The Great North Run 18/9/05Pretty much one year ago, after completing my third Great North Run and realising my annual training schedule of 11 months sitting on the couch followed by 1 month of panic was not really working for me, I joined Portobello Running Club.
My cousin Karen had told me what a bunch of lovely people were in the club but I have to say I was fairly nervous on my first night. An evening of sprint training with Lynn left me exhausted but sure this must be good for me. Twelve months later the Great North Run rolled around again I was able to test just how much better for me it was.
Teresa and I travelled down to Newcastle on Sunday morning bright and early to catch the baggage bus. I managed to lose Teresa almost immediately in the throng, although I knew she had special permission to run with the celebrities from Emmerdale, she didn’t seem sure if this was a reward or a punishment. (She completed an excellent recovering from injury 1.55). The Great North Run is a day not so much for wearing club colours but for wearing your heart on your sleeve so I left my PRC vest in the bag, donned my Make Poverty History t-shirt and made my way to the start.
After the usual wait to cross the line the first few miles went in well. The long hill between 3 and 6 miles had previously been my nemesis but the hill training with Lynn and Gordon seemed to have worked wonders. I actually found myself enjoying it. I’d love to say I enjoyed all 13.1 miles but I did seem to flag about 8 and while it wasn’t as hot as the Aberfeldy Half the heat was beginning to tell. The stingers which had been recommended to me seemed to kick in around 11 miles and I finished the last two at a decent pace, eventually coming in at 1.48, twenty minutes faster than last year.
I know that the Great North Run isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I love it. It’s true that unless you’re a Kenyan there will be a fair amount of ducking and diving to find your pace. But the raw enthusiasm of the competitors, the amazing support of the local people (complete with home-made water and feed stations) and the chance for so many people (who like me, aren’t necessarily speed demons) to take part in such a huge event makes it something I keep wanting to come back to.
On finishing I stopped to catch my breath, stretch and chat with another runner, he had just completed his first run and had loved the experience. I don’t think he expected the remainder of the conversation to be regaled on the benefits of joining a club. For me PRC has been the best thing that has happened to my running.
Report and photo Paul Ewing
