As we get closer to the Great North Run people will be preparing for the half marathon. As part of our run up to the Great North Run series we are speaking to people as they prepare. We spoke to Emily as she gears up to run the Great North Run for Diabetes UK.
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00:00 Have you run it before? Tell me a bit about the idea to run the Great North Run this year, Kim.
00:07 Okay, so I have run it in 2005 before I was married and had children. A few years ago I had my sixth baby and after that, quite soon after that, I started to walk and then I started to run and then I started to get fit.
00:22 And following on from that I always wanted to do the Great North Run but couldn't get a place.
00:28 One of my good friends is diabetic and once they were diagnosed I discovered just how difficult that disease is to manage.
00:38 You live on a knife edge a lot of the time. It's really very difficult.
00:44 So I wanted to run the Great North Run to create awareness of diabetes. So I'm running for Diabetes UK.
00:54 I really enjoyed running. I hated it when I was younger. Really, really didn't enjoy it.
01:01 But since I've been here since I was older I've really got into it and I thought I'll see what my times are like and see if they're any good because I've always been quite competitive.
01:09 And my times are actually really rubbish compared to other people my age.
01:13 But what I did find is that my high jump was quite good for my age so I went back to competing in the high jump as a Masters athlete.
01:23 And you've been part of Gidshead Harriers for a long time is that right?
01:27 That's right since I was 11. I started to high jump at school and my PE teacher told me to come down.
01:32 I was with the club for another 10 years which took me abroad as well with my competitions.
01:38 Got Great Britain vests. Absolutely loved my time here.
01:41 And when I got a bit older I wanted to come back and give that opportunity back to athletes here.
01:46 So I coach the high jump now and I have athletes from the age of 11 up to 18.
01:52 How's your training going?
01:54 Yeah really well. I did an ultra and a half marathon earlier in the year so I'm quite used to running the longer distances.
02:02 I'm kind of like one speed but I can just go forever.
02:05 So the training's going really well. I'm quite excited to see what kind of time I can get next week.
02:10 How are you feeling with it being so close now?
02:16 I'm feeling fine. I don't really get nervous. I've competed for years and years so it doesn't really affect me anymore which I think is really lucky.
02:25 I'm just excited to get on the start line and see all the people. It's the people that do it for me.
02:30 The people that get me through it. I'm just excited and the landmarks as well.
02:34 What would be your advice to them if they want to do it?
02:40 Absolutely. Well obviously the Couch to 5K app in the earlier stages is a really good way to get into running.
02:46 It's very accessible for the majority of people.
02:49 Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Make sure you've got maybe a drink with you or you're able to get one further down the road.
02:56 And just try and enjoy it. Try and enjoy it because it is a really fun event and it brings everybody together.
03:02 together.