Here We Go Again; It’s FRIDAY SO IT MUST BE: POM POM TIME!!

[Beachcomber66]

Autumn, the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is beginning to show her face with leaves starting to change colour and carpet the forest floor. She is also showing her teeth. Yesterday was cold and wet up here, and I ended my run in the same condition! Just a little reminder, in the midst of pre run excitement, please don’t forget to pack that extra layer/waterproof; just in case!

To business. Today is the day when we encourage our amazing running friends as they travel to their various weekend events (all on Sunday this week) excited, maybe a tad nervous and, in some cases, far from home. We have a wonderful line up!

First we have:

🌟no fewer than seven of our VRB’s taking on the New Forest 10k. They know how to have fun. Spare a thought for the only male in the group       UpTheStanley who is outnumbered, but certainly not outshone, as he defends his First in Age Group title from last year. He is joined by the lovely       Dexy5 ,       aliboo70 ,       cheekychipmunks ,       Mudita11 ,       Sandie1961 and       Shake-and-run . I am sure there will be lots of laughter and maybe the odd bit of mischief from that quarter! Hampshire beware!!

EDIT; we also have    David_G who running in the New Forest HM. Following his recovery from a heart attack, he has gradually returned to running and is now ready to take on a HM. Welcome back to HMs David annd enjoy your day with the crazy gang! 🙂

newforestmarathon.co.uk/the...

Up next we have:

🌟 our dynamic duo       Katnap and       TailChaser who are running in the Bedford 20 (miles that is!). At least there is only 59 feet of elevation gain over the course. They just keep churning out these huge distances! Sunday’s run is part of the build up to the huge Berlin Marathon event on 29 September. Should be plenty of post run sausages and beer there folks (in Berlin, not Bedford…although maybe training for the post run celebrations would be an idea!) Enjoy!

bedfordrunfest.co.uk/bedfor...

Then we have:

🌟       CosmicBuffalo running in the Surrey Half Marathon, which is organised in support of Crossroads Care Surrey. Looking at the website this run has all of the essentials; bands, event village, water stations, refreshments and, of course, bling! Enjoy your day CB !

surreyhalf.com

Next, in a big switch oop North we have:

🌟       Macrun who is joining around 60,000 other runners in the iconic Great North Run. This Half Marathon event is HUGE, starting in Newcastle City Centre and ending by the seaside in South Tyneside. Just find some space, run your own pace and enjoy what is in essence a huge celebration of running and source of financial support for many charities. Geordies know how to cheer!!

greatrun.org/events/great-n...

Finally, we have our celebrity sprinter:

🌟       RunBrianRun Medal winner, international athlete and resident speed machine! Following his successes in Gothenburg and at the VAC London Championship, he is competing in the Double 100m Stratford Speed GP at the LM Community Track London Stadium. He says that he expects to run even faster this weekend! Go for it Brian!!

instagram.com/stratfordspee...

Those are the runs we know about. If we have missed anyone please sing out and we can include you in the post.

Everybody have a fantastic time, bring back the bling, but most importantly, return home happy and safe.

From your team;

      Irishprincess       linda9389 and me 🙂

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For September events and a pompom cheer, head here:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

For a shiny new badge come here:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Hi Beachcomber66 I’m also at the New Forest, but I’m taking part in the Half Marathon 🏃‍♂️‍➡️🏃‍♀️‍➡️ It’ll be my first half since my heart attack last year, so it’s a big milestone for me 👍

Good luck to everyone else who’s out getting out there!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Eeek! How did I miss that!! That is a massive milestone David. We have followed your progress, increasing distances, sensibly sticking to Jeffing on the long runs, helping others going through the same thing and arriving now ready to take on a HM, in very entertaining company too.

You need no advice from me on managing the day; just enjoy it, and watch out for the crazy gang!!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes David_G is helping UTS with all the ladies, and Mr Sandie and Mr Shakes will be supporting, so he’s not the babe magnet after all. 😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

😂 don’t tell him !

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Good luck David and have fun! 🍀

[misswobble Marathon in reply to David_G]

Good luck David! You’ve worked your way back to fitness to get back on the starting line ✊ I hope all goes well and you have an enjoyable run 🙂🏃‍♂️🏅👏

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

That's brilliant David_G ! Hopefully we'll see you for a photo! 😊x

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to aliboo70]

Give him a hug from me, please xxx.

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to David_G]

I wondered where you were!!! Go YOU.... !!

You so deserve this... just slow and steady and really, really enjoy...xxx

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to David_G]

Good luck David_G this is amazing. I've loved following your progress too. Good luck and enjoy!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Wow! What a fantastic lineup! So many VRBs ❤️ Lots of wet pompoms waving frantically for you 🥳

Run with your hearts everyone and I guess your feet might help a bit too 🤣 Good luck and have LOADS of fun both with the racing and the catchups 🍀🍀🍀

[misswobble Marathon]

Great stuff 🤗🤗🤗🤗

Let’s hope the weather kind and the cake plentiful 😎🌝🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🍰🏅

Have fun out there folks 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thought of you today - passed a sign that said 'skinny people are easier to kidnap; eat cake and be safe!!!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to linda9389]

it makes sense! 🍰✊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Perfect sense!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to linda9389]

unlike Googling for a new running watch with minimalist features 🤯

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Been there, done it, stuck with my forerunner 35 🙄

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

my Second hand F35 isn’t charging fully and I’m thinking it won’t last a marathon I was therefore prompted to look for a replacement of minimal bells and whistles. It seems an exercise in futility though

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Agreed!! I don’t want anything with a touch screen. Most of the watches I could buy are quite expensive; but it would be like buying a Ferrari for my late mother….and she couldn’t drive! I will give in eventually!🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I haven’t ever turned on the Bluetooth on the watch have you? 😁

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I have the Bluetooth on permanently to transfer the data to Garmin Connect. I thought that everyone did 🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I don’t use the Garmin app on my phone. I upload manually to Garmin connect on my PC using the usb cable thingy.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I like to scroll through the data as I sit having my post run coffee. Sad I know 🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I looked at the box my refurbished Garmin 35 came in and it looks to be an officially refurbished one as it’s printed all over the box and looks kosher. I wonder if I could get another refurbished one if mine gives up🤔

I’ll have another look 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

My 35 does everything I need it to do….I doubt that a more snazzy watch would make me a better runner 🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

yeah I don’t want anything more than the basics 🙂 I notice that on the newer models the watch faces are getting big ☹️ Big Ben springs to mind 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

So long as they leave out the chimes! I don’t need a bigger face either.

Mrs BC has a touch screen Garmin for measuring daily steps etc; I find it really fiddly to operate (so does she, which is why I end up trying to make it do what she wants).

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

My iPhone is bad enough to handle in damp cold weather. Like a bar o soap! Which is why I like to keep it in my pocket during the run

I muddled my Garmin screen up and it still needs sorting ☺️ Can’t be ar*ed to faff with it 😁.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

My feelings too; eloquently expressed 🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Thankyou Beachcomber66 . It is also very soggy down here and will not be quite the sunny festival atmosphere I portrayed. However, once the crazy gang get together it doesn’t really matter. Although signed up for the 10k I may drop to the 5k if my hip/glute causes problems over the next 2 days. I’d rather finish the run and get my T-shirt and medal than get too far away and not finish. I will see on Sunday.

Good luck also to the incredible TailChaser and Katnap running 20 miles, to speedy team GB runner RunBrianRun . Also to CosmicBuffalo and Macrun . May the sun shine on you, although not too brightly.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Very sensible as ever Dexy5 . We need you to be 100% fit again and ready to attack those longer runs 👍

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes I was thinking of the long plan. It will be the same T-shirt but a different colour ribbon on the medal.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Have fun runners, and racers, New Forest was great last year and I'm hopeful for next year....RunBrianRun have fun on your speedy legs .

Wishing everyone lots of fun.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Looking forward to writing a Pom Pom Post for your.👍

[Macrun Half Marathon]

Thanks very much Beachcomber66 for the shout out nerves starting to set in.😅😅😀😀🤞🤞

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Macrun]

When I feel that way,I just look at the Pom Pom posts and feel that I am not on my own. Just find your own space, which might take a little while after the cavalry charge of the start, and then you can run your own. You will be fine.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

excited doesn’t really cover it but hoping for a good weekend. Not been to the New Forest for a while so looking forward to fabulous woodland, not been away in a camper van before so , having just picked it up, very excited about that. I’ve seen the details of the festival atmosphere with live bands and lots of stalls, that should make for enjoyable post run relaxing. A meet up with other VRBs will be crazy and fun. Just don’t let the weather spoil it please !!!

Good luck to everyone out there running/walking or just putting one foot in front of the other. Have a great weekend xx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Shake-and-run]

So many exciting things to look forward to Shakes .

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

Good luck everyone!! So many pom poms waving here that my arms are aching, 🎉🎉🎉

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Thank for the shout out BC! I’ve been looking forward to this for months. I do love a good meetup (and of course the run will be fun too!)

Trail shoes at the ready, as it’s sure to be soggy underfoot with the ridiculous amount of rain we’ve had down south this week. Much as I’d far rather run in road shoes, I don’t want to scupper my HM chances in a month’s time, nor the GSR. The disappointment would be too much to bear, and even little trotters like me might fall foul of a slippery mishap. 😳

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You take care. 🤞you are much better than me at avoiding injury…..you have standards to maintain!🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Mincing has its benefits BC! But yes I’ve acknowledged that there’s been too much rain for my trusty Ghosts. 🙄

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I use Adrenalines for everything now. The high heel drop keeps me out of achilles trouble 🤞🤞🤞

[RunWillie Marathon]

Cheering for you all! ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Good luck and loads of fun to every one of you. Enjoy that race magic ✨️

[Cmoi Marathon]

Happy running all !

And re Bedford, surely that should be only 59 feet of elevation gain, not 59 inches?! The former is peanuts, the latter the smashed bits in the bottom of the bag.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Spot on as usual Cmoi. Thanks. 🙂

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks Beachcomber66 , afraid I couldn't help myself 🙄

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

🤣🤣🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I know…. 😉

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Thanks for the pompoms everyone! Looking forward to the VRB meeting up! Checked today and the last time I was at the New Forest weekend was 2017! Good luck to all my fellow racers this weekend! Be good to read all those race reports! 😊xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

I’ll WhatsApp you with likely meet up point aliboo70 😉

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

Thank you, I’m very excited about Sunday! And good luck to everyone this weekend 🎉🎉🎉

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

You will have a wonderful day in that company 🙂.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Have super run days everyone!

Run safe, run well, run HAPPY xxxxxxxxxx🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🤣🏃‍♂️

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Wow! what an amazing line up this weekend, have fun everyone pom poms waving for you from afar 👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

And you have fun in NZ too lexi6. Hope things are going well for you 🙂.

[lexi6 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC, Spring has finally arrived here, bringing with it our usual September gales, but that's nothing new for Wellington. 😅 The Monsal Trail 10k is booked next year, the planning has started! Whoo hoo! 🥳

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

😂 steady on you can’t maintain that level of excitement until the run …..or maybe you can 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

[lexi6 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yep! I can 😂 🎉🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Good for you 🥳

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Thank you for the shout out and pom-poms everybody.

Typical me, I’m carrying yet another injury but that won’t stop me turning up and having a look-see.

If it hurts during warmup I’ll skip the race. It’ll be fun there anyway and even if I don’t run the pro athlete races will be great to see.

Good luck everyone and remember to enjoy every step of the way. 💪

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

🤞it will be ok, but if not, you can rest on your laurels and take it all in. Win either way.

[Time_Lord Half Marathon]

Good luck everyone, have a great run x

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Good luck to you all. I hope you all have rewarding runs and HU meet ups where possible!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Yay I love waving pom poms when so many VRB's are running past together! They're waving madly for you all this weekend from a soggy corner of South Wales 😀

[Runnin-g Half Marathon]

I’m a bit late to the Pom Pom party, but good luck everyone! Enjoy your events & I look forward to reading your race reports 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Runnin-g]

Never too late 🙂

[TailChaser Marathon]

Thanks BC! Sorry I’m so late! I hope everyone had fabulous races and got through all the ‘interesting’ weather we were treated to over the weekend. Going to write my post now (oh…didn’t realise how late it was (10pm)…ah well…) 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

😂