Having not done anything like this for some 12 years I gave myself a good 20 weeks training to get myself in some semblance of shape.  A good plan, foiled by a knee injury on my second training run! 

Training recommenced with just under 4 weeks to go, the knee held up, the mind was strong, but boy was the flesh weak (and the beer belly wobbling around for the first 3 weeks training!) With a week to go I managed a steady 10.5 mile run in around 2 hours, not a great time, but it was looking like I might go the distance.  My wife commented on my new more streamlined and toned beer belly; things were looking good!  With 4 days to go I went for a training run with friend Dave Hough - he's aiming for a sub 2-hour time and we ran at 2 hour pace for about 35 minutes, I managed to stay the distance, but could not have kept this up for more than a few more minutes, the legs are sore and the self-doubt is creeping back. 

The day of the race arrived and we were graced with a beautiful sunny day in .  Start the race with Dave and manage to keep up with him for the first four and a half miles, but have to ease off or there is no way I'm going to finish the race.  Nobody mentioned the hills . I'm told afterwards that the  Great North  run is one of the most difficult  half marathons in the UK due to the elevation; Very different from my training runs! By mile 8 I am done for, my under prepared legs have turned to jelly, my heart rate is ridiculously high, but the spirit is still strong so I persevere.  At mile 10 I'm really, really struggling, the sun is burning down, my shorts are really rubbing, my legs are dead and people all around me are walking up the never ending hill in front of me making running in a straight line at a steady (albeit increasingly slow) pace nigh on impossible, but I'm determined not to give up and I keep plodding on putting one foot in front of the other. Mile 10 and a half and I feel a sharp pain to the back of the ankle, I turn to see someone walking fast, pushing a person in a wheelchair overtaking me and I realize that whilst I am desperately trying to run, people all around me are walking at pretty much the same pace!  My spirit is finally broken and I allow myself to walk.  At first I feel really dispirited, but having come to terms with the fact that I've done my best and as my cardio-vascular system starts to feel better, I begin to take in the atmosphere and enjoy myself, taking in the spectators, the bands and the carnival like feel of the event.  After a 20 minute walk, though weary, I'm able to run again, boosted by the orange segments, chocolate biscuits, drinks and hose downs from the locals.  Finally the uphill climb is over and I'm on the last mile with the red arrows flying overhead and the wind on my back, I plod onwards tired, in pain but feeling great about getting off my backside and doing my best and being part of a truly amazing event, helping a great cause and having an experience and a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. My time of 2 hours 33 minutes is some 51 minutes slower than the only other  half marathon I have done, yet in terms of sheer effort and pain, I believe this was the greater achievement!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure and Optometry Giving Sight is a great cause.
Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.