My fellow runners have already posted about their adventures yesterday. So here I am to add my own version.
I have been watching the GSR for many years as it is on my doorstep, and I’ve cheered on everyone from elite runners, club runners, to fancy dress runners and those doing it for charity or in memory of loved ones. I had never even considered doing it myself as I couldn’t run, I wasn’t built for running, it just wasn’t my bag. One day, a friend from Pilates who was over 70, announced she was doing it and I was amazed. It was 2 years ago, there was a westerly gale, and I gave her a hug along the route as we cheered her on. I then saw the Santa run and started to think running looked fun. I was 60 years old.
So c25k followed and I found I was a runner, I loved it and I went from W1 R1, and juju’s magic plan to running 10 miles within 18 months. Many I started with have gone on to half marathons and marathons. I have been encouraged and supported by the lovely people on the HealthUnlocked forums. I’ve also had the privilege of meeting some VRBs at parkruns and races around the country and they can now be counted as running friends.
So back to the GSR. I was so nervous/excited about the run that I didn’t sleep well the week before the run, especially the night before. I was feeling all sorts of niggles during my short tapering runs, my shoes/socks didn’t feel right and I was wondering if I’d complete 10 miles. Even during the warm up, I was questioning myself and my joints. I think only Coddfish was more nervous than me.
cheekychipmunks and I decided to start together and see how we got on. Once we got running of course everything was fine and I was pointing out various places of interest along the route. We almost caught up with the 2hr 5 min pacemaker but decided we would need to slow if we wanted to complete the 10 miles. We were cheered on by the people of Portsmouth and charity groups over most of the course, children were holding out their hands for low fives and jelly babies were on offer everywhere. We passed unicorns , riot police and convicts, and a military group carrying a very heavy pole. The atmosphere was brilliant . We got to see our fantastic local drummers who always support these events, twice on the route. There was a bagpipe band, a vintage 40s group, a very good tribute of the spice girls, the local Rock choir, and a great band outside our local pub . People were stood outside the hostelries with pints in hand giving us a cheer. This is the sort of thing you miss when you are just watching in particular spots. I was so proud of my city and it’s people. Oldgirlruns , who is a great friend, was there to cheer us on at the start, midpoint and the finish, who could ask for more? I had decided that my mantra would be to complete , not compete on this run. It was more important to take it all in and enjoy hearing my name being called by complete strangers. There were four 🎵 🎶 come on Eileen 🎶 🎵 calls which always make me smile. The most emotional moment was coming across a young female lance corporal in full combat uniform with what I think was a medic’s pack on her back, running in memory of a colleague lost in combat. I touched her shoulder and said well done and saw tears in her eyes. It still brings tears to mine remembering that moment. She should feel very proud of herself. I am sorry I didn’t stay with her for longer.
Cheeky kept going as I slowed down for water or nutrition or to give my legs a rest but I managed to catch up with her again each time. On the 13th kilometre I realised that I had gone ahead of her as she was slowing a bit, having been stronger than me up til then. I had my physio’s voice in my ears that if my ITB hurts, not to run through the pain as it is a warning. I was beginning to get achy hip joints and a few niggles on the outside of my knees. I made a much needed diversion into the WCs before the final strait along the seafront, and assumed that cheeky would now be ahead of me.
I then did a mixture of walking and running, overtaking the many who were just walking at this stage, and managed a sort of sprint finish as Sandie1961 , UpTheStanley and OldGirlRuns cheered me in. I crossed the finish line and looked at my watch, surprised that I was within my entry time of 2 hr 15 mins ( my watch auto paused in the loo 😉). I promptly cried as I walked up to collect my medal and T-shirt, for this has been an incredible journey.
As I got to the exit, UpTheStanley was there to give me a big hug and I cried again, so glad that he has been by my side all the way. ( well maybe a bit ahead)
We joined the others and cheered on everyone who followed, including the RN chaps carrying heavy dummies on their shoulders, police pulling a police car and dear Coddfish who stuck with it to the bitter end despite having to walk after a slip on a clif gel block and being in pain. Such resilience.
Finally, if you haven’t fallen asleep already, I thank you all on these forums for the support you have given me. This running thing has been a changing moment in my life and something I will always be grateful for. This is my favourite t-shirt and bling too.
Written by
Dexy5
Graduate10
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Hi Dexy5, sounds like you had a great run!🏃♀️👍 This running lark changes our lives for the better and it’s fantastic to see so many people out there these days.
Thanks for a lovely post as ever, and for the support and inspiration you give to many of us on here😊👏👏
I’ve got a lump in my throat reading this dear Dexy. We all ran the same route but all with different reasons and different emotions. I too am so grateful to this wonderful site and all of you who supported that decision 18 months ago to start C25k despite thinking I would never be able to run 5k. VRBs becoming genuinely dear real RBs is fantastic xx
And your journey will continue Sandie as you keep getting faster and take part in HMs. This is definitely my max distance but I will watch in awe as you all keep moving on. See you in Stratford. 😁
Running does touch something deep inside doesn’t it? Especially when there are friends around to share the moment, “friends” including all of the other runners Marshall’s et al. A fantastic weekend to look back on. Great run and thoughtful reflection Dexy5. 👏👏👏👏👏🥇😊
Thanks Dexy5. Always a wonderful supportive team whether actual or virtual😊. Wondering whether to venture out and join a group which does head torch lit evening trail runs locally. Sounds fun; must be very steep though 🤔
Ooh interesting. I ran an evening race on St. George’s day last year but got out of the woods before it got completely dark. I was covered in misuse bites so won’t be repeating that.
Well it’s all been said before but I totally agree with everything you said Dexy. It was a fabulous day and I’m still pinching myself - we ran 10 miles amongst 20,000 other people. What a day. 👍 Thanks for running with me too! I was good and didn’t misjudge the start pace like at the Bristol 10k! I was proud to stick with you for 13k. 😀
What an inspiring post from you, lovely photo of you and Cheeky as well, brought a tear to my eye especially the part you told about meeting the runner who was running for a colleague lost in combat and you in tears being hugged at the end by UTS, congratulations.
LOL, no I didn't fall asleep reading your post, I was watching it on TV, I saw that police car being towed by the men, just shows what people do to run for a charity.
Thanks Al, I’m glad you got to watch it on the TV, and everyone’s posts added a bit more info. I
We went for a brisk walk for a celebration breakfast in our beach cafe but I’m afraid I haven’t felt up to a short leg stretch jog as suggested bu Oldfloss . Tomorrow I think. Just some stretching indoors today.
Not yet sadly but I really had to fight the urge to run yesterday. Instead I walked 5 miles but found a great new place to run. It’s about half an hour drive but will be perfect. In fact I did a 5k fun run there a few weeks ago but as it was in the dark I couldn’t appreciate how lovely it was!!
It has only been one week but I am feeling a bit better. Last week I had a sports massage and went to yoga. I am going to yoga again this evening and then for a 2hr hip opening yoga session on Friday evening. It ends with Prosecco and chocolate so I couldn’t resist!!
On Saturday it will be two weeks so I will make a plan to ease myself back in. Really looking forward to it.
Thank you so much Oldfloss. Your snail badge accompanied me and kept me and cheeky on course, i was proud to be joined by such lovely VRBs.
I had the best nights sleep ever and did wake up with stiffness and didn’t think I could put my body through a 1k jog , but a brisk walk to the seafront has helped. You wouldn’t have known that yesterday happened. I’m glad there were witnesses else it could have been a dream.
Many congratulations on an epic event and indeed a wonderful report of it. The only bit I didn’t understand was how there could be a very good tribute of the spice girls, but life throws up the odd paradox 🤪. I too have seen this run from outside a pub once or twice, including as it happens 1997! If I ever find my passport and the visa hasn’t expired it’s one that I should run.
You definitely should return to run it UNM. You could have a pint at the Eastney Tavern en route too. The tribute band sounded better than the spice girls 🤣🤣
Yeah, if I hadn’t moved so often I wouldn’t be drawn to quite so many runs. Although, so far, I haven’t felt to pull to go take in the heat of Texas and a run... can’t see that ever happening on the same trip!
Either sounds ideal, I do 10k without water anyways!
As for the rest of the list, that could be best taken in as a walk around the course the day after!
I had tears in my eyes reading that dexy and I was disappointed when I got to the end. “It’s finished ALREADY?” What a fantastic run and what an amazing journey to get here. I’m so proud and pleased for you 😘
Aw Dexy what an emotional run in many ways. But you did it! Many congratulations to you and very well done. How lovely to meet up with all your running buddies too 🙂
All in all, a magic moment day with lots of special memories 🤗
I will just do a 1k to stretch out but then nothing till parkrun. I ache where my legs join hips at the front. Calves and Achilles seem to have recovered . Is Mr Coddfish feeling better?
Many congratulations dear Dexy.👍🎉😀 I know you have been looking forward to this for some time - but also with some apprehension! Well you have certainly achieved your objective in style - only sorry I couldn't be there to see you and other Forum buddies finish. 😢
Looking forward to our next meet-up at Lakeside this Saturday!
Im looking forward to it too JonathanP, I should be parkrun ready by then,. If not I’ll walk it. I will be showing off my new shirt! Along with others I suspect.
Ah Dexy that brought tears to my eyes too! What an amazing run you’ve had! A wonderful post and a wonderful runner! Congratulations and well done! 🤗🤗❤️
More tears here Dexy! Brilliant just brilliant! Like some one else has said it has been very special reading different reports from a number of runners. am so pleased for you and smiling inanely as I type. Fantastic! Brilliant! Superb! You didi it!!
Thank you dear over61. Recovery has been quicker than I expected, but my first run will test that. I am smiling whenever I think about it - never thought I would run that far.
I'm smiling thinking of you smiling! I also thought of you as I ran 6km today. How brilliant you are! 6km seemed plenty far enough and you did 16km!!!!!!!!!!!
It really is crazy and i’m loving it, for me i huff and puff for Willow he limps if we go to fast or too far, the lungs get stronger and with strength and flex Willows knees get stronger so maybe one day
What a wonderful read, it brought tears to my eyes. Well done on your amazing journey. I have loved reading all the different reports from the GSR. You were all brilliant 👏🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🍾🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Ahh, what a lovely race report. Despite pre-race nerves you make the race itself sound like a perfectly relaxed - if slightly emotional - affair. Congratulations on such an amazing running journey 👏👏👏
Thank you Linda. Running alongside cheeky helped a lot. Also I think being a regular parkrunner makes you appreciate the support and the marshals. Not sure about relaxed - it was certainly a tough distance for me, but I wasn’t worried about the time it took to get to the finish line. I just wanted to finish without injury.
I agree about the marshals and volunteers; having volunteered yourself - it makes you want to catch everyone's eye and thank them. The smile you then get back in return gives you another little boost
Thanks. UpTheStanley has run all his (long) life but he has been a great support during c25k and beyond. I think he’s as impressed by c25k as I am. ⚠️ there’s a lot to catch up on after this weekend, but I think it’s mainly on the marathon forum.
Lovely report Dexy. I know how much this run meant to you - crossing that line must have felt so so special! 👍🙂 You have been such a support and inspiration to so many of us on this forum and I am so happy that you had such a fab day! Well done!👏👏👏👏🏃🏽♀️🏅🙂 Finally, yes Portsmouth should be proud of hosting such a great event.👍
Nice one Dexy! I’m proud of what you’ve achieved in such a short time, never mind how you must feel!! I’ll buy the cake next time- you definitely deserve it!
aw thanks Chris, and I’m sure that you are also inspiring others with your own journey. Sub 30 parkrun (which is my new target😉) and 7.5 miles so far. Well done you too.
I liked the black one (2017?) but thought grey was a bit boring last year. Indigo this year will suit most people I think. I might even wear it to Pilates today as the class seemed to be dedicated to my race last week. 😂
So great to read this. Congratulations. What a run and what a post! I still have not reached 10k yet but you are so right about what the body can do. I'll take my inspiration from you!
I wish you well gwenllian1. You’ve done so well so far so you never know what you can do until you try. I certainly didn’t think I could do this 2 years ago
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