My First Half Marathon Was Brutal - Did I Wildly Misjudge This Distance?

We made it to RACE WEEK!!! This training block has bee anything but easy but we made it. Did the race go to plan? No. Was this the course brutal? Yes. Did I enjoy myself? Kinda. Did I smash my goal? Watch the video and find out!
Thank you to Wilmslow Half for a great half marathon event and thank you to everyone who came out to support and help me along my way!
All the links you need:
Instagram: / daniel_moves_
Merch: philybowdenmerch.com/
Editing business: www.dangerlime.com/

[@daveswitch22]

Congrats mate! I remember when I finished my first half I thought "that's was nuts I'm never going to do a full marathon" but later I relised I was correct and I'll never do a full. Half is fun. I do hope you get 10k subs and do the full!

[@producermind9030]

Sub 2 hours for your first half marathon is amazing! Thats really a massive achievement.

[@debryan5338]

Sooooooooooooo Happy for you, you crushed it!!!! You will want to do a Marathon. It's misery and magical at the same time.

[@mikestevenson1334]

Congrats on the sub 2h, Daniel! You nailed it =D

[@MyfanwyCollins]

Well done, Daniel! You did so well. Thank you for sharing it all with us.

[@paulahassell-gopaul8674]

Been here from the beginning and your growth is always inspiring!!! Bring on the marathon!!

[@thorstenwpunkt5522]

Congrats Daniel! Great job. You can be really proud!

[@hippygeeza]

Amazing Daniel!! So proud of you mate! Awesome video, awesome dude! Well done bruva

[@jasonflorimonte3813]

Well done, sir! A fantastic time and a harbinger of more good things to come!

[@lauraf5390]

Congratulations Daniel, fantastic job!

[@Prisonmate]

Good to hear how you feel about your half was the same way I felt when I ran my first full marathon. Enjoy your recovery and great job running. Congrats.

[@joshuabennett98]

Daniel, you crushed it! Love watching the journey from not running to doing your first half! So cool that your dad made it out to see you reach your goal. My mom and brother came to see me finish my first marathon. Knowing they were at the finish line waiting for me kept me going forward even though the last 4-6 miles were tough

[@rhiannonmaine5034]

Incredible!! Congratulations, smashed it!!🎉

[@carolinebray82]

congrats!! I hope to finish before the reqirment of my race here in may! probly couple more long runs before the actual day!! that's awesome you get the times of running and such! OMG !

[@brunasini]

Congratulations Daniel. You nailed it! Well done🎉

[@philmarshall5953]

Huge congratulations. I can really appreciate what you said about how you felt after the race. When I ran my second marathon (at London) in Sub 3 I should have been delighted and really embraced and enjoyed it at the finish line, but I did it by just 30s and was in physical and mental pain and remember just wanting to get out of there! I regret that now and wish I have nice pictures of me enjoying my achievement, especially as I’ve never run that time again.

[@mathilde569]

Well done, Daniel, this is really awesome ! I think we all started a race (or multiple races) too quickly. This seemed like a great race to do, and you crushed it !!!

[@lenkaontherun]

Wohoooo! Nice and very real summary - I appreciate that! Congrats on smashing a sub-2 hr half, very inspiring!

[@mawallet]

Congrats Daniel! It has been fun watching you build to this. I used to run sub-2 but got slower and slower. Then I got amped up by you and trained to get back there. Unfortunately, I got sick on race week and had my first ever DNF. But I will be giving it another go in June. Keep up the inspiring effort!

[@joannemarkov]

Congratulations! I just ran my first sub 2hrs half marathon yesterday, and I felt like I was fighting for my life the entire time. You did so well! I’ve said this before, but the combination of you and Phily gives such a unique perspective on the sport of running.

[@DanielMoves]

"fighting for my life" this sums up the last 3 miles from me for sure! Well done for your half!

[@latebloomerabroad]

You did a great job to finish, and to do it in under 2:00 is amazing! Well done!👏

[@louisleroux3556]

Running is much better together. Well done for finishing, hope the recovery goes well!

[@DanielMoves]

So true!!

[@marybond6026]

Amazing amazing race!! Thank you for posting…I find races to be so vulnerable…the highs and lows of the mental and physical effort are real! I have a half marathon in June (never would have signed up if I hadn’t found you guys this past summer) and this makes me excited!

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you! And good luck for your half!

[@Shezzawoo2023]

Well done Daniel! I am always the same at 11 miles. Mentally it’s the worst, because you’re almost there .. but not quite🙈

[@darlanoz3788]

Huge Congrats Daniel! 🎉 You’re a star! 🌟

[@omfgitstony13]

Let’s go 10k subs!! Great job Daniel. Grind the Love!

[@DoomDiveryaha]

Super proud of you bro! Its awesome to see you doing this stuff. Would be great to come see you at your first full one 😉

[@gimoruns]

Cracking job, well done Daniel. Running a sub-2 for your first half is a great achievement. Take the positives and build to bigger and better things 👍

[@germainesf]

Fantastic job! Be happy with whatever running you are doing.🎉 I had run many, many half marathons and then decided that I should at least attempt a marathon. It turns out, the marathon is NOT my distance. But in completing a marathon (it did not go well, but I did cross the finish line) I ruined my mojo for running.😢 Two years later, I am mentally still not back to happily doing a half 🙃 Thankfully, videos like yours, and Phily’s help get me out the door to at least get some mileage. You are both amazingly inspiring.❤

[@sarahhagen2051]

Just subscribed! Looking forward to your next race!

[@frankraaf]

Smashed it!! Your thoughts on the race are exactly what i was thinking after my first half! ‘This is so hard, no way i could ever do more..’ week later: ‘I could run a marathon i think!’ 😂. Second half marathon will feels so much better!!

[@fudbeer1]

Well done you did great! the half is my favourite distance, the marathon is a whole different world of pain though hence why I stick to half's!

[@severiner7168]

Well done!! you did it! It's so weird, towards the end of a HM, I totally start walking and just want to stop, even 2km out, I'm like, thanks but I'm done. I found it took about 3 HM to get to understand the distance and know how to run it better. I hope you find a few more fun ones to do!

[@philiphogg8467]

Top Effort Daniel congratulations!

[@tug_van_tuggles]

Nice one lad, good effort. I've got my first ever half in two weekends time at Crystal Palace! I'm a good cyclist but this running thing is a whole new beast!

[@77chrisjd]

Congratulations on the sub 2 hour! I did my half on the 24th...definitely not sub 2 (2:26:55) but I'm happy with it. My epiphany coming out of that was...the same as yours about a marathon! But I'm already looking forward to going sub-2 in the fall! Lets go!

[@SapphireSarah79]

Well done on your first half. Sub 2 hours is great on that course. I was at the same race but just running the 10k. It's my 2nd time doing that 10k course and it is a killer on the legs with the hills. Doing my first and only half marathon at Manchester in October. The training begins.

[@EMenozzi]

Awesome work! Congrats!

[@davidpollard343]

What i like about your channel is that running wise its relateable to runners like me.i think Its harder to run a half in around 2 hours than it is to do it in about 1hr 30 as your working for longer. Ive lived in Manchester all my life and even im sick of the rain. Keep it up

[@jonburnell532]

Well done 👏 That's fantastic. I was cheering you on down the phone. Congrats 👍 Got me looking forward to mine now.

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you!!! 🙏🏼

[@MichaelBradford-uw9kj]

Well done Daniel. Top effort. Love the grind 🏃🏻‍♂️

[@ptr1019]

Good shit Dan, nice work

[@gavlewin3081]

Well Done Daniel Great Work smashing the 2hour in your first half 👏👏

[@lindseygreen2840]

Congrats Daniel, that's amazing!!

[@greertops]

Well done mate, I only started running in Aug 23 and did my first half last week so i know how you feel!

[@garycole171]

Well done great running I have subscribed just to see you do a Marathon. I have been running for about 6 years am 62 and still chasseing a under 1hour 40 mins half but i do have a 3 hour 52 Marathon so come on young man believe in yourself plus you have the best coach I only have myself.

[@KwyjiboVanDeKamp]

Great achievement! 💪👍

[@jamesh284]

Well done, you smashed it!!! First one is always the hardest.

[@davidparker2280]

Really great watch. Honest appraisal of your performance and achievement. Well done. I was in your shoes 12 months ago. First ever HM, just cracked sub 2 hrs. Did two more last year and cracked 1:45. In two weeks I will return to the same course as last year and do my first ever Mara. (Hopefully) Go get it!

[@divinist]

For your first HM that's a quality effort mate, welldone to you

[@Nayz13]

Awesome work Daniel!!

[@SCHD-DGRO24]

About to run my first half marathon, hoping for a sub 2 hr as well! Nice job you ran well! I read "never finished" by David goggins to help me mentally prepare for it

[@heathcampbell4058]

Yes, Daniel! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 so proud of you.

[@jenniferwebster3067]

Whoop! Well done Daniel! watching your race has given me that shared little bit of excitement to get out on my Sunday run on a gloomy day. Excellent time achievement too!

[@DanielMoves]

Ahhh I’m glad i could help 😃

[@AlbertWeijers]

Well done Daniel!

[@jaseinclee]

Saw the vid of the half marathon on Philly's Channel. Well done again Daniel!

[@lynseygamble2398]

Well done Dan, ran past you just before the start wished you luck wished I could’ve stopped to speak to both but nature was calling. Fair play last the miles were hilly considering it was supposed to be flat. Well done on the time though oh and well done Philly on the support. Hope to see you at another race.

[@elinaq750]

Go go goooo!!! Well done !!

[@marinatedbeefcubes]

gg at 8.5k subs and finishing the half marathon! ✨

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

Good Job Daniel, first of many peaks. (as a gen X, I appriciate the 8bit ending screen)

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Been a very wet start to the year. Still great to get out into the fresh air and clean out the soul. Best wishes on the next.

[@mondgezeiten]

well done! crushing it!!

[@sarahhagen2051]

Great job Daniel!

[@woutermolevelt1507]

Once again congrats!! You truly grinded it out!! .. just wondering, how did the drinking and "eating" go?? and did you ever go through conscious breathing excercises while running, the 11 mile wall in the half will be there always for every one, but you can breathe though it, also I've noticed that when going longer my breathing sometimes becomes shallower and it helps to focus on it every once in a while.

[@thecaptainchas2820]

Great race, Daniel! Sub-2 on your first time doing the distance is a great result! Way to put in the work! Keep it up!

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you!

[@Seanonyoutube]

Good on you mate

[@suemcadam7276]

Well done Daniel! You did it 👏👏

[@JasonCliftJones]

Finally getting around to watching this; spotted Philly before the start and said a quick hi (then realised poss getting atmosphere shots so sorry if I ruined a shot!) then gave you a quick "Go Dan" as I came past you on the main road not far before the mile mark (the t-shirt was pretty obvious!) I've been struggling with a knee issue which flared up again at 6-7mi (I deferred the mara) so you came back past me on the narrower rural track bit and indeed, did think you were looking good at that point too. So glad you got under 2hrs, and that 1hr 50 probably is there; my first Half also lacked that emotion at the end other than relief, but have had it on races since, eps my PB where I was crying down the whole finish straight XD Those will come. Promise it doesn't always rain up here, it's been a crazy wet winter. Your local club are prob Marple Runners (in the red and black stripes) who've always seemed lovely when I've bumped into them at races.

[@masongraham3367]

Well done, Daniel! 💯

[@DonLui9]

Great video man! new sub. I’ve got my 3rd half on Sunday and trying to beat my pb which is 1:55:13 and I’m the same going to get my first full mara next year

[@WalkerGibbons]

Enjoyed the video a lot as I just signed up for a half marathon. Was hovering over the subscribe button and heard you say "at 10k I'll run a marathon" and immediately clicked... sorry about that! Good luck with it all, excited to see how it goes.

[@brionia9760]

Fabulous work Daniel 🎉💕

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you 😁

[@valerieprema9432]

That's awesome Daniel! I have my first one set for October, so it's nice to have newbie feedback from you :)

[@irisr4536]

Congratulations on hitting your A goal, you smashed it!

[@adamthompson2391]

Well done Dan! 🎉

[@ctrlaltdylan]

Congrats Daniel, well done for getting it done and hitting your sub-2 goal. This was a great series to follow along with. Looking forward to the marathon series now... maybe Manchester 2025?

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you! Yes the marathon training when it comes will be documented! As much as I love Manchester i'd love to go and complete a marathon somewhere I've never been before :)

[@GibStud]

Well done! Congratulations. Can’t wait for my first 1/2 later this year!

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you and good luck!!

[@FiskFaan]

Well f*ing done Daniel! Go on!

[@johnrwilker]

Congratulations Daniel! A half marathon is difficult, I walk-ran my first and still felt completely trashed at the end. 6 months later I was able to run the whole thing and was just slightly off my A goal pace. To be completely honest, I was hooked after my first 5K and wanted to go longer. I’m sure you will crush a marathon with the excellent coaching you have available to you. You both are great so keep the content coming.

[@DanielMoves]

Love this!!

[@eviegribben7978]

Congrats, Daniel, sub 2 is absolutely amazing - 1h 50 will fall soon. Did you do any fuelling throughout the race, it would be interesting to see if you took inspiration from Phily. Thanks a lot and well done!!!

[@lizgreen2936]

Just subbed someone called Philly sent me..?? 🤔🤔😂😂🎉🎉🎉Well done amazing time for 1st half...#lovethegrind...🏃🏼‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️x

[@Beardyfitness23]

Smashed it mate 💪

[@ollie1317]

Not competitive is good so not to worry if you win,get top 10%, top half or whatever comparing to others but can still strive to be the best YOU can. I like that 1:30 sounds good to you and you are young so have time on your side so no need to limit espectations too much. I started too in late 40's, ran my first half marathon race at 1 hr 45 but could barely walk for days after! 2 and a half years later i pb'd a few weeks ago at 1:41 ish not huge improvement in time but one thing i will say is the long term difference of regular miles is it feels so much easier and recovery is better. To me in my 50's now 1:30's rather than 1:30 sounds good 1:39 59 one day soon on a flat course!

[@Julian-ut1in]

Absolute legend

[@jacindafreeman1898]

Congrats 👟

[@axebrynner]

you'll be running marathon soon by the look of your subs !! Lucky you have a coach at hand 😁

[@PoetWithPace]

Well done! The first one always hurts 🤩

[@bobcatlogic4754]

Well done! Under 2hrs for a first half is a huge achievement. Plus, with your training paces, and with a bit more racing and pacing experience, you definitely have even faster times to come in the future.

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you! And yes training block was no where near perfect, I definitely a have a load more to give 🫡

[@geoffh2560]

Congrats Daniel on your first Half - first of many I've no doubt. Subscriber count looks to be shooting up now!

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you! and 300+ subs in a day!! Looks like i'll be signing up for a marathon soon!

[@FWPlants]

Strong Pump Daniel...it gets betta.. one step, one session, one race at a time.. Marathons are hairy 😂..but your body is stronger 💪 than you might think.. LET'S GOOO!!!

[@IainThacker]

**looks out of the window at the hills and sunshine** Daniel's view on the "rainy north" does not check out! 😁 Well done on the race - next one will be just as hard but faster! Not bad having a world-class pacer.

[@rickmcqueen5378]

Congratulations Daniel!!!!! For not being a runner you did great. You finally got Phily on the bike filming you, she finally got a better understanding of all the work you do. Also you are soooo lucky, two world class runners helping you accomplish your goal. I don't know of anybody else who has Phily training you and on the bike and Ciara Mageeana pacing you!!!! I am jealous.

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you! And agreed having two world class athletes as personal cheerleaders feels a little like a cheat code 😂

[@ilariae346]

He ran a half marathon, he’s definitely a runner ! ;)

[@ajep3469]

He’s a runner!!

[@Fragender01123]

Keep on going.

[@BalazsZolyomi]

I had my first half marathon last week with 2:04:12. Congrats for your achievement!

[@chrissmyth4946]

I just did my first Half Marathon in Sheffield and also, i think, just snook under 2. Hills are steeper but at least you go up then down! Personally don't see myself going for a full one - 2 hours can be fun...4-5 sounds less so.

[@qc_mp6899]

Congrats you did amazing!!! Sub2hr for your 1st HM is really really good. You so lucky to have Philly and other elite runners in your personal circle. My 1st HM 2yrs ago I did not look as great as you did. Also, the course i ran was flat and I only managed 2:11 and 10 long days of sore stiff legs. 2yrs Later i have learned there has been positive growth as a runner and i my HM is now 1:25. So yeah, you keep doing what you do and i know you gonna run times you didn't think you would ever achieve. Like my recent 5km in mid Feb was 17:49. Ask me 1ry ago if thought I could do a Sub19min 5km, i promise you the answer would be NO!! So now I am waiting to see you do the full marathon and may i suggest on the journey there some parkruns where you do a fullsend and at least 1 10km and a 15km where you do a fullsend. Really push hard. I would love to see this. Who knows you might even start to surprise your coach and maybe even start training together 😉🤙. Love it and congrats once again 🤙

[@ilariae346]

I love Phily’s hair it’s adorable

[@ToniPalmer-bw5pg]

Well done Daniel, you smashed it.

[@DanielMoves]

Thank you!! 🙏🏼

[@runwithfester]

Well done dude

[@CatsAreTheBestPeople-mm1fo]

Well done, Daniel. 👍 You're right, who designs a course where the uphill is at the end?! Bonkers! 😂 I'm running my first half-marathon next weekend. It definitely won't be sub-2hrs, but at least the hill climb is around the right way. 😉

[@diamondgun101]

Atta boy, Daniel! ❤