Great North Run 2007 - 29th and 30th September 2007

Saturday 29th September

We (My best mate Joanne and I) had a good journey up to Newcastle and as it was getting late (3pm ish) we went directly to the Quayside at Gateshead and headed for the Great North Run Pasta Party. We met up with Wendi - a fellow runner, also staying at Jesmond Youth Hostel (I met Wendi there last year) and we went into the Marquee for the Sport and Fitness show and Pasta Party. It seemed to be downsized this year - but there was music playing and the pasta and big cup of tea was very welcome. We sat down to eat the pasta (and I know you are thinking - where are we going with this story Wendy - but stick with me) and had just missed the entertainment being provided by Tony Audenshaw (aka Bob Hope off Emmerdale) and his band - 'White Van Man'. Tony has run the Great North Run several times now in support of Leukaemia Research and each year, after running he plays at the family meeting area.

Whilst eating our pasta Joanne and I wondered whether or not to ask Mr Audenshaw (Tony) if he would mind us having our photograph taken with him. We decided to do it and Wendi said she would take the photo for us with my mobile. Result below: success - and what a top bloke he was. He was the most friendly chap and when he found out I was the 'Tree' he told me that the BBC had sent him my video clip (to explain my reason for taking part this year) and that they were going to use it on Great North Run day. They had asked him to put together his own video clip and given him mine as an example!!! What is more he sponsored me too!!!!!!!!! Joanne, Wendi and I were 'not worthy' and as you can imagine, three girls together on a Great North Weekend away, we were whooping with delight after our encounter and hearing the amazing news!!!

We eventually made our way back to the Youth Hostel and the rest of our Saturday night was fun! But I'll skip to Sunday now and the race before you run out of patience...... or have you done that already?!

Sunday 30th September 2007 - Great North Run Day!

7 am - our room of 7 gals woke up to the sound of one occupant's alarm - too nervous to get back to sleep, so up and all systems go!

8.30 am - had a runner's breakfast. Wholemeal bread, yoghurt, banana, fruit, cereal bar, chocolate bun (saved that for later) and a big cup of tea!

9 am - got tree costume ready - packed stuff away and bundled it into the car.

9.30 am - got remaining bits and pieces together - took my car key off my set of keys to give to Joanne for safe keeping, got my bottle of water out of the boot (as I was already getting hot in the costume) and closed the car boot.

KEY IS IN THE BOOT!!!!!!!!!!! ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9.35 am - Decided not to panic, but enlist the help of hubby Graeme at home to ring the AA and get them to meet me back at the Youth Hostel at the end of the day after the race.

9.50 am - Joanne and I made our way to the start of the race. A trek of one or two miles! Once at the start - Joanne and I went separate ways. She was going to watch the start of the run and then make her way to South Shields by Metro and I would continue to the baggage buses and then my start of the run.

10.08 am - after walking another mile to the back of the baggage bus queue, just managed to get my bag on baggage bus 23 (thought it was apt twenty tree) before it left for South Shields.

10.10 am - got in a queue for a loo - it was a long queue!

11.05 am - joined the back of the pack at the start of the Great North Run.

11.20 am - ran over the start line of the Great North Run 2007! Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!

11.25 am - stopped running and took on a fast walking pace!

12 pm - passed the point of last year's injury and called Graeme to celebrate! Every step past that mark was a bonus and it felt good! I was walking at a 15 minute mile pace and was hoping to keep going at that rate.

This year's Great North Run was treemendous (sorry can't help it). I received so much support from the people lining the route (root). They were shouting 'Twiggy' from all directions and cheering me on - my face was aching from smiling (not that people could see that) - my arms were aching from waving, and it was fantastic! Made the effort so worthwhile!

I reached the finish line in South Shields at about 2.50pm, completing in 3 hours and 27 minutes!!!!! Fantastic! It felt so good after last year's disaster.

Photos taken by Joanne

My sponsorship total this year (including Wetherby Mascot Race and the Great North Run) is £340 (not including Gift Aid) so far. Thank you friends and family for supporting me over these past 3 Great North Runs and raising over £2000 for my chosen charities. (2005 & 2007 - YDMT and 2006 BCC)

I may hang up the trainers now....... and then again..... for now I am going to soothe my blisters and bruised toes and enjoy the moment!

Thank you

Wendy

xxxxxxxxx

P.S. Thank you Uncle Robert and Catherine for getting us back to Jesmond from South Shields. And thank you Mr AA man for coming to our rescue at 5.45pm - we drove home safely after watching the highlights with everyone at Jesmond Youth Hostel.

Sponsorship still welcome! Click here to go to my sponsorship page:

(produced 01 October 2007 by Wendy Lee Lawson)