So last weekend was the 30th annual Great North Run. To be honest I was feeling really rubbish the week before the run and had been advised by many not to to it, but that was never going to happen so I ran anyway and really enjoyed it! I worked at the Great North Pasta Party the day before the race and got plenty of provisions in the form of waters and power gels, which definitely came in handy.
On the morning of the run, I had toast and a banana for breakfast around 2 hours before the race start time. Leaving this 2 hour window allows for any food to be fully digested before the start of the run, and provides the body with vital carbohydrates to be used as energy. I walked to the start line and managed to climb over the 6 foot fence (!) to my start area, where I luckily bumped into my friend Taryn in amongst the other 55000 runners. The Great North Run has such a good atmosphere and you are filled with adrenalin and excitement both before and during the race.
I started out well, and kept a good pace for the first 55 minutes, when I reached the 10km (6 mile) marker. I didnt even realise how long I had been running for as the atmosphere and all of the runners really carry you along and keep you focussed. Its great seeing all the supporters as you run under central motorway and across the Tyne Bridge. After 6 miles I settled into a steady run, and was pretty happy with managing to run up all of the hills without walking at all. The weather was cool and pretty wet, my favourite conditions for running! When I got to 9 miles I focussed on running to the 10 mile marker, where I knew a few of the Newcastle parkrun volunteers and runners would be waiting to cheer runners on at the Fetch everywhere point. As I ran past Lesley and Sue and the others I got a great sense of achievement and a rush of motivation to carry on. It really is brilliant seeing all of the supporters at the side of the road, standing in the rain, offering drinks, ice pops, jelly babies, and baby wipes to runners, and it definitely spurs you on.
With only 3 miles to go I was set to finish in under 2 hours, although I was beginning to find the hills more difficult, and was walking to the top of a few of them. Running mantras can often be useful in maintaining motivation during long distance running, and I often found myself repeating, 'I'm up that hill', to myself in my head while running up the more difficult areas of the course. The 11th mile was really diffcult, but when I got to the final mile I knew the finish was so near and so I pushed on to the finish line. My legs felt really heavy on the way to the finish line but I kept going and finished with a time of 2 hours 11 minutes. Im really pleased with this and had a really good run considering I was feeling unwell beforehand! It just shows what your body is capable of if your mind is determined enough.
After the run it was nice to relax and have a few days off training to recover. I doubt I could have done much training given that my legs were so sore! Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) often affects athletes after a big event where the muscles have been used intensely, and can occur a few days after the event itself. Ice and ibuprofen can help, although its almost nice to have a little bit of aching to remind yourself how hard you have worked and how much you have achieved.
Im really pleased with my run, and happy to have raised over £500 for The Princes Trust. I think the next challenge will be the 2011 Edinburgh Marathon, so watch this space!
Well done to all that completed the 30th Great North Run, a half marathon really is a great achievement!
Niyc xx
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