As you may know I enjoy running and my running friend and I usually enter a number of fun runs throughout the year. Unfortunately, my first half marathon scheduled for March was cancelled due to Cyclone Alfred so the next run on our calendar was the 10km Run Army. They also have a 5km option as well.
I wrote earlier this week about Active April which is the theme for this month’s Action for Happiness Calendar, so ending March with a run was a good way to prepare for Active April. You can find the calendar HERE.
We participate in shorter runs as part of our training for our half marathons.
The Run Army is an opportunity to support those who serve in our community. Originally it was scheduled around ANZAC day to remember and acknowledge our Armed Forces. In recent times, it has been extended to cover Army, Police, Fire, Ambulance, SES and Surf Lifesaving.
It is a fun event and gives the services the opportunity to showcase what they do. The course passes each head office and of course the Cenataph with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Pipe bands and Jazz bands from the different services play along the course which helps spur everyone one.
I participate to acknowledge the work our services provide to keep us safe and also in honour of my husband who is a Vietnam Veteran. He was called up for National Services and spent 12 months in Vietnam and was one of the last to leave after the War ended.
After heavy rain the few days before, Sunday dawned bright and sunny with clear skies. Although one would think a 10km for us would not be challenging, I think they must have selected as many hills and inclines as possible!
I was very happy to see the results and find that I had come second out of nineteen women runners in the 65-69 category. #nevertooold
What brought sparks of joy to your week?
I’m linking up to #WednesdayWords&Whimsy hosted by Min from Write of the Middle. Pop over and visit Min and say hello.
18 Comments
Wow Sue – you know what it doesn’t surprise me that you came second out of nineteen women runners because you’re so fit and so consistent with your running. I love the whole ethos of the Run Army. I’m so glad the weather cleared and all went ahead for a wonderful day. Good on you! Hope you have a wonderful week and thank you so much for supporting and linking up with #WWWhimsy xo
Hi Min, I surprised myself but it shows there are a few in my age group still running which is good to see. x
WOW and even more WOW…you sure are a wonderful example of doing what you can and when. Loved reading this and the story behind the Run Army. It’s so important that we never forget those who served because we also know what can be very challenging is once they are back home.
Loved seeing the photos too.
Take care,
Denyse x
Thank you, Denyse, I was pleasantly surprised with my results overall not so happy about the steep inclines LOL 🙂 x
Congrats, Sue! You are a dynamo! Please thank Mike for his service in Vietnam. We treated returning vets so terribly back then. My brother-in-law didn’t wear his uniform when he was traveling because of the way people acted. It’s very important to recognize the service of men and women. Thank you for doing that with this run.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha, the returning soldiers fared the same as your men. They were spat on and treated very poorly. It is only in recent times that they have been recognised for the service they did. x
Congratulations, Sue – The Run Army is such a great initiative. Despite all of those hills you did amazing!
Yes I was not expecting the hills in the first 1km that’s for sure. x
Congratulations Sue! So well done.
Thanks, Barbara! x
This is really special Sue and congratulations on a wonderful result!
I was pretty pleased, Deb as there was a few very steep hills right at the start which none of us were counting on! x
Oh wow Sue – congratulations to you!
Thanks, Janine, I surprised myself! x
Congratulations Sue and well done. That’s such an achievement. Your consistency is paying off.
I was prestty surprised, Jen as it was a challenging 10km with steep hills. I did much better than I thought! x
I know it’s not really the content for your blog, and I hope this isn’t insensitive to his (what must be) trauma, but I’d love to hear your husbands thought on what it was like in Vietnam after the war. We only hear or read about the American evacuation (and the mismanagement of that) but I realise I know nothing about the Australians, only the poor treatment on their return. (Delete if any of this is offensive to your husband, I can’t begin to imagine the experience for those young men).
Hello Lydia, thank you so much for your interest in Mike’s story and I will write a post about it. It is only after a lot of professional sessions that he is now able to talk about it 50 years on. You haven’t been offensive at all. xx