This weekend seen the 31st running of the Great North Run. A fantastic race and a huge event for my hometown, Newcastle. I always enjoy being around the North East whenever the race is on. A few times in the past I've ran on the Quayside in the 2mile/3000m event but with the new format, GB vs USA I wasn't selected this time round. I don't think I was in any fit state to race had I received a phone call anyway so chances are I would have had to say no coming off the back of my illness during July.

It's great to see my family and it's great to entertain my 2 little nephews who are turning into terrors now! I have been on my hour a day schedule for the last week and hitting decent mileage at a decent pace. Saturday and Sunday were no different for me, I went down to the Quayside to cheer on my mates in the 2mile event and watch the other action then ran later in the evening. I ended up doing an hour at 6:20's so I wasn't hanging around for me, I usually run quite slow, but my dad and Nuttall have both kicked my backside and sped me up.

Saturday evening was a good laugh, I was down in the Hilton hotel having a few drinks (coca cola for me!) with the lads who'd raced Saturday before heading the town. It was good to see Mo enjoying himself relaxing, he is human after all and he had his first alcoholic drink in well over a year! While I was in the hotel I ended up getting a number for the North Run the following day as my plan was to do my Sunday run 45mins before the race started and run from the start area to South Shields where my family were  in the marquees. After getting my number it was always going to be a relatively early night for me, I was in bed by 12ish however struggled to get to sleep. It was probably the thought of having to run 13.1 miles the next morning!

I'd always wanted to run the race because I wanted to experience the atmosphere of the North Run but if I was racing it it'd just be like any top class race, dying a slow  death hanging onto a group and not taking any notice of the surroundings. This was different, before the race I walked to the start with the masses, when the lads were of warming up I had a wander up to the bridge to be amazed by the sight of 54,000 people waiting to start their journey and then admired the Red Arrows flying over the start area before the event.

I was out to enjoy myself so I chilled out and made sure I didn't get carried away. I started off steady, with my heart rate monitor and Garmin on. Then bam, 1st mile was 5:24! That will be the easiest 5:24 I will ever run. I then tried to hold back and the 2nd was 5:27. The 3rd mile was uphill so I slowed there and settled into a rhythm. I was just there to enjoy myself and make sure I didn't go to hard. It was great to chat to so many runners during the race and a fair few wondered what I was up to.

I think I made it to 10miles in around 56:10 (5:37 pace), I did go a bit crazy in the 8th mile chasing down Oli Laws. He told me he was unfit and was way ahead at one point. I got sight of him heading toward the A19 so I just pushed a little and stretched my legs. I settled back down after then after 10 miles I wound up a little more, the 12th mile was uphill with the steep downhill onto the sea front which actually hurts and is a lot harder than it looks. My last mile I really wound up and ran hard. I have to say though, the crowds in the last mile were unreal! I've never seen so many people watching runners, it's brilliant.

I finished in 41st with a time of 72:23. I hate to say it though, I beat my brothers PB of 73:48.... BUT i'm coaching him back to fitness and it'll be just my luck I get him into sub 70 shape for next year! Fingers crossed he can get running well again he's been so unlucky with injuries these last 3 years. His last race was the 2007 North Run but he'll be back on track very soon.

I had hoped I could go under the radar a little and just get it done but thanks to the BBC for covering me crossing the line. I'd disguised myself as a jogger and everything wearing my long shorts and t-shirt but this didn't work! It's just a shame they couldn't cover more of the British lads as there was some real top performances mainly from Gerrard and Hudspith. Gerrard in his 1st half marathon and Ian in his 254th half marathon. He likes to do 3 a year...so that makes him about 84 this week by my reckoning! (he's 41 this week, I hope i'm running that fast at 41)

I'm just happy to be enjoying things again and next up for me will be the Great Yorkshire Run where hopefully i'll show some form and make the National 6 stage team for the Tipton lads. I would have liked to have raced the Midland relays but having not done a session yet I think it'd be silly to race this weekend. I just need some work under my belt.

For the race my mile splits worked out to be with an average HR of 165, so all in all, a good days run out.