seriously PP ?
I took my original plan from the course profile a few years ago. They certainly seemed to be the easiest miles for me.

What do others think?

The course profile as published is a bit deceptive for us plodders. After mile 5 there is a noticeable downhill to the 90 degree left turn and the drinks station/tv camera point; after that there's undulations through to the 10-11 mile point uphill drag through the Nook (?) followed by that famous sharp drop to the shore. Road then is ever so slightly uphill until maybe last half mile of the course.

I'm seriously surpried they've not been done under trades descriptions, as the official course desciption is "flat", even though they admit they can't have official records due to the gradient drops on the course - and what is coming down must, after all, have gone up!

It's about as flat as my ar*e!!!! check over here ---> for those in doubt!! ;-)

I just remember looking forward to getting to mile 5 so there would be some downhill...the course elevation map shows its downhill as well but somehow I missed it....maybe it wasn't as steep as I was hoping for!! Or maybe I was too high on the atmosphere to notice....yes thats probably it.

Dinner time, gotta go. With the new thread I'm already looking forward to next year. And XL man, I know you don't approve of the distance but will be hoping for many wise words of wisdom to see me through my April 22th 2007 GNR warm-up :-)

heads - can recommend barnsley 10k in november too. enjoyed it muchly last year even though i was very poorly.

OOOH found you all - Vicki you are so organised! Can I predict a 1hr 59mins for next year please - Ive given up on the 1hr 55mins even tho I know I'm capable of it - I've decided to just enjoy the atmosphere!

X/L - I'm chuffed to bits we are still friends - and no matter how many times you post your theory it will always make me emotional (and long may that continue!!)

Ha ! I've found you.

All memories of messing up 2006 GNR have been erased and I am now in a positive frame of mind for next years ! Do we get asked to joing the GNR thingy or do I have to chance it in the ballot ?

XL man, did I say 'I will never ,ever, ever do a marathon'- I can't quite remember....

I had to pull out of this years due to injury, so I've defered until next year. I was aiming for 2:30 this years a a first half amarathon, so maybe 2:30 to 2:15 with another years training.

I'm looking forward to it. I've been pretty jealous of all the people posting times and experiences on here, plus all the pics on the web and stuff.

Less than a year to go, and I'm already counting down.

DH, I've never said I disapprove of marathons. I have the utmost respect and admiration for those that take on the challenge, and sincerely wish them all the very best. It's just not for me, that's all. The banter is all good natured.

I hope all that apply for flm get their places. Good luck to you all.

You can count on my words of support and encouragement, whatever your distance.

Mandie, getting it on the front page means I won't have to type it all out again ;0)

still very stiff any ideas apart from cold bath to aid recovery. I would like to go out at the weekend for a run?

I was very stiff but been out for a club session tonight and I feel loads better :) Wasn't more than a gentle jog but I definately don't feel as achy

Hello everybody.

I've now gotten over my initial sulk about my own performance - I'll have to set myself a more realistic goal next year based on a few more halfs in between. When I first did any kind of race (GNR 2 years ago) I got 2:00:56 and my training had consisted of running as much and as often as I could. This time for the first time ever I followed a structured plan and thought I'd be able to better that time and break 2 hours but it obviously wasn't to be. I will now focus next time on running all the way and hopefully work my way towards beating my 2¼ hours time for the Liverpool half. I'll also try and dismiss Sunday's run as just a bad day at the office and merely concentrate on the great day out that it was.

I think I'll think this week as well about doing the Great Cumbria Run which a few of you have entered. I've got until the end of the week to mull it over haven't I?

Hats off too to Vikki for all your obviously hard work on the list, and for starting us off for next year. Could I ask you to add 2:22:24 as this year's result and 2:10 as my early prediction for next year? Thank you very much

Vicki could you add me into the list for next year. Suppose I'd better stick with 1.59 (sub 2hr) I predicted for this year, Was a bit off that at 2.17 but didn't have a good run, but for my first half, can't complain.

XL - didn't find that the first 3 mile bit was downhill that much really, a lot of the course seemed to be uphill to me, I was knackered by 9 mile.

Hello everyone!
Vicki, you are super organised! Please put me down for next year as 1.40 (I'm assuming I'll get better and will not have to start in the white zone but will still be slowed a little by the crowds and nutters).
Hills? What hills? Flat as a pancake except for that drop down to the seaside in South Shields. Come and do the Bestwood 10k in Nottingham on the 22nd and I'll show you a hill!

Looking forward to next year already got 2:11:16 this year a PB so got to go for 2:05 in 2007.

I even managed negative splits and had loads left at the end,was only a bit sore and tired yesterday but fine today. Might even try a full mara next year!!

All this enthusiasm....how long will it last?

Hi everybody

Still aching after Sunday, but mainly the calf injury I went in with and didn't tell anyone about. Didn't want to be advised against running, as I knew it wouldn't bother me at the time and no way was I going to not run!

Anyway - times for next year, hmmmm I KNOW I can do under 2 hours, but maybe not in this event. So I'll aim for 2:10 and if I do less I'll be doubly pleased!

Blimey, talking about next year and I've not even recovered from this!

Cheers Rhino, might check that out too, when is it?

Prediction for next year, definitely under 2hrs!

Hi All,

Well I pretty much spent a couple of months just watching all you guys chatting on the run up to GNR06. It was my first 1/2 mara (I've only been running since May) & I just drew inspiration from your comments but I'm deffo gonna try to get a place for GNR07 so thought that I would add my bit to the thread :)

Had a brill day, although I wanted to break 2:15 I actually managed 2:29:10. I thought that the crowds would thin out after a couple of miles as they did at the Great Manchester Run but that didn't seem to be the case! I was running with a mate of mine, we've trained together for the last 3 months and we vowed to cross the finish line hand-in-hand, she was struggling a bit on the day so we slowed our pace down to 11:30 min miles even though we were doing 10 min miles in training, therefore I'm going to predict 2:10 for 2007.

Looking forward to chatting with you all over the coming months.

Ange

Hi, found you all over here. I've got to say you're very organised Vicki!!

Still aching a bit but getting better. Might go out for a slow run tomorrow if I have time before going back to work, otherwise will be Thursday.

Predicted times... oh what do I think I will be doing next year - I think I will go for 2:10 again (really think it was unrealistic this year with the crowds etc) - hopefully more achievable after another year of training!!

Hi Vicky,
just registered - so thanks for the heads up.
as i stay in sunny Glasgow any recommendations of decent places to stay - oh and shop as my other half thinks thats the best thing to do while i'm out running

cheers
Jamie