Great North 10k

Welcome back!

Well it's been a while since I blogged but to be fair nothing has really happened until yesterday.

I did the Bupa Great North 10k yesterday which is my first big race since I started to train properly. I have done a 10k in the past but I did no training for it at all and did it in just under 2 hours!

Last week I decided to take some rest days, other runners may not have taken the same approach but at my stage in training I felt it was important. I do think it paid off, though I wish I had gone out for shorter runs to to keep warmed up as it were.

Before the race I made sure I was prepared though a strong allergic reaction to a cat the night before left my lungs a bit worse for wear. I chose to just ignore it, take my inhalers and take the run easy. I was nervous though I was trying not to think about it.

I was nervous about toilet stops, heartburn, stitches, shin splints, falling over.... you name it I couldn't stop myself.
I was having very strange dreams the night before. The one I can remember is that I forgot everything, my phone, money, running belt, drinks, tissues, head phones.

I had no reason to do any of this, I had put everything out the night before making sure I had everything. I got up at 7am and got myself ready, trying to ensure I wasn't having my banana too early, making sure I had a sufficient trip to the loo etc.

I was picked up at 7:30am to go into town to get the metro, we got there with plenty of time to spare. It tried to rain a little but it wasn't too bad, after grabbing some free plastic ponchos it actually stopped. The rest of the morning was gradually getting warmer and warmer.

We set off bang on time at 9:18am and I took the first stretch quite easy I thought, turns out my first mile I did in 11 mins 52 seconds, so really I think I should have started to walk it. Had I done that I would have had more energy in the harder parts of the race.

There were some tough hills throughout. At 3km it was getting really quite hot and I found it a bit of a struggle but 5km I didn't feel too bad. Seeing my sister at the Swing Bridge was encouraging and she got a pretty good photo of me with the Tyne Bridge in the background. From then on I found it quite difficult and I realised I really need to step up my training if I'm gong to finish the Great North Run and still be able to walk!

The most painful part was coming up past where we started to turn onto the quayside, I though it was nearly over but we were directed left to run further along the riverside, but then my nemesis...that hill!
The 9km hill which leads up to the stadium.

I think I could have cried. I'm thankful the Great North Run doesn't have hills like this. Steady inclines are easier to training for!!

Once in the stadium I really wanted to run all the way round the track but I couldn't do all of it, I did however run over the finish line (where might I add the photographers got some very unflattering photos), after grabbing my goody bag and t-shirt I saw my other half and my sister with my dog at the top of the steps. I was finished!!!!

My official time was 1 hour 33 mins 06 seconds, my average pace was 13mins 41 secs per mile. So I'm still within my target pace. Is it wrong for me to want to get that down to 12 mins? It was miles 3 and 4 that let me down so I really need to work on my endurance.

After the race it began to pour down, so we walked back to the metro soaking wet! (thank the lord for foil wraps!)

After getting home and changed into dry clothes we went for Sunday lunch, I had vege sausages with Yorkshire puds and chips. It was amazing. Then after getting home I had the most amazing bath!

All in all I'm surprised at how I'm feeling. I feel stiff but I'm still able to move. I'm very thankful I had an appointment with Physio Plus this morning, I'm feeling a lot better and ready for a good recovery run hopefully on Thursday morning.

After then, I will be starting the 12 week training plan to try to get that time up!!

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Thanks for reading!

Chrissy