GOSPORT GOLDEN MILE AND 5K RACE

With swimming done and a huge high achieved it was time to face my fears and return to running. I can think of no better race than Absolute Running's Gosport Golden races.
  My children always want to join in and with the Gosport Golden Junior mile there was the perfect chance for them to do that. It was with great excitement that we all woke up on that Sunday morning. I rushed to get dressed and get the kids up and to the start on time.
  We arrived with plenty of time and strolled along the promenade to the start of the race. The kids couldn't wait to have their numbers pinned on and their chips attached to their trainers. Then they looked towards the finish and realised a mile was further than they thought! It didn't matter though. I looked around and the place was buzzing with children of all ages getting ready to run. Their were dads in their club kits proudly pinning numbers to the future stars. There were mums getting ready to run along side their tiny tots. There were children in club kit, school teams and things their parents had got out the cupboard in the hope it would look sporty (my kids!!!) This really was a race for all.

  I left the children at the start and walked off to the finish. Just walking made the backs of my legs ache but I was determined to start the 5k. I went by kids rushing to the start and waved as Nick cycled by. It dawned on me that the fast kids would rush by if I didn't get a shift on but I decided not to rush. Luckily the race started a little late and I was at the finish before any child.
  It was lovely to see so many people waiting at the finish and cheering the kids on. The true athletes came rushing passed and then the fun runners began to arrive. It was a while before mine appeared but that didn't matter. They had entered and run and were delighted with their medals.

 The next race was the adult Golden Mile. Again there was a mixture of competitive runners, would be runners and those in it for the fun of it. I saw so many people that I knew running and so many people that I knew marshaling. When I entered last year I knew my sister and a few people by sight but not by name. So much changes in a year and so many of those friends I have now made were due to Nick at Absolute Running. The community that he has created through the shop and the events organised like the Golden Mile and the weekly swim nights are so important to so many people. I hope he realises just what a difference he has made to so many people.

  The last race of the day was the 5k. By now I had met up with a friend who had won race entry at the school auction. We went to the start line together but at the back. (I know my place!)  I class myself as a runner in it for the fun rather than as a competitive race however I have yet to discover the fun of running. Off we went . Within a few strides of the start I discovered a major error on my part. The elastic in my trousers was not up to the job in hand. With every step my trousers fell further down. It was at that point I discovered a mum from school was behind me and laughing at my panic that I was going to have to run the whole race holding on to my trousers.
  I kept going, hoicking my trousers up every few strides. It was at this point I discovered another error. I grabbed my trousers  and yanked as hard as possible to pull them up but it wasn't my trousers. I was now wearing a thong far too high. Running with a wedgie is not pleasant. Displaying a bright red thong above trousers that were falling down was not the smartest move. I was just pleased I was at the back so only a few people saw the full moon at Stokes Bay that day. With t shirt rising up, trousers falling down and undies on display I soon found I had gone by 1k and had a comfortable pace going. The sweat stuck my trousers on and I kept going.
  I looked like a beetroot within seconds of starting the race and my overheating continued. My aim was just to reach the water station. How other people run without looking like they are a lobster in a pot I don't know. I guess when I swim the water takes the heat away but running doesn't do that. I was delighted to see a friendly face handing out water (Thank you Shona) I drank some and threw the rest in my face. The run then left the path and on to the pebbles of the beach. Last year I walked that bit but this year I kept going. Being cheered on by name is so encouraging (thank you Kim) . Round the fort and back to the water station. My willingness to continue was flagging at this point so I made the mistake of stopping for a drink.
  Getting restated wasn't so easy. I did though but my enthusiasm was going. I may have walked a little bit between 3 and 4 k (but only a little) Being cheered on by friends kept me going. Then the song popped in my head. 'Nothing is impossible. If your heart is really in it. It's a fight but you can win it. If you just trust your dreams' With the song in my head I kept going. I went by Nick and my children were there waiting for me. My daughter took my hand and we ran together. We went by Tom with his camera. I even went by the finish line. I t was lovely to hear Lee and Steph calling me on and seeing that medal in Steph's hand waiting for me. The steel band was still playing and the crowd was still there cheering
  More water and a goody bag. I had finished. I felt like you could fry an egg on my face but I had finished. It was at that point somebody told me I was flashing my knickers and I just hoped nobody had a photo!

  If you are new to running then make this one of your first races. The encouragement from spectators and marshals is great. The route is lovely. I know I am attracted to the beach and running along the bay is my sort of thing but it is a lovely flat course with an interesting pebble patch. 
  If you are an experienced runner put this event in your schedule. It's an event for everybody. If you are a competitive runner there is a race to be won. 

  Follow the Shoe!