The Shoulder family are recently back from a long weekend visit to Budapest in Hungary. The primary reason for going was to run in a half marathon and 10K sponsored by Wizz Air - a Hungarian airline. The run is a big one taking place along the Budapest banks of the River Danube.
Before I write up about the run and the personal stuff I will just quickly add some facts about Hungary that I only researched because of our visit. It is guide book stuff only but I enjoyed reading it. Some bullet points in no particular order :-
- Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe.
- Its population in just under 10 million,
- The UK size is 94000 sq miles Hungary is 36000 sq miles.
- The highest point in Hungary is 3327 ft so over a 1000 feet lower than Ben Nevis.
- Hungary has borders with 7 different countries (including Ukraine).
- We ran along the River Danube - the second longest river in Europe after the Volga. It rises in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany and flows for some 1,770 miles (2,850 km) to its mouth on the Black Sea. Along its course it passes through 10 countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. The River Thames is 215 miles long.
- Until 1989 Hungary was a Russian satellite country and therefore a communist country. After the break up of the USSR Hungary declared itself an independent democratic republic adopting the capitalist system.
- The transition (as in many similar states) from communism to capitalism has proved a rocky road with many financial problems and upheavals.
- Hungary joined the EU in 2004 but has not adopted the Euro.
- Currently relations between the EU and Hungary are strained. Their Prime-minister Victor Orban has been in charge since 2010. He is considered an illiberal and one big issue is he is very outspoken regarding the migrant issue. He has put up physical border barriers and Hungary will not accept migrants arguing cultures cannot mix successfully. This is at odds with EU policy.
- Hungary now seems to be on a positive path in terms of economy. Real wages are increasing. Their biggest problem still remains the size of its national debt. Hungary is building a name for itself as a hotbed - a centre for modern technologies including AI. Only 3% of its people are now working in agriculture.
I boringly transgress. Back to the Shoulder family visit to Budapest.
One thing to explain as far as I can - how it came about !? My son James is a keen member of the excellent Isle of Wight Road Runners Club. They decided over a year ago to organise a Club trip to Budapest centred on running the Wizz Budapest Half Marathon. James immediately put his name down.
Subsequently my son George and his partner Laura decided it looked like a good run to do and a place to visit. In the end as often happens the rest of the fam piled in - Victoria Richard and myself. ( after all it was a year away - so plenty of time to train !).
So we ended up with a slightly weird - confusing - set up ie James flew with us to Budapest but he was with his running club ( and excited about that ) and not with us - although we inevitably crossed paths - ha!
Only Rich had been to Budapest before. It has a strong reputation as somewhere ideal for a long weekend break and of course the run was our centerpiece. Our family on tour works so well. On this occasion Rich took the navigation lead (and did a great job sorting transport, finding restaurants, bars, the sights and the bus stops ! It made everything so easy for us. No stresses whatsoever and we really appreciated his efforts. George had sorted a central apartment for us via AirB&B. It was great for us and so much fun sharing together rather being in hotel rooms. Again thank you George. Ps Public transport is really excellent and tremendous value.
We arrived Friday evening - went to dinner in a really nice restaurant specialising in traditional Hungarian food. Goulash themes. We all really enjoyed the range and as usual were adventurous and tried everything possible. One reoccurring feature - Budapest is a large international and capital city - but it offered tremendous value for money.
On Saturday morning we wandered down to the expo to collect our race numbers etc. Of course it was not on the scale of say a London Marathon - but it was a big event including incorporating the Hungarian national championships. The atmosphere was international and fun. We were on banks of the famous River Danube in the centre of Europe. Amazing.
Later we walked along the Danube (where we would run tomorrow) and then took a scenic tram to the Hungarian Parliament area. Rich as I have said had been to Budapest before and was very keen for us to see the Parliament building which he described as the prettiest building he had ever seen. It the daytime it is special - a bit like a smaller and well proportioned version of our Houses of Parliament. We were later to see it lit up at night. It truly was a magnificent sight.
A full and hugely enjoyable day was rounded off by interviews about our expectations for the race the next day - a river trip (with an excellent commentary regarding the landmark buildings we were passing) and dinner al fresco. Budapest in the sun was a great place to be.
Early Sunday morning. Run day. It is blistering hot. Forecast to be 31 degrees C at lunchtime. The half is off at 9 am.
It is hard to describe the atmosphere other than to say it is carnival - special - but also tainted with anticipation - with nerves. Several thousand runners and their families milling around. My over riding feeling is how amazing it is to be there with my family.
A very quick summary :-
James is with his running club but we all meet up. His attitude is he doesn't really care about times because he is a social runner with emphasis on the "social".. He knows he can do a half because he has done 8 marathons. He will be fine.
My daughter Victoria is a special woman. She has run several halfs before but nothing for a while. She has a very busy life - a mother of 2 energetic girls - my darling grandaughters (being looked after by husband Phil). They are fully tuned in tuned in and watch Vic's chip progressing around the course on Strava (or something) from home. Vic is also a senior pain nurse and works very hard. She has ulcerated colitis and over the last few months has had a flare up and has had to use steroids. Despite that she has been determined to train for the run and in her own way is probably as well prepared as any of us which is so admirable. She has had to do her training runs very early in the morning before the family are up. Amazing. She says she simply wants to run as well as she can and finish well. I know she will.
Laura is George's partner. Laura is a runner. Her half marathon PB is around 1.20. However Laura has been plagued with injury which has stopped her running properly for over 2 years. Finally she seems to have shaken it off and has some recent good training behind her. This run is massive for her. It has been far from easy. Laura and George tease each other over who is going to be faster but George really wants Laura to do well. We all really do.
Young Rich is a good runner but a fun runner really. He also has my build and also an exceptionally busy life. His preparation has been a bit disrupted recently - not least because he has been a Registrar since the beginning of August. He was close to 1.30 in March of this year and while he is hopeful of running well he is not as well prepared as planned. One of his objectives is to try and run the 2nd half faster that the first because he has been guilty of going to fast at the start.
George. George always makes me a little worried - ha! George is a squash player - he plays at a high level. Squash requires stamina and fitness of course - but what it also needs is speed off the mark - explosion. That is very different from what you need to be a distance runner. George is a very good runner. A number of years ago now he trained properly for the Paris Marathon. He ran it in 2.57 but his body shape changed in the process. George is single minded. Despite a lack of proper training for this event because of his squash he is likely to run it as if he has done the training !
And then there is me. An occasional jogger - ha! When we talked about doing this run - over a year ago now I had in mind preparing properly. However other stuff has got in the way and training properly including getting some weight off to make it easier just hasn't happened. I am annoyed with myself now. Frustrated by my weakness - ha ! My choice now is to do the 10K or pull out. Why pull out - because at my age it is possibly more sensible - safer - ha! But I have done a few 4 milers. I can get around. Pulling out was never a realistic option.
The music is great as the half marathon runners line up. A huge field.
To cut a long story short.
Laura 1.30.42
George 1.33.44
Rich 1.42.36
Vic 2.16.38
James 2.19.44
To be honest it brings tears to my eyes just writing that. It belies so much. The effort that went in on such a hot day. The emotion involved. How proud I am of everyone. (actually of every single runner who took it on - the IOW Road Runners - but particularly our family of course). Everyone is safe.
Laura's time speaks for itself. She finished in style. 5th in her age category. She was uninjured. She is buzzing. It it so great to see. Outstanding. George has run an amazing time. He is drained. He said it was a mental battle from the start. So brave and dogged. What a couple they are. Rich found it very hard too but he has run well. He acknowledges his preparation was not up to what he was trying to achieve but Rich is tough. Well done champ. And then Vic comes in. I am overcome. She is in great shape. All she has been through. She is buzzing and happy. Wonderful. I just want to hug her. Actually Jimbo finishes before Vic but his chip time was slower. He doesn't worry too much about his time which is great. He finishes well with his cap typically facing backwards ! A great sight. Go Jimbo.
Eventually it turns to me to do my 10k. I know what my fam are thinking. You don't have to do it dad - but they don't really want to say it. Lots of hugs. I line up. The music is great - very uplifting. What a place to be. I am going to plod around - going to keep going and get around - running by the River Danube in the centre of a famous city with a great history ! Amazing. A memory all ready. My family have done great - all I have to do is finish in one piece. I am looking forward to the challenge and what it can offer later.
It is tough from the start. Over 30 degrees. Not a breath of wind. No air. The course is flat running along the river embankment. You always think you want a flat straight course but in actual fact it is harder - no changes - you can see a mile ahead. The further you run up one side the further you have to run back the other ! But it is the heat. Any respite - just a few yards in the shadow is worth it. The two voices in your head. "come on - why are you putting yourself through this - what is the point - you have nothing to prove - it would be safer - it would be sensible to stop - it is too hard - you are damaging your precious knees". The other voice "come on - don't be a chicken - you know you will have a crap night if you give up - a great night if you don't. Thousands of others are doing it. Just fucking keep plodding - do not be a piss poor wimp just because it is hard !" I just kept going - arms pumping faster than my feet are moving.
The run is along the great River Danube - the history - the amazing buildings - the beautiful bridges. It doesn't help. Who cares. All I am seeing is a metre in front - I could be anywhere - ha! Thank goodness for the water stations - I drink but what I do get is wet in the spray hoses the firemen have set up. I poor cups of water down my back. I scoop up water from the barrels in my cap and straight over my head. Such a relief. It keeps me going without a doubt.
Eventually I cross the final bridge. Not far now to the finish line - but I have it wrong - it seems like another half mile. I hear my family cheer and encourage. The tannoy calls my name. I have no energy. I get over the line. I stop breathing hard too quickly. I feel dizzy. I fill my lungs with air again. Tears well up. Thank goodness it is over. I am relieved. I am very happy.
As I make my way out of the finish tunnel I get my medal. It is surprisingly meaningful to wear it. My fam are there. All smiles. All hugs. Wonderful emotion. It is all worth it for everyone for sure. My time was seconds over 1hr 20. Very slow for a proper runner - ha! ( We had a real laugh in the Ruin bar later (see below). Laura was looking at the online results. She said Dave - amazing - you were 4th in your age category. I burst out laughing - some mock cheering. We were a little booze affected by then - ha! I said so I came 4th in my age category - but there were only 3 runners !)
Eventually we make our way back. We are on a full tram with other runners. So emotional. Respect to everyone. They did it. A wonderful beer beckons. And a shower and some lovely food al fresco follows. Rich has arranged for us to go to the largest and oldest spa in Budapest. It is truly an amazing place. We spend over an hour in the hot natural spring fed waters. It could have not have been more perfect after the run. Inspired Rich. Great planning. What an afternoon in the hot sun.
Rich has done his home work again. We are booked into a renowned Hungarian restaurant - a perfect outdoor table - a warm evening - wonderful company - totally sated. The run makes it all so much more special. Our conversation was dominated by reflecting on our experiences. Joyous.
We are tired yes but the plan is to meet up with the running club in a "ruin bar". A ruin bar is a Budapest phenomenon. Budapest has many run down old buildings - legacy of the communist block after the war. The old buildings and courtyards have been used to create "pop up" bars - utilising the space without spending vast amounts of money on rebuilding (apart from making safe etc) Consequently they can be very atmospheric and are very popular across the board. We found our way to Szimpla Kert - a massive place. It was very enjoyable. Unique.
So that was Budapest. A hugely successful and meaningful weekend for the family. I am so totally proud of them all - the people that they are as individuals and as a collective. There is so much love and respect and support. A brilliant memory.
Few things can match the deep satisfaction and emotion that can come from being outside your comfort zone for a while and coming through it. It is addictive. It is special. In many ways it is what life is about. Certainly it is were self esteem is earned and developed.
Here are some mob photos in random order :-
