Great Eastern Run (Peterborough HM): Well, only... - Couch to 5K

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Great Eastern Run (Peterborough HM)

millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8Graduate
28 Replies

Well, only 9 months and 4 days since Run 1 Week 1, and I finally did my first Half Marathon. I was running for BLESMA (The Limbless Veterans) Charity, Hold that thought :)

The day started well, the event was well organised and smoothly run. There was a good warm up with some very fit lady doing aerobics on the stage and everybody was encouraged to join in. I joined my starting time slot (2:30 - 2:45) and waited to set off. The route was a flat run around the streets and suburbs of Peterborough, and along with 5000 others we plodded along.

Something happened at 9 miles that I will never forget, one of the moments I will remember for the rest of my life with pride and a heavy dose of emotion. I was quite happily running along Hi-Fiving the kids and waving to the crowds cheering us on and I heard a rather loud voice shouting "Look BLESMA, Look (name mentioned) its BLESMA", I looked across and there was a young man (late 20's) wearing a regimental T- Shirt and a prothetic leg with a group of spectators, My heart sank as I wandered across and he held his hand out for a Hi-Five and simply said "Thank You, Thank You". He had tears rolling down his face and I could hardly control myself, I started too!!! Welling up now writing this.

Anyway managed to get round in 2:45 (garmin time) and raised £610 for BLESMA.

Only bad thing about the day was they only had size medium T Shirts, I haven't been size medium since Secondary School!!! However an email was sent earlier asking us to provide details and they will send the right size to us.

Great race and I recommend it for a first one, deffo doing next years.

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millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8
Graduate
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28 Replies
poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

I am lost for words , what an amazing post !

This made me well up too , My hubby is ex- service , we owe these brave people sooo much , what a fantastic cause ! They are all heroes ...

Well done Millwalki , a fantastic achievement, you should be very very proud of yourself xxx

millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8Graduate in reply to poppypug

Thanks Pops, I will never forget that :)

Just checked official time 2:45:59 :)

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply to millwalki8

Yay ! Fab ! A sub 3 hours , fantastic !

I am sure this will stay in your memory for a long , long time. You did so so well and at the same time raised a huge amount of money for such a great cause .

You did magnificently , Many Congratulations you Superstar ! :-) xxx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Well done, great time and bling. Great cause too. The atmosphere is so great at some of these events.

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

What an emotional post, sweetie. Very well done on a superb time, running for a great cause. Pops is right, we owe our young service men and women so much.

goonkeepgoing profile image
goonkeepgoingGraduate

Aw gawd - you've got me all emotional now too!!! What an inspirational moment to keep you going and remind you why you were running. To achieve a half marathon within a year of starting is just awesome. To raise all that money too is brilliant. Well done. Be very proud ☺

millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8Graduate

Also decided to stop shaving on holiday back in August, went to work with a bit of growth and somebody threw in how about growing a beard for the race? So I did, this morning I was Uncle Albert (however non of my ships ever sank) this afternoon it took longer to shave/hack it off than the race :)

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply to millwalki8

Ha ha Uncle Albert " During the war ..... " :-)

Does it feel better with or without ? :-) xxx

millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8Graduate in reply to poppypug

Deffo without :) It was getting rather bushy :(

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply to millwalki8

Like Captain Blackbeard ha ha !

Does Mrs Millwalki prefer you with or without ? :-) xxx

millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8Graduate in reply to poppypug

Without 😀

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply to millwalki8

Ah there you go then, a very wise decision if I may say so ! :-) xxx

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Graduate

Just brilliant millwalki, I wouldn't have been able to stop the tears either, you did a great thing buddy. Well, I'm not going to be able to catch you at Cambourne am I? You were 3 mins in front of me this year, with all that training you'll be home with the kettle on before I finish!

Good times!

Mx

millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8Graduate in reply to Madge50

Still a plodder Madge :)

Superb well done dam right emotional reading that too

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate

Oh, what a lovely post, millwalki! I am welling up now reading it. That must have been such a special moment for you. What a fantastic achievement in 9 months, you must feel so proud. Such a good cause too👍.

Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Graduate

Fabulous achievement and great effort, mate. Well done.

You ran for a great cause and it's great that it was recognised en route.

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerGraduate

Very well done!!

Fantastic. Hope you feel very proud. That was really a lovely post to read and well done raising money for a great charity. Shows how much it was appreciated :-)

tara-j profile image
tara-jGraduate

V.emotional day for you, I am in awe of your being able to do a hm! From my lowly week 7 position that seems a long way off.

A good days work.

Blistersister78 profile image
Blistersister78Graduate in reply to tara-j

I signed up to do the HM back in January after completing week 1 I loved the programme that much and I wanted something to keep me focused and motivated. I'm so glad I did as it's something I have always wanted to do. If it's something you want to aim for you will do it! Good luck and keep going. It's the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Blistersister78 profile image
Blistersister78Graduate

Fantastic achievement well done you. Such a worthy cause. I'm doing my first HM next Sunday and I'm doing it for a local charity Autism West Midlands. My son has Autism and my sister has made me a bracelet that says "for Ethan" I know it will be an emotional day.

Happyoutdoors50 profile image
Happyoutdoors50Graduate

Well done, a truly special, memorable and emotional moment? Such a great achievement. Welling up too.......!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

What a beautiful post, very humbling. Fantastic job all round, be proud.

hilbean profile image
hilbeanGraduate

One of life's special moments xx Well done!

Wristy profile image
WristyGraduate

good stuff - did you get the "f**k, I just ran a bloody half marathon!" feeling too? ;)

millwalki8 profile image
millwalki8Graduate in reply to Wristy

I did indeed, found it hard walking to find the wife and kids, easier to run round the field :)

BethC profile image
BethCGraduate

Lovely post and fantastic achievement. Well done!

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