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.
Written by
Mudita11
Half Marathon
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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
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 🙂.
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 🫣🤣
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!
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
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
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