Gateshead 10K run

Messiah Khan · 14 Jul 2011 at 11:35

Anyone else doing the Gateshead 10K on Sunday? This will be my first competitive run since school, so I'm quite exited by it. I'm using it to serve as a warmup to the great north run in September.

My training has gone fairly well so far, and I was really pleased with yesterday's 10K run, completing it in 45:30. Not sure if it is possible with all the people around, but my aim is to do Sunday's race in under 45:00.

Dolmio Chips · 14 Jul 2011 at 12:22

Yeah I'm doing it. Aiming for a new PB, currently stands at 43:34 but I'd like to take at least a minute off that.

The course isn't going to be particularly friendly. I run for Gateshead Harriers and we train down there twice a week. The last km is on a hill were we do some of our hill sessions so the end of the race will be tough.

I'm also doing the parkrun on the town moor on Saturday morning where I am going for a 5km PB as well

You'll probably find you pick up the pace with all the other people running and the adrenaline kicking in as well.

Good luck

Messiah Khan · 14 Jul 2011 at 14:38

Good luck with getting a PB. Yeah, I'm hoping the adrenaline and crowd will push me on to a PB. My usual training route is from my flat (Ouseburn) along the riverside, heading towards Tynemouth. It's quite a nice run, except for 2 miles in the path goes from the riverside up a big steep hill that drives my heart rate up to 185-190 every time I do it!

How big is this hill on the 10K run? Is it pretty steep or just a long slow one? I might go and walk he route on Saturday actually, so I know what to expect.

Dolmio Chips · 14 Jul 2011 at 15:01

I've run the same route as you a few times and also the same direction on the other side of the river going towards Hebburn.

The hill on the 10km is steep but not vomit inducing steep. It's just the fact that it's right at the end and if you've been pushing hard the last thing you need is an incline!

Looking at the map of the route there is a bit at around 2km where the road is quite narrow so I'll be starting off pretty quickly to try and get well ahead of the masses.

On the way back there is another nasty little hill, looks to be at about 7.5km. It's probably only 40-50m in length but quite steep.

Rest of the course should be ok as long as the wind keeps away.

Messiah Khan · 17 Jul 2011 at 15:05

How did you get on? I managed it in 47:55. A little slower than I had hoped, but still really pleased considering that hill at 9km! I see what you mean about it being a killer. What wave were you in? I ended up in the first group of the white wave. Overall I am happy with my performance, and got up to a 4:51 pace at the bottom of the hill near Gateshead College. My average heart rate was 183 which is 95% of my max! Now to start training for the Great North Run.

Dolmio Chips · 17 Jul 2011 at 19:01

Well done, that was a tough course, probably the toughest 10km I've done.

I had an orange number and finished in 43.56 so 22 seconds off my PB. I was just about on course for a good time at 5km but the hills on the second half took their toll.

I'm getting married the day before the Great North Run this year so won't be doing it unfortunately. Instead I'm doing the Amsterdam Marathon 2 weeks after my honeymoon. :eek:

Messiah Khan · 18 Jul 2011 at 07:56

Aargh, my calves hurt today! Normally after 10K I'm not too bad, but I think pushing it that little bit more yesterday has really made them ache. Was supposed to go the gym this morning, but giving that a miss.

You got a great time, well done! Ouch about the Marathon! While running the 10K yesterday, it made me realise how much the GNR is going to hurt. In my training I have managed to get up to 10.5 miles, but the 13.1 miles still seems a long way off, especially at a decent race pace. I am aiming for a sub 2hr time, which I'm just about on pace for, but a lot more training is still needed.

cram · 18 Jul 2011 at 09:58

Your 10k time points to you be able to do a sub 2hr marathon. The GNR route is gently up hill. Don't really get why you are aching this morning if you are doing 45 min 10ks in training but just under 48 min in a race. You've got plenty of time to get some longer runs in.

Messiah Khan · 18 Jul 2011 at 14:04

cram said:
Your 10k time points to you be able to do a sub 2hr marathon. The GNR route is gently up hill. Don't really get why you are aching this morning if you are doing 45 min 10ks in training but just under 48 min in a race. You've got plenty of time to get some longer runs in.

A sub 2hr marathon? Awesome, I'm going to set a world record!

The 45min in training was on a treadmill though, so it was all nice and flat etc. My time yesterday pretty much matches my PB when training outside, except my training route is again mostly flatter than yesterday's course. I think it was actually the long downhill near the college yesterday that pounded my legs. In order to make up some time, I let mavity take hold quite a bit, so was coming down quite hard on my legs.

Dolmio Chips · 18 Jul 2011 at 16:07

If you're already up to 10.5 miles you'll have no problems. At the pace you did 10km, and if you don't get injured you should be looking more towards sub 1:50.

As I'm not running the GNR this year I've entered the Glasgow half on 4th Septmeber instead. Should be a nice short run as I'll be up to 20+ miles for Amsterdam by then.

If you're looking for a race to help towards the GNR then try the Jelly Tea Race on 4th September (same day as my half). It's a 10 miler going from Hexham to Ovingham. Makes the hills from yesterday look like they are flat but it's a good one to do a couple of weeks before the GNR. You also get free jelly at the end which is awesome.