Everyone else has written brilliant posts on the Race Support Forum but here is version 4 and I’ve put it on the Bridge Forum to give those on the journey to 10k an inkling of the excitement of a 10k race!
I have been wanting to do the Severn Bridge 10k for years, having read many race reports by cheekychipmunks on the HU forum . Well this year the stars aligned and UpTheStanley and I entered as soon as we could. Hotel room booked and then waited for the big day. Then Katnap and TailChaser jumped in to join in the Half Marathon , and booked into the same hotel. We had another friendly meet up to look forward to.
Cheeky had kindly collected our race numbers on Saturday and handed them out when we met in a village pub that evening, so when she picked us up at 7.00 on Sunday we were all ready to go.
There was a sharp intake of breath as we approached the Severn Bridge as the signs started saying “Bridge Closed” earlier than expected! Brave Cheeky kept going and we got to the bridge before they completely closed the access with cones. Phew!
We parked in an industrial estate and walked up a hill to a green park. Great music, plenty of portaloos, and an air of anticipation. We briefly met Week7 while I was going through pre-race and baggage drop faffage. Then we were called up a steep bank to the now deserted motorway. Climbing over the crash barrier was not easy for us shorter of leg! I probably ran the whole race with a mucky bum as I had to swing my legs over while sitting on the top.
I said I’d start running with Cheeky as I wasn’t sure how I’d get on, having not run 10k since June for various reasons. We were off and after stepping on the startlng pads, it became more spacious and we were able to run at our own pace, rather than be dragged along at everyone else’s. There is a gradual climb on the bridge, and you could see for miles on either side. Cyclists on the other carriageway cheered us on and we chatted to a Welsh runner who had started C25K before having a kidney transplant this year. She was doing brilliantly and I found out when I came across her later she was now training to work in a transplant department.
I was a bit dubious when I found out we weren’t allowed headphones on the race (even bone conduction) but I think runners were more interactive as a result. Some people played music loudly on their phone but most enjoyed the experience of running on a quiet motorway above the River Severn. The bridge flattened and after about 3k we started going down the other side and I picked up speed , stepping ahead of Cheeky. I saw UTS running in the opposite direction and we waved, and then came across Cheeky again as I doubled back towards the midway water station near the closed motorway services. The marshals were all enthusiastic and supportive. It was then a climb up to the bridge again, I walked a short distance while drinking my water and then dropped the bottle into the last bin as we couldn’t take them on the bridge. The return run was along the closed shared cycle/pedestrian path and I started seeing the HM runners coming along the carriageway. Loud cheers and waving to Katnap and TailChaser. I started overtaking others and came across mothers and daughters, club runners and couples running hand in hand. We then started going down the slope back in Wales and I made the most of running down a steep slope to the underpass. But what goes down must go up and I decided it was quicker and easier to walk up the final uphill (so cruel) than run it. As I got towards the top I started running again and I was sprinting through the funnel with UTS cheering me on, along with all the other supporters, until I reached the finish line. Beautiful medal, bottle of water, banana and a goody bag. And a finish time of 1.16:39, which I was delighted with, considering the lack of training. UTS had run in as 2nd in his age group at 53:11.
All I can say is this race was everything we hoped for and we were so lucky to have perfect running conditions. Cloudy, 14C and a light westerly. The sun came out later which was great for us finishers but probably not so welcome for those on the HM, but then a passing shower while we were in a coffee queue which they probably enjoyed.
After showering and changing at our hotel we then moved on to Mr and Mrs C’s for Sunday roast and apple pie, and meet her lovely family. A great end to a wonderful day
We’ve stayed on to enjoy exploring Bristol for a few days.
Written by
Dexy5
Graduate10
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I've been looking for your race report Dexy5 what a good race you ran, and how lovely to meet up with friends too. Brilliant UpTheStanley getting 2nd in his age group.
Thank you SueAppleRun . It has been a busy few days, but I got there in the end. 😂
UTS did ask a fellow runner if he was in the 70 age group. When he replied he was in the age group below UTS was relieved to know he wouldn’t have to chase him to the end.
I’m so happy you all came this weekend Dexy, and I’m relieved that you all appear to love this race as much as I do. It would have been embarrassing if it hadn’t lived up to my 4 previous years of going on about it! 😅 Fun isn’t it? 😍
Thanks Linda, it hasn’t gone yet but now I’ve proved that running makes it better rather than worse , I’m less worried about future runs, thank goodness. A massage is booked this week so I’m hoping that will help too.
absolutely NOT! 😅 still you just have to suck it up don't you? although when the wind's really bad I'm 'er indoors, but it does make a calm Wellington day extra special.
Brilliant run, photos and report from you Dexy5, well done on that Severn bridge 10K, nice meeting other friends from Healthunlocked especially Cheekychipmunks, enjoy your extended stay in Bristol.
Yes we love the bling. The only problem (for the Katz) was it was exactly the same medal for 10k and HM, unlike New Forest which has a different ribbon for each distance. The 10 is the 10th year race, rather than 10k.
Great experiences are worth waiting for Dexy - particularly when the anticipation bears fruit! I think you're right about the lack of headphones - makes you more part of the community rather than in your own world.
Brilliant post Dexy! Congratulations to both you and UTS on your times.So great to meet up especially at such a special event. RE THE BLING I was unsure if the 10 was for 10 years or 10k and had to wait until I saw photos of the Katz to find out!Hope you enjoy the rest of your break in the area.
Great report Dexy! Fab photos and I love that sign! 🤣 I’ve often said that if I ever have to do a “Paula Radcliffe” then I’ll cover my face otherwise it will be seen everywhere on social media 😱😂
Well done to you and everyone, it sounds a fab day full of lovely happy moments and memories 😍
yes wild pees are definitely for lone runs in a forest when you have no choice. Priority for loos was given to 10k runners before our race, so queuing wasn’t too bad.
Wonderful to read this and I always like reading about race reports and meet ups 💙 What a fabulous run from you, that'll be a really good confidence booster. Congratulations too forUpTheStanley on his superb run and time. Best wishes to you both 😊
I’ve loved reading these Severn Bridge race reports, and yours is no exception Dexy. It was clearly a memorable and wonderful day out. And what about those times?! Fantastic. UTS must also be chuffed with his! Fabulous. Well done to you all. 👍👏👏👏
Thanks Brian, your posts aren’t so long after all. 🤣🤣 UTS was very pleased to be 2nd as there was no way he could beaten the 1st guy in about 44 minutes.
I think my 10k event days are over, unfortunately. I wasn’t sure whether I should rebuild past 5k with my artificial hip anyway, but a second year (and ongoing) cancer treatment has definitely called time on it.
Yes, there is a long cut off but it certainly would be tough for you at the moment. The parkrun might be an option at some stage though and you can guarantee cheekychipmunks would be there to cheer you on.
I had been looking in the wrong forum, then thought, go to Dexy and posts. Easy when you remember to think.
How good is must have felt to have been able to complete the 10km following back trouble and less running than you would have probably chosen. And in that time too. And to have had what sounds like an amazing time running over a motorway bridge over the Severn! And a meet up too! Pretty special I should imagine.
Sorry to confuse you over61andstilltrying , i thought I’d post to a new audience in case the Race support forum got a bit bored with our antics. 🤣🤣
It was so brilliant running along an empty motorway and the views were amazing. I think the break in running must have given me some energy and thankfully my legs hadn’t forgotten how to run 10 K.
Unfortunately, Mr Garmin cannot cope with the elevation when running on a bridge and assumes we are at river level! But Mr Google tells me the road is 47m above mean high tide. It is a nice gentle incline, unlike the mountains you run up and down.
Never bored with your antics! Very pleased your running break gave you energy and you could run 10km. Amazing views score a big plus for me.
I can choose a flatter route, but will lose views and gain traffic. No mountains here!
Well done again😊
I wonder whether you rever listened to part 3 of run with Lopez? Now I have forgotten whether you listened to it as 1 x 90minutes - memory problems oh dear!
Ooh I did listen to the 3rd part over61. I couldn’t wait until the next run so I listened to it while I did the ironing (I had to go into NRC settings to stop the autopause first). An amazing story of Lopez’s epic journey from kidnap to Olympic medalist. Definitely a great listen for a long run.
Believe me, your hills would seem like mountains to me!
Great photos and a really beautiful medal, Dexy!🙂🏅 Well done on this - especially as it was your first 10k in a while. Sounds like a great event too - congrats to the whole gang! 🙂👏👏
Thanks Sandraj39 , yes we were very happy with the medal, but TailChaser and Katnap ’s was the same, despite doing HM. Usually the ribbon would be different, if not the medal.
Yes, I think it’s good to differentiate the medals a little, even if it is just the ribbon.
I’m still on the IC I’m afraid Dexy 😔 although making progress at last!
My physio thinks I have some sort of tendon irritation - which has resulted in the discomfort in my glute, lower back and top of hamstring! That sounds dramatic but in reality the discomfort has moved around the three areas and the main thing it has impacted on is my running! Had a gentle and very short jog when out walking yesterday and everything felt ok - not triggering the deep ‘pull’ I was getting…. However, my physio has said no running for another 4 weeks😱 after which I can return gently! I gather irritated tendons can be slow to settle and she has assured me this is pretty much a normal time frame. So my focus is on all the exercises she has given me to address the weak areas and imbalances that probably left me vulnerable to this in the first place! I hope this will make me a stronger runner!💪
My physio is fab - a runner herself (and similar age to me) who has an interest in running related injuries and has been so helpful in the past, I know I will be back out there soon…ish - and that is all that matters!🙂🏃♀️
She sounds a brilliant physio Sandra, so following her advice is def the way to go. Strengthening exercises are so helpful to running but so easy to forget.
I am still doing physio exercises too. I’ve got a 2 sets of 10 of 5 exercises for the sciatica and 3 sets of 7 of 3 exercises for my shoulder. Every day. It takes a while out of my day but I think they are helping.
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😁😁Graduated Bridge to 10k 😁😁
Off the bridge and inching to 10k
Beginning the bridge to 10k soon
