Great South Run 2011

The clocks roll back and that can only mean one thing – a trip to Portsmouth to catch up with Tom and do the Great South Run.

I look forward to this event every year and was gutted when I came down with a bug. The week before I’d had to take time of work, are rarity for me, and the evening before I ran a high fever.

I woke up Saturday morning feeling a little better and drove down expecting to meet Tom and be a supporter. Getting on the Gosport ferry and mixing with the other runners I couldn’t help but want to join in.

I knew this wasn’t going to be the PB attempt I’d planned on but standing in the starting pen I relaxed and soaked up the atmosphere. There’s something to be said for not having any expectations.

Even though I’d lost my voice I felt ok jogging and just took care not to go too fast. The event has gotten so large now that unless you’re near the front it’d be hard to make any headway and the roads felt congested.

There again were the bands and piper, joined with year by so many spectators that there were even people lining the whole windy home straight.

We got round in a respectable time of 01:18:47 and ended the day with a lovely meal with Tom’s parents.

Note: Following the run I went on holiday and was unwell for several weeks. I really shouldn’t have run with a bad chest and will never do it again – unless its the same time next year