Race Report by Stephen:
“ The things we runners do just to complete a race “
I certainly had a few little challenges on the eventual arrival at the GNR 2024 start line but this is exactly why I pretend to be a runner as it runs parallel with life itself for me ; overcoming adversity.
I was initially entered for the 2023 event but deferred due to a knee injury to this year.
Whilst out with injury last winter my mental health wasn’t recieving its runnjng help so that took a dip.
This meant getting back from the couch was a mental obstacle to overcome firstly of silly thoughts of I’m not good enough etc etc.
With this battle decided I contacted Lostock AC regarding membership as I wanted a structure and sense of belonging – I’ve not been disappointed as the club is full of the most welcoming inclusive people possible.
After a few 5ks, 10ks and parkruns GNR was upon me.
So decision time – could I run 13.1 miles when I hadn’t gone past 6.2 in any way whatsoever since 2019.
Decision made after a few positive self talk brain chats
Of course I can
Just split it up into segments and stick with my 2024 plan of establishing myself as a base ability runner again and work from there in 2025.
The day before came and I set of on the drive up to the north east
M62 closed all weekend for bridge renewal so diversions took nine hours for the 130 mile journey.
Then it was so late that I couldn’t get to my pit stop sleeping point so I thought right it’s wild camping time and that’s what I did. Sleeping in the car
Good job I have lots of experience of this to draw upon from my previous life.
Next bit of bad luck, if it wasn’t for bad luck I wouldn’t have any luck is my self joke.
Phone car charger stopped working so no contact with those back home if I allowed it to fully drain so managed to on/off my phone and the last 19% lasted miraculously for the rest of the adventure.
Haha then what did I have with me to keep warm at the start and to throw away when starting the run as thousands do for charity pickup.
My dressing gown so I certainly got a few looks walking through Newcastle city centre ( no lostock vest on show btw so no damage to reputation)
A few people commented that’s a good idea to keep warm I’m doing that next year.
I can confirm I was cosy warm so maybe some new trend setting there lol.
Then after a three hour wait in the pens it was my turn to go at 12.02 and it was raining bucket fulls.
The Race itself is mind blowing stuff
The crowds in mass line the whole entire route and the last mile you are running through thick crowds that are the noisiest I’ve ever heard in my life.
Loved it that much I’ve entered the Great South Run next month.
Thanks for reading and remember that you are capable of anything if you tell yourself you can do it.
