomach and I started to feel much better. By mile eight I felt full of energy, my breathing had steadied and I felt absolutely invincible! I felt like this all the way to the finish and to my surprise I ran my first-ever negative split over any distance. I also got a personal best, which, considering how I was feeling at the start of the race is nothing short of a miracle!
Would I use Orbana again? Without a doubt! Despite my initial scepticism, this is seriously good stuff. My only regret is not drinking some before the race and having to run the first half feeling as awful as I did! I'll certainly be back at Birmingham Half, but next time I'll be fuelled from the start by Orbana. Until next year Bananaman...!