Great North Run 2014 - Up's, Down's and everything in between, before and after!

Hello!

Welcome back everyone

I’ve been reflecting a lot over the run since Sunday; there have been reminders everywhere from on the TV watching it back yesterday to driving over the Tyne Bridge on the way to work this morning and still seeing the banner and Million sign on the side.

 

My last #bridgeselfie the day before the big day

I am also getting reminders every time I move!

We went along to the pasta party on Saturday afternoon after quickly nipping into town for a few last minute bits and pieces. We walked over the Millennium Bridge up to the car park where it was being held next to the Sage; where just a few days earlier my face was projected during the opening ceremony (more on that later!).

Waiting for pasta!

We waited in the queue for about 30 mins and wandered round the stalls; was mainly charities this year. We joined the queue for pasta; luckily this year as we were both running we got two bowls each! We then had a look at the other stalls and I got my photo taken with the Just Giving text code #sprintfinish frame. 

We wanted to go back in and have a wander round the stalls again but by this time the queue was so long it wouldn't have been worth it. By now the nerves were kicking in and I really just wanted to get home and get my kit ready!

Kit all ready to go!

We had a relaxed evening after getting everything together and tweeting it of course; we had yet more pasta and watched X Factor and got an early night. At this point I'm really trying not to over think it. I loved the fact that my parents had come to stay to see me finish but I was jealous they'd gone for a curry with my sister that evening! haha!

I woke up before my alarm on Sunday, I got up and put my make up on, went to the bathroom what felt like a million times; forced down a 9bar (which took me 4 times longer to eat than normal!), I plastered up my feet, got dressed sorted out what I was taking and putting in the rucksack my parents were taking. We eventually left at about 9:30am after getting our photos taken (something I didn’t do last year!). 

Ready to rock and run!

It was really only once we left the house I realised how hot it was! My parents dropped us off in town and we walked up to the start. It was here I realised I needed to loo again! I thought I'd just go in a bush once I got to the start pen as I remember how long I was waiting last year. 

So many people!!

I left Ant at pen C and we wished each other luck, met up with Sarah and Nicola; we left Nicola at the green pens I think. Made our way to pen J, it was so so so busy it wasn’t until 10:25 we got there; I just didn't think there was going to be enough time to go to the loo and the queue for the portaloo was huge! In hindsight I wish I'd just gone!

Selfie with Sarah!

As we started to move forwards I was getting my confidence up; Sarah and I had met a girl called Molly who was up from Lincoln I think and she was about the same pace as me so we decided to run together though I did say I didn't mind if she wanted to go ahead; it was nice to have some company at the start.

Then we went over the start line; we started at a steady 13mpm pace and I felt pretty good. The tunnels were amazing; the ‘Ogy ogy ogy's’ were really strong and loud and I joined in with every single one!! I was getting more and more excited that the Tyne Bridge was coming up I knew that I wanted to soak it in this year – it’s the iconic part of the Great North Run that I wanted to experience and remember. 

Getting goosebumps!!

Last year I was so preoccupied with how busy it was and being on the right side of the road to pass my sister and a wheelchair being behind me I didn’t really take it in the way I wanted to. So this year I made sure I looked up and took it in; I even took a selfie and a photo of the bridge with the sun in the back ground. 

Lost for words!

Selfie!!!

I’m so glad I did! I managed to keep a good pace up until about 4 miles then my knee started to hurt. I’d had a physio appointment on Wednesday and recommended that if I felt pain to walk. At this point I knew that it would be unlikely I’d get my PB and I wanted to enjoy it; so I made the decision to take a step back and do exactly that. I stopped caring about who was passing me, I started to look for a loo with no queue and I actually started to have chats with people along the way. I totally loved it!

Just passed half way!!

By mile 9 I was getting tired but just kept going; along the route when they handed out water I took it and didn’t let go of the bottle until I got a new one. I’d finished my lucozade and was ready for my next one and so far my Sports Beans had been very handy. For some reason John Reed Rd although still felt like it went on for far too long I knew exactly where I was thanks to my Garmin! I have never been so pleased to see the sea!!!! I knew I still had a mile but I kept going looking for my Parents, Ant and my sister. There they were shouting for me to keep running!! 

My Mum and Sister egging me on!

After I passed over the finish I was elated! I’d done it! For the second time! It was my second half marathon!!!! 

Hope to get my digital photos for Christmas so I replace this with the official one.

I quickly checked to see if the millionth runner had passed and they had; then I asked if Mo won, and he did. I collected my finishers pack and found Ant waiting for me by the finisher’s photo area. We had our photo taken together then a photo each and made our way down to meet the others at the Hearing Dogs tent. I met Ollie the Hearing Dog who is amazing!

I needed help getting up after this! haha

I’m so proud to have done it and to have raised £224 for Hearing Dogs who are an amazing charity.

I do want to run next year and I plan to continue to run weekly with Sweatshop Metro Centre. I’ll be taking two weeks off to allow my knee to recover then I’ll go back to running about twice a week to perfect my 5k time. I’m getting my knee looked at by a physio in a couple of months and I plan on entering a good few 5k runs next year as well as the Bupa Great North 10k then in September the Great North Run 2015.

Mission accomplished

I think it’s safe to say that I doubt I’ll run anything more than a half marathon; but I’ve well and truly caught the running bug.

Thank you so much to everyone who has shown me any kind of support....

To my amazing boyfriend and family for their full on support and encouragement during the highs low points of training. 
To my amazing friends who sent me cheer-squad texts, cards and video massages when I was doubting myself. 
To colleagues who might have said a was crackers for running but said they admired me for just doing it. 
To the friends along the route who shouted and waved and gave hugs (thanks Charlene, Andrea & Bernie). 
To everyone on Twitter who favorited and retweeted my many ramblings.
To Dawn at Physio Plus who tortured my calves to be able to train properly.
To the crowds and the kids on the way who don't know me but shouted my name anyway!!

I am inspired and encouraged by each and everyone of you!!

Jeez you'd think i'd won sodding Oscar!!!

Much love, (and tears now...)

Chrissy
xx

Great North Run - 9 days to go!

Hello! Welcome back!

I know it's been a while since posting an update; but I've still been training hard.

In my last blog I wrote about recovering from a cold and getting back into training. Well it's not been easy since either. I've been trying my best up increase my mileage at the same pace as my 5 k but losing those two weeks hasn't made it an easy task at all.

After running a very quick 1.66 miles on the 11th with an average pace of 12:41 mpm, I was feeling very confident; my legs were feeling light and I managed it really well. I wanted more runs like this; where I run short but quick then long but steady.

I set off for 8 miles the following Wednesday, two days later; I really struggled. I though when I was out there that I was going very very slow, my legs were heavy, my shins were hurting, and I really didn't feel like I had anything in me to push any faster! I wasn't very warm when I set off but when the sun came out when I reached mile 3/4 it made it very warm and very uncomfortable. I'm so glad there are so many water stations on the main event day!

I finished my 8 miles with an average pace of 14:39 mpm which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have been aiming for under 14:30 mpm average for my long runs so it wasn't far off.

The following week I did the Quayside route and finished a 5k with an average of 14:06, this was hard work but I was pleased as I did manage a few short sprints in there to push myself.

It wasn't until bank holiday Monday that I was really disheartened by my progress. I set out to do 10 miles from Seaton Sluice to Tynemouth and back again. My first mile I felt OK; I was wearing a t-shirt under my vest as I hadn't realised how warm it was. This meant at mile 2 I started doing a weird contortionist-escapee-type-thing and wriggled out of the t-shirt under my vest. I didn't care what I looked like though I was far too hot to care!

I made the big mistake of not taking any water with me; it was sunny and very very warm! by time I got 4 miles in I had to stop at a cafe to get a glass of water. I was so glad they obliged! I took a few sips even though I wanted to down the lot and plodded on. I even discovered afterwards that I got a little sunburn!

Tynemouth was so busy and it was hard to keep any kind of pace with people walking right in front of me... I might not have been going very fast but you would have thought that the trainers and vest might have given them a clue that I was trying to run!

I decided not to run back along the coast way back and carried on along the road that runs parallel as it was a bit more in the shade and wasn't nearly half as busy. At mile 7.5 I was passing another cafe so I stopped and asked if it was OK for a glass of tap water. Thankfully he went straight to his fridge and gave me a bottle of water! I was so grateful at this moment you have no idea!! It really helped me get through the last two miles.

By this point I was getting a blister on my left foot and I was practically limping. When I finished I had only managed 9.55 miles and my average pace was 15:43 mpm well over a minute slower per mile than my goal pace.

It's so disheartening after training since February and after feeling so strong in July. I know that I'll enjoy it no matter what; I know the time doesn't matter to other people but I so wanted to show an improvement since last year. I know I can do a 5k quicker than ever before but I really wanted to prove it to myself with my pb.

So that brings me to my last run which was only last night, I went to Sweatshop running club and covered 2.77 miles with an average pace of 14:34 mpm. I started of quite slow but I managed to pick it up and just keep pushing.

I'm going back on Monday for the last run before the big one. I'm going to take it as easy as possible s I don't want to push too hard. then it's just a question of fueling, hydrating and resting.

I have my last appointment with Physio on Wednesday next week for a half hour treatment on the calves. I'm going to ask if she can tape up my left shin - just for my own peace of mind more than anything.

I'm looking forward to the Great North Run but I'm apprehensive - I've just got to get my confidence back up.

My mantra - "I've trained; I can do this"

I hope to write a new blog before the big run but if not I will be back with an update on how it went.

Please donate whatever you can - no amount too small!

Thank you for reading!

Take care!

Chrissy 

Twitter@79bobbin

Half Marathon training & getting a cold don't mix!

Hello!

Welcome back!

This Weeks Training update...

Quite a bit has happened over the last week, a friend of mine gave birth 6 weeks early to a gorgeous little girl and I've not been able to visit due to being loaded with a cold!!

Needless to say my training has slowed down somewhat too!

So last week I wrote that I'd had my best ever pace for a 5k, I was so pleased and confident that I could get my miles up that weekend to 8 on that Friday. On Thursday I started to feel that dreaded scratch in my throat, it wasn't looking good.

On Friday, I came home from work and all I wanted to do was sleep, I even thought at the time that if i could just do some running then it would be ok. It was not meant to be; I lay down on the sofa and slept.

Saturday was none eventful too, I stayed on the sofa all day, the only movement I made was to walk the dog and even then I took the throwing ball for her and she did all the work!

I was feeling gutted, my 8 miler was out the window. I felt weak; I couldn't breath; I wasn't sleeping... I could almost see my average pace drift away from me.

Monday I felt slightly better so I went to SweatShop club that evening; I probably shouldn't have done, but once I'd done it I did feel better. It was short and slow but at least I did it.

Short and slow with the SRC

I ventured out on Wednesday for a bit of a longer run; definitely a bad idea, I should have just done a 5k. It was quite possibly the worst run ever. Slow, hilly... I despise hills!!! I had a stitch for pretty much 75% of it!

Wednesday nights awful run!

Last night however I forced myself out on a later run; it was totally worth it... I actually enjoyed it!! the first mile was slow and up hill but after that I got into my stride. I felt strong, I didn't get a stitch and ran for the majority of the entire thing! I was focused on the end goal... to get back to my average pace.

Saturday night run!

For the Great North Run this year I'm aiming to keep to a 14 min mile to get my desired time of between 3 hrs to 3 hrs 15 mins. The way training has gone so far I should be able to do that; I just need to try harder on my longer runs, make the most of downhill and declines and focus on keeping the walking pace up to a fast march on those up hills. I really feel that I'm better prepared for it this year, so I'm  quite confident I'll beat last years time at least.

My charity

This year I'm running to raise money for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, they are absolutely amazing animals who not only alert their owners to possible dangers and general household sounds and alerts; they keep them company too.

"Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a national charity and centre of excellence in training dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds and danger signals in the home, work place and public buildings." hearingdogs.org.uk

Please support in any way you can - my link to sponsor me will be at the bottom of the page.

In other news....

So, two weeks ago the Bupa Great North Run Facebook page has been running a competition to take a 'selfie' in front of the bridge and uploading with #bridgeselfie and #GNRMillion - of course I have been doing this as I do a selfie after every run anyway! 

I found out after arriving home from work on Monday that I was the first winner of the trainers! I was over the moon!! 

The moment I found out I was a winner

I have now received them and they're great! I'll not be able to run in them unfortunately as my gait analysis recommended that I get stability trainers and these are neutral. I will however wear them all the time I'm not running which will save my Brookes Vapors for all my runs.

The winning Puma Faas trainers

Coming up...

So this week the plan of action...

5k Monday evening
8 mile on Wednesday afternoon
5k on Friday evening

Stay tuned to see how they go!


If you want to sponsor me you can do here:

See you next time,

Chrissy