The Great North Run 2012

September 16

After a very restless night, I was up at 6:30am. I was terribly nervous. I had a really light breakfast of muesli and and coffee before getting ready for the race.

I was meeting my friend at 9am so I got down to the baggage buses and put all my stuff away, however it was pretty cold so my friend gave me her t-shirt while I waited.

I made my way to the pen and just kept moving and a shakin' as I waited for the start. I couldn't see anything and then we started walking. As I'm so short I still couldn't see what was going on when all of a sudden everything opened up in front of me and I was running!

I kept saying to myself to keep to my pace, don't go out too fast. It was pretty amazing. I can't remember much but I do remember a point, probably about the 8/9/10km mark where all of a sudden everything started to be easy. My breathing, my posture, my arms all working so efficiently. It was amazing.

So at the end I completed the race in 1:54:19. I am absolutely delighted with my time. I had no injuries or anything, but at the end when I finally stopped running my ITB had flared up but I didn't care. I had finished!!!

Waiting at before the race

Waiting before the race

Waiting in the holding pen. Can't see a bloomin' thing ahead of me.

Ah, race completed

Completed in 1:54:19

Medal

Two weeks to go!

September 15th

So I have been crazy nervous this week about the race which is happening tomorrow! It has been a long week of forcing myself to take it easy, eat well and drink lots. All these thoughts go through y mind like what if I don't perform how I want, will my knee be okay, what's the weather going to be like? Anyway, there isn't anything else I can do so wish me luck. Gulp! 

September 13

5:21 km / 29:01

September 11

6:95 km / 36:54

September 10

9:54 km / 52:47

September 8

15:92 km / 1:45:23

Lots of stopping again as I could feel tightness in my knee. As long as I do some ITB stretches it seems to ease up and I can carry on again. Stretch, stretch, stretch! 

September 3

9:77 km / 55:27

September 2

I tried to go for a run in the morning and it wasn't happening. I could feel the tightness around my knee again and had to give up :-(

By late afternoon, the unsuccessful run in the morning was playing on my mind and I knew I had to make another attempt. So I went out again and this time hardly any tightness  and I did: 

7:42km / 42:54

So now I know that my body seems okay after I stretch and loosen up. Anyway, I'm happy. 

September 1

I bought a foam massager and ended up doing lots of massaging and yoga stretched for the ITB. It hurt lots, but I had to do it so...

Anyway, I managed a really long run today. 

15:70km / 1:42:07 (hurrah!)

I had to stop loads though to stretch my leg. But At least I managed to run. Yes it was slightly irritating in a tight way (I wouldn't say it was painful). Anyway I'm happy.