|
Footnotes - August 2004
A message from the other
side………. By Nigel Barker
Prior to
joining GWR my running career was interrupted for many months following the
picking up of a hip injury after running the Marine Corps. Marathon in
Washington D.C. After the event I wrote an article for my last clubs
newsletter, and came across it again a few days ago I thought you might be
interested in it, so here goes:
Having had a good injury free running
period of almost 7 years, I suppose me getting injured had to happen, but it
did unfortunately happen not only in grand style , but also over a period
when I was planning to do loads of races tied in with various holidays and
club events towards the end of the year. These included:
Bristol Half
Argentan Half
Mendip Muddle
Dublin Marathon Jersey Half
Lanzarote Running Challenge
Being injured, I had the opportunity to
see things from a non running angle and thought would share some of my
thoughts with you.
Many non-runners will emphasise with my
feeling of being a “ baggage handler” at races, and having to be in the
right place at the right time around race courses to support the runners. I
personally had not realised quite how complicated the job was and how it
necessitates almost military style planning to carry out my “role”.
The Dublin Marathon in October proved to
be my greatest challenge to date. A tricky combination of course map
interpretation, race day timetable and distance and pace calculation gave me
a plan for the day. I confidently (?!!) told Mike Bull that I would be at
four points around the course at times that would match my estimation of his
pace and anticipated race time. All these points and times were written down
on be back of his hand for reference.
The big day arrived, and the first
“bonus” was, of course, the opportunity to stuff myself with a full Irish
Breakfast at a far more realistic time in the morning, while all the other
runners in the hotel were anxiously awaiting their coaches to the start.
I look my rucksack plus course and Dublin
Street maps and headed to my first point just before the 1 mile marker, and
waited for the runners to arrive. Fortunately the weather was perfect for
spectating, dry and cool.
For once, I was up with the leaders! With
a sudden rush of flashing blue lights and a whoosh, the leaders were
through, followed by a lull and then the rest of the field, starting with
the fast club boys and then the rest of the field – including the American
walkers at the back, already in the “WAY TO GO”, “LOOKING GOOD!!!” “WHOOP,
WHOPP!!” mode. Unfortunately in the melee I missed Mike, but I’m sure that
my estimation of his time was spot on.
Then it was a dash to the 5 mile point,
where I managed to see the leaders before a stroll down the course,
retracing my steps from the previous afternoon to reach the 9.5 mile point
and await the passing of Mike. At this point, the disadvantage of being a
humble spectator first reared it’s ugly head. Fortunately there were
portable loos available around the course for runners, which were eagerly
used by spectators!
Hint for non-runners number 31: Ensure
you use the portable loos before the field arrives, as the runners selfishly
cause terrible queues that can jeopardise your timetable and best laid plans
if you have to wait.
Mike ran by, spot on time, waving madly.
I had put on my day-glow woolly hat to aid identification – it had been seen
by him from 400 yards away, long before I had spotted him!
It was off again to the 21 mile point
using the map of Dublin. I decided on the spur of the moment to position
myself half a mile further down the course than previously planned. This
necessitated much recalculation of times to ensure that my lunch time snack
that I took sitting in the sun outside a pub (bananas and crunchy bars) was
not disturbed. At one point I considered a Guinness while watching the
runners go by, but decided not to risk it, not knowing whether they allowed
drinking in the streets. Anyway, I had a bottle of water and a portable loo
nearby to relieve the situation.
As if on cue, Mike ran past virtually to
the second to recalculated time (based upon revised position) and again he
saw me (with my hat on) before I saw him. My bit of encouragement did
include the news that the drink station was around the corner – I
deliberately left off the bit about the impending hill. I also managed a
quick jog to catch up with him to pass over my last few Wine Gums to give
him an energy boost over the last few miles: these were well received.
The final four miles were REALLY tricky.
Plans involved being at the 25 mile point after the runners had only done a
short loop from when I last saw them and also being at the finish in time to
meet and greet at the end of the finish funnels. A quick hop over the Liffy
and sharp walk down the road into the City ensured that I was in place to
take another photo (I had that hat on again) while getting carried away and
running with Mike for 200 yards giving “encouragement”.
Hint for non-runners number 47: Don’t try
and run with friends/family/partners/club runners within less than a mile of
the finish of a marathon.
Although I tried my best, I don’t think
it went down that well. It’s more difficult to balance too little and too
much encouragement, apparently. But it did get me closer to the finish to
await expectantly at the exit to the finish funnels and baggage reclaim. (It
didn’t do my injury much good either, but the atmosphere of the day got me
carried away, and at least I felt part of the event itself, in some small
way.)
After having carefully planned reunion
point(s), they were not needed, as there was plenty of room to see and meet
those finishing. Within 20 minutes we were back on the bus to the hotel for
my well earned rest and a shower.
Mike too had a well earned rest – but he
had to carry a finisher plaque and goody bag all the way from the finish to
the hotel. Who says that running a marathon is hard? It may be (I know from
bitter experience), but spectating is almost as hard, both mentally and
physically – especially when you have not run for nearly three months.
The “occasional” Guinness helped to
ensure that things throughout the weekend went with a swing, and Dublin is a
superb City to visit – only being a 35 minute plane ride away from Bristol
International (it often took longer to commute from Bristol to Weston in an
evening.)
In summary:
• Don’t expect runners to appreciate the
effort involved in spectating and getting the right camera angle sorted out,
person in the centre of the picture and smiling etc. etc.
• Your encouragement is never wholly appreciated – it’s always too low key
or over the top
• Getting to the right place at the right time almost requires an “A” level
in statistical analysis
• You need to be fit to spectate, a basic level of fitness will suffice
• Always ensure you know where the loos are around the course to make for a
comfortable day
• The fast guys never seem to be running that fast in comparison to your
flat out pace, but perhaps they are?
• Ex-runners don’t make good spectators
Nigel Barker
Originally written in December 1999 – Updated June 2004 |
