Another Great South Run report

[Sandie1961]

As I am sure you are bored of being told, we had a fab HU meet up in Portsmouth over the weekend. A chance to catch up on the news our very active What’sApp group might have missed and for other halves to socialise while waiting for us to get back. Oh yes, and to run a lovely 10 mile race. Unfortunately Mr S has got a stinky cold so decided to keep his germs to himself, leaving me to drive the 220 miles each way (hard work yesterday afternoon 🥱). I had booked a really great hotel too!

Right up until about 10 days ago, I had been debating whether to pull out due to my piriformis problem, but, in the end, the FOMO overtook the pain and I lined up at 11.00am for my 4th GSR. The weather was absolutely perfect, cool, sunny with barely any wind. Although I knew my time wouldn’t be as good as previous years, the first 5 miles went quite well and I was on track to complete in just under 2 hours at around 11.30 per mile. Then at mile 6 I had to slow down as my leg was starting to ache and by mile 8 it was really hurting so I went into walk/slow run mode as recommended by my physio and my pace dropped to almost 14 mins. However, I crossed the line in 2.08.50 and got my medal and t-shirt 😃😃 So glad I went. It was lovely to see everyone. Congrats to you all on great runs (despite injuries in some cases) and special mention to UpTheStanley on his lifetime PB and Oldgirlruns for smashing her target time 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Not suffering from FOMO at all ........honest🤥

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

😂😂😂unfortunately I won’t be doing it next year, but maybe we could do 2025?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Epic determination Sandie! Bet you’re glad you came now. 👏👏👏👏👏 Hope you aren’t too sore today. 🤞

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you Cheeky. I was going to come anyway, if only to cheer you on, but it wouldn’t have been the same. A little sore, but doing the stretching!

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

I just said,'No!' Out loud!🤣 Not in the least bit bored of hearing about the events of the happy W/E at the GSR. Well done indeed! Not only completing the run, but of all the driving too. Another super star! Many, many congratulations!🏃‍♀️👏🏅🏁🎉🚗

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Aww thank you 😊 We do get a little overexcited 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

(A little) ????

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂🤪🤣

[Bluebirdrunner]

You were determined to get there and run Sandie!

So many obstacles to manage and overcome, the call of the bling and T-shirt is strong with you.😅 The FOMO helped too.

Congratulations on competing in and completing your 4th GSR. Strong stuff Well done!!

🏃‍♀️🌟💪👌👏👏

Hope Mr S feels better very soon.🤞

xxx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you BBR 😊 You know me too well. Can’t resist a medal 😂

Mr S has nipped to the surgery as he can’t get through on the phone and AskMyGP closed after 3 minutes this morning 🤬 Can’t risk a chest infection when we are flying to Oz in 2 days 🇦🇺

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done for getting here and taking part despite all the injuries you’ve had. I hope the after effects don’t last too long. Was it the back of the legs and glutes that hurt? So sorry we didn’t meet Mr S this year but with your impending holiday it was probably best to stay home and get better. He’ll have to come back to stay in that romantic room.

Thanks for your company in the loading pen!

that beautiful blue sky has been replaced with grey clouds and a chilly easterly. We were so lucky.

Dexy and Sandie in the pink pen

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Takes more than that to keep me down! Hip and nerve pain down the side of my leg 😖 Physio tomorrow 😃 Yes, it was lovely to chat as we shuffled to the start

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

Ooch , sounds like you’ll need to keep up those exercises while away.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

I've been checking back regularly just to read the GSR reports, I'm so pleased you got round, maybe we'll get another meet up at some point

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

Gosh , I’d better do mine then Sue. Sorry to keep you waiting. I have washed all the running gear though. 😂

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

That's the important thing Dexy5 I'll read it when you've written it, no hurry though, it's just been great reading them, and hoping next year I can be there too, it's being quite hard not being able to run when I feel fit and healthy

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

just enjoy looking around you and seeing things clearly again Sue. The runs will still be there when you are allowed.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

That's very true, and my old glasses sort the double vision so I can drive 😁

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Truly proud of you Sandie. An amazing effort, the run and the journey. I hope the heat down in Oz will work wonders on your niggles; time they dissipated !! Amazing what camaraderie and determination can achieve.👏👏👏👏🥇

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC 😊 I was going to go and support even if I didn’t run, but I’m glad I did. Lovely weekend. We missed you!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

🙂 Other irresistible priorities this year Sandie. All sorted now. No excuse for next year….

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Sadly I won’t be there next year. Already booked up!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

☹️ …. I may have just booked for 2024! 😂 For the GSR that is!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

😂 Maybe Mrs BC can join you next year too.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Last time I booked a double room, so she can make a decision at any time. 🙂

[Week7 Half Marathon]

There can never be too many race posts! Its always interesting to read about the different races and everyone's different experience of the same race.. iI find the race posts really motivate me to get and run .Congratulations on getting around despite the injury.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you 😊 It was booked on the way home from last year’s so I really wanted to do it, especially when it involves meeting lovely HU friends 😃

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I’m delighted your piriformis didn’t stop you getting over that finish line Sandie!

Well done on being brave enough to try, and succeeding 👏

Great photo 😍

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP 😊 So am I! Pretty painful, but a great event, a lovely meet up and, of course, bling 😂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

👏👏👏Fabulous! Well done Sandie1961 - hope your piriformis settles soon too.🙂

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you 😊 So do I 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

The only races you regret are the ones you don't do, right? That was a great run with injury and I hope it goes away very soon with your diligent approach to the physio exercises 😍

It was lovely to see you again and I hope Mr S is feeling a bit better.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Absolutely, and I am now far more focussed on finishing rather than speed. I still get the medal and it’s much less stressful 😂😂 Mr S has a GP appt tomorrow so will hopefully be on the road to recovery by the time we get to Sydney 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

I do hope so 🤞

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Still a reasonable time Sandie! Sounds like it was worth the pain. Enjoy your trip

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

It was a great meet up JP. Definitely worth it!

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Very well done Sandie, 👍 👏 💪 hope you're aches and pains have eased now

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Feeling better thanks. Got a physio appt tomorrow, which will hopefully help further (after the pain of the pummelling subsides 😖) xx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Congratulations Sandie1961 ,sounds like a great day! 👍 xxx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Ali. It was fab, as ever. Always a very warm welcome on the south coast 😃

[Katnap Marathon]

Great that you got around without making any niggles worse. Participation is so much better when you can share with friends and get support from the crowds!

Well done Sandie1961

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Absolutely agree Katnap 😊👍

[TailChaser Marathon]

Lovely report Sandie, hope Mr S will be ok on your long flight 🤞🤞🤞

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks TC 😊 I’ve had a physio session and have a set of on board seated/standing exercises and Mr S now has antibiotics and steroids for a chest infection so 🤞🤞 Sydney, here we come 🇦🇺 😃😃😃

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Blimey, with all that sorted you should be fine Sandie! Have a wonderful time, we need reports! 😃✈️

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Don’t worry, you’ll be fed up of them by the end 😂😂

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

🤣🤣

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done! Sounds tough but you did it. I'm not surprised you went anyway - you couldn't miss that lovely meet up 😊

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

I was going to go even if I was just a cheerleader, but much happier to have run it 😃