Me running a race in the mid 1980’s!!

[Sarakc]

My sister came across this photo of me running in an organised race many years ago!!

I’ve only ever run in 2 races in my life and I’m not even sure which one it is!!

I ran in the Belfast women’s mini marathon 10 K in 1983! My older brother was really into running at that time and he got me into it! I remember going out on training runs with him and he’d go off ahead!! I remember the race vaguely! I had a wee sprint at the end and apparently did it in 54 minutes!! (He told me recently! All I could remember was that I’d run a race in Belfast and got a medal!! A photo of me wearing it exists but we can’t find it!! ) I have the medal though! Very non bling like compared to today’s medals!!

The other race was The Sunday Times fun run in Hyde Park! (I was nurse training then)I think that’s the photo! I remember doing it but no details at all!! Back then I wasn’t interested in times or pace!! Anyway I didn’t run again for another 30 years or so!!! Enjoying it much more now I’m happy to say!! 😀

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Looking young, fast and very fit, Sara! 54 mins was a great 10k pace. 😊🏃‍♀️❤️

It’s amazing how much running has changed even in the last few years. My now super competitive speedy OH was telling me the other day that he only ran slowly a few years ago, as with none of the new smart phones / apps etc he’d really no idea how far he’d run anyway! Now armed with GPS and phone, and off to Parkrun each weekend, and he’s turned into a running monster! 😂

[Sarakc Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Aw thank you! 😀

I remember my brother having a digital watch which seemed very modern at the time and he used to time his runs! He doesn’t run now and I was telling him how he’d love a GPS watch and Strava etc! Ha ha! Not sure he was convinced! Things were better in the good old days he thinks!! 😀😂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Nice photo of you back then in the mid 80's Sarakc, 54 minutes is a very good time for a 10K. In 1986 I was at an athletic meeting which my late wife was officiating, she was one of those people you see standing at the finishing line with a watch timing the athletes. The person who rings the bell for the last lap of the 800, 1500, 3000 and 5000 metres had not turned up so they asked me to ring the bell for those races, it was my 40th birthday, every time I watch a athletic meeting on TV and see the person who rings the bell for the last lap it reminds me of that day I rang the bell.

[Sarakc Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Aw thank you!! I always think the 80’s were only about 20 years ago!!Goodness it must have been such a responsibility timing the athletes!! And quite exciting to ring the lap bell!! I hadn’t really noticed someone did that!! 😀

[ancientrunner Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

I'm green with envy - I'd love to ring that bell.

[ancientrunner Graduate10]

Great picture. You look really strong and fit.

[Sarakc Graduate10 in reply to ancientrunner]

Aw thank you!! 😀

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

What a fabulous pic...

[Sarakc Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you!! I was very surprised to see it and hardly recognised myself!! 😀