See you next year Tourists

So, the tour is over. I honestly thought that I'd do one and that would be it. It would be great training for January plus I'd get to do all the BTR races in one year. Next year I'd volunteer, maybe do a few guest places. I really underestimated what it means to be a tourist, I don't think you can fully understand until you have been one. There's something about the events that you go through that pulls everyone together, even the people you didn't speak to. You'll see someone in a few months time racing in a tourist top and you'll give them a louder cheer than anyone else because they're part of the family, even if they're the crazy relative whose name you can't remember. We're like the Mitchell's (Eastenders reference men) or something, we look after our own because of the amazing and unique experience we have all shared. Today I watch the list of 2016 grow and was so happy to see so many names that made my experience so great returning but at the same time there's some new very nice people on the list. I'm excited that they'll get to experience it too. 

There are so many great memories but I have some highlights. Running with Zena and a 74 year old lady has to be up there, Hale was so much fun. Hearing the story about Rob stealing a pint as he finished, I would have loved to have seen that (He didn't actually steal it, he arranged for it to be there for him). Derek's socks! Fancy dress!! Eammon's high fives and the stitches he had me in shouting at people who went past him at Stadt Moers. Powerman! Too many wonderful supporters and volunteers to name. Keith telling us we could get off the beach, Ali running to me with my water and Pat making us smile before we faced the steps. Saying well done to every runner who went past me (well most of them, I had to stop during Stadt Moers) and getting to support a race whilst running it. Erika stopping to save a dog! Emma passing out on the train, surprising Alan with the masks and then Joyce surprising him and Yvonne with the dolls. Claire Dolan's face when she was called to the stage and watching Derek take pleasure in helping her to cross every finish line with massive smiles. David Marsh's speech and learning the importance of a pray and a hope and a song forever changed. Seeing Michael Bailey's determination at every race and pretty much every moment with Stan. Stan if I was told to give my medal back I would without hesitation, you were right, some things mean more than a medal. 

My super hero

I'll finish my race reports soon so that we can relive a bit of the agony and to give the rookie tourists an idea of what they've got themselves into. It will only prepare you for the running though, there's no preparation for becoming a tourist. You'll find out soon enough. 

Race Reports

Race #1 Southport Half

Day #2 Thurstaston Multi Terrain

Day #3 Sustrans Cycle Trail

Day #4 Hale 5 Mile

Tour of Merseyside - Day #3 Sustrans Cycle Trail

Image owned by Mark Humphreys-Green

Well, we've official half way, both in miles and days.  29(.1) miles are done and there's only 23 miles to go.  I had a little cheer when we got the the half way point at mile 7 today.  Some people thought I was a it nuts but if I always get a lot more enthusiastic about running when I'm past half way, my last half of the race is always better than my first.

Today the lovely Stephen and Dennis gave me lifts again, thank you very much guys.  I love the atmosphere at the start of every TOM race.  Even the people who are suffering are still really happy and it's so nice to see the same bunch of smiling faces every day.  There's a mix of apprehension and excitement in the air.  It's like a normal race times a million because you all raced together the day before, and the day before that.  It's nice.

Sustrans Cycle Trail 10 mile route

Tonight's race is a 10 miler with a route that is really great for those that struggle with maths.  You start in the middle, run 2.5 miles in one direction, run back, then 2.5 miles in the other direction and run back and you're done, easy right.  The route goes up and down the Stustrans Cycle Trail, starting near Walton Hall Park.  The route is pretty nice although is is not as pancake flat as some would have you believe, there a few few little hills and a bit of a steep incline at one point but you get to come down it on the way back.  There was water stations at the end and in the middle which was great because it was quite a warm, muggy day.  The course is perfect for a Tourist race because you pretty much go past every runner twice.  It gives you lots of opportunity to cheer each other one and get to watch what is going on in the race whilst you run it.  I think it's my favourite course so far just for that reason.

Sustrans Cycle Trail 10 mile elevation

Stan, who ran with me at Tunnel 10k after the tunnel made me ill, warned me that we had to go through some tunnels today.  I was a little bit worried but my plan was to just stick with Stan.  We ended up crating a nice little group with Jo and Jon too.  I struggled for pretty much the whole first half.  My shin really hurt and my legs felt like led and were really starting to feel the effect of racing every day. It wasn't quite as bad as how I felt at Milton Keynes half after I'd done the 5k and 10k in the days before and I'd actually done more mileage in the previous two days this time so I guess I'm getting used to running on tired legs but it still hurt a lot.  Towrds the end of the first have it started getting a lot easier and we made it back past the start ages before the front runners went past (Which was what Stan was aiming for).   It took me a while to figure out the sums (I'm a bit slow) but I figured out that by the time we reached the 7 mile marker we were halfway through the 52 miles of the tour.  I got quite excited at this point, probaly a bit too much.  I probably could have sprinted the way back with giddyness but instead I just annoyed everyone around me, including myself.  I shut up for the last mile (I was still giddy in my head) and we all crossed the finish line together.  I wanted to be around 2 hours and we were actually 1:42:11.

I have to say a big thank you to Stan.  He literally guided me through the tunnel both times and was still putting everyone else first even when he was really struggling.  The spectators were also awesome too, even the teenagers who you can never tell whether they're being sarcastic or not, at this point I'll take it all.  I had to run off straight after the race but am hoping I can stay longer for the next few.

Next race: Hale 5 miler after a rest day tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to this one because I did the same race earlier in the year and it was great.  Plus it's fancy dress.  Did I mention it's fancy dress?  It's fancy dress!!

Tour of Merseyside - Day #2 Thurstaston Multi Terrain

Image owned by Mark Humphreys-Green

Ever since I did Viper in March, when I discovered than running on uneven ground plays havoc with my disorder, I've been a little stressed about today. Getting really ill at Tunnel 10k and Birchwood Brook just made me even more scared, I've never feared a race so much. Thankfully my amazing friend Ali offered to get a guest place and run it with me. She wouldn't be racing and so there would be no pressure, we could just go at my speed and if It got really bad I'd have someone to stay with me without if affecting their race.  

Image owned by Emma Pitt

The race started ok. We had quite a good laugh with the usual mix of characters (tourists = crazy). It's quite strange because it's only race two but already we have enough injured (pre race 1) to justify creating a wheelchair division (we decided that the fastest runners could pull us along). The desire to complete the tour is so great that some people will run through when they probably should be home on bed rest but we all understand the insanity and will help them cross all the finish lines anyway they can. 

Thurstaston Multi Terrain Route

Today's course, which was meant to be 5.9 miles but wasn't (good job I think you're awesome Alan), took us along the beach, up a hill, down a hill and then onto a nice flattish path. There was quite a mixture of sand, mud and gravel.  The area is so pretty, it's such a beautiful place to run, although I no longer have any desire to run on a beach.  At first I was OK on the sand, I struggled a little to get going but mostly because of my shin. The rocks started to get bigger and so I was forced to look at the ground in order to not go flat on my face which is when the trouble started. I lost most of my vision and started struggling to talk. Instead of ignoring it and keep going like I normally would I slowed down and started walking which really worked because I didn't get any worse (and even managed to moan about the mile 2 marker confusing us). 

Thurstaston Multi Terrain Elevation

By the time we saw the lovely Keith and the end of the beach I was still struggling but I knew it would go away if we just plodded for a while. Which was actually quite good timing because next came the hill. We walked ran the first bit and saw the lovely Pat with her sweets (sorry for not saying hi but I still couldn't talk then)and entered into the muddy path of steps. There was a little group of us by this time but none of us were particularly keen to move with any speed so we all just took our time. It was nice to have other runners supporting each other rather than elbowing past, we got up and over together and then my sight came back just in time for a nice downhill and then the final path home.   We picked up some speed on the path and it actually felt like we were running again. I really enjoyed that final couple of miles and we even had Alan cheering us on. After the sand and mud it was nice to be on solid flat and even ground again and we really had fun pushing each other on to the finish. I had wanted to finish in around 2:10 but were actually a bit faster at 1:09 which was nice and we had a lot of fun despite the course making me ill. It was really tough not being able to talk properly because I couldn't thank the volunteers or encourage the runners around me. I feel like I missed out on being a tourist a bit today. 

The volunteers today were so amazing.  Some of them were stood in the middle of nowhere for ages in the rain and every single one of them made us laugh or smile (I've never done a race where you have to limbo under the parking barrier before!!).  I was a bit delirious at the end but I'm pretty sure that first place winner (so far) and running machine Anthony was holding up the finish line for us to get under at the end.  It doesn't surprise me, both him and Terry (currently second even though he always starts at the back) and lots of other tourists gave me loads of support at Liverbird (my first marathon) even though they were doing their second marathon in two days and were still going crazy fast.  It's just the tourist way, mostly inspired by Alan (who is using the rest day to run Thurstaston with a tourist that couldn't make it!!).  We got drinks and snacks at the end too and I even managed to make it in time for a Wendy cake!!

19.1 miles done.  

Next race: Back on solid ground tomorrow with a 10 mile race on the Sustrans Cycle Trail.  Everyone keeps telling me it's flat but the elevation chart has a hill before the turn around point.  Hopefully it will be a bit dryer.

Medal Watch - Special Edition

Today medal watch has been temporary taken over to become (dum dum dummmmm)... Buff Watch...  They can't scale tall buildings, leap over fires, swim the mighty ocean or drink a load of Duff but they are very pretty #shapow (#TOM2015 is going very superhero).  The buffs (which are official original Buffs, technically you're not allowed to call it a buff if it's not a Buff) were designed by the lovely Paul Barrett.  The majority have been pre-ordered but he still has some left to sell for £12.  I'm really looking forward to getting mine tonight.

Image owned by Paul Barrett

Tour of Merseyside - Race #1 Southport Half

Image owned by Mark-Humphreys Green

A year ago I followed the post of this crazy bunch of people on facebook doing this tour thingy, some crazy challenge where you do 6 races in 7 days for a total of 52 miles.  They were all seriously nuts, like certifiable, it looked like so much fun and they all ended up like this massive family.  The runners who finished last were celebrated just as much as the ones who came first and they even organised an extra race for a runner who got injured in the last mile of the last race.  I signed up for the next year as soon as it opened.   The first race, Vital Events Southport half marathon. Today, whilst pinning the 'Tourist' bib to the back of my vest my hands were literally shaking because it finally hit me that I was doing this.  

The pre-race stuff was a lot of fun.  I got to see lots of people I know and meet some new people.  The park is a great location for the start of a race I think, there was a serious amount of toilets (runners are obsessed with toilets), the commentator was hilarious and it's a very pretty park.  BTR section us all off and do a really great job of looking after us all, they even gave us an awesome bouncer (Keith you need a black tie and an ear piece next time).  A very big thank you to everyone, especially Erika who had to deal with all the rabble and then run herself.

Tourists before the first race.  Image owned by Rachel Fredrickson Craig 

Just before I start going into detail I should explain that I've been suffering with a shin issue for a few weeks.  Well a few months really but ignored it for quite a while. It's in my right leg anyway which has less sensation (and movement) than my left (I have to change me prominent leg when I got ill) and so it was just a dull ache for a long time.  After Liverpool RnR it started hurting A LOT even when I walked and so I ended up having to rest for a few weeks.  My first run back was Colin Potter 10k on Friday and it didn't hurt at all so I was feeling optimistic.  Today I was running with the famous old man Stan and the lovely Adele but had to stop to sort my laces out (Someday I will learn to tie them before the start of the race!!) and when I pushed it a little to catch up the shin pain started coming back so I had to slow down.  I had to keep just plod the entire race but it meant that I got to pay attention to the people around me which the course is really good for.

Southport Half Route

The race starts in Victoria Park.  You do quite a big loop before you leave the park and it did get a bit congested at the start.  We were walking for almost a minute at one point.  After the park we went down a very very very very very very very very very long and winding road with nothing but miles and miles and miles of sand dunes.  When we got to the end, we turned round and came back.  It was almost completely soul destroying, almost.  The thing that saved it was that it was an out and back, after a while the faster runners started going past and so you got to cheer on everyone you knew (I know a lot more people than I realised) and any other tourists and they shouted support back.   I cheered on some random non-tourists too because I felt bad only cheering for tourists.  I spoke to 37 random people and Chris (best pacer ever) during the race.  I taught people my new sweat band trick (If you soak it in cold water and put it on your wrist it helps to keep you cool.  You can then use is to wipe across your forehead, lips and other wrist when you get really hot), answered lots of questions about "What's a tourist" and had a great time.  It was a very hot humid day but the water stations were great and just where we needed them.  I poured four bottles over my head so I finished looking like a drowned rat.

Southport Half Elevation

Vital Events Southport Half Medal

BTR Tour of Merseyside Goody Bag

As much as I don't like the first half of the course, I love the second bit. For a start we still had runners going past us, it was great seeing so many Tourists leading the race and all looking strong plus we were running next to the sea.  I can't not be happy when I'm running next to the sea, it was so pretty and there were lots of things to see.  I really loved running around the big lake too.  I've only been to Southport twice (To do Mad Dog 10k) and so a lot of the things were new so I really enjoyed the last stretch and knew that I was going to run the whole thing and not walk (which is all I wanted really). I was getting quite enthusiastic and so in the last few miles I started trying to getting any walkers running (especially if they only had a few more miles to do, we had another 41 so no excuse.  I did guilt a few people into running but a few said thanks to me after which was nice).  Some people started walking about the last loop in the park and there was a few moans about having to go round one last time but I loved that bit and even managed to pick up some speed and do a sprint finish.  I love the medal, which we got because BTR paid for us to have them.  The t-shirt was nice to but I was OK with not getting one (Although Tony from Road Runners is going to give me his which is very nice.  I have to say that Dan from Road Runners offered me his medal because he thought we didn't get one, how nice was that!!  Lovely man!!).  We got a special BTR goody bag too which was a really nice suprise because I wasn't expecting one.

Image owned by BTR

The support on the course was amazing.  A lot of people came to watch and they were all cheering, even in random places.  The tourists who weren't running were amazing (It must have been hard to watch and not take part so thank you) and what is a race without a WRC cheering squad who were amazing and kept popping up everywhere.  They made the race a lot more enjoyable and really kept me going.  I'm pretty sure that this is my one and only tour so I'll have to go back and do Southport Half on it's own next year and cheer on all the tourists.  As long as you remember how nice the second half of the course is I don't think it's a bad race and the people (running and not running) make it into something very memorable.  I finished in 2:13:30 gun time (chip time was slightly less but the tour is done on gun time) so I'm pretty happy with that.  I was aiming for 2:10 before the leg started giving me issues and I'm still around my overall target (I would like a combined time of around 8 and a half hours but as long as I cross six finish lines I'm not that fussed about time).

Back at the BTR tent there was hugs and well dones, I think a lot of people found it quite tough but day one was done.  As David Walsh pointed out later, we're already 25% done!! Tourists dominated the race too, both the overall winner (Anthony) and the first lady (Jennifer) were tourists and no Tourists came last either. 285 tourists started and finished (3 are missing off the results) and just under one in 3 runners was a tourist (30% of all finishers).

Next Race: Tomorrow we have the 5.9 mile Thurstaston Multi Terrain.  This is on the one I have been dreading most but it's off-road which can make me ill.  Just going to take it nice an easy.  I did want to try to run the whole tour but I've just seen the elevation for the race including the massive hill from mile 3 to 4 (literally a mile long), I may need my mini mouse skirt to get through it.  I'm trying to do the whole tour in a skirt (not the same skirt obviously cos the would be gross)

Tour & Dopey Training

Being injured is no fun!!