I had an absolutley splendid day.
Got up nice and early and had a steady walk up to the start and by the time I had got there realised that I had drank my 1.5 litre bottle of water!. Decided that I need a slash so decided to que for the loos. One hour later got out of the loos and headed for my start line then realising I didnt really need to que for the loos as everyone was just going to the toilet in the hedges along side the motorway.
Couldnt get in at my start gate so had to go to the back at this point I was the last runner but a few more came in behind me. More water was passed out so I drank that as we were moving thinking that we would get running soonish. Then we stopped and I needed another pee so dived into the toilets along the run to the start and when I came out everyone had gone 
. I must have been 100 or so yards behind everyone. Excellent way to warm up jog to the back of the pack then we were off 
.
Set off at a steady pace and did get a pirate cheer at on of the small bridges before the Tyne bridge. Managed to see my wife just after the Tyne bridge which was great and had a brilliant run all the way round weaving in and out of all the runners. First Half Mara and did it in 2hrs 18mins. Had a great day out on the course.
Left Newcastle at about 5pm and the traffic on the A1 was horrendous, it took me nearly 3.5 hrs just to get to Whetherby sevices which seemed to be full of people hobbling around and emptying Burger King of all of their burgers . Finally got in about midnightish after having an excellent day.
Edited: 21/09/2009 at 11:56
