So....who's signing up for the Great North Run 2014 ;-)

[Jefna]

Wouldn't it be great?!

I've watched it every year thinking I could never do that but this year there is a little hope....thanks to C25K! And reading Malcy's post is so inspiring!

Anyone thinking about it?

[OldNed Graduate]

I'm thinking about the Sheffield Half-marathon next year. It's in April/May so GNR might be on for September. Did I really just say that? Ye gods, Laura has a lot to answer for!

[Jefna Graduate]

Haha she certainly does!

Go for it....!

[Saruma Graduate]

I've already pre registered for notification when the ballot opens, but am also thinking of trying the Sheffield HM first x

[Jefna Graduate in reply to Saruma]

I'm thinking about singing up for the reminder service too....eeeek!

When is the Sheffield HM?

[OldNed Graduate in reply to Jefna]

Not sure of the exact date but this year it was sometime in late April i think

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I am thinking about the tri together triathlon in London next year. its been my goal for years and now I think I just might be able thanks to c25k.

[Jefna Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Oh wow, how fab would that be!? Go for it!

[SBG356 Graduate]

Would be great especially after watching it this morning but maybe the Great South Run for me....a Londoner!

Sue

[Jefna Graduate in reply to SBG356]

Go for it Sue! When is the Great South Run?

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Go for it! Would certainly give you the motivation to keep going. Well done for today. Linda

[notbad Graduate]

I hope you get a place jefna, it's a real thing up here isn't it? You've got to at least once. I was gutted because I had to give up my place this year but never say never, if my injury settles down I may just be tempted again...

[Jefna Graduate in reply to notbad]

Well I've signed up for the reminder service! Also for the Great North 10K too. I have everything crossed that your injury heals up soon....I really think it would be amazing to do!

[Fentaz42 Graduate]

I signed up for the reminder too! I live in South Shields, have done all my life - a Sandancer, that's what we're called! So, watching the run this year and thinking for the first time, this is something I could do now! (After training!)I'm going for it, I'm excited and happy for GNR 2014!

[Jefna Graduate in reply to Fentaz42]

Yay good for you! That's how I feel too! Have you signed up for the reminder service?

[Fentaz42 Graduate in reply to Jefna]

Yes, the reminder service. Can't believe it, but I am going to do it - the way my body has responded to C25K I'm sure in a year ill be able to run 13 miles! You have to be positive!

[Fentaz42 Graduate in reply to Fentaz42]

And I've signed up for the 10k run too! I'm gonna do them both!! (Am I getting carried away?! Don't care if I am, it's exciting!)

[Jefna Graduate in reply to Fentaz42]

Exactly! I agree, you have to be positive otherwise you'd just give up! Oh and if you're getting carried away, then so I am! Haha.

[NSB001]

I've also signed up for a registration reminder for the GNR 2014 - lived in Newcastle a few years now and always watched the race, never thought it'd be something I could do but figured I have a whole year to prepare, maybe I should try! Found the C25k programme this morning and looking forward to getting started! Good luck to everyone else who's thinking of signing up for their first time too!

[Jefna Graduate in reply to NSB001]

Good luck with the program! You'll do it! Let us know how you get on!

[NSB001 in reply to Jefna]

Thanks! I've planned my Week 1 to start next Monday - this forum is so useful I'm sure I'll be updating everyone on my pains and my glory, come the end (fingers crossed!)

[Jefna Graduate in reply to NSB001]

You can do it!

[Malcy Graduate]

Hey everyone - listen. February 2012 I was a 90kg blob. I described myself as the boring, fat old bloke who started pretending he could run. I did the programme by May, but fell back a bit over the summer. 5k was still my max until I tried upping the distance in the spring of this year. By then I was down to 67/68kg, off my blood pressure medication and al that blah blah blah.

And there I was yesterday, crossing the finishing line. Not spectacularly fast, but I finished - and wasn't even out of breath. Lolb has a similar story. Like lolb (and, I have to say, many others at the finish) I ached for a few hours afterwards. But we both finished around our target times.

YOU CAN DO THIS. Yesterday morning I doubted myself. But I proved to myself that it IS possible. Over my time on the forum, I've recounted something that my son's ex partner told me. She did her degree in sports science and when I was starting to stretch my distances, she said that if you can run 6k (not 5 or 10 - six) you can run any distance. You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. As long as there are still energy reserves to convert, you can keep going!

My training, such as it was, was mostly my local 6.5 (or so) loop over Cults Hill, a weekly 5k Parkrun, and some "Parkrun extra" sessions where I did an extra 5k after the main event. I think I did 15k one Saturday morning, but didn't manage to keep that up in the following weeks. SO ... if my experience is anything to go by, any C25K graduate who keeps up the regime can do a half marathon! (Then again, I am the God of Hell Fire, and that might have helped)

GO FOR IT.

[NSB001 in reply to Malcy]

That's a fantastic post, thanks! Am honoured to be joining an inspirational crowd of people who've been through this and succeeded!

[Jefna Graduate]

Ah Malcy thanks for this!

You are such an inspiration and you must be feeling on top of the world right now!

I am going to take on board everything you've said and not bottle out of it when the ballot opens...promise!

Well done again for yesterday!

[laj1987 Graduate]

I've got my place - eek!