The Great South Run 2013, October, Portsmouth and Southsea

At the end of October I completed the Great South Run again. 

Having caught the running bug nearly two years ago I felt an enormous sense of achievement crossing that finish line as I ran the complete 10 miles on my own, with great support from the crowd.

For anyone unaware the Great South Run is the premiere 10 mile event in the UK and attracts thousands and thousands of runners each year (25,000 this time).

There is a great buzz and you run through the streets of Portsmouth and Southsea through the dockyard, past the Spinnaker, and along the seafront. 

All the way through I felt fine a lot more confident than last year and paced myself to make sure I didn't burn out quickly. However, it would seem the weather had another plan for the runners, the evening of the run a massive storm was predicted.  It didn't hit when we were running however coming through Eastney was fine but turning right onto the seafront it felt as if someone hit you and running along was a constant struggle and felt as if someone constantly had their hands on your shoulders pushing you back.

It was brutal and by far the hardest two miles I have ever run, there was a point that I was concerned that I would not be able to finish, I kept running whereas others walked. The only thought going through my head was if I walk I won't be able to run and with the need to beat my time again kept pushing through.

Last year I completed the Great South Run in 2 hours 9 minutes, this year...1 hour 58 minutes. To say I am over the moon is an understatement I was overwhelmed and so proud that I had done it. I also raised £260 for Mind which was phenomenal.

I did say I wasn't going to do it again next year, £41 is quite a lot, so I am looking at getting a charity spot again. My thinking well first it is the 25th anniversary and second if it's not windy how fast could I run it?

In other running news not long to go until the Brighton Half Marathon in February, little nervous 13 miles so this week going to up my training to nail it! Just hope my couple of weeks off doesn't impact on it all.

After the Great South Run

My treat after the race

The Great South Run, Southsea, Portsmouth - Sunday, October 28 2012

Yesterday I ran the Great South Run. The largest ten mile road race in Europe, I was one out of 25,000.

In my training I got up to ten miles so I thought it would be fine, however, I found it really, really difficult. It didn't help I needed the toilet from the start but held it until six miles and ran into the Tenth Hole tea room to use the toilet.

The atmosphere was fantastic among the runners and the crowd, hi-fiving kids who were cheering and clapping. Just really, really good.

However, by mile eight I was finding it really difficult. We were in Eastney and I knew where we ended up at the swimming baths but I couldn't figure out how we got there so I did start to feel a bit disheartened and did wonder if I would finish. But I missed the eight mile mark so it did feel as if it was going forever so I was relived when I got to nine miles.

It was cool running through the dockyard and past the navy boats but there was minimal crowd in there.

The best part was getting round the corner by the Pyramids and seeing the finish line I got my sprint on and pulled away from the boyfriend, but I did it too soon and he soon caught me up.

I think I got quite caught up in the moment to start with as the first five miles I did running between 5.1 and 4.9 miles an hour, far too fast for me. I was doing 11-12 minute miles! Crazy! The eight mile I did in 14 minutes, that was my hardest mile.

It was a great feeling afterwards though knowing I had just completed the Great South Run, at points I was really doubting if I would do it. The crowd support from friends and family was really needed and appreciated.

Doing it for charity also gave me that extra push as I had more of a purpose to do it.

As much as I hurt today it was really worth it and I would recommend it, the buzz was amazing. I feel so proud of myself as in May I couldn't run for five minutes without stopping and yesterday I ran 10 miles in 2 hours and 9 minutes!

Now hopefully I will be doing a 10k Santa fun run!

I ran for mind to donate visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/runcharlierun

To sign up for next years run visit the website: http://www.greatrun.org/events/event.aspx?id=12

Proof I did it...

When the Olympic Torch came to Portsmouth

Over the last couple of weeks the Olympic Torch has been weaving its way around the UK, and every day in the week I have heard Chris Moyles talk about torch cam on his show.

When I found out the torch was not only coming to Portsmouth twice but was coming on a Sunday I knew I had to go and see what all the fuss was about.

Portsmouth held an event on Southsea common, with performances from Twist and Pulse from Britain's Got Talent, local dance groups and Brighton band Rizzle Kicks. The band performed for about 15 minutes until the torch came in at 6.55pm. They were fantastic and I'm glad I got to see them live.

Three sponsors, Lloyds TSB, Coca Cola and Samsung ,had vans around the side where you could have your photo taken with a torch, there were long queues and after a little 'what are they doing? They are so silly queueing for a torch photo...' We got in one and had our photo taken.

The torch was lighter than I thought it would be.

The atmosphere was just amazing, it was buzzing so many people around and as the torch got closer it just built and built.

Then the torch, buses from coke came by and then just peeping over the top of the crowds heads was the torch, I don't know who was carrying it but it looked fantastic and I could see the flame.

I felt privileged to see it with thousands of other people. There aren't many times you can feel proud to be British but seeing the people of Portsmouth cheering and clapping and just getting involved made me feel very proud of not only my city but where I come from.

I wasn't that bothered about the Olympics before but after seeing the torch I cannot wait for the Olympics to start and Team GB to win some gold!!

The torch just outside the Queen's Hotel in Southsea...