Author Topic:   Great North Run
Webmiester
Member 		posted 10-07-2002 11:25 PM         
Back on board after a brilliant long Weekend and a very enjoyable run. Finished my first GNR (and half-marathon come to that) in just under 2 hours and loved every second.

Didn't spot a single, solitary "Celeb" so I'm afraid I didn't get a chance to do a Zola Budd to Chris Moyles.

The craic was on par with anything this side of the Irish Sea and the hospitality second to none.

Thanks to Mick for keeping shop and Spud for his kind offer of a complimentary cab.

However as tempting as a night on the tiles was I chose some Pre-race R&R (I must have been the only person in Newcastle who chose an early night on Saturday!

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Artful Dodger
Member 		posted 10-07-2002 11:26 PM         
Loved every second? What, no nipple rash? No wall?

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Hawkeye
Member 		posted 10-07-2002 11:38 PM         
Hats off to you sir. I'm shagged out typing this. The thought of running for two whole hours makes me feel quite ill.

Oh, and nothing happened while you were gone, all very peaceful.

[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited 07 October 2002).]

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Sub-atomic Katt
Member 		posted 10-07-2002 11:54 PM         
Hawkeye

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Hawkeye
Member 		posted 10-07-2002 11:59 PM         

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Hawkeye
Member 		posted 10-08-2002 12:01 AM         
...and webmiester, the last thing you would want to do is trip up Moyles. Huge risk of his fat arse falling on top of you and crushing you like a bug.

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The Reverend Whitby Man
Member 		posted 10-08-2002 08:18 AM         

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Geordie
Member 		posted 10-08-2002 07:22 PM         
Congratulations Webby, as you may remember I did the Great South Run which was only 10 miles long, but like you I loved every minute of it. I have now applied for the Bath Half Marathon April time.

Congratulations, I take it you received the obligatory free T-shirt!

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Webmiester
Member 		posted 10-08-2002 08:45 PM         
Does anyone really know whether FC Moyles actually made it? He seemed to be the only so-called "Celeb" who while interviewed at the start was noticeably absent being interviewed at the finish?

No nipp probs. though I suspect after a full marathon they would be as raw as Annabel
Chong after a World Record GB!

Geordie, like yourself I'm already planning another - possibly NY or Chicago next year.
Would love to run the London Marathon but don't think the knees would be up to it.

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Mr Softy Top
Member 		posted 10-08-2002 08:46 PM         
I would have a hell of a time catching my breath if I ran 13 metres.

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Red Vixen
Member 		posted 10-08-2002 09:42 PM         
I used to run, then I got into the Treehouse... I'm hoping to shed the lard and get back in shape and soon because I want to raise money for breast cancer, which is a subject quite pertinent in my family. Question is, how to start enjoying it again, and now that I know I'm asthmatic.

Dare I ask how you trained for the great event, seeing as you are our resident athelete? How far did you run on training and how long did it take you?

Congratulations - finally an achiever on the board whose specialism isn't films by the Marx brothers with the word 'hat' in them or revolutionary (?!) inventions...

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Webmiester
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 01:40 AM         
RV

Don't let the Asthma stop you as I'm also in the same boat.

I always work better with a target so personally I'd recommend entering an event to give you something to aim for whilst training in the Winter.

Buy the most expensive running shoes you can afford and get them in a specialist runners shop so they can be picked according to your foot type. Personally I can recommend both the Harrods and Covent Garden Sweatshop branches. See Also

Two excellent Websites full of everything you could possibly want to know about starting to run are:
Runners World & On Running

Whilst training is obviously important, don't get too carried away with schedules and forcing yourself to run when you don't feel like it. Try and enjoy it first and foremost. Boredom can be your worst enemy so when you do go out, plan an interesting route or even better find someone to jog with.

I trained only twice week for the GNR building up to 1hour 40minutes per run (about 11 miles).

Good Luck

Incidentally, I loved the three hat routine in Duck Soup with Chico and Harpo

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Hawkeye
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 10:23 AM         
Red dear girl, if you don't already use it, ask your Doc about Qvar 50.It gave my asthma a right kicking. Damn fine stuff.

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bj
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 11:46 AM         
Why do they call it the Great North Run? Are there others, but they're a bit so-so?
If you run North the whole way, how do you get back to the car?

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Mickey Jupp
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 12:20 PM         
The last time I ran any distance further than the length of a tennis court was in cross country at school. The route would invariably take you past a boating lake and its little sweet shop. Serious athletes would surge on ahead regardless whilst the less committed runners concerned themselves with the relative merits of the Zoom or Strawberry Mivvi.

Lollies duly consumed, the stragglers would then make their weary way to the finish along with other more genuine tail enders, bursting into action as they came within sight of the teachers in the final stretch just overtaking the fat and disabled to maintain some semblance of credibility.

Webbo, did you supplement your sugar levels en route with any such confectionery?

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Royal Berk
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 12:32 PM         
Now we're on to real running! That frantic burst of speed out of the school gates, then the casual stroll down the road, to the extremely strange record shop at the crossroads. After several weeks of this, the wild-eyed bloke behind the counter started to offer us hard stuff, i.e. genuine bootleg albums (a concept I still haven't grasped).

Most of these consisted of some very far-off tinny music, drowned out by mumbling and a thunderous round of applause every six minutes. Still, one of our number was mug/dedicated (delete as applicable) enough to buy. Of course, that was the day when our return to school was observed. We did the only honourable thing and legged it, leaving him to face his fate alone.

Of course, there were some days when it was too cold to hang around the shops, so we had to go into the back of the church hall and play cards instead.

Athletics really sets you up for life, doesn't it?

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andrew/oafc
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 06:58 PM         
The Bath marathon sounds right up my street.Do they provide a loofah or ,better still,a rubber duck that looks like Groucho Marx ?

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Stig O'Tracy
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 07:16 PM         
I owe my current success to fresh air, exercise and sportsmanship.
It was to get away from all three that I first took up drawing.

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Geordie
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 07:35 PM         
RV all I can suggest is go for it. All the hard hours training are all worth it when you actually cross the finish line. Like Webby I suggest you give yourself something to aim for and enter a race.

You only need to run 2 or 3 times a week but remember to increase the distance you run week by week. I do 2 shortish runs a week and then 1 big one. When I first started training for the Great South Run I could run for about 5 minutes, but then I found my pace and my motivation and ended up running comfortably for a good 45 minutes.

It is a great thing to do, try and get someone to do it with you as the training maybe slightly boring in the cold winter months, but most of all enjoy it.

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Chipper
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 08:50 PM         
RV

lots of fun to be had running, been doing it for 20 years, only trouble is I'm 5,000 miles from home now.
Seriously, as if above were a real joke, I'm an athletics coach specialising in distance events and would be willing to help anybody with advice etc.
For anybody near Leeds there are some truly great races to be had, the Abbey Dash 10K in December is a treat.

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Red Vixen
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 10:39 PM         
What is this Qvar stuff you speak of? Will it enable me to run more than a bus length without coughage of lungs?

Thanks for all the support and tips on here guys, I am truly greatful for what you have said.

Sadly, the extended family relative I related to previously passed away this morning to cancer, and I am more determined than ever to do the Playtex Moon Walk next year (Yes, me jogging in a bra. And my boobs are definately better than Keeley Hawes, not that I was watching that filth...) and anything else I can.

Won't continue further after the days events, but from the bottom of my cross trainers - thank you. This place can be a source of great surprise and delight at times - this being one of them.

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LSD
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 10:43 PM         
My condolences Red.

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flameboy
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 10:46 PM         
Sorry to hear about that Red.

Though I would also like to say thanks Red, you're saying that ("...Yes, me jogging in a bra. And my boobs are definately better than Keeley Hawes...") just to taunt me because you knew I'd be reading this!

What an image.


On a serious note though, do stick with the idea. It will most definitely be worth the effort.

[This message has been edited by flameboy (edited 09 October 2002).]

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Yellow Submarine
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 10:50 PM         
Best wishes to Red and family

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WingedEel
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 11:42 PM         
Well done Webmeister, I'm sitting here aching after an hour's 5 a side.

Sorry to hear your news Red, makes you think doesn't it. Take care.

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moonsafari
Member 		posted 10-09-2002 11:42 PM         
Playtex Moon walk eh - I'm ready when you are!

Best wishes RV

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Hawkeye
Member 		posted 10-10-2002 12:05 PM         
So sorry about your sad news Red.My thoughts are with you.

Kev, you look after her, ok.

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olav the hairy
Member 		posted 10-11-2002 04:51 PM         
Heartfelt condolences, RV

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still thommo
Member 		posted 10-11-2002 06:54 PM         
sorry to hear the news RV.

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