30th Bupa Great North Run

Got up at 4.15 to make sure I arrive in plenty of time to make it to the start of the race which is scheduled for 10.40. That may sound like overkill, but it worked out okay. Having taken part in this event before I was painfully aware of how much waiting around is involved. You have to queue for EVERYTHING and far, far longer than you would imagine.

So I arrived at the Foreshore at South Shields, after a two and half hour drive, at 0744. Queued for half an hour to buy a car parking ticket (£2.40) and then queued for the shuttle bus to take me to the start area (£3.00). Chatted to a guy on the bus (as you do) who told me that he had done no training whatsoever but had signed up for the run in aid of a Zoe's Place a baby hospice in Middlesborough. Apparently his employer said they would match-fund all sponsorship they raised, so there was a few of them had signed up for it. Fair enough then!

Got to the start area about an hour later, and felt that I had arrived at a reasonable time. There were a few people in each of the starting zones, but literally a few. Of course there were hundreds of people milling around, getting changed, peeing in hedges etc etc, and one or two celebs. I did my best to walk behind all  the people Jonathan Edwards was interviewing, but I didn't see any of the shots on the Beeb. Ah well, I tried.

Having made myself dizzy walking round and round the BBC interviews, I grabbed a gratis Powerade and made my way down the length of the start area. to my appointed zone. I was allocated a spot in the White Zone but knowing that my training had gone all up the swannee I downgraded to the rear of the Green Zone which is further back in the field. Reached the entry point for the zone at 0930 and they close the entry points at 1010 so pretty good timing. Long enough to find a loo. Queued again for that and returned to the start zone at 1005. Phew, that was a bit tight.

The rain at this point was easing and you could convince yourself that the sun was trying to get out, but I hung on to my disposable cagoule a little longer. Excellent build up at the start area via the big screens, and as you would expect, everyone is really friendly and you just know it's gonna be a great day.

The screens showed the start of the womens race, and a big cheer went up for Mara Yamauchi, our lass. Watching the television coverage later, I learned she didn't do as well as we had hoped, but these things happen.

When the male elite runners were introduced though, you can't imagine the cheer that went up for Haile Gebreselassie - the ground shook - but no, wait that was the Red Arrows. As the lass next to me said - NOW it's started! It was 10.40, and they're off!

The 405 says I pressed the start button at 11.13. I could have got to the start line sooner but I couldn't forego the opportunity to slap Dec's hand - we were all pleased he was on our side of the carriageway, sorry Ant, but he is just that little bit cuter!

And now to the running...

I had told myself to take it easy and felt that as long as I took it at a steady plod I would be able to finish despite under-training. To this end I aimed to keep my heart rate below 85%.

Quite soon into the run the rain stopped and the sun came out big time. Suddenly we were getting bombarded with messages to 'take it easy' - I am doing, I thought to myself as my ipod treated me to a blast of Mr Blue Sky by ELO. Yay.

I felt as if I was going okay, no super time in the sights, but I reckoned on a 2::30 ish, which I would have been happy with. After all, I have been full of cold all week and really was happy to just finish in one piece. There are two more runs in the next three weeks so I didn't want to damage myself. when I did this run two years ago I ended up with a knee problem that put me on the sidelines for three months.

I remember seeing the halfway point and thinking that I felt okay and a glance at the 405 told me I was on for the expected finish time. And according to the Garmin data, this is where it all started to get harder.

1 00:11:41
2 00:10:13
3 00:11:17
4 00:11:33
5 00:11:56
6 00:11:25
7 00:11:37
8 00:12:26
9 00:12:52
10 00:13:48
11 00:12:58
12 00:13:54
13 00:11:38


The mile times for the first part of the run were okay, but then I seemed to get slower and slower and slower. Some of the time was lost to having to stop to apply vaseline - the rains returned and I was getting worn raw by my shorts in places I am not gonna tell you about. But there was worse - far worse, I was preoccupied with thoughts of needing the loo, and not the sort of thing you would nip behind a hedge for. Even Paula Radcliffe wouldn't do THIS in the street.

And at mile 10 I came to a stop. Keep going, I told myself. Shouted at myself, swore at myself, but could barely put one foot in front of the other. And then this little girl, can't have been more than 10, shouted out to me from the roadside - "Come on Sareybabes", and I said "Thank you" and set off again.

Slowly, slowly, but I managed to keep going. Bloody hard work and I still needed the loo really badly.

So, in conclusion, I was gutted at the finish time. I had settled for a two and a half hour which was very generous of me, but this was too much. Grrrr. And so I determined to make sure that next year I get a proper time. (Assuming I can get a place!) I do already have the first part of my training plan drawn up, so I am hoping that this blog will become a helpful part of that too.

The journey home was fine, although I had worried that my legs might stiffen up. It was fine and I was home in just three hours. Definiitely pays you to hang around after the run to let the traffic clear. That was just half an hour longer than it took for me to get there in the morning, and it is a little longer on the way out, so no traffic trauma, and on the way home I did manage to feel pleased with myself for making it to finish, albeit it very slowly.

Lots of ambulances coming up through the field today, and I was sorry to see so many runners needing the services of the NHS and St. Johns Ambulances. Hope they are all okay, and will make full recoveries.

And little girl... thank you so much. I have a medal that is yours by rights.