Great North Run

22/09/09
This was a difficult race this year due to worries about my right knee (very sore, and no training for 10 days), my previous half marathon being a disaster, and it being my 13th half marathon!  Conditions were even warmer than 2008 and despite starting strongly, I struggled from about the half way mark.  However, I managed to keep going and finished in a time of 2 hours 9 minutes 10 seconds (slower than last year, but in a higher position).  As in previous years, phenominal support all the way around.  This is a tough course, but a good challenge.

As in 2007 & 2008, I will using GNR to raise funds for RNIB.  It would be really good if you could help by going to my online donations page using the JustGiving link below and donating what you can.  I managed to raise over £500 in 2007 and £400 in 2008, and it would be really great to raise similar for 2009.

05/10/08
My second Great North Run, and just as enjoyable as the first.  This year we stayed in South Shields and this made for a much less hectic day, and Valerie, Barney the Dog and I were able to enjoy a meal in the town square whilst the masses of runners and supporters were trying to catch the Metro or the ferry.
The run went really well, although I started a couple of pens further back than in 2007.  As a result, I hadn't reached Tyne Bridge when the Red Arrows went over.  However, brilliant weather made for an enjoyable, if somewhat warm, run.  I was much better prepared for the undulations on the course this year, and found the going pretty good.  I finished in a time of 2 hours 7 minutes, some 2 minutes faster than 2007, but feeling much fresher.

30/09/07
My first Great North Run, and this was definitely a great experience!  I joined over 36,000 other runners for the start in Newcastle on a cool Autumn morning - thankfully the rain and biting winds of the previous days had passed. The start went pretty well, considering the numbers, and we were soon plodding along the dual carriageways out of Newcastle.  Every underpass brought rousing chants of "oggy oggy oggy" which was deafening, and then just as I went onto the Tyne Bridge, the Red Arrows screamed over head. The course is not as flat as it appears on TV, and there are some long steady climbs that take their toll.  Struggled from around 8 miles onwards, but the large crowds and great support stopped me from walking!  Finished in a reasonable time of 2 hours 9 minutes and placed 17.053 overall. I then enjoyed a lovely leg massage in the RNIB hospitality tent!

I finally raised a total of £535-00 for RNIB, so many thanks to all who contributed - it is very much appreciated.