Well the day of reckoning finally arrived and I wasn't found wanting! In fact I'd go as far as to say I surpassed any expectations I could have had for the day. We stopped at the Holiday Inn and enjoyed it in almost every way. They made breakfast available at 6:30 in the morning so we were down there pretty early (there were half a dozen tables taken already). We were packed and ready to go as the advice is to get to the start line early. We parked at the Stadium of Light Metro station at Sunderland and had a good sit down to Haymarket. It wasn't long before the train was pretty busy and this was at 7:30 in the morning. We walked from Hay Market to the start and then from the start to the Green Pen which felt like a further kilometer on. I went into the Pen pretty early - there were maybe only 20 other runners in at that point so was fairly close to front of the Green Pen (I section). Then the long wait began and eventually the male elite athletes were off. Janette was at the start at that point and got a picture of Mo Farrah which I'll post up in due course.
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| Me and my little girl at the start line |
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| This is the back of Green Pen I - a good half a kilometre or more from the start! |
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| This is from BBC's footage - directly to the left of GUNBY's bib, looking over the BUPA banner is lil Lucy Siddall! |
The masses set off at 10:40, the Green Pen (I section) finally got over the start line at 11:11 accords to my Garmin. I'd read an alternative strategy for the Great North Run that said to divide it into four different stages basically a five miler with a climb to start off with (5 milers are no problem you've done loads), then three miles downhill (can let rip a bit here and get some fast miles in), then three uphill (dig deep it'll soon be over), then a little two miler downhill to finish with.
The link for it in full is here: http://www.warriorwomen.co.uk/2012/09/15/alternative-wisdom-for-the-great-north-run-9-insider-tips/
Anyway, to me it felt like it was all uphill but the Garmin Gradient profile below concurs with the four stage strategy. I set off with a fairly fast first mile and kept telling myself to slow down but my legs weren't listening properly (six of the first seven miles were under ten minutes). That said, thinking about the strategy and waiting for the downhill bits did seem to work and in the final mile I'd still got loads in the tank and went as fast as I could - unfortunately the congestions was worse at the end than ever so a 9:20 mile was the best I could do. Anyway 2 hours 12 minutes for first half-marathon is bloody magic!
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| Red Arrows flying over at the Finish |
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| Me and Lucy at the finish |
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| Almost there! |
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| Smiling - it's over soon |
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| Catching flies |
Getting out was a swine. The South Shields Metro is a fair way from the finishing point and when we got to it the rain was pouring and the queue was a good hour to get on. So we persisted and eventually got on the train, back to Sunderland, on the road and home for 8pm. A good day spoiled by a bit of weather but on the whole a good day.
Monday 16th September 2013
Woke up at 6am and got Phil up. Took the dog up town, got the papers. Right knee is not happy with the experience it must be said. Off to Uttoxeter to fetch Phil's suit. Off to Sheffield for work then back to the office. All good stuff. Took it easy when got home - took dog a mini walk - rain!. Took Phil down to Norbury as he was going to a do in a suit! Watched Men in Black III on the TalkTalk NOW TV Box thang - very impressed with it. Must do a bandwidth check when I get a minute. Zero Alcohol
Tuesday 17th September 2013
Up at 4am to switch the alarm off on Phil's phone. He got in a bit after midnight, bless him. Got him up at 6.20 after slightly over-sleeping. Took dog up town and got papers. Got off to work early as have got to get off at 4.30pm this afternoon. Went to see Pad over at Swadlincote. Got back - took dog a walk. Watched a bit of footie but didn't think ManU would have any troubles so left it at that. Bed for just gone 10. Zero alcohol. Downloaded Count Arthur Strong Radio Show Series 3 fro £4.74 from t'Amazon.
Wednesday 18th September 2013
Woke Phil up at 4am (although in fairness he was up before me). Got up at 6am. Let Dog out. Up town to get papers with the hound. All good stuff. Into office for £8.20. Paid £27 to Marathon Photo - thieving bleeders they are. Went to visit Janine Hulmes group to support her in a new project - all went well.
Thursday 19th September 2013
Got Phil up at 4am. Made sure he was up at 4.25am. Went back to bed til 6.25am. Took pooch out for a walk. Shave, shower, breakfast, work.... Like a machine. Knee is improving am getting ready to run again at the weekend. Went to Sarah Cann's last group in Rocester and weighed in. Two pounds lighter which is a bit disappointing after a 13 mile run at the weekend! The way to look at it is I'm a stone and a bit lighter than I was in October 2012 but still not very impressed with my weight at the moment.
Friday 20th September 2013
Up at 4am. Got Phil up. Back to bed. Up at 6.25am - took Dog up town for a walk and to fetch papers. Off to work nice and early. Home about 6:30, tea, took dog out for a mile and a half.
Saturday 21st September 2013
Up at crack of dawn, well 6.45! Took Lily for a walk up town, got papers got a mile done. Bit of piccy B Brekko. Down to Allotment, measured up the growing area 42' by 18' with raspberry bushed impinging a bit on the width at the top end near the shed. Got another punnet of Raspberries while down there but drizzle and the missus needing the motor meant I spent only 45 minutes on the allotment!
Golf at 12:50, suddenly it's lovely and sunny - couldn't be more different from the morning. Anyway played some iffy golf along the way but played back nine pretty solidly. All good stuff. http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/248825774/7469884
Apart from Sunday night had no alcohol this week. Pleased with myself on that score.
16/4.5
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