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Exbury Gardens 10k

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles
54 Replies

I am usually on my phone pretty quickly to write a race post but I was totally whacked by the time I got home yesterday. Having sent a post to confirm it happened, I really must tell you all about it. Be warned, it’s a long one.

For those who don’t know, Exbury in the New Forest is the home of the Rothschild family and the beautiful gardens are famous for its camellias, azaleas and rhododendron and have national collections of several species. It is a must visit in April/May with a riot of colours throughout.

Thankfully, the run was starting at 9.00 am, but that meant an early rise, and picking up  Oldgirlruns at 6.30 to arrive at the event car park at 7.30. That gave us time to pick up our T-shirt (a choice of aqua or fluorescent yellow), plaster on the suntan lotion, meet  Mudita11 and use the facilities, before dropping our bags and heading for the start area in front of Exbury House

With a cut off of 1000 runners, there was a great atmosphere with members of local running clubs meeting up. Oldgirlruns got a shout out for running her first 10k race, and there was a loud cheer from other runners from Portsmouth. After warming up, we all lined up in different positions according to finish times.

The klaxon fired and off we went. We ran along narrow paths towards the exit, through the car park, and onto the road through Exbury village. Residents were cheering and one kind lady was spraying us with her hosepipe (a shame she didn’t live further away from the start). I fell into step with a lonely goat runner from Dorset and we ran chatting for around 3.5k before I said for her to run on as I saw I was faster than I should be at this stage. I’d seen Mudita was ahead of me as we left the gardens , and unbeknown to her, we had taken turns in overtaking each other along the route. I didn’t distract her as she also had a running companion who seemed to be talking non stop. I ran on the side shaded by hedges and then we saw the 6k water stop, across a junction and the speedy runners on their return. We were 4k in.

Our scenery then changed to a coastal road to Lepe Country Park, the tide was out, the Isle of Wight was in clear sight. The smell of seaweed was in the air. There has a shout of Dexy and I saw  UpTheStanley looking very comfortable running alongside a pacer (later found out to be 55mins) and I waved. Then before I knew it there was a marshal at a turning cone at 5k.

Did I tell you it was extremely hot 🥵 25C, little breeze, no shade! I had 2 small bottles of water in my flip belt and took sips every now and then. I took a few pics (I know it’s meant to be a race). There was a higher number of female runners and it was friendly with lots of chatter going on where I was running.

We reached the water stop and I grabbed a cup and walked so I didn’t spill this precious commodity. I guess the early runners had had more than their rations and our cups contained less than expected. But the organisers had also asked us to bring our own water, due to the high temperatures, and I still had one little bottle left.

4k to go and did I tell you it was hot? I was wearing a peaked cap, sunglasses, vest and shorts. My flip belt was bulging with phone, bottles and a melting power bar. We were now running back along lanes but the sun was higher, so less shade, and there was an incline, in fact several inclines. Most of us were run walking at this stage, and taking turns in overtaking each other. I think I walked most of my 9th km chatting with another lady from Winchester, and we agreed that completing the run was an achievement in itself and time no longer mattered.

It wasn’t until I reached the grounds that we started running again. I was a bit quicker than my companion. I could hear the tannoy announcing runners as they crossed the line, and people along the route were cheering me on. There was actually a cool breeze, and big old trees giving shade, and I had a new lease of life. I overtook 2 runners and then UpTheStanley was there to encourage me and lead me to that big red finish arch.

I have to say that this was the hardest 10k I have run, purely down to the temperature and bright sun. I’d love to do it in September! A lovely wooden medal in the shape of a camellia, a banana, a bottle of water and Jaffa cakes! What more do you need?

We waited for Oldgirlruns to appear and accompanied her to the finish line too.

A quick meet up with Mudita, near the bag drop, the obligatory group photo, a much needed change of clothes, and then a grand picnic in the grounds. A trip on the old miniature steam railway gave us views without effort and then ice creams finished the day. Garmin had an outage and telephone reception was not good so didn’t see the stats till I got home.

I think this says it all:

1k 7:24

2k 6:56

3k 7:09

4k 7:05

5k 7:13

6k 8:17

7k 8:06

8k 8:53

9k 10:22

10k 8:28

Garmin time 80 mins

Strangely, chip time 81:04

Well done Mudita, we had the same time at the turning cone but you did much better in that 2nd half.

This was a brilliantly organised, and a well presented local run. Marshals were enthusiastic and everyone was made to feel special whatever speed they ran or walked.

Written by
Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5
10 Miles
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54 Replies
SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles

What a great race report Dexy 😀 I'd already enjoyed reading Oldgirlruns report so knew what was coming. I could have run most of it at the pace if your 9k 😁you did well in that heat

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toSueAppleRun

Thank you SueAppleRun , I don’t know how you managed 10 miles!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles in reply toDexy5

I'm a bit vague myself but splashing in the rock pools helped on the way back and a breeze in my face too, but I was very very slow, I'll do some short quicker runs now or something

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon

Great run and race report from you Dexy5, I did warn Oldgirlruns yesterday that the temperature at the start of the race would be 23C and rising during the race as it did, congratulations to you and Oldgirlruns as well as UpTheStanley and Mudita11 on completing the 10K in the heat, those are 5 lovely photos and the medal looks lovely too, I hope when I run my first 10K event race early in September the weather won't be so hot.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toAlMorr

Yes, you can add 10 degrees on to that temperature when you are running Al . But we weren’t going to withdraw at this point , so took all the precautions we could so we didn’t suffer from dehydration or sunstroke.

I hope September in Scotland will be a bit cooler for your first 10k race.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon in reply toAlMorr

I have a running belt with two pouches that can take two small water bottles, I usually only use one when I run or at parkrun, if the temperature was going to be over 20C I would take two to avoid dehydration especially in a over 5K run.

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyHalf Marathon in reply toAlMorr

Beware Al, 2 bottles in my usual running belt means gravity overcomes elasticity and the damn thing heads for my knees - I’ve finished two races with it slung round my shoulder and chest, which does nothing for my running style!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon in reply toUpTheStanley

👍 Noted UTS✅

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toAlMorr

The main thing is to try everything out before the big day AlMorr . If it works in training, it will work on the day.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply toUpTheStanley

I’ve got a lightweight gilet like that! I wore it fully loaded just the once 😁

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply tomisswobble

😂

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon in reply toDexy5

Thankfully it was only cheap 😁

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66AdministratorHalf Marathon

An exercise in survival I think Dexy5; sounds like a great venue but more than a touch of ordeal about the run ! But …..as ever, you did it, in fact the whole HM crew did it. 🙂👏👏👏👏👏🏆🍻

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toBeachcomber66

Thanks BC. My 10k PB is 1:09 and I knew that I couldn’t possibly run that pace in the heat. I was probably a bit too fast in the beginning but it did feel comfortable as it was probably slightly downhill and a bit cooler. But then if you start to overheat you’ve got to listen to your body and just think about how you are going to cross the line to get your medal. 🥇 and yes all 5 of us did that in our own way.

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingHalf Marathon

The thought of 25 degrees makes me shake my head in wonder! Well done to you ☀️🏃‍♀️👏🏁🏅

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toover61andstilltrying

Thank you over61. Less than the 1000 entrants turned up and some did not finish so I am pleased that we did all get to the finish line in our own way.

David_G profile image
David_GMetric Marathon

well done Dexy5 👍 Rather you than me, running 🏃‍♀️ in that heat!🥵 It sounds like a great event though. Maybe I’ll give it a try one day when hopefully it’s a bit cooler!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toDavid_G

Yes I think they hold it in June because it is quieter in the gardens as the Spring spectacular is over, but who knew when we entered that it would be as hot as that?

JonathanP profile image
JonathanP10 Miles

Great achievement Dexy - very wise to take it easy in those circumstances!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toJonathanP

It gives me a chance of doing better if I run it again next year. 😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

Amazing effort Dexy. Hopefully not merely a warmup for Severn Bridge in August which was 28 degrees in 2018 with zero shade. Nah, it won’t be; you’ve done your hot 10k this year ……. 🤞 It can’t possibly be!

Exbury does sound lovely. I bet the steam train trip was very welcome. 🙏

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply tocheekychipmunks

it will probably rain on us in August cheekychipmunks 😂

UTS does like a steam train so it was a good reward for his excellent race. The Kids on there loved it as there were lots of animals placed amongst the shrubs and trees.

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon

Glad you all survived and thanks for the write-up Dexy5

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

A super post and what a run!!!

Phew.... Well done every one of you... its sounds to have been a toughie but a lovely day too... ! xxx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toOldfloss

it was definitely a run of two halves Oldfloss , but a very sociable event too.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toDexy5

It sounds super...I am hoping my Spitfire Run at the end of August will be cool! x

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toOldfloss

That sounds fun, and if it’s the Bank Holiday weekend, that’s my next race too.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toDexy5

Great!!! It is..two days after our Golden wedding anniversary x

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toOldfloss

We will both ne hoping for a cool but dry weekend then. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon

Great post and lovely pictures Dexy and well done combatting that heat. Love the idea of a post run picnic. Well done to UTS, OGR and Mudita too.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toShake-and-run

It was lovely to see so many groups of runners and families enjoying picnics in the grounds afterwards. I hear some runners returned to Lepe and threw themselves in the sea!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Half Marathon

Aaah Congratulations on your run,much harder when it's super hot! But sounds like one to remember!😁🌞👌💪xxx

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toaliboo70

Yes this will go down as an unforgettable race. My hi-vis T-shirt can’t be missed either.

Oldgirlruns profile image
Oldgirlruns10 Miles

A great run report Dexy, it made me feel I was back out there again🥵! I thought you did brilliantly and it was good to see you en route! It was definitely a grand day out!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toOldgirlruns

So glad it hasn’t put you off!

Bladerunner2049 profile image
Bladerunner2049Marathon

hi Dexy. It was so hot at Exbury this year. This was my second test, last year it was 15oC. Like you I was ok till about 6k then the heat started to affect me, it felt like I walked a lot. Turned out it was 5mins in total 😂 There was a few runners that needed treatment on the course and at the finish. Personally I thought they should have put on another water station.

We also spent time in the Gardens, had a lovely picnic and ice cream too. We live about half an hour away and have visited Exbury many times.

Thanks for the great race report. It was one of the hardest 10ks I’ve ever run we all did well to compete it. 😀

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toBladerunner2049

Sorry, we didn’t know you were there too Bladerunner2049 . 15C would have been so lovely. 😂

Yes I was surprised that they didn’t have water for both directions at that junction, so you’d get it at 4k and 6k. Not sure there was much room anywhere else for it. The organisers did email us all the night before to bring water on the run but I was expecting a full cup or bottle when we got to the station. I suspect the faster runners took more than their ration leaving less for the rest of us. UTS was given a full cup, whereas I was given less than 2 inches. A good job the full 1000 runners didn’t turn up.

Glad you had a lovely time too. I love the gardens in the spring but first time I’ve been there in June. It looks so different.

Bladerunner2049 profile image
Bladerunner2049Marathon in reply toDexy5

as we’re quite local most of the 3 running clubs that I’m in went along. The main one being the Chandlers Ford Community Running Group. Bright yellow t shirts, maybe you saw us at the beginning, post the race everyone was wearing bright yellow tops 😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toBladerunner2049

You’re in 3 running clubs? Well done you. It was great to see so many local club groups. The Solent Sisters are a fun group, but a bit too far for me to join them.

Coddfish profile image
Coddfish10 Miles in reply toDexy5

My experience of a lot of events is that water is in short supply for the people close to the tail. When I did the London Vitality 10k in 2019 the stations were out or closing down when I got there. Or they hand you a sealed plastic bottle with a screw cap that arthritic hands can’t open (GSR does this). It’s why I got my Lava Activ belt, holds 2 500ml bottles safely. Useful for long training runs and very hot weather, plus I have never been sufficiently bothered about timings to feel carrying a litre of water is going to be an issue. Self sufficiency has saved the day for me on a number of occasions.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toCoddfish

Yes I was surprised that some runners didn’t take their own in that heat with only one water station anyway.. I thought about wearing my hydration vest but I thought that might make me hotter. I need to do practice runs in it again.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon

Great report Dexy5 and well done to you, UTS, OGR and Mudita11 on what sounds like a lovely but challenging race in that heat. Brought back memories of the 2 Castles, which was such a similar experience, although we had lots of residents with sprinklers 😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toSandie1961

More residents with sprinklers would have been wonderful. Very few houses on our route though. Common sense took over, and getting a good time went out the window.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Half Marathon in reply toDexy5

I know exactly what you mean xx

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

Great report Dexy! You took us all with you on this one and we felt the heat on our backs too 🥵

It does sound like a beautiful location though and definitely worth the sweat 😂

Well done to you all 👏👏

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toIrishprincess

Thank you  Irishprincess . It was so much cooler on Monday. 🤷

Coddfish profile image
Coddfish10 Miles

I am glad to see you pushed your departure time back slightly. I had fears of you all being onsite at 7am for a 9am race with no toilets open. I have no idea how any of you managed to complete it, never mind achieve the times you did, in Sunday’s heat. It’s taken me a day and a half of cooler temperatures to achieve some sort of equilibrium and an ability to go outdoors. Well done. More medals, more T shirts, a race in a lovely part of the world.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toCoddfish

It was more my tardiness than by design Coddfish , and had to go back around the block to make sure I’d picked up my sunglasses 🕶️. It was well and truly buzzing when we got there.

Unfortunately some runners needed medical attention on the day, whether that was heat related I don’t know. I saw 2 people walking back before I’d done 3km. But yes it was certainly hotter than we would have liked . I was pleased with my time considering the amount of walking I did.

I’m glad you are starting to feel better now it’s cooled down a bit.

GTFC profile image
GTFCMarathon

Loved reading this Dexy5 Really well done to you and your friends in tough conditions 😎👏👏👏👏🎖

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toGTFC

Thanks GTFC. We will need to go back next year and hope it’s cooler. 😂

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon

Great report Dexy and well done to all of you👏🏅 - especially in the heat! 🥵Sounds like a good run though and the camelia medal sounds fab!🙂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toSandraj39

Thanks Sandra, the team did well, considering the heat. I thought a wooden medal was very appropriate for the location . 🌺.

RunBrianRun profile image
RunBrianRunHalf Marathon

Lovely race report Dexy. Well done to you all for completing that run in the heat. 🥵 I must put Exbury on my visiting list for next year too. 👍

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toRunBrianRun

Thanks Brian. I can see the advantages of your short distance running on a hot day like that.

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