A year ago when I moved to England (yes, it has been a year), I saw this amazing half marathon broadcast live on the BBC. 50,000 participants running on a Sunday morning. I ask you, how is that not mesmerising television? If you aren't a runner, please don't answer. If you are a runner, I know your answer already.
There is nothing about my physical appearance that suggests I should run. Frankly, it is a challenge to find a sports bra that will contain the girls and my legs are short and stocky. Paula Radcliffe I am not. But I am stubborn. Seven half marathons don't lie. Stubborn to the bone.
So, last Sunday I found myself in Newcastle with 50,000 other people on a Sunday morning ready to run. Some were athletes but lots were just stubborn like me. It took 30 minutes just to get from where I was lined up to the start line. The logistics are a nightmare. They have to close a dual carriage way (that's a divided highway for you North Americans) and reroute all the traffic from Newcastle to South Shields.
Talking with other runners after the race, I would say a description of the course is all in the eye of the beholder. A guy from Swansea told me he was surprised how flat it was. A girl from Brighton confirmed his thoughts. Let me tell you, if you grew up in the wide open prairies of Canada, it was not even close to flat. More like an alpine endurance test but set in the northern reaches of England. It's been two days and my quads still hurt when I have to go down stairs!
I would like to think that I have learned my lesson and I will stop with this ridiculous running obsession but I'm stubborn.
But I do wish they had a few more Pot-A-Loos (aka Port-A-Potties) on the course...some things remain the same no matter which side of the world you are on.
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