Great Runs

for fun I participate in Great Runs in the UK. Currently I have completed 6 Great North Runs, which are full Half Marathons,.

I got into do these as a challenge from a friend when I was trying to get fitter than I was and I got the bug. once you start you can't stop!!

Ran this one for LiverNorth, a liver transplant charity. This was my best time to date and the one I found the easiest as I did the most preparation for

This one was the toughest one I have done. My run preparation started when I crossed the start line. I do not recommend that this is ever done!!!!!!!

(took 8 minutes to cross the start)

This was a tough one. I had had little time to prepare and probably shouldn't have run this year. I was recovering from a slipped disc in the lower back. I also moved house 2 days before and left my partner at home to sort out the unpacking etc!! And it was 2 weeks before my wedding so had the threat of "if you hurt yourself before the wedding you are in deep trouble!"

I did this one with a friend's fiancé who was doing her first run and was worried about finishing. 

My fourth attempt...And another year with minimal preparation! this time I had been recovering from groin surgery and an appendectomy and again probably shouldn't have run, but being a pig-headed Yorkshire man carried on anyway.

This year I ran for Leukemia Research charity to raise funds as part of their Banana Army. Included in there runners were cast members of Emmerdale.

(took 8 minutes to cross the start!)

September 18th 2005

I am hoping this year to improve on last year's time and to raise more money for Leukemia Research. If you would like to sponsor me then click here to go to my justgiving website.

(took half an hour to cross the start!)

October 1st 2006

May 2006 - I am hoping this year to improve on 2004's  time and to raise more money for Leukemia Research. If you would like to sponsor me then click here to go to my justgiving website.

October - Well I have now completed the run and knocked a good 15 minutes off last year and came close to 2004's time which started out as the target. 

At the start of this year's run i had only one target - to beat the pickup bus which was chasing at 17 minute miles!!!

This was a tough year again - virtually no training & preparation for the run - which was a BAD idea. I did however invest in some decent running shoes which I managed to get through a company in London who specialize in running insoles & setting up the shoes properly. (www.profeet.co.uk) I can honestly recommend that someone contemplating such a run as the Great North Run considers getting good advice on their shoes and the insoles before they get too far into the training.

This year was the first year I have completed the run and not had shin splints - which are very painful!

Sunday 8th October - all aches & pains have gone completely and ready to start training for next year!!

Took nearly 40 minutes to cross the line!