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. ❤️
Written by
cheekychipmunks
Half Marathon
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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) 🥰
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.
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.👏👏👏👏👏👏
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! 😅
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! 🙂
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. ❤️
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, ✔️✔️
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.
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.
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). 🙂👍🏅
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? 😍
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
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! 🥰
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.🏃♀️😊🎉👏🏅🏁
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. 😊
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! ❤️
🤣 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! 🤣
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.
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. 😀
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 ….. 😳
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 ❤️!
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. 🐕🥰
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 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.
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!
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GNR 2023 Race Report