Thanks guys for all your virtual support and advice got me too this point.
I was nervous, especially as I had come down with the lurgy this week so wasn't sure if I was going to be able to race?
6am alarm, gave me plenty of time to do my abolutions and have a bowl of porridge. Race kit and bag set out last night, so everything went smoothly.
I got a lift down with my neighbour and got there nice and early before the road closures. Jumped straight in the toilet queue , which turned out to be worthwhile as the queues were massive later.
Dropped bag at our charity tent and mooched off to the final pen for the 2.30 to 3.30 hour finishers. I was on my own and feeling a bit lonely, but once Fatboy slim started playing I was okay! Soon we were off and round the sealife centre and up the hill, a lot of faster runners had got stuck behind as they couldn't get through the crowds to their pens, so they were weaving in and out of us plodders. It soon settled down though.
I decided early on to put some walks in, as it was so hot and I didn't want to push it. I ran most of the first loop up to ovingdean. Got over taken by a couple of dinosaurs!
Then the heat was starting to get to me already so I poured a cup of water over my head at the 6 mile water station. It really helped cool me down.
As we headed back into the centre of Brighton the crowd support intensified. It really helped. I saw my husband waving and shouting which gave me a much need boost.
Up the next loop along the Old Steyne and finally some much needed shade. Legs aching feeling old and slow by this point I had to incorporate more walking breaks. Then unexpected moral boost from a lady wearing the same Prostate cancer T shirt as I was. She said hello and was very smiley.
Final push past the sealife centre and another cheer from hubby! You got this I said to myself 2/3 rds of the way round come on. Past the drag queen at the grand singing to the crowds.
Saw some mates on the side of the road, gave them a high five. By now I was cream crackered and desperate for a loo break.
Saw some porta loos on the lawns so nipped in for a very quick stop. On my way out heard my neighbour and his running buddy shouting my name, I was so glad to see them. We walked a bit chatting, and then I carried on runnning as I was feeling a bit faster.
Final push past the sea front and my legs were stiff and tired. It was walk run walk run from then on until I saw the last mile marker. I pushed myself to run the whole of the last mile. Some poor lady had collapsed and was being put in the recovery position. I reminded myself I just needed to finish safely.
When I saw the finish I was so relieved, I had done it. Got my lovely bit of bling. Then off to the pub for a roast dinner and too many pints of Peroni.
It's was a tough race and hot. I finished C25K in Oct 2018. So the HM was a stretch. But I didn't mind finishing in the bottom 20% of runners. I was happy to finish around the 2.45 hours mark. It is doable for an old bird new to running.
Keep running and smiling folks xxxx
Bournemouth HM - Race Report
First (and possibly last) HM Race Report
