Exbury Gardens 10k. Hot and a bit hilly

[Mudita11]

Actually, not too hilly in the grand scheme of things but when the temperature and humidity levels are high the hilly bits feel tough!

It was a lovely sunny start to the day and I got to Exbury Gardens before 8am, for a 9am race start. The traffic queue to get into the car park was already quite long but I managed to park up and go to pick up my race bib and the brightly coloured t-shirt (which I love!).

Phone reception here is almost non-existent but I sent a message to  Dexy5 optimistically as I was hoping to see her and  UpTheStanley before the start. The message didn’t go through 🤦🏼‍♀️ but amazingly I heard Dexy’s voice chatting to someone while I was in the queue for the Ladies 🤣. So we had a brief natter!

Sadly didn’t get to talk again as there were just so many people around and no way of contacting each other.

Whilst waiting for the race to start I noticed the chap in front of me was completely barefooted! Wowsers, I’d be worried about treading on something sharp but presumably the soles of his feet were tough.

Nice chat with people around me then we were off. Not quite as hot as last year but still sticky and humid. Part of the course goes down and along the coast where people with better eyesight than me were talking about the views to the Isle of Wight (hello  aliboo70 , I did wave 🤣) so I took a couple of photos. This year there was plenty of water at the water station so I had some and also ate rather a lot of Colin the Caterpillar jelly sweets I had brought with me. The last section of the course is back in the beautiful gardens where the crowds were cheering and shouting encouragement. Then I heard someone say my name (it wasn’t on the race bib) and I turned and saw UpTheStanley, yay! So at least I did see them both briefly. There’s always next year and probably loads of other occasions in between, including the Great South Run in October 👌🏻.

My chip time was 1:03:59 which is better than last year. Happy enough with that. This really is a beautiful location for a race and I will no doubt enter again next year.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a lovely race report 😁, we discussed this one a while back and I'm a bit sad I wasn't there, you did brilliantly too 😄 all those long runs have made such a difference to you xx

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sue. Maybe next year you can travel down for it. It’s a good one xx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Beautiful report and run Mudita11. You keep producing these pacy 10ks so consistently. Not sure about the Colin the Caterpillar sweets….but they clearly work for you! A good day out in immaculate company 🙂.

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC 😃. It was a lovely morning. Wish I could have seen more of the immaculate company but the phone reception was less than immaculate unfortunately. I need sweets and sometimes caffeine toffees when I’m running to keep me going. Trouble is I eat more calories than I use up 🫣🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

I can’t eat anything whilst running! Water or Sports Drink ..that is it. Whatever you are doing, it is definitely working 🏎️

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

A great run report Mudita11 . I’m so sorry we didn’t have chance to have a good natter and get the obligatory HU meet up photo. You were doing really well when we crossed paths on the coastal road so I knew you’d have a brilliant time and be in much earlier than me. Well done on going just under the 1:04.

I agree the T-shirt and medal are lovely this year, and the orange is so bright. Thankfully I got the right size this time!

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. You did really well too considering your ankle issue! What a pain but glad it went away before the end. There were so many people milling around I just couldn’t find you but will see you again soon for sure x

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Congratulations - and a fab time too! Well done!🙂👏🏅

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, it was a lovely morning 😃

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Congratulations Mudita11 and thanks for the wave!!! Really does look a nice one,I've been there but not for a good while,maybe one for next Yr! 😊🏃‍♀️💪xxx

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

You should do it Aliboo! Great t-shirt and medal this year x

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sounds fabulous! By the time I remembered this one it was all sold out. Maybe next year!!!

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It’s a lovely one for sure Linda 👍🏻

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Well done on your brilliant time, especially as it was a hot 10k. Colin the Caterpillar Sweets! I’m intrigued, must look out for some of those.

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thanks Shakes 😃. You’ll find Colin the Caterpillar alongside Percy Pig in M and S 🤣.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

A great race Mudita11 I love the teeshirt and medal! Congratulations for your time too 🙌🏅

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thanks Cowladyrunning. It’s a great coloured t-shirt this year. I love it 😃

[drl212]

Well done and great result! I love the shirt!!

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to drl212]

Thanks drl212. The t-shirt is my current favourite. Such a bright colour 😃

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Mudita11]

What do you think for next year - Fluoro green? 😂

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Gosh who knows! It’ll be hard to beat this year’s though won’t it? 🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That’s a fab t-shirt and bling!!! So definitely worth doing for those.

Lovely report, well done on your time 👏

[Mudita11 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you IP. I had a marvellous morning for sure 😃