Manchester 10k 'fun run' 2016

This time last Sunday (22nd May) Myself and 3 friends ran the Manchester 10k but just for fun. That is, this is the one and only time I haven't ran for the cause...Starfish. Felt strange but so good to see lots of runners around me running for so many good causes. To my surprise I was up front in the White wave, bib number 9499, I don't know how that happened but as it turns out there were plenty of us in this wave. Total number of runners today is 35000. I was excited to do this run for 2 reasons. Firstly because it has been 6 years since I last ran in Manchester and I have really missed it. Secondly, this was a reunion run with my friends. We first ran together (my first ever run) back in May 2002 in what was then the Women's only 5 mile run. It became the Manchester 10k run the following year in May 2003. This was my first run to raise funds for The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association. Here is a rather fuzzy polaroid group photo of the four of us.

From L to R: Ally, Angela, Kirstie and I










I got lucky with the weather this year and enjoyed the run. The lineup isn't quite the same as it was 15 years ago. A busy woman with 2 young kids, Angela hadn't found time to train and felt it best to drop out sadly but she met up with us after wards for a meal. Instead Kirsties sister-in-law Emma made up the foursome. All 3 of them were in the green wave behind me so I'd always had a feeling we wouldn't actually bump into each other at the event let alone run togther lol. I was right but this didn't stop up enjoying our respective runs and taking photo's. My run started at 11.55am and I was almost finished when the others started theirs at 1.10pm. We never saw each other on route either. 

 Here I am before the run looking very happy

 And standing in the white wave starting area.

Of course there is the obligatory Selfie too:

 Here I am at the beginning of the run.

Then again shortly after that. Can you see me? This run was televised live on BBC2 from 11am-1pm and a friend thinks she saw me. Having watched a recording, I can't see myself so need to watch it again. Unfortunately Glynn couldn't see me at the finishline to get a photo but thats not the end of the world. As this was a fun run I wasn't expecting a PB although that would've been nice. Over halfway through this run I suddenly developed a pain in the left side of my abdomen which slowed me down a little. It went as fast as it came but then I developed a migraine in my left eye which stayed with me. So my run time was 1 hour and 10 minutes, 21 seconds. I am fine with that. I felt like I could have kept on running which is good news and as soon as I stopped I did feel sick. It took me thebest part of a week to get rid of this mysterious migraine and thus not feel sick. You can see from my postrun pix I don't look good lol 

   
Whilst the weather had been perfect for me it suddenly turned as the green wave embarked on their run. 



 We waited in the finish area for my friends and the rain was heavy by now and wrapped in a silver foil blanket I was cold so we went for a coffee then back to the hotel. 

Meanwhile...

Emma, Ally and Kirstie.

 Well done ladies, proud of you! I hour and 27 minutes each.

we  met up at the hotel having booked a room to shower and change in. Glynn and I waited in the hotel bar to meet Angela and we ended up having a couple of (soft) drinks and chatting. I then joined the others updtairs to shower, change and drink wine. Being ill I took the non-alcoholic variety. It was fun. We found a local quite swish indian restaurant and took a group photo. It was a fun day altogether even though in the end we didn't run together. Our food was good and the staff so nice and we spent the evening catching up, reminiscing about our university days and of course talked about the run. This was a fab idea thanks Kirstie, she who got me into running all those years ago. 

Kirstie, Emma, Angela, Ally and me

 


  Well done to everyone who took part and thanks to the amazing people who supported and cheered us on all the way. I am well rested now and shall restart running tomorrow, Bank Holiday Monday. I am really looking forward to what will be I guess my first training run for the Manchester Half Marathon in October. My next run for the Rutger Hauer Starfish Association. I can't thank them enough for hosting a webpage for me. They have even included this one. I can only love em for it!

 This means of course I am now accepting sponsorship and wish once again to thank the very generous friends and supporters from all across the globe. I can't do this without you, you all rock! You can keep up tp date with me on Facebook or keep an eye out here  Sarahs runs4Starfish

So I shall leave you with a photo of me wearing the official Manchester 10k run 2016 t-shirt and holding my medal. Just to prove I am happy and well again. Love Sarah xxx