Training Blog

Job Done!! Well I got round unscathed and absolutely loved it. Official time registered at 02:07:21 and finished in 17,355 position. If being honest I had hoped to get round in 2 hours or less and finish in the top 100. However I didn't figure on 52,000 runners all running at the same time. I was told by past contestants that it takes till the top of the felling bypass before the runners start to spread out. I can honestly say I ran in a crowd from start to finish.  Time aside, it was still one of the best experiences you can have.

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me. The run was fun but had more meaning knowing money raised would benefit Kidney Research. Maybe same again next year, I hope so.  

Final week

At last we had a win in football over the weekend, and no, I'm not talking about the Toon! It's amazing how much better it is playing in a full team with subs!! I was on full 90 minutes so when I went out sunday to do another Gateshead to South Shields trial run I was feeling a bit leggy last 2 miles. Apart from a couple of lighter runs this week I think that will be it for my preparation. Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to sponsor me, your generosity is much appreciated.

2 weeks to go

Training going well, I don't cry anymore when I know I need to go out! We are still losing in football but hopefully that will turn around once we actually field 11 players. Playing with just 10 each week means at least my fitness levels are always improving! Some time this week we have an 11.5 mile run planned. After that we will take our foot off the pedal and keep things light. 

3 weeks to go

I must have been asleep as I missed 4 weeks to go!

To supplement my training I signed up to an over 40s footy team and played my first game saturday gone. We lost 2-1 but it was great to play competitive football again. Even though I am now training hard for the GNR it took awhile to get used to running hard in short bursts and I was blowing hard after 20 minutes. However I got acclimatised and lasted the 90 minutes. Or maybe I played the full game because we only had 10 players anyway!

 I had no ill effects on sunday so went out and ran 9.2 miles from Gateshead to South Shields via Pelaw, Hebburn and Jarrow. By monday morning my legs were killing me!  Think i will do it all again this weekend coming - magic!

5 weeks to go

It's official, I got my running number this week - 33629. I wonder if they knew that will be the likely position I will finish! I imagine behind me will be the walkers and those blokes who wear the old fashioned diving gear! So long as I finish in front of Emu I will be happy - those birds can't half run!

6 weeks to go

Man flu persists! My coughing and spluttering has severely hampered my training regime. I got out on thursday night around Birtley and Ouston and haven't crossed the doors since. My running partner, Steve Reynolds, thinks I'm a fair weather runner anyway. He has told me on a couple of occasions already that GNR officials won't cancel the run because I have no waterproofs to run in!

7 weeks to go

Disaster has struck - I think I have got man flu! Obviously I am trying to carry on but my training has slowed down to a virtual stop. Hopefully a packet of lemsips will do the trick.  

My latest run this week took me to my mams and back. It's really convenient they are just under 3 miles away -just far enough away to need a glass of water before I turn back again!  

8 weeks to go   

We had two nephews staying over the weekend. They are both 8 years old and very competitive. With there help I managed to do 100m sprints in just under 12 seconds. Granted I was Sonic and it was on the Wii but it did make me feel good! 

9 weeks to go

Typical me, I decide to go for a midday run on the hottest day so far this year! It took me 1 hour 10 minutes to run just 6 miles although I could argue I ran a few extra yards as I went the wrong way somewhere down a dirt track around the River Don between Jarrow and South Shields. Obviously not Olympic standard yet! It must be my trainers!    

I am having to motivate myself this week as my running pal decided to take his family on holiday this week - how totally inconsiderate of him! It does seem harder running on your own so the sooner he gets back the better.  

Dear All,

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

My mid life crisis is deciding to run the Great North Run for the first time! I have watched the run for years from my armchair, bacon butty in hand, slurping on my two sugar spoon coffees, telling anyone near me that I can do that - no problem! However, I started training in April and got a half mile up the street before I collapsed into a bus shelter! So I crawled round to Gateshead Stadium and joined the gym and haven't looked back.  

Kidney Research UK have kindly given me the chance to be one of their 300 strong GNR running team this year. I would like to thank them by at least reaching my fundraising target.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Kidney Research UK gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now, your support will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

John