I completed the Blaydon Races last week. When you hear of people running in the North East, two runs spring to mind – the Great North Run and the Blaydon Races.

First things first, the weather was bloody boiling hot! Apparently last year it was a wash-out, not this year. To be honest, I’ve never ran in heat like it and I’m also used to morning runs. This one was going to be interesting.

I got the train through with my mate James. Ross’ Mam and Dad were also going to bring me home giving Amy a day off. I bumped into my old MD Brian at Weatherspoons and briefly chatted to Juliet before it kicked off. Did you spot me in the photo above? It’s like ‘Where’s Wally?’ or should I say ‘Where’s Paulie?’ Haha! It was taken by Jimmy Shaw, he’s one of the Gateshead parkrun organisers.

I must admit, it felt like we’d started at the back. I found it really difficult to get into my stride. It seemed like the majority of people in front of me were running slower than my usual pace. I even saw people walking after only 2k, I thought this was a serious road race!? I was running that little bit faster just to get past some of them and create a little bit of room. I suffered a stitch at 5k in the Pier to Pier, I suffered a stitch in the Blaydon Races at only 3k. Un-bloody-believable. I ate very little for dinner (which was three hours prior), I was breathing the same as I’ve always done and my core is strong. I honestly don’t know why these running stitches are re-surfacing. It’s so frustrating to not be able to run when you don’t even feel knackered or out of breath. I had to run the remaining few miles limited as I could feel the stitch coming on all the time. Also that day the sun was really beating down and I forgot to put suncream on. I could feel the corner of my forehead burning up. I tweeted later that day that I was really disappointed with my performance and I still am. I’m not disappointed with my time, I actually think that 46:34 is ok but if I’d just run it without getting a stitch, I would have been a happy chappy.

I feel I need to remind myself what am I trying to achieve in with my fitness journey? I’m a weight trainer who likes to do the odd the run, because I enjoy it. That’s how it’s always been but I’ve made so many running friends over the past year that perhaps I got caught up in the moment. Most of my running buddies were doing this run and hand on heart, I think I subconsciously pushed myself too far. My training leading up to this run had been the same as any other run. I don’t take it too seriously but I do enough to get through it.

The Blaydon Races was a great run. Will I do it next year? Probably not. I thought it was extremely well organised and the goodie bag was great. I’d definitely recommend the Blaydon Races to any runner as it’s certainly an experience. There’s just something about running on main roads that have been closed just for you.

Bamburgh 10k next and I’m really looking forward to it.