Great North Run

[DiszeeBelle]

Well as the title says I'm doing the GNR for the first time on Sunday and I am past myself now. I stupidly agreed at new year and although for the first half of the time I did great, running and going to gym 2x week I've not done a great lot since. I suffer with extreme tiredness at times and it wasn't until the end of summer term that a doctor noticed my blood tests showed infection and some other things. I went in and was told I had a throat infection but that is not the cause of the anomalies they said. I've had a number of tests done and now waiting to see the blood specialist (November 4th is the earliest!) to see if they can figure out what's wrong, still have this stupid throat infection but it's not bothering me. I've also had a sore foot from an injury at work but I'm ok with it. I don't feel as prepared as I would like and my training partner has said to speed walk if I have to ( my walking is often her jogging pace haha) so it's probably what I will do at times. I'm glad that I've spend most of the last 6weeks in a Disney park or walking everywhere.
So is anyone else doing the GNR or have done it in past and can reassure me that I'm not going to kill myself doing it haha?, think its a mid life crisis now I've hit 40!

[ClaireNJ]

Good luck, take it easy & don’t over do it, it’s a long way

[Buggles94]

It was my first long run and I'll admit I wasn't prepared for it. I won a place through a competition at my gym and my training was a few 5ks and then a 10k and then the GNR! I did do it though and all I'll say is soak up the wonderful atmosphere, enjoy it and don't push your body too hard as whether you walk or run you are still completing 13.1 miles. It is a long way! Listen to your body. It's one of my favourite runs and I think the atmosphere is up there with a Run Disney event or London Marathon. Really good luck!

[judali]

I’m doing it too.. & it’s also my first GNR.

I got a place through a local charity, wasn’t a run I ever desperately wanted to do, but there was a nagging in my head which said I needed to see if the hype is all it’s meant to be - I’ve been told the atmosphere is fab... we’ll find out on Sunday !

Good Luck and enjoy your run x

[Abbysmum]

Good look, you'll be fine. This is my third and final GNR, I'm nowhere near fit has I have been in previous years but it's such a great event I just have to do it! My tips would be give yourself plenty of time to get there on the morning, 55,000 people all going the same way. Take a spare top to keep yourself warm something that you don't mind throwing away as depending which pen you are in can take 45 mins to get over the start line. Stay to the left in the first mile so you go through the underpass and can join in the oggie oggie oggies!

The support is amazing along the whole route, people hand out oranges, sweets, ice lollies and even beer along the route. The best feeling is when you drop down onto the sea front at mile 12ish, knowing your nearly home and you can hear the cheers at the finish line. If's flipping awesome running along with all the people cheering you home, they cheer you as loud as they did Mo Farah

Have a great run, don't worry about times. This isn't a PB course it's all about the experience.

[married2mm]

My dd is one of the volunteers at the end of the race.
She’s looking forward to the craziness!

[scottishmum]

We live just five mins walk from the end of the race. Might see you , good luck to everyone doing the run.

[minnie 12]

good luck take it at your pace you have to feel comfortable to enjoy it my 2grandchildren doing kids run today we also live 5mins away from finish only ever missed 1 gnr due to being in flordia you will love the atmosphere

[alkel2730]

Ah good luck! My hubby was supposed to be doing it as part of the National Autistic Society but he’s torn a ligament and can’t run. He’s gutted but he’s raised £400 for the charity which they will still get so it’s not all bad. He’s going to try again next year!

[stanleycamel]

Good luck to everyone running the GNR - especially our Dibbers.

Not forgetting everyone who is taking part in the many Junior and Mini runs around the Quayside today too. It's a great fun event for all concerned.

Shame the organisers got the course directions wrong for the 5K meaning everyone ran 300m short - you would think after all the years of organising they would have known...