So I set off at 8am, having tried to eat some porridge which I nearly threw up from nerves! I did get a banana down me! Trained it down from Chi to Pompey picking up my running partner, Laura on route. The train became busier and busier the closer we got to Portsmouth and it began to dawn on me how massive this race was going to be. Venturing out on the streets of Portsmouth we joined the masses heading down to Southsea for the start. Already the wind was strong and gusts whipped through the streets. One fellow runner commented on the barriers that had already fallen over in the winds and everyone nervously laughed knowing that it was only going to get worse.
Southsea was amass with runners and supporters out in their numbers despite the increasingly worsening conditions. However the sun was out and spirits high as we joined our fellow runners in the white enclosure, the second wave to go. It did seem forever before we heard the klaxon for the start of the elite women and the beginning of our warm up. I welcomed this as despite wearing an old hoodie, the wind was bitter.Then the elite men and orange wave were away, we began to move forward towards the start. In the excitement, Laura and I threw off our hoodies. Major mistake. We still had 10 minutes before we started and it started to rain = two very cold ladies. Thankfully another warm up started! However it was short lived as the time had come to start. With a deep breath, the klaxon sounded and we were off!
I seemed to hit a wall between mile 2 and 3, whether the wind had already knocked a lot of energy out of me or I was feeling the effects of the sun and over heating, either way I pushed through it and once back on the Pompey streets it seemed to pass. It was great to see all the bands along the route, the music and happy faces were a great boost. As were the numbers of people supporting. It was such a lovely atmosphere. The support of the crowd was so important especially on a day when the weather was so harsh. Their support was needed and much valued.
Soon we headed up the avenue and back again with a much needed water point. One of my highlights of this section was under the bridge when a cheer of 'Oggy oggy oggy' 'Oi Oi OI' erupted! Again highlighting the spirit of the runners.
Seeing the mile 5 marker was a welcomed sight and I felt good. The sun had gone in and rain clouds were forming, oh how I would enjoy a spot of rain to cool me. I had already soaked myself in water from the water spot. As we approached mile 6, we could see runners on the return seafront leg, it looked like a long way off still. And then the wind hit again. Strong gusts that I am sure could knock you over! At one point I looked to the sky and saw a silver blanket thing floating past and wondered whether if I grabbed hold of it, it would fly me along. Clearly this was more than a thought. As we neared mile 7 I spotted a familiar face in the crowd, Charlie, which was great and it wasn't long before we came upon my sisters and mum cheering by the sides. I am so lucky to have such supportive, if not bonkers, family!
Despite the boost of seeing my family and the lovely shower you run through, I found mile 7-8 tough going. It should have been a nice mile down the streets with families outside their houses cheering us on and for a time, being sheltered from the wind. This was not the case. I felt tired and my feet were hot, even though I had soaked them in water from the last water stop. Maybe it was the impending fear of what mile 8 onwards was going to bring, the return leg, against the wind along the coast. Mile 8 came and went and then it hit us. I knew it was going to be strong, but nothing prepared me for the force of the wind. You had to push hard. It drove right in to you, wearing you down and zapping all strength from you. People had begun walking, yet despite the pain and strength seeping from my body, I gritted my teeth, put my head down and pushed on. Laura was amazing here. She kept on pushing me on and stopped me from walking when it would have been so easy to. And somehow I did keep going and made it to mile 9, with no tears but with grit and determination. It was here that familar faces gave me a boost. Nicky with her megaphone, mum and Hayley shouting away. Hayley even began to run along side and I thought for one minute she was going to run all the way with us until she disappeared. Only to reappear again on her bicycle shouting support and encouragement. However this was short lived when she declared that cycling along was hard work! My fellow runners around me were in stitches - hard work, you should try running 9 miles in this!! However it helped and somehow I kept on going. I spotted the pier in the distance. In my head this was the marker which told me that I did not have far to go to the finish and it was welcome sight. As was the 15k marker closely followed after by the 800 metre marker. I was almost there! Then I spotted the pyramid roof of the 'Pyramids' and I knew I was nearly there. As we rounded a few corners we became sheltered by the buildings and a new lease of life took over me. Laura grabbed my hands and somehow I managed a faster pace as we ran down the final stretch to the finish line. We had done it!
Crossing the line was a mix of exhilaration and relief. My body felt like jelly and I was exhausted. We hugged, high tenned and stumbled away from the finish line. A few tears welled in my eyes but they were soon wiped away. I just couldn't believe what I had achieved. It was epic. Surprisingly I recovered quite quickly physically, it was the ache and burning sensation that appeared in my calves that I first noticed. Although after some stretched and wrapping up warm soon did the trick.My feet seemed fine, no painful blisters and I was feeling good. However we still had the long walk back to the station against the wind which had increased in strength to contend with. This was irrelevant because now I could do anything! I just ran in this crazy wind for 10 miles. A test of my own stamina, perseverance and determination.
Once we had stopped for a much needed glass of wine, Laura checked out times. We were hopeful of a time around the 1 hr 45 mins mark as we had been keeping close to the 1 hr 40 minute marker. In my head I wanted to do under 2hrs at first, then I wanted to to under 1:50 so anythign under in the wind was going to be amazing. When she showed me our time, I screamed: I had just ran 10 miles in 40 mph winds in a time of 1 hr 43 minutes 15 seconds! I was over the moon. The icing on the cake. Next year I am aiming for below 1:40 because there will be a next time!
Thank you to Laura Cook, my amazing running buddy, for being a constant support and inspiration - you got me round! Thank you to my amazing supporting family for your endless cheers - you helped when it got tough!
So if you have been inspired get running yourself or just sponsor me on my Just Giving Page! Thank you! Right on to the next challenge, climbing Mount Snowdon in 4 days time!!
The route:
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