Great Bristol 10k/HU10k Race Report ❤️

[cheekychipmunks]

Felt emotional on the start line today, probably because it was lovely being part of the wonderful, giving, running community, and thinking back to how my running took a nosedive back in February.

Jenny was in the green wave, me in the pink. We had no issues with anything pre-race and we wished each other well as she headed off to her speedier cohort. It was misty and cool to begin with, but I took my trusty shades and left my sweatshirt in the bag drop. Lucky I did as the sun broke through and it was sunny and warm by about 6k. Bristol’s cheeky hills felt ok - lots of people were walking up those, but I trucked on like I do. 💪

I had enough in the tank for a sprint finish and crossed the line in 1:19:03. My watch said 9.86k, but I wanted the 10k achievement so walked until it clicked over.

Jenny smashed her 10k PB by 5 minutes and ran 55:31! A work colleague ran the 10k in 43:30, and another ran the HM in 1:17:36! What? 😮

I’m so close to being back to full fitness, after a long 7 week layoff, and it feels fabulous. 🙏🏻

Banging HU10k playlist to listen to too! Mine came on trudging up a hill which gave me a boost. 😀 HM next weekend so I’ll listen to it, plus more, then! 🙏🏻

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon]

Great run Cheeky! Yesterday obviously just a gentle warmup for this one which was a gentle warmup for next week, which is a gentle warmup for ...... ??

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thanks UTS! Haha, who knows? 😅

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

congratulations on a great run Cheeky, sounds perfect and what you need before you tapper for your HM. Well done to younger cheeky too. Love your bling.

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

Thanks Shakes. My HM will be a Jeffing affair and I’m only doing it because ….. umm well, because I’m a bit daft as I haven’t run over 11k for ages and haven’t run a HM since 2021! But you know what I’m like. 🙄😅

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a brilliant run, and speedy trucking up those hills too, it's great your fitness is back

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sola. I quite enjoy the hills if I’m honest. There were a few, and I’d forgotten to tell Jenny about the 2-parter at around 7.5k! None were massive, but they were definitely hills. 😅

[dijep 10 Miles]

Congratulations 👏🎉It sounds like a great run, especially up those hills 😄

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to dijep]

Thanks dijep. Not giant hills by any means (and Bristol does have some corkers), but enough to need to concentrate on! It felt great though. 🙏🏻

[dijep 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I did it last year as I've family in Bristol and I remember someone on here warning me about the sneaky hills.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to dijep]

May well have been me or Irishprincess . They sneak ‘em in! 😅

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations to you and Jenny on completing The Great Bristol 10k, especially Jenny with that 55.31 PB, wow 1:17:36 for a HM, that is amazing for a club runner, good luck for your Healthunlocked HM next week🏃‍♀️👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

It’s quite sobering especially as this young man only began running about a year ago Al! His first ever race was the London Marathon last year! A natural born runner. 🏃‍♂️ Jenny and I were were happy with our times though, being mere mortals! 😅

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Great report, CC. Pleased to hear you made a recovery. Take it easy after today if you can.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thanks Stephen. I’ve been building up fitness over the last few weeks and I’m happy I can see the results. 🙏🏻 Yes, a gentle running week next week, and a leisurely Jeffing HM next weekend. I don’t want to push my luck by trying to run the lot, much as I’m not a fan of Jeffing. 😀

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Good luck with the jeffing half! I look forward to your report on that.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thanks, I’m curious how it’ll go as I’m undecided whether to run 10k and Jeff the rest, or start Jeffing from beginning. I’m a Jeffing novice as you can no doubt tell. 😅

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I have never jeffed, but it sounds good!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

People swear by it. I find it breaks my rhythm but I’m sure I won’t manage the HM next weekend without it, so I’ll need to learn to love it! 😅

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I will be interested to see how the Jeffing works for you and whether you do decide to run 10k and then Jeff. I prefer to keep going but recently taken to walk/run to try and get back to some sort of fitness!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Hi SS. I’m undecided and probably won’t know what I’m going to do until I start running.

Like you, I’d far rather keep running, but I haven’t run a HM since September 2021 and since then my longest runs have been the 2021 and 2022 Great South Runs. This year my longest has only been 11k so I think I’d be asking for trouble if I tried to run the lot, hence the Jeffing idea. Watch this space! 😅

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I did it on the Monsal Trail 10K for the first time. .. once I got used to it..it was fine...plenty left in the tank and a great building back tool..

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

That’s good to hear Oldfloss . I’m debating whether to run the first 10k and Jeff the rest, or start Jeffing at the beginning. Do you have any tips? I’m a complete Jeffing novice as you can plainly tell. 😅

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I would Jeff first...and get ready for the next bit...that would work for me...after jeffing the 10K. I could have run another 10K at least. Relaxed and beautifully warmed up...

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you, that’s sorted then. Oh I can’t wait! 👏👏👏👏👏

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It was my first Jeff and I was apprehensive...but..it worked..xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It does sound a very sensible way to run safely. 🥰

[Jackapoodle Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Well done on your run, it's great to hear you're well on your way to full fitness 😊 Advice would be to jeff from the start to feel the benefit of it, esp important over longer distances, but I sometimes run through the start if it's a bit congested. My ratio is 30s:30s but if there's a downward bit I'll often run through walk sections, and vice versa. Your run, your rules 😁

I'm doing the Great Manchester Run 10k on Sunday so hoping the bling is as lovely as yours. Never realised how motivated I was by bling 😂🙈 I honestly think I'd crawl round an ultra if they had a sparkly horse on the medal 😳🤣🤣

Good luck with your HM x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Jackapoodle]

Ahh Jackapoodle thanks for that great advice. I’ve always been a confirmed ‘must run the lot’ kind of person, but I’ve decided to Jeff this HM purely because I haven’t run one since September 2021.

I did a trial Jeffing run at 60:30 a while ago (because someone I know uses that ratio). It was ok, but felt strange! I realise some people swear by it.

I’m with you on the bling. 😍 So much so that I entered a virtual spring HM just so I get a medal at the end of the HUHM. All that way with no medal? I don’t think so! 😅

Enjoy your Great Manchester 10k. Great Runs are fab aren’t they? So well organised.

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Me again CC - for fear of sounding completely stupid, what do you mean 60:30? 🤔

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

No worries SS! 60 seconds running, 30 seconds walking. Not sure I’ll be using that ratio on Sunday though as I’m still dithering!

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Really short intervals! I thought the run would be 5 mins with maybe 1 or 2 mins walk. I clearly need to do more research on this!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Actually I was toying with 5:2 (minutes), but I really can’t decide. It’ll probably end up being somewhere in between, so maybe 2:1 minutes. That’s the novice Jeffer in me faffing! Watch this space. 😅

[skysue16 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Oooh look at that bling Munks 😍 looks fab. You know what to expect from this course now with all the surprising hills!

Well done to you and Jenny, such lovely memories for you both and many more to come hopefully.

It sounds as if you're back! 💪

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP! I remember the first time we were introduced to the hill past Castle Park during our HM, and it was quite unwelcome! But now I know it’s there it’s fine. 💪 Jenny was overjoyed with her PB. She barely trains either. Rocks up to PR, gets a great time, then casually runs 10k like it’s nothing!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

oh to be young 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh to have started running decades ago! 🥺

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Well done CC, family and friends! So glad that you are on your way to full fitness. It has been a long haul, so no more of that nonsense please! 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC! No, I’m well and truly done with that malarkey now. Hope you’re tickety-boo for your HM next week. 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Whenever that is! Still ruminating!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I hope you’re able to do it BC 🤞 You’re so very close. 👊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I honestly don’t know….. sooner I try the better maybe!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

❤️

[Kevin41 Half Marathon]

Great to hear you are feeling back to fitness and a really good run from both of you. The ice cream looks even better than the medal!!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Kevin41]

Thanks Kevin, it was a wonderful day and we felt quite justified in our massive icecream treats! 😈

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Another bit of bling for the collection, and you killed two birds with one stone, ticking off the HU V10k at the same time. Times are irrelevant; you all ran 10k and yours is brilliant especially after your lead up to this and a 5k yesterday.

How lovely that your family came out to cheer you and Jen in too - the good weather does help in that respect.

I’m glad that I’m not the only one who carries in to the distance just to make sure Garmin and Strava recognise it !

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, yes my bling hanger is decidedly groaning now. After the haul I’m expecting later in the year, it might well be full. At least Santa will know what to get for me! 😅

It was lovely seeing Mr Cheeky, Alice and the babies in Queen Square. They gave me a spurt of energy for sure. 🥰

I simply had to round up to 10k today. My watch agreed with the km markers up to 6k, then was a little behind after that so I knew I’d be a bit short. Luckily it coincided with getting my goodie bag and finding Jenny!

[Runnin-g Half Marathon]

Well done, great achievement 👍🏽👏🏽

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Runnin-g]

Thanks so much Runnin-g 😀

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Brilliant run Cheeky- so good to see you back on it again! Good luck for the half too!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks CLR, it’s nice to be back to normal (whatever that is!) again. 😀

[Katnap Marathon]

Fantastic running from you both cheekychipmunks

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap! Sounds like you guys had a great time today too! 👏👏

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Great run. Your daughter is an amazing runner too!!! Good luck with the HM.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thanks W7! My daughter has taken to it like a duck to water. She barely even trains! Oh to be 29 again! 😅

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yep not fair is it ! I think you should claim credit for bringing her up so well! 😄

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

There you go, that’s why she’s so good! Thanks, I’ll take that W7! 😅

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done cheekychipmunks ! 👏👏🏅I ran the Bristol 10k today too - I agree about the cheeky ups and downs 🥵and had forgotten that Bristol has a fair amount of cobbled streets too! Will post my event later but well done to you and your daughter.🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I was wondering how you got on Sandra! It was warm too wasn’t it? But such a fabulous atmosphere, and everyone was so friendly. Did you see the Budgie Smuggler guys? 😂😂 And the fully kitted out cricket players?

Look forward to your report. ❤️

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I did indeed see the budgie smugglers -was quite close behind them at the start🫣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Oh wow, that must have been quite the sight! 🤣

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandraj39]

😳

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Does the thought of seeing those guys make you want to return to Bristol next year Dexy5 , or maybe it’s a deterrent! 😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I must say that budgie smugglers are a better choice than the mankini! 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

😳🤣😳🤣

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Great run from you and Jenny. Just the thing to send those memories of a miserable virus laden winter packing 😃😃 A lovely new piece of bling too 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Too true Sandie, those 🦠🦠🦠 have been ordered to sling their hook once and for all. ➡️

[Bluebirdrunner]

Well done Cheeky, bet you feel amazing to be back and feeling strong again!

Fab time and medal.🏃‍♀️🏅xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks BBR, oh yes, I’m thrilled to have regained so much of my fitness. 🥰

[Freecloud Marathon]

Wow, fantastic running for the both of you! It's not easy coming back from injury especially since you were doing so well before. Maybe one or two 15 minute very slow runs before next week's HM and just go by feel and listen to your body.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Freecloud]

Thanks so much Freecloud. Actually it wasn’t injury that sidelined me; I had virtually back to back viruses (neither was covid) that knocked me back. Thankfully that’s in the past and I’ve rebuilt the majority of my fitness. Such a relief! 🙏🏻

Yes, just a couple of little bimbles should do the trick this week. 😀

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

sounds a great run and brilliant race report!!👍🏅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Ahh thanks Hedgehogs. I love a race, and this one was as good as ever. 👏👏

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Well done Cheeky - isn't it great when runs more or less run themselves (you know what I mean)! Best of luck with the HM.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Yes Jonathan, definitely. No drama, just a lovely run. Thanks! 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Congratulations Cheeky! That's a great run, but what's even better is hearing you say that you feel virtually back to full fitness. That will stand you (and Jeff) in good stead next weekend 👍👏🥰

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, it’s been a long time coming, but I can safely say that normal service has been resumed. 🙏🏻 I’m looking forward to the HM - still working out how to do it - run 10k then Jeff the rest, or Jeff from the outset. No idea! 🤷‍♀️

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Brilliant run Cheeky, so pleased you're feeling like your health & fitness is back...it makes such a difference to our mental health too being able to get out & just run.

And a HM next week too, best of luck...hope you enjoy it just as much 😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

Thanks Run46, you’re so right. Running is joyous and being without it was hard. I do feel for people who are out for a long stretch due to far more serious conditions than a pesky chest infection.

I’m really looking forward to my HM. I haven’t dared check the weather forecast yet. I’m doing it on a Prom so I hope it’s not going to be windy. 😳

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Haha, it'll be one to remember if it is...nothing like a bracing sea breeze 😉

We've had pretty good weather recently so fingers crossed it'll be exactly the kind of day you prefer on a long run, whatever that may be 😊🤞

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

Thanks! 🥰

[Folkylass]

Just read your post now and congratulations on your super race and brilliant time. I understand about those cheeky hills …..they have cousins in Hereford 😂😂👍🥰🥳👏👏🎉 Well done!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Folkylass]

Thanks so much Folkylass, I had such an amazing time and both my daughter and I were thrilled with our times. A PB for her, but not for me. It didn’t matter one jot though as I’ve just finished building back fitness after being out with a chest infection for 7 weeks in Feb-April. It felt wonderful feeling wonderful! 🥰

I don’t know about you, but conquering a few hills during a race makes the bling feel even sweeter! Not too many though please! 😅

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Great run, super report too! You had fun and back to fitness? Perfect! X

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks OF, yes, all the ingredients for a perfect run! ❤️

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Well done to you cheekychipmunks! 👏🎉🏃‍♀️🏁🏅And what lovely words, 'I’m so close to being back to full fitness.' Sounds wonderful and so good to share the day with your daughter and HU runners. Win, win, win 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks so much over61. It was even sweeter having been off for a long (for me) time. We had the best time and the atmosphere was fantastic. Still grinning now in fact! 😍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Aw .. that is so good. Two days of grinning! I should imagine that some muscles in your face are aching!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Indeed they are! It’s worth it though. 😅

[Tabbles Half Marathon]

Hi Cheeky also completed the 10k at the weekend. My watch does the opposite and thinks I have run further than I have.

10k bris

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Tabbles]

Nice Tabbles, well done. 😀 I wish I’d gone for a teeshirt now as it’s a nice one isn’t it? But I have so many and opted out. The medal was lovely and chunky so that was the main thing. 🏅