I've been here many times before but this start line felt different. For one, the dynamic of the event is wildly different to anything I've ever done before. More miles, more days/months, no rest, fit around normal life. All of those things add up to what promises to be a very challenging year.
Given that I've only done a few runs since finishing the run across the USA last July, I was pleasantly surprised how good I felt during the first few miles. I wasn't surprised at the cold conditions and was suitably dressed with 3 good layers.
I didn't have a route in mind other than to make it east through Bedlington. At mile 3, I decided to turn north and was pleased to be on path all the way to mile 6 at Stakeford. It was at this point that the full route became clear in my mind. I'd run to Stobhill near Morpeth and back home.
In the fading light (there was still 1 good 90 minutes before sundown) the path came to an end and I found myself running on the road. I took the decision to take a left turn towards Hepscott at mile 8. The road was a lot quieter and safer. It was at this point that I went from feeling very comfortable to something that wasn't that at all. My "engine" felt good. However, things started to hurt. Everything other than my legs that is. Was I surprised? No! Zero training for this and I was paying the price at mile 9.
I was back on a busy road but thankful of another path. One look at my GPS watch and a few rough calculations meant that I'd need to run towards Stannington for half a mile to make it a nice 13.1 miles by the time I got back home.
Just before the right hand turn towards Stannington I spotted a pile of money on the road side. "I'm having that" I thought. It was a whopping £2.70 and has now been paid to St. Benedict's Hospice via my Justgiving page.
The final 4 miles saw a huge drop off in terms of speed. In turn, that meant that I was getting colder as each mile ticked by. I was relieved to make it home but those last miles had cost me dearly. I'd gone from a projected hours to finishing in 03:21:23. For the record, I've ran the Great North Run in a full lion costume quicker than that!
Throughout the run, some words of advice from long term supporter Steven Medd, echoed around my mind - "Ease yourself in, take the time you've got.". That helped massively, as did all of the other words of encouragement on the Run Geordie Run Facebook page.
So day 1 has set the tone. Turn up, no theatrics, get out there, put one foot in front of the other and do it all despite the very cold conditions. Nothing really big was won today and that’s okay. The important part is that I decided to do it and I actually did.
It wouldn't surprise me if day 2, 3 and 4 are even slower than today. I've just got to keep plodding and ticking the days off. The fitness, the speed and the quicker times will come in due course. For now, it's simply Run Geordie Run versus the miles.
Thank you to Ben Killingworth, Charlie Jackson, Paul, Joanne and Bob (the cat) Williams, The Parrys, Alan and Karen, Giselle, Em Gettins, two anonymous donations and whoever left £2.70 at the roadside for your contribution to St. Benedict's Hospice via justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun365.
