GNR 2023 πŸ₯΅πŸŠβ€β™€οΈ: Well that was a day... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

Fun Beyond 10K & Race Support

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GNR 2023 πŸ₯΅πŸŠβ€β™€οΈ

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathon
β€’31 Replies

Well that was a day of two halves πŸ˜† I thought I'd been tricked into a triathlon, from running at the beginning to swimming at the end, was fully expecting someone to hand me a bike to complete the day!

I hope I don't waffle on for too long but what a day. We stayed in a hotel near the Metrocentre and the staff there were really helpful, from booking taxis for the morning, to providing fruit, water, porridge packs etc for those leaving earlier or not taking breakfast in the hotel. After listening to advice from you on the forum, other runners in the hotel, and staff who lived locally, we decided not to get the coach transfer but had a plan that we would try to park near the Moor, leaving a 15 min walk to the pens. Contingency plan was to throw me out into the street πŸ˜‚ and the OH would either try to find a space or continue to South Shields. We managed to park where we'd been told there might be spaces and took a slow walk to the pens, arriving about 9.30am.

It was already very warm. I had learnt a valuable lesson at the Great Manchester 10K about hydration/fuelling that works for me. I thought I'd hydrated well for that run, but not well enough and I had a v unpleasant episode with mild heat exhaustion. Sometimes you find out the hard way what works for you and I wasn't making the same mistake again. I'd hydrated really well all week and started taking some Tailwind in as well at the end of the week as the forecast was clearly set for a very warm day.

We sheltered under the motorway bridge until about 10.40 and then the pens started to really fill up, the OH took his leave and I joined the wave properly. It took 1 hr 10 mins to get to the start line and it was baking hot. I found quite a few people to chat to, including a lovely group from the GirlsThatJeff FB page who had run GNR before and gave me great advice, so that helped pass the time. Lots of water being handed out as we moved along. I already had some from the hotel and started sipping more Tailwind (I'm not a Tailwind rep I promise!! πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚).

Finally across the start line! It was quite emotional actually as it had taken so long to get there, the crowds and the noise were amazing, and I just wanted to get on with it tbh lol. I tried to stick to my plan, just another training run, but occasionally had a giddy moment; watching the Red Arrows fly over, running over the Tyne Bridge, my pace showed exactly when those things happened as I got quicker 😍 Had a wobble after about 3 miles as I started to doubt myself in the heat, and sadly saw some runners pull up around this distance, but turned my music up, slowed up and plodded on. Really settled down after this, the crowds are just amazing! I high fived every child in Newcastle I think πŸ˜‚ I'd taken my own snacks, but took extra water when available, drank some, put some over my neck, and took advantage of the hose pipes that the locals had set on us! Council workers had also tapped into the mains and were spraying water too.

It wasn't pleasant to see so many casualties being tended to, and I hope that all have now recovered πŸ₯Ή

To be honest, the last mile was really, really tough but the sight of the sea as you come down the sharp hill and turn along the coast road is something else, and then saw my OH at the side of the road which gave me a boost πŸ₯Ή and then the finish line is there. Everything was starting to hurt by now lol so while I could still move, I went straight for my medal, t shirt and goodie bag. Found my OH, just finished my banana and then - it was like being in a sort of snow globe. Baking hot day, then someone shakes you upside down and plonks you in the sea πŸ˜‚πŸŠβ€β™€οΈ biblical conditions, honestly never seen anything like it. Drenched in seconds, and wading through water about 6 inches deep to get to the charity village. And runners trying to get round in that!!! I take my hat off to anyone who was still out on that course during that thunderstorm. Apparently the water was too deep and fast flowing at the bottom of the hill before the coast road for running in, so they were diverted on to a verge above it and helped down.

We managed to get into the charity's tent and warm up. There was also a foil blanket in the goodie bag which was an absolute life saver for me as I'd got very cold. My OH had parked about 50 mins away so we had a slow, soggy plod through the rain to the car but even then, locals were shouting well done, people were checking others were ok. The drive home was mainly through thunderstorms and awful rain but eventually eased up. And we stopped at Wetherby for fish and chips. Best I've ever had πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

My time was 2:57 which I was pleased with. Not a day, or a course I would say, for chasing time goals.

I'm so sorry for the length of this post, I should have serialised it 😯

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Jackapoodle profile image
Jackapoodle
Half Marathon
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31 Replies
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Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathon

Took my foil blanket off for this picture, he was not impressed with me dripping water on him 🫀

Runner cuddling trainee guide dog
SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles

You are just amazing, what a brilliant run and lovely race report, so very well done for getting round in such difficult conditions. I was wondering how you fared having seen the reports of so many casualties and the weather πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ be very very proud xx

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toSueAppleRun

Thank you so much. I'm in awe of those who were still on the course during that rain, absolute warriors! I've honestly never seen such extremes of weather. I don't say this often, but I am proper proud of myself 😊 well done on your New Forest run πŸ₯³I've spotted your report post so will be reading that when I get back home later, can't wait to read it 😊 xx

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Milesβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

You deserve to be proper proud of yourself

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

Brilliant post! I’ve given you your very well-earned HM badge, well done and congratulations on what sounds tough conditions. But you had prepared well for it so no nasty surprises for you πŸ‘

Your post oozes joy and it sounds as if you had a great time, all things considered. The atmosphere sounds amazing and really makes such a difference for runners. Any sign of Elvis? πŸ˜‚

How are the legs today? Be proud, you’ve done something amazing πŸ‘πŸ₯³

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toIrishprincess

Oh my days, I'm loving my new badge πŸ₯³πŸ₯³ thank you very much.

It was tough but I had an absolute blast once I'd got started. Unless you're super speedy and at the front, it's so busy there's nothing else to do but settle in and enjoy the crowds and support. And I never thought I'd say this as I detest hills lol but I'd heard there are some long inclines so I'd forced myself to train on them. Sooo glad I did (not rocket science really is it?? πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ).

My legs are slowly returning to functioning mode πŸ˜‚. I'm off for a long walk in a little while which will help.

Absolutely furious about Elvis lol. He'd retired this year! I know!! I'd heard a rumour about it, refused to believe it but yes, Elvis has left the course πŸ«€πŸ˜’x

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

Your hill training clearly paid dividends, good for you.

What a shame about Elvis though ☹️ He really has left the building then πŸ˜‚

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toIrishprincess

πŸ˜†πŸ˜† unless he's now working down the chip shop....😏😁

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathon

Excellent run for you Jackapoodle, what a contrast in the weather from start to finish, well done on that sub 3 hours time of 2.57 despite the warm weather conditions, I know someone who also ran the GNR, she took 62 minutes from the gun to the start line, it took you even longer at 70 minutes because of so many people taking part, incidently your running time is the exact same time as my only half marathon which I ran last November in much cooler weather, temperature +8C, not the +24C you ran in on Sunday and there wasn't a thunderstorm after my run, I hope you enjoyed those fish and chips at Wetherby. 😊 πŸƒπŸΎβœ”οΈβœ”οΈ once again a big congratulations 🎊.

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toAlMorr

Thank you so much. Honestly, I've never seen such a contrast in weather in one day. The heat was forecast, as was some rain in the afternoon in South Shields, but I don't think anyone anticipated just how heavy that rain would be. I was really pleased with my time, I felt like I'd done all I could and finished well (although my legs might disagree πŸ˜‚ they were starting to shout at me during the last 800m).

Thank you again 😊and those fish and chips were amazing! My husband fetched them and we ate them in the car as I wasn't sure if I'd fall over getting out πŸ˜‚

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

I thought you were a man regarding the name Jack but I assume you took your username from your poodle dog called Jack.

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toAlMorr

Haha an easy mistake to make from my name! You're right, one of my dogs is called Jack. He's not actually a poodle but Poodle eventually became a nickname derived from 'noodle head', as he is quite a noodle brain πŸ˜‚

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

Thank you for that information, I should have known from your profile that you were a lady, I like dogs although I actually own a cat, I take my neighbours dog Holly a walk every day around 2pm.

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toAlMorr

Oh I bet Holly really looks forward to her daily walk with you 😊dogs seem to have an inbuilt timer so I bet she's waiting by the door at 2pm!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

Holly certainly does have a inbuilt timer, she sits behind the door every day at 2 o'clock waiting for me to take her a walk.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

Right, that’s it. I definitely want to enter the ballot! πŸ˜… What an amazing post Jackapoodle. It sounds like you experienced the GNR in its entirety. Shame it was so ridiculously warm, but you did it! Huge congratulations. πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ Bet those fish and chips were like nectar. πŸ˜‹

Please don’t worry about your long post. I love reading every detail! πŸ˜€

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tocheekychipmunks

Thank you 😊 I can't half go on πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

It's a fabulous experience to try even just the once. It was very busy generally and crowded on the course, but the flip side of that is that it's so well supported and people are so kind. I'm a lone runner by nature but the occasional event like this is great fun and something different to experience

I have never enjoyed a meal so much in my life πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

Yeah I’m a solo runner so a race is a good opportunity to run with others and enjoy the great craic that surrounds these events. They seem to bring out the best in people πŸ₯°

Run_rabbit_run profile image
Run_rabbit_run

Congratulations! What a fantastic achievement and wow, quite the experience too. Thank you for sharing your race report with us, and no need to apologise for the detail and length at all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it πŸ˜„

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toRun_rabbit_run

Thank you so much. It was a fabulous experience. On Monday I said that I probably wouldn't do it again. I don't quite know how this happened but I appear to have registered my interest in being told when the ballot opens for next year....πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ

Macrun profile image
MacrunHalf Marathon

Well done on your HM loved reading about it there it sounds such a brilliant occasion there must be some buzz around that.

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toMacrun

Thank you very much. There was a lovely atmosphere to the whole day, everyone was so supportive 😊

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

Great job, well done ! πŸ˜€πŸ‘πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ….

Shame about the extremes of weather though. It’s unusual I’d say to get searing heat followed by a massive downpour! Next time it will be better 😁

Post race fish n chips are just THE best! That’s what I’m having Sunday afternoon after my seaside bimble. They just hit the spot don’t they πŸ‘ŒπŸ˜‹

I you’re you’re all rested, recovered and ready for your next adventure πŸ’ͺπŸ‘

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tomisswobble

Thank you very much 😊. I said I wouldn't do it again but then I got an email asking if I wanted to register my interest to be notified when the ballot opens. And before I knew it, I'd registered πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ and now I'm Googling other events....oh blimey πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ

Ooo good luck on Sunday and enjoy your fish and chippy tea

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

Ha ha 😁. Yes races are a bit addictive 😊. Great fun though πŸ˜€πŸƒβ€β™€οΈπŸ…πŸ°

I know, not always, but we have to find out for ourselves don’t we 🫣😁

Yay I know, sometimes the hard way but she who dares …. an all thatπŸ˜ŽπŸ˜€

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

What a fabulous photo and a great race report. Talk about an initiation by fire (and flood)!!! Whatever you enter next should be a breeze ... I'm assuming you weren't put off forever?Huge congratulations πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply tolinda9389

Thank you 😊 All the way home I was very firmly telling my OH that this was a one off and never to be repeated. By Monday afternoon I'd registered my interest to be notified when the ballot opens again πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathonβ€’ in reply toJackapoodle

Yup, that's the start of the slippery slope .. it's great fun πŸ˜€

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

HUGE well done to you...phew! What a run :)

Jackapoodle profile image
JackapoodleHalf Marathonβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

Thank you so much 😊 it was quite an experience for sure!😯

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