James Runs the Great North Run 2011 & the BUPA 10,000

Various messages of support, advice or tips from some of the best athletes out there, all written to me (@jakiamena) on twitter..

Tyson Gay, the second fastest man ever:

“Honestly man you must stay relaxed in any event you do and have fun and patience. But be willing to stay focused and work hard”

Christine Ohuruogu, Olympic, Commonweatlh and World Gold Champion in the 400m:

“I’m sure u have prepared well 4 this, so go out there and remember what u have learned. stay relaxed and positive and enjoy it!”

Kelly Sotherton the Olympic Bronze medallist and Commonwealth Games champion:

“Importanly have fun, enjoy and relax. Don’t be too disappointed if it doesn’t go to plan firstly, but praise yourself when it goes well”

Richard Thompson, 2 time Olympic Silver Medallist:

“Just relax and have fun. Treat it like another day of practice with no pressure. You’ll do great, Good luck!”

Mo Farah, Britain’s number 1 distance runner, and my running “hero”:

“Build up the mileage in your training runs … slow it down 5 days before the race and stay hydrated!! Carbs up night before the race!”

David “Dai” Greene, Commonwealth & European Champion in the 400m hurldes:

“Good luck with your race. Try and plan it all out in your head before. If you know what you want to do before hand, it makes it more possible.”

Australian Sprinter Sean Wroe, Gold medallist at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games:

“Probably hard to write in 140 characters, but just have fun. Don’t worry about time and execute a good race.”

Iwan Thomas, Commonwealth Games record holder in the 400m:

“.. 1st comp so enjoy it will set a mark new pb! Just commit and run hard + ENJOY. Don’t caught up at start with everyone going off fast; stick at (a) comfy pace and slowly build up, good luck”

Olympic finalist Martyn Rooney (and fellow Crystal Palace fan):

“Look after your body and be prepared to work very hard! It’s not easy but very rewarding!”

Michael Bingham, silver medallist at the 2009 World Championships and the 2010 European Championships:

“Have fun!!! Oh and run fast! People tend to do their best when they enjoy what they’re doing.”

Jemma Simpson, current 800m British champion:

“It’s 70% in the mind 30% in the body. Don’t let your mind slow you down!” (referring to running)

Joice Maduaka, 19 time medallist at the British Athletics Championships (a record):

“Enjoy it. Dont be too nervous and mean every step”

Craig Pickering, British Sprinter:

“Join an athletics club and get a coach! Good luck!”

Celebrity Twitter Support

Thanks to the following for RTing the link to this website to their followers:

Al Murray (the Pub Landlord)

Tanni Grey Thompson (11 Paralympic Gold Medals)

Antony Cotton (Sean Tully in Coronation Street)

Angelica Bell (TV Presenter)

Gail Porter (TV Presenter)

Michael Underwood

Dean Smith (Philip Ryan in Waterloo Road)

Liam Tancock (British Swimmer, 3 Commonwealth Games Gold Medals)

Chris Farrell (The Apprentice)

Alex Epstein (The Apprentice)

Darcy Isa (Waterloo Road)

Paula Lane (Kylie in Coronation Street)

Mark Charnock (Marlon in Emmerdale)

Chelsee Healey (Janeece in Waterloo Road)

Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street writer)

Will Rush (Josh Clarkson in Waterloo Road)

Reece Noi (Earl Kelly in Waterloo Road)

Katharine Merry (former 400m runner)

Ceallach Spellman (Harry Fisher in Waterloo Road)

Oscar Pistorius (3 Paralympic Gold Medals)

Linzey Cocker (Jess Fisher in Waterloo Road)

Iain Lee (Radio & TV Presenter)

Andrew Hayden Smith (Dr Who, Byker Grove, CBBC)

Tom Milner (Paul Langley in Waterloo Road)

Jack McMullen (Finn Sharkey in Waterloo Road)

Chris Bates (The Apprentice 2010)

Dan Harris (The Apprentice 2010)

Laura Moore (The Apprentice 2010)

Zoe Salmon (Blue Peter presenter, Dancing On Ice)

Dame Kelly Holmes (2 time Olympic Gold Medallist)

Jamie Lester (The Apprentice 2010)

Mark Evans (Actor)

Donnaleigh Bailey (Doctors)

Will Dunn (Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows)

Jack Shepherd (David Platt in Coronation Street)

Mark Billingham (Author)

Ian Rankin (Author)

Kaiya Jones (Sophie Ramsden in Neighbours)

Laura Hamilton (Dancing On Ice)

Matt Holland (ex-Ireland footballer)

Jason Euell (ex-footballer)

Sian Reece Williams (Gennie in Emmerdale)

Garnon Davies (Hollyoaks)

Carley Stenson (Hollyoaks)

Andrew Lancel (The Bill, Coronation Street)

Jamie Heaslip (Ireland Rugby International)

Jermaine Easter (Crystal Palace FC)

Eva Pope (Rachel Mason in Waterloo Road)

Lee Boardman (actor, voiceover for Road Wars)

Rob Rouse (Comedian)

Peter Waterfield (Olympic Diver)

Becky Adlington (Olympic Swimmer, Gold Medallist)

Martin Offiah (Rugby legend)

Philip Martin Brown (Grantley Budgen in Waterloo Road)

Adam Bloom (Comedian)

Barnaby Edwards (Dr Who, Daleks)

Joanna Riley (The Apprentice 2010)

Steve Huison (Eddie Windass in Coronation Street)

Liz Locke (The Apprentice 2010)

Noorul Choudray (The Apprentice 2010)

Antony Costa (Blue)

Karen David (Francesca Montoya in Waterloo Road)

Mark Bright (ex-footballer, now pundit)

Chesney Hawkes (singer)

Joy Stefanicki (The Apprentice 2010)

Frightened Rabbits (band)

Laura Moore (The Apprentice 2010)

Zoe Salmon (Blue Peter)

Phil Taylor (Darts Champion)

Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo in Eastenders)

Gillian Philip (Author)

Christine Hamilton (I’m A Celebrity..)

Kriss Akabusi (ex-athlete)

Ben Jones (Doctors)

Mark Evans (actor)

Gail Emms (Olympian)

Tachia Newell (Bolton in Waterloo Road)

Zaraah Abrahams (Michaela in Waterloo Road)

Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster in Coronation Street)

Rebecca Ryan (Vicki in Waterloo Road, Shameless)

Oliver Lee (Hollyoaks)

Nathan Douglas (Triple Jumper)

Wayne McCullough (Boxer)

Anna Jobarteh (Ruth Kirby in Waterloo Road)

Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor in Coronation Street)

Daniel Brocklebank (Emmerdale)

Steve Furst (Little Britain)

Verne Troyer (Mini-Me from Austin Powers films)

Sacha Parkinson (Sian in Coronation Street)

Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Stape in Coronation Street)

Omid Djalili (Comedian)

Phillips Idowu (Triple Jump Champion)

Kid British (Band)

New Young Pony Club (Band)

Tom Chambers (Waterloo Road, Holby City)

Georgia May Foote (Coronation Street)

everyone else that has RTed

Thanks to Mo Farah (Britain’s number 1 distance athlete) for the support and advice he has given me towards my running the times I have met him.

Thanks also to Welsh hurdler Rhys Williams for the “bet” he gave me that he’d see me running a major race in 2011. He was right!