The organisation in Great Run races always seems to be spot on. From race numbers with your names printed on, information in booklets with course maps, travel details and clear sign posting on the day, to plenty of friendly marshals and a blooming marvellous goody bag at the end their races might seem more expensive than others of similar distances but you do get a lot for your money.
The race started outside Gateshead International Stadium. I knew quite a few people who were doing the run but saw only a couple of faces before hand. One of those was my good friend, and inspiration, Graham Smith who is aiming to run 2012 miles in 2012. He has been struggling with an injury recently and I hoped he had a good run around the course.
When we went to line up there was the usual aerobic style warmup. I really don't like these. My coordination is pretty poor and I can guarantee while everyone else is going left I'll be going right, or something daft like that. So I decided to have a quick jog around the back of the section. There were several lasses who obviously needed to powder their noses pre-race but rather than risk missing the start had just walked to the back of the starting section, whipped their shorts down and were watering the grass verges. I can't say it's something I would fancy doing myself but if you need to go I guess you need to go.
The race was set off in different groups so that the faster runners weren't held back by the plodders. We were "entertained" by someone from the local radio station before it was our time to go. By the time we were about to start it had just started to rain but the sky was promising it would just be a shower so it wasn't going to be a repeat of the Blaydon
We got to the riverside right by the Baltic Art Gallery and I suddenly heard people shouting my name. It was my friends, Alison and Jos who had brought their families down to cheer me on. It's such a massive boost to have people cheering for you. I ran on past the millennium bridge and past the Tyne Bridge when someone tapped on my shoulder. I was wearing a sign that comes with the number for the race saying that I had lost over 4 stone in weight. Someone behind me had read it and was congratulating me. It wasn't long before someone else did the same thing again. And again. In total about 7 or 8 people congratulated me mid-run for losing weight and running. It certainly put a massive spring in my step.
Just before the 5k point the course turned back along the way it had come and we were heading back past the Swing Bridge, the Tyne Bridge, past the Sage building and back along past the Baltic. Again my friends Alison and Jos were putting their massive voices to good use, and I also saw Micky, my coach from Tyne Bridge Harriers.
After hi-5'ing Jos I headed along back towards the stadium. I was feeling really strong until the 8k point. I don't know whether it was the weather, the course or just fatigue but I knew I was starting to find it harder and I had the dreaded hill to come. When I looked later I was on for completely smashing my PB up until the last mile. Then I had a shocker. In the last km there is a hill which is a killer when your legs are zapped I just couldn't get myself up that hill running and I ended up walking. I was furious with myself! There were definitely some swear words used as I stomped up the incline. Once I got to the top I had to start running again, and my hips were feeling stiff. But I was determined to get across that line. Powered on by anger or frustration or something I kept putting one foot in front of the other. A lass was struggling outside the stadium and I spoke to her and said "come on pet, run with me." Entering the stadium was great, I immediately spotted my mam, eldest daughter and my brother who were there to cheer me home. It's amazing to know you are running on the same track as so many running greats, and rounding the bend with less than 150m to go I said to the lass, "Howay, it's just a Usain Bolt distance now." With about 30 metres or less to go we grabbed each others hands and crossed the line together. I had missed a PB by 18 seconds and was annoyed at first but then realised that I had done it. Another 10k under my belt!
At the water point I saw Rob and Anji from Tyne Bridge Harriers who were helping out, which was lovely, although I did try and concuss Rob by hitting him with a full water bottle when giving him a hug. Sorry Rob! And so I have the pride of completing another race. Wearing another T-Shirt that shows I have done it, getting another medal which I'll keep forever (I do love a medal).
Who gave the idiot a foil blanket!
Friday saw the biggest occasion of the year for me so far. On Friday 27th July I reached 3 years sober. I've spoken about my drinking before. How hard it was to stop. How life has changed since I made that decision. But this year was different. When I mentioned that the date was coming up my friend Elaine organised a party for me. It was so lovely that my friends wanted to celebrate my sobriety with me. We went to Mamma Mia's in Newcastle, had a great meal, a fantastic laugh and I spent time with people who mean so much to me. Life is barely recognisable from what it was 3 years ago. I feel healthier, I feel stronger, I feel that I have people in my life who genuinely care about me. It's not about dulling the senses with alcohol, it's not about pushing the self destruct button randomly. Life is now about making a success of myself, having goals that I'm achieving and enjoying the time I have with my girls and my friends and family. Life is precious.
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