A week has passed since I completed the 2013 Great North Run, so it's time to reflect a little on what was another great weekend of athletics in the North East, plus a great advert on bringing people to visit the region and come back often.
For us, the weekend always starts on the Saturday with the pasta party, Great City Games and the Junior Great North Run. The pasta party is your chance to mix with the celebs who take part, get your fill of pasta and find some great freebies, race tips and cheering boards. It's a fun event and there's loads to keep the kids occupied before they do there bit. Sandwiched between is the Great City Games, where we see some of the best athlete's do their stuff right in front of you and free ! If you've never seen athletics before, then this is your best chance to see some of the world's best.
The junior events are great to watch as the kids love it and that's not just mine ! They all look full of determination when they set out on the 4k course, but don't look so full of running when they come back - I wonder if folk think the same of me on the Sunday ? The girls are started by Defar & Dibaba, but that doesn't have an impact on Lexie or Philippa as they just want to get on with it, but I'm a bit starstruck. The same happens in the boys race as Dominic just wants to get on with it, despite Bekele doing the starting honours. The kids all get round in one piece and they've had a great time and done their bit - medals and t-shirts out !!!
So, your thoughts then start to turn to Sunday and you can't help but be excited, with a little bit of fear thrown in. It's lots to eat, more pasta for tea with some steak and lots to drink as well, followed by a good nights kip.
Race day it is and I'm up sharp - ready for some more bait, scrambled egg and toast with lots to drink to keep me hydrated. The weather doesn't look quite as bad as predicted, but I've still got an industrial sized binbag to keep me dry and warm at the start. The events on race day are pretty standard and we head off to the start in the car and we always go via Scotswood Bridge to avoid the chaos in the town and we get there for about 9.40ish. It's time for some quick snaps at the start (see below) before I kiss my good bye's and get my good luck messages.
Off to the start are I walk and I get there just in time to hear Alan Robson on the pa talking about everyone's reasons for running and remembering those who are no longer with us. It's always a poignant moment as we all have our reasons for inspiration to do this thing and people we've lost. I always think of my grandparents and my cousin James at this point and I always have a weepy moment as Abide With Me is played on the pa. It's a great hymn and it gets you focused on the reasons why your there and helps you to be determined and get the challenged cracked so that those who are watching you from above feel proud.
I've got a bit of a pre-race tradition as I always watch the wheelchairs and ladies races start before nipping onto the Town Moor for a wee. There's something invigorating about and special about this little event and there's plenty do it and quite a few females too ! After I've climbed the fence, its down the sliproad and onto the Central Motorway and into the starting block. As per last year, I'm in Block I in amongst the green numbers and there's an air of nervous tension, anticipation and determination in the air, all mixed with the smell of linament !
The starters gun goes, but there's no need to panic in Block I as it'll be ages before we move, but Mo, Haile & Bekele are off and good luck to them - little did we know then that they'd have such a good finish. After a few minutes we start to move forward and everyone starts to strip off and throw their binbags or hoodies into the middle or nip onto the Moor for a cheeky wee. There's all sorts discarded on the Central Motorway, but the most unusual item had to be a lipstick !
Then it's Red Arrows time as they swoop across the start line and head down to the Tyne Bridge. For me, it's 11.08 before I cross the start line and give Christine Ohorugu a high 5 and a well done and she wishes me luck.
I'm off !
The Central Motorway is strewn with people and not long into the race I spot Tony The Fridge and give him a shout and start off a round of applause for him - the poor bugger looks done in. The pace is steady but as I hit the Tyne Bridge the heavens open and its hailstoning and blowing a gale - not sure I'm feeling quite so positive, but onwards I go. The course is pretty hilly and coming off the Tyne Bridge is a nightmare but then there's a flat bit as you pass Gateshead Stadium and then its another long drag as you head to Heworth Roundabout. Passing the 5km marker is encouraging as people are talking about 30 mins so that spurs me on. The hill to Heworth is hard, but once you've done it there's another flat bit before it climbs again towards Wardley. Once you pass the 5 mile mark there's more of a flat bit and I'm still feeling good until I'm almost blinded by Rylan from X Factor's nashers as he's on a stage talking to runners for one of the sponsors.
As you drop to White Mare Pool you know that you're making progress and I spot one of my social media buddies, Claire, who's volunteering on a cheering station for Cancer Research. From there, it's the 10k marker and the sign that says it's half way. Relief all round that it's now counting down the miles to the finish. 10k is the most that I've run in one go and I'm determined to go further today, but it is hard and its hurting. I get to the 7 mile board and the hill tells me that its time for a little walk.
It's a struggle then to get into a rythym and its a mix of running and walking until I get another pick me up with a high 5 from Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who always volunteers at the water station just before the 9 mile mark. This is then the lonely bit as its an undulating part of the course and the spectator numbers are a lot less and its hard. The motivation peaks again as you hit 10 miles with the Bupa Boost Zone and I'm handed a jelly baby by a Help For Heroes runner and huge thanks to her, that's the spirit of the Great North Run.
Miles 10 and 11 are hard, but the people of the Nook in Shields are always an inspiration as they flock out with ice pops, oranges, sweets, drinks and all sorts. They are the true heroes of the GNR for me as its not the poshest area of our patch but they turn out every year and dig deep to keep everyone going. Another highlight is the Elvis impersonator who lurks in a bus stop - he's great and a real crowd pleaser. After you pass Elvis there's a distant smell of the sea and you hit Lizard Lane roundabout before its the bone crunching drop onto the seafront. That hill is a nightmare and its a sharp left turn onto the seafront.
For those who've never done it before, this is where they get excited, but the more experienced GNR runners know there's still more than a mile to go and that the seafront isn't easy - the first bit is uphill and I feel done, but I've got to get there. I'm aware that the time is good as I'd checked the watch and text Dominic at 10 miles and I knew the pb was on.
As you top the hill, you can see the finish area and see the 800m to go sign. The Red Arrows are displaying and I wave like an idiot as they fly over me and its another boost to keep going. I can see the 400 sign and then I can see the finish and its getting closer. I know that Alison and the kids are here somewhere, so I'm scouring the crowd as I go and there's loads of people, despite the poor weather. The finish gets closer and I spot the kids on the left hand side of the course and I have to shout - I get my last high 5 as I pass with them all bellowing me home. There's barely 100m to go and I sprint to the finish - looking up at the clock and its showing 2hr 55, so deduct 28 mins and I know that I've done the pb. As I come to the finish line I raise a Shearer wave (you've just got to). I cross the finish line and the emotions swell up again, just as they did at the start as I always think of James and then its the huge pride and release that you've done it - 13.1 miles, from the Toon to Shields, it's done.
As I choke up again, there's this huge sense of achievement and lots of pain from the joints and muscles that have got me this far. Getting the chip of your shoe is always tricky as you just can't bend over enough, but I make it, despite it being creaky.
You go through the finish area and everyone has the same feeling as you and the pain is washing away as the euphoria sets in. All you want now is your medal and t-shirt before you go and meet the family. Finishers bag got and I hit the exit and hobble back towards the finish area. I spot the Mrs walking towards me and I get a well done hug and we find the kids and talk through the past 2 1/2 hours worth of events.
This year, I can for the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and for the first time, I'd been invited to the Charity Village for a cup of tea after the run. Those who know me know that I love a brew and boy did I need a brew and a couple of bits of cake ! It was a much appreciated treat and I loved it - what a great buzz there was amongst as many finishers.
So that's it - another Great North Run ticked off the list, with a new pb set at 2hr 27mins & 20sec and I'm really proud to have beat last years time as the training hasn't been great and there's been all sorts gone on since I completed the GNR in 2012. I'm also really grateful to Alison for her hard work in making sure that everything is ready and sorted for the weekend and that the nutrition is right and there's even been some massage on my injured calf this year too. Without her, I couldn't do it as well as I do.
Will I sign up again for next year ? Of course I will as I love the event and the whole weekend - it's like Christmas but without the socks from Santa. It's such a well organised event as Great Run think of everything, plus the people of the North East come out in their droves to cheer you on, even in the most random of places. There's nothing like the feeling of crossing that finishing line in the Great North Run and I'd recommend anyone to give it a go as you won't regret it and like me, you'll be hooked.
I might even see you on the start line on the 7th Sept 2014 !
You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/MarkEllis4CHUF
For us, the weekend always starts on the Saturday with the pasta party, Great City Games and the Junior Great North Run. The pasta party is your chance to mix with the celebs who take part, get your fill of pasta and find some great freebies, race tips and cheering boards. It's a fun event and there's loads to keep the kids occupied before they do there bit. Sandwiched between is the Great City Games, where we see some of the best athlete's do their stuff right in front of you and free ! If you've never seen athletics before, then this is your best chance to see some of the world's best.
The junior events are great to watch as the kids love it and that's not just mine ! They all look full of determination when they set out on the 4k course, but don't look so full of running when they come back - I wonder if folk think the same of me on the Sunday ? The girls are started by Defar & Dibaba, but that doesn't have an impact on Lexie or Philippa as they just want to get on with it, but I'm a bit starstruck. The same happens in the boys race as Dominic just wants to get on with it, despite Bekele doing the starting honours. The kids all get round in one piece and they've had a great time and done their bit - medals and t-shirts out !!!
So, your thoughts then start to turn to Sunday and you can't help but be excited, with a little bit of fear thrown in. It's lots to eat, more pasta for tea with some steak and lots to drink as well, followed by a good nights kip.
Race day it is and I'm up sharp - ready for some more bait, scrambled egg and toast with lots to drink to keep me hydrated. The weather doesn't look quite as bad as predicted, but I've still got an industrial sized binbag to keep me dry and warm at the start. The events on race day are pretty standard and we head off to the start in the car and we always go via Scotswood Bridge to avoid the chaos in the town and we get there for about 9.40ish. It's time for some quick snaps at the start (see below) before I kiss my good bye's and get my good luck messages.
Off to the start are I walk and I get there just in time to hear Alan Robson on the pa talking about everyone's reasons for running and remembering those who are no longer with us. It's always a poignant moment as we all have our reasons for inspiration to do this thing and people we've lost. I always think of my grandparents and my cousin James at this point and I always have a weepy moment as Abide With Me is played on the pa. It's a great hymn and it gets you focused on the reasons why your there and helps you to be determined and get the challenged cracked so that those who are watching you from above feel proud.
I've got a bit of a pre-race tradition as I always watch the wheelchairs and ladies races start before nipping onto the Town Moor for a wee. There's something invigorating about and special about this little event and there's plenty do it and quite a few females too ! After I've climbed the fence, its down the sliproad and onto the Central Motorway and into the starting block. As per last year, I'm in Block I in amongst the green numbers and there's an air of nervous tension, anticipation and determination in the air, all mixed with the smell of linament !
The starters gun goes, but there's no need to panic in Block I as it'll be ages before we move, but Mo, Haile & Bekele are off and good luck to them - little did we know then that they'd have such a good finish. After a few minutes we start to move forward and everyone starts to strip off and throw their binbags or hoodies into the middle or nip onto the Moor for a cheeky wee. There's all sorts discarded on the Central Motorway, but the most unusual item had to be a lipstick !
Then it's Red Arrows time as they swoop across the start line and head down to the Tyne Bridge. For me, it's 11.08 before I cross the start line and give Christine Ohorugu a high 5 and a well done and she wishes me luck.
I'm off !
The Central Motorway is strewn with people and not long into the race I spot Tony The Fridge and give him a shout and start off a round of applause for him - the poor bugger looks done in. The pace is steady but as I hit the Tyne Bridge the heavens open and its hailstoning and blowing a gale - not sure I'm feeling quite so positive, but onwards I go. The course is pretty hilly and coming off the Tyne Bridge is a nightmare but then there's a flat bit as you pass Gateshead Stadium and then its another long drag as you head to Heworth Roundabout. Passing the 5km marker is encouraging as people are talking about 30 mins so that spurs me on. The hill to Heworth is hard, but once you've done it there's another flat bit before it climbs again towards Wardley. Once you pass the 5 mile mark there's more of a flat bit and I'm still feeling good until I'm almost blinded by Rylan from X Factor's nashers as he's on a stage talking to runners for one of the sponsors.
As you drop to White Mare Pool you know that you're making progress and I spot one of my social media buddies, Claire, who's volunteering on a cheering station for Cancer Research. From there, it's the 10k marker and the sign that says it's half way. Relief all round that it's now counting down the miles to the finish. 10k is the most that I've run in one go and I'm determined to go further today, but it is hard and its hurting. I get to the 7 mile board and the hill tells me that its time for a little walk.
It's a struggle then to get into a rythym and its a mix of running and walking until I get another pick me up with a high 5 from Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who always volunteers at the water station just before the 9 mile mark. This is then the lonely bit as its an undulating part of the course and the spectator numbers are a lot less and its hard. The motivation peaks again as you hit 10 miles with the Bupa Boost Zone and I'm handed a jelly baby by a Help For Heroes runner and huge thanks to her, that's the spirit of the Great North Run.
Miles 10 and 11 are hard, but the people of the Nook in Shields are always an inspiration as they flock out with ice pops, oranges, sweets, drinks and all sorts. They are the true heroes of the GNR for me as its not the poshest area of our patch but they turn out every year and dig deep to keep everyone going. Another highlight is the Elvis impersonator who lurks in a bus stop - he's great and a real crowd pleaser. After you pass Elvis there's a distant smell of the sea and you hit Lizard Lane roundabout before its the bone crunching drop onto the seafront. That hill is a nightmare and its a sharp left turn onto the seafront.
For those who've never done it before, this is where they get excited, but the more experienced GNR runners know there's still more than a mile to go and that the seafront isn't easy - the first bit is uphill and I feel done, but I've got to get there. I'm aware that the time is good as I'd checked the watch and text Dominic at 10 miles and I knew the pb was on.
As you top the hill, you can see the finish area and see the 800m to go sign. The Red Arrows are displaying and I wave like an idiot as they fly over me and its another boost to keep going. I can see the 400 sign and then I can see the finish and its getting closer. I know that Alison and the kids are here somewhere, so I'm scouring the crowd as I go and there's loads of people, despite the poor weather. The finish gets closer and I spot the kids on the left hand side of the course and I have to shout - I get my last high 5 as I pass with them all bellowing me home. There's barely 100m to go and I sprint to the finish - looking up at the clock and its showing 2hr 55, so deduct 28 mins and I know that I've done the pb. As I come to the finish line I raise a Shearer wave (you've just got to). I cross the finish line and the emotions swell up again, just as they did at the start as I always think of James and then its the huge pride and release that you've done it - 13.1 miles, from the Toon to Shields, it's done.
As I choke up again, there's this huge sense of achievement and lots of pain from the joints and muscles that have got me this far. Getting the chip of your shoe is always tricky as you just can't bend over enough, but I make it, despite it being creaky.
You go through the finish area and everyone has the same feeling as you and the pain is washing away as the euphoria sets in. All you want now is your medal and t-shirt before you go and meet the family. Finishers bag got and I hit the exit and hobble back towards the finish area. I spot the Mrs walking towards me and I get a well done hug and we find the kids and talk through the past 2 1/2 hours worth of events.
This year, I can for the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and for the first time, I'd been invited to the Charity Village for a cup of tea after the run. Those who know me know that I love a brew and boy did I need a brew and a couple of bits of cake ! It was a much appreciated treat and I loved it - what a great buzz there was amongst as many finishers.
So that's it - another Great North Run ticked off the list, with a new pb set at 2hr 27mins & 20sec and I'm really proud to have beat last years time as the training hasn't been great and there's been all sorts gone on since I completed the GNR in 2012. I'm also really grateful to Alison for her hard work in making sure that everything is ready and sorted for the weekend and that the nutrition is right and there's even been some massage on my injured calf this year too. Without her, I couldn't do it as well as I do.
Will I sign up again for next year ? Of course I will as I love the event and the whole weekend - it's like Christmas but without the socks from Santa. It's such a well organised event as Great Run think of everything, plus the people of the North East come out in their droves to cheer you on, even in the most random of places. There's nothing like the feeling of crossing that finishing line in the Great North Run and I'd recommend anyone to give it a go as you won't regret it and like me, you'll be hooked.
I might even see you on the start line on the 7th Sept 2014 !
You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/MarkEllis4CHUF
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