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Great North Run training plan

58 replies

Fizzypineapple · 08/09/2024 13:04

I've been inspired watching the Great North Run and I'd like to do it next year. I've done 2 half marathons before but they were 12 and 14 years ago.

The problem arises is that I'm 6 stone overweight. I know I need to she'd at least 3 stone to be able to achieve this run and I know this is just as important as the exercise training.

How does this sound for a training plan? Obviously can firm things up as time goes on and I can start saving for a personal trainer for maybe spring onwards. Not particularly bothered by the time I do (as long as not completely at the back) and happy to walk some of it if I end up needing to. Need to keep things realistic.

Plan:
Sept-Xmas (16 weeks)- work on weight loss. Build up fitness and muscles before even attempting running to avoid knee damage. 2+ walks a day with the dog. At least 1 two hour walk a week and at least 1 three hour walk a week. 1 X swim and 1 X gym a week to build fitness and muscles.

Jan - end of March (13 weeks).
Keep up the above work plus achieve Couch to 5k. I've given myself a few extra weeks in this to repeat the harder weeks if needed.

April - end of June (13 weeks). Keep up walking, gym and swim. Personal trainer if funds allow. Build from 5k to 10k.

July and August - really hammer the eating plan. Build from 10k to 10 miles. Do at least 2 13 mile runs even if there's a bit of walking needed.

Sept - GNR.

How does all this sound?

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Fizzypineapple · 08/09/2025 11:37

What would people recommend as a rest before starting a gentle run again? Maybe 5 days? A week? More?

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FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 08/09/2025 12:48

It's the biggest road race in the UK ... I think it's reasonable to expect it to be crowded!
And yes there is some hanging around but not much really, considering the scale of the thing. Fwiw, the London Marathon has far more hanging around in my experience, and fewer runners there too.

In terms of rest, I'm having today and tomorrow off before easing back in work a short gentle one on Wednesday.

TyneFilth · 08/09/2025 13:54

Well done! Regarding when to run again, if you didn't pick up and injury and are just aching, I would make sure to go for a gentle walk today and tomorrow, lots of stretches (evening yoga before bed?) and then a slow gentle run Wednesday. Do you have another target in mind? Might be good to get another race on your calendar while you're buzzing from having finished this one!

Fizzypineapple · 08/09/2025 13:54

FeelinTwentySixPointTwo · 08/09/2025 12:48

It's the biggest road race in the UK ... I think it's reasonable to expect it to be crowded!
And yes there is some hanging around but not much really, considering the scale of the thing. Fwiw, the London Marathon has far more hanging around in my experience, and fewer runners there too.

In terms of rest, I'm having today and tomorrow off before easing back in work a short gentle one on Wednesday.

Thank you. I might give it until Thurs or Friday before trying a gentle jog. Yeah I know it's to be expected that it'll be crowded but I feel they've maybe got about 5000-10,000 too many runners. It just felt like it would be an even more amazing experience if there were a few thousand less. Queueing for the porta loos on route etc.

Not moaning as I know it must be a nightmare to plan and the volunteers do an incredible job. It's just that with tweaks it could be improved.

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oustedbymymate · 08/09/2025 14:55

Congratulations @Fizzypineapplehow ate you feeling today. I did it too and bloody loved it!!! There was a lot of waiting around at the start it took me 1.5 hours to get from the queue in the field at the start down to the start and over the start line! Still enjoyed it though. Thinking of entering the ballot today for next year 😂

Fizzypineapple · 08/09/2025 16:07

oustedbymymate · 08/09/2025 14:55

Congratulations @Fizzypineapplehow ate you feeling today. I did it too and bloody loved it!!! There was a lot of waiting around at the start it took me 1.5 hours to get from the queue in the field at the start down to the start and over the start line! Still enjoyed it though. Thinking of entering the ballot today for next year 😂

Haha you've got the running bug. Weirdly, I feel absolutely fine today. I can feel that I've done it in my legs but feel ok really. How about you?

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xsquared · 08/09/2025 20:10

Well done on doing the Great North Run @Fizzypineapple . It's certainly not a pb course, but the atmosphere is fantastic and it's a great day out overall.

I am particularly gutted at not entering this year, if only for the medal.

You will have probably spotted or heard on the news that the medal is a map of Sunderland rather than Newcastle! 😄

It will be a valuable collector's item in the future I'm sure.

Fizzypineapple · 08/09/2025 20:19

xsquared · 08/09/2025 20:10

Well done on doing the Great North Run @Fizzypineapple . It's certainly not a pb course, but the atmosphere is fantastic and it's a great day out overall.

I am particularly gutted at not entering this year, if only for the medal.

You will have probably spotted or heard on the news that the medal is a map of Sunderland rather than Newcastle! 😄

It will be a valuable collector's item in the future I'm sure.

It made me laugh seeing that on the news 🤣

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