Olympic Park anniversary 5 mile run done!

[Poppy2010]

Well, that was emotional! After dragging daughter out of bed after 3 hours sleep we made our way to Stratford to the Olympic Park; met my son (who had parked in a Hackney side street having found the diversion signs went round in circles; then ran to meet us so probably ran more than 5 miles!)

Sat in the stadium before the muster time; and got all teary and emotional; it just felt that I have come so far since 8 months ago, and have made huge steps to a healthier future.

Set off very near the back of the Pinks; slow start as there was lots of bottle necks; which was probably a good thing for some people! Decided I didn't need the portaloos or the trees as some did near the start; ran all the way(except for bottle necks) keeping a quite steady pace for me; got to just before the 4 mile sign & had to use the loo, even though I had wee'd 4 times already! Nasty loo, no lock, no light, stinking but boy was it needed! Set off again, passed lots of people, back into rhythm quickly; down into the underneath of the stadium hearing the crowd, passed loads of people walking in the cool; onto the track and the noise! Wow! Clapped the crowd and searched until I found daughter and son, big waves to them, more tears for 100m then into a bit of a sprint for the last 100m....

Came in at 10781st in 1 hour 2 minutes and 8 seconds! Might of broken the hour if I hadn't had to stop; but there's always next time!

[AliB1 Graduate]

Well done, it was hot out there! Think wherever you started there were quite a few bottlenecks!

How fab was it running on the track..I am still smiling

[Greg_M Graduate in reply to AliB1]

Ali, darn, I was there too! What a cool thing that was. When would we get another chance to run the Olympic track?

Apparently I was on the big screen not taking part in the communal warm up! Bah, happy jumpy bloke with microphone

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to AliB1]

I'm still proudly smiling too! It was brilliant entering the stadium to all those cheers, just went so quickly though!

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to Poppy2010]

This post was in reply to AliB but won't post on her bit! Greg, can't imagine I will ever run there unless they do this run again, then I would definitely apply!

[Greg_M Graduate in reply to Poppy2010]

I did hear they might do it again next year, not sure running around West Ham's ground has the same cache though

I'll still try to get in if they do!

[BettyJane Graduate]

Well done. Would have loved to have been fit enough to run. Once I'm fit again I'll sign up for something to aim for.

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to BettyJane]

Sorry you didn't make it this year, maybe next?

[dottiemay Graduate]

Well done everyone! What a great morning. I didn't find it too, too hot although it certainly was humid and I was very glad of the mist shower! First mile was very slow due to the bottlenecks but thrilled to bits with 52:50 nevertheless! 108th in my age group!

And I managed to run the whole thing! I was determined...but wasn't sure....

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to dottiemay]

That is a fantastic time! I wasn't happy when the sun popped out but it listened to me saying 'No, go away!' and went back in! I enjoyed the mist shower, too! I ran all the way too, remembered to listen to Greenlegs advice of 'slow and steady and thanked her as I ran towards the track!

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Wasn't it great - and the weather was kind to us. Have just checked my time 57.50 - the best yet- must have been that sprint at the end.

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

That's a great time, well done! I can see I have training to do to get quicker!

[Crismatlotta Graduate]

Well done you! What an achievement!

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to Crismatlotta]

Thanks! Seems unbelievable really!

[Tati Graduate]

Well done everyone who did it. What a fantastic experience. I entered the ballot but didn't get tickets. I took my son, who's disabled, to the Paralympics and we had such a fantastic time that I would have loved to have been able to go back but this time have him see me taking part there. We didn't get to see inside the stadium either. Does anyone know if they plan to make this an annual event? I'd love to do it.

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to Tati]

Hi Tati! I hope they make it an annual event as my daughter has been inspired by me (so she says) and has just finished week 5 C25k and wants to run it next year with me! I didn't get to see any of the sports last year as I was working 12 hour shifts covering the Olympics, but did get to see around outside the buildings between the Olympics and Paralympics... It was a fantastic day!