Hi All,
I have just this week been accepted for the Great North Run 2007 - my chosen charity is Macmillan Cancer Support, I aim to raise £750 (although in excess of £1000 would be great!)The Macmillan nurses cared for my Nan whilst she was suffering from Cancer - she lost her fight against the illness on 2nd October last year, 1 day after the Great North Run - my uncle was due to run the 2006 run and I vowed that I would do it this year, 2007, to mark my Nans 1st anniversary and give Macmillan something back for all their great help!
If anyone has any hits / tips on both fundraising and training I would be really grateful!
I am totally unfit - I have jsut attempted to do a 1mile jog this morning but found this was pushing myself a bit - I now plan to run 0.5 miles every day this week and build on it
If anyone else who has done this run before has some advice I would appreciate it.
ThanksTom
www.justgiving.com/sponsortomplease
I ran it last year and it was more than just a test for myself than anything. I'm sad to say that time i didn't do it for a charity. However i am this time and throwing my full force behind it. I am not a long distance runner by the slightest, more of a sprinter and been that way since i was at school/college sprinting in all sort of competitions.
The biggest tip i could give is don't over do it. Take baby steps at the start, and then aim to run for a time period rather than a distance. If you do this don't keep checking how far you've run, this is just the same as clock watching and only makes you feel tired and it will drag. Get some music going while you're running as well, as this does help. something wtih a good beat is always my option. Remember to take on fluid, but don't over do this as this will leave you feeling bloated and sick. Don't go running on an empty stomach or a full one, sounds silly be eat properly, listen to what your body is asking, not what you think it's asking. Eat food that will be long burning rather than short.
Don't be down hearted if you feel worn out one day and don't run as far as you have before. Everyone has their good days and bad days, remember on the day you're going to be charged and the vibe from everyone else is just amazing!!
Remember your body will tell you what you can and can't do, so listen to it. Don't over do it as if you get an injury you'll do more damage to your training in the long run. You've got the time, so be patient, strong minded and it will come, you will be amazed at how well you develop in a short period of time!
There is loads of information on the Internet that will help create a training program for you. So grit your teeth and just remember why you're doing this and you'll be home and dry in no time.
I've found that people are really supportive of the cancer charities. Have almost £250 pledged in just over a week and have been amazed by how responsive people have been simply by presenting them with a sponsorship form.
Good luck.
Garfield I'll be at the back too.
I figure someone has to be.