Can I go sub-2 hours at the AJ Bell GREAT NORTH RUN 2023?! - Al Pepper Runs 

Thank you! The weather made for quite the adventure that’s for sure, people will remember this one for a good while!

First go and you smash out 1:36?! My goodness man, that’s awesome! Yeah, I’m tempted on membership this time around too!

@@AlPepperRuns I was diagnosed with Visual Snow syndrome in January which is a neurological condition so I had to stop the sport I love boxing and decided to take up running. I can still train boxing but not spar or box amateur anymore just incase. Boxing never caused it they say but I can’t risk it so running kind of saved me slipping in to a bad place. I’m one of them who needs to train for my mental health. My first ever 10k race was in May and after that I ended up doing 24 training run half marathons starting from 2 hours getting down to last week 1:27. I have always had a good fitness base due to boxing. The GNR was my 25th and first ever big event. I also suffer with anxiety and agrophobia and hate crowds! I had to go on my own to the GNR because my sons had there first football game of the season but I new this is something I have to do. I really wanted to get under 1:30 but the heat was hard 😂 looking back though for someone who has anxiety etc going to Newcastle on my own and been in that crowed on my own in that heat where anxiety could have got the better of me well it was just an unbelievable achievement in its self. I know it sounds daft I can box in a crowed which doesn’t bother me but out side of that I can’t stand crowds and have crippling anxiety. The GNR though I didn’t feel it! I was so excited and just ready to go. Feel on top right now and can’t wait to be back. Sorry for the long reply 😂 Loved your video mate and hopefully I’ll see you next year.

@@Darkshadow24610 no need to apologise! That’s a real journey and one you should be extremely proud of! Not being able to do what you love can be really difficult morale wise so your determination to transfer that to running is really admirable and no doubt great from a well being perspective. Huge well done again!

Next year and sub-2 it is then! Good luck with the training! 🤘

I was in town when it struck but got the bus home a couple of hours later relatively simply! Definitely one of a kind weather wasn’t it!?

Apologies for the late reply! Yeah, the atmosphere and crowds are something else!

Haha, I think you’ve found my niche… a running / knitting hybrid channel! Thanks for the kind words as always!

Thanks Daniel! That’s awesome, what a great way to top off a crazy but brilliant day! A HM at 102 years old is out of this world! Weather wise, it certainly wasn’t a day for PBs was it… well done!

Thanks Paul! Yeah, can’t have been easy for those still running in it!

Thanks Kimie!

Really appreciate that Andy! Next week is a lot smaller scale but hopefully no less engaging from a video perspective! The GNR is a tough act to follow!

Haha, mine was an IPA unfortunately! Not my cup of tea generally. Grateful to the HHH for their kind hospitality though! Thank you and well done to you too!

We obviously both have great taste in events! You’ll have to say hello next time! Haha, we could all be quicker but it doesn’t necessarily mean we’d enjoy it more! Mid-pack is where it’s at! 👊

Thanks Caitlin! Currently… no I’m not unfortunately! Didn’t get in the ballot this time around. Are you signed up?

Get in Dean! Well done to you both! The heat was something else wasn’t it. Bring on 2024!

7 hours?! Ouch. We made a conscious decision this year to head straight to them and see how it worked. Turns out it was the correct decision! Well done on the run!

Orange D is where it’s at! You were under crew, I forgot and ended up over for the first time - enjoyed the change though! Well done!

Yeah good pen to be in, Being my first time I didn't know there was an option.@@AlPepperRuns

Thanks Al! How did you guys get on?

@@AlPepperRuns we completed it in 1:54:55

Thank you! Ha, I probably forgot to mention it, 2:06 and change if I remember correctly! Yeah, it’s more hilly than you’d initially think. Atmosphere more than makes up for it though!

Ahh, nice! Well good to meet you… even though we didn’t realise at the time! How did you get on?!

@@AlPepperRuns stayed with that 2hr pacer you spoke to until 3km from the end then finished fast. Planned to do 10km with him then put the foot down but was too hot and seen too many people at the side of the road getting first aid.

@@bryanmcgill752 yeah, better to stay safe in those conditions but that’s a brilliant time regardless!

Thank you! Never done it?! I’d never have guessed! One for the bucket list for sure.

@@AlPepperRuns I was supposed to have ran it this year but was back In Australia. Still did half marathon on same day as GNR! (Only 300 runners in my half marathon)

@@hazellewebster-costella2968 ah yeah, you’d mentioned that! Well done!

Thanks Steve! I never ran the alternative course, heard the climb back over the flyover was tough though. Generally, this was one of the warmest events I can remember running. Well done!

It was the first year I’ve tried the busses and they worked out great! How did you get on?!

@@AlPepperRuns I used the event buses to get there on the morning from South Shields and it was so easy, would definitely recommend it to people in the future. My brother used the metro which broke down and he only just made the start of the race. I had forgotten how many inclines there were along the route, Marsden bank down to the coast was a welcome sight. 😮‍💨

@@AlPepperRuns I managed to get round in 1hr 44 minutes which I was happy with especially in that heat

@@IanMcalpine-ep9fc the hills surprise me every time! It feels like it should be relatively flat but in reality it really isn’t! Sounds stressful re. the metros!

@@IanMcalpine-ep9fc absolutely brilliant! Huge well done!

Ha, it was the first year I’ve tried the buses and it worked out well! Felt for those still out running in it though.

Fair play if that works for you but a lot of people put in a huge amount of effort to get to HM distance! Seems nicer to celebrate our victories than critique our limitations to me.

Every world record that has ever been set the athlete is “battered” crossing the finish line, it’s the most effort they have ever put in to what they are doing, we all have different limits, if it’s a piece of piss you must try harder!

This is the same principle we were taught in the army, an example would be to carry a stretcher with one man on it but instead of four people carrying it we would be told you can only use three. When we used four people next time it was a breeze.

Luckily I was stranded in a bar in town with a pint in my hand instead!

@@AlPepperRuns that sounds like a much better way to be stranded. Must run faster to avoid rain and get beer....noted

@@sumgirl782 haha, it sounds easy when you put it like that! Huge well done though!

@AlPepperRuns ah thank you. Well done you, time like that in that heat was not easy. Amazing work 👏

Haha yes we got stranded as well. One lady in high-viz shut down the Metro because of a few inches on water lol. I think the authorities panicked and should have kept the station and trains running. Hell and Safety took over I think. Anyway it didn’t dampen spirits because the people of Newcastle are all AWESOME and us runners can cope with anything with a smile on our faces. It’s why we run. Thank you to the Great North Run (my first time)

Yeah, the start is tricky isn’t it, especially in that heat!

You can buy a ticket there, no need to pre-book. £4 each if I remember correctly!