Severn Bridge 10k and first VRB meeting!

[Week7]

Yesterday I ran Severn Bridge 10k for the second time. The same ultra friendly, well organised race over the same special course ( the "naughtiness" of running on a motorway which never fails to amuse me!) - .BUT this year a new experience, my first meeting with some VRBs!

The day did not start as planned ! We arrived at the Severn Bridge at about 7:10 to find it already closed (advertised closure was7:30). Fortunately, Mr Wk7 saved the day and got me to the race on time.

Arriving at race HQ I spotted UpTheStanley in his hat said "Hi I am Week7" then dashed to use the facilities! (A recurring theme) Rejoining him I met Dexy5 and cheekychipmunks for a quick chat before heading off for final "preparations " and the start.

After straddling the central reservation on the way to the start- hindered by my short legs a brief hold and we were off!

I have not been training consistently like last year but running a very slow 10k about once a week has been my regular routine so I knew I was good for the distance but no idea how fast to go. I decided to play it by ear....

I felt brilliant at the start so just let myself go- not my usual way to run a set distance! It was just exhilarating running.. for the first 5k. Then reality and hill sections kicked in and it was time to dig in. A few brief brisk walks between 6 and 8k were just what I needed ( I copied another runner ahead of me doing this who seemed to have a plan and it worked!) Then, determined, I ran. the rest - except for "The Hill" where I had a brief walk at the top to prpare for my "sprint" to the finish!

The final run in was so exciting. After waving to MrWk7 and old pup Wk7 on the approach I heard a yell of WEEK! From my left-it was VRB royalty UpTheStanley cheering me in!

Later I met up with my the 3 VRBs in the flesh again for photos and a chat before heading back to the car to let old pup Wk7 have a rest and a trip to my favourite coffee shop to thank MrWk7 for his race support and wait for the bridge to reopen!

A fantastic day-can't wait for next year!!!

My time was a bit slower than last year at 1:03:46 (1:03:59 according to Mr Garmin) but much faster than any runs since covid in March. Feeling really motivated to start training properly again. Perhaps a HM training plan for focus?

Oh -nearly forgot - Mr Garmin decided to add 5 years to my age!! Don't know why-can only imagine he was miffed because he didn't get to speak to Cheeky, UTS and Dexy5!

So lovely to meet you all Dexy5, UTS and Cheeky and sorry to miss TailChaser and Katnap -may another year?

Amazing day ALL thanks to c25k and these chats😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

OMG Pup W7 totally stole my heart. What a darling old girl. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

She was sooo tired I had to carry her back from coffee shop to the car!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a great race you had and to meet VRB's makes it so special doesnt it?

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Absolutely, real "icing on the cake"!

[TailChaser Marathon]

Fab run Week7! Sorry to miss you, I’m sure there will be a next time 😢

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

I do hope so!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

what a fabulous jolly report, loved reading this. Well done to team Wk7 for making it happen!

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thank you.It really was a great day @

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I'm not sure I would've recovered fromt he panic of the early road closure! Well done you (and Mr Week7 of course). Sounds like a fabulous day all round 😊

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It was fabulous. Fortunately Mr Wk7 is pretty unflappable so calmly drove on ignoring my predictions of doom! -I do wonder if the panic was the reason I felt so good for the first 5k!

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

Simply astounding that the bridge was closed 20 minutes earlier than advertised!! Not what you would want prior to a race. Well done Mr Week7 getting you to the race in time. The fact that you run a slow 10km each week tells me you must be in really good running shape even if not at your speediest perhaps. Well done on your run and how lovely to meet some VRBs . Thank you for writing about your day I really appreciated readng all about it. 😊🏃🏻‍♀️🎉👏🏅🏁

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you for your kind words .I really enjoy my gentle plods and it's good to know that they are "enough". I am feeling motivated to do more after yesterday either longer or faster-there are some great plans around for both! 🤔 ...or I may just keep on plodding, or try a park run, or...running just gives us so many options 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

What a great sounding day! A run, meeting VRBs, great bling and a coffee shop afterwards 😍 Perfect!

Well done on your run and well done to Mr Week7 for getting you there on time 👏

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It was a great way to spend the day and the blung is a real step up from last year. Used yesterday's perfect active day as an excuse for a lazy day today. A very slow walk with a very tired dog and friends and yes.... a seat outside yet another coffee shop. Back to the real world tomorrow!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Well, coffee is restorative isn’t it? At least that’s what I’ve read…. ☕️

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

So lovely to meet you too Week7 . Your bio is so brief, we were searching to see if we were looking out for a male or female but we all guessed right. Glad to meet your cool chauffeur and doggie too. The coffee queue gave us ample opportunity to natter away, and it was great coffee too.

That’s an excellent time - UpTheStanley had to wait a bit longer for me. 😂

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you. It was great to have a good natter in the coffee queue-the best type I find! So good to hear about all the other VRBs you've met in real life!My bio? an attempt to retain an air of mystery 😁. I felt like a real detective looking for Fordy top and shorts to spot Tailchaser ( Mr Google was a great assistant) . But spotting THE HAT -not so hard!

I'm glad your run went well after you injury. Hope you aren't suffering too much today?

I'm very much looking forward to a another run and meet one day!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

Thank you, I felt surprisingly good once I got moving this morning. Back to the physio exercises today thought to help get rid of the sciatica altogether.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Great report,well done on your run and meet up with the lovely VRBs 😊👌xx

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thankyou

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon]

Good to meet you Week7, sorry I forgot your real name in the excitement of cheering you in 🙄. Brunhilda does come in very handy for VRB meet-ups, rarely fails to do her job!

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

You too UTS. So much more exciting to be cheered on by my "codename" ! I hear you were 2nd in age group...congratulations !!!

[GTFC Marathon]

Superb run Week7 really well done 👏👏👏👏 Your strength was there to go with it and adapt across the run. I love hearing race reports and about the meet ups. What a fabulous experience 👏👏👏

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

It really was a great addition to the bank holiday weekend!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

What a great day out! Fabulous race from you, with a very good time too. It was lovely that you met other lovely vrbs. Well done 👍

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you. I enjoyed every moment . Except for the early bridge closure! 😃

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done Week7 it sounds a brilliant race! Love that you had a meet up too!

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you. As others have said - it's a super fun, friendly and well organised race!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Week7]

It's on my to do list! Only about an hour from me so I must!

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

You must!!!!

[Katnap Marathon]

Yes! Hopefully see you next year Week7 or sooner!

🐱 Katnap 🐱