Training for the Great North Run

Dear Diary 17th August I am really pleased with my fitness level and have continued to run two five or six mile runs and one nine-miler this week! Feeling more confident by the day and still enjoying it, although I have been lucky with the weather and have managed to keep dry. Maybe deep down I am still a fair weather runner - we’ll see when the winter comes just how much I enjoy it! 24th August My number has arrived - 53411 - with an electronic chip attached to keep precise time of passing through the start and finish lines. Help! Again this week, I am keeping my regular runs going. Early morning is my preferred time as I achieve a feeling of satisfaction that it is done and feel a lot better throughout the day. The British Heart Foundation have supported me via emails, on-line support and even invited me to different venues to participate in practice runs to get the flavour of running in a different environment; all really helpful and encouraging. The BHF offered a webinar to talk participants through the run, explaining more clearly the procedures, the course, the section where it is anticipated to be the worst (around the 7 mile mark) etc. It’s all very real now! 2nd September Following the advice of experts, only shorter runs are advised at this stage so Monday and Thursday afternoons I ran three and five miles. Then disaster! Thursday 3rd September at 7.30 a.m. I slipped down a step whilst walking and damaged my foot. I can’t tell you how devastated I am at this stage of training. It was painful to drive home though I felt determined that this couldn’t be the end; however… Friday 4th September I visited A & E after a reasonably sleepless night and lots of tears. An X-ray showed a chipped bone so I was strapped up, armed with a single crutch and told to keep my foot up for the next week. I just couldn’t believe it and was very sad; an understatement! Sunday 13th September The Great North Run - from the settee - not the experience I was expecting! Thank you all for sharing these diary entries with me, and for all your support so far. I have deferred my entry into The Great North Run, so here’s to next year! Chris Mutch