A chilly morning when we arrived at the Brockenhurst marathon village 2 hours before our race. Apparently, there was a frost overnight, so it was a bit nippy for those runners who had camped for the event. But the forecast was warm and sunny so opted for shorts, not leggings. I should have opted for a vest instead of a T-shirt too.
Those 2 hours went quickly with a loo queue, watching the marathon runners set off, leaving our rucksacks at the baggage tent and another loo queue, just to be sure. The half marathon runners were doing a warm up and then set off. So we took our place in the warm up area. UpTheStanley went to the 45-60 minute group and I joined the over 60 min “leisurely pace??!!” run group. The warm up was great fun with lots of star jumps, lunges, and squats included. The 3 waves were then led one by one to the start line. I started chatting to a young girl next to me who was also on her own and very nervous. Then the start line appeared and we all took off, I started my watch, and my fellow runner disappeared at full speed.
Stanley and I had walked the course on Friday, before picking up our race packs, so I knew about the terrain starting with narrow stoney paths and hard packed earth, with occasional holes. I also spent the walk removing large chunks of dead wood from the running path, much to Stanley’s amusement.
Before we had done the first 2k, we were called to a stop as several New Forest ponies cantered through the trees across our path. They are so beautiful and they had foals amongst them. Auto pause on my watch meant that enjoying that special moment wouldn’t count against my Garmin time!
A water stop with scouts holding out paper cups at 2.8k and disposal bins shortly after. We had been warned that dropping cups or gel wrappers outside the zone would result in disqualification.
There were amusing notices “Run (New) Forest Run”. “Beware Snakes - Run Faster” and others along the route. In fact the signage throughout the course was excellent with different colours for each running group’s directions. The km markers didn’t agree with Mr Garmin but at least it was going to be more than 10k , not less.
There was a short piece of road running where we merged with other distance runners. Although it was busier, I was able to relax more on the tarmac, not having to look out for stones and holes. But then it was back into the Forest on our own again. The path took us to a choice of bridge or ford but I knew there wasn’t much water in the ford so took the easier faster route without getting my feet wet, overtaking quite a few people in the process. The woodland paths were shaded and cooler, and soft underfoot but tree roots had to be dodged. I called out a tree stump in the middle of the path and fellow runners thanked me, as they hadn’t seen it. We heard later that their had been a few falls or slips today. I was fairly happy with my pace and pleased that my breathing was good. It wasn’t until the last 2k that I started to get a niggle on the outside of my left knee. So at the next water point I walked a little. Then picked it up again. I tried running slower, but found that running normal speed with the occasional short walk worked best. We then came to the polo club so it was a grass field run and then back into the race village running up the final funnel . People I don’t know shouting my name helped me so much as I really could have stopped at that point. Stanley cheered me on and I knew I was nearly there. Stop the Garmin. Pick up water, medal, banana and goody bag. Stretch. It was hot and that New Forest water didn’t last long.
My official time was 1:14:43 compared io the Bristol 10k time of 1:14:20, which given the terrain and the stop for ponies I’m very happy with. But Mr Garmin measured my route as 10.24 km and my 10k time was 1:12:57 a PB for 10k.
It was great. It was brilliantly organised, and well marshalled . Local Air Cadets, Army Cadets, Police Cadets, Scouts and Brownies were tasked with different jobs around the course and they did so well. There was a festival atmosphere with local musicians on stage and lots of food on sale to eat at the picnic benches, not to mention the bar.
An added bonus was meeting up with Granspeed and her husband as they waited for their daughter to complete her marathon. She is lucky enough to live close enough to run in the forest regularly.
Thanks to SlowLoris for posting about this event which prompted us to enter just before entries closed. Sorry we didn’t catch up with you. I looked out for the knees!
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Dexy5
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That sounds amazing, great run report and I can only imagine the atmosphere. Well done, if you didn’t have to stop for the horses you would have your official 10K PB time, but I would take your Garmin time as your PB time. Congratulations.
Thanks damienair. I am used to seeing the beautiful ponies on the heath grazing but I have never seen them stampeding before and we were so close . I can only guess they got twitched by runners elsewhere in the Forest. They limit runners to 5000 on the day so that disturbance to wildlife is limited.
Well done for signing for your first race Beachcomber66- it is really special. This was mostly flat; just a few gentle slopes and the ford to add some interest. Running through woods and then heathland was lovely too. The logo for the run is a running shoe tread so the bling shows the running shoes as trees - very clever.
What fun! Sounds like a lovely run although the thought of bears nearly put me off until I read your post I’m getting race (or is it medal) envy. In any case well done to you both!!
I think the bears were a joke. 🤣🤣 But most of the ponies, deer and snakes stayed well away from us. A lady from our local running shop which had a sales tent there, camped overnight and said that when she put her head out in the morning a flock of deer were on the camp site. Magic.
Wow that would have been lovely. I think I'd have to practice camping before camping with a run the next day. the last few times I felt a bit stiff after (both!). I need a system to remember the races so I can put them in my diary ...
Thanks cheeky , the knee thing has been happening at the end of my longer runs but not as early as 8k before. It’s fine when I walk. I will see my physio though as I’d hate for it to happen this early at the GSR.
The photo was after Chris had downed his pint of real ale. 🤪🍺
Great post from you Dexy5, lovely photo of you and UptheStanley, always a bit of a problem if the official time is a little different from the time on your Garmin, could make the difference between a PB etc, go for the Garmin PB time, which reminds me that I got a PB of 32.01 there on Saturday at parkrun, happy about that as you are about yours, well done.
Regarding 10K's, I am planning to run another on Wednesday morning around the loch where I ran my first 10K two weeks ago.
Thanks Al, I’ve no problems with the timing. Ordnance Survey track the distance so the official time is for the race. But nice to get a best 10k on garmin too, a great surprise too.
Well done on your parkrun PB too, you are catching me up.
Lovely report, Dexy. 👏🏼 And great fun to meet up with you and UTS yesterday. My first meet-up with VRBs! You both did brilliantly and I totally agree about the atmosphere. See you there next year for the Half? 🏃🏼♀️🏃🏻♂️ (Maybe I will brave the 5K....🤔).
It was a great atmosphere Granspeed. I was so impressed with the organisation and the community spirit. You should do the 5k next year. How did your daughter get on? There were lots of limping people wearing yellow ribbons on their medals. No HM for me - I know my limits 😂😂
She and her friend finished! Not sure of time but I took a little video as they ran in and they managed to smile & wave. 😄👏🏼🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️ Not too stiff today, she reports, and pleased with the bath salts we brought back from Provence for the occasion. 🤣
Oh that does sound a nice one Dexy. I got a bit confused as it said on the calendar it was on Tuesday, which I thought was an odd day! Yesterday was a lovely day for a run so I can imagine it was gorgeous in the New Forest and interesting terrain too. Well done on your time!
Thanks Tailchaser, I might have been better off in trail shoes like Stanley so I may have to do some investigation. It was September weather where if the sun was out it was hot and when it went in the breeze was cool. Lucky the trees gave shade for a lot of the run.
Sounds like a well-organised and lovely run (and day) Dexy. Congratulations on your PB - I would definitely take that!😋 Great being able to meet up with Granspeed too!
Yes today has been a bit of a washout - luckily I managed to get out just before 8 for a sneaky intervals 5k so avoided it. Sunny and 20° again by Saturday though☀️👍
The pics of the pony at the waters edge and the sign were taken on the Friday walk. We also saw a a deer and a vole munching on a mushroom that day. 🦌🐎🐀🚶♀️🚶♂️
A great run report Dexy - sounds like a fab course! Trail routes are my favourite but you do have to keep an eye out for so many potential trip hazards!😮 The New Forest ponies are beautiful aren't they? Well done on your great time too - all going in the right direction! 👍
No run report from my local 10k sadly due to feeling poorly during the night. I'm afraid I slept in instead 😴while my OH went off early and got himself a new PB! Never mind, more bling to be earned next month hopefully and I did go out and pound out a few miles later on.🏃🏽♀️ Happy running!🙂
There is a local 10k and 8 mile race in October , but I’m wondering if I should just do training now, rather than pay for another race. I don’t want to overdo things as 10 miles is a new distance for me.
Thank you. I'm not sure about Superstar over61, I did find it quite hard with not being used to trails. But it was enjoyable too. I was asking myself why I'd signed up for a 10 mile race when 10k is enough of a challenge. But I am sure if I slow down I shall get there.
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I’m getting race (or is it medal) envy. In any case well done to you both!!
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