Long one. Sorry guys. 🙄😅
First of all, fast and flat was a barefaced lie! That’ll teach me for only running my virtual HMs over mainly flat routes! 😂 And it was hot too. The forecast was for grey and drizzly - wouldn’t that have been nice? Instead the sun shone for the vast majority of the run, and often we seemed to be running into it! ☀️
Anyway, I was waiting in the very long loo queue before we set off, and I heard “Munks?” Irishprincess spotted me!! We squealed and jumped around a bit (sure people thought we were bonkers!) and agreed to meet later. She was in the wave before me. 🏃♀️
The atmosphere was fantastic and very upbeat. I saw a friend who had a gazelle running, so we watched him fly off 💥💥 My wave set off spot on 10am and I felt great for the most part at a lovely steady trot. IP and I saw each other on the course two more times, on opposite sides of the Portway! Isn’t having names on numbers a fabulous idea? 👏👏 I was sandwiched between four lovely firemen for a while. No complaints! 🤣
As a bonus we had SkiMonday marshalling near the 5k mark. We exchanged greetings both times I passed him! The goatee definitely helps SM! Don’t shave it off will you? 😅
By this point the sun was really quite warm and full in our faces. The Portway isn’t flat, but its inclines were nothing compared with what was to come. 😨
I began to struggle a bit at around 10k, which is unusual for me. But I dug deep and continued on, being spurred on by the wonderful bands and people calling out encouragement. I saw my family who’d booked a table for brunch by the docks, and they gave me another boost. This is where it started to get seriously hard, and it was unknown running-wise for me. Little hills here, cobbles there, bigger hills (thankfully none too long), and I had to grit my teeth and trot on. Why won’t I let myself walk? I annoy myself sometimes 😂
Anyway, I dug uber deep at the end as a lady had passed me and that wouldn’t do. I managed a slow sprint and pipped her to the post! We high fived as we’d both given it our all. 🏃♀️My time was 3:09:54. Slower than I hoped but it was a harder course than I expected. I rummaged around in my goodie bag to find the all important bling which I duly put round my neck. Then the heavens opened! Oh why not an hour earlier? It felt wonderful! 💦💦
I met up with IP and SM for a tasty pizza and a Peroni 🍺 We had a lovely catch up and agreed to do the same in Bath next March.
I’m putting it on here so she won’t forget, but IP needs to send me her bank details so I can repay her for lunch. My phone died as I walked into the restaurant! It had full charge when I set out too. I’m that slow clearly! 😅 Of course I didn’t bring any cards or cash 🤦♀️ Worst thing though, no restaurant photos. 😩
So, would I do Bristol again? Yes, but I’d add more hills to my long runs. Bath should be easier. Would I ever do a marathon? Absolutely NO! Did I enjoy today? YES!
Thanks for all your support on here and on Strava. Without it I wouldn’t have completed today’s run. Next up - GSR! Yippee. 👏👏👏
Great Bristol 10k 🙂🏃♀️