PBs Best Served Cold - a Great South Run Story

[UpTheStanley]

I'm an irregular poster on here now, but thought I'd write a concluding chapter to a story that started 4 years ago, when I had a moan that my then 68 year old body had missed my GSR PB, set by my then 46 year old body on my only previous run 22 years earlier, by a mere 6 seconds (1:27:47 played 1:27:41). Two years later my then 70 year old body slipped back to 1:28:19 and I declared myself retired from the GSR, but with so many HU buddies making the effort to get to Pompey again this year, insanity exerted itself and I dragged my now 72 year old body round the course again yesterday in 1:26:35 - for my lifetime best! So I was just a little chuffed ..... end of brag 🙄.

As reported extensively elsewhere, yesterday's gang comprised Dexy5 , cheekychipmunks , Sandie1961 , linda9389 , Mudita11 , David_G and Oldgirlruns , all of whom deserve far more kudos than me, seeing as how none of them have been running for more than 5 years or so, and all started off on C25K. Well done all of you - not to mention Coddfish for turning up to cheer us on despite her own little local difficulties, and a variety of other halves beefing up the occasion, which included an excellent carb-loading dinner on Saturday evening.

We missed JonathanP who is only just returning to action from the injury couch, also TailChaser and Katnap , who offered some feeble excuse about having to run 26 miles 385 yards in Amsterdam as a reason for non-attendance! And doubtless others I've forgotten ... but there's always next year ... no, nurse, I'm all right really ...

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Another superstar! Well done to you and many many congratulations. 👏🏃🏻‍♂️🏅🏁🌟💥 I wonder how the day after is feeling?

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks O61, actually not too bad, though calf muscles unimpressed when asked to cycle into wind for a brief period!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

A natural born runner, and I would hardly call running 10 miles in 1.26:35 dragging your body around. 😂.

Amazing how medals have got bigger and heavier since 1997. I found it was a bit too heavy after running all that way.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I don’t agree Dexy - hefty is good and yesterday’s was lovely and chunky! 😅🏅

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I feel a bit pathetic keep saying WOW!!! But I'm just so impressed with all of you and although thrilled to be seeing clearly for the first time in years I'm a bit gutted to have missed this, but as you point out, there's always next year 😁.What an amazing time, congratulations 👏👏😁 on your PB and I'm glad you all had such an amazing day

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sue. More buddies equals more amazing 😀

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to UpTheStanley]

It certainly does

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Speedy UTS never fails to disappoint! Next year beckons too I suspect!

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Humm ……

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

That’s signed and sealed then.

[lexi6 10 Miles]

That's just awesome running UTS 👏 👍

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Very pleasing Lexi, but over 10 mins behind the fastest in my age group. “Proper” runners are just something else 🤪

[lexi6 10 Miles in reply to UpTheStanley]

No inverted commas need UTS you are a proper runner 👏

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Proper runners to me are the guys and gals who have done athletics as their number one sport all their life. I’m not bad for a retired hockey player 😀

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles]

A brilliant run for you coupled with your great support for those of us not quite in your league! So brag away UTS - you deserve it!

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

You’re just too kind 😇

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

So glad we managed to shame you into entering again this year 😂😂 You ran a brilliant race and are always so supportive and encouraging to those of us who are trailing in your wake. Well done 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie. FOMO has a lot to answer for ….. 😝

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

It does indeed 🤪

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations. Not only did you achieve brilliant time you beat yourself!!!! Can't wait to see your time in another 26 years when you hit 98!!

It does work like that doesn't it?

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thanks Week7, I generally describe my running efforts as “managing decline” but you never know 😀

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Week7]

😂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Congratulations UTS, can't wait ti read about your efforts next year, a new PB perhaps??

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

Thanks Shakes, I knew I’d forget somebody ….. 😳

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I am sorry I missed your triumph UTS. I remember your posts from a few years back, and the disappointment when you found your earlier faster time! Honour is now satisfied and red wine and a slightly smug smile are definitely in order.🥇

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Make that two somebodies 🙄🙄 - yes, a touch of red with and a glass of cognac after seemed appropriate come dinner time 👍.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

😂 making myself forgettable is a skill I developed given my chosen career!🙂

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Wow!!! That’s brilliant! Many congratulations and well done to you UTS 👏 An amazing achievement.

These running books/gurus know nothing when they tell us our best is behind us. Go you 💪

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Behind every successful man is ….,,,, 🤣

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

A good woman with a sharp stick!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

😂😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

As the saying goes,….. “ a surprised woman” 😂😂

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP, I wasn’t at all sure I wouldn’t hit the wall around 14k as I couldn’t find the pacemaker who’s kept me sensible the last two times, but I actually got a bit quicker towards the end. No headwind, thankfully 😀

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Oh my goodness- this is so inspiring UTS! Congratulations on a fantastic run!👏👏🙂🏅

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, I really wasn’t thinking about a PB, didn’t even realise when I first knew my time.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Dexy's obviously looking after you well and keeping you fit!!Huge congratulations. I bet you were beaming from ear to ear 😍

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, I knew it was better than 2 years ago, but the PB was a complete surprise - and did produce a bit of a grin when I realised 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Irregular you may be...but spot on with the runs and the report... Go You !! x

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks OF! Love and (gentle!) hugs 😀

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

I missed you all too UTS! Seems as though in this case 'managing decline' turned out to be a reduction in your finish time.👍

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Age grading has a lot to answer for 🙄

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Fantastic! What a brilliant PB UpTheStanley ! 😊💪👌xxx

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Aliboo! Surprised and chuffed in equal measure 😀

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Holy cow!! Well done UTS!!!! 😊😊😊

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Roseann! ‘Twas a good day 😀

[TailChaser Marathon]

Amazing UTS! I bet you are so chufffed!! Congratulations, that’s an amazing achievement 👏👏👏 Same time next year????

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks TC! Maybe one second less? 😂

[Katnap Marathon]

I had to chat with a runner we passed who was wearing a GSR tee and told her it's a long way to run to Portsmouth from here... (the Amstel). Funnily enough like us, didn't feel up to doing both 🤣

Great result at GSR for you and the HU massive!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thanks wings! You were both sadly missed in Sopranos 🥲

[misswobble Marathon]

😁😁😁😁. Great job! Well done 🥳👏🏅

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks MW!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

You certainly have bragging rights! Well done!

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks Cowlady! Sometimes things just go well …… 😀