Running the Great North Run in memory of my Mum, and for Cancer Research

[Mo2]

As many of you will know from threads on this site, I sadly lost my Mum to cancer earlier this year.

She was a very active supporter of Cancer Research UK, and was always vocal about the fantastic work they do in helping fund research to fight the cancer battle. She was nearly always positive and upbeat (even when she had setbacks and disease progression) and she said she was grateful to have been able to extend her life long enough to have known her grandchildren!

In September this year I will be running the Great North Run - a half marathon - in memory of my Mum, and 'for Mums with cancer everywhere'.
If you'd like to support this very worthy cause please visit:

Mo2_GreatNorthRun2004

(You can remain anonymous by putting your 'nickname' in the name boxes and your real name in the address section before the address)

(P.S. Hope no-one is offended that I've posted this here)

Hannahsaunt - oh no - now you've got me worried.... what's the "tapering stage" ???

Just to explain, I'm not really a regular runner, although I have obviously been training (a bit) for this.
I have 1000 mile socks - the dual layer ones - is that what you meant, or soemthing different?

Strangely, the only time I'm worn then was the time I'm eneded up with a blister so I'm not sure whether to try them again or not....

Do you run lots then? What time did you manage the 1/2 in?

good for you Mo2. I shall visit your sponsor site in a minute.

I've dont the Great North Run a few times and it's one of the best atmospheres of any run in my opinion. People shot "oggy oggy oy" as they go through the tunnels, they usually have bands playing on the big roundabouts, locals line the streets and hand out segments of ornage and sweets etc. It's a great day out. May I suggest that you take a big heavy duty think dustbin bag with you? You'll be leaving your belongings quite a long time before the race starts and it's usually fairly chilly (sometimes even flipping cold) and the binbag, once you put a hole in the top and slip if over your head, will keep you nice and warm (and farily dry if necessary.

I hope you have a fantastic day Mo2 and raise lots of money for a very worthwhile charity.

Mo2.....good luck. I'll be thinking of you on the day, my brother has just lost his MIL afer a desperate battle against ovarian cancer, hope you raise loads. Oh and enjoy it!!

MO2, can i sponsor you on here please instead of using the link as I have a Charity Gift Aid cheque book that I'd like to use. Please put me down for £25 and let me have your address whenever you get a chance.

Good Luck Mo2!! The countdown has begun! I did it 2 years ago and it was a fantastic experience. Do you live in Newcastle??If so then you'll realise that it's bloody freezing-good conditions if these gales would just go away. I'll be thinking of you on Sunday XXX

Still a couple of weeks to go for baby (hopefully), sure you'll spot me in Reigate high street some time!

Thanks everyone!
Great advice Mckenzie about the binbag - actually I think cancer Research have sent me an attractive blue one!! Thanks for the sponsorship - I will CAT you...

Spook - no I don't live in Newcastle any more, but was brought up there and lived there for the first 18 years of my life. My Dad still lives there though (and obviously Mum did too before she died)so that's one of the things which make it special for me. Are you in Nc/le then? How cold is it? What should I wear for the race do you think?

even if it's cold and wet on the day Mo2, you'll get hot once you start running and get going. If you decide to wear anything other than shorts and a t shirt, make sure your other item is something old and then if you get too hot you can just ditch it while you're running along.
Will someone be there to meet you at the end? That's when you really want to see your friends and family asap so they can give you something warm to put on quickly as it's coldest at the finish I think because of the coastal wind.

And dont forget to smile when you see the cameras on the scaffolding above the road on the final stage along the coast!

Hi Mo2. Yep-McKenzies right. I took an old sweatshirt for the beginning and then dumped it pretty early on. The sides of the road are lttered with scabby old tracksuits. Just wear shorts and a t-shirt.It is bloody freezing here the last couple of days. The wind is howling right now. Hopefully it will have dropped by Sunday. You will have a ball. The feeling of exhilaration when you hit the sea-front in Shields can't be described. You will be so proud of yourself and rightly so!!

Latest update on this....
A friend/ work colleague running with me has decided he may run it dressed up as a ?Nicorette Craving Cigarette? (just don?t ask?.. ), so if you happen to watch the TV coverage you may even see us! Obviously we will NOT be aiming for the fastest time!!

All the best for Sunday, I'm doing a 10k so I'll concentrate on you & your HALF MARATHON if it gets tough, and then sit in front of the TV when I get back trying to spot people.

You must let us know how you get on, asap after you finish - or even give us your race number so we can watch out for you.

Def follow McKenzie's tips, charity shop sweatshirts are top banana !

Good luck xxx

Mo2, all the very best for your run. Hope the weather stays fine for you and that you have a fab time.

Hi again, tapering is just the winding down in training before the race. For the GSR the last time I ran was 4 miles on the Thursday before the Sunday race. Best thing I did on the day was drink (not too much) hot coffee just before the off - warmed me up and I'm sure the caffeine gave me a kick-start. Remember to start slow - go out too fast and you may not have enough to finish; there are lots of stats on setting out x% below your goal pace means that you actually improve your time and if you go out x% above your goal place your %loss in time is greater than your %gain in time if you go out slow (hope that makes sense). I didn't run an inch before June and then because of the whole Hannah/CF/New York love affair thing took a notion to do the marathon (that and if Anthony Worrall Thompson can finish the London marathon then surely I can do one too!!!). All the very best for such a good cause (times are irrelevant as long as you enjoy the day; I did 2:12 which isn't exactly the fastest but I was delighted). Go for it!

I wonder how Mo2 is getting on? the weather doesn't look too bad on the TV.

Me too, just back from my race & thought I'd check here to see if there was any news.

which one did you do today Twink?

A small, well organised local race, the Mortimer 10k.

Improved on last year's time but didn't break the magic 50 minute mark, around 15 secs too slow as the hill between 7 & 9k is a killer !

Well done, Twink.

And hope the GNR went well, Mo2. I hadn't seen this before. Will try and sponsor you later (partner has gone out with my card or I'd do it now.

Oh well done, Mo2. I'm not surprised you Dad is proud,

Mo2, congratulations!! If you can CAT me with your address I can send you a cheque, as I have problems with online payments.

Oh well done Mo2, excellent effort both on the run & the sponsorship.

Are you going to carry on running ?

(Thanks Scummy, looking forward to catching up with you in Brighton !)

Well done! And hilarious picture of your friend .

Thanks everyone!
Yes Twink, I probably will keep running, and do the occasional fun run etc, but I have no aspirations for a marathom or anything - think 13 miles is definitely my max - would be good to aim to do it again with more training in less than 2 hours though!

Caribbeanqueen - many thanks for offering to sponsor me - I will CAT you...

Mo2
xxx

Well done! How fantastic and great sponsor total too. Glad to hear that you will carry on with the running. I think that the 1/2 marathon distance is a fun one to run.