Great North Run training diary 10: Georgina Morris

They’ve been sharing their progress with readers along the way as the team at Kirklees Active Leisure does its best to get them ready for Sunday’s event.

Georgina writes:

“It is just a matter of days until our little band of novice runners takes part in the world’s biggest half-marathon.

“For six months we’ve been talking about the Great North Run, doing our best to prepare for the challenge, and asking friends, family and colleagues to dig deep for our chosen charity.

“But somehow it’s still not completely sunk in that on Sunday we’ll be joining almost 55,000 people on the starting line.

“Writing this, I can feel my stomach starting to churn a little. It’s pretty overwhelming to think that we’re going to be running 13.1 miles in front of a huge crowd – but there’s no backing out now!

“When we agreed to take part in the event for Action for Children in March, none of us had done any running – or even much exercise of any kind – since leaving school.

“Fortunately, Claire and I have had the help of Kirklees Active Leisure’s team at Dewsbury Sports Centre to keep us on track.

“It’s not just meant hours of trudging away on a treadmill though. We’ve taken part in Zumba, spinning and body combat classes, and been put through our paces by two of their personal trainers.

“Our final trip to the sports centre was last Thursday when personal trainer King Solomon treated us to another of his circuit training sessions. The 10 minutes abs blast workout which followed very nearly broke us, but we survived!

“And at the weekend, it was time to join our fellow rookie Lauren for our last run before the big day.

“It seemed only right that we return to Tingley Reservoir where we did our first run together many months ago.

“Where once we struggled to run a third of a lap before gasping for breath, Lauren and I completed five laps with only a brief spell or two of walking.

“Claire, who has been suffering problems with her Achilles tendon, also managed three turns around the route without too much trouble.

“It’s certainly boosted our confidence to see just how far we’ve come, but nothing has spurred us on so much as the words of support and generous sponsorship we’ve received.

“Whatever happens on Sunday, you can be sure that we’ll all be giving it everything across that finish line and do our supporters proud.”

The Reporter Series team is raising money for Action for Children.

All money raised through sponsorship will be split between the five children’s centres run by the charity in North Kirklees.

You can sponsor the team online by clicking on the link to the right of this story.

You can also pledge sponsorship in person at:

Dewsbury Reporter, 17 Wellington Road, Dewsbury.

Chickenley, Earlsheaton and Shaw Cross Children’s Centre, Princess Road, Chickenley.

Flatts and Eastborough Children’s Centre, 25/27 Westgate, Dewsbury.

Dewsbury Moor and Scout Hill Children’s Centre, 100 Heckmondwike Road, Dewsbury.

Ravensthorpe Children’s Centre, Greenwood Centre, Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe.

Mirfield Children’s Centre, 14 Taylor Hall Lane, Mirfield.