Great South Run 2023 - Race Report ❤️

[cheekychipmunks]

Might be another long one. Apologies to anyone who glazes over!

What a magnificent weekend. Mr Cheeky, Flossie and I headed to Portsmouth yesterday afternoon, driving through some very lively spells of rain which seemed to follow us! Got rather wet walking Flossie when we arrived, but we were treated to the most beautiful rainbow to make up for my resulting disastrous hairstyle! All forgiven.

We then met up with Dexy5 UpTheStanley Sandie1961 Oldgirlruns , linda9389 Mr Linda, Mudita11 Mr Mudita and David_G for a very well behaved carb loading supper (just 2 x G&Ts for me 😇), had a good catchup, then turned in. Appalling night’s sleep in a too warm hotel room - always happens so no drama.

Today dawned chilly but with bright sunshine. ☀️ Knowing how hot I run, I stuck with shorts and was mighty happy I did. A nice cool breeze helped. Mr Cheeky and I watched the jaw dropping elites go off first. Wow. 💥 Failed miserably to meet up with anyone in the pink wave start pen but that didn’t matter unduly. Took part in the jolly warmup, then next thing I knew we were off.

My race was totally uneventful. I haven’t trained properly at all; in fact my Cardiff HM was pretty much it (in which I’d Jeffed from 13.5k) as well as a few 10k races. Still. I felt confident and was chuffed to bits to run the 10 miles in its entirety. Yes my legs tired towards the end, but I managed a sprint finish and apparently was so focused and in the zone I missed UTS cheering me in, as well as Coddfish and Mr Coddfish. Sorry guys! I did spot Mr Cheeky and Flossie at 800m to go though. ❤️ My time was a little over 2hrs 12m, close to 12 minutes off last year when I was suffering with post viral fatigue. In fact today was the 2nd quickest of my four GSRs, so woohoo. 🙏

Met up briefly after for some photos, then we went our separate ways. I’m happy to admit I soaked in the bath for more than an hour when I got home!

I suspect there’ll be more race reports if there haven’t been already! Enjoy. It was so much fun. ❤️

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Yay 😁 that sounds so much fun and you ran it all? Awesome! 👏👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks SueAppleRun , it’s always fun and the atmosphere really helps get you over the finish line! 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Haha! I spent rather too long in the bath too ... after the rugby of course 😍 That was an awesome run Cheeky. I hope you're feeling well chuffed and that the latest bling has taken pride of place (assuming you've taken it off that is) 🥰

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

That bath was in my mind all the way home linda9389 ! I had the radio on so heard that nail biting result. 🏉

Bling is displayed proudly on the last remaining place on my hanger. It’s a lovely hefty medal isn’t it, and I love the red. 😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

we’ve been too busy watching rugby to write a post cheekychipmunks ! So lovely to see Flossie again, as well as you and Mr C. It was an excellent run for you.

That rainbow brought good luck to us all I think.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I listened to the rugby in the bath Dexy5 . What a result. 💥

Thanks for organising such a fabulous weekend again. Mr C enjoyed having Flossie to mooch around with and she loves being in running photos. 🥰

That rainbow did indeed bring us luck; I think we were all pleasantly surprised with our respective results. 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Tremendous run cheeky, and looking around the photograph everyone seems to have made the finishing line despite the spate of injuries. You thought that you were not ready….but then made it with a flying finish too. Chipmunks Rule !!!! So pleased for you.👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oldgirlruns and David_G made it too just after this photo BC. Such a lovely day.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

That is brilliant! Congratulations everyone. From walking wounded to champions!🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🍷🥇

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Everyone's a champion BC!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Absolutely Linda; everyone who ran is definitely a champion. 👏👏👏👏👏🥇

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks Beachcomber66 ! Yes, unfortunately Mr C and I needed to make a move otherwise we could have had  Oldgirlruns and  David_G in the photo too, to complete the set. 😀

It was so much fun, and yet again the weather behaved. 🙏 And I had legs this year, not cooked spaghetti! 😅

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I am sure (hope)that there will be more posts and photographs! To get a 100% completion out of all of those pre run injuries/ sub optimal build ups/ recovering long term issues was incredible. It just shows how far determination/ borderline stubbornness and friendship can carry you when required! 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh you’re right there BC! We were all supporting each other, although I regret we couldn’t stick around a little longer to cheer David and OGR in. 🥺 You know what a great event it is. ❤️

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Brilliant report and run for you today at The Great South Run, CC congratulations, lovely photos of you, the other runners from this forum and the medal and rainbow, that was a good time as well, 2hrs 12, ✔️✔️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you AlMorr , I was pleased with that time in the circumstances. Quite a way off my PB, but I’d trained properly that year.

It was lovely seeing the HU crew and we all had a blast. 🥰

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I didn't report my only 10 miles run I ran a few weeks ago but my time was only two minutes quicker at 2:10:30, apart from that half marathon I ran last November, I'll tell you a little secret, this Wednesday I am going to attempt to run another Half Marathon, it will be the longest run since that HM I ran last November in memory of the late great Tim.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Oh wow AlMorr another HM! How wonderful. I do hope you’ll tell us all about it. Do you have your route all mapped out? 😀

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes, it's my normal route, running around it more than my normal 5K or 10K runs, combining my short, medium and long runs into one, I certainly won't be running non stop but hope to run/walk or jeffing as they call it now.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Good luck, and have fun! 🙏👏👏

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done on your run👏👏👏 - what a great event this is! I was there watching my husband and eldest son…getting very emotional to see them cross the finish line. Portsmouth never disappoints and this event is probably my favourite ( having done it 3 times). 🙂👍🏅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I can imagine you feeling emotional seeing them Sandraj39 . That long run in to the finish is something else, and the crowds really lift you. I even managed to crank my weary pins into a sprint! It was a great day wasn’t it? 😍

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Just fab!😍👏👏👏🏅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏾‍♂️

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

You didn’t look as if you’d broken a sweat afterwards Cheeky, so you must be pretty fit. You did brilliantly. Was really lovely seeing you again and to meet Flossie who I have fallen in love with ❤️ 🐕 xx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

Haha I’m not a huge sweater Mudita11 , although I’ve bucked that trend this summer on occasion. 🥵 Cardio-wise I never struggle, but my legs tire the longer the race goes on. Still, I was mighty pleased with my result. You did amazingly and always look so stylish! 😍

Let me know when you guys fancy a trip to the Curly Wurly! Oh, and I’m glad you got to meet Flossie! 🥰

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Wow! You super star you! Such relaxed training, if slightly absent even and then you ran the whole way! Fabulous! Wonderful! So pleased to read this.🏃‍♀️😊🎉👏🏅🏁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61andstilltrying ! I’ll take that; relaxed training! 😅 Non existent is more like it however!

Yes I was pleased to run the whole way. I never once felt the need to walk, so my Cardiff HM must definitely have helped. 🙏

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I continue to shake my head in astonishment, that you can run and run and run without what may be considered the necessary training. Super star! 🌟I seemed to need to grind out an 8.5km run on Saturday (135m elevation), your 16km+ seems way beyond me at the moment. What elevation gain did Mr Garmin give you for the GSR? I trust that you are continuing to enjoy the after glow of another special W/E. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Ahh that’s the thing too over61andstilltrying , the beauty of the GSR is that it’s basically flat; just a couple of very minor inclines. 🙏 Cardiff was mostly flat too, but there were a few decent hills which did me in on a run that length. I’m impressed with your 8.5k hilly run. You’re amazing too! ❤️

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🤣 I don't think so! I was surprised when I ran my only 10 miles(2 years ago), I chose to run beside the river, I drove to my starting point. The aim was to have a flatter run. Even beside the river I still had 141m elevation gain. So does the GSR give 0m elevation gain? Or perhaps 10m? How novel! 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

It was between 20m and 30m (depending on whether you believed Garmin or Strava). And I’m surprised it was that much! 😅

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you, I always wonder about elevation when race times are mentioned. Somehow the data feels incomplete without. I just don't have flat runs of any distance around here. It would be interesting to experience a few. One day perhaps.

Are you fully recovered now?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Yes thanks, no aches and pains at all. 🙏 Actually I prefer a few inclines up and down. Nothing too big however! I find my muscles almost tire more over a long flat run as the same ones are being used over and over again. At least that’s how it feels for me. 😀

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That's very interesting! I have not heard anyone say that before. No aches and pains at all! So good to hear. 😊

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

Congratulations Cheeky - wonderful run 😊👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Thank you skysue16 ! We had a lovely weekend. 🥰

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Wow, I didn’t realise you’d taken so much time off last year’s 👏👏👏 It was such a lovely weekend and we were so lucky with the weather again 😃😃

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes I was a lot slower last year Sandie1961 when it felt like I was running on cooked spaghetti or hollow drainpipes - the weirdest sensation! Yesterday felt so much better despite the lack of training, so I’m really pleased. 🙏

Can’t believe how the weather always seems to smile on us. One of these years ….. 😳

[Bluebirdrunner]

What a great run Cheeky!

You smashed that..

Congratulations on your 4th GSR, you are awesome!

🏃‍♀️💪🌟🏅xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you Bluebirdrunner ! Yes, four GSRs now. It’s a wonderful event. 😍

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles]

A massive well done cheeky, taking all that time off your last year’s time is brilliant! It was lovely to see you again and to renew acquaintances with Flossie ❤️!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks Oldgirlruns , it was wonderful to have you taking part too, although I did miss your support around the 10k mark where you normally cheer us on! Better to have you running though! ❤️

Happy you got to see Flossie again! She loves meeting my friends. 🐕🥰

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Great job Cheeky! and another lovely get together with running friends 🥰

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Thanks! 🙏 Definitely a great meetup lexi6 , and I hear you’ll have a special visitor soon too! What fun. 👏👏👏

[lexi6 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know! I know 🎶 🎶 I'm so excited 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

I am too and I’m not even part of it! 🥰😍😅

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Excellent report! Sounds like a brilliant weekend! 👏 😊xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thank you aliboo70 , the race, weather, meet-up and that beautiful medal made it easy to write a report! ❤️

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on a great run! Using a half marathon with good bling to train for a ten mile race with more good bling- perfect!! Lovely to see Flossie soaking up the atmosphere too!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Ahh yes, the bling Week7 . No way would I subject myself to those distances without it! Flossie had a lovely weekend too. 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Woo hoo! That bling looks gorgeous Munks, I love it 😍

And why do they have hotel rooms so hot? I hate it and the first thing I do now is try to turn the heating off or open a window.

That little VRB group is getting bigger! Sounds so much fun, well done.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I thought of you when I was handed my bling Irishprincess ; it’s so hefty! 😍😍😍 My favourite sort. 😅

I know! Hot hotel rooms with no way of cooling it except opening the window - which worked a little bit, but not enough. 🥵

I see the Bath Half is back to March next year …. Interested? 😈

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You know it’s my nemesis Munks so it has to be done, one year!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

cheekychipmunks had a window with a view this year, which also meant facing the lovely sunshine all day. Having said that, I was at home and I saw every hour on the clock overnight. Must have been the excitement in my case.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Yes, we lucked out with our view, although from memory I booked early enough to request a sea view. Note to self: book again soon for next year!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

well done Cheeky, great run and report. I love a flossie pic so good to see her too. Xx

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

Ahh thanks Shake-and-run . We missed you of course. Might you be tempted for next year? 😀

Flossie and Mr Cheeky had fun mooching around in the sunshine. 🥰

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

never say never! Looking forward to our Monsil Trail meet up!

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

Well that’s a yes then! 😂

Yes, that’ll be so much fun. 😀😀

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Sounds a great weekend! Lovely meet up and a great race! Well done on your time- very impressive on little training but you must be just keeping fit anyway!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks Cowladyrunning ! Yes it just shows you that as long as you just do some running, it keeps a baseline fitness. 🙏

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just fantastic!!! It sounds to have been incredible an incredible and run... and with all the friends there too... Fabulous! Well done to you!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks so much  Oldfloss . It’s made all the better by having friends there to support, and be supported by. 🥰

Talking of which, might there be another meetup at Monsal Trail on April 7th? 🤞

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Well done Cheeky! Is that what you call winging it?😜

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Yes JonathanP throwing caution to the (very little) wind and just going for it! 😅

[TailChaser Marathon]

Amazing cheeky! Your running style is so efficient and relaxed, I’m not too surprised at your great time 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Thanks TC! Loosey Goosey Chipmunk? 🪿 😎 🐿️