Last race of the season and a PB 😎

[RunBrianRun]

I can’t quite believe I even made it to the start line today as my ankle has been strapped up for the past 3 days with a recurrence of my injury from last year and earlier this year.

Right up to the point of putting on my spikes I didn’t know if I could run without pain. Miraculously I woke this morning with just a mild ache so I decided I’d go along and take it minute by minute. I took two paracetamol and a 400mg ibuprofen and headed off on the tube to Stratford.

I cut my warmup short and felt zero pain so it was an easy decision to take off the strapping and ankle support and put the spikes on.

I didn’t bother doing any stride outs as I normally would but again no pain as I tenderly walked about on them.

So that was it. Because of the injury I had kind of already decided this was going to be my last race of the season anyway and even though this amazing event has two 100 races I was doubtful I’d make the second one so with my heart in my mouth I decided to race.

It was amazing and I not only came second to a 17 year old but felt no pain at all and even better, got a huge season’s best at 12.78. Elated, delighted, relieved, all the emotions rolled into one, I knew i I had it in me today to go faster so the decision to run the second race was an easy one.

And that was when I had the race of my life so far. I won and got a personal best of 12.73. Oh my. I’m back at home now and I can scarcely believe it! I can’t sleep of course. 😂

You can watch my race here if you wish:

instagram.com/reel/C_qXQsQo...

What a way to end a really tough and rough season. Now finally to rest up before winter training starts in earnest.

Well done to all my VRBs racing and running this weekend. I hope you’re as happy as I am right now! 😃

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a way to end the season Brian 😀 it's been heart in the mouth reading this season, but you've run so well and we are all so proud of your achievements. Not being able to sleeps a pain eh? 😀 Enjoy your rest and relaxation before winter training takes off.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Oh Sue you were also up and struggling to sleep. I hope you finally managed it. Thank you for your words of support. I hope you continue to recover well.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to RunBrianRun]

😁 sleep seems to elude me in the small hours but most my life is rest at the moment, I eventually dozed off as morning rose. Thank you, I'm recovering slowly and celebrating the small achievements

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Stay strong and hang on in there. Sleep and nutrition are your best friends right now. Here’sa big virtual hug for you 🤗

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to RunBrianRun]

🤗thanks

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations!! A perfect end to a fantastic season! I have really enjoyed reading all the race posts and looking forward to next year already! Hope the ankle has time to heal properly now before you get stuck into that winter training.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thank you Week7 . I’ll be giving the ankle a little time now. It feels ok this morning but the other foot with its PF is less so. 😖

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Wow that's fantastic! Huge Congratulations to you! 🎉😊🏃‍♂️💪xxx

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thank you aliboo70 ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Icing o the cake.. or what!

Wow... as Laura on the C25K app used to say... "Finish in style", and you really and truly did!

You have given us a real season of joy in your running. Thank you for sharing and taking us with you on those amazing exploits!

Rest, recharge and recover and then... let us know when we start the Winter training, please

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

☺️ aww thank you OF. Winter training officially starts on 24th September which isn’t winter at all is it? 😕

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to RunBrianRun]

Nope! I'd better get my skates on...sorry...running shoes! 😉

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

That was a dramatic performance Brian; belongs on the silver screen! Will he, won’t he? Second in the first race with a new PB, caps that in the second race with a victory PB. A day for you to remember….we are all looking forward to many sequels 🙂. Huge congratulations.👍

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

You have a wonderful way with words BC. 😊 I’m glad I captured your imagination and I’m hopeful I can continue to do so next season. It’ll be harder though as I move up the age category. The goal is to stay at 90% or greater age graded. That performance yesterday got me to 93.56% which is a new record for me too. 🥳

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Talk about ending on a high! That's just awesome. I'm so happy for you 👏👏👏

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

That’s very kind Linda 🥰 Thank you.

[Cmoi Marathon]

Congratulations RunBrianRun , delighted the ankle etc. held out!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

It’s a miracle I tell you! I couldn’t believe it held out. Mind you this is me this morning.

Dodgy feet

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Umm, not really selling us the glamorous life of a top international athlete are you RunBrianRun ?!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

You’re seeing all the bits the others daren’t or won’t show cmoi 😂 It’s the behind the scenes bit if you like 😂

[Katnap Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Absolutely! The elite want to show no weakness!

[Jools2020 Half Marathon]

Fantastic end to the season, Brian - just perfect! Congratulations👏👏👏👍

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you so much Jools2020 . 🥰 😊

[Flimflab]

Fantastic results, let us know how your recovery and winter training goes.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Flimflab]

Thank you Flimflab ☺️ I’ll keep you posted. Training is due to start in two weeks so not much time for recovery but I’ll take as long as is needed.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Holy smokes RunBrianRun , I just watched and you left the rest of the field for dust! What a fantastic weekend you had! You can relax in the knowledge that you overcame everything this year threw at you and came out on top! Medals galore and that glorious PB. You’re the one they’ll all be worried about now! 🏅🏅🎉🎉💥💥

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That’s so sweet! Thank you cheekychipmunks 😍 I hope to continue this until something eventually falls off. A bit like an old racing car 😂

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

What a race Brian! Just watched this and you were well ahead!

It’s been brilliant following your racing this year and I am looking forward to more in the months to come.

A huge well done to you and many congratulations 👏👍🥳🤩🏃‍♂️💪🎆🎇

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you IP 😊 We were well matched in that second race as they base the seeding in how we performed in the first round. I was surprised to win it as the others were also very quick in the first round. I just felt very strong from start to finish. I was shocked when I saw the time.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

All that training paid off Brian 👍

[TailChaser Marathon]

Wowee!! Congratulations Brian! 👏👏👏💪💪

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Thank you TailChaser 😊

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

What an amazing season for you Brian. Despite the injury worries, you have finished on a real high and left so many of us here on tenterhooks on a regular basis, waiting to see your results. Good luck for the winter training, then no doubt you’ll be raring to repeat your success next year 💥💥

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thank you Sandie1961 😊 It’s been a fantastic second half of the season. World championships and now this. Such a relief to have come through it. Shame I missed the British Championships and was unable to defend my title but so glad I made it to the worlds after that close call with my adductor. I’m so glad and happy to know that HU buddies like you are enjoying the journey with me. It means a lot.

[misswobble Marathon]

Yay! I loved watching that Brian! Absolutely fantastic 🤗🤗🤗🤗👏👏👏

Awesome 💪✊👊🏃‍♂️🏅

Not a bad season’s work 😁

I bet your journey home via Cloud Nine was a happy one 😘🎶🎵

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

☺️ Thank you misswobble I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was a wonderful journey home despite the closure of the Blackwall tunnel adding an extra 2 hours. Didn’t matter. 😀

[misswobble Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Nothing could rain on your parade! 😃👍

[Katnap Marathon]

I think that's amazing RunBrianRun . You're definitely doing more of the right training and prep than when you first refound your love of running.

Have a good 'rest'!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap you are absolutely right. Finding the training that works best for oneself is tricky especially as practically all the videos are aimed at and/or created by young folk. Adaptation to an old frame is essential 😅

Good to see you guys doing so well too.

[Runnin-g Half Marathon]

Wow! Well done, that is so amazing 👏🏽

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Runnin-g]

Thank you Runnin-g 😊

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

Wow RunBrianRun what an incredible achievement! You have been on fire and long may it continue. Congratulations 🎉🎉

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

That’s very kind of you to say Mudita11 😊 I’m doing my best to stay injury free but it gets harder each year. Good luck with your running too.

[RunWillie Marathon]

What an amazing finish to your season. Hope you get your ankle sorted. Just incredible 🤩

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Hi RunWillie 😀 Yes, thanks. I am seeing a doctor on Friday morning 😊

[00marks Marathon]

Wow, thats amazing!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to 00marks]

00marks thank you ☺️

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Congratulations Brian, what a way to end the season. Look after that ankle now, I want to read about more successes next season!!

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

Thank you very much Shake-and-run 😊 I’ll do my best to keep the injuries at bay and I hope to bring more of my adventures to you all next season. 😀😊

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

I have been outside the messages loop. Just popped back in and WOW! Many, many congratulations! What a way to end the season!Superb!👏🏃🏻‍♂️💪🏁

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Hey thank you over61andstilltrying ! I hope all is well with you, your family and your running. 👍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Premature twins born to my daughter has changed things rather!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Oh my! Huge congratulations 🥂 Hope all is well with the babies and everyone else there.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Have you dropped the idea of running in Portsmouth this weekend RunBrianRun ?

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Hi Dexy, unless the wind does an about turn of 180, I very much doubt it Dexy. Shame as it would have been lovely to see you and UTS there.

There are about 3 open events at Mountbatten stadium during the year so hopefully the weather will be more favourable at one of those. Mind you, for some bizarre reason, the prevailing wind is nearly always NE there 🤷‍♂️

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to RunBrianRun]

Oh yes, 50% chance of rain too. Hopefully we will see you next time. 🏃🏻⚡️

[Decker Ultramarathon]

This has the makings of a movie! What a way to cap the season! Well done to you RunBrianRun ! Just amazing

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker 👍