Should I, shouldn't I?

[JonathanP]

I was in two minds about whether to enter this year's GSR. Last year's experience (my first race) was somewhat mixed. I enjoyed the event as a whole, but was unhappy about my run - my target time was unrealistic, I ran out of steam at about 7 miles and had to resort to walk/run, which I hadn't expected.

Three things helped me decide to give it a go this year - my son said he would be interested in joining me (his first race), we decided to run it in aid of Bowel Cancer UK in memory of a dear friend and of course the massed HU contingent who had already entered!

My son also runs regularly and was keen to see what he could achieve, so we agreed he would join me in the pink wave, but once we passed the start line, he would be off! So we lined up with the thousands of others, went through the start and there he was - gone!

My hope this year was to be able to run the whole distance and to get under 2 hours would be a bonus, particularly as my longest distance recently was 12k. The 2 hour pacers were a little ahead of me at the start, but after a couple of miles I managed to slowly overtake them. The sun went in at about that time, which was helpful. I plodded on, but began to run out of steam at about mile 8, when you turn back onto the seafront for the finishing stretch. It was shortly afterwards that I heard the pacers coming up behind me!

I hung on, but listening to my body, had to ease off for the last 400m, coming in at 2:00:17, running all the way - happy with that! My son had managed 1:16:28 - better than he had expected. And we managed to raise £540

And then the great HU meet up, with my son an honorary member for the day. It was fantastic to see old friends from previous meet ups again, but also to put faces to well- known forum names for the first time. Of course I must mention the fantastic Southsea crew, who not only coordinated the whole shebang, but also somehow managed to magically turn up at 3 different places around the course to cheer us on!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Lovely write up! Congratulations to both of you on your runs - your son is a bit of a speedster!!👏👏👏🏃🏽🏃🏽🙂🏅🏅

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra - he is, isn't he? He certainly doesn't get it from me!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Congratulations Jonathan, you did brilliantly. When we were cheering you on and ringing our bells in the finishing straight you were so focussed on the clock ahead of you, that you were completely oblivious of us.

It was lovely to meet your son - my goodness he’s speedy. But I bet he’s really proud of the way you’ve started running too.

Well done on your fundraising, such a good cause.

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy - yes 'gritted teeth' comes to mind. It was great to be able to run in the same race, even if it wasn't exactly together!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wowowowow Jonathan, what a speedy son! 💥 Bet he was chuffed with that time, and you should be proud of yours too. Running all the way is (as you no doubt know) important to me too! Really well done. 👊

So lovely to see you again, and I’m sure it’ll happen again before long. 😀

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky, yes he was really pleased.

I'm sure it will!😀

[Katnap Marathon]

Brilliant running from you and son of JP. And a decent sum for Bowel Cancer UK💪💪

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap

[Frenc Half Marathon]

Well done and what a good time you had! And a great running time too. 😊

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Frenc

[misswobble Marathon]

Well done Jono and son! Congratulations to you both. Sounds like you had a great day. It must be lovely to run with your son! 😍

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to misswobble]

Thanks MW - yes, there's such a fantastic atmosphere 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

You definitely made the right call! So, close t your target time and a fabulous amount raised too. Well done all round

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

What an absolutely lovely photo Jonathan 😍 It sounds a grand day full of special memories.

Well done both of you for the getting the race done, your times but also for the fundraising 👍

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP - yes, we will remember it for many years!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Great to meet up with you and your son JP. That was a great fund raising effort too. I really enjoyed my weekend, even the unwelcome intervention of a dodgy calf didn’t spoil it! This could become addictive!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

just like parkrun!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

😂 yes Dexy5, just like Park Run. Noted 😉

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC - glad your pilgrimage down south was worthwhile!

Yes, as long as they don't make it weekly Dexy!

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

Hello JonathanP, It sounds like you were definitely pleased with the 'should' option. How lovely to run with your son, even if only for a few seconds! You both look happy, fit and healthy! All really good. Well done to you and your son. 👏🎉🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️🎉👏

[JonathanP 10 Miles in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61 - yes it was a really memorable experience