Virtual Great South Run (long post warning ⚠️ )

[Dexy5]

After the disappointing but understandable cancellation of the Great South Run at the weekend, we received an e-mail on Monday to say that we could either rollover our entry to next year or we could claim a refund of the entry fee.

We could also claim the 2024 T-shirt and medal, if we provide evidence of running 10 miles before 11th November. So I took up the challenge yesterday morning.

It was sunny as I left home and headed towards the promenade. I set up Coach Bennett’s 2 hour run, knowing that I would be running longer than that. I wasn’t confident that I would be able to run it all, as my post-cold taper runs had been pretty tough with the usual pre-race niggles. But I set off slowly and headed towards the Round Tower in Old Portsmouth where black clouds were rolling in across the sea as the Isle of Wight ferry came into harbour.

Turning back, I headed east towards Southsea Common, Ladies mile, and the pier. A man I know from parkrun spotted me and cheered and I announced I was halfway through. That gave me a boost as I headed towards Eastney and the Hayling Island Ferry, where I turned back again.

The roads were wet from earlier rain showers and I ran through a further 2 showers along the way, which was refreshing. Instead of heading back to the prom and running against the increasing breeze, I headed for the park where junior parkrun is held. I’d had a couple of walking breaks where I topped up on water and nibbled at an energy bar. I even popped into a local loo, because Coach Bennett said I could.

After running round the park, Coach Bennett said goodbye to me. I was on my own with just my music to keep me company. I then ran along Henderson Road , remembered by runners as the one with speed humps, where neighbours have a street party and play loud music during the GSR, and a man shouts ‘You mustn’t walk along this road’. But as he wasn’t there today, and I was going the opposite direction, I did for a short time. 😂

I then had the fun of running down the road to the Eastney Tavern, knowing how tough it is going up that road on race day. It was 15.5k now so I knew it wasn’t far to go. Pace quickened and I finished 16.31 km with a flourish.

The lovely   UpTheStanley clapped me in as I crossed the threshold - he had been following my journey on Find My Phone . I checked Garmin and I’d run 16.31 in 2hrs 16 mins . Not my fastest 10 Miles, but much better than anticipated when I set out this morning. But I did miss the crowds and entertainment along the route, as well as being one of the 22,000 runners.

UTS and I thought 2024 might be our last GSR, but we can’t end it this way so we’ve decided to roll over to next year.

Not sure why my photo won’t upload?

After note: it has 2 days later

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Excellent run for you Dexy5 well done on that virtual Great South Run and a nice time as well, you deserve the medal 🥉 and T Shirt 👚 well done on signing up for next years event

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you AlMorr . Are you going to build up again or is it too late in the year now?

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Hi Dexy5, I probably would have ran a full ten miles on Saturday if there had been a medal 🏅 and T shirt 👕 at the end, not sure if I'll try again for ten miles, however, I do intend to run my 56th 10K on Wednesday 13th November and #57 sometime in December, that would mean that I have ran a 10K every month this year.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to AlMorr]

Yes 10 miles is a long way, and definitely far enough for me . 10k distance is great though and you are doing well with a monthly 10k.

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

✅🏃👕🏅

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Epic post as ever Dexy5. I know that you were feeling a little “undercooked” with your build up; but then off you go and smash 10 miles, plus a bit, out of the park. Brilliant work. Not the same as participating in the race of course, but finishing 10 miles definitely reduces the post cancellation angst. I also chose the two hour CB run on Monday, hoping not to hear the ending.

You have decided to roll your entries over🙂; I know what you mean about not wanting to finish your GSR careers without participating in a proper race with all the fun that entails. Here’s hoping.🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

i know! It felt a lot better than the 14k training run, I think the physio exercises and rest while I had a cold actually helped in the end. Who know what next year will bring?

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I often get a message that says I have exceeded size limits when I add a photograph to a long post. I nearly always post on this forum of course. It’s not just you 🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Maybe I waffle on too long  Beachcomber66 . 😂. The message I get is it is not jpg etc , but it is. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

That’s the message I use to get, but on a few occasions, after trying a few times, it eventually went through. Are you trying more than once?

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh yes, repeatedly. 😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

But it has worked 2 days later

🤷🏼‍♀️😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

👍

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

woo hoo DEXY, well done you for going out there on your own and smashing those 10 miles. I think the promise of a medal would inspire me too but it is a long way to go on your own with out the crowds to cheer you along.

I love it that you also kept the spirit of the race by running on some of the course and it made me giggle to read you ‘disobeyed’ the shouty man because he was not there in person (but still in your head!) and ran the opposite way up a hilly bit. Well done for making it your own and congratulations on ‘winning’ your well deserved medal.

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

Thank you Shakes. Yes you could say I ran bits of the course, but not necessarily in the right order or in the right direction. I had no plan at all when I went out.

There is no doubt I would not have run well on Sunday but cheekychipmunks and I were going to giggle our way round together if it had gone ahead.

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Well done for getting out there on the GSR route Dexy5 I hope to do the GSR next year, so hopefully I’ll see you there! 🏃‍♂️‍➡️🏃‍♀️‍➡️🤞

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to David_G]

And to you for doing it in Bognor David. I felt better for doing it, especially as I’d collected sponsors for Cancer Research. Plus the promise of bling did help

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Well done Dexy. Your training paid off in the end and in spite of your cold too 👏👏

I’m sure the carrot of the bling helped 🏅but I do think the crowds and atmosphere of races help enormously so even more credit to you for getting out and doing this one without (well, apart from your biggest supporter of course 🥰)

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

UpTheStanley didn’t even leave the house to cheer me on! But given I didn’t know what route I would take that’s not surprising. He was great when I got home, supplying me with high5 water and taking photos.

[Annieapple]

🍏 That was an awesome charity run and glad you received some bling! I enjoyed your write up & glad the photos uploaded in the end. To roll over your race so soon after is quite something! So well done 👏 Xx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you Annieapple . We have until the 11th November to submit our evidence, and everyone will get T-shirts and medals at the same time, which is very fair I think. Also if you did a training run of 10 miles it will also count.

I think the organisation has handled it brilliantly.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

That shows determination to do the run without the encouraging crowds and excitement of race day. Might not have been your fastest but was a total success, and now you have next year to look forward to as well 😁

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

The lure of a medal works wonders SueAppleRun ! By keeping it slower at the start I ran much more of the 10 miles than previously and it was quite close to previous race times .

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

Really good, I've lost this year but am hopeful for next year and would love to do that one, and the New Forest 10k but they might be too close together to run both,

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

The 10k is spaced quite well for the increase to 10 miles, but if you don’t live locally, that’s a lot of travel and accommodation cost within a short time.

Are you going to redo c25k to build up again?

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Dexy5]

So far I don't know what I'm going to do, my blood levels are still low, protein is coming up slowly and I'll need infusions for iron, once my iron levels are normal I could well be able to run without getting so breathless , I'll probably just go slow with low heart rate and see what happens.I would combine the races with visiting friends and family I have plenty of places I could stay fairly locally 😁, but it'll depend on ny health

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to SueAppleRun]

Good luck to you. You’ve been through a lot this year.

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Congratulations Dexy! Glad you've decided to roll over - I might even be able to join you next time around! 🤞

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to JonathanP]

Yes we’ve changed our minds again JP! We felt we’d like to finish running 10 miles on a proper race. I was whacked for the rest of the day and I thought I would be aching this morning but I feel fine. I think I’d have found it a bit warm today. 🥵 it was perfect running conditions yesterday.

There’s gonna be quite a crowd next year.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done Dexy5 . Sounds like you smashed it too! 💥 You’ve done yours, I’m doing mine at the weekend. I must admit I was looking forward to having a bonkers time in the wind and rain with you, but I totally get why the GSR was cancelled. I’ll be rolling my entry over too. We can’t possibly get two years in a row with a named storm …. surely! 🤞

Wish me luck on Sunday. I’ve run a total of 5k since my HM on 6/10! Much as I don’t like his company, I suspect Jeff will need to come with me.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh very good luck for Sunday. Just think of the bling at the end of it. I think you’ll be surprised how much that HM will help you cheekychipmunks . My previous long run was 8 Oct and then I only did two slow 2ks after that.

We have been really lucky with the weather since 2019 haven’t we? It had to happen one day.

Coach Bennett’s 2 hour run accompanied both me and Beachcomber66 .

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

It was a really good bit of coaching by CB. Worth a look cheekychipmunks

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

What a wonderful post Dexy! Congratulations on your 10 miler - I love Henderson Road too! Always such a buzz running down there. I love that Great Run have given us the opportunity to submit our miles for the medal and T-shirt…and just like you, of course I have rolled over too!🏃‍♀️🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandraj39]

Yes those cheering residents give a helpful shove just at the right time don’t they? I wonder what the start route will be next year, as the road to the hovercraft is closed for sea defence works now for 2 years.’?

I don’t really like the T-shirts with this sponsor but I definitely want to wear one to say I did it at the first parkrun.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Congratulations Dexy. So much harder running 10 miles alone than in the middle of the GSR. 2025 here you come 🥰

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Thank you Linda, I was pleased that it felt a lot easier than the 14k training run on the 8th. Those exercises have sorted out the piriformis/hip issues.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Yay! I'm off to a physio tomorrow 🤞

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

👏👏

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

Congrats Dexy! I’m going for a run this morning and I’ll hopefully make the 10 miles. I’ve got a bit of ‘runner’s knee’ according to the physio so won’t be going for a pb but the weather is an awful lot better than it was on Sunday. I’ll be rolling my GSR entry over too. I’m already looking forward to the big VB meet up then 😃

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Mudita11]

Ooh good luck Mudita11

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Well done on completing the run Dexy 👍 that was a great read👏👏👏 I hope UTS is ok. I may have missed some posts as I only pop in here every now and then.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Thank you Brian, I bet running 10 miles is a distant memory for you now 😂

UpTheStanley just had a cold like me but they seem to affect him more and it often moves to his chest, affecting his running for longer. He’s on the way up now though.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

Wow, that's just fabulous, well done you. Faster than I could do...

Please, will you post a pic of the t shirt and medal when they arrive? People keep saying they're gorgeous but I haven't seen them.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Curlygurly2]

We sure will curlygurly. The medal looks nice in the pre-race photo, but the T-shirt looks dark grey and a bit masculine so hopefully it’s nicer in real life. I didn’t like last year’s T-shirt, and the sizing was smaller so it’s a bit tight for running in anyway.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. I assue the weathery photos are from the cancelled race day, showing how bad it was? I know a lot of people were not happy with the decision to cancel, but that looks like a no brainer!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Curlygurly2]

Yes, and my photos were when  Oldgirlruns and I went out after the worst of it. I didn’t want to leave the house at the point when the races started. 😂

I know some people were unhappy but you can’t just think about the fast runners. Volunteers are at least 8 hours out there and some charity runners in 4. It was also the tents and infrastructure that could have caused damage. I think it was a good call.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That's great Dexy5 ! Sounds like a really good run, and now the excitement of waiting for your parcel in the post! Big congratulations ! 😊🏃‍♀️👌💪xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Ali. You can guarantee you will see lots at parkrun after the mass T-shirt delivery.

[Katnap Marathon]

👏👏👏 well done Dexy5 Loving the pic collage ❤️

[Katnap Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Incidentally, when I posted recently I got some early replies but was then locked out from reacting or responding for about 2 days.Weird stuff seems to keep happening on HU forums!?

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Katnap]

That’s strange isn’t it? Spooky things going on 👻

[Coddfish 10 Miles]

well done on doing this - but what happened to the never again?!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Coddfish]

Ha ha. Yes I did say that didn’t I? Given that I managed it on Tuesday with such poor preparation this year, I thought I could perhaps do better next year. Also, we decided we could’nt a virtual run as a final swansong.

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Super star! Brilliant particularly as I am sure that I read your preparation wasn't perhaps what you would have hoped and all without the other runners, supporters and entertainment. Many congratulations 👏🏃‍♀️🏁🏅