Great North Run 2011

Messiah Khan · 11 Jan 2011 at 08:04

Dear Messiah Khan,

Congratulations! Your application to take part in the 2011 Bupa Great North Run via the Daily Mirror ballot has been successful.

Well that's me in. Anyone else running it this year? This is my first year. Have only started running a couple of months ago, so have a lot of training to fit in between now and the 18th September. Really excited to get in though. Will be running for the Alzheimers society as my dad was diagnosed with possible early onset of the disease last year. Anyone know how much you have to raise for your chosen charity as it doesn't mention anything in the initial email?

Any tips, tricks or support is greatly appreciated.

Pookie Bear · 11 Jan 2011 at 08:55

It's also my first run this year - I've not done a long distance run for fifteen years, so this is a big step for me but I am looking forward to it (despite my dodgy shins!).

My chosen charity, Myeloma UK, requires me to raise £300. I have other friends who do similar and they also need to raise the same amount. Yourmay vary though, so it might be worth asking.

As for tips, tricks or support, I'm waiting for them too!

emetic · 11 Jan 2011 at 09:16

Take it steady and gradually build up to the event. If you haven't already, get down to a specialised running shop and get fitted out with the correct shoes, ideally on a treadmill with gait analysis.

Jan-Sep is plenty of time to build up to 13 miles so start slow and steady to avoid injuries.

Bri · 11 Jan 2011 at 10:44

Might do it this year again, did it in 2009 and it's such a buzz when you finish. Good luck with your training, you have plenty of time (I only had 2 month to train!!)

Dolmio Chips · 11 Jan 2011 at 11:50

I've got a place but I'm getting married the day before so I won't be running.

However I am running the Paris Half in March, Edinburgh Half in May and then doing the Ironman 70.3 in June so I'm keeping busy. Also planning on a Marathon October/November when I get back from Honeymoon.

Good luck to those training for the GNR, it's the best atmosphere of any race I've done.

Richie · 11 Jan 2011 at 17:52

I know I could Google it but I guess it will answer the question for others - Where is the GNR held ??

Messiah Khan · 11 Jan 2011 at 20:07

emetic said:
Take it steady and gradually build up to the event. If you haven't already, get down to a specialised running shop and get fitted out with the correct shoes, ideally on a treadmill with gait analysis.

Jan-Sep is plenty of time to build up to 13 miles so start slow and steady to avoid injuries.

Yeah, my next stop is to get properly kitted out with decent shoes. I need to learn how to pace myself as well. I keep going out for a run and end up doing a 7 minute mile, then knackering myself out. GOing to try listening to slower music when I run, lol.

Bri said:
Might do it this year again, did it in 2009 and it's such a buzz when you finish. Good luck with your training, you have plenty of time (I only had 2 month to train!!)

I have no idea how you did it in 2 months! Did you run before that? What time you finish in?

Richie said:
I know I could Google it but I guess it will answer the question for others - Where is the GNR held ??

Newcastle to South Shields. I live near where the run goes past, so it would be rude not to enter while I live here.

PhillyDee · 11 Jan 2011 at 21:08

It ends near my house

.

Its slightly annoying, hope I am at work that day!
Good luck!

aceface57 · 11 Jan 2011 at 22:32

Thanks for making me aware of this, I'll be giving this one a go! Planning on doing the Bupa run in Edinburgh as well. But my main goal this year is to run a combined total of 1000km. I'm sitting at 18 just now....

fluiduk · 11 Jan 2011 at 22:48

I have done it the last 2 years. Not sure about this year. Will do it if I get a ballot place. Not doing it for Charity this year, its such a nightmare to sort out every year.

Doing the Wilmslow half in March and the Manchester 10k in May

emetic · 12 Jan 2011 at 08:33

aceface57 said:
Thanks for making me aware of this, I'll be giving this one a go! Planning on doing the Bupa run in Edinburgh as well. But my main goal this year is to run a combined total of 1000km. I'm sitting at 18 just now....

If you have Nike+ or a garmin you could enter the 2011: Land's End to John O'Groats challenge, it's 970km but may help motivation.

Bri · 12 Jan 2011 at 10:23

Messiah Khan said:
I have no idea how you did it in 2 months! Did you run before that? What time you finish in?

It was 10 weeks before that we got offered the places. Did it in about 2:40, I was not nor am not a runner at all!!

#Chri5# · 12 Jan 2011 at 10:58

Having run it last year, it's a great event but unless you're right up the front, treat it as a training run with loads of people. There's just too many folks and you spend a lot of time zig-zagging/dodging. It doesn't help that some people are very optomistic on their time - I saw quite a few people walking after a couple of miles.

The atmosphere at the start was great, it actually seemed an anti-climax to start running. We were about 100m from the Tyne Bridge when the Red Arrows came over :cool:

Messiah Khan · 12 Jan 2011 at 19:11

#Chri5# said:
Having run it last year, it's a great event but unless you're right up the front, treat it as a training run with loads of people. There's just too many folks and you spend a lot of time zig-zagging/dodging. It doesn't help that some people are very optomistic on their time - I saw quite a few people walking after a couple of miles.

The atmosphere at the start was great, it actually seemed an anti-climax to start running. We were about 100m from the Tyne Bridge when the Red Arrows came over

My photo from 2009;

This year I'll be on the other side of the camera.

Bri · 13 Jan 2011 at 09:07

You're flying a plane?

Jay.D · 13 Jan 2011 at 11:14

Messiah Khan said:
My photo from 2009;

This year I'll be on the other side of the camera.

awesome photo.

Last I checked when I wanted to run the GNR a couple of years ago they wanted £36 for the privelege....I decided against it as I just wanted to do it for the craic.

Props to the OP for running for the Alzheimers society tho

Messiah Khan · 13 Jan 2011 at 21:44

Bri said:
You're flying a plane?

Yeah, I'm a Red arrows pilot on the weekends.

Jay.D said:
awesome photo.

Last I checked when I wanted to run the GNR a couple of years ago they wanted £36 for the privelege....I decided against it as I just wanted to do it for the craic.

Props to the OP for running for the Alzheimers society tho

I had to pay £46.98 for the privilege this year. I'm doing it for a laugh as well, but it's a worthwile cause and now I have set myself the challenge it forces me to train and get fit. I'm also hopefully moving to Canada in the not so distant future (if we get the visas through) so I wanted to do thr GNR while I live in Newcastle.

Nelson Santos · 14 Jan 2011 at 10:10

Is there still chance to sign up for this?

Would like to do it for charity, if not would have to get put in ballot.

Messiah Khan · 24 Jan 2011 at 19:17

I have now bought my proper running shoes. Popped in to Northern Runner, and had gait analysis done. Apparently I am mid to heavy over pronated. Ended up with a pair of shiny, silver, black and red Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11.

Took them out for a spin today and managed nearly 4 miles, with the first mile being done in 7 minutes (Really need to learn to run slower!). Pretty happy with that.

I have also joined a gym and am having the induction of Wednesday. It's mainly for weight training, but hopefully access to cardio equipment will further increase my fitness.

Bri · 24 Jan 2011 at 20:24

Nelson Santos said:
Is there still chance to sign up for this?

Would like to do it for charity, if not would have to get put in ballot.

You can still enter the ballot until 7th Feb. Most charities you still have to pay the £40-odd entrance fee then they want you to raise a minimum amount (£300 is normal). If you get in through the ballot you can still register to run for a charity but with no pressure over the amount you need to raise.

Link is http://www.greatrun.org/Events/Event.aspx?id=1&link=Coverflow