The Great South Run 2023

At the Start Line…

I never would have thought I would say this in my life but… I ran 3 races in 4 weeks! How wild is that?! Berlin and Chicago was my pre-game to the Great South Run.

The Great South Run is definitely one of my favourites. It’s local, it’s vibrant, and we are always lucky with the weather. I love that we could walk to the Start Line from our house – the roads are cleared and prepped, the Aid Stations are just getting the waters out, the port-a-loos are still clean. Also, it is no small race – over 20,000 people run it! And of course, I love it because it is also the only race David will run with me and beats me every time.

Ending up joining the Pink Wave coz we had last minute potty trips.

Running for Home-Start Portsmouth…

On this run, I sported the Home-Start Portsmouth shirt but wasn’t able to take a picture of me wearing it due to the excitement. Around Mile 2, a chap tapped me on the shoulder and eagerly showed me his Home-Start shirt! He was so proud to be wearing it and said what a great charity it is! I agreed… Then he was gone!

Around Mile 8.5, focused to get to the Finish, I heard my name screamed so loud by a couple of ladies. Then I realised, it was Tash from Home-Start! She has been a great support since the beginning.

Please visit my Fundraising Page: https://www.justgiving.com/marathonmon

At the Finish Line…

This was our 3rd GSR since moving to Portsmouth. 10 miles is a really good distance to run, part leisure and just enough struggle. I am happy to say that I have improved my time in the past 3 years and now finished 1:39… made it just below a 10min/mile pace.

David is as consistent as ever. With no training, 1:36:10 the first year, 1:36:08 this year! Last year, he finished beyond 2 hours – assisted someone on the course who fell and had a head injury (the anaesthetist/A+E doc in him took over).

Whilst David’s legs felt like jelly, I felt like I was just warming up. But after a quick bite and some coffee, we had to get home to these two, who eagerly awaited their medals…