Graham’s blog - The Robin Hood half – The Magnificent 7 (29.09.2019)

I can’t believe it’s a year since our Recovery Running Team took on the Robin Hood Half to celebrate our 20th Birthday as a Charity. This year our “Magnificent Seven” signed up to take on a tough course around our beautiful home city of Nottingham. Thanks to Martin and Jodie from The Treat Kitchen, and Becky, Emma, Matt and Greg for joining me in raising the profile of our charity at the same time as supporting people in recovery from addiction. You all did yourselves and us proud with some fantastic times and PBs to boot!

The weather forecast wasn’t the best, with the prospect of torrential rain and thunderstorms (see Funniest Moment – below). As it turned out it wasn’t all that bad and actually near perfect running conditions. Participating without my usual running buddy, Lisa, this year was always going to be a different challenge, so she sent along her husband as a very capable reserve. Thanks to Greg for staying inside that 1:55 pace all the way – top effort. And great to see all of our team reaching their personal goals and a special mention and well done to Becky for going sub 2 hours for the first time – amazing and truly inspirational.

The Sights, Sounds & Emotions

It never ceases to amaze me just how much you take in during the 13.1 mile journey. Having prepared for a head down battle with rain and thunderstorms, the cloud broke and Nottingham began to shine. It’s a pretty course, starting and finishing on the Trent Embankment with significant crowds there and at many spots along the route. Nottingham Castle, The Trent and Wollaton Hall are amongst my highlights interspersed with many tree-lined streets and even boulevards. Paris eat your heart out! I think the noisiest sound award goes to the Notts Women Runners who were also providing a ’Race Angel‘ service on the day, helping people through that last mile. The crescendo of very noisy support on Castle Boulevard picks me and thousands of others up every year. Brilliant effort by each and every one of you ‘Purple Ladies’. As for the emotions, where do you start? Every time I see someone with a message to their loved ones on a t-shirt or banner on the side of the route I just simply fill-up. Working for a Drug & Alcohol Recovery Charity also brings its own share of highs and lows, and the public support both on and off the course gets to me every time, thank you to everyone who gave us support or a shout out this year.

I always like to give people a mention so here we go – Mick and Phil going through The Park Hills (how do you push a wheelchair up those hills when most of us can hardly run up them?). Scooby Doo again and Rob (see my GNR Blog). Great to see and hear the West Bridgford Liberty Singers out there too, enjoyed your rendition of Mr Brightside in between miles 11 and 12.

Inspirational Moment

This is reserved for a stalwart member of our Recovery Running Club who was a spectator for the day, as he is tapering in preparation for the Chester Full Marathon on Sunday. Good luck, you’ll smash it.

Funniest Moment

We had arranged to meet up pre-race in the Charity Tent. I was just in the process of getting stripped down to shorts, vest and running shoes when I turned to see Becky armed with wellies and a cagoule! For anyone who had looked at the weather forecast for the day this was not a bad shout. As it turned out the weather was way much kinder than expected.

Recovery Running Club (now including sessions for complete beginners)

Our club has now moved to Wednesdays at 5.00 with the meeting/start/finish at Café Sobar on Friar Lane. Most weeks we manage to venture out in all conditions to walk, jog or run 5k for regulars. Much shorter distances for beginners are also on offer. If you would like to take part with us get in touch here or Twitter @DI_Recovery and @ DI_Runs. You can also call us on 0115 824 0366 .