Great North Run / September, 2014

Great North Run 1Following our successful 25km Grand Union Challenge walk raising over £1000 between four of us for Help for Heroes, we were looking for a new challenge. Yet, in hindsight, I think we needed our heads seeing to when we signed up to take part in the Great North Run for Help for Heroes with only 8 weeks to go.

Training was going well until I got Shin Splints. I was unable to run for three weeks and with just two weeks to go and with heavily taped up legs, I restarted my training. I was very nervous on the day and the weather was sunny and so hot, I just wanted to finish the course in whatever time possible. I finished the course in 3hrs7 and my fiancé completed in 2hrs28. We had a great day, despite the sunburn, and only ached for a few days. We have currently raised £370 for a great cause and I am still accepting donations on my Justgiving page www.justgiving.com/Helen-SmithGNR/.Great North Run 2