Running the Great North Run for charity is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can do. Each year, thousands of charity runners raise millions for their chosen causes.
But for many, the doing the Great North Run for charity brings with it a lot of responsibility and, sometimes, a bit of stress, too.
People are worried that they will let down their sponsors, and their nominated charity, if they fail to complete the run.
There are usually two reasons for failure: 1) lack of preparation and 2) injury.
Lack of preparation
This one is simple: you’ve got to get out and train. Any half marathon is an incredibly tough event and should never be underestimated. Even walking that distance is hard work (and you really are supposed to run the GNR – the clue is in the name!)
The Great North Run is notoriously hilly – there are inclines that you never normally notice when you’re driving the route, and it makes it more challenging still.
Preparation, then is of paramount importance.
Just get out and run. At this stage you should be aiming to run at least three times a week, and at least one of those should be a good, long run. Lots of runners use Sunday mornings for their longest run of the week, as it’s when they have the most time to spare.
Through the rest of the week, if you only have time to squeeze in a couple of shorter runs, that’s fine – but even these should be at least three miles long. As always, the further you can go, the better.
There are no excuses at this stage, you need to be training – if you’re properly prepared, you’ll look forward to the day much more, and enjoy yourself when you’re there.
Injury
Now this is where Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic can help! As a business, we have a long association with the Great North Run – we are the best-known treatment centre for sports injuries in the region, and we have a national reputation for treating runners of all abilities, from elite athletes to those who only do it occasionally or for big events such as the Great North Run.
Injuries worry people because they feel beyond their control. Will that slight knee pain develop into something more serious? What if an old injury flares up the week before the event?
They can be mitigated slightly by warming up and warming down correctly, and by making sure you have good running technique – see our recent blog here for more information on running technique.
However, if you are struggling with an injury, whether it’s a new one, or an old condition that has been exacerbated by training, then we recommend speaking to a specialist as quickly as possible.
Many runners fear being told to stop training, but the good news is that, in most cases, we can treat and manage your injury with minimal disruption to training. Our patients frequently leave our clinic having already made rapid improvements.
If there are deeper-seated problems, then our podiatry department has full gait and biomechanical analysis technology which allows us to identify virtually any issue that a runner may have.
Newcastle Clinic at the Great North Run 2017
Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic is working extra-hard this year to help as many runners as possible to make it through the event. We will be at the pasta party offering massages, and we are working extra-long shifts at our clinic, putting on extra sessions, in the build-up to the race.
However, our time is at a premium and we only have a limited number of spaces available for treatment. Contact us straight away if you are struggling with an injury to avoid disappointment. Remember: we’ll get you through it!