So as promised everyone, here's a summary of yesterday's run, hopefully it will inspire some to have a go at this wonderful event next time round.
The day itself, after all the waiting and build up came around so quickly. My training runs had been sporadic but I had done the full race distance the week before with a new PB of 2 hours 29 minutes.
My wife's cousin was also running as a relative novice and had driven up from Norfolk to stay with us for the weekend and after a weeks rest I felt reasonably confident of beating last years effort and was really looking forward to sampling the incredible atmosphere again.
The day dawned bright and sunny if a little chilly in the North East and I got up at 6 to give time to relax and have a couple of coffees before setting off for central Newcastle. My wife drove us to Haymarket where we had a pastry and another coffee and a chat with some other runners. Now it was time to join the growing throng heading up through the University buildings, past the dozens of baggage buses and finally to join the always inspiring masses on the central motorway.
By now the sun had climbed higher and it was quite warm. I left my cheap top to be collected for charity along with thousands of others and with 20 minutes to go we entered the green zone about midway along the crowd.
Still feeling OK we wished each other luck as Sir Mo set off at the front and we bagan to shuffle forward. About half an hour after we started to move we finally crossed the start line and were able to break into a run immediately.
Those first 3km in the city and across the Tyne Bridge are famously downhill and just like last year I went off fast but this time it felt fairly easy and controlled.
Once over the bridge the crowds thin a bit for a while as you pass Gateshead Stadium and move towards Hepworth Metro up some inclines. This is the first real section of the run and I dug in and passed 5k in 33 minutes, nicely on pace. I lost contact with my running partner at this point but continued to run strong and unlike the previous year I was the one, in the main, doing the passing this time.
The sun continued to grow warmer but I ignored all the water station's and plowed on, past the left turn at Whitemare Pool and on towards the coast. 10k was reached in even pace at 1 hour 8 minutes and this was the point I had intended to have a short walk. However I felt strong and decided I could at least do another park run before a rest!!, the crowds which had swelled again at Heworth died away a bit before we passed the border into S Shields but all the roundabouts were filled with bands and charity supporters. 15k came up in 1 hour 42, my best for this distance, I was tiring slightly but decided I could have a go at what I thought I would never manage and run a HM non stop. After all it was just another Park Run to the coast. All around now people were tiring in the growing heat, especially some of the amazing fancy dress entrants and I did pass several runners having medical treatment at the side of the road but the amazing support from the crowds spurred me on as I got to 20k and the final uphill mile along the coast.
To my surprise I even managed something of a sprint finish as I imagined the huge crowds were cheering just for me and I crossed the line with no walking, no water stops and a time of 2 hours 18 minutes, absolutely ecstatic with that.
I picked up my medal and goody bag, finally found my wife and relatives then it took us 2 hours to get out of South Shields!!!.
An amazing day, not sure I will ever beat that time but I am already planning next year. It also topped off an amazing running year in which I have done 13 events of 10km or more so far (one more to go next month) and set new PBs for 5k, 10k, 10 mile and now HM.
Running has brought so much to me over the 2 years I have been doing it and wheather you are happy just doing a couple of kilometres at a time or training for an ultra marathon I would say keep at it.
For now, run happy and run safe and sorry for the long post 😂😂
Written by
ChrisAllen1
Graduate10
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Congratulations! I guess I’ll have to do it being so local but it looks soooo busy! Try Redcar half on September 29. Flat as a pancake - bet you could beat it there 🤣
Congratulations to you Chris for that wonderful run you ran yesterday, great time as well, good that you ran continuely without walking or even taking water breaks. I watched the GNR on TV, I hope you saw the repeat of it later in the day, once again congratulations, I suppose you will want to run it again next year. 😊 🏃
What a post! And such a great run, especially as you didn't plan on running it all! Your post helped me envisage it all and I'm sure the atmosphere was amazing but your love of running at the end is what shines through. A great time and a great half to run. 😊
Don't apologise for that post. It was really amazing and inspiring to read . You gave a really interesting description and I thought maybe one day I might just run 10k. Well done you 😊😊👏👏
What a fantastic run you had ChrisAllen, and all the better for being your local run. We usually watch this on the tv but were running a 10k yesterday. Who would have thought you’d be doing the great north run when you stated c25k?
Lovely report Chris! 🙂 Huge congratulations on a fantastic run and time...and with no water!!👍 Like others, I watched the coverage on tv - such a great event.🙂
What a fantastic report on what sounds like an amazing run Chris.
It sounds like you were really in the zone and enjoying yourself. I've never fancied races and couldn't attempt a HM if I did (😳) but you make it sound almost easy 😂.
However I can still recognise the joy you have for running and that voice in your head that cheers you on to the next bit when you're having a great run.
Thanks for all the kind comments, they mean a lot and I must try to post more, a couple of people asked what's next?, just one remaining this year at the moment, the Hexham 10k at the end of October although I might get tempted by the Kirkley Hall 10 miler in November which I did last year and enjoyed.
I might do slightly fewer races next year but would like to do maybe 3 HMs, the GNR, travel to one (Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh???) and a scenic one, the Kielder half is supposed to be spectacular.
Absolutely no apologies needed for that (pretty short compared to my) post Chris! I loved reading it, and your enthusiasm shone through. It sounded like the perfect run - huge well done! 👍💪👊🏃♂️🎉🏅😀
Woo hoo! Total admiration for your resilience Chris...not taking a break or stopping for water over that distance and heat, and coming in with such a super PB!🙆
Great report of a Great North Run, I hope your running partner faired well too.
Rest up, you must be exhausted. Hope all is well with you. Are you still doing your dog walking enterprise?
Hiya, Yes Alison got round in 2 hours 37 mins, still doing the dog walking and boarding, going to give it 6 months to see if there is enough money in it!!! Xxx
You did so well. I can't imagine coping with the crowds. You have also given me reassurance that it's possible to do a HM without fancy gels and all that artificial crap thst so many runners seem to rely on these days.
Congratulations Chris, that was a great read, and what a brilliant run you had. Taking 11 minutes off your HM PB is truly exceptional.
I ran on Sunday too. I found it pretty tough going in that sun I must say; I loved the atmosphere, the course... not so much! I had researched it, but I should have paid more attention to just how long those two early climbs are!
I’d been meaning to check for your run report as your post all those months back tipped me off about the ballot opening. I’m glad I’ve done the GNR... now for some 10ks and trails I think.
Well done to you great effort great running- this chimes with my experience although I was in the pink starting area aiming for 2hrs45 my first GNR. I crossed the start line about an hour after Mo who has finished before I had even started!! My run was hard a shuffle more than a jog it was very hot and I drank about 2500 mls along the route. The famous crowd along the route really helped my daughter was playing in one of the steel pan bands too and family were at the finish- I raised £300 for my charity who plied me with tea sandwiches and a massage- 3hrs14 I ran the whole distance and I am very proud but Never Again!! Just Parkrun for me for now....
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I was destined to do this run today.... 60(+ a bit) Minutes!
That was strange but I do like a plan
