Great North Run 1/10/06
I had been warned beforehand about the congestion at the start but seeing as for the first time they had a colour coded start worked out on expected finish time I was hopeful it would be a lot better. Well I hear it was a lot better but the amount of people who had red numbers, the first section immediately after the Elite Athletes, who were going extremely slow or even walking within the first mile was ridiculous. Why can't these people just be honest in their expected times on application forms, it would make the race a lot more enjoyable for everyone. Rant Over.
Well when I eventually got through the hoards and opened up the legs I felt comfortable and and hopeful of a good time. By the 3rd mile marker I was within 20 seconds of my pre-race planned split and by mile 4 within about 15 seconds down. (Mile 3, 19.40, mile 4, 26.20) But then it all fell apart.At about 4.5 miles, half way up the long climb for those of you have done this race before, my calf started to seize. As some of you know I hurt my calf about 3 - 4 weeks ago and have only started to train again last week, taking it easy. I knew it wasn't 100% but hoped it would last the race. I stopped and had a good stretch against a fence at the side of the road. It still felt really tight so ran very slowly (hobbled) at the side of the road trying to keep out of peoples way. I thought about having to pull out at this point, but only for a second or 2. I have never not finished a race and was determined to finish this one even if I had to walk / hobble the rest of the way. However it started to ease of at about the 5 mile marker and I decided to stop and give it another good stretch. I also took the opportunity for a toilet stop at the same time. Where I stopped there was a water stop just a few metres down the course so I grabbed a bottle of water, took a few slugs, threw half the bottle over my head and off I went again.
This time my calf felt a lot easier, I could still feel a twinge, but it did not feel as tight. In fact I was back to full speed and my splits for miles 7 & 8 were 6.15 & 6.20. I think this was largely attributable to the fact I had a good rest while stretching and taking it easy for about half a mile. A new PB or sub 1.25 which had been my goals at the start of the race were now gone but I was determined to still keep under 1.30. My calf was still giving notice that it was not feeling too great but this was not affecting my running. Miles 9 and 10 were completed with a combined time of 13.44 (missed the 8 mile marker) and the lack of training over the last few weeks started to take their toll after that. The legs were feeling weary and I slowed to a split of 7.07 for mile 11 and was now thinking that a sub 1.30 may also not be achievable. I managed however to take inspiration from a runner not too far in front who was dressed in a hula skirt and Hawaiian shirt. I was not letting someone dressed like that beat me. A 6.54 split for mile 12 saw me right on his shoulder but I was really feeling it now. He started to pull away again as we headed along the home straight but I managed to up my game again and went past him about a half mile from home. I managed to overtake a few more runners in the last 400 metres and even managed a good sprint finish from about 75 metres out. My finishing time was 1:28:58 which was sent to my phone by text within a few minutes of crossing the line. Fantastic idea.
So was I disappointed??. I have to say no. I surprise myself in thinking this way as I normally would look at what went wrong and what could have been if they hadn't but it was such a fantastic day. The enthusiastic crowds, the red arrows even though they seemed to always fly behind me, it was just such a good atmosphere. Even the kids at the side of the road just wanted high fives or to offer you ice poles and slices of orange, unlike at home where they are just trying to hit you with stones and shouting abuse at you.
A fantastic event!!!!Report Scott Hutchison
