Posted on September 08, 2014 by Jenny Cromack

Did you watch the Great North Run this weekend? What an inspiring event it is! Not only are athletes such as Mo Farah and Mike Kigen an inspiration for completing the 13.1 mile distance in 60 minutes, the time it takes many people to run a 10k, but the thousands and thousands of people who run it are a huge inspiration. I personally find the people who run it in fancy dress the most inspiring, these people have selflessly given up the chase of a PB to raise money for charity. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve been in awe of people running in huge costumes, baking in the sun, whilst I’ve been struggling to run in normal running attire at the same pace!

I’ll be honest I’ve done the Great North Run once before and I didn’t enjoy it. I don’t find running in big crowds like that enjoyable, despite how well organised runs like the GNR and The London Marathon are. It takes ages to get over the start line, you’re constantly surrounded by people jostling you around (I like space when I run!), one year in the London Marathon I even got knocked over whilst people either trampled or jumped over me! Not fun! But I know that some people love the buzz of a big event like the Great North Run so each to their own.

So, on Sunday, whilst the GNR was underway I completed the Vale of York Half Marathon, and what a lovely run it was. Well, to be honest, I actually completed 21 miles as I was using it as a training run for my marathon in October. Crazy fool I hear you cry!!

You had to pick your race number up on the morning so I got there early and picked up my number. My plan was to run 7 miles before the race and therefore do 20 miles in total. I don’t mind admitting, I’m getting cold feet about my marathon, I’m questioning whether I can run the time I need for a PB as I’ve had a couple of niggling injuries which seem to be slowing me down so I thought I’d try to run as much of the distance as I could at an 8:00 min/mile pace. My race pace for the marathon needs to be 7:50 min/mile so I thought this would give me a good idea where I am at with my training. So, I pinned my number to my vest and set of on my 7 miler before the race, I decided to just do an out and back down the B1222. Little did I know when I planned this on MapMyRun the day before that this was the road the majority of the traffic would be arriving on to get to the race so I think I confused a lot of people who saw me running along….I think they though they had missed the start…..thinking about it though, if they did then I must have been miles in the lead since there was no-one else around me. Oh, how I can dream!!! In that case then they probably thought I was just mad for doing extra!

So, 7 miles done in an average of 7:55 min/mile and it felt pretty good! I got back to the start and realised there was still about 10-15 minutes before the start. If I stayed still my legs would seize up so I decided to do another mile nice and steady. I know I said I was only going to do 20 but what did another mile matter (a lot as my poor little legs found out towards the end!) I then jumped into the starting pen and waited to start, trying to move around a little so my legs didn’t want to stop working altogether.

So, the race began and typically for me I got caught up with the faster people and did my next mile in 7:30 min/mile! Now, I’m a bit of a sod for setting off too fast and thinking ‘this feels ok, let’s see how long I can keep it up’ and then dying half way so I thought I better hold back a bit. I slowed down to a 8:00 min/mile pace and felt pretty good.

It was hot, hot, hot on Sunday and the first 3 miles of the road where pretty much on open road with no shade. The course followed a lovely route in Sherburn in Elmet and was pretty flat, once we got towards Bishop Wood there was some sought after shade.

Due to a couple of niggles I’ve encountered in training, I wore Rock Kinesiology Tape to help, I must say I’ve never worn Kinesio Tape before but I’ve worn it a couple of times in training and I really feel the benefit. I had strapped both legs up for niggling achilles issues and my right leg was strapped up for shin splints (yes I know, I sound like such a good bill of health!!). At least I was colourful…..pink shorts and vest, black tape and green trainers….a fashion disaster some of you may think with that combination of colours!!

I took water on board every 2 miles like I tend to do on hot days, but I was a little conscious that I might not have enough for 21 miles and so in hindsight, I probably didn’t take enough on board as I had a stinking head ache all day yesterday. I had a gel at 10 miles and 16 miles and felt like this was enough.

I felt pretty comfortable at an 8:00 min/mile pace until about 15 miles and then it began to get tough. My breathing was fine but my legs were not! My right hamstring was really tight and this affected my running style and pace. I was really having to push myself to keep going and concentrate on keeping my running style natural. In the end I slowed to around 8:30 min/mile for the last 5 miles and whilst this is ok for a training run it is not ok for the marathon! I must improve otherwise my chance of getting a PB or at least equalling last years result is out of the question! At least on the day I’ll be running on fresh legs as I will have tapered for a couple of weeks before. I almost stopped at 20 miles as this was my initial target but with everyone else working hard around me I just couldn’t so I completed the full course. I felt a mixture of emotions afterwards, elated that I had completed 21 miles but a bit miffed about my pace.

So tight hamstrings are one to add to the niggle list now, maybe I could tape them up on the day along with my achilles? Maybe I might tape my whole body up and run dressed as a mummy and join all those selfless people who run the GNR in fancy dress?!

On a serious note though, this is the first year the Vale of York Half Marathon has been held and it was amazing. A lovely scenic run and very well organised, I would certainly recommend it next year. I know the guys who organised it so well done Mark and Martin! Awesome event.