🍂 🥳 Ode to Autumnal pompoms 🍂 🥳

[Cmoi]

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Close HU friends under maturing sun

Let’s raise our pompoms for to load and bless

With bling all those that round the races run

Your very finest Autumnal pompoms are needed this weekend for a truly bumper crop of wonderful HU runners, who’ll be getting out there on Sunday 16th October to take part in events galore!

🏅 Taking to the start line in the Midlands is misswobble , in the Redbrik 10K – chesterfield.co.uk/events/c... Here's hoping you’re not as wonky as that spire!

🏅 Heading further south, we find MissUnderstanding and SkiMonday in the Bath (Half Marathon, that is!) – bathhalf.co.uk

🏅 Crossing to the other side of the country, we have Langley-Loper in her annual Half Marathon, the Maidstone HM – sportingeventsuk.com/enter-...

🏅 And, finishing with a flourish, The Great South Run – greatrun.org/events/great-s... – won’t know what’s hit it, with no fewer than eight (no make that nine, no ten, help, I can't keep up!) HU members heading to Portsmouth to run in what promises to be the meet-up of the year. There’s Beachcomber66 , Blackberrypie , cheekychipmunks , JonathanP , Katnap , roseabi , Sandie1961 and TailChaser .

STOP PRESS: linda9389 and Mudita11 are also running the GSR, thanks for letting us know!

Have a fabulous time, everyone, and we look forward to those race reports!Can there possibly be anyone or anything missing? Do let us know us about any other runners or events that we’ve overlooked and we’ll add them to the list!

The Marathon Team xxx

📣 To let us know about October events and to find out what your VRBs are up to, check out this post: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

📣 Earned a new badge? 10 miles, HM, Metric Marathon, Marathon or Ultra (50K and beyond) are over here: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

what a great line up! Pom poms are ready in Stratford. Have a wonderful time everyone.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Next year’s GSR for you Shake-and-run ? 😈

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh yes, don’t you just know it 😁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

😈😈😈

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Thanks Cmoi! My first 10-miler 😀 Totally unprepared, but looking forward to it!!!

Have fun everyone xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Lovely to hear from you. The crazy gang is out in force in Portsmouth! Most of us have a sick note for one thing or another, so you will be in good company (well, out of sight towards the front in reality!). 🙂

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Aww I have this image of the gang waving their sick notes at the start 😍

Should be a good party!! Esp. with the improved weather forecast 😂

xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Have a great run roseabi ! Hope to get to meet you. 🙏🏻 I think I’m the only one who wishes there was still rain in the forecast! 😅

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks! Same to you xxx

I could stand a bit of rain! I'm just glad to see that the wind isn't as windy. Currently. 😂

I will be in a grey fluffy cardigan, and a lot of other grey stuff - so pretty much invisible! My shorts are blue tho...

...actually my shoes are a ridiculous pink and white combo! But you probably won't be able to spot my shoes. Ha 😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to roseabi]

I’ve been watching that wind forecast all week roseabi. You will have run in the coastal wind and it’s not easy at the end of the race. But it looks like it’s going to give us a miss after all.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Dexy5]

Yep, definitely better than was threatened earlier in the week!

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I have a red tutu, my London Marathon top and bright yellow shoes, you may be able to spot me 😅!!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to TailChaser]

Awesome!!!

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

So, just look out for a pink and white blur flying past!

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Is the current trend to wave sick notes instead of pompoms?

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

That’s not such a bad idea!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

They're not mutually exclusive 😉 wikihow.com/Make-a-Paper-Po...

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to Cmoi]

I just want to know what HR would make of the folds and the hole in my sick note!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Just take a photo of it before you start the creative process. Sorted.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

forgot to say, ace poem Cmoi!!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a lot of beautiful virtual running buddies out there this weekend, run strong everyone and most of all enjoy the experience, autumnal pom poms will be waved from here

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sola. I’m certainly going to run and it certainly won’t be strong, but I’ll get there. 😀

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I really want to run that one maybe next year, sure you will get there 😀 and proud of you all I am

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sola…our turn for boot camp this weekend!!

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

Make that 9 for the GSR as I’ll be there too. Can’t wait 🫣🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

A nice classy poetic touch Cmoi, thank you. As the day approaches I am thinking more Wilfred Owen than Keats! I was totally chilled until I started to pack my stuff this morning. Looking forward to meeting up with so many VRBs though.👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Exactly CC ! 😱

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

Thanks for the shout-out! I will be running with a recovering ankle (pesky bug bite) and in my heavy milk bottle glasses (contact lenses banned for 7 days). I'm aiming for scenery enjoyment rather than a PB😉🤓

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Go, go, go and have the best of times.Ppom poms waving from the rehab club in Derbyshire🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61, hope you’re improving. 🥰

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Had a really helpful appointment with my physio yesterday. I will continue to do exercises for Achilles, hamstring and knee upping the quantity for the knee. Furthest distance now 4.4km and I shall keep to the 10% rule so I won't even let myself do 5km for my 'long' run this W/E. All very gentle, but at least I am running. 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Brilliant work 👏👏👏👏👏

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I missed this reply - thank you, but it really doesn't feel brilliant!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks >61. We (or least I) need all the support available! 🙂

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Can't wait to hear all about it 😊🏃🏻‍♂️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Thanks for the lovely poem and pompoms Cmoi . I need all the help I can get ahead of Sunday as I don’t think I’ve ever had such dire preparation for a race. Couldn’t even manage 3k without walk breaks this week. But I’m a stubborn sort and I’ll get this covid-type cold affected body round the GSR by hook or by crook! 😂

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh! That cold has been with you far too long. Have a lovely time seeing friends, doing some running and 'knowing you', enjoying bling! 😊🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over. It’ll be a wonderful weekend with fantastic friends, and the bling is most definitely the icing on the cake. 😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Think of the bling Munks! 🏅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Actual footage of me Irishprincess !

Donkey and carrot

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🤣😂🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂 love it!

[TailChaser Marathon]

Waving pom poms frantically for everyone!! Whoop de whoop whoop! 👏👏👏👏

I’ve know idea what state I’ll be in (lurching between Philip Larkin and Dylan Thomas here) but I know I’ll be in wonderful company at the GSR 🥂 🥳🥳🥳

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

What a fab poem Cmoi! And I love the photo too 🍁🍂

Good luck to each and every one of you 🍀🍀🍀 That’s quite a group from our club 😀

Waving pom poms galore for you and smiling ‘til my face hurts 😃 Go, go, go, everyone……🥳

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Thanks cmoi - great pompom post 😍

Good luck one and all, have fun and bring back the bling!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator]

WHOAAAAA What great Autumnal Line up!!!!!

Welsh Pom Poms are ready and waiting !!!!

Run Well, Run Safe...RUN HAPPY xxxxx

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Go well folks! I'll attempt a combined run and pompom wave!

[Time_Lord Half Marathon]

Good luck everyone

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

I'm taking a bit of a risk for the GSR, using a new pair of Wave Inspire 17s (with just a 4k run-in), after I realised I'd done 1200 km in my old ones! I'm sure it'll be fine, particularly with all my other HU buddies to help me hobble the last mile!😜

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to JonathanP]

you’ll be fine I’m sure JP, as they are exactly the same shoe - just a bit more bounce. 🦘

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

First of all , good luck to misswobble , SkiMonday , and MissUnderstanding and Langley-Loper - hope you have a great time.

Then there’s the other bunch running on my doorstep. I’m not doing the GSR this year but I will be donning my running gear to chase around the course to cheer this merry group on. I might even start my Garmin just to see how far I go. Is there FOMO? You bet, even though I know that I haven’t trained for it. I think I will be entering again next year.

Have a wonderful time Great South Runners, and may all your niggles and blisters be little ones!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I still maintain that our mutual lack of training should team up Dexy5 - a GSR relay!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Shall I wait at the Eastney loos and take your bib? 🤣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

You’re on! 😂😂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

What a bumper weekend of HU running! 😀 Good luck everyone - hope you all have fantastic runs and I look forward to reading all your run posts! 👍👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃🏽🙂💪🏅

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

woweee! Pom poms a go go from me! Love the great big HU GSR lineup! Have fun everybody running in all the races cos even if there's no other HU member running with you in person, we are there in spirit!

[misswobble Marathon]

Have fun out there everyone 😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏅👏

I hope the weather is kind 🙏🤞

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Good luck everyone. This is so exciting 😃😃 A shout out too to our GSR on course cheerleaders Dexy5 UpTheStanley and Oldgirlruns

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

If we're crediting cheerleaders too, then we absolutely have to mention David_G . Sadly he can't run in the GSR due to injury 😞 but he was hoping to get there as a supporter.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Very remiss of me. How could I? Sorry David_G 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Don't stress it Sandie1961 , there've been so many changes to this week's events I couldn't keep up myself!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Cmoi]

whoop whoop to David_G who sadly cannot run but is cheering on crutches

[lexi6 10 Miles]

just have the best runs ever you fabulous people and for those cheering you on (that'll be us then 😊🎉) pom poms are a shaking! Special shout out for DaTruffe always in our hearts. Keep running, keep smiling ❤️

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Goodluck everyone Have a brilliant run all. Feeling a bit FOMO ish here ...🎊🎊

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Good luck and pom poms to everyone on Healthunlocked running The Great South Run on Sunday, I wish you all the very best. 😊 🏃🏾

[Katnap Marathon]

Good luck misswobble  with your 10k!

Happy running sMissUnderstanding and SkiMonday

Go go Langley-Loper

🐱 Katnap 🐱🐱

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Katnap]

thank you 🙂👍

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

Thanks for the pom poms and the lovely post! Swinging between nerves and excitement about tomorrow. Mainly about whether the park and ride will have spaces and if I’ll get there on time. Once I’ve parked and hit the runners’ village I’m sure it’ll be fine!

[Blackberrypie Half Marathon]

What a gorgeous day for great south, good luck to my fellow runners!

[Blackberrypie Half Marathon in reply to Blackberrypie]

Very sore legs but despite very disrupted training I knocked 4m30 off my PB from last year so very pleased with that!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Blackberrypie]

Congratulations Blackberrypie , super-impressive!

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

Bath happened and it was great! Absolutely loved it. The weather was much warmer than I’d thought it would be and I didn’t quite feel in tip top shape so took it a bit easier than planned. Still shaved a couple of minutes off my previous HM practice run time. The hill at the end right before the finish was killer. Thrilled to have made it round, even if I was overtaken by someone dressed as a toilet at one point!!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Well done MissUnderstanding , so pleased you loved it!

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Bring on the next one!!!