Great North Run

Yet again it was hot and sunny in Newcastle for my fifth Great North Run in succession. Every year it's cool and cloudy on the start line, and a few hundred yards in the skies clear and the sun bursts through, making it a long, tough race. This year was no different and I approached it in a similar way to the Glasgow run the month before - by just taking it easy at the start.

The main thing was to take on plenty of water, and I also took Lucozade at each of those stations too. The power-song area just before 10 miles was great this year - Mr Brightside by The Killers was on as I went through and it really gave a good boost and kept me going for the next few miles.

I finished in around the same time as Glasgow, a few seconds over 1hour 41minutes. Dad came in just inside 2hours - and suffered a bit of cramp; so much so that he apparently fell when he got it in both legs at once after crossing the line! I'm not laughing, Dad, honest!!

I think that's it for competitive runs this year. I may do a festive one if there is a local race on but, other than that, the next race will probably be the Inverness Half in March - in our new home town!