I’ve just got back from spending about an hour lending a bit of moral support to the runners in this years Great Scottish Run, which goes right past the end of our road.
Whilst I missed my friend Keith (I think I under-estimated how good a runner he was!), I stayed as long as I could giving a bit of support to the runners as they went by. It was particularly nice that a few folk acknowledged my presence – I can imagine after 8 miles, particularly if you’re not a regular runner, the last thing on your mind is saying thanks to people comfortably under an umbrella!
Every time I watch a race, particularly when I go out onto the street (as with the London Marathon a few years ago), I’m (briefly) motivated to set myself the goal of doing it next year. I’ve been quite interested by Gordon’s efforts in this regard – he’s actually decided to follow through with it. Maybe this month I’ll actually give myself the kick I need to get out and start doing some regular excercise… With the beautiful Pollok park on my doorstep, I’m fortunate where many folk are not for somewhere enjoyable and off-street to run around. Hmmmm. Maybe.
Update – 2nd Sept 2007 – A year on, and yes, I actually did run the half marathon! A full write-up here, including pictures taken by friends and family of the event.
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September 4th, 2006 at 9:55 am
Good for you Richard. My Dad did a lot of running, and I was one of the people standing under the umbrella on many occasion. Chatting to runners (amateurs) after races I can assure you that even one person clapping and cheering makes a huge difference.
As for the jogging thing, I’d seriously recommend you check out if there is a Jog Scotland group near you – http://www.jogscotland.org.uk/local_groups/.
They will probably be starting a new set in a few weeks, and the encouragement of running with other people – of similar ability (or lack thereof!!) – has helped me hugely.
Or you can just wait until NEXT years GSR and cheer ME on!!
September 5th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
All the support was much appreciated, even if most us couldn’t quite say thanks back at the time! Especially welcome when the weather was a bad as it was early on Sunday…
September 11th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
[...] My inspiration comes from the realisation quite recently that I don’t do any regular exercise, and seeing 20,000 people run past the end of our street inspired me to actually have a go at it myself. But then I often say that when I see ‘normal’ people doing these marathon things. Somehow thought, this was different. Perhaps it’s my age (33), and the fact that it’s not the first time I’ve said “I should do that”, or the smiles on Frances and her family’s faces when I said it, that meant this time I was determined to at least make a start. [...]
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:48 pm
[...] the other hand, I watched the race last year, and figured it was high time I got off my arse and actually did something about getting fitter. [...]
June 26th, 2007 at 7:32 am
[...] of this on my website, and will continue to do so as I build up to the half marathon in September: The 2006 Run, My first run, My first race, and my running [...]