Great South Run

[georgeweahscousin]

I have now signed up for the Great South Run, and will be running for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. I will be expecting some Saints support! Especially as running 10 miles through the toxic air of Pompey and Southsea makes it extra hard.

 

IF I reach £2000 sponsorship, I will run it in a Saints shirt with "Scummer" on the back.

 

Donations site to follow.....

[Quickfire Double]

I have now signed up for the Great South Run, and will be running for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. I will be expecting some Saints support! Especially as running 10 miles through the toxic air of Pompey and Southsea makes it extra hard.

 

IF I reach £2000 sponsorship, I will run it in a Saints shirt with "Scummer" on the back.

 

Donations site to follow.....

 

Good luck. I've done it for the last two years, hopefully signing up for this year's in due course.

 

It's not uncommon to spot a Saints shirt or two in the mix to be honest.

 

For 2k, I'd expect to see something a bit more inflammatory on your shirt!!

[rallyboy]

I'm there and shout Red Army at anyone in a Saints shirt - I saw about four last year.

[georgeweahscousin]

Nice to know I won't be the only one!

 

Hoping it will make me run faster!

[Rusaldo]

this is my first year running it, was thinking of running in a saints shirt.

[ronnie radford's boots]

I'm running it for the first time this year ( knees, hips and 45 year old ankles permitting ) and YES I'll be wearing one of my Saints shirts as well. It'll be a sea of red and white by the time we're finished. How's about a group photo before or after ?

[chrisobee]

Nice flat course, should be a doddle

[Window Cleaner]

Nice flat course, should be a doddle

 

depends if it's windy really. if I remember rightly if the wind is from the west on that day then the last 3 or 4 miles are a bit of a pain.

Then again I haven't run there since about 93/94 and the course may have changed. No GSR for me this year, Toulouse Marathon the previous week-end, my first 42k for 5 years.

[chrisobee]

depends if it's windy really. if I remember rightly if the wind is from the west on that day then the last 3 or 4 miles are a bit of a pain.

Then again I haven't run there since about 93/94 and the course may have changed. No GSR for me this year, Toulouse Marathon the previous week-end, my first 42k for 5 years.

 

I was just basing that on the official site description ! I ran 2 Marathons in Southampton back in the 80's, I suspect they are no longer held? The race started and finished on the Common with 2 x 13 mile circuits taking in, from memory, Lordshill, Shirley, City Centre, Portswood and a few points in between ! It was a decent course with the only real hill being as you headed into Shirley from Winchester Road.

[Window Cleaner]

I was just basing that on the official site description ! I ran 2 Marathons in Southampton back in the 80's, I suspect they are no longer held? The race started and finished on the Common with 2 x 13 mile circuits taking in, from memory, Lordshill, Shirley, City Centre, Portswood and a few points in between ! It was a decent course with the only real hill being as you headed into Shirley from Winchester Road.

 

There is no Southampton marathon now as far as I know. I ran there in 83 and 84 but it wasn't the same circuit both times.I think in 83 we started from the Avenue (somewhere near the White Gates) did a little circuit of Shirley,dropped down through the town,came back up Bevois Valley and Portswood,Bitterne Park Triangle,Manor Farm Road,a bit of Townhill and then back up through Woodmill and up the main drag towards Bassett (can't remember the name) to finish on the Common.The second year I get the distinct that impression that there was no Shirley loop and that it was 2 13 mile circuits involving going over the Itchen Bridge.

[chrisobee]

There is no Southampton marathon now as far as I know. I ran there in 83 and 84 but it wasn't the same circuit both times.I think in 83 we started from the Avenue (somewhere near the White Gates) did a little circuit of Shirley,dropped down through the town,came back up Bevois Valley and Portswood,Bitterne Park Triangle,Manor Farm Road,a bit of Townhill and then back up through Woodmill and up the main drag towards Bassett (can't remember the name) to finish on the Common.The second year I get the distinct that impression that there was no Shirley loop and that it was 2 13 mile circuits involving going over the Itchen Bridge.

 

I ran in '82 and '83 so concur mainly with the '83 route though I'm sure we passed through or near Lordshill/Lordswood, from memory '82 was the same. To be fair though having not lived in Southampton for over 30 years I could be totally wrong !

[Window Cleaner]

I ran in '82 and '83 so concur mainly with the '83 route though I'm sure we passed through or near Lordshill/Lordswood, from memory '82 was the same. To be fair though having not lived in Southampton for over 30 years I could be totally wrong !

 

Nope no Lordshill in 83,it was only my second marathon (after the Polytechnic in 82) and I remember thinking what a sh*it hilly course it was especially the drag up from Swaythling to Bassett, I was gutting it out with Trev Clarke from Bournemouth at the time and people waving pints in front of us at those pubs by the University really didn't help.Plus I had a shoe (Nike Internationalists I think) rubbing like crazy since Gaiters Hill and wasn't in the best of humours.

[Scummer]

depends if it's windy really. if I remember rightly if the wind is from the west on that day then the last 3 or 4 miles are a bit of a pain.

Then again I haven't run there since about 93/94 and the course may have changed. No GSR for me this year, Toulouse Marathon the previous week-end, my first 42k for 5 years.

 

Yes it's a very flat course (there are no hills in Portsmouth), but as you say the last couple of miles are along the seafront and the wind is normally blowing in from the southwest so you are running straight into it. It's not what you want when you are already starting to feel quite knackered.

 

I've done it a few times, but not for a couple of years. I'm tempted to give it a go this year actually, I could do with trying to get a bit fitter. It does help when the start line is only about half a mile from your front door.

[chrisobee]

Nope no Lordshill in 83,it was only my second marathon (after the Polytechnic in 82) and I remember thinking what a sh*it hilly course it was especially the drag up from Swaythling to Bassett, I was gutting it out with Trev Clarke from Bournemouth at the time and people waving pints in front of us at those pubs by the University really didn't help.Plus I had a shoe (Nike Internationalists I think) rubbing like crazy since Gaiters Hill and wasn't in the best of humours.

 

Ok, my memory probably is a bit vague ! I enjoyed the run in 1982, I trained well and had no injuries/illness. In 1983 I had a few injuries and it was a drag for the last 6-8 miles as I had problems with cramp. I still have some old photos lying around which my Dad took.

[chrisobee]

Yes it's a very flat course (there are no hills in Portsmouth), but as you say the last couple of miles are along the seafront and the wind is normally blowing in from the southwest so you are running straight into it. It's not what you want when you are already starting to feel quite knackered.

 

I've done it a few times, but not for a couple of years. I'm tempted to give it a go this year actually, I could do with trying to get a bit fitter. It does help when the start line is only about half a mile from your front door.

 

In other words if you don't do it it is only because you're a lazy git;)

[Window Cleaner]

Ok, my memory probably is a bit vague ! I enjoyed the run in 1982, I trained well and had no injuries/illness. In 1983 I had a few injuries and it was a drag for the last 6-8 miles as I had problems with cramp. I still have some old photos lying around which my Dad took.

 

not surprising, the last 10 in 83 were a pain,Megson Avenue,Cutbush Lane, Gaiters Hill (even going downhill is painful sometimes) and Burgess Rd (see I remembered) weren't what you needed after 16 miles.Plus I think it was a bit hot that day .

[chrisobee]

not surprising, the last 10 in 83 were a pain,Megson Avenue,Cutbush Lane, Gaiters Hill (even going downhill is painful sometimes) and Burgess Rd (see I remembered) weren't what you needed after 16 miles.Plus I think it was a bit hot that day .

 

Yep, it was hot in 1983 which didn't help, I remember looking for shade to run in ! Yep, Burgess Road was definitely on the route but not even sure now where Gaiters Hill is !

[Window Cleaner]

Gaiters Hill is between West End and the White Swan (remember the "Mucky Duck"?) We would have gone down it that year

because we came out of Cutbush Lane (starts behind Townhill Community Centre) en route towards Wide Lane.

[keithd]

Marathon and 10k runners are mental! you have my admiration

 

good luck

[thefuriousb]

I am runnig the Great North Run in Sept and probably 1 or 2 other half marathons before runnig the New York marathon in November.

 

The Great South is the week before New York, so am undecided whether to run it this year. It could be an ideal last prep run before NY.

 

I may then end the year with the Gosport half marathon, the day after my 40th and my retirement!

[thefuriousb]

I am runnig the Great North Run in Sept and probably 1 or 2 other half marathons before runnig the New York marathon in November.

 

The Great South is the week before New York, so am undecided whether to run it this year. It could be an ideal last prep run before NY.

 

I may then end the year with the Gosport half marathon, the day after my 40th and my retirement!

 

It seems I have a problem spelling RUNNING!!

[Saint Garrett]

My old man was going to run this for charity. Open up sponsorship to both Saints and Pompey fans...and whoever gave the most money, he'd wear the shirt of the 'winning' fans. Good idea to raise money !

[Window Cleaner]

I am runnig the Great North Run in Sept and probably 1 or 2 other half marathons before runnig the New York marathon in November.

 

The Great South is the week before New York, so am undecided whether to run it this year. It could be an ideal last prep run before NY.

 

I may then end the year with the Gosport half marathon, the day after my 40th and my retirement!

 

I'd leave it out before NYC if I were you but it could be a 20k trot I suppose. Depends if you fancy paying 25£ for a training run really.

[georgeweahscousin]

My old man was going to run this for charity. Open up sponsorship to both Saints and Pompey fans...and whoever gave the most money, he'd wear the shirt of the 'winning' fans. Good idea to raise money !

 

Hmmmm......

 

Good idea, might consider doing this if your old man doesn't. Still with Scummer on the back, I wonder if the clubs would provide the shirts...

[georgeweahscousin]

Read my first training update at my shiny new website:- http://georgeweahscousin.com/

[Window Cleaner]

Read my first training update at my shiny new website:- http://georgeweahscousin.com/

 

24 minutes for 2.2 miles isn't bad??? you're right, it's lamentable. Hide that treadmill in the basement until you're fit enough to use it.

Seriously though if you could run 10 mountainous in 84 minutes 3 years ago and you can't manage better than 11 minute miles now I think you'd better get a check up from the doc because something isn't right.I ran the big M in 2.20 at my peak 25 years ago,but I can still manage 2.50 now,ability never goes away completely so your regression is surprising.

[georgeweahscousin]

24 minutes for 2.2 miles isn't bad??? you're right, it's lamentable. Hide that treadmill in the basement until you're fit enough to use it.

Seriously though if you could run 10 mountainous in 84 minutes 3 years ago and you can't manage better than 11 minute miles now I think you'd better get a check up from the doc because something isn't right.I ran the big M in 2.20 at my peak 25 years ago,but I can still manage 2.50 now,ability never goes away completely so your regression is surprising.

 

 

Like I said I was disappointed! Keep checking, I intend on improving drastically!

[Window Cleaner]

 

Like I said I was disappointed! Keep checking, I intend on improving drastically!

 

i shall watch over your progress then. Don't know how it is in the UK now but in France (and maybe several other European countries) you cannot belong to an athletic club as a practising member (or many other types of sports) or participate in any organised race without a medical certificate saying that you are unlikely to keel over due to the exigeances of the sport.

Edited 19 February, 2011 by Window Cleaner

[georgeweahscousin]

i shall watch over you're progress then. Don't know how it is in the UK now but in France (and maybe several other European countries) you cannot belong to an athletic club as a practising member (or many other types of sports) or participate in any organised race without a medical certificate saying that you are unlikely to keel over due to the exigeances of the sport.

 

I should point out that I did 1.5 miles on the treadmill last night in 11 minutes, I'm back on the horse, just getting used to it again. I stopped running before because of a knee injury so testing the water at the moment.

[Window Cleaner]

I should point out that I did 1.5 miles on the treadmill last night in 11 minutes, I'm back on the horse, just getting used to it again. I stopped running before because of a knee injury so testing the water at the moment.

 

Soft ground would be better then, really depends on what was wrong with the knee though,whether it was impact damage, poor footwear or poor mechanics that caused it.

[amigo1]

Read my first training update at my shiny new website:- http://georgeweahscousin.com/

 

i too decided to get back into running after a twenty year rest (45 now) back in august 2010 i decided to lose weight, no probs lost just short of a stone then got stuck so decided to start running again to help with the next half stone, october i started gradually working my way up to my first 5k run after 4 weeks then in dec up to 10k, on a whim i entered a 10 mile road race in jan which i completed in 1,28. (very hilly course) i am now addicted to running especially trail running and i am scanning the lists of races and planning for the next two years ahead, (making sure no races interfere with home games ) so all in all good luck with yer weight loss and fitness programme, you got a five year start on me

[georgeweahscousin]

Thanks mate!

[Cheam Saint]

I ran this last year. The celebrity starters were Lawrie Mac and David James. As I passed the start, I shouted "Lawrie" at the top of my voice and was waving at him. He looked at me as if to say "Do I know this nutter" while waving back enthusiastically. However, the best thing about it was David James looking on completely bemused as I completely blanked him!

 

Finished in 1 hour, 13 minutes and 23 seconds. Disappointed to be beaten by Ben Fogle by 1 second, but I suppose he has rowed the Atlantic Ocean!

 

I'm running my first marathon in London in April. Hope to beat 4 hours.

[Phil the Saint]

I also ran the Southampton marathon in 83 and remember it as two circuits of the same course starting from the Avenue and looping through Shirley twice? Blew up at 18 miles and finished in 3 hours 45 minutes. Also have run the Great South and agree on the last few miles being a drag if the wind is blowing.

Edited 20 February, 2011 by Phil the Saint

[chrisobee]

I also ran the Southampton marathon in 83 and remember it as two circuits of the same course starting from the Avenue and looping through Shirley twice? Blew up at 18 miles and finished in 3 hours 45 minutes. Also have run the Great South and agree on the last few miles being a drag if the wind is blowing.

 

Lol, I finished in the same time having run 3hrs 15 in 1982, it might well have been you I hobbled along with for the last few miles

It was 2 circuits as indeed it was in 1982. I remember well in '82 running pretty much level 2 x 1 hour 37-38 minute splits and passing 100's of runners on lap 2. Strangely enough my fastest ever time for a half marathon was 1hr 45 mins so I clearly peaked in 1982

[Window Cleaner]

Lol, I finished in the same time having run 3hrs 15 in 1982, it might well have been you I hobbled along with for the last few miles

It was 2 circuits as indeed it was in 1982. I remember well in '82 running pretty much level 2 x 1 hour 37-38 minute splits and passing 100's of runners on lap 2. Strangely enough my fastest ever time for a half marathon was 1hr 45 mins so I clearly peaked in 1982

 

Looks like the old memory may be playing tricks on me then, I definitely ran one Southampton marathon which was one unique circuit and one which was 2 circuits but going over the Itchen Bridge.Maybe it was 84 and 85 that I ran in Southampton, I could dig the T shirts out I guess, first one was red I think and the second was err grey with red printing on it??.

Edited 21 February, 2011 by Window Cleaner

[chrisobee]

Looks like the old memory may be playing tricks on me then, I definitely ran one Southampton marathon which was one unique circuit and one which was 2 circuits but going over the Itchen Bridge.Maybe it was 84 and 85 that I ran in Southampton, I could dig the T shirts out I guess, first one was red I think and the second way err grey with red printing on it??.

 

I only ran in 1982 and 1983, 1982 was definitely 2 circuits. 1983, I would say I'm about 90% certain.

[Window Cleaner]

I only ran in 1982 and 1983, 1982 was definitely 2 circuits. 1983, I would say I'm about 90% certain.

 

Can you remember ever going through Townhill and Cutbush Lane to Mansbridge via the White Swan? If not it must have been 84 and 85 that I ran there because I just don't remember Lordshill or running 2 circuits the first time.I distinctly remember Cutbush Lane because of the shoe incident, the year after Asics had given me some free stuff and I didn't have any problems shoewise.

[georgeweahscousin]

2.48 miles in 23 minutes. Pace up to 9:17.

 

Felt a lot better, and a lot more confident!

[chrisobee]

Can you remember ever going through Townhill and Cutbush Lane to Mansbridge via the White Swan? If not it must have been 84 and 85 that I ran there because I just don't remember Lordshill or running 2 circuits the first time.I distinctly remember Cutbush Lane because of the shoe incident, the year after Asics had given me some free stuff and I didn't have any problems shoewise.

 

No, I cannot remember. If my Dad was still alive he would definitely remember !

[Window Cleaner]

2.48 miles in 23 minutes. Pace up to 9:17.

 

Felt a lot better, and a lot more confident!

 

Good, don't forget to put in some fundamental endurance work though,probably 4+ miles for you at slow pace.Running FE takes fat off more quickly because you're burning it at that pace,when you get up over 75% VAM you're mainly on carbs

[Rusaldo]

Just to bring this to people's attention. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2309732,00.html

[SO16_Saint]

Just to bring this to people's attention. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2309732,00.html

 

haev just signed up.... eek!

[Horley CTFC Saint]

There is no Southampton marathon now as far as I know. I ran there in 83 and 84 but it wasn't the same circuit both times.I think in 83 we started from the Avenue (somewhere near the White Gates) did a little circuit of Shirley,dropped down through the town,came back up Bevois Valley and Portswood,Bitterne Park Triangle,Manor Farm Road,a bit of Townhill and then back up through Woodmill and up the main drag towards Bassett (can't remember the name) to finish on the Common.The second year I get the distinct that impression that there was no Shirley loop and that it was 2 13 mile circuits involving going over the Itchen Bridge.

 

Knackered my knee doing one of these marathons (never been the same since) cant remember which year but sponsored by Sperrings (1983?) I think.

 

Did the GSR a couple of years ago and enjoyed it apart from the last mile or two back to the finish against the sea breeze. Good luck getting out of the car park afterwards and watch out for the dumb locals walking out in front of you without a care in the world!

[Quickfire Double]

haev just signed up.... eek!

 

I was apparently first to respond! I am, for want of a better word, in!!

[SO16_Saint]

I was apparently first to respond! I am, for want of a better word, in!!

 

for those living in Southampton, and are up for it, we should arrange to meet up once / twice a week for a run?

[Smirking_Saint]

I have applied

[georgeweahscousin]

Good work fellas!

 

Looks like I won't be the only one in a Saints shirt then! Wish I had known about this before I entered!

[Chez]

did it last year and the weather was fantastic - no wind at all on the run in as well. I have to say 10 miles is er, bloody miles but the support you get from the Southsea crowd really helps see you through to the line. A dodgy knee might prevent me repeating the run this year but best of luck georgeweahcousin and to everyone else. By the time you get to do the run I think you need to be doing at least 6 miles and then the crowd will take you the rest of the way. Enjoy it, it's a brilliant day, don't forget to smile as you get close to the finishing line because they film you and photograph you. Actually if you want a good shot I'd try to find a bit of space on the run in.

[Quickfire Double]

Good work fellas!

 

Looks like I won't be the only one in a Saints shirt then! Wish I had known about this before I entered!

 

You could always drop Adi Butterworth a note at the club and see if they can work round your already having booked a place? Pretty sure part of the minimum £250 they want us to raise each is to cover entry, maybe they could lower yours based on the fact you've paid it (or something)?