9:07AM, Thu Sep 13, 2012

Our Reporter India Adams’ Great North Run Training Blog

By India Adams Location: South Shields

Video: 4 Days To Go...all about the rest

Today is a proper rest day as I'm off work and had a little bit of a lie in.

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My thoughts are starting to turn to preparation for the race day itself now, like transport for getting up to the start line, what to eat for breakfast and what time to eat it and what the weather will be like.

For the first time, I got out my race pack to have a little look at what time my wave of runners will be setting off. It's so close now that I'm starting to get quite excited at the thought of it.

I've trained really hard and it feels like now I can do some of the nice stuff like flicking through the Great North Run magazine to find out where along the race there'll be entertainment, drinks stations, showers and other fun stuff.

It brings back memories of the last time I participated which was in 2008. It was my first time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lets hope this year is the same. I'm quite sure it will be.

I'm running for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They really do help to change people's lives. If, like me, you love people and dogs, you can sponsor me by clicking here.

Video: 5 days to go...As the weather cools down, the confidence rises

Just five days to go now and I'm thrilled to say there's been a much welcome change in the weather.

I find it so much easier to run when it's cool, so I waited until evening to do my five miler.

It went without a hitch and I felt great the whole way (apart from battling a head wind on the way back along the coast).

Tonight's run really boosted my confidence, which I needed after Sunday's disastrous 4.5 mile run in 25 degree heat. Not exactly tropical I know but enough to zap my energy.

Looking ahead to the Great North Run I'm feeling happy and excited. Let's hope the weather behaves itself.

I'm running for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They really do help to change people's lives. If, like me, you love people and dogs, you can sponsor me by clicking here.

Video: 6 days to go...Not resting on a rest day

Well, less than a week to go and the nerves are really starting to kick in. I’ve been training hard for weeks now but it’s as important to rest and recover as it is to ensure you put the mileage in.

However, I’m not really able to do that sometimes because there’s a bit of crossover with my day job at the minute so I’m missing out on a rest today.

That’s all because I’ve got the chance to go out for a run with ‘Tony The Fridge’ who’s undertaken a tremendous fund-raising effort in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

He’s running the Great North Run route 31 times….with a fridge on his back….before actually running it on the day.

Inspiration can be an overused word, but it’s one that really seems appropriate here with Tony.

I'm running for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They really do help to change people's lives. If, like me, you love people and dogs, you can sponsor me by clicking here.

Video: 7 Days To Go...accidentally meeiting a man, with a fridge on his back

Exactly a week today I will be crossing the Great North Run finish line and with that in mind I set off this morning on a brisk 4.5 miles easy running.

Running, yes. Easy, no. I really struggled in the heat today and had to stop twice for water, as I don’t usually take a drink on such a short run, but I was desperate.

I was however, cooled down by a chance meeting with the Tyne and Wear legend that is Tony the Fridge, aka Tony Morrison, from Hebburn.

He had just completed his 23rd 13.1-mile course running with a six stone fridge on his back, all to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation after losing a close family member to cancer.

He said: “I feel great. We’ve just broken the 300 mile mark, we’ve done 301 miles so I’ve just got to keep that up until next week.”

He is totally inspiring and spurred me on along the way. I still pray for cooler weather next week though!

I'm running for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They really do help to change people's lives. If, like me, you love people and dogs, you can sponsor me by clicking here.

Video: 8 Days To Go...Time for a rest

I can’t believe I will be running the 13.1 miles of the Great North Run a week tomorrow. Time flies.

After my gym session yesterday, I had a rest day today and made sure I spent some time stretching, as my legs were rather sore.

Although I wasn’t training, today was wonderful for me because I got to meet a man who has really benefited from Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, the charity I’m running for.

Peter lost his hearing overnight ten years ago due to meningitis and has had his black Labrador, Islay, ever since.

Islay is essentially Peter’s ears, alerting him when the phone rings, the doorbell goes or when the smoke alarm sounds.

The bond between them is amazing and Peter says without his beloved dog, his shattered confidence might never have returned.

Watch out for the video coming soon and if, like me, you love people and dogs, you can sponsor me by clicking here.

Video: 9 Days To Go...A return to the gym for a spot of indoor training

Just nine days to go now and the training continues. I'm recovering from the nine-mile run I did two days ago, so I just went for a nice quick workout, just two miles.

I was in the gym on a treadmill, which is something I don’t normally do and it was quite a nice change.

I find it’s far gentler on your joints as you’re not pounding the pavements or having to run cross-country style on uneven ground, so it was a welcome alternative.

I'm still feeling quite strong and positive, although I am by no means fit. I’m one of the runners who’ll be happy to cross the finish line, rather than worry about my time.

I'm running for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They really do help to change people's lives. If, like me, you love people and dogs, you can sponsor me by clicking here.

Video: 11 Days To Go...Join India for a run on grass, road and next to the sea

With only eleven days to go until the Great North Run, I set off on the last long run of my training programme.Nine miles from South Shields to Roker, Sunderland, with beautiful sea views along the way.

It was very warm and sunny, which is nice for the scenery, but quite challenging on a long run.

I find it difficult to run with a water bottle, so I made sure I had some change in my pocket to nip into the nearest shop and fill up on water.

Thankfully, the blisters on my feet seem to have subsided quite a bit as they were causing me rather a lot of discomfort earlier in my training.

By the end of the run, my legs were aching, but I’m sure the crowds on the day will keep me going!

I'm running for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. They really do help to change people's lives. If, like me, you love people and dogs, you can sponsor me by clicking here.