Finish line not finish time
Here it is. The big event. This blog has taken me so long to write because of a multitude of reasons.
1. I was on a huge high from the weekend, and I've still been replaying the whole experience over and over again, that I was there.
2. I am equally absolutely exhausted from the weekend, I thought I would sleep in the car on the way home, but again. I was on too much of a high.
3. Work. (I have no other words on this front.)
So, here we go.
It was quite a long journey to Saturday. What with events unfolding on Thursday evening of the Queen's passing. My excitement had been subdued because we did not know if the run was actually going to go ahead. It was said that we would know Friday morning. Way to put a blow on something I've been looking forward to for 9 months.
The website wasn't updated until lunchtime. We (Paul, James, Shelby, Haile and I) were on tenterhooks as to whether we would be seeing each other on the most amazing course to experience something special together. We were on.
There was no Parkrun this week because - we were making our way up to Newcastle! I had some key places I wanted to visit. This was my inaugural visit to Newcastle so I was very, very excited.
The first port of call, Angel of the North. Because seeing it from the side of the motorway wasn't good enough for me, so we actually drove to the site that she sits on.
Tourist visit - 1 done.
Off we went to see our accommodation for the weekend. Casa Del Haile. (Mr. Coxy's friends flat) This was actually in Gateshead, but, from the flat we could see the 'cathedral on the hill' (St. James' Park)
We had a quick catch up and then went into town (Newcastle). Next stop. The one place I would be running over tomorrow for that all important photo. The Tyne Bridge. It is as glorious as it looks in all the photos (for a bridge anyway) And, more importantly "Can we go and find the sign." Because on the side of the Tyne Bridge are the words that I was so excited to see. The words I have said for 28 weeks.
"The Great North Run."
We had a coffee* [I had a coffee - the boys; beer] under the Tyne Bridge, which was a lovely little place to sit, in the drizzle watching Newcastle go about its business. It was certainly buzzing with lots of runners.
We then made the pilgrimage to St. James' Park. It really is a magnificent place. Fun fact, I used to support Newcastle when I was younger (Because I really fancied Alan Shearer) So I obviously had a photo with his statue "Where's Alan Shearer, has he got a statue outside?"
We wandered around the perimeter and there was a point where you could see through the gates into the ground. I enjoyed having a nosey through. Though, I couldn't see much. In 11 months time I will be back at St. James' to see Sam Fender, which I am super, super excited about!
(Absolute fangirl)
We pottered about, I had some last minute shopping to do; ibuprofen to ward off any potentials with the knee and a hoodie to discard at the start line. While we were shopping, we had some rubbish news.
No red arrows.
I didn't know how I felt about this. This was one part I was really looking forward to. I shrugged it off with the simplest of words. "I'll have to come back then, won't I."
Disappointment aside, we had a race to get ready for. Greek food. Quick drink. Bed.
[It is important to note here that I did not drink 1 drop of booze on Saturday. My drink order was either; a lime & soda water, diet coke or.. really pushed the boat out with a tap water.]
Sunday 11th September 2022.
Here we go. The big day. Mr Coxy and I woke at 7am, so that I could get ready and go and meet Shelby and JG, who I would be running with today. This was really special in itself, because I honestly thought I would have been running this race alone. The fact that these two supported me all the way round was just amazing. And, I am truly grateful for all the support that was given to me.
HOWEVER... Let's remember we are staying in Haile's flat. Haile who was infact working The Great North Run. Who, had forgotten to set his alarm. I was ready. Mr Coxy was ready. We were in a little bit of limbo...
8.15ish: Shelby rang me. "We're at Haymarket.."
"Ermm... we've just had to wake Haile up... We won't be long."
8.45ish: we make it to Haymarket to meet JG and Shelby. Approaching Shelby, I have my knee brace on. "That doesn't look too promising!"
"I'm under strict instructions from Ross."
(wearing the knee brace wasn't ideal, it does restrict my movement, but, with all the problems the weeks before. I wasn't taking any prisoners)
We say goodbye to Mr Coxy and off we go.
We wandered onto Town Moor to have the final loo stop and off we went to the start. This was getting a bit real.
You will notice that my number was green. I will not tell you my secret, but, I managed to sneak into the White Wave which was closer to the front. Our little plan worked. When we walked across the first bridge, and saw the start line, I squealed a little bit too loud. One passer-by looked a bit startled and laughed. "Sorry, its my first time" She laughed, and replied "Mine too!"
The start was very quiet.
Then, excitement number 2 started. "Look! There's Eilish!" Through the barriers we could see Eilish McColgan at the start. Eilish was the Honorary starter for the Great North Run. I didn't know what that meant, but I was excited she was there.
[Bit of background for Non Runners; Eilish McColgan is a scottish long distance runner who has had an amazing season and keeps smashing PB's and course records. She recently smashed the commonwealth games 10,000m in Birmingham, I watched this in Mauritius and was in absolute awe]
We also saw Gaby Logan getting ready for the BBC coverage of the Great North Run too.
We got to our pen and waited... and waited.. and waited... BBC coverage started, music was very sombre. A minutes silence in a crowd of 60,000 people was very haunting. You could hear the BBC helicopter ahead and the trees blowing and nothing else. We then sang the new national anthem for the first time,
"God Save the King."
10.45. Race time. They began moving the pens forward. Cameras zooming overhead to catch the excitement. We had almost walked 10,000 steps already. We neared the start line.
"Is Eilish high fiving people?" She was. That was her job. Oh my goodness! We got to the barriers. We're off, and Eilish is leaning over our side of the start pen. Now or never Coxy. I sprinted out of the start line and got a high five off Eilish! I turn around "I'm never washing this hand again!"
The biggest grin on my face, Shelby and JG catch me up. We are off. 13.1 miles to go. First port of call. Tyne Bridge.
Mr Coxy was waiting just before this, he had managed to get a good spot, so we were on the look out.
But first.. The first tunnel. Here it came. "Oggy Oggy Oggy! Oi! Oi! Oi!" The power of that chant, through the tunnels, I cannot even describe. It was incredible. No other feeling like it. Nothing like a chant to make runners feel connected.
We exit the tunnel. I cannot see a thing for spectators. It was jam packed. The support was amazing. My eyes started darting. "Where's Paul. Where's Paul, he's round here somewhere." We carry on running.
Next stop. Tyne Bridge. Running over the Tyne Bridge was really special. It's the iconic part of the run.
Straight after it was the MacMillan cheer station. I veered myself over to make sure I got my well deserved high 5s. The team was incredibly supportive.
After this, was the first drinks station, not before a nasty little nip to get up onto the dual carriageways. This slowed my pace, but; slow and steady. We still have a long way to go.
Here, was where my race took a turn. Some of you have heard about this, and, this is why I have explicitly said that I did not drink the night before the race.
Mile 4(ish) I do not remember. It is probably the worst race point I have ever been through. Worse than mile 10 at Southport. I went quiet. Shelby turns around "Talk to me Goose."
"I think I need to be sick." Something was sitting heavy on my stomach. It was the feeling you get where you know you need to be sick, to make you feel better. I moved to the side. threw myself over the barrier and tried to make myself sick. [TMI - but, this is the nitty gritty of racing]
Passers by were incredible. Stopping to make sure I was okay, offering water. Shelby managed to get a bottle of water for me off a passer.
"There's help down there"
"I don't need it! I'm finishing this race."
Shelby did think about taking a photo of this, her logic, it's your story of your race, but she kindly refrained. On reflection I can laugh about this now. She's right. It is part of my story. And, it reminds me that anything can happen on race day. No matter how prepared you are. What was the cause? I have no idea. I did everything by the book. But, its a lesson to learn and I'm very lucky that this is only the first time that this has happened to me.
Of course, my race angel Shelby (who else!?) came through with the ginger sweets. We all know that ginger is great for settling the stomach. I was back in the game. I was getting so worked up with myself. The gremlin appeared but I managed to simmer it down pretty quickly. Come on Sharples, you've not even done 10k yet. You can do 10k. Whats going on.
Mile 6... mile 7... yes! I can have my first gel. You know what.. I feel much better! Mile 7 was my turning point. Back in the game! Honestly, I have never taken so much water on in a race, ever. Usually, this sits on my stomach too much too. But, I needed it for whatever reason and it worked. I got a spring in my step.
My pace was off thanks to the stopping so, we just settled back and thought; lets just enjoy this experience! We danced and sang and cheered as we passed music points [The bands and drummers were so good]
And then... People's playlist happened.
This. This was what I needed. We approached. I could see the signs. A familiar guitar riff rang out.
My arms lifted into the air. The air drumming began. Apparently I sprinted this part, singing my heart out.
"All the silver tongued suits and cartoons that rule my world are saying it's a high time for hypersonic missiles"
"I can see the sea! Final mile! Let's do this!"
All this training. All this excitement. bucket list. Achieved. £790 raised for charity.
I always said I'd never run a half marathon. I've always said I'm not a runner.
I think I've proved myself wrong.
Thank you mind, for not giving up on me. We make a pretty good team. 💕
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