I had a shower and swapped a few war stories from out on the course. I told people I could have run faster if I had done any proper training, just like I told people I could have got better grades in my college exams if I had done more work. I got changed, went into the marquee next to the finishing line and had something to eat.
After a while, an announcement said the buses would not be leaving for Newcastle city centre for another hour. I wandered outside and heard the commentator's voice urging the crowd to cheer someone on in the last few yards of their race.