The day after the Great North Run 2012 and I’m still felling a bit dishevelled. Tiredness is setting in from my restless sleep both pre and post run, and I have very unsightly chaffing on my thighs.
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Well it’s nearly here, and there’s only one word to encapsulate how I’m feeling...YIKES! I’ve driven over the Tyne Bridge with its Bupa Great North Run banner; I’ve been keeping up-to-date with the Great North Run’s facebook statuses telling me how close it is, and again all I’m feeling is...YIKES! However, I don’t actually feel as agitated about the GNR as I did about a month ago, I almost feel like I’m losing motivation at the final hurdle, only the thought of reaching my sub 2hr goal is spurring me on and the thought of finally achieving that goal after 3 months of training. Week 10 of GNR training got off to a slow start, resting on both Monday and Tuesday due to pure exhaustion. On Wednesday I went for a steady 6 mile run from Newburn through to Wylam and back to Newburn, which was a nice evening and the running felt quite relaxed. However, everything was turned on its head on Thursday when I got in from work with a swollen leg. Having absolutely no idea why it was swollen, I put on my running clothes only to realise it was too painful to run. Instead, I put ice on my leg and rested it on cushions, hoping it would be better the following day, but also annoyed I’d missed a day of training, after already missing a day on Tuesday. This week marked one of the biggest turning points in my training when I unexpectedly managed to maintain my half-marathon pace for 5:44 miles. This probably doesn’t like a massive achievement to other people, but my plan hadn’t indicated to go that fast or for as long, so I was really pleased when my body’s natural pace was the half-marathon pace I’d been wanting to sustain for such a long time! Previous to this, I was becoming resigned to the fact that I’d probably end up finishing the GNR in about 2hr 10min, but now feel like my 2hr goal is that little bit more achievable. 8 weeks down, 4 to go. Race packs have arrived so the Great North Run seems closer, but in my mind, 4 weeks is a lot of time and there’s still training to be done. My race number came, and after initially seeing my mam and sister’s white number, I was surprised to be put in the green zone, considering we all run similar times. However, after initial confusion and upset that I’d be starting alone, as well as the fact I’ve got nothing to go with green (all my tops are purple!), I tried to focus on the positives, such as the possibility of not being overtaken by as many runners. I spent week six of GNR training enjoying a bit of a hiatus from running, and instead enjoyed the relaxing surroundings of Center Parcs in Whinfell Forest, as well as the copious amount of activities on offer! My training started off as usual on Tuesday, when I partook in some interval training, although just completing 3 miles instead of 5 as I was playing badminton early that morning. This week didn’t begin with as much zest as previous weeks. As statistics will tell you, moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do, this is something to which I can most definitely attest. So training didn’t start on Monday (it was a rest day anyway), nor did it start on Tuesday, and on Tuesday evening I was beginning to wonder whether this week would be a running write-off. My 2nd blog is being written at the end of GNR training week 4, and, unlike previous weeks, it didn’t end with a long run. Instead, my aim was to complete a 10k in a target time of 53mins. Although I could have entered the Great North 10k, I was struggling to commensurate the cost of the race with the enjoyment of running it (having prior knowledge of running it in 2011). After a quick head-scratch, I googled the Saltwell 10k road race and found a route which I adapted slightly so that I started on Durham Road, turned left down Bensham Bank, headed straight along the Team Valley then went back up past Joseph Swan School. I’d thought I’d start my first blog with a forewarning, mainly because I’m someone who likes to know what I’m getting into before committing a lot of my precious time (I’ve got a GNR training plan to stick to y’know!): I’m not a member of a running club, I’m not planning on winning any races, but like thousands of others on 16 September 2012, I’m striving to get whatever is left of my legs after training, all the way from Newcastle to what will be the much anticipated coast of South Shields. |
Erin ShawErin has been running for almost 2 years and since her first Newcastle Parkrun experience she has never looked back. A regular competitor and volunteer at the Gateshead Parkrun she is hoping to beat her GNR time from last year. Archives
September 2012
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