2017 saw me tackle the Great North Run for the 7th time and fall back in love with the event. The Metro was brilliant to get to the start line something that it hadn’t been over the past few years. 

Getting into the start pen I opted for he left side as did that last year as well. Certainly prefer it and as long as people are in the right pens you are in for a good race. I must have been fitter this year than giving myself credit for and was so close to a half marathon PB 64 seconds away I must add. 

I love running across the Tyne Bridge and finishing in my home town South Shields. It really is a truly special event. 

As much as the atmosphere is great it a rather brutal run with majority of it being up hill, especially miles 9-12 which you just seem to lose well everything and develop jelly legs! 

Nothing beats eventually getting to the finish line after that last mile along the coast!