I did it!

[Oldgirlruns]

Oh my word, what a weekend! I finished the Great South Run! It started with a lovely meal out last night superbly organised by Dexy5, with UptheStanley, DavidG, Cheekychipmunks, Sandie1961, Linda9389, Mudita11 and assorted non-running HAPs (husbands and partners!). This morning dawned cold (for the first time this year!) but sunny and we headed off to the GSR start. Bags dropped, into the pink wave pen, mass exercises done and we were off! Now, I confess that my race was mainly walked, with some running interludes; my training took a nose dive over the summer and a recent (Friday!) diagnosis of a Plantar Plate tear meant that I was never going to break the world record for 10 miles by a 70 yr old woman but my aim was to get round in 3 hours and enjoy myself and both were achieved in spades, with a time of 2hr 47. A high five with Dexy5 at one point when she was going one way and I was on the other side of the road and a hug from Coddfish and Mr C at the 6 mile mark, really gave me a lift, as did the encouragement from people all along the course and the various music events we passed. At around 8 miles I fell into step with DavidG and we finished the race together - and yes, we did run across the finish line! The only downside was that by the time we finished, they had run out of teeshirts - and I was in it for the teeshirt and bling, oh and the pleasure of running down the middle of Portsmouth’s streets without being run over! A coffee with Dexy and UTS, a short walk home in the sunshine and one shattered but dead chuffed OGR! Well done everyone, didn’t we have a good time!

[Elfe5]

Absolutely fantastic OGR! Chuffed! I should think so too!

Hope the Plantar Plate tear settles soon. Xx

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks Elfe5, hope you’re ok?

[Elfe5 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Yes good thanks. Recently recompleted C25K after a long spell of PF. Back in the saddle!

Hope you are feeling thoroughly smug today! 😄

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Such a fabulous weekend and you did brilliantly, smashing your 3 hour target out of the park. The t-shirt thing is really annoying. I couldn’t get my size, but got a smaller one (incentive to lose weight 😂) Hope the foot injury improves quickly 🤞

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie, it was great wasn’t it! I’ve asked about the teeshirt and we’ll see what happens.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Wonderful to read this. I wish I could have been there, we'd have run/ walked the whole way at the same pace. It sounds like a lovely meet up too 😁

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

It was brilliant Sue! I’m sure we’ll get our meet up one day!

[Bluebirdrunner]

Congratulations Oldgirlruns that is an amazing achievement, especially with your painful foot.Really well done, and brilliant that you abd David_G finished together in style!

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🌟🌟🏅🏅 xxx

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you BBR! Yes, it was great to have his company at the end of the race!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I know how important taking part in this race was for you Oldgirlruns . For goodness sake, you have been cheering people on ever since we both moved here in the 90s. I remember you saying you would like to do it one day. I didn’t have the same wish, although I loved watching it. With all the things that have been thrown at you over the last few years, I am so proud of you. Yes you may have walked a lot of it , but you were running strongly when we came across each other, and you were grinning from ear to ear . You definitely earned that T-shirt (and I’m sure you will get it online later) but just wear your medal everywhere for the next few weeks.

At the end of 10 miles

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy - I could never have done it without your support!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Oldgirlruns]

😘 and vice versa

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon]

I’m sure the Plantar wotsit tear will be sorted for next year 😀😂

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to UpTheStanley]

It had better be! Sorry, what did you say? Next year? Next year?!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

😂😂😂

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Great achievement OGR, love that photo!

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to lexi6]

Thank you lexi - a picture of relief!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Great run for you Oldgirlruns, glad you got your target of under 3 hours, sorry about not getting a T Shirt, could you not try and push the organisers to get one? that's what you wanted. ✔️

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to AlMorr]

Those who missed out were advised to send an email to obtain one Al. I think the perfect weather drew a lot of last minute entries, from faster runners who got all the T-shirts. It’s a shame that that Oldgirlruns didnt get it on the day, but we’ll do another photo when she gets it.

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al, yes I’ve emailed the organisers about it and we’ll see what happens. But I have my bling so that’s ok!

Race finishers bling

[hamit]

Fantastic!

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to hamit]

Thank you hamit!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Many, many congratulations! Just so good to read that you took part after, I think, many years of encouraging others and both enjoyed yourself immensely and achieved your sub 3 hours by 13 whole minutes! Very well done, enjoy the after glow and I do hope that you receive a t-shirt in due course. 😊🏃‍♀️

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks Over61; yes, every year I’ve been down to watch, I’ve thought I’d like to be more involved - my family thought I was mad but saw the light when I pointed out that with Parkinson’s, I’m determined to do these things while I still can!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Indeed! I expect that they are absolutely delighted with your run. 😊🏃‍♀️👏

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Brilliant stuff! Well done - what a great event this is! Just watching this year but 🤞for next year! Enjoy the lovely bling!🙂🏅

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra - in the end I decided not to wear the bling when I went to bed😂!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Probably the right call!🤣🛌🏅

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

This is brilliant, congratulations! 😊👌💪xxx

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks so much Aliboo; slowly gets there in the end! Hopefully we’ll see you here before too long!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

fantastic achievement, it is a delight to read your post OGR. 🥰

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thank you Shakes; it was fun! Will we see you here one day?!

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

Never say never. ……

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

You truly smashed your target there! That was a remarkable achievement and how lovely to have someone to run over the finish line with too.What a shame about the tshirt though; was it a size issue or had they gone altogether?

I hope the foot problem heals fast and you can get training for next year 😍

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, we were told the shirts had gone completely. That may have been late entries taking them, or people who’d not ordered taking one anyway or maybe they just didn’t have enough! Who knows; it’s not a huge issue, it would just be nice to be able to show off!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Surely they should be honouring the tshirt though; it's ridiculous that they don't carry a buffer - most small events seem to

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

They will probably put another order in Linda as they advised OGR to email and let them know her size again etc. I think the good weather drew lots of last minute entries from faster runners. It’s probably an advantage because the T-shirts are smaller this year so she can order the next size now.

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on a great race! The big VRB meet up sounds lovely!Running down the middle of roads in races always seems so special doesn't it?

Congratulations again. Hope you are resting that foot today!

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

Thanks Week7, yes today will be a day of rest!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Well, I think you’ve earned a nice new shiny badge there! Well done 👏

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you IP, I’m definitely proud of the bling!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

So you should!

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh my gosh I’ve just realised what you meant - a new 10 miles badge! Thank you!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Whoop whoop. I forgot Oldgirlruns would get a new HU badge. 🥳

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

What a happy face!!! That was a truly amazing run OGR and in such impeccable company too. My FUWMO (fed up with missing out!) has heightened still further. Your shirt will come I am sure …or there will be trouble 👿. A really lovely day for you all to look back on.🙂👏👏👏👏

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

This is a lovely report! I think that must be great to see people you know mid race like you saw Dexy and David and coddfish! Huge congratulations to you!!

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks CLR, yes their support came just at the right time!

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Just fantstic... well done to you... and what a super run ... with the friends and the fun!!!

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss; it was a great weekend!

[Runnerno]

Very well done to you Oldgirlruns so sorry to hear about your Plantar Plate tear

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles]

Thanks Runnerno, I’m sure my foot will sort itself out- in the meantime I may be forced to do more parkrun volunteering than I’d planned - anyone for very wet Stratford marshalling (if you remember that!).

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Amazing achievement OGR! But how rude to run out of t-shirts!

[TailChaser Marathon]

Fabulous OG!! I hope they can get a t shirt to you, you sooooo deserve it. Determination and tenaciousness deserve a superstar shirt 🤩

[lacolyn]

I have been diagnosed with a PPTear, what hope, what treatment? I'm feeling really down.