Oh to run as fast and as elegantly as a New Forest pony!
Hey there lovely VRBs!
A new week, mid- September already ... where does time go!
I hope you've all had a great week; I see I have lots of weekend race posts to catch up on, it was a busy weekend! It was also a pretty brutal one down in the South of England on account of some rather extreme weather. We haven't had much opportunity to train for those conditions in the UK this year!
I was lucky enough to be running in the New Forest with other wonderful forum RBs (is there any other event where you have to pause twice to let groups of racing ponies cross ahead of you?). I was also lucky enough to have dropped from the Half Marathon to the 10k because of injury. Why was that lucky? Well, it was a hot and humid day, unlike any other race day I have experienced and it would have been an altogether different challenge to run the longer distance.
Even though we had cloud cover throughout and rain too, the heat was incredibly oppressive and I sweated more than during any run I have ever done! There were water stations at about 2.5k and 8k, but I also drank my own bottle at 5k (and I usually drink very little on a run!). I then drank masses more after finishing.
By the time I finished my run it was absolutely pouring so we left immediately, although there was a music and food festival planned for the entire afternoon - NFM is not just a race, it's a day out. I really felt for the organisers - a core team of just two people - a whole year planning an event and no way to avoid being held hostage to the weather.
I have been lucky enough to run in Richmond Runfest twice (once the 10k around Kew Gardens, and once the HM from Kew, out along the Thames towpath and back again - both of which I highly recommend). Richmond Runfest was this weekend too. The team had been putting out messages all week about the weather, suggesting that marathoners could drop to the half, that PBs should not be a consideration and that people should bring their own water. The team said their intention was to bring in more water than normal - just like the NFM team. The Richmond team even built in an 'escape point' at the 10 mile mark of the marathon so that marathoners would have a second opportunity to drop to Half marathon distance even that late in their run. But things clearly still went wrong. I don't think Richmond had the luxury of cloud cover or rain, and endured temps of around 30C. Last night I saw a 'holding apology' from the team, with the promise of more information to follow today. It seems there were many medical incidents and water ran out for the slower marathon runners.
GNR was further North - I haven't yet seen how they fared but I hope it was easier on the runners and the race team.
It's so easy for us to criticise, but this morning I have to say I really, really feel for the small teams who will, I am sure, have tried incredibly hard all year to make their events a success, yet this morning are dealing with the fall out of their efforts. Needless to say, I also feel for anyone who succumbed to the heat yesterday, I do hope they are recovered today.
I hope you've been have been taking care and having lots of fun, despite whatever weather you find yourself out in! Please do tell us about your running and adventures - we want to hear from you all - whether good, bad or just plain happy medium! Let's get a good chat going here🥰.
Have yourselves a great week everyone! Do take care out there 😎
That was quick off the trot Linda. I didn’t see the ponies yesterday (I was way behind you) but it happened to me on my first run there . It is an amazing sight when they run together. I hope they weren’t too scared by the faster runners elsewhere.
As you say it was lovely to have the rain even though I looked like a drowned rat afterwards.
At the end of the day, we are all grown ups and responsible for our own actions and welfare. To run that distance in that heat without your own water is a little foolish I would say . Or is that a bit harsh.? NFM did get it right though , with taps to refil bottles and a zero tablet at the finish line too.
At the end of the day, we are all grown ups and responsible for our own actions and welfare. To run that distance in that heat without your own water is a little foolish I would say . Or is that a bit harsh.?
No, you're absolutely right Dexy5 . I screwed up not so long ago, running further than I should have in heat and without water or snacks. Felt lousy and had to have walk breaks and stop in any shade I could find. But it was my own stupid fault, nobody else's.
Oh I knew all about heat exhaustion before I went out, that's why it's even more stupid of me. I made incorrect assumptions about the weather and poor decisions in route planning, so I neither expect or deserve sympathy for what happened.
It's kind of you to say that linda9389 but I'm just being realistic. I could, and should, have taken a couple of minutes to grab an almond bar and to fill up my water bottle before going out.
Sure, normally I could do up to 15km or so without water or snacks, but I've been running much shorter distances because of the weather, and then went and added more distance and vertical into the mix for no good reason. So definitely stupidity on my part!
I'm sure the ponies were scared dexy - I've never seen them run so fast, especially through the trees. I too was like a drowned rat. We left the hotel in such a rush, having overslept, that I didn't think to bring raingear or warm clothing!
I agree with you - runners have responsibility for their own welfare too - after all, the heat wasn't unexpected. To assume it's OK to take two or more cups of water at every aid station seems a bit inconsiderate to me. I understand Richmond only had water issues in the early water stations, with plenty of supply at the end thankfully.
The highlight of my day was meeting you and the other HU runners, people who I'd read posts for some years now. I think the thing that will stick in my mind though is the Marathoners and then later the half Marathoners who ran past me so many of them said encouraging words and lots patted me on the shoulder on the way past.....that got me running again when I was almost ready to crawl home.
They really are 😀 the first guy who patted me on the shoulder made me jump out of my skin but loads of them said encouraging words and it got me running again.
And I was so excited to meet you all, runners who I've admired for years, and seeing Mudita11 again was a real treat too, it was an amazing day.
You are correct Sue and Dexy regarding runners as "lovely people" recently I have been the tailwalker at a few parkruns, as the runners pass me I get a lot of "thank you Tailwalker" that's nice of them to say that.
Hmm, I imagine that guy and the others meant well SueAppleRun , and you appear to have found it encouraging, but I personally would react extremely badly to even one stranger, let alone a whole bunch of them, patting me as they ran past. To me it's patronising, offensive and stupid - what if you'd been so startled you tripped, fell and injured yourself?
When I did the Trail du Gévaudan I met several lovely ultra-runners and marathoners, almost all men. I was treated with kindness and respect by all of them, and not one found it necessary to pat me.
I get your point, but I found it encouraging as I was struggling at that point and walking, wondering if I'd finish. I love running alone but it's also good for me to run with others
That's exactly it Linda, random strangers in the street would be entirely different, all running even though different distances effectively the same race (I know everyone runs their own race) it was encouraging.
We're all so different. I can imagine I'd have been startled at first, but then I think I would just have beeen overwhelmed by the kindness of it - I think I'd have received it very positively in the middle of a race.On the High St it would be a whole other matter 😕
I still wouldn't have responded positively in the middle of a race.
Asking if someone's OK and saying a few words of encouragement is showing kindness. Coming up behind a complete stranger and patting them out of the blue is infantilising and inappropriate behaviour.
If I'm in distress, the very last thing I need is some random laying their hands on me unexpectedly and without asking. I realise that's not the same for everyone, but the default should be don't touch unless and until you know someone will appreciate it. Especially, but not only, if you're a man approaching a woman.
How wonderful is that! I could tell who was running the marathon or HM as they joined the 10k pack - they were the ones running faster!!! I was in awe. It was lovely meeting yourself and Happy hays and I'm so glad you have your first official 10k in the bag. It was a difficult day to run - the next one will be so much easier (there will be a next one, right?) 🥰
I'm sure there will be a next one yes 😀😀😀 I spent half my running time planning what I'd do differently next time to be able to run more with less walk breaks 🤣🤣🤣 and came home formulating a plan to achieve that
I'm having cataracts removed, first one in about 3 weeks then I will be able to see where I'm going 🤣🤣🤣 it's going to make a huge difference, the whole world is blurry
According to a friend of mine who ran GNR yesterday it was pretty brutal up there too, with lots of runners dropping out due to the heat.
As for me, I had intended going back to Trotters on Thursday evening as we got back from France on Tuesday night, but it was too hot! So my only run in the last 2 weeks was parkrun on Saturday, when I took it easy due to the weather.
Hoping it turns cooler soon, as I am nowhere near ready for the Great South so need to start getting in some training runs😬
Hi Sandie1961, while watching The Great North Run on television yesterday I was also following a runner from Palacerigg parkrun who was taking part, using the GNR app I could follow every mile of her progress, I have heard that it takes ages on that particular run for runners to get going from the gun until they cross the start line, well it took 61 minutes for this lady and her friend from gun to start line, overall they completed the GNR in just over two and a half hours to be drenched in a thunderstorm which I noticed in the news this morning caused a lot of flooding especially in the Newcastle Metro, I do think that 61 minutes from gun to starting the run proper is disgraceful.
Hi Al! I’m not sure how long it took my friend to cross the start line, but he didn’t start until 11.38am, by which time it was already very warm. His time was 2.11, which is about 15-20 minutes slower than he usually runs a HM. There are an awful lot of runners to get across the start line but it must have been very uncomfortable waiting yesterday. I think it only took about 20 minutes for me to cross the start at the Great South Run last year.
Thanks for that reply Sandie1961, I have just had a report from that runner I mentioned in my first reply to you, she reported that it took just over a hour from gun to crossing the start line, it was very hot and she passed a lot of runner's who had collapsed due to the heat, she completed the run in just over two and a half hours.
Not long after she finished there was a thunderstorm with torrential rain which caused chaos with 3 hours delay and cancelled Metro trains due to flooding, eventually she got a ferry back to wherever that went to get to her car then a two and a have hour drive back to where she lives in Scotland which by the way missed all that heavy rain, despite all that she "enjoyed" her day in Newcastle.
There are 20000 runners at GSR compared to 60000 at the GNR so an hours sounds about right. But as we know the waves are called in at different times so hopefully the later ones could find some shade beforehand.
... that was from our wave starting though rather than from gun time wasn't it? Possibly even longer from gun time (but I may be wrong). But it did seem forever to be in a pen!
Yes, because I think we went off almost 2 hours after the elite runners. Hadn’t they finished before we started? 😂 There was a lot of standing around though!
I do think that 61 minutes from gun to starting the run proper is disgraceful.
I understand that the GNR has approximately 60000 runners. To me getting so many runners over the start line in 61 minutes sounds like an achievement, not a disgrace. How would you suggest the start is organised?
As for the weather, I see that the organisers have found it necessary to post a statement about post-race conditions. Are they supposed to be able to stop a storm and torrential rain ? Prevent flash flooding?
Maybe the complainers would like to try looking at what's happening in Morocco. There, but for the grace of God, go I.
With 60,000 runners, I am not surprised that it takes an hour to get to the start line. They will all be sent in waves in finish time order to make it safer for all.
Gun time means nothing to anyone but those elites in the front row.
I just don't fancy running with 60,000 other runners, that 10K last week I ran at had about 550, it took me about 30 SECONDS from the gun to the start line pad which of course starts your timing chip.
Those numbers could be a bit scary for the first time AlMorr , but in a big race you just see the people around you or going in a different direction elsewhere. Runners are sent off in waves so it is not too crowded in each group. I don’t really mind how long it takes me to get to the start line so long as that chip works when I get to the start line. 😂😂
... and of course the chip will always work for you Dexy and UpTheStanley as it did for me last week, I now have 3 medals hanging on my kitchen wall with my 212 Bib number beside them, my daughter and her husband congratulated me last Sunday on completing my first event 10K as my neighbour did as well. 😊 🏃🏾
I think that's the crux of this isn't it. Big events simply aren't for everyone and it's good to highlight the reasons why it may not suit. LLHM was a bit like that. To be fair though, not all waves are called at the same time; a slower runner shouldn't expect to start when the gun goes off.(as others have said), so people shouldn't be waiting for 61 minutes so long as they follow instructions.As cmoi says, it isn't really a disgrace so much as an inevitability.
For that reason, and for so many more (arguably more important reasons), size should definitely be a consideration whenever a runner is choosing an event. As you say, your 10k and GNR are worlds apart. And what suits one runner will not suit another.
A good point to raise though Al; discussions like this help others make informed choices 😊
Goodness, I don't imagine GNR suffers with heat very often; I imagine that took a lot of people by surprise. Imagine the logistics of providing enough water for that many runners in the heat!
I too am looking forward to cooler temps - it's ages to GSR isn't it? We have loads of time ... 🤔🙈😍
Good luck for your marathon plan RunWillie , I wish you luck for your race whenever that is, I am sure there won't be as many taking part as there was at The Great North Run. 🏃🏾
It's a big'un isn't it! I don't think I would fancy running amongst that many people - actually, what would bother me more is the logistics of a race with that many people!
I just got a idea Linda, the London Marathon which hasn't got as many runners as the GNR has 3 starting places, I wonder if they could have different places to start the GNR which at the moment has only 1 place to start which is on a duel carriageway. having at least 3 places to start might avoid 30 or more minutes from the gun before the run begins.
The main idea of the later start is to keep the slower runners behind the faster ones. I think the three different holding/starting places is probably more to do with finding space for everyone to congregate. But maybe it does help.
Great work RW. 10 miles puts you in east reach of HM. I think if the organisers of a major race said that they were providing water stations it would come as a shock if they ran out. A good idea to carry emergency rations on a really hot day……demand could take the organisers by surprise.
I love this forum for all the tips I pick up. I’ve only done one race & carried my own supplies. A road marathon I would certainly be relying on availability of water at some point as I wouldn’t want to run with a pack. We always have plenty of water fountains & shops on our city routes so probably not a big issue if you’re prepared mentally that’s a possibility.
I love running with just a handheld & running belt for fuel. It will be interesting to see how that works as I increase my long run. I’m not a fan of the hydration vest unless I’m on the trails.
I don't like a pack ... but it's definitely better than no water! If I can avoid it in a supported race though I will because it's just another discomfort!!!
I understand extra was provided but demand at the first couple of stations was even higher than anticipated, then logistical issues getting the water in meant that the additional availability didn't arrive in a timely manner. Not an excuse, just fact. Lessons learned all round I guess.
I very very rarely carry my own drink for a half, and never for a 10k - I rely on water stations every time. But on Sunday I took my own, with electrolytes, just because it made absolute sense! To me at least.
For the few races I have had, I didn’t bother with the early water stations. I think that I would use them now following my calf trouble at the GSR. Sounds to me as though the organisers did what they could and were hit with large scale unanticipated early demand …..as you say, lessons there for everyone, definitely including runners. When I am running distances of 10k plus on my own, I take electrolyte drinks too …..but not the dissolving tablets type. There can be residual fizz in them which causes inflation, for me anyway!
I thought 2.5k was too early on Sunday ... but decided it was a good idea not to pass up the opportunity. When I realised there was nothing at 5k I was really, really glad! That residual fizz often results in me getting a sticky soaking when I first open the bottle 🙈
The top on the first water bottle I had wasn’t very secure. The residual fizz in the drink was sufficient to raise the spout just enough to give me a wet derrière! I only use fizz tablets on days when I am not running…something like the lucozade sports drinks work better for me on a run.
What time do you do it in RW? I work my way up to 10 miles for the Great South Run and then tend to drop back again. I guess if I kept it going afterwards it would be easier but it takes me about 2hrs 15 mins
I’m normally around 2hrs if I’m taking it steady. I think I’ve done it in 1.45 when I was running faster one day. You would certainly be able to run a HM if you can run 10miles if you ever want too 😍
Very sensible. I have toyed with the idea of running the extra distance at the end of a HM to make it into a metric marathon. I reckon I could do it, but can’t summon up the will ……maybe some hitherto hidden common sense coming to the fore!
An ambulance with lights and siren passed in the other direction to me on the New Forest course; it's a horrible sight and I do hope the person they were attending is now fully recovered.
I guess you are used to running in these temps RW; do we sound like a bunch of whinging poms??? 😍 I guess you will be doing that 10 mile run early in your day 😊
I’m a whinging Pom by birth linda9389 so I’ll be joining you very soon complaining about the heat 🤣 It’s not too hot here at the moment so no need to run early yet.
The full marathon plan is 18weeks but I will get to 16 miles in week 11. Just need to remember to add on 0.3 😍
Hi Linda. The heat has penetrated even this far North. Today was supposed to be cooler, but my morning run was pretty savage. I was, as ever, grateful for the tree cover. We had a thunderstorm last night, but there were no puddles to avoid this morning and no real respite from the sun.
Today is a special day, so I decided on a long slow run (7k) which turns out to be my longest in 3 months. I took Coach Bennett along for company and have ended up feeling as though I am on my way back to fitness. I have shed a couple of pounds too, so all (small) steps in the right direction.
🙂 Slow is the only way over any real distance at the moment Dexy5. Intervals and Fartleks to come though. It has really clouded over now; rain in the air, so maybe the hot spell is on its way out.
Similarly even though the thermometer has dropped a little, it's been so oppressively humid here I've not run since parkrun on Saturday.
Even the walk down to and back from the optician's this morning (about a 2km round trip) required me to have a change of clothes when I got home. It wasn't sunny and I wasn't even overdressed: just a short sleeved shirt and shorts.
The humidity is brutal isn't it; the New Forest was positively steaming when we went out Sunday evening ... literally clouds of mist hanging everywhere
Let's hope the storms and rain will bring respite soon. I'm so glad you're feeling fitter at last, and seeing some progress in the pounds department - all good markers for future motivation, and for getting though special days too 🥰
It's still hot here and yes, I still hate running in the heat. However, it's up to me to deal with it, and take responsibility for failing to cope better. I screwed up a few weeks ago re heat and distance and lack of hydration, but it was entirely my own stupid fault, nobody else's.
While of course race organisers have a duty of care towards runners, it's hardly difficult to carry your own water. If you decide not to do so, don't go round whining about not having any. Similarly, if it's too hot for you to run, don't run. Don't start complaining that the race organisers haven't fixed the weather.
Reminds me of the journalist who got a freebie invitation to a multi-day professional conference that I used to organise years ago. Her feedback questionnaire complained that Danish pastries were provided during the morning break, but only biscuits in the afternoon, and that at the formal evening dinner the tables were too close together to permit dancing in between them. That was the extent of her response.
Some people will undoubtedly have prepared well for their races and encountered problems notwithstanding. I have every sympathy for those people, none whatsoever for the bleating others.
Blimey that questionnaire response really ... takes the biscuit!
I agree we have to take responsibility for ourselves and adjust when the environment is not what we are used to. Richmond had a real issue with the sheer number of people who succumbed to the temperatures. Medical incidents took a long time to attend to because it takes a long time to cool an overheated runner. My understanding is that that was actually the main issue. Perhaps too many people ignored good, sensible advice. Or perhaps it was simply ill-advised to hold the event in those temperatures? I daresay that's a new addition to RDs risk list (or at least moved up the priority list).
You must be so fed up of the hot weather by now - you've really had a long run of it haven't you ☹️
Little Miss Journo's response only took the biscuit because we didn't provide Danish pastries at every break!
As for the temperatures, I've been looking back at Strava and the heat-storms cycle kicked in properly in late May, when I was complaining about its being a mere 28°. Started off with cycles lasting a day, now it's weeks. Current forecast is storms this evening and again tomorrow evening with some rain in between, after which temperatures shouldn't go above the high twenties. That would be bliss!
We got rain yesterday afternoon! I was in the greenhouse and it was tropical in there. I moved outside to dig up Desiree’s for tea and just missed getting wet. Much cooler this morning while out with the dog 🐕. The air felt really fresh Mmmmm lovely 🥰
Running later so hopefully less draining than of late 🥵
We had rain yesterday evening, overnight and this morning! It's cooled things off to a mere 21° and everywhere's already looking greener and less parched. Utter joy, apart from the inconvenience of a couple of power outages and the TV going awol, which it quite often does in heavy rain.
I ran in my new shoes! 🏃♀️ They felt ok right out of the box. No idea what they’ll be like on a mixed terrain half marathon 🤷♀️ I shall soon find out 😀
My TV channels have all gone AWOL! I think my husband has waggled the aerial to favour his telly 😁
I only watch it on the rare occasion I get the ironing board out, and despite trying to auto tune the darned thing it came up blank several times.
Since shoes felt fine out of the box I'm sure they'll be fine for the HM.
I'm another one who doesn't really do TV other than as a distraction from ironing. Don't even know how to work it properly, my husband has a box of remotes and if I'm ever desperate enough to need to do something with the TV and he's not around I just press buttons randomly until something happens.
I prefer the Incoming Dead Granny Party ads to the Be Like Beefy, No More Knackered Legs! and the Kill Me Now I Can't Stand That Sickly-Sweet Voiceover You're Going To Die Soon So Do It On A Cruise ones.
It sounds like you jolly bunch had a wonderful time on Sunday Linda, and I don’t envy people who had to endure a HM in that heat and humidity wherever they were in the country. 🥵 Us Brits do best with dull and grey! ☁️
I sweated my way over the Severn Bridge and back on Saturday’s PR. It was foggy to the point where the bridge disappeared and tourists coming to see the view didn’t! It was only 19 degrees but I’ve never sweated so much on a run in my life. There was virtually no wind and it was like running in a steam room. 🥵🥵🥵🥵
My next race is on Saturday. Cheddar 10k, and I can’t wait! It’s small, so no waiting around for ages to cross the start. In any case, when running in a big race, I even enjoy that part of it. It adds to the buzz I think! That’s just given me butterflies for my upcoming HM and GSR! Running just keep on giving! ❤️
We drove over the Severn on the M4 yesterday and I thought of you all doing the 10k the other week 🥰 I'm not sure I would have been disciplined enough to face parkrun nin those conditions, you are a trooper for sure!
Cheddar 10k sounds like a lot of fun ... maybe one day ...
I agree that the build up to GSR is all part of the event. But I can say that as I've done it a couple of times and it's familiar now. the first time I encountered it I did find it all rather overwhelming, probably because it also happened to be my first ever organised event!!! Not long now ... 🥰
My understanding is that what really sets humans apart from the animal world in general is the ability to control body temperature through sweating. High humidity destroys that ability and at yesterday's event (Vale of York 10k / HM) people were suffering quite badly - a couple of upsetting things at the side of the road too (just hoping everything is ok for those people).
Probably my hardest run yet. In the circs I couldn't do much more than go to run-walk and treat it as a training day. And there will always be other days ...
On the positive side met a marshall who has just had their cataracts done and said how easy it was. (All reassurances from posters here last week on this subject were very welcome btw)
A quiet week before heading off to Glencoe / Ben Nevis area for the Skyline event (I'm too chicken to do any of the races ... Fort William parkrun for me) and supporting Ms Skippy.
With the evenings closing in the club run will require hi-vis clothing .. so happy running everyone and ... youtu.be/MJDQewSMB-E ... (this dates me!)
I missed the cataracts discussion, but can add to the positive comments! My 10k was exactly that in the end - a training run for the GSR in a few weeks. It was a whole new experience running in that humidity - not one I'm in a hurry to repeat! Enjoy the Scottish trip - I'm sure it will be fun being a supporter for a change 😍
Love the ponies! Or rather I love the thought of them 🙂. If they were galloping around me I’d be very wary. Same with cows, which I go out of my way to avoid 😀
I’ve got all my runs in but still getting Achilles twanging. I got new shoes yesterday so hopefully that’ll improve matters.
I might think about packing my race bag today. My race number arrived! 🙂🏃♀️
Have a great week everyone. Hopefully the arrival of the rain brings with it some cooler temps🙂
They looked entirely different at speed Miss W - and boy did I envy their effortless speed! Race number - ahhh, the excitement will be building then! I do hope it's more pleasant to run in for you than it has been - easier than the training runs!!!
I love horses but I give them plenty of room when I meet them on the trail 🙂
I didn’t pack yesterday. Couldn’t get bothered ☺️ I don’t know what I’m wearing yet 🤔. It’s a nice dilemma to have 😃
I was out with the dog earlier and wore a fleece! The air was much fresher.
Apparently it’s going to rain on Sunday and the forecast says a “moderate breeze”. It was hard to stand up at some parts of last year’s race 😑. The open sea to my right and the wind farm to my left 😁🏃♀️
I’m packing 😀. I’m being ruthlessly minimal as per cos I hate “stuff” 😁.
We went for a posh, post race Sunday lunch last year so I needed a smart outfit. I couldn’t get my ruddy heeled shoes on! 😱😁. So I picked up my stilettos 😬, walked in my stockinged feet down several flights of stairs (ouchy ouch ouch) and put them on when I approached the reception 👠
This year we’re doing fish n chips, and unless I’m wet through or sweaty, I’m not getting changed 😁
Hi Linda, thanks for hosting this week. I’m having a particularly good week so far with my 2 titles at the weekend. I did feel for anyone attempting to run last Saturday. It was truly dreadful and reminded me of the conditions I used to run in when I lived in Bahrain. The dry heat is fine (up to a point), but when you add humidity, it quickly becomes unbearable, and can take you by surprise if you’re not used to it, which I think must have happened at Richmond. Folk just weren’t prepared properly for it. I do feel sorry for the organisers, there’s only so much they can do and should not bear any responsibility for people’s lack of preparation. It was just unfortunate in my opinion.
I shall be heading into my last serious track training session this evening before Pescara. It’s tricky as I don’t want to overdo it so will be focusing on fast feet drills, Plyometrics, a few run outs and maybe a short gym session after.
I still haven't caught up with everyone's weekend yet as I'm away with my father, but that sounds like it was a wonderful weekend for you! How you sprint in those conditions is beyond me ... but maybe it's not long enough to build up a sweat 😍 Definitely err on the side of caution between now and Pescara, anything else doesn't bear thinking about!!!
I've never been to the New Forest and the thought of potentially seeing those ponies whilst you're running sounds just lovely. May well be tempted one day to do this one and coincide it with a bit of sight seeing (that's how I'll sell it to the OH 😂)
I think the GNR organisers did everything they could. It was an incredibly unusual day with such extremes of weather and it's hard to say what they could have done differently. They certainly weren't responsible for the lobbing of empty water bottles into the middle of the road (I saw 3 people slip over on these), nor could they have anticipated the South Shields Metro station flooding (there's a photograph of the foyer as they closed it and it's inches deep).
Sadly there were many casualties through the course; I gave way to 3 ambulances during the run and there were others coming through on the other side of the carriageway. But I didn't see anyone in trouble who didn't have help with them which was reassuring.
I don't know if the gentleman who was 102 years old sheltered during the rain but I was privileged to watch him come down the finishing straight and cheer him home. Also the guys who carried a model of the Tyne Bridge, legends!
That's a good post from you Jackapoodle but how did YOU find your first Half Marathon running the Great North Run?, did you complete it before the thunderstorms or were you drenched before you finished? despite all the hot weather, runners collapsing in front of you I hope you enjoyed the wonderful experience of running on Sunday the world's greatest half marathon.
There are always some awesome sights to store away in the memory bank at large events. I do hope you enjoyed it all and that the logistics worked out for you in the end. The relief of crossing the start line is always a wonderful moment for me after all the build up.
I would highly recommend the New Forest event - with 5k, 10k, HM and Marathon events, there really is something for everyone. The 10k was totally scenic the whole way round, I loved that and would really, really like to go back and do the half that I had hoped to do. The whole area is beautiful, so turning it into a mini-break would be very worthwhile - the combination of coast and forest ticks many, many boxes for me, the villages are pretty, if congested and there are so many wonderful cycle routes too. Put it on your list!!!
It sounds a gorgeous route Linda and I think you made the right decision dropping from the HM 🥵 Well done on doing the 10K in such temperatures.
The ponies must have been a “stop-in-your-tracks” moment. I get that sometimes when deer run across my path. I just stop and stare at them 😍
My running is shockingly badly bad at the minute, ie still non-existent. After a month of no running I headed out today for a walk/run combo but my hip didn't like it so it’s back to the IC for me. I’m getting increasingly frustrated with all these injuries. I just want to run!
But the good news is that my hip is getting better so I guess it just needs more time.
I’m enjoying reading everyone’s fab race reports so I can always pretend I’m there. Sort of 😂
Sorry, I lost my reply before hitting the button 🙈I'm so sorry you are still not able to run - so frustrating. Although I can't do the distance or pace I'd like, I'm massively thankful that I'm still getting out to run something. Sending all the healing vibes I can muster xxx
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