Bupa Great South Run

Earlier on this year Tim, Lucy and I decided that we were going to do the Great South Run.  Lucy wanted to take part in a big race and I wanted a 10 mile race to reach my goal of a sub 1:30 and same for Tim to get his PB.  We all signed up for it and Steve already had his place.  Nearer the time Dave got a place and Rona got her place last minute and was entered in the ladies race.

Tim and I headed to Havant and stayed in a B & B the night before as we didn't want the stress of driving down on the morning and getting up so early.  At the B & B we were offered a full fry up but declined the temptation and decided on a bacon sarnie. Tim and I then got a train to Portsmouth to meet Dave, Lucy, Steve and Rona and then we headed to the race village.  Rona's start time was earlier so she had to dash when we arrived. Dave started in started in the fast pace pen and then Tim, Steve, Lucy and I started in the pen behind.  It was so cold waiting but luckily I had a top to throw away and a good old bin bag!!!

My aim for the race was getting a sub 1:30, I wasn't particularly hopeful as I haven't put the training in and also I did Cross Country the day before which was tough.  Lucy also wanted to get a sub 1:30 and wanted to run with me which was great.  So we headed off together and we had to dodge the runners in front to make our way through.  We both waved at all the cameras in the hope of making it on the telly.

We soon reached the dockyard which was my favourite bit and was running at 8 minute mile pace which was great. To get a sub 1:30 it would of been 9 minute mile pace and was pleased we were running a whole minute under.  At about mile 4 there was a loop so we could see the faster runners on the other side.  We were looking out for Dave first and we worked out he would of already gone past and then we saw Tim and his yellow gloves.  We both gave him a shout and a wave and managed to get his attention. Then I saw Iwan Thomas.  At mile 5 we were still running at 8 minute miles and we were both doing ok and on target to get a PB and had a bit of a buffer! At around mile 7 I was getting tired but we were still under 9 minute miles.  We saw a purple telly tubby and for a stretch we kept hearing look there is telly tubby!!  We just had to get past we couldn't get beaten by a telly tubby!!! Between mile 7-9 was when I was tiring,  Lucy kept me focus and we were picking people off, we picked men in pink Tuto's and man with a backpack.  We then got to mile 9 where there was a blast of music and then jelly babies which Lucy loved!! Now we were on countdown and the end was in sight and seeing the final stretch I was able to pick up a bit and we crossed the line together. I loved the experience and it made it even more by running around with Lucy.  We did amazing and I got a PB by 11 minutes and finished in 1:23:49. When we crossed the line we saw Sally Gunnell and Lucy and I stood behind her when she was being interviewed hoping we would make it on the television.

Now we had to find the others at the meeting point.  Tim, Dave and Stephen were there getting changed and when I told Tim my PB he was gob smacked!!! Tim did amazing too and got his PB by 9 minutes so I had great delight in getting a bigger PB lol. Tim finished in 1:07 and Stephen finished in 1:15 and Dave finished in 59 minutes and got the times we all wanted.  We now had to find Rona and heard she was in the VIP tent.  Reception was really bad because of the shear number of people and we had to get her attention by standing right up at the window.  Rona got us all inside and got us a meal of Shepherds Pie!!!  Whilst having something to eat, Mokoko the winner was being interviewed.  Mokoko is South African and Rona really wanted to meet him.  So Rona, Lucy and I went out to grab Mokoko and we got our pic taken with him. Then Jo Pavey was next to be interviewed and we had a club photo with her and the same with Dame Kelly Holmes (Tim is on first names terms with her) and actually shouted out KELLY to get her attention!!  This finished off the day fantastically as we were all together.

Splits

8:19, 8:16, 8:06, 8:09, 8:11, 8:10, 8:19, 8:25, 8:27, 8:34, 7:32

Distance 10:12

Time 1:23:49

Rye 10k Series

After not having a good run the week before I wanted to do another 10K race to improve my time and to reach my goal of getting a sub 50. Lucy and I headed to Rye together and the heavens had opened. When we reached Rye the rain had stopped but when we were warming up we could see grey thick cloud in the distance together with the sound of thunder!!! When we set off the rain started and was raining quite hard. It was good as it was very refreshing which I didn't mind. The route was straight out and back and flat.  All throughout the race I felt comfortable and wasn't dying compared to last week. I was running under 5 min K's with 30 secs to spare and after 6k I was getting less time to spare to get my sub 50. When I reached 9k I was 1 sec over to get sub 50. So for the last 1k I pushed it to get under.  I got to the finishing line and got my sub 50, 49:57 so I was very happy!!!  Lucy did great too and got another PB, getting 3rd lady, 1st senior and being in the ladies team so she took away 3 bottles of wine. Party round Lucys I think!!

Time 49:57

Splits 7:48, 7:59, 8:06, 8:11, 8:19, 8:08. 7:29

Position 3rd Senior Lady

Romney Marsh 10k

We have had a lot of rain and was just hoping it will remain dry. When we arrived we were directed to park in the field and when I opened the car door I landed in bog which was a not a great start having wet feet!! Oh well, as soon as we set off the sun came out. The course was very flat but was quite windy going through the country lanes. I found it tough and just felt quite full from having a curry the night before so not the best preparation for a race and not the best of runs today.

Time 52:27
Splits 7:42, 8:20, 8:27, 8:25, 8:51, 8:54, 8:37.

Canterbury Relay

Canterbury was the last relay to be done. I was in the B Team with Kylie and Sophia. It was a quick course as it was flat.

Time 18:02

Splits 7:13, 8:30, 7:45

Ashford 5k Summer Series

Only a couple of days later and I am racing yet again!! I wanted to do Ashford 10k as I wanted to improve my 5k time. Ashford is two laps and is fairly flat apart from one small hill. Samphire had a couple of hills and I thought, take the hills out and I should get a PB.  Tonight I had my cheerleaders, Tim and his girls who were watching with Lucy's mum.  I had a good run and was able to keep to a good pace. Another PB. With Lucy and Tracy we won 1st Ladies Team and got another bottle of wine for the collection.

Time 24:18
Splits 7:20, 7:57, 8:05, 8:15
Position 5th Lady

Samphire Hoe 5K Series

Day 2 of going to Samphire Hoe with less wind. Was so windy yesterday.  There was a good turn out tonight, there was Tim, Rona, Yvonne, Dave Weekes, Daves Smyth and Kevin. Having a poor run Sunday even though I got a PB I should of got a better PB, so tonight was hopefully the night getting the time I wanted.  I was aiming to finish in 24 minute something.  We did the same route as last night, difference being at the start running the other way down the seafront and back again along the relay route.  Was less wind tonight and there was hope of getting a team prize with the ladies, Rona and Yvonne which was exciting. I ran well and got my pb!!! Finished 24:44.

Distance 5K

Time 24:44

Splits 7:25, 8:22, 7:56, 7:37
Position 4th Lady

We then went up to see the prize presentation.  Dave W was awarded 1st Prize and Vet 40, Rona 1st Lady, Dave Smyth Vet 50 and me 4th Lady.  I got a prize, a bottle of wine. I was really surprised, couldn't believe I got a prize.  I don't like the wine though!!!  Then Folkestone got the winning mens team which consisted of Dave W, Tim and Kevin and we also got the winning Ladies Team which consisted of Rona, Yvonne and myself.  Now it was time to party with all those bottles of wine.  

Dover Relay Samphire Hoe

Tonight was a different venue for the relay. It was at Samphire Hoe. The past two years was at Deal seafront.  So it was my first run at Samphire Hoe. I was running in the B Team running with Kirsty and Natalie. I was running first leg which was a change. The route was along the seafront and then around the back of Samphire Hoe onto a track.  There was a shot sharp hill on the gravel and then we went around a bend and up a winding hill and then downhill.

Distance 2.24
Time
Splits 7:58, 7:58, 7:47