The Bupa Great South Run is one of Europe’s fastest and most popular 10-mile road races. It is a fast, flat and scenic course set through Portsmouth, beginning and ending on the picturesque Southsea coast.
However, this year it would be a little different. I, Jamie Richards would be taking part amongst the other 21,000 runners on what was a cold drizzly Sunday morning. With next to no training under my belt, I was wondering why I was taking part? Everyone looked so prepared and “Ready” for the run. I sadly wasn’t. However, by the end of the run, the race had changed my perception of running and the training involved. First, Let me take you back a year or so ago.
In my teens I was a club competitive swimmer, swimming on average 4KM a training session. So swimming was not an issue. Then, aged 15 I was annoyed with the gears on my mountain bike and I decided with my first payslip to purchase a road bike, (which I still use for training). It was only when I was drinking wine with my future father-in-law over Sunday lunch, that it was suggested that I start to enter triathlons.
For those that don’t know, a triathlon race is made up of 3 parts. It’s one event with a Swim, Cycle and Run in that order. The standard distance event triathlon is called an Olympic. This takes the format of 1500M swim (usually in a lake), 40KM cycle then a 10KM Run.
So, for my first I entered a sprint triathlon (750M/20KM/5KM) knowing that I can swim, and that I had the bike, so all that was left to do was run. “Shouldn’t be an issue” I thought. And to my surprise it wasn’t. But the run was only 5KM. After introducing my mate James to the world of triathlons, he calmly suggested after completing his first that we plan to enter an Ironman Triathlon in a few years time.
The distances in an Ironman Triathlon are silly. If a 3 Mile swim and 120 Mile bike ride wasn’t enough, it finishes with a marathon. Now, James is a runner that has built up his swimming to a reasonable standard. So it was time for me to start building up my running in preparation for the Ironman. It was suggested by many that I enter the Great South Run. This should bring us up to date.
The Great South Run was an unknown for me. The furthest I had ever run in one go was 6 Miles. I had only ever done that twice, about 2 months before moving from Liverpool and starting work at in Eastleigh at White Communications Group. So you can see why I was feeling a little lost amongst the other runners. However, after walking slowly behind the rope towards the start line, the adrenaline kicked in. This was a race. And I am competitive. So running with my father (and what’s left of his right knee) and doing it for Rowans hospice, we set off.
Knowing the extent of my training, my Dad instantly told me to slow down. So we cruised round the first few miles and just took in the atmosphere. Live bands, people cheering and marines running with bergen’s asking the crowds for sponsorship. All Amazing. Like nothing I have experienced on a triathlon, where you can be cycling & running with no crowd support.
However, once we passed the 5KM marker and then the 10KM marker I knew that this wasn’t going to be easy. It all happened for me just before the 9 Mile marker. The combination of the rain, wind and the previous 8 or so miles hit me like a tonne of bricks. Jamie was not in a good place. My Dad couldn’t believe me when I was saying “slow down a sec!” It was like nothing I had ever experienced in any other sporting event; swimming, cycling or triathlons. I just wanted to stop. I would finish, but thought 1 min rest would be enough. However, my Dad quietly shouted “ If I stop with you, my knee will seize up!” Joining up the dots I realised quickly that he wouldn’t be able to finish if I stopped. So I “Manned-Up” and carried on.
Taking a handful of Jelly babies from a top up station at 1 miles to go we went for the finish. All memories of me enjoying atmosphere, looking at the marketing behind the free drinks given to us from Powerade etc had long gone. Just getting over the line with my failing legs was all I needed to do. Usually I have enough for a sprint finish. Not today. With the line getting ever closer I raised my arms for an illustrious finish. Job Done.
After a few pints and something to eat, I had time to reflect on what I had learnt.
- 10 Miles is longer than I thought.
- I now know that 10KM isn’t that far and that I need to do much more training in preparation for this Ironman Triathlon.
This was a first step of many that I need to take, however I am determined to get to the Ironman race, finish and get that logo tattooed onto my left ankle.
The next step in my training journey; a few triathlons for charity in the New Year, a long distance cycle race for Asthma suffers and hopefully a half marathon. I look to post regular updates with regards to the events I take part in and any crazy training I do. For now, bring on dark evenings of bike turbo training and running in the cold.
