Couch to The Great North Run – Part 2
Fast-forward four weeks (or click my third-ever Strava activity – your call), and I was back out the door in my trainers. This time, I had one goal: don’t do anything daft.
I kept it short – just 24 minutes of run/walk covering 1.8 miles. Sensible. Sensible enough, in fact, that I took the next day off completely. When nothing flared up, I ran again: 2 miles in 23 minutes 30. Still sensible.
This steady “build it slowly, rest often” rhythm seemed to be working. By October, I’d gone from 3.5 miles in 49 minutes (back in August) to 5 miles in 58 minutes – and my pace had improved to around 10:30/mile. I was buzzing.
It was then I gave myself a goal: The Great North Run.
I didn’t know when the ballot would open, but I was in. Name in the hat. I wanted it.
But then… injury. Again.
Once I passed the 8K mark, the pain returned – this time in the other foot. Self-diagnosed as strained ligaments (as any medical professional runner would), I knew I needed help. A colleague – a veteran runner – recommended I get my gait checked and shoes fitted properly.
I took the advice and visited a big-name running store in the city. After a few assessments, they declared me flat-footed and in need of support shoes. I walked out with a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13s.
They felt brilliant. Couldn’t wait to try them. After another week or so of rest, I eased back in:
1.6 miles, rest. 2.8 miles, rest. 3.1 miles in 33 minutes – and so on.
By January 2014, I entered the Great North Run ballot. A few clicks and a card number later, I was in. It felt good… until February, when it became real: I got in.
That changed everything.
With a half marathon looming, I wanted to make it count. I signed up to raise money for four charities that meant something personal to me and my family:
🟠 Cancer Research
🟠 Motor Neurone Disease Association
🟠 Tommy’s
🟠 Action Duchenne
I kept building. Kept resting. By March, I hit 9 miles.
That’s when I heard about a local beginner’s running group launching an intermediate session – Hirst Welfare Runners. Sounded ideal.
I joined in May, right as I was hitting 10-mile long runs. On day one, I met some incredible people – friendly, welcoming, and full of knowledge. The coach was fantastic. I learned about parkrun, GNR prep, proper gear, body glide (yep) – all the little things that help you level up. By June, I had new friends, a solid support system, and even a lift to the start line sorted.
Everything was going well.
Too well.
Without noticing, I’d racked up serious mileage in my Brooks. They were looking worse for wear, so I headed back to the shop for advice. I was shown three options:
- Nikes (too tight)
- Asics (wrong kind of support, they said)
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14s (the newer version of what I had)
I was steered toward the new Brooks. In hindsight? Probably just an easy sale.
Still, I had new shoes – and a new problem: nerves.
To get a feel for race day pressure, I signed up for my first official event: the Morpeth 10K. I found it on northeastraces.com and saw that I could register on the night. Perfect. I was going to be all over that in my new shoes – and that full story’s in Part 3: Hitting My First Race – The Morpeth 10K.
Now it was real. GNR was happening – and I was going to be ready for it.