Mark Horner finishing race

You don’t get anything for nothing nowadays. True or False?
As you probably guessed by now, I am a keen runner and have been for some years now, however the thought of heading out alone on those long cold winter nights with nothing to keep me occupied but the patter of rain as it relentlessly strikes the face is enough for me to hang up my shorts and retire to the sofa. I was once told that running is one of the loneliest sports one could wish be partake in and to be honest, I happen to agree; this is one of the reason I decided to join Claremont Road Runners based at Northumbria university in Newcastle upon Tyne. I first started running in an attempt to increase my physical fitness, but the drive behind running took a somewhat unexpected turn.

Maintaining some level of fitness is relatively easy, increase that level is when things become a little tougher; especially for those brave enough to enter the world of competitive running, by the term competitive I’m not referring to presenting one’s self as an Olympian you understand. Regional races throughout British summer time saturates the diaries of those wishing to compete at an intermediate level, this in my opinion is the perfect opportunity to train harder and focus the mind on a specific objective such that PB’s become a regular occurrences. During my time as a club runner I’m continually taken aback from the wealth of knowledge and advice which is passed on from those who can only be described as sporting veterans, being a novice in this game it is important to welcome advice and embrace the challenges that are presented to me in the form of club handicaps and training sessions. This level of personalized coaching comes at no cost, in most fitness disciplines, personal coaching at this level comes at a significant premium.

Competing is an effective way of measuring ones progression and comparing oneself against other runners in the region. This is a motivational exercise in itself, and if you’re as competitive as i am you’ll soon find yourself striving to beat personal course records and the time of those whom you are familiar with. Of course most races cost money and these fees can soon mount up when you’re as keen as I am at competing. Having said this, Park Run is one such race that is held weekly (typically on a Saturday morning) and is entirely free. What is offered here is a 5km course set out throughout the country in local parks such as that of Exhibition Park in Newcastle upon Tyne; the course is professionally laid out and overseen by race marshals, pacers, and first aid personal. Each runner is asked to register online and download a barcode which contains the person details of each runner such that age, name, gender and club can be recorded. The course timing is achieved by scanner each individual barcode at the finish line as well as an addition chip which contains the finishing time of each runner. My understanding of the ranking may not be entirely accurate but this is how I understand it to work.
Your results come in two parts, firstly you are ranked with respect to the other runners on the day in accordance with you finishing position and time and secondly, you are ranked against other runners throughout the region which fall into your age category of the same gender, the score/ranking system is given as a percentage, one hundred percent being the fastest time recorded over the duration which Park Run has operated over; therefore the higher the percentage, the better the runner.

The exciting thing about Park Run is that it has been operational of some time now and still continues to break attendance records on a weekly basis, this unique training facility is free and all that asked in return is that you marshal 3 times over a 12 month period i.e. stand and hold open the gate. So, I only need ask one question…………………… You don’t get anything for nothing nowadays, true or false?

Guest Post By

Mark Horner

As a child I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time in the country, rural Durham to be specific, at a time where crime was something you’d only read about in the papers rather than personally encounter. Youngsters could freely play without the need of constant supervision; by the term play I am referring to sports you understand, unlike today’s computer obsessed culture. This was a time where children were expected to socially interact; likewise parents and guardians were too.
We’d spend many weeks throughout the year at a holiday home based in Hamsterly which was owned by my grandparents, at the time we’d take for granted the freedom and sense of simplistic living associated with living in a caravan. As time moved on the health and wellbeing of my grandparents deteriorated thus resulting in the sale of the property, this was a sad day, no more would we have a river gently trickling by our front door, the swing-ball set would see its last day.
To our surprise my father purchased a caravan a short while later in Staiths, North Yorkshire. Our sense of freedom was restored. Many happy years were spend in Yorkshire;  once I become old enough to travel down alone, it became a retreat from the stresses and strains of life living in the city. The vast unpopulated open space made life feel less complicated, I found myself intrigued by the local farmers carelessly yet methodically carrying out their daily duties ranging from milking cows to gathering eggs.
As time went on my connection with the countryside and the way of life there become somewhat disconnected, the demands of work along with relationship commitments meant that my life back home was more exciting than that of evening strolls down to the beach and along the riverside. During this period the site closed down due to the ill health of the land owner, however, being slightly self obsessed at the time my thought were centred on different things at home.
Many years later, 11 years to be precise, I still feel a connection with the country. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I remained firmly rooted in the city. By no means do I intend on stay at my current location in Newcastle upon Tyne, on the contrary in fact.
A dear friend of mine has recently moved to a rural location which offers all the benefits associated with country life, my visits up there remind me of the years I spend with my family and friends as a child away from bright lights and industrial backdrop of the Tyne. My trips up to Ulgham, Northumberland, will always hold as special place in my heart knowing that the simple country way of life still exists. The casual walks down past the stream may not be as enjoyable as the times spend paddling as a child but then again I don’t think my joints would take it now, or maybe I’ve just got a little more sense. I hope someday when my children are growing up they have the opportunity to experience all the great things I have over the years, If I don’t manage to achieve what I aim to in life i.e. the country home, I think it’s important to ensure my children and my children’s children appreciate the simpler things in life and I genuinely feel we can learn a lot from country folk.
It’s never easy wanting something that is potentially unattainable, yet I find myself striving to achieve the impossible, the good thing about being a professional is there is always job opportunities available which will inevitably help feed my dream of being reunited with my country roots.

Mark Horner

I have never been much of a runner and to be honest it doesn’t really interested me. But I though it would be nice to hear a runners perspective and to  ask the question. Why run?

So let me introduce you to my good friend Mr Mark Horner a pivotal member of the Claremont Road Running club Newcastle upon Tyne and here his perspective.

Running is something most people avoid at all costs, the thought of being exposed to the elements whilst gasping for breath as you casually lean against the nearby lamppost is something that put the fear of god into us. So what is it that makes a runner want to become a runner?

5 years ago on a moderately warm Sunday afternoon I was in a local park revising for a exam, I remember being continually interrupted by passers-by, I received countless “hellos” and “pleasant day isn’t it” proving we don’t live in a society full of socially inept feckless individuals. What appeared odd at the time was that all these pleasant sunday afternoon strollers were in fact runners; you know the type, extremely short-shorts accompanied by the Asics gels-inserted super trainers. There was something rather pleasant about the way these people casually acknowledge each and every person that crosses their path (much like country folk). With the books now firmly closed, my thoughts were somewhat redirected, the question I repeatedly asked myself was, what makes a runner or any fitness enthusiast for that matter adopt a healthy lifestyle? What makes someone become so dedicated to a particular fitness discipline?

I remember a time before my engineering career started when I made a living working at a local fitness centre with some very interesting and influential people, some of which I still hold in high regard; however, there was one girl who in my opinion was and is qualified way above the required level for the position she held as an instructor, I often questioned her motives for why she should want such a mediocre job role, the response was quite simple, she was an under-grad in Sports, Health and Exercise. It is only now I understand that gaining practical experience is as important as the qualification itself.
At this point you are probably wondering where this story is heading but bare with me it does have a point.  

For those who are familiar with a degree programme will know that a dissertation makes up a large percentage of the final year marks, much thought and effect must be put into the project to gain a respectable final degree grade one would hope something like a 2:1 or even a 1st.
One Saturday morning my fellow fitness consultant presented a rather large pile of questionnaires, the findings of which would make up analytical data necessary to draw a conclusion for her dissertation. The study in question was; does exercise promote mental as well as physical well being? The study was obviously more complex than a simple question but I’m sure you get the picture.  
If my memory serves me right, I believe the finding supported the theory that those who took part in some exercise programme experienced some form of mood elevation post workout, looking back I’m unsure how accurate this data was, as I remember filling in so many myself that I got to know the questions off-by-heart, but these things help pass the day.
So, is it the achievement of doing something that makes us feel fulfilled? In my opinion no, some of us turn to religion to fill gaps in our lives, some become life-long learners as students, whist others are content with their jobs and family life (I hear marriage and children take up a lot of time).
There is one other factor that needs consideration here, most of us, me included, strive to succeed in something; this is particularly true for those who under achieve in their early years. Sport (exercise) is an ideal and suitable outlet to present personal talent, it gives us a platform to compete and challenge against other who feel they are adequately equipped to step up to the plate. Recently I have experienced this first hand in a run which is local to the North East of England; the Blaydon Race is a 5.9Mile circuit which is demanding in parts, however, the spectators offer their support by clapping and cheering whilst singing local folk songs, it a grand day and a real treat
4 years ago I decided that I’ll give this running thing a go, I can honestly say I walked most of the 1 mile circuit I had set out in my head. During this first attempt I remember thinking “what the hell do people do this for” it’s never a good thing when you question yourself about these things. Not being a kind of person who gives up easily, I decided to continue jogging at a pace I felt was comfortable for my standard of running, slowly my lung capacity and distanced gradually increased, thus not needing to stop as regular.
5 years later I’m still running, by no means am I capable of running the London marathon, that takes a special kind of person. I have become one of those people who repeatedly say “hi”, “pleasant day isn’t it”. My recent attempt at the Blaydon Race on the 9th of June 2011 proved to me that running races bring together like minded people, do I enjoy the competition? You bet I do!
I honestly do think exercise makes you feel better, I think the physically demanding aspects of the sport or regime gives a sense of achievement, pushing the human body past the mental limits we assign ourselves gives a new prospective to what can be achieve. By the end of 2011 I will have taken part (hopefully completed) a further 8 competitive races including The Great North Run, The Edinburgh 10K, the Tynedale 10K, to name but a few and hopefully become a member of Claremont Road Running based in Northumbria University.    
Looking back from the time I first noticed the casual joggers in the Waterside Park situated in Gateshead, I now understand that running gives people a chance to reflect on their daily lives, it gives us time away from the demands of lives, it offer peace and relaxation from the pressures of our family and friends as well as creating a community. Running is and always will be a huge part of my life for all of the reason stated above. If I can give a small piece of advice to anyone wanting to lose weight, or feel they need to do a little exercise with some extremely pleasant individuals, consider running, the distance or pace isn’t relevant, nor is age. So pop  those Asics on, flash those legs, and don’t forget to say “PLEASANT DAY ISNT IT”