Great North Run 2009

Just wanted to say a big well done to everyone who has checked in so far - sounds like we've had some storming results!

My (short-ish) race report

Got there super early, but I wasn't the first to arrive from the forumites - Mandie & her brother Steve beat me to it (shock horror ).  We had a bimble along to the info desk to see Melanie from Nova - Hi melanie!!, and then a shortish walk down to the @balloon point' to meet up with the rest of the gang.  It was bloody freezing and I was glad I'd decided to take a blanket (hard geordie I'm not).  Got to catch up with plenty of the regulars, and a few new faces who have joined us over the last couple of months.

I kinda had a plan in mind for today which was just to get in my pen early and not get too stressed out.  The weather was perfect and before we knew it the gun went off and so did we.  I was determined not to take off like a whippet (as per usual) and try and be sensible.  I've no idea if I did or not, as I forgot to start my watch lol <<muppet>>.

After realising this I thought 'sod-it' I'm just gonna run how I feel, ignore the times and mile markers and try and make the best of the day.  And what a cracking run I had.  Chatted to folks all over the place who knew me from here, and realbuzz, and fetch, and to local club runners - had a whale of a time.  Spotted a lad from my running group, and stayed with him till mile 7, then he stopped to see his family so I was off again.

The highlight of my run (and infact my whole year) was the two guys who came past me at the start of the John Reid road, who said - "I could stay here running looking at your arse all day, what a great view" - fabulous

Over the moon here, and I think it spurred me right on up the road, got ice-pops off the kids by boldon lane roundabout, then chatted to more folks going up the nook.  Even the wind on the seafront wasn't enough to stop me now, and I ran through the finish and into a new pb of 1:42:06 - over 2 mins off my previous pb

Happy Days!!  

Here we go again

XL's 4 run plan

Run 1 - 5 miles. (DON'T think about anything further) Huge crowds, great atmosphere, bands. Take it steady, not too fast, you've run five miles or further loads of times. Enjoy the spectacle, and remember you are part of it. Those inspirational pictures of thousands running across the Tyne Bridge? You're in them this year. Yes, you're in the Great North Run, the world's biggest half marathon. Enjoy!

Run 2 - 3 miles. Forget the 5 behind you, they're done. Think only of the next three. Three miles? Piece of cake, you've done 9, 10, 11 .. much more in training. These three are all downhill, wheeeeeee !! Great news for those of you after PBs for the event, or even if it's your first time and you have a target. Go for it here, within reason. Unfortnately, the road narrows, so you may notice it feeling a little more congested. Be careful.

Run 3 - 3 miles. SLOW DOWN. This is where you need your mental toughness and/or your MP3 player. It's a bit of a slog up the John Reid Road etc and there's not much to enjoy, but hey, if it was easy, the medal wouldn't be as important to you would it? If you're a run/walk person this is where you may want to be taking extra walks, and psych yourself up, but don't start thinking about the finish yet. Just get to 11 miles

Run4 - 2.1 miles That's nowt! Of course you're tired but you're nearly there. Now, start to tell yourself that you've done it (almost) the goody bag is waiting for you, go and get it. The last mile and a bit up the sea front is fantastic. Huge crowds yelling at you, the end is nigh. Let your spirits fly, even if you're knackered. You can stop soon. If you're after a time, push, you know you are fit, you have prepared well, and as knackered as you will feel when you cross the line, the elation will speed your recovery. Well done, you've finished the GREAT NORTH RUN 2009

great day today, my first GNR and at 10 mile poitn there was no way on earth i was ever doing it again.

then i finished and i'll be abck next year, nice to meet everyone at the start and sub 1:45 for me next year, just got to make sure the OH doesnt have any more babies !!!

good on you!

I will get 1:40 at some point, but I think I'd prolly have to do some specific half training, rather than all the 10k training I do.

Though at least I was able to pace myself so I didn't break my 5 & 10k pb's (unlike last year lol )

a little spurt of sprinting and i would have sneaked under 1:50 , but i dont care. at least now ive got something to aim for next year.

lol posted on the wrong thread

to be fair it did have exactly the same name

just a quickie to add - I got 46th L35, so I'm over the moon with that  

I thought you ladies didn't like giving away your age?