Potters Trotters member Caroline is taking part in 14 events in 2014 to raise money for the Stroke Association. Here is her report from the Great South Run in Portsmouth: This run is supposedly the flattest 10 mile road race in the world but runners were warned about the coastal wind providing our tired legs with a challenge over the last two miles. The race certainly starts off on the flat but I found the staggered start most unusual, as by the time I crossed the start line I had done 3 warms up as the orange wave started, the white wave and finally the fun runners wave, the green wave. At the start we ran past a supportive crowd and the candy floss stalls, penny arcades and fun fair at South Sea before passing Portsmouth Cathedral and winding through the old town and on past the Spinnaker Tower. Runners then have the privilege of running past HMS Victory and through the Naval Dockyard by special permission where sailors stand on their ships providing cries of encouragement from on deck. The next stage (mile 3-4) is probably the lowest point of the race as the route goes out on one side of a dual carriage way, round a round about and back along the other side. Passing runners coming towards you as you are running out was hard going with one runner confessing to me that she had cried at this point the year before. Yet a bit of encouragement amongst us fun runners and a reminder of who we are running for and why soon got us down the other side of the dual carriage way and heading back towards the coast and up to the half way mark. At this stage the crowds got thicker and the encouragement louder, the kids started lining up for a high five from the runners and jelly babies and biscuits started being handed out by the generous spectators. The running vests I read as I passed other runners were also a constant source of inspiration to keep going. At mile 7 we started to run down residential street (Henderson Road) and the encouragement from the crowd went up a gear. All the residents had brought their stereos outside and their sofas from which they yelled your name and a few encouraging words. It was a much needed boost before hitting those dreaded final 2 miles. I know we were warned but I still wasn't prepared for the leg zapping strength of the wind as I swung onto the coastal road. This was where my head wanted me to give up and walk but the views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight made it a beautiful run into the finish, past the Royal Marines Museum & the famous Yomper Statue. Unfortunately myself and a fellow runner didn't quite have enough strength in our legs to out run Pepper Pig. Yet despite that embarrassment we were very proud to cross the line and receive a fine t-shirt, medal and haul in our goodie bag for our labours. It was a good run, with great scenery and support and a decent goodie bag at the finish. I'd recommend it, just remember to save something in your legs for those last 2 miles. |
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