Highlight of the week 19/02/12 - 25/02/12

If you read my last post, you will know that the week previously I boarded an aeroplane bound for Dubai, feeling extremely exhausted and in desperate need of a relaxing break...  You may then find it a little bizarre that this highlight of the week was running before breakfast every morning, particularly in 77 degree Fahrenheit (25 degree Celcius) heat!

The week started with 2 days of mostly sleeping, at the start of the second day I really started to wonder if I'd made a mistake in travelling to Dubai, I could have taken the week off work and slept at home without shelling out for an aeroplane ticket... I think it was this thought that made me drag myself out of bed and get out an about so see some new sights later that day.  It worked! By the time day 3 had dawned I was feeling back to my normal self and desperate to get out there for a run :-)

Of course, I run regularly when at home but it can sometimes be a real struggle to run in the evening having started the day 12 hours previously and in the workplace for 9 of those! Last week all my runs were an absolute pleasure, they were at my pace and convenience rather than having to squidge them in around the usual demands of everyday life and when coupled with such a stunning location I have to admit I felt very priviliged.  I couldn't wait to get back out for a run before breakfast each day and was determined to make the most of the opportunity so for the 4 remaining days of my trip I did just that!

After my final run on the last day I retraced my steps a few hours later to take some photographs of the views along my running route.

This bridge connects the Al Bahar Souk to the Dubai Mall and is where I started and finished my runs each day

I would then proceed around the Burj Fountain, The Al Bahar Souk is in the background. 

Then continue past the Burj Khalifa, no photograph or words can ever fully capture how magnificent this is!

Then over a bridge, again past the Burj Fountain, this time in action.

One of three bridges I used to maintain my hill training.

Perfect sidewalk for running!

The Burj Khalifa from the otherside of the lake.

See, these bridges weren't imaginary... They felt bloomin' steep at the time too!

Heading back past the Burj Khalifa and up towards the waterfalls.

I would run up, usually the left hand side of these waterfalls, across the top and back down the other side.

Back past the Burj Fountain, you can see the Address Downtown Dubai hotel to the left.

Back over the bridge to the apartments.

Having three bridges enabled me to easily vary my route each day, to get the mileage in without too much repitition, although to be honest, it would not have been a great hardship to stick to just several repeats of the same circuits in such a beautiful spot.

In my opinion the best way to explore a place is on foot, even if I think I already know the location I always stumble across something that I didn't know was there so I love to just start running and see where my feet take me :-) I've since also learned that running in the sun is the best way to speed up the tanning process - the only downside being that the need for sunglasses does rather encourage the 'reverse panda' effect!

Roll on UK summertime so I can back to running amongst some of our hidden gems instead of fighting my way through chip papers, drinks cans and other debris as we pound the pavements by the 'safety' of streetlight!

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Highlight of the week 12/02/12 - 18/02/12

This one is easy! The highlight of this week also fell on Saturday and it involved me consuming a G&T or two before climbing aboard a Boeing 777 bound for Dubai :-) 

After a hectic working week of struggling to get loose ends tied up, ongoing projects handed over and trying to get as many orders as possible in ahead of my annual leave, this was a much needed break!

The flight itself didn't go as smoothly as usual though...

• I requested a window seat at check in and got allocated a H seat, now being a 3-4-3 seat row aeroplane I didn't think anymore of it but on boarding it became obvious H was an aisle seat :-(
• We departed late - no big deal I suppose but when you've a 7 hour flight ahead you do just want to get on with it!
• My media screen didn't work and didn't until 3.5 hours into the flight.
• The lunch menu was a choice of either chicken smothered in 'killer pepper' sauce or lamb curry (I am allergic to peppers and I don't like lamb so avoid eating it where possible)
• The headsets were collected 15 mins before landing meaning I missed the end of the film I was watching (strangely on the return leg I was allowed to wear them right up until we landed!)

I'm not really selling this as highlight of the week am I? Lol.

Seriously though, the instances above made the flight less comfortable than it could have been but I made it to Dubai safe and sound with several complimentary G&T's consumed and the prospect of a week of sun, relaxation and exploration ahead of me - that certainly made it the highlight of an otherwise very stressful and exhausting week!

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Highlight of the week 05/02/12 - 11/02/12

I know, I know, this is way overdue but I really have been a busy girl! Hence, I've decided to add the dates for each week to the title so you have a fighting chance of keeping up! ;-)

The highlight for this week was undoubtedly the dinner party I attended on the Saturday night :-) Spoilt is not the word! The guests I mean, not the food which was absolutely scrumdiddlyumptious, courtesy of our very talented hostess!

The menu was as follows:

Starter - Apple and onion soup with crumbled Stilton (Sounds strange, tastes yummy!)
Main - Pan fried Sea Bass with lemon thyme butter (Spinach tarlet was the vegetarian option), served with baby potatoes, stirfry cabbage with mushrooms and beansprouts
Dessert - Soft chocolate pudding, coffee and mints.

Six of us girlies gathered for this little soire and, as is always the case when we get together, the conversation flowed, giggles were had, bargain buys were envied and stories were shared...  Add delicious food and drink into the mix and you have a winning night!

It was a fabulous evening which has most definitely provided me with the inspiraton to hold dinner parties myself this year :-)

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Highlight of the week

I have decided that introducing this as a weekly feature to my blog will not only ensure regular articles are posted but will also mean I take the time to reflect upon my week and appreciate the good bits :-)

It might be a personal achievement, another persons good news or maybe just something that made me really smile. There could be several equally 'high' moments during the course of a week... If so, I will choose just one that I think will be of most interest to you, the reader :-)

So, what was the highlight from the past week?

Well, to say my running week started on a rubbish note is a bit of an understatement! Having spent most of Saurday feeling a little 'eurgh' and with no appetite, the Sunday morning run was never a good idea... But, I had committed to it and if I've said I'll be somewhere, I will! It was only 7 miles, a distance I never think twice about doing and although obviously running on empty, I wasn't concerned, I could work through it... Right..? Wrong! I managed 3.5 miles and arrived home feeling wobbly, disappointed and very annoyed with myself.

Now, I know you're probably thinking this doesn't sound like much of a highlight, bear with me... In order to convey the moment effectively, I feel I must elaborate upon the days and events leading up to it.

Fast forward to Tuesday, I was still feeling a little drained but I knew the cold weather and hectic last few days of the month at work were the main culprits, on the whole I was looking forward to finishing work, pulling my trainers on and getting out there! Unfortunately, the last working day of the month didn't go quite as planned and by the time figures were balanced and I left the office it was too late to get to running club :-( I was somewhat frustrated but equally grateful that I could go home, eat and sleep!

A blink of the eye and Thursday was here, the next club running night. Gym bag packed and full of good intentions I headed off to work but boy was I tired! The benefit of the long and deep sleep of Tuesday night had been wiped out by the later than expected bedtime on Wednesday (pub quiz) night. As the working day drew to a close I wrangled - do I run? (I felt I should) or do I head home and rest? (This seemed the most sensible option). Decision made, I left the office without getting changed (I generally do change at work if I'm running, to save time). It was cold, I was tired and I couldn't face another lethargic, poor run...

Almost home, the Alexander Stadium came into view and that's when it hit me... When did I start making excuses and being pathetic?! 'I'm cold and tired', well if that's my excuse tonight it could easily be for the next few months, we've only just begun our winter and Wednesday night is always quiz night - if I didn't make the effort tonight I would be starting on the slippery slope of excuseness! I still wasn't really feeling it when I pulled on to the car park so I tagged myself as being there on Facebook, that way I had to go through with it - I'd be bombarded with various texts and comments later if I didn't!

We were barely out of the stadium grounds and on to the road when I realised I had definitely done the right thing :-) The icy blast on my face alleviated the tiredness, the rest of my body had warmed up already and I was surrounded by people who both inspire and entertain me - It then seemed crazy to me that I'd momentarily forgotten the power of running, how nothing else seems to matter and how alive it makes me feel.

On Thursday night we ran 6 miles, not a long run but it was the most amazing run for me and I went home on such a high :-) 3 days later and I'm still smiling about it... Proof, if ever proof was needed that we can all have an off day but that doesn't mean just because we feel tired we shouldn't run... I'm sooooo glad I made the effort!

What was the highlight of your week?

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Four by Four

It's been a while!

The easiest excuse to make would be that I've been too busy. I have, in actual fact, had more time on my hands than usual over the last month or so. The reality is that I've been wrangling with how to further develop this blog. I have a number of draught articles at varying stages of completion but for one reason or another now just isn't the right time to complete or post them.

Today however, I happened upon this little "Four" survey and decided it could be a great way to kickstart my blog again, particularly if I approach it from two different angles... Firstly from a workout/fitness viewpoint and secondly from a home/social viewpoint - my belief being that the environment and mental zone one is in will naturally mean the answers will be very different!

The workout/fitness survey

1. Four states I have seen (Having never worked out or ran in the US I shall change this to UK counties!)

Staffordshire: I completed my very first half marathon in Lichfield! I also have ran a number of 10K races in Staffordshire including Fradley and Cannock Chase and it's not uncommon for me to be seen putting in the training miles in around the small villages of Gnosall and Church Eaton some weekends.
Tyne & Wear: I completed my second, and the worlds most famous half marathon 'The Great North Run' in Newcastle (this used to be part of the county of Northumberland until border reforms in 1974).
Berkshire: I ran an 8K race in Windsor last year, little did I know that there was a HM race the following day but as I sustained a foot injury shortly ahead of the race, that was probably a blessing in disguise!
West Sussex: I have never ran a race here but I do have a fellow running friend who lives in Arudel and with whom I've had the pleasure of running over the beautiful South Downs with.

2. Four smells I love

The wood/forest after rainfall: I love the damp earthy smell that penetrates my nostrils when I veer off the road into woodland... All at once the change of surroundings and smells transports me into a magical kingdom! I get lost in the beauty of the nature that surrounds me and even on hot sunny days, woodland never seems to lose that cooling damp mustiness.
Ralgex: This is not a smell I would like or appreciate at any other time but in a race, particularly at the start when everyone is huddled together, anxiously anticipating the starting gun, the air is filled with the aroma of Ralgex and, for some reason, I find it strangely reassuring!
8 hour cream: Workouts, particularly in colder weather can really take their toll on skin so I use Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream to avoid dry chapped skin - the smell is quite old fashioned and I suppose a little 'medicinal', not like the modern fragrances we are used to these days, but I find it quite comforting.
Bacon: For me a bacon sandwich and a cuppa is the perfect post-race brunch!

3. Four goals I've set this year

Get a new half marathon PB: I have done three HM's to date and each so far has been a new PB put there's always room for improvement!
Get back to doing regular Body Pump: Over the last twelve months, running has been my main focus and as the BP classes at the gym were on the same night as run club they took a back seat :-( I miss the classes and I miss my guns!
Remain injury free: Last year saw me sustain a few injuries, hopefully with regular sports therapy, foam rolling and being patient when I need to be, this should be achievable.
Strengthen my core: Core Stability is key to a good performance in any physical sport - I have great strength in my abdominal muscles but my back strength lets me down - cue the newly purchased gym ball and also the return to BP will help.

4.  Four TV shows I love to watch

The Biggest Loser: Watching people transform their bodies through diet and exercise is amazing.
Fat Fighters: As above
The Great North Run: The most famous HM marathon in the world!
UK Athletics: Always good to follow home grown talent :-)


The home/social survey

1. Four states I have seen

Illinois: This was a few years ago on a holiday to Chicago, my first taste of the US and I loved it!
Indiana: This was the same holiday, we travelled to Indianapolis for a few days.
Louisiana: Last year I went on a Caribbean and Mexican Rivera cruise which set sail from New Orleans - definitely a place I want to revisit!
Texas: We stopped off at Houston en route back from New Orleans, unfortunately we only had six or seven hours there but still keep in touch with some Texans so maybe one day I'll be back :-)

2. Four smells I love (This one will be tough, there are so many!).

Cinnamon: It works so well in everything from pies & sauces to Chinese spring rolls and hot cider (not that I eat that many or drink that much I hasten to add!)  Interestingly, cinnamon sticks also make a great addition to the vacuum cleaner bag - they are great for neutralising odours and actual have antimicrobial properties.
ASDA Antiseptic Disinfectant Fresh: A disinfectant without the disinfectant smell, this is my regular household cleaner and I love coming home to the fresh clean scent.
Wood: Particularly freshly sawn wood. Mmmm, I wish someone would create a 'freshly sawn wood' air freshener, I would buy it!
Nivea Soft moisturising cream: It's lush! :-)

3. Four goals I've set this year

To get my muscle definition back: It's still there but not as sculpted and that can make a huge difference when choosing what to wear for an evening out.
Lower my mortgage term: It currently has 11 years left, I'd like to see that halved but even a third off that time would be good.
Start holding dinner parties: Not 'Come Dine With Me' styleeee though... I want to entertain, not chain myself to the oven!
Dip my toe in the dating pool again: I'm still not sure about this one, I have a full and active, fun-filled life, I rarely get lonely or feel unfulfilled and to be honest if I'm going to make the time in my busy schedule to accommodate another person they will need to be super amazing! You know, I think I just talked myself out of this one... We'll see!

4. Four TV shows I love to watch

Doctor Who: Those who have read my previous blogs will require no explanation, those who haven't... Read them, then you'll know!
Torchwood: A spin off series from (and also an anagram of) Doctor Who.
True Blood: I'm two seasons into this four season (to date) programme, it rocks!
Hollyoaks: The only soap I watch and having grown up with programmes such as Grange Hill and Brookside courtesy of Mr Phil Redmond it seems only natural that I would embrace the, sometimes controversial, Chester based soap.

So there it is, my two takes on the Four by Four survey. Hopefully that will give you a greater insight into lil ole me!

Feel free to play along if you like :-)

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Marbles

Marbles (Marbi), my baby girl, was a beautiful tortoiseshell cat & the best companion a girl could wish for.

Today marks the three year anniversary of her departure from this world so it seems only fitting that I write an article in tribute to her.

Marbi came into my life, very unexpectedly, on January 5th 1996 - it was my 21st Birthday & she was the best present ever!  I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never own a cat as the person I lived with back then was allergic to pets... Luckily the allergy was shortlived, as is often the case with house pets, & Marbi became part of my life :-)

Before coming to me Marbi was living as feral, taking refuge in the Britvic factory in Tamworth, Staffordshire where the staff used to feed her titbits whenever she was around. Ironically just a few months before I had applied for a job at the very same plant! All was well until it became apparent that Robins were nesting there & therefore the arrangement couldn't continue so the local Cat Protection League was called & Marbi, thought to be approx 2.5 years old, was taken away, checked over, spayed & put up for adoption... I have a lot to thank those Robins & Britvic staff for!

In the years that followed I moved about quite a bit, relocating 4 times in fact, but that never phased Marbi - she was always by my side, more like a dog than a cat in that respect, & as long as I was there she was fine - after the 2nd relocation I let her outside right away, she came back no problem, I never doubted she would - we were a team :-) She was a great traveller too, sharing car journeys with me 2 or 3 times a week for several years - I know that would be hell for most cats but not Marbi.

Marbi's finest moment came when she cured my short-sightedness... No, this isn't a typo or a moment of over active imagination on my part!  In my early twenties I was prescribed eyeglasses & contact lenses - the sight of my right eye was only a fraction out, had both eyes been the same I wouldn't have needed these vision aids but unfortunately my left eye was worse... One morning Marbi woke me in her usually manner, padding my face to alert me it was breakfast time, she was persistant in this activity, not stopping until I had roused from slumber! On this occasion however, her paw made contact with my eye just as I opened it... Her claw had split my left eye lens! The result was perfect vision for the next two weeks - apparently the split lens had a similar effect to laser treatment, the surface of the eye being made flatter than before - & when fully healed, eyesight checks determined that the sight of my left eye no longer warranted a vision aid.  Two years on and another eye test confirmed this was still the case :-) My baby girl had fixed me!

My fondest memories of Marbi are of her 'helping' me in the garden - during summer weekends we would spend whole days together - I would be weeding, planting, pruning, mowing - Marbi would be bounding around the lawn, pouncing on what I am convinced were imaginary insects, diving into bags of cuttings or just lazing around in the sun... Apart from when the mower was in use - I could never understand how she would chase a lawnmower around but run in terror from a vacuum cleaner!

Bedtime also provided quality Marbi moments - each night she would climb into bed wriggle down head first, place her head on my knee & her paws around my leg... So very cute & cosy :-)

November 2008 saw Marbi go off her food... She could be a fussy madam & as such I wasn't too concerned at first when she appeared to turn her nose up at the latest offerings.  It soon became apparent however that something wasn't right.  A trip to the emergency vets showed nothing out of the ordinary, they thought she was just feeling a little off & sent her home with an injection & some medicine. Back to the vets & after a day on a drip they sent her home again with instructions to return if she didn't eat overnight.

She had become so weak over the last few days that the usual bedtime routine of climbing into bed had stopped - she would sleep all night in the same spot beside me on the bed. When our final night together came both knew... Marbi pulled herself up & made her way towards me, slowly & with help she clambered into bed for a cuddle one last time - I will treasure that moment forever & ever.

Marbi fell asleep in my arms on 14th November 2008 after being diagnosed with fluid on the lungs which was too advanced to treat.  I live with the guilt that if I'd realised something was wrong sooner then maybe she could have been saved & lived a few more years but I have to give myself a reality check - Marbi & I shared almost 13 fantastic years, she was loved, well cared for & adored - she was my little boo!

Marbi - July 1993 - Nov 2008

Photographs of her still adorn my walls & she will always be remembered as the cheeky little torty that she was :-)

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Hallowe'en

Hallowe'en is without doubt my favourite annual event! 

I'm not exactly sure why... I guess if I thought long & hard I could come up with a number of different reasons - my love of spiders, fascination with skulls & interest in pretty much anything spooky mcdooky spring to mind straight away - but I suppose the most obvious contributor is my love of fancy dress :-)

You will probably have gleaned already from a previous post that I am no stranger to such antics! I don't need much of an excuse & certainly no encouragement to dress up fancy dress styleee... I'd have a fancy dress party once a month if it were down to me! But it's not, & therein lies the reason why I think I get so excited about Hallowe'en... It's the one time of the year when those who usually shy away from dressing up, thinking those of us that do slightly extrovert & crazy, relent and join in the fun!

On 31st October (& the weekend preceding or following it) it becomes perfectly acceptable to frequent city bars, village pubs & walk the streets wearing odd looking wigs, outrageous makeup, freaky masks, ripped/stained articles of clothing &, most scarily of all, carry weapons! Albeit pretend ones of course... It's even considered acceptable by many to knock the doors of strangers for 'trick or treat'!

Some people go even further, spending hours decorating their houses & hosting their own Hallowe'en parties -  a number of which I've been fortunate enough to attend. Most years I manage to attend two Hallowe'en events - usually one publicly hosted & one privately hosted & of course, I ensure I have a different costume for each event ;-)

This year, Hallowe'en falls a week before Pay Day Friday... Not to be discouraged however, we have decided to have Scary PDF instead - a week later & anything goes costume-wise as long as it's scary! Our local PDF haunt (see what I did there?) Bluu http://bluu.co.uk/ have even arranged to have the bar decked out for us with spooky decorations even though it will be 4th November :-)

Here are some outfits from recent years:

2008 - Bluu

2009 - House Party, Cambs

2009 - Hallowe'en Bonfire

2010 - Apres

2010 - Hallowe'en Bonfire

This year my costume is 'zombie prom queen', nearly all sorted & boy am I excited! Particularly as I can't make the Hallowe'en Bonfire event this year :-( 

I have however, already decided upon my costume for 2012... ;-) A whole year to work on putting it together - woohoo!

Happy Hallowe'en folks!

My very first pumpkin!  I was so very proud :-)

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Holidays

I live for my holidays...  No, I really do!  It's a phrase that's often banded about & I have no doubt that most people do enjoy their break away or, at the very least, their break from work - it is, after all, human nature. Holidays to me however, are much more than a break away from the daily grind... Holidays are up there with running for me (& sometimes I'm lucky enough to combine the two!) & to that end I make the most of every single day of annual leave I have from work. Each holiday to me is another exciting adventure!

So, what kind of holiday is my 'type'? Well, in truth I don't really stick to one type of holiday, in fact they vary tremendously between camping, city breaks, beach holidays, sight seeing holidays, cruises & of course, long weekends catching up with friends who have moved away.

For the most part I am a solo traveller - some would probably think that lonely or boring but for me it just adds to the 'adventure'! I am a great believer that there is no better travel companion than yourself. Seeing the sights & exploring new locations without having to accommodate the plans of others or having a day of sun & solitude on the beach with a good book, a gorgeous view & little interruption for me is a perfect way to spend the day on holiday - couple that with evenings of socialising with friends who live locally, friends who have also travelled to the chosen destination or even people you have only just met (after all strangers are just friends you don't know yet) & I believe you have the perfect holiday mix!

There is the inevitable downside to travelling. Long journey times, unscheduled delays, waiting around for connecting trains/flights & in some cases jetlag can all take their toll & mar an otherwise relaxing/action packed* (delete as appropriate) break... That is, if you let it!

Of course, I'd rather not have any of the downsides but it happens... Yes it's an inconvenience but strangely, it's also often an opportunity! I've met the most interesting people, sampled the strangest foods & made some unique purchases whilst travelling to & from holiday locations - there's no better way to pass the time than to engage in a random conversation or activity that under normal circumstances you probably wouldn't & I often find those experiences teach me something new.

There's a whole world out there to see, so many people to meet, places to visit & yet a relatively short lifetime to fit it all in.  Even if time or funds mean the distance is limited, there will be so many hidden jewels nearby that many of us won't have scratched the surface of yet!

I usually have 2 or 3 breaks planned ahead, albeit loosely, so each time I return home I have something else to look forward to :-)  Not only that, I find working this way means I never get caught in the 'I meant to sort something out but never got around to it' trap which I hear so often.  When I reach retirement age I want to look back on a life of adventure & randomness, not one of missed opportunities & routineness.

On that note, I'd better crack on... I have another case to pack! ;-)

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

Post Race Review

Well... What can I say?

I DID IT!

I completed the Great North Run & it was totally awesome! :-)

Those of you who read my last post (see below/archive) will recall that nerves had kicked somewhat during the week leading up to the race - I feel therefore, it's only right that I update you with regards to my experience of the weekend & the worlds most famous half marathon!

The weekend got off to quite a good start... Having decided to catch the train to Newcastle & therefore negate the potential parking issues (& potential clutch control issues en route home!) I arrived at Birmingham New Street in plenty of time - after all the hard work I had put in, this was one train I wasn't going to miss! Soon enough conversations were struck up with other waiting passengers - funny how we all become instant friends when waiting/queueing - & before long topics turned to destinations & reasons for travel... OMG, I knew I was excited but I had not realised how proud saying 'I'm off to Newcastle to do the Great North Run' would make me feel! Even more shocking, I hadn't anticipated peoples reactions - I might as well have said I was off to compete in the Olympics or have tea with the Queen they were so in awe! You know when you're bursting with pride & have one of those ear to ear beaming smile that just won't budge? That was me before I even left Birmingham :-)

On arrival in Newcastle I was extremely pleased to learn that not only was my accommodation fairly near to the centre but it was actually walking distance to the start line :-) Not bad considering I'd booked the hotel relatively late for this type of event... I didn't know exactly where the start line was yet but hey, with 54,000 people doing the race I figured that was one detail which would surely become obvious on the day ;-)

After checking in & feeding on the obligatory pre race pasta-tastic meal it was time to learn more about the route.  Now at the time it seemed like a good idea & whilst I was doing the race it was so useful to have an idea of what was coming up next but travelling the 13.1 miles by car & experiencing the gradients of the route the night before makes an already awe inspiring race seem extremely daunting! I've never compared running & driving miles in the same thought space before, they've always been completely separate activities in my head...  Luckily the rational part of my thinking prevailed & the knowledge that I could do this distance stifled any doubts I had.


So, the morning of the race dawned... I was excited, maybe a little apprehensive but there was a persistant niggling thought which dogged me - do I or do I not take a running jacket with me? Now I'm sure many of you reading this will find that hilarious (although not nearly as funny as my solution) but those of you who feel the cold will, I'm certain, understand my predicament... Do I freeze pre race & start miserably with potentially numb fingers & toes  - the joys of Raynauds Syndrome - or do I keep warm in a jacket but then have to be too hot running in it or become SuperGirl half way through the race & have my 'cape' flapping at my legs for the remaining distance?  I flicked through the Bupa running guide for inspiration - it would appear many runners wear old clothing, discard it at the start & clothing charities collect it - fab idea but I hadn't shelled out on a great running jacket to bin it!

And there my lightbulb moment appeared!  I ran down to reception and asked them, in a way that I hoped wouldn't sound too weird, if they had a binbag to spare! I knew I was being revolutionary & they might think me very odd... Well, that was until, without batting an eyelid, the receptionist said 'sure, here you go' - apparently that's what many runners do pre race!  I guess having always run local races with plentiful nearby parking & most of them in warmer weather, I've never faced this dilemma before but sure enough I got to the start line & the majority of runners either wore paint/oil stained clothing or bin liners!  Guess what my new 'essential item' is?

Fast forward 30 mins & after checking I had everything I needed I departed the hotel & as expected no map was required - swarms of runners were all heading one way, the sun was shining, the hum of music could be heard in the distance & the atmosphere was electric - it was right then that I realised something was missing... The nerves had gone!

The start of the Great North Run always looks very impressive on TV, swathes of people, some in fancy dress, all crowded together in anticipation... Being there & part of it though is something else entirely! I can only describe the feeling as one of headiness - the mood is one of excitement, optimism, anticipation & determination, people are happy, helpful, looking out for each other & the air is filled with the undeniable fragrance of runners - Ralgex!

The gun fired at 10:40 followed by a fog horn & the Red Arrows flew overhead - they are always present at the GNR but this year was more poignant than ever as the foghorn had been sounded by Dr Emma Egging, the wife of the late Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging - I think it was then that I got the first lump in my throat... Within moments Mo Farah was visible on the big screens leaning over to tap the hands of runners as they passed by - the race had officially begun! I however, had not taken a step! It started with a shuffle, then a slow walk, then a canter until finally the start line was in sight... I crossed the line just after 11am!  Yes, over 20 mins to reach the start line, and in my excitement of the increasingly exhilirating atmosphere I forgot to start the timer on my sports watch! I remembered around .20 of a mile in & started it then but it didn't really matter as we were all wearing personalised timing chips anyway.

The first mile saw us run under a series of bridges & it was then that I fully realised the camaraderie that this event evokes... Every bridge we ran under someone would shout 'oggy oggy oggy' & of course, the response came back 'oi, oi, oi' - loud not just because of the number of people but also the acoustic effect of the bridge formations.  Particularly warming was the fact that there were no leaders in the starting of an 'oggy' chant - it fell to whichever man, woman or youth felt the urge & whoever got there first... :-)

By the time we were all 'oggy'd' out we had reached the Tyne Bridge - this for me was a definite highlight of the race - to run over such a famous landmark with all it's fine architecture & hundreds of people lining each side was simply breathtaking! The sun was beaming down on us & I can remember feeling so happy & incredulous (& probably a little emotional again) at being part of such an amazing event.

By mile 5 the sun was really feeling hot and as if by magic (and probably in answer to a lot of runners prayers!) the sky went overcast & that 'fine misty rain that soaks yer right through' appeared - total bliss!  At this point the streets had become a sea of spectators all wishing us well & willing us on... The children in particular were little stars all standing with their hands out to be 'tagged' so it was only polite to oblige... :-)

Mile 8 appeared & this is when the knee niggle really decided to act up :-( Ouch was not the word & at mile 10 when the heavens literally opened up wide & sent torrential rain pouring down on us it was tough going!  I'd come this far though, there was no way I was going to quit, even if I had to hobble for the next week or two so armed with thoughts of those who are braver and less fortunate I gritted my teeth and dug deep... Before I knew it the sea was in sight & I realised I had climbed my last hill & was almost at mile 12 - I've always been a fan of sea views but this - this was a beauty!

I was already forearmed with the knowledge that the last mile in along the sea front goes on 'forever' & had already made up my mind to savour every moment of it - my pace picked up & my knee, what knee?! I ducked in & out of gaps between fellow runners, smiling to myself everytime I heard grumble of 'this mile is lasting forever' - I was running the last 800m, the last 400m, the last 200m... I had run all the way from Newcastle & was crossing the finish line of the Great North Run in South Shields. I had done it!

Furthermore, I managed to knock 13 mins off my last half marathon time - proof, if ever any were needed that my decision to join a running club was most definitely the right one!

I hope to be back in 2012, if I am lucky enough to secure another place... Keep those fingers crossed!

***Be sure to check out the blog archive on the right for previous posts***

The BUPA Great North Run

The BUPA Great North Run is a half marathon race that starts in Newcastle & finishes in South Shields http://www.greatrun.org/Events/Event.aspx?id=1  It is now in it's 31st year and although it has a huge 54,000 entry limit, places get snapped up very quickly & it is always full to capacity months ahead of the race.

I mentioned in a previous post that the Great North Run was the race that had inspired me to take my running to the next level & that I had hoped one day to take part, so you can imagine my extreme delight when I managed to secure one of 50 'last chance' places offered by BUPA back in July... To say I was 'over the moon' is somewhat of an understatement!

Now we have less than 6 days to go until race day.  The excitement is still very much there but for some bizarre reason, nerves are present too... I've never had pre race nerves so what is that all about?

• Is it my first Half Marathon?   No
• Have I trained hard enough?  Yes

So I have nothing to worry about... Right?

Well, I do have a slight knee niggle but nothing that sports massages and determination on the day won't overcome so why the sudden nerves?

Let's go back to the Great North Run not being my first half marathon... It is in fact only my second so I'm by no means experienced at this distance! 

The first was the Lichfield half marathon, a spontaneous decision which meant (maybe foolishly) that it was a race for which I only had 5 weeks to train. It was on familiar 'home turf', which to date all my races have been & I was, at that time, training alone - my aim was simply to finish... To ideally get to at least 10 miles & then take it half a mile at a time - I had nothing to prove to anyone, no previous goals to beat, & no disgrace if I couldn't run the whole way. 

As it turned out in the end I did rather well! I didn't slow to a 'fast walk' until 11.75 miles and then I picked it back up at 12.1 miles to run the last mile in - I was over the moon &, as is always the case with me, crossed the line to the mixed emotions of elation, nausea & the overwhelming urge to cry!

Fast forward now to the upcoming Great North Run & I think the reasons for my nerves are becoming apparent - I say 'becoming' as they are actually presenting themselves to me as I type... There's no better way to ponder and conclude than to get words down on paper (or screen as the medium now is!)

The Great North Run as I mentioned earlier is a HUGE event... 54,000 entrants of which approx 40,000 ran last year - that in itself makes for a daunting race.  Couple that with the fact that it's televised... Now, I'm not shy in the slightest - point a camera at me & I smile (often to others annoyance) but if I'm captured I hope it's because I'm running well, not hobbling along injured making a show of myself!

The race is also in an area I'm not very familiar with... I've been to Newcastle a couple of times before but don't know the area well by any means & certainly don't have the 'back of my hand' knowledge which has stood me in good stead for all my previous races.

Finally, & probably the biggest point to make here, is the fact that I have been training for months, not just 5 weeks & with a very established club - Birchfield Harriers. 3 times a week every week I have worked hard, been put through my paces & pushed to raise my game, the focus has been on regulating my pace, increasing my stamina & improving my technique.

This time I feel I do have something to prove & having already completed one half marathon means I do now have a previous goal to beat... No wonder the nerves are kicking in!

This years Great North Run will see Mo Farah (world 5000m champion) start the race.  He will be joined by the Red Arrows who will also fly over Tyne Bridge in the 'missing man' formation in tribute to their colleague 'Red 4' Flt Lt Jon Egging who was tragically killed last month & then perform their traditional display at the South Shields finish line.

The nerves might well be brewing but I'm kinda guessing (& hoping) that the excitement & atmosphere on the day means they won't get a look in! ;-)