South Shields Park Run

When my alarm went off at 7am this morning I was so tempted to turn it off and go back to sleep! I couldn't understand why I had agreed to do another parkrun when I could have stayed in bed where it was nice and warm. I'd agreed to pick my friend up and meet my sister and some other Great North Run Beer Tenters at the parkrun in South Shields so going back to sleep wasn't an option!

Rachael and I arrived in South Shields bright and early (8.20am) and I enjoyed seeing the beautiful sky as the sun was rising! It made getting up so early on a Saturday much more worthwhile :-) Joanne arrived not long after us (I text her to tell her we'd arrived) and she came and sat in my car with us while we waited for everyone else to arrive and the Parkrun to begin!

Pretty sunrise

As more people started to arrive I began to get excited to be running at the coast. I recognised Sarah from the Facebook Group (who suggested we do the South Shields parkrun today - thanks Sarah!). I also saw Kelly so we got out the car to say hello. Andy also arrived and we took some group photos. We knew Dawn and Alex were coming too but they hadn't arrived in time for this photo - they're always fashionably late ;)

Group photo before we began! Thanks Joanne for taking the photo :-)

Joanne and I headed to the back of the runners and waited for the whistle to blow! I set my Garmin and began to run! Just as we started, Dawn and Alex got to the back and went running quickly past us - just on time! :) Joanne and I set off slowly - I'm still not fast and Joanne said she would stay with me. South Shields is Joanne's local run and it was nice to be able to run it with her!

There were lots of puddles and mud and a few more inclines than I was expecting, (I thought maybe I'd got lost and ended up doing cross country ;) but Joanne's persistent encouragement kept me going!  She reminded me of the cup of tea waiting for me at the end of my run which also helped!

The little bit of hill training I did at my last running group session helped with the inclines. The run is currently in reverse for the winter so there were more downhills than up. It was a difficult run and at times I felt like giving up. If it wasn't for Joanne's encouragement I think I might have done as there weren't many volunteers today so I wouldn't have known where I was going and it would have been quite lonely!

The scenery is beautiful and I am glad I decided to get up and run this morning! Joanne told me when we could see the finish and I've never felt so relieved in my life! It still felt like quite a way to go but I was glad I could see the finish line! We were right at the back (Joanne was my very own tail runner - there wasn't one today) so we were last across the finish! The final stretch was the most difficult - running through sand! I didn't think it was ever going to end!

We met up with the others in the club hut and got our bar codes scanned. I came in 86th place (out of 86!) with a time of 39.40! This is quicker than the last Parkrun I did which I wasn't expecting as it was a more difficult run. I think I did better as I walked less (due to Joanne's brilliant encouragement). I am so proud of myself and can't wait for the next one!

After the run we went for a cup of tea!  I also had cake (as a reward for running!) - I'd like to point out that I had already had breakfast and this was my mid-morning snack ;)

We got another group photo and chatted about the morning's run! I had a brilliant morning and am looking forward to running again soon. I still find running difficult (and my left knee has been sore all day) but the sense of achievement I feel is worth all the pain!

Group photo (this time with Dawn and Alex :)

Well done everyone! Lovely location, lovely people and lovely morning :-) hope to see you all again soon!

Blaydon XC

Yesterday afternoon Dawn text me and asked if I wanted to go and spectate at Blaydon Cross Country. Enjoying my new found love of running and loving last minute plans, half an hour later she picked me up and we headed to Blaydon!

Once we got the car parked we arrived just after the men' s heats started and I was looking forward to cheering everyone on, particularly my brother-in-law Craig! Joanne told us she was standing next to the blue tent. Dawn and I thought it would be easy to find her but it turned out that most of the tents were blue! A quick phone call and navigating our way under tape without running in front of any of the runners, we found our way to the tent Joanne and Toni were at :-)

Well done Craig!

Joanne and Craig

We cheered everyone as they passed us and it wasn't long before we saw Craig. We took photos of some fellow beer tenters as they passed also. We then headed over to the finish line to see the runners as they reached the end! Everyone did really well and it was great to be there to support my fab bro-in-law!

After the race we got some photos with some other members of the Great North Run Beer Tent Group :-) then some of us headed to the metro centre for some food! Another fab day involving running (one of these days it will be me competing haha - though not cross country!) how my weekends have changed hehe!

Gibside Fruit Bowl

On Sunday I went to Gibside with Joanne, Craig and Toni to support the Gibside Fruit Bowl. I'm a National Trust member but haven't been to Gibside previously so I was looking forward to it.

We got there nice and early and met up with some of the Beer Tenters, which made a good photo opportunity!

Once the race started we cheered the runners on and took some photos. Once they ran past us (the first time) we took the opportunity to take in the scenery and explore. It was quite a nice day for October and we enjoyed walking around while waiting for the runners to pass again. Toni had lots of fun running along (in her wellies) and seeing how long it took her to run between trees! I raced her, but even in her wellies, she beat me!

We watched the runners finish the race and then headed to the cafe for a nice cup of tea with the beer tenters. We had a lovely morning and it was great to support the runners. I haven't been out running much at all this week as I've started a new job and am settling into a new routine. I am going out for a run with my friend Rachael on Saturday morning and I am really looking forward to getting back out!

A weekend of running good fun!

On Saturday morning I went out for a run with my mam and we followed the podcast (my iPod worked fine, unlike Tuesday! So that was good).

We completed two miles (combination of running and walking) and I really enjoyed it! I don't mind running on my own but I much prefer running with someone. I tend to go too fast when on my own then can't do as much. When I'm with someone I like to keep talking (who'd have thought I like to talk!! Haha) so I can't go so fast if I want to still be able to breathe!

Joanne, Craig and the children came for lunch and we had more running related conversations! What did we talk about before running?! Haha. After they left I got ready for an exciting night out! On Saturday evening I met up with some of the beer tenters for a social gathering. Dawn and I arrived together and we ordered cocktails from happy hour whilst waiting for the others to arrive. We had a brilliant night, chatting, laughing and dancing! Some people were driving as they had the Newcastle Stampede the next day, but it was fab that they still came out! We all had a lovely evening and it was nice to meet some more new faces.

Some of the group that were out - me, Dawn, Sarah and Adelle

Dawn and I decided to go and be a two woman photography/cheerleading squad at the Stampede on  Sunday! We took lots of photos and then met up in the Border Minstrel after for a drink. Dawn and I opted for Tea as we were so cold from cheering everyone on! It was a great day, though I still have no desire to do it next year! Well done to everyone who completed it! We then went for lunch in Gosforth and talked more about running :-)

Kelly, Kelly and Alex!

Dawn and I went to the metro centre to take my trainers back as my feet get numb after running a couple of miles. After trying nearly every pair of trainers in the shop I finally came out with a new pair! Hopefully these will be better (but they did say it could be because I am new to running, so I guess I better stick at it!) :)

All in all a fabulous running themed weekend! Enjoyed every second :)