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Great North Run 2010
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My first Great North Run and I was pleased with my 1 hour 56 minutes. On the whole it was a great day although I do have two criticisms.
1. The organisation of the zones (in particular zone D) was shambolic. Myself and a colleague entered Zone D from the right hand side as you faced the start line. It was clear that far more runners were trying to enter zone D from this side and the stewards were getting pretty heavy handed in trying to prevent too many runners from entering. At one point the barriers were close to falling over, runners were trying to get under them, over them, whatever it took to get in the zone. I think an announcement should have been made to advise runners a lot earlier to use the entry on both sides of the road. When we eventually got running it appeared that there were far fewer runners on the left side which was under-filled compared to the right hand side which was overflowing. I think that this is something that the organisers should look at as it could have resulted in an accident.
2. As already mentioned by other posts there was a serious problem regarding overtaking slower runners/walkers. I appreciate that it is a charitable event and everyone runs at a different pace but at the same time I don't think it is fair that you have to overtake people who are walking down the middle of the road at the three mile mark! Irrespective of your fitness/running level you should have a fairly good idea in the weeks leading up to the race as to whether your predicted time is accurate. Personally I put down a predicted time of 1.30 - 1.40 which was zone B, but due to my training not going as well as I had hoped I knew that this was unachievable so I moved back to Zone D (1.50 - 2.00) on the day. Ignoring the people that picked up injuries on the day, there were clearly a lot of runners starting in the wrong zones as they were clearly off the pace and should have moved back to slower zones. It seemed that at times you had to run sideways to get round the obstacles, and I totally sympathise with those who were going for a PB and had this problem. You expect runners to show fatigue towards the latter part of the race and the pace to slow but at the three mile mark?
Other than that it was a great event. I also enjoyed my ice bath in the sea after the race, I can highly recommend it.
snap LFC, am also running tonight, but it will be short and slow
"On a tip off from Bolden Collier (thank you so much)"
Glad it worked out well for you!
Great posts RLTW and Shielsy!!!
Loving the race reports that are still being posted!
Great Race reports everyone.
Race photos are now starting to appear on http://www.marathon-photos.com
http://www.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event.py?event=Sports/GRUK/2010/Bupa%20Great%20North%20Run
I only see 5 pics?
Hi again.
I may just be stepping off my soapbox today
Vixx - Nice running (& walking). You did really well considering your back problems -and a perfectly decent time. Hope we get in the same pen next year (and that you stay in it long enough to have a chat
)
Feeling really strong today. Would have gone for a run but was working all day til about 7pm - then it's 'mothering skills' time !
I was still walking like John Wayne today, and making horrid groaning noises every time I sat down, or tried to get back up again... but I just did 4 miles on the treadmill and i'm very proud of myself for that!
2 weeks and I have to do it all over again at the New Balance English Half!
Hopefully my legs will have stopped creaking by then!
I had an amazing race. Tanni Grey-Thompson handed me a water bottle at mile 8!
Didn't get my target time, but wouldn't have swapped my experience for any time goal. And I raised over £1,300 for Sands, the neonatal death and stillbirth charity.
Full story on my running blog http://bit.ly/gnr10blog
Just back after a great weekend in Newcastle!
Well done to everyone who finished!
Swansea Bay 10K this Sunday,Cardiff Half 17 Oct! Bring 'em on!!!
Fingers crossed for next year!
This was my first GNR and only my second Half marathon. I ran Sheffield in 2:13:12 and was really looking forward to SUnday's race as this was my reason to start running last year. That was until I tore a muscle in my groin in May meaning I couldn't train for a good 13 weeks. That aside I finished this year in 2:25:54. only 12 minutes slower!
I loved the atmosphere of the race, despite the weather the locals were still out enmass encouraging us and shouting my name. I loved the kids that wanted to high 5 everyone and the generosity of the people spectating was overwhelming. They had thought of everything a runner may possible find refresshing, ice-pops, drinks, fruit, chocolate, jelly babies and even wet wipes and a hose pipe - Brilliant!!
The one downside was the walkers. Not the walkers in single file on the left, but the walkers 3/4 abreast merrily chatting away to each other whilst runners are wanting to pass of get through. 13.1 miles is difficult enough with out side stepping or having to stop start your pace because people are oblivious to those around them. I actually pushed past 2 women walking side by side up the centre of the road who said to each other 'I'm doing what I hate'- well Bloody move then I wanted to say. Whilst I probably wouldn't have achieved a PB, the inconsiderate walkers didn't help!
I loved the specialness of the event and I will be back next year!!!
If anyone else is somewhat irritated that the BBC coverage was on the Red button when the majority of runners crossed the line and so weren't able to record themselves, it might (but probably will make no difference ) be worth badgering them at :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbiplayer/
2 of us have posted under the suggestions heading. You never know.
<<ducks a low flying pig>>Running is fun,training is fun,racing is fun but we are not fun runners!!!