5 Ways to Improve my (next!) Great North Run

I sat and watched the BBC coverage of the Great North Run on iplayer yesterday, wow, what an incredible finish in the men's race! My own finish wasn't quite as exciting although I did appear to pip some poor chap to the finish right at the last minute but I don't think anyone was watching. The photo's are out today, they are only of the finish (thank goodness) of course they are hideous but I don't look too green!

Unfortunately the inevitable has happened and I have registered my interest in next years GNR. I'm just so cross with myself that I can't get this right, it didn't help last night watching ordinary folk being interviewed at the end looking quite normal - I can't believe this is beyond me.

I have made myself a list of things I need to change in order to be successful at this running business. I'm sure there are many other idea's but this is just a start:

• Find a running buddy - this seems to be so important from everything that I've read and listened to.
• Run/Walk shorter distances more often so I can maybe, just maybe run 2'ish miles without too much trouble and maybe, just maybe find that 'runners high' thing they talk about.
• When I run... run - quit loping!!!
• Get it in my head that if there is a next time, I am going to run and, it will hurt. Stop giving myself permission to walk. 
• If I ever do anything like this again, get organised early, book a caravan so we can cook for ourselves.

That will do for now, something to work on. So when is my first run... well, not today!