I think I have graduated to this forum now. Completed my first half marathon yesterday in Newcastle. What an experience!!! The atmosphere was amazing, the anticipation as all the runners were walking to the start line, the smiley faces, the excitement. The cheer buses and the spectators were fantastic, encouraging us on, cheering and clapping, handing out jelly babies and chocolates all the way round. So many people running for there chosen charities. The first ten miles went according to plan as I had been doing runnersworld training plan in preparation for the run, but the last three miles was so so hard 🥵 The crowds kept me going and of course thoughts of my mam who sadly passed last year with Dementia.
I completed C25K last September and completed my first half marathon in 2 hours 28 minutes this September. How did that happen 🤷♀️
It’s been a two fold achievement, most importantly 602 pounds for Dementia UK and of course my own self achievement.
What a day. Anything is possible.
In memory of Mam ❤️
Written by
Dups
Half Marathon
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Well done !It was brilliant, wasn't it . I completed it yesterday , also my first HM and a place I originally had in 2019 which I had to cancel due to illness , which they transferred to last year , again cancelled due to Covid so 3rd time lucky ! My time was 02:40:20 .
As you say the atmosphere was great , I especially liked coming through the city centre near the end .
I had said beforehand that I would do this only once , but have found myself signing up to be notified of the ballot for 2022 😁
Well done to you too !!! It was an amazing day. I enjoyed coming through the city too, my husband and daughter were at the 12 mile marker to cheer me on. You most have been in the green wave as well.
Maybe I’ll do it again, I’m not sure. The last three miles was not pretty 😂
Thank you so much🙏 It truly was an amazing day. Feeling rested now. Was exhausted yesterday but still found the time to make my way down to the village pub for a couple of celebration drinks 🥂
And of course I am delighted with the amount of money raised for charity which has been so generously donated by my family and work colleagues.
Reading everyone’s posts on this forum has both been encouraging and inspiring and sometimes when we think things are impossible, actually it can become possible 😊
That is a brilliant run Dups, and I’m sure your mam would be so proud of you. I watched it on the TV , and the course looked tougher than previous years with those hills. You have done very well achieving it in a year too. 👏🏻👏🏻
Hi Dups I also completed my first ever race and first Half Marathon at the GNR. You are right the atmosphere, the crowds and the overall experience was amazing. I finished in 2hr 29 mins and I also found the last 2 miles so hard and seeing my family on the Tyne bridge and then again in the city centre 3 more times just gave me that extra encouragement to finish. Well done to everyone
Well done to you too! You must having been just behind me running on my heels 😂 You must so pleased with your run too 👏👏 Family definitely gave the encouragement for the final push. I agree, well done to everyone 👏👏
It was the perfect one to enter as I only live about 20 mile from Newcastle and of course the 40th anniversary. Who knows maybe I’ll still be entering this one on its 50th anniversary 🤣
Well done Dups, that’s a fantastic achievement in a great time! I understand your euphoria! I trained up on the same programme last year and completed the virtual GNR in 2’29! - your description of all the atmosphere and support along the way makes me a little envious after my lonely run! And I completely get that last 3 miles being Soooooo hard! I too completed C25K in the months before my HM and was amazed how I managed to progress and extend to 10k, 10m and then HM! Like you, I certainly never thought I could do that ! It just shows what can be achieved with focus and determination! Give yourself a couple of quieter weeks but keep up your running… 10k is just a little leg stretch for you now!
Thank you . I totally agree that with determination so many things can be achieved. I think you did amazing doing the virtual GNR 👏👏I definitely needed the crowd towards the end to keep me going. Been out for a 5k walk just to stretch my legs out. I was shattered yesterday but feel like I have more energy today.
Thank you so much. Hopefully I will continue to do the GNR every year fitness permitting so I can carry on helping such a worthy charity. Coming down from the euphoria of the Sunday and had a relaxing walk today to stretch my legs with a little bit of gardening😊
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Competing in the Great North Run 
I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thinking of a half marathon
