Great North Runners sign in here - hints, tips and support.

[feetheart]

I got a place through the main ballot thanks to a link from someone on here, I'm coming up from Bedfordshire on my own, running for Winston's Wish and it will be my 2nd half marathon.
I have veered between major excitement and major paanic but now accommodation and train tickets are sorted and training is going OK I am starting to really look forward to it.

Who else is out there and what hints and tips have you got to share?

[sallysparrow157]

I'm doing it, having only ever done a couple of 10 k runs before, am going to struggle I think, running 8 miles or so reasonably comfortably but very slowly. Really looking forward to the atmosphere though, can't wait!

[feetheart]

Slow is fine, I'll be right there with you. After 10 miles it is all about bloody-mindedness anyway.
Getting very excited about the crowds now as the first one I ran was at Silverstone. There were people in a few places and I did spot Bernie Ecclestone and David Coultard having a chat but there were far more runners than spectators.

[tonightsthekindofnight]

Hey! Ive just got a place to run for a fab local charity, two weeks ago, as someone dropped out. I have done a few halfs before so am not too scared by the lack of time to prepare but I only gave birth 3.5 months ago so a bit scared of peeing myself on the way round!! Generally really excited for the day though!

[CaptainWentworth]

Hello, have popped over from the S&B running gear thread! Thanks for starting this one feetheart.

I'm a GNR (and half marathon) virgin, but have always wanted to do it living in the NE. Entered the ballot a few times with no success, but got a charity place with action medical research this year through my work. Have a lovely spotty vest from them to wear on the day!

I've only done a 10k race before a few years ago, but have been enjoying the training. I have a pink race number so right at the back! I wanted to do a 10 mile run before the big day but have been feeling a bit under the weather last week or so so only did 7 miles last weekend. May try for 9 this weekend (did 4.6 last night and will do another 5-6 miles or so on Thurs) but not sure if I should be 'tapering' then. Telling myself adrenaline will get me round!

I was chatting to DH's aunt for tips as she's done the GNr 3 times- it was mostly common sense really. She did say to practice runnin with a bottle (which I haven't yet) for when you pick up water along the route. She also said they ran out of water at one station one year when it was hot, but thinks the organisers have learned from this!

[tonightsthekindofnight]

From my experience captain, with one week to go, running your longest training distance would do more harm than good. I have always been advised to keep the frequency of sessions as normal in the last two weeks but cut the distance. Im sure if you have managed 7 you will be fine!

[CaptainWentworth]

Thanks tonightsthekindofnight, that's reassuring- I was planning to do as you suggest originally but then was getting a bit worried I hadn't done the 10 miles. I did do 8 without a problem a couple of weeks ago, that's been my longest training run. So I will stick to my first plan after all and do shorter distances for my last few runs.

[feetheart]

Hello CaptainWentworth, glad you found us :)
I would echo tonightsthekindofnight and not do a big long run a week beforehand, you really don't want to tempt injury. Saying that I am going to do about 7 miles tomorrow but after that it will be a few 3-4 mile runs until the big day.

Huge respect tonightsthekindofnight for running so soon after giving birth, I know I would have struggled big time to run for a bus at that stage both times. Spotty vest sounds good too - mine is turquoise (as, by sheer chance, are my running shoes) and if it arrives on time and I have the nerve I may wear a turquoise tutu as well :)

[annieshaf]

Hi
I'm running the GNR for the first time aswell. It will be my second half marathon tho so I know I can do it but I now want to improve on last time! Don't think that will be so easy cos of the crowds but I am determined to enjoy it anyway. I am travelling to Newcastle with 4 other ladies from my running club on the Saturday so we are planning to go to the pasta party and soak up the atmosphere the day before.

Training was going well until my longest run which was just before I went on holiday and which really knocked me out. I had sore calves for about three days afterwards so must have overdone it a bit. I did a few runs on holiday but it was so hot that I was running at 2 mins/mile slower than usual so ended up a bit demoralised.

Hoping to do a short tempo run tomorrow morning and a good long run at an easy pace on Sunday and then some short jogs during the week to save energy for the big day.

[tonightsthekindofnight]

I had planned on running tonight but it was my little boys first day at school today and I am shattered. I have been backwards and forwards from the school four times with the baby in a sling, not to mention the sleepless night I had worrying and the emotional exhaustion endured from sobbing this morning and afternoon after leaving him!

Anyone got any advise on eating before the race. I usually run on an empty stomach in the morning but am guessing I will need some fuel!!?

[feetheart]

tonightsthekindofnight - sometimes life gets in the way of running doesn't it? Bet you are more drained than he is?

I'm an early morning runner on an empty stomach too but last time the race started at 11am so I had a banana and an Innocent Smoothie at around 8am. Nice and gentle and worked for me but no idea if it was the right thing to do.

[Tiredemma]

I did it last year. It was quite simply amazing. Last two miles were tough and I cried in the last 800 metres because they seemed never ending.

The locals cheering you on really keep your spirits up.

Worse part of the day was the traffic at the end, 2 hours to drive 3 miles really put a pisser on the day.

[feetheart]

tiredemma - I'll definitely be crying, a combination of exhaustion and exhilaration/pride I hope.

Was the bad traffic in the car or in the buses getting back to Newcastle?

[Tiredemma]

Im not sure about the buses back to Newcastle - The cars going out back towards the motorway was horrendous.

Are you staying actually in newcastle and leaving your car there?

[feetheart]

tiredemma - staying in Newcastle and getting the train home as am coming up from Bedfordshire.

Just done my last long run on a beautifully hot, sunny morning. Only 7 miles rather than 10 or so miles I should be doing but it went well so I'm happy (and hungry now :))
Had a Facebook message this morning from GNR organisers about Red Arrows fly-past - that will make me cry too :)

[HormonalHousewife]

Oooh I 'll be watching you on the telly. I love this !

Living in the NE this is not something you can not do. I've done it three times , DH once and sister and friends every year in between ! sadly we dont live there any more so I'll be watching on the sofa.

Get there early, put your stuff on the bus and have a wee. If you have a running pouch put a couple of £ in for the fare. I did this just in case my bag was stolen.

I used to have a bowl of porridge about 7 am and some water. I still needed a wee though once just past the stadium. If uou've got to go... you've got to go...

Water : They wont run out of water you wont need to run with a bottle if you dont feel comfortable with it. sadly, they have learnt their lesson.

Wear something old you can throw away at the starting line like a jumper. Its cold waiting sometimes. You can be there a long time before you start. Charities come around and collect it all at the end.

Remember its not one for a PB. There are too many people. Just have fum and enjoy the atmosphere.

They hand out jelly babies around the 9m mark if this is for you.

St Johns ambulance hold out vaseline for any chafing. Dont eat it like someone I knew !!!!

buses are the best way forward. We've done all sorts over the years but taking the car to south shield is a nightmare.

The red arrows are fantastic. If your an average runner then they will fly over the bridge and then 2 hours later when you are running along the sea front they will start their display.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. I'm very envious !

[Tiredemma]

Theres moments where your heart is in your throat-

I walked from the Metro station across to the start area with my two friends who were running also- we were upbeat, excited etc. There are obviously thousands of people all walking the same route- as we turned a corner we ended up walking behind a couple who both had Tshirts on with a picture of the most beautiful young girl on (about 7 years old).

the text on the t-shirt told us that the girl was their daughter who had passed away from cancer. I have to say that was the most poignant part of the day for me- I ran the GNR because it was a personal goal for me- they ran in the memory of their daughter- everyone has a reason for running and putting themselves through what is not an 'easy' race.

I then look round me and see that so many people have similar 'stories' emblazoned across them and then I 'get' why this is such an amazing event.

You stand in the holding pens waiting to start and 'abide with me' is played - you look around and people are crying - so much emotion oozing through those holding pens.

all the way along the route you see people who are struggling being urged on by other runners and strangers - the locals are amazing.

At mile 10 I really felt like I could not go any further, my knee was killing me- I battled on for another mile and came across a St Johns Ambulance worker and asked if they had anything for my knee- she said no and suggested that i call it a day and quit. I started crying and just sat on the kerb for about a minute getting my breath and trying to get myself back 'together' - I was adamant that i was not going to give up.

I was in front of someones house and was trying to lift myself up to start running again but just literally couldn't get up, I felt these two arms on either side of me hoist me up. It was a middle aged lady and what I am assuming was her teenage son. They were merely spectating outside their house and came to my aid- they 'jogged/walked' alongside me for a few metres and pushed me back on my way.

Then ELVIS (who was in the back of a white transit van!) started shouting 'come on Emma" (name was on my top) and just gave me this burst of desire to get to the finish line (I could have really given up at this point)

Just after elvis you turn out onto the coastal road- you can see the finish (but it feels as if its taking forever to get to it)- all along this road people are screaming your name and urging you on. The most amazing feeling ever- when I crossed the line I was euphoric.

Im gutted that i can't do it this year ( I'm 38 weeks PG) but plan to do it next year. For me it was one of my biggest achievements in life. Don't under-estimate how this will make you feel.

please let us know how it goes! I will be watching the race (with newborn in arms) and no doubt lots of happy tears.

[feetheart]

Brilliant posts HormonalHousewife and tiredemma - I have tears in my eyes even now :)
Know what you mean about people with pictures and messages - my first 'real' run was The Race for Life and I had tears in my eyes most of the way round as I read what people had written. I ran that one for my MiL and had got DD (then about 5) to write 'Granny Neale' on the back of my vest.

This one is for Winston's Wish - the brilliant childhood bereavement charity - and, indirectly, my Dad who died when I was DS's age (7)
I expect to be a sobbing wreck :)

[CatsInCustard]

Don't worry about drinks. There are many feeding stands with various drinks and sponges of water if you're too hot. Bottles tend to get thrown on the floor afterwards but they get cleared at the end. I'll look out for you from the powerade stand

[CaptainWentworth]

Well I went out and did 4.5 miles last night- didn't really enjoy it as much as usual as I'm still feeling slightly under the weather. I always get such a runny nose when I run anyway which I hate! Keep reading stuff about how I should be breathing through my nose but I think it would actually be impossible. Anyway planning to take it easy on my last few runs and not tempt fate. I feel like I peaked a couple of weeks ago with the training and just finding it hard now.

It's lovely to hear all the descriptions of the day- I'm really looking forward to experiencing it for myself. We live a couple of miles north of the start area (I go along Claremont Road on my longer runs) so I normally just avoid the city completely on GNR day because of traffic, road closures etc. My parents are coming down to spectate; they and DH are planning to meet me at the finish with my bag and then we'll all get the Metro back- prepared for it to be really crowded!

[raspberrytart]

Hi, I'm doing it too, what distance would you say your last long run should be, I've done 18.5 k a few weeks back but not actually run the full half yet. Would 19 k be ok?
Thanks for any advice

[feetheart]

My training has been curtailed whilst I got a knee injury sorted out so the longest I have run is 7 miles (not sure what that is in km!).
When I ran my first half-marathon the most I did was 10 miles - that was as far as the training programme got you to run, the excitement on the day gets you through the rest :)
I wouldn't do a long run at this stage - I did mine on Thursday and was a bit unsure if it was too close to the event but I seem to be OK. Have a few more 3-4 mile runs planned and excitement is building.

Off to Hyde Park concert today to dance A LOT - that counts as training to me :)

[feetheart]

How is everyone doing?

Keep getting FB messages from the organisers which is building the excitement here :)

I have two gentle runs to do (tomorrow and Thursday), my bag to pack, a carrot cake to make and wine to buy for the friends I am staying with.
Better read all the race blurb I suppose.

[feetheart]

Just done last run so that's me until Sunday.
Had a look at the weather - my sister works for the Met Office and sent me the link to their forecast here. Looks wet and windy at the moment - poo. Adds hat to packing list.

[annieshaf]

Just done my last run aswell. Was trying to keep it steady but my running partner had other ideas! Not happy about the forecast and am off to get a bin bag to try to shape into some sort of rain cover to wear before the start. Don't think I'll change my plan on what to wear though as I always get too hot eventually.

Good luck to every one running on Sunday!

[feetheart]

Hmm, bin bag, might have to consider!