Once more unto the breach.. (Henry V)

[Shake-and-run]

I’ve been along these roads before but today there was something different. This was my first attempt at a race in France. LA FOULÉE EYMETOISE is a small affair and starts in the little town where I run with Eymet Running CLub (a small informal group of mainly English speaking friends who are kind enough to wait for me to catch them up when we run on Fridays and Sundays).

We gathered at the start, got our ‘dossards’ (but they were only allowing one pin per person, glad I remembered to bring my own) took photos and made a pathetic attempt to join in the warm up routines. Those doing the longer 15km set off first (about 80 of them) followed by my group of 90 runners doing the 8km route. As I expected my running group palls were soon up the road in front of me, but I managed to stay with the tail end of the other runners. The first hill came at about 2kms, it was practically vertical (the photo does not do it justice). I walked it (could claim it was due to a twinge knee but I would have walked it anyway). Then I passed a few people as I ran along the flatter ridge. Another cheeky up and a bit more flat and then we were on the decent. Tunes playing in my ears, cheerful friendly Marshals encouraging me along and other runners around me, I was starting to enjoy it a bit. Then we turned left and the ground started to rise, oh no, one more stinky hill! This was followed by the only bit of off road, a very steep grass/mud track of about a km, heading down, I took it steady. By now the faster 15km runners was starting to pass me, so I was also keeping to the side so as not to impinge their progress. I was glad when we were back on the road, my watch said I had done 7.5k but I knew there was a bit more than half a km to go to get back to town. It seems the organisers were a bit approximate on their distance (it was 8.6km according to my watch when I finished). I was Happy, not last, with a decent (for me) average pace of 7.4mins/km.

No medal, no goodie bag, just a great group of friends on the finish line to cheer me in. It was also 26 degrees C so the cup of water offered by the organisers was also welcome. My digital certificate says I was 3rd in my catagory (perhaps there were only 3 of us!!!).

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Congratulations 👏👏👏 sounds like a good race and how lovely and warm 😁, always good to run in a different country too.

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

It was a really lovely day Sue. Made better by the company of Friends x

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Those pesky hills! But you conquered them 💪

I thought you were getting hot chocolate at the end but perhaps the water was definitely more welcome after that hike. It does look hot 🥵

Well done Shakes, another tick on the box 🙂

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

We did retire to a cafe in the square for a hot beverage IP. I was lovely to sit out in the sunshine.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

it’s funny how the little races are less concerned about exact distance. I was horrified when my first 10k race came up short! The organisers laughed and said it was only a fun run. Far more important than that to me.

It sounds like a very good time with the ups and downs and terrain. Well done you, and your pals who cheered you in. Worth far more than another medal.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

so right Dexy, but for someone motivated by bling, the lack of physical reward was tough! 🤣🤣. Entry fee was only 9 euros so my expectations were low.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Shakes. Warm day, hilly, no medal, wrong distance? No matter, you did it, brilliantly too! 🥰

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

Thanks cheeky, I always find that as time drifts on from the finish line the memories get rosier and rosier. I’m glad I did it and given the opportunity would do it again!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

That sounds like a tough run Shakes; did you “Cry ‘God for Harry,England and Saint George’ “ as you attacked the hills? That would have frightened them!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I was talking to teacher here the other day, she teaches English to French students and wants me to go and talk to them about Shakespeare next time I’m over. Henry V is my recommended text. I’m looking forward to having them charging about with that very phrase on their lips!!

I was in race run mode so shouted ‘thank you marshal’ as I passed the volunteers who were keeping us on track, quickly remembering where I was I hastily added ‘Merci’. They replied with something I assumed was encouraging!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

It is easy to forget. The last time I flew to Paris on my own I was really surprised that when I arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport everyone was speaking French !😂

I was in the first cohort at our school to be taught French using audio visual teaching and a language lab. All the people we heard speaking French were native French speakers. It helped a lot. A long time ago though!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Wow! That sounds tough - 26 degrees and those hills!😱 You really did deserve a medal Shake-and-run , so here it is…➡️✨🏅✨🙂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, I’ve never got so excited about a digital certificate before, but I’m right proud of this one!

[misswobble Marathon]

Sounds like a grand day out that does Shaky! Shame about stinky hills but it goes with the territory 😁

26 degrees! Blimey that’s ot! 🫠🥵. Well done! 👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🏅

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

Thanks Miss W. It was a grand morning out and what goes up does get to come down too.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Hills plus heat with no bling is tough. You had your friends there and that’s always fun. Good on you Shakes for pushing through and congratulations on 3rd in your group too!

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

Thanks Decker, the entry fee was cheap but the scenery was pretty and running in sunshine was a bonus at this time of the year. It’s a bit churlish to complain about the lack of bling really. It was fun and mates made it special, so can’t complain.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Yep I had the same feelings a couple of weeks ago for a trail race with some run mates of mine. No bling, no T-shirt, and we missed out on all the prize draws (there were at least 15!) but still good fun and a cold cider at the end.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Sounds like a really friendly event, and great to have clubmates there too! Congratulations! 🎉⭐🏃‍♀️💪xxx

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Aliboo, it was a great introduction to competition running in France.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

A tough one Shakes. Well done!!!

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

" Whate'er the course, the end is the renown: " WS

HUGE well done to you... a super run. Warmth and friendship...perfect! x

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

Was great fun Floss, and perfect weather.