The Great South Winds

[Dexy5]

We looked at the weather forecast for Southsea parkrun: less than 5% chance of rain , Wind WSW 20 mph gusting 35 mph. UpTheStanley decided that as he’d run a fast 10 miles on a windy Wednesday, he’d volunteer as a marshal today. But Earlier in the week, I had talked Oldgirlruns to run instead of volunteering, so I had to run.

I decided to just go for it on the outward leg with the wind behind me, and I kept overtaking people. We seemed to reach the turning cone very quickly. But wow, what a difference that wind makes when running into it. It wasn’t so bad when I was running in a group because it was slightly deflected and I cheered on OldGirl as I saw her running towards me. I managed to catch up with a 70 year old 100 Parkrun T-shirt I know. But once he saw me he stepped it up a notch and left me for dust. Once I was on my own and getting the full force of the gusts during the 4th km it was much tougher and I did take a walking break following a warning on my watch that HR was more than 170bpm. Approaching the pier in the 5th km, UTS was shaking his tambourine and generally making himself heard, so I thought I should get running again. Once out of sight, I took another little walk, and then I ran towards the finish line, sprinting in at the end as I heard other runners chasing me. What fun we had! And it’s all good practice for the Great South Run .

This was my first run in my lovely new red parkrun shirt and the first for OldGirl in her volunteer shirt. She did absolutely brilliantly and I’m sure she is looking forward to running a parkrun without the wind, as her graduation run was exactly the same.

Strava said I ran my fastest parkrun 1 mile and 2 mile (mainly on the outward leg), and I was the fastest (and only) runner in my age group. 😂😂. As usual, breakfast for 5 followed with Mr (running) & Mrs (volunteering) Coddfish .

Photo credit to UpTheStanley

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Don’t we look smart Dexy!! I’ve posted on the Couch side. And it’s still windy!.....

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Our new uniforms 😂

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

🤣

[David_G]

Sounds like a good time was had by all!🙂 I’m doing the Bournemouth HM next Sunday in similar conditions (according to the forecast anyway) so I’ll have be wary I think and not go too fast with the wind 💨 😳🏃‍♂️👍

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

I’d take full advantage of it David. 😂😂. Hopefully the wind will reduce next week. I wish you and the rest of your c25k graduate group all the best on that one. It’s a beautiful area to run in too.

[David_G in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5, I’ll bear that in mind!😊 I’ll post on here once it’s all done and dusted!🙂👍

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

You guys are looking mighty fine in your milestone t-shirts!

Kudos for you for getting out and running in those conditions. It is great preparation for GSR because you just don't know what race day will bring you weatherwise. I try to get out and do training runs in all conditions so I'm ready for anything. It doesn't necessarily make it easier on race day but it allows you to test some gear and makes you feel like a bad @$$ for running in crappy weather 😆

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks Allie, I have stood and cheered runners in the GSR since I moved here 24 years ago and we’ve had it all. The worst scenario for me is wind and torrential rain, but last year surprised everyone with hot sunshine and no wind at all.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Oooo love those fab teeshirts ladies! 😍 I ran my 40th today, so not long now! 👍

Yes it was mighty blowy today wasn’t it? I did Severn Bridge and, like you, I ran my fastest outward stretch even though it’s mostly uphill, as the wind was in our favour - turned round and my 3rd km was my slowest as it was a full on headwind and lashing rain! Brilliant fun though, like you said! 🏃‍♀️💦💨👍

I hope the GSR is kind to us! If not, we know we can run in wind so we’ll smash it anyway! 👊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

We’ll be our best at the GSR and that’s the main thing. We had a Severn Bridge tourist today but she was out bid by an Australian. She beat me.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Severn Bridge gets so many tourists each week. 😀 I’ve really taken to it, and I have a feeling I’ll get a PB there before too long. It just suits me somehow. Can’t wait for the 10k there next year (bit of a wait though - August!) 😅

The GSR will be such an incredible experience - our biggest races yet! I’m still pinching myself that I’m even doing such a run! 😀

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Great photos, nice shirts you two! That wind can be a pain in the posterior when it isn’t an advantage on it. Well done coping with it and congratulations on the PBs too.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank UNM

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Well done to you both! 😊🏃‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61

[Coddfish Graduate10]

I think I made a tactical mistake in volunteering this morning so I could run when the wind had reduced. Tomorrow’s wind now looks even worse. Probably better than trying to run a marathon in Doha though. Well done to you and Oldgirlruns in staying upright this morning. Classic Great South Run conditions.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks Coddfish, you’ll have to run it all with the wind behind you and then get Mr Coddfish to pick you up at the end.

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

We have been known to plant a car at the RNLI, put the other near the cathedral, run to the RNLI then return to Manna for breakfast. They do a nice toasted banana bread with honey.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Running just keeps giving 😂

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Oops! But just think how good you’ll feel when it’s all over. Apart from shattered that is....! Good luck!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Two great photos of you in your 50 Parkrun T Shirt and Oldgirlruns in her 25 times volunteer T Shirt, glad you enjoyed your run today despite the wind, no parkrun for me today but I'll be back next Saturday. 😊 🏃

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al .

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Love the t-shirt. Not sure I like the sound of the wind though. Well done on a good run

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks Baddie- you too can have a T-shirt like this....

Apparently running against the wind is good hill training so it makes up for ours being a very flat course.

[Chris141 Graduate10]

Well done to the Southsea Mafia!! LOL

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Chris141]

Thank you Chris of Harlow. I see you were tourist at Southampton today. I’ll pop over for a read.

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Ooh nice shirts Dexy & OG! And excellent running in the wind today - where did you get that sunshine from??? I’m looking forward to wearing my shiny new 50 for the first time at Lyme Park (still no apricots in my size grrrr....) 👏👏👏

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

I think the wind blew all the clouds away so the sun shone brightly. Tomorrow is not looking quite so good though. Enjoy that red shirt. I didn’t realise there was a problem with the apricots.

[Bridget007]

Wow 😮 50 park run t shirt! Where has the time gone? I’m nowhere near that! You have done so amazingly well 🏃🏼‍♀️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

I’m just a parkrun junkie Bridget. 😂 😂 it’s amazing how quickly time has gone though. 17 months since graduation for me.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

Are you going a Santa run again this year?

[Bridget007 in reply to Dexy5]

I think I was just behind you on graduation 🎓 but you have done amazingly! I was just talking about the Santa run today 🎅🏻 I am definitely going to do it again I loved it last year ... are you doing it ... you were allowed to be a mrs Claus 🤶🏻 weren’t you 🤶🏻

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

Yes I think I will because my friend Oldgirlruns wants to do it having watched us do it last year. I think I will wear the same outfit this year as it still seems to be in one piece. Our Santa run isn’t along the seafront this year though, which is a great shame.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

You and Oldgirlruns both look great in your t-shirts - not long till I get my 50! Double tick yesterday at Lakeside as I ran and also did car park marshal - bit breezy but nothing like you! 🌪😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks JP - 4 more weeks to go for you. Are you going to dress up? Our numbers were down as I think some sought shelter at lakeside. I noticed you got exactly the same position this week that you did last week. Clever!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

That's very observant - even I hadn't noticed that! No I think I'll give dressing up a miss!😋

[Carowood Graduate10]

Sounds like you all had a great time.

I was luckier with the wind, as I was at Sewerby parkrun and there was only light wind 💨 which this time seemed to be helping along the cliff edge! I have only done 3 so far but look forward to reaching your lofty heights!

You looked very smart as well!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Carowood]

Running along a cliff edge sounds a bit scary, you wouldn’t want the wind to be blowing you off it.

Only 18 months ago I had just started c25k and many of my peer group have gone on to run half marathons, so you are on a magical mystery tour. I will be the first to admit that parkrun is my favourite run of the week. I enjoy seeing how everyone gets on each week and it’s good to volunteer occasionally too. The purple shirt is my next target .

Happy running

[Couchpotato2]

Well done for winning your age category lovely photo of you in your tshirts!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

It’s not hard when you are the only one who turns up on the day 😂

[Couchpotato2 in reply to Dexy5]

I know but I’d just being on being first

[Run46 Graduate10]

Haha, loving the hair styles when facing into and away from the wind 😆...sounds like you had fun with it, apart from the one bit where your heart nearly burst out of your chest 😳

Glad you guys enjoyed your run, and breakfast 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️👍

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Run46]

Yes I don’t know what happened with my fringe. I tied my hair into a pony tail during the run or I wouldn’t have seen a thing. I’ve noticed before that running in the wind raises my HR but I didn’t get to the stage of needing the defibrillator.

[Run46 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank the lord for that 😆