Type of Race: Route description, self navigation
Course: First 25 miles, mostly flat and some minor hills. Last 15 miles, there were quite a few steep hills. Ground was muddy from the last couple of rainy days.
Route Description: Personally thought it was excellent.
Organisation and volunteers: Excellent
Food: When there was some, very good. Carrot cake was divine at CP2
Weather: Dry and perfect (10 degrees celcius and overcast)
Start Time: 07:00
Location: Henley Upon Thames

Dear Organisers,

Please can I pull my tyre, Red at your event.

Yours truly

Tyregirl
****************************
Dear Tyregirl

We don’t discriminate against people with dogs; so is the tyre obedient?

Regards

Organiser

Of course Red is now obedient. Since her redesign and marriage to Landy, she has settled down and been fine on muddy grounds

4th May 2012: Final Preparation
The plan was to have a cheesy pasta dinner and then sleep early, but preparation continued. First with touching Red up with some fresh paint and then was sucked towards “the cloud”.  The internet has replaced television to providing an unlimited amount of information, entertainment and socializing.  My route preparation to the venue, took a diversion to replying to emails, chatting to friends on facebook, and browsing websites in my search for solar ventilation/heating.  My early night was midnight and a conversation in my head told me 5 hours sleep would be fine…..that is, if I had slept.  The engine in my head was still churning out thoughts and it was about 2am when I resorted to a tension technique in order to relax the body.

5th May 2012: It's All About the Food
I wrestle with early mornings but I did manage to get myself out of bed by 05:15, eat the rest of last night’s pasta and a sausage for breakfast and was out the door by 06:00 as planned.  Arrived at the venue by 06:35, tried to check in. My name was not there! Thankfully I had my event number and found myself....of course ...listed under “Tyre”.  After all this was Red's event. I was simply the "dragger".

I was anxious to get going, however my reins were held back.  I had to chill out with the other walkers and do a mass start at 07:00.  So I fubbled, that is fussed around with my gear and bumbled around and tried to get the morning’s abultion out of the way.  Guess no such thing when one has had carbohydrate, fat and protein for dinner and breakfast.

07:00: Early morning chatter
Announcement: There is flooding on the banks of the Thames…
Mutterings: And there is still a hose pipe band!
Announcement: So there is a diversion at Goring. There will be a marshal to guide you.  You can see the new route on the map over there. So now if you are ready, tear off your “tear-off” strip off your event card into the “Start Time” box and have a great day!

My brain cells are rarely awake in the morning and there is a dull sense of awareness. Morning conversations are generally avoided.

Walker 1: You going to be pulling that tyre all the way?
TG: Yes
Walker 1: Does it have a name?
TG: It’s a “she” and her name is Red
Walker 1: But it looks orange.
TG: Her name is Red!
Walker 1: Why not Orange?
TG: You’re only looking at her superficially. What primary colours make orange?
Walker 1: Oh yeah, I get it.
TG: Anyway I have to do a short run as Red wants to get moving.

The walking mass were a couple of hundred metres ahead of me, so running really did not get me very far before I had slow down back to a walking pace to meet another inquisitive older walker.

Walker 2: Are you doing 40 miles with that?
TG: Yes I will be doing 40 miles with Red.
Walker 2: But she doesn’t look Red
TG: Yes I know. She likes the name Red
Walker 2: She is orange you know.
TG: Yes she doesn’t like being called orange.

I could not push forward as we were grouped together on a narrow street. I was trapped with this older gentleman.

Walker 2: You know it’s going to be all countryside on this route?
TG: Yes I know. I like small quiet marathons.
Walker 2: Well you’re not going to get any donations.
TG: Yes I’m not expecting any.
Walker 2: And there are lots of obstacles like roots and rocks and stiles….
TG: Yes I’m good with all of that. I’m a professional now. So how many marathons have you done?

Have found a question is always a good way of deflecting off negative conversations.

Walker 2: Oh I just did 50 miles last weekend, 40 this weekend, and will do another 50 next weekend…..you know you’re not going to get a lot of donations

Oh dear perhaps he has a little dementia? Or perhaps he was just adamant to make his opinion known.

TG: Wow that’s a lot of miles. What was last week’s marathon like?
Walker 2: It was a little wet and muddy. You know us walkers and runners won’t have any change on us because we want to be light.  See change makes us heavy.
TG: Notes will be fine….
Walker 2: I mean you are expecting change in your bucket, right?

My synaptic neurons were pulsating away to bewilderment. After a little more of the same conversation, the path widened enough for me to run ahead and find my own space.

Where's the Banquet?
By 09:00 Red and I were motoring well, reaching CP1 (6.6 miles). Scoffed a piece of cake, and was soon out onwards to the next check point. The plan was to eat a cereal bar every 30 minutes, and then eat something heavier at the “lunch time” check points.  The LDWA events are known for having plenty of food, especially at lunch time check points.

11:30: CP2 (16.1 miles). Red and I were a mile ahead of ourselves, as had expected to roughly complete 3 miles an hour. There was some cake and chocolate bars. It was a bit early for lunch, though was sure the next check point would have a banquet of food as can normally be expected at an LDWA event.

The route description appeared easy to follow. This was a dangerous thought, for when fatigue crept in, concentration can go. Soon our route diversion began and I don’t think the group of us really listened to the instructions from the marshals.

Marshal: Turn right at the green bridge

I was distracted by a Welsh runner donating 50 pence, and then a passerby throwing £2 into the bucket. I had forgotten what was said and foolishly assumed that the four others ahead of me would get it right. They turned left and so did I. The route description no longer made sense, until another passerby corrected us. (phew).

Pfaffing cost @ 10 minutes.

13:00: CP3 (20.2 miles). There was one chocolate bar left and crumbs. Where was the banquet of sandwiches, cake, pastries....? My expectations had been demolished. The marshal was very apologetic. I would have to go onto my emergency ration of three scones. My mind wanted something more substantial though my body would have to accept it didn’t need anything more. After all I was not really staving. I’d already eaten 5 breakfast cereal bars, 3 pieces of cake and two chocolate bars.

My mind and body were wrestling, and the hills were now biting hard into the quads. I spaced out briefly.

I allowed my mind to be distracted with food illusions and found myself wandering back and forth in a woodland, trying to make sense of the route description. I was now lost. I asked a family where we were. They had no clue and I began to feel a sense of hopelessness. I’d have to call the organizers but they too would probably not know where I was, if I could not say where I was! I wandered around further and found a “godsend” sign post pointing me towards Stoke Row, the next checkpoint. I had been going in the opposite direction. Admittedly I was a little fed up, but really just needed another feed.

Pfaffing cost @ 1 hour

16:00: CP4 (25.8 miles). 3 hours to complete 5.7 miles meant I had spent my excess time. If we got lost one more time, it would be game over. The check points had a time limit and the next one closed at 17:15. We had 5 miles to complete however my head was a little distracted to complete the mathematics. Here there was a banquet of food! So thinking I had time, I slammed dunked some jam and cheese sarnies, followed by more cake and replenished my emergency supplies.

It was 16:15 when I departed, watched by the marshals peering out the village hall windows, shaking their heads as Red pulled away. My head was now in a better place, so my body felt better as we ran into the distance.

About mile 27, I did not see the stile and carried on up a hill. Again the route description was not making sense. I began to think about a DNF. It was so easy to do. I’d already DNFed once this year. No big deal to fail on another, or would that just be failure after failure.

Fortunately in the woodlands, there was a house and a resident for me to enquire and thus had to retrace my steps back down the hill to find a stile and Michael!

Pfaffing cost @ 15 minutes

Michael had started at about 07:20 and was surviving on 2 hours sleep. He was steadily moving along but in no hurry. He looked tired but his head was stubborn. He became my energizing buddy. I knew there was no way we would make the next check point by the set time limit, however he was still hopeful that they would allow him to continue. He was tired though still positive so I tried to shut out my negative thoughts. At the pace we were going it would be approximately 21:00 when we would complete. That is one hour after the event closed. However Michael remained enthused in positiveness. Loved the attitude and so decided to pick up our pace! In order to make faster ground, I carried Red except on hills. We ran down hills and despite Michael’s initial cautiousness he was soon speeding down them hills with us! We were flying on endorphins.

17:55: CP5 (31.2 miles).  By this point we had caught up with a couple.

Marshal: Sorry guys but you are 40 minutes late at this checkpoint so am going to have to retire you. We can give you a ride back to Henley.
Michael: Well I would like to continue, if you all (the couple and me) want to continue
Marshal: This will be at your own risk. So if you fall over and break a leg.....we are not responsible
Michael: If we stick as a group, we’ll be fine

The couple were not going to continue. Everyone looked at me to confirm my intentions. It would be so easy to return with the couple, but no way was I going to let Michael and Red down! It was just under 9 miles to go even if there would be nothing for us at the end. No food, no welcoming committee, just a dark hall and the mere satisfaction of completing the event. This was now personal.

TG: Well we just need to food to keep us going.
Marshal: So happy to hear that. We have got loads! Here take what you need but remember you are on your own.

Armed with marmite and cheese sarnies in our pockets, ALLONS-Y, we went steaming ahead. 1 mile completed in 10 minutes. Michael and I looked at each other, perhaps the route description was a little generous, or we were really moving much faster than when we had first met. We were utilizing each other’s energy and fast walked together as if we were old friends, and ran down hills as if we were kids. It was great to have a buddy to check the route description.

18:45: CP6 (34.9 miles).  The check point marshals were just completing their pack up when we arrived. They were beaming because they could off load more food unto us and we were beaming back from hill racing adrenalin. We were packed us off with more food and a tin of rice pudding and fruit cocktail for Michael.

20:23: End (40 miles).  There were still walkers who had only arrived about 10-15 minutes before us. The organization had only begun packing up. We had made it and we were elated.

Red’s official time: 13 hours 23 minutes.

Thank you to the fantastic organisation and to the folks who donated. Your funds will be going to EarthWatch. AND, Michael it was a real luxury having you as a buddy! :-)

Next event 26th May

With having joined so many races, it was my turn to give some volunteer time back. So volunteered to mark 30+ miles of a race. Recce-ed 95% of the route the weekend before. A relaxed cycle time took me about 4 hours to complete the distance. It thus seemed reasonable that it would take 7.5 hours in total to mark the entire route. I mean how hard could this job be?

So started at 8am, two hours before the official kick off time. Found deciding where to put up signs; trying to be discreet in towns; stressing about runners not seeing my markers; sometimes being plain comically incompetent; and the occasional justifying myself to enquiring resident locals - wasted lots of time. I was the "new girl" in a job. My first sign took me 10 minutes to do with a lack of experience in threading cable ties. I discovered one side of the cable ties do not thread. Thought they were duds initially!!! Sent a text to the RD that had only reached the ferry point at about 10:00am. 10:00am was also when the race started, the time when the RD would be sending the runners on their way!  It had taken took me 2 hours to do less than 5 miles and the runners were about 10 miles away.

At 11:00 am tried calling RD to let him know I was slow but phone told me that "calls to the number were barred!" Text didn't complain so sent him another text.

At 1:00 pm began to be overtaken by runners at Windsor! Asked the Windsor checkpoint to let the RD know I was slow. Was stressed about being overtaken by runners. So no breaks just kept on going. Gave my water to another runner at Dorney Lakes; told off by a local resident who I just politely agreed with and carried on; requested some water from Cookham checkpoint who told me to get my own water who later relented when I said I was their official marker; yelled at by another runner who thought I was taking down the markers who apologised immediately when I told him I was their official marker. At the end of my marking stint at Marlow (about 6pm) directed one runner the wrong way when he asked me if the route was over the bridge and I said I think so - the Thames Valley sign is pointing that way! Only realised 10 minutes later that I had directed him the wrong way....opps.....decided to wait for him as had no idea which direction he had taken after the bridge. He came back later and told me off for wasting 20 minutes of his time. Apologetic, after all I did empathise with his frustrations, I redirected him to where he should have gone.

I am dehydrated, tired and hungry having only eaten a slice of bread at 7am and drunken 1/2 a bottle of water. Tried to call Uncle to get a ride home from Marlow but mobile again told me "numbers were barred". Found a phone booth that wouldn't accept cash nor calling card....grrr. So cycled back 6 miles to Cookham checkpoint to see if I could either grab a ride or borrow a mobile. Had no headlamp, but fortunately I have excellent night vision so sang loudly in the dark so that folks wouldn't run into me. It was a beautiful clear night and the stars were bright. By the time I got back to Cookham checkpoint I was high on being outside on a glorious night and my fatigue had somehow disappeared. Got to finally eat something from the checkpoint's left overs of biscuits and bananas as they packed up. Uncle picked me up and got me back home by 9pm.

Feeling a little battered and disappointed that it took me 10 hours to completely mark up about 30+ miles. In that time I would have completed a 30+ mile marathon with a tyre.

I now need to go for a long run!

TG, having run and cycled up and down the marshes for the last 7-8 hours marshalling the marathon, decided it was time to do a 1K run with the Olympic tyres. The last time they were taken out was in 2010 and were organised in a length wise rotation. This year to make it harder, they were organised as seen in the picture.

TG struggled with the quintuplets.

In the mean time, TyreKid came out to play to show TG how to pull tyres. He glided easily with his entourage.

Seeing TG's plight, TyreKid came bouncing over to give TG a pulling hand to guide her Olympic Tyres to the finish point.

A 1K run took nearly 30 minutes! Thank goodness for the rescue from the TyreKid :-)

Last year, I participated in the Two2Go event, which although some milage was added on due to some village idiot changing the signs around, still did a reasonable time. However there were a number of problems with that event and having met and respected the organizers, decided to help this year to establish an easier route and to improve the watering points.

The 2Go theme has been the countdown to the Olympics, so a simple route to include as many of the Olympic sites was designed. That is: straight up to the white water rafting centre and back to the Olympic stadium along the canal. It was so simple that it would reduce instances of getting lost or confused. Can't ever say NO-ONE would get confused due to lack of concentration!!! It happens in marathons, even in 5K runs, as demonstrated by a friend who managed to get lost on 3 separate occasions on the same 5K run!!!

On the day, my focus was to be a roving marshal to ensure the last watering points were adequate to see the marathon runners until the end. One of the watering points was also the 10K and 5K turn around point. So 2 sets of volunteers were established to focus on either the 5K/10K event or the marathon event.

Having cycled up to the Olympic Stadium, decided to establish one more watering point at the turn around point, as well as find further help for the marshalling at blind spots along the canal, so that no cyclist would kill a runner! The marshals at the bridge blind spot and the turn around point were excellent.

Now the last improvement that needs to be made is the finish and perhaps Eddie (main organizer) will be able to get that to the Olympic Stadium. Fingers crossed, let's hope the authorities can allow that one last vision to happen. After all the Olympics is supposed to be a legacy for East London!

Congratulations to Eddie and the team :-)

Hotels! TG tossed and turned in bed and finally got to sleep at about 4am, after she threw herself onto the floor to stay cool. She normally finds beds too hot to sleep in. She managed to wake up at 6am and forced the food down that she had bought last night. Unfortunately perhaps Mexican with chili was not the best thing to eat before a race and soon her stomach began to churn. To circumvent any problems, TG drank a litre of water to flush out her system. Fortunately she was able to empty her stomach before leaving the room to feel more settled.

From the Marriott Hotel, the start point is a short 10 minute walk however not having checked out the walking route yesterday, TG got directions from a couple with Mickey Mouse ears (really!). It was a lovely walk to the start along the riverside in the cool morning mist.

7am the hooter went, and we waited behind until everyone had gone over the start line. Both full marathoners and half marathoners start together. The full marathoners would do a second lap when the half marathoners finish.

After the heat of yersterday, it was thankfully a wonderful cool morning. But we were warned temperatures would rise and reach into the 30s by the afternoon.

At the back of the pack, I slid quite easily on damp tarmac, enabling TG a better drag. As we headed towards the river, we soon caught up with the straggly back line of 1/2 marathoners pacing themselves. For the next 5 miles we would be overtaking participants.......and then we hit the hard packed trail. Yes we could finally get moving and I glided with joy. Between miles 5 and 6 we overtook our first full marathoners. Between miles 6 and 7 we overtook another couple of full marathoners, who we would meet again at mile 14. I would later find out they were called Endorphin Dude and Ultra Wolf!

Ssingers and musicians playing a variety of instruments to entertain the runners were peppered along the route. And as we ran along, I wondered if we were the moving entertainment. ;-)

Bystanders and supporters were encouraging, and some would try to stop TG to ask her what she was doing! And when she slowed down to respond, I told her to keep going. There wasn't time to waste otherwise we'd suffer the same heat exhaustion as in West Virginia in the Hatfield McCoy marathon. TG does not like it in the 30s and my rubber feels hot with the blazing sun shining on me.

As always the volunteers were supportive....errr high five to the dudes!

Between miles 9 to 10, the lead bike warned me the lead runner was about to pass. To my surprise a "gazelle" of a woman passed us. Yes a woman (who I would later find out was a home grown runner called Julia Mallon) was the lead runner. She was looking really strong at mile 21. I could not see any man behind. Soon, a second lead runner passed us and she too was another woman! She also was looking strong and determined to catch the lead runner. But the lead runner looked much stronger. The third lead runner to catch us was then a man. He looked like he would have no hope of catching the first 2 women. TG laughed and held her thought about a man letting 2 women slip by!

After a glorious run on hard packed gravel, we hit back onto the tarmac. By mile 10 TG began to walk a little and run a little. We got to 13.1 miles by 10:28. The temperatures were rising and TG was slowing down. By mile 14 Endorphin Dude and Ultra Wolf had caught back up with us. Between mile 14 and 15 TG carried me, and Endorphin Dude turned back several times as he could no longer hear me scrapping on the tarmac......and am glad Endorphin Dude (ED) called out "I couldn't hear you any more!".

TG responded, "Yeah Rec is pressing on my bladder and want to go but there is no cover around"
ED: "Hey we'll cover you"
Ultra Wolf (UW): "There's a good spot, we'll keep look out"

So we went down along a short trail off the main trail .......
ED: "Hold up there's a bike coming"
TG: "Urgh"
ED: "Okay you're good to go"
TG called out: "Thank you!!!"


Rec: "Just don't eat Mexican next time"
TG: "It wasn't the Mexican!"

Anyway so ED and UW were about 200m ahead until we got onto the hard packed gravel. Then away we flew passing ED and UW. TG: "Don't worry, I'll see you on the next stretch of tarmac...."

They kept TG in view all the time......waiting. The temperatures were still rising and TG was back on a walk on another stretch of tarmac. I felt a little hot and the ground was holding on to me a little more than the early morning. Between miles 18-19, ED and UW overtook TG back again. TG could not move any faster until the next hard packed gravel trail and soon ED and UW were no longer in sight.

The sun was beating down and TG was unsure of what nutrition to take. Her head was a little light. I admit I was dragging my treads. I too don't like hot sun.....which means sucky tarmac. Between miles 19-22, TG became distracted with a road runner, an egret and some big bird flying above. However, fortunately she only looked and did not try to take a photo as she normally does. We completed the the event in 7:33. A new PB for us :-)

And as Orhan offered TG a large wine bottle, TG offered me in return! And so I am now in a sunny new home. No more snowy winters!......hope to send some photos :-) and hope TG will come back again so we can race this event again in the future!

Notes from TG:
Rec was loving Santa Rosa. It would have been selfish of me to have packed him back to the UK when he could be enjoying better weather. Sad to part with him, happy he was happy and hope he inspires more people.

Miles 7-11: EWG Support
Unloaded and lighter - TG was baaaaaacccck.....errr well not quite. A short lived burst of energy saw TG walking fast after a 50 metre slow jog. Her legs needed to recover from the earlier hauling. However her pace was fast enough to overtake the donkey, the brass horse, and the footballer.

The cleaning trucks had now appeared and the streets were empty of supporters. As we headed along a housing estate, supporters were well into celebrating the day with BBQs and parties.  At this TG decided to stuff a flapjack into her gob.....

"TG!" - a gal called out of a car. "I should have known you'd be out here"

Bad timing for TG - mouth full of flapjack and unable to swallow fast enough, on the other hand good timing as TG could not remember where she'd seen the familiar face and hoped the time delay would help. She shook the gal's hand and muttered something about a full mouth.

"No worries mate, we'll see ya further up the road"

The time delay was beneficial as the next time she saw the woman, something was said to remind TG that this was one of the two2go organisers (one2go will be going ahead on 10th Sept 2011). (Nice seeing ya Kylie)

Passing mile 10, the EWGs arrived. It was great to see them. New energy and enthusiasm to energise the way. At mile 11, more coinage was off loaded plus got "back pack" off me, which meant I was now  lighter and could give TG a better glide on an otherwise warm day. I don't like hot tarmac roads. Still I was glad it wasn't Singapore as heard from Tring and Trang, it ain't pleasant on the rubber!

Uncle appeared and advised them not to try to follow us all the way and instead to go to certain points around the course. So as TG sped up the EWGs gave us a Mexican wave although they did continue all the way to mile 13.

Miles 11-14: FetchPoint Energy
TG knew we had to get moving otherwise risk the official signage being removed and having to map the route via runner's rubbish of gels and drink  bottles strewn on the ground. 

As TG took a slow jog towards Tower Bridge, a cool welcoming breeze floated round us. Feeling more energised, TG increased her pace and as we swung round the corner of the mall, we saw a wonderful sight........a wet road! I glided and slided and TG took it all in her stride, slowing briefly to take a gel.

Coming towards mile 13, the Fetchies were out in force, singing out choruses of encouragement from across the road. The crowd support kept us going and we sped along until we reached the underpass towards the traffic light tree. The "dancing man" was just in front and TG had to belt out a couple of power ballads.

Miles 15-19: Entering the Drunk Zone
As we approached the "drunk zone" where the streets are lined with pubs, TG entered cautiously. Ted (TG's first tyre) had told me that he and TG had a hard time in 2009 with glass bottles being slung at them and raging drunken youths spitting and yelling obsenities. We had none of that as we had entered that zone much earlier than in Ted's year and perhaps it was too early for the drunks to be drunk! Instead TG was offered a chocolate bar.

We were now steadily overtaking more participants, occasionally slowing down to help those who were struggling.

Miles 19-21: Limehouse Trouble
In 2009, TG had gangs of kids following her. This year she was thankful there were none and began counting her blessings. Perhaps a little too soon...... As we were passing Limehouse, 2 young kids of about 10 years old crept up on me. They took hold of me and TG came to a sudden stop pinging back from the pull on the rope. There was nothing I could do.

TG turned around: "Hey kids what's up?"
Kid 1: "We want your tyre"
TG: "I've got a event to finish. You can have Rec at the finish line" <I did panic at the thought of being given away to this young...errr thug"
Kid 1 demands: "We want your tyre. Give us a ride!" <kid jumps onto tyre>
TG: "Listen you can get your own tyre from a car shop. C'mon now hop off."

The kid refused continuing to demand to have a ride. TG's patience was quickly dissolving so TG tugged Rec abruptly causing the kid to jump off the tyre.

Kid laughs, taunting and antognising us for about 50 more metres before clearing off, or perhaps it was the sight of a policeman.

By this point we were forced onto the pavement. However TG was relieved that she had now cleared the part that she and Ted had once gotten waylaid by drunks, gangs of kids and lost due to the signage having been taken down.

Mile 23 - End
Being on the pavement, we had a beautiful view of the embarkment rather than having to perservere in a dark tunnel that heads under Blackfriars. Seeing the River Thames flowing by, disseminating positive ions into the air, continued to breathe energy into the surroundings.

However TG feeling her energy levels starting to wane, asked Pippa (one of the EWGs) to pass her a honey sandwich that was in the back pack she was carrying for TG. TG slowed right down for a couple of hundred metres and it was great. I could enjoy the sun rays and the views. Having sorted out her hunger, TG was now on the move to finish the race. We were now having to interchange between road and pavement.

We saw Big Ben at 17:45. TG was on a mission to get the race done by 18:00.

Heading into St. Jame's park, TG fears of the finishing point being taken down were allayed as she saw the timer was still standing. With happiness she put in more effort to run over the line, but not before one of the other participants thought he match her and then leg it to the line. He wasn't going to be beaten by a Tyred Girl!

Job done in 8:08. TG was happy as this matched her Singapore time in Dec 2010 and the dread of 2009 that she carried on the course became nothing.

We collected over £100 in donations. Thank you to everyone who donated on the day. All donations will be going to Earthwatch.

Next month's marathon, someone has advertised that TG will be pulling a truck tyre! They must be mad.....although TG is looking at pulling Landy, a 15kg tyre. I'm trying to persuade her to take Red, my sister tyre......

Check List:
- 190 seed packets made for the event with courgette and sunflower seeds (took 5 hrs and some with the help of Alison - someone I randomly met!)
- Rec underwent a make-over.
- Other tyres and animals excited about London so they had a ballot and "mini-me" won, plus tigger, a seal, a dinosaur, a turtle, another tiger and a chameleon all got a ride through London.
- Gels and salt in bag ready for a hot day.
- Emergency supplies, in case all drinks stations are closed (as in 2009)

In The Beginning
TG regretted putting chilli all over the pasta meal. It burnt her stomach and that meant it was going to be bad in the morning and it was! We stayed at a hotel a couple of miles from Greenwich along with many other runners. There was a buzz of excited anticipation at breakfast and TG chatted up several runners! Upon exiting the hotel, TG saw one of the runners (Scottish Derrick ) she had met at breakfast about to make his way to the tube. He  happily helped TG carry me (Rec) to the blue zone! (Thank you Derrick - hope you had a brilliant race)

Toilet Stop
Of course the mandatory toilet stop had to be made along with thousands of others but TG's eyes caught a central fenced off area - "female urinals"! I (Rec) decided to hang out with a bunch of runners and listen to their excited chatters about their preparation. etc. whilst TG went to explore!

On entering, TG saw rows of bums facing rows of urinals and was amazed. Not wanting to watch, she harrassed one lady who was exiting as to how it was done.

"Yah gotta get a cardboard thingy at the entrance"

...and off TG went to locate the "cardboard thingy". Eureka....and minutes later, TG was enjoying the space. In her own words that she shared with the runners I was hanging out with "So much better to air one's bum. You guys (think she was talking to the 2 fellas) have it so easy"

Embarrassed I moved TG on towards pen 9, our pen.

Always try out your gear before a marathon....
Amazingly we bumped into people TG knew.....ultra Kaz, Foxsake, Mr Tesco man.....In fact Mr Tesco man helped TG carry me to our pen and the 30 minute walk to the start line!

Whilst we were waiting for the start to begin, TG finally tries putting her backpack on for the first time after adding Chameleon to the show. Chameleon disapproves, not wanting to be blocked, and makes it difficult for TG to get her backpack on.  Armed with a backup nylon rope, TG decides to tie her backpack onto poor ol bucket.

Urgh and I feel another 3 kg weight upon my treads - of extra food, extra drink, a rain mac (BBC weather predicted showers) and a light jacket in case it got cold. Perhaps a little OTT (over the top).

I feel nervous for TG about this last minute thought.

Miles 0-2: A heavy bucket
The first couple of miles were fantastic, the cheering crowd was deafening and TG handed out seed packets to unsuspecting supporters who were not sure of what she was giving!

0.5 miles in, a man is following TG picking up fallen coins from the ground that have missed  bucket. As the noise of the crowd dies down, TG notices the tall runner saying "don't worry" to a supporter and TG hears a "ching-ching" in her bucket as he picks up more loose change that had missed bucket. She only then begins to feel the weight and thus the drag. This kind runner followed us until mile 2 picking up more coinage from supporters and placing it in bucket. (Big hugs to the kind runner who delayed his time to help TG who was unaware of anyone throwing coins into her bucket)

As bucket became weighed down with coinage, I could not help but press my worn treads further into the tarmac, slowing TG's pace. Although TG was expecting the EWGs to be at Mile 3, she called Uncle at mile 1.5 to see where he was.

He responded "miles away at Waterloo".
TG: "Ok, hopefully the Earthwatch gals will be waiting for me at mile 3 but please try to get here soon in case as it feels like I'm now dragging 20kgs"

Note: Rec weighed 10 kilos; bucket, bag and other minor additions weighed 3 kilos. At this point the main bulk of the coinage had brought her total dragging weight up to 20 kgs

TG yelled out: "Notes are okay"
Some spectators gave her 2 scottish one pound notes.

TG wanted to reach the finish line before the organisers took down everything. TG did not want to repeat being "lost" as in 2009 when Ted (her first trye) was weighed with coinage and no-one was there to relieve them of that coinage. She was more organised this year.....so she thought and as she neared mile 3, she looked around. There were more crowds.

Mile 3-6: A Call for Help
TG called out "Earthwatch are you there?"
The crowd looked at TG confused and although there was noise, TG heard silence!
TG called out again: "Errr.....this is for the animals, our forests, our oceans and Earthwatch are monitoring our impact. Support Earthwatch!"

She called out this cry, all the way from the crowd to the mile marker. Only applause followed and more money tossed into the bucket.

With a feeling of apprehension at no one being there, TG decided to call Uncle to see where he was.
"Sorry TG, am still miles away, maybe see you at mile 5"
"Ok please try to come sooner" - TG was now starting to sound a little desperate as flash backs of being lost in London marathon 2009 began to surface.

Having disconnected her call, TG noticed a missed call on her mobile. The EWGs had attempted to call her, but due to the noise of the crowd TG had not heard the call. A text message appeared on her phone, but that was always going to be impossible to read with a clear blue sky and full sunshine radiating down.

Excited TG attempted to call back.
TG: "Hey Laura - are you here? Have passed mile 3 and am heading towards mile 4"
Laura: "Oh no - you're much faster than we thought. We've missed you. We'll get on further upstream and try to catch up"
TG: "Oh.....okay......errr hope to see you guys soon" - TG attempted to sound happy.

Mile 4 and TG gave Uncle another call in the hope that he would magically appear as she had now slowed right down to a medium-slow walk and had a donkey following her. Uncle tried to reassure TG that he would be there in 1/2 an hour.

Spectator calls out: "Keep going Tyregirl. Are you tired?"
TG: "Yes just call me TIRED Girl"
Another spectator: "You must be regretting this now"
TG: "Well this is my 19th marathon with a tyre and I've got 81 more after this one. There are no regrets!"

A couple more spectators repeated the same calls through to mile 6. TG must have looked tired and was glad she had sunglasses on as she did not want them to see her eyes of anguish. The thought of 2009 where all the signage had being taken down after mile 15 and being lost were playing in her head. So just after mile 4, TG put her backpack into her bucket to reduce coinage going in. It was then that she observed that the donkey (another runner and his crew) was still following her and taking advantage of the situation, collecting coinage people that would have gone in TG's bucket. Fair play to donkey, TG was happy another animal charity was benefiting and she certainly did not want any more coinage in her bucket! They followed us until mile 6.

Mile 5-6: Where is Uncle?
As TG reached mile 5, Uncle was no-where to be seen. She again called Uncle in distress. He tried to be calm and told TG he was moving as fast as he could to get there. TG was desperate to unload as visions of the finish line being dismantled now flashed before her.  She tried to move faster.

By mile 6, TG's legs were burning and she begged Uncle to get here faster! She kept positive thoughts in her head to keep her going.

Mile 7: Unburdened
As mile marker loomed into view, TG called Uncle to see where he was.
Uncle: "Am still far away"
TG nearly cried at the thought and feebly responded "Really?" as energy drained from her.
Uncle: "Am just on the other side of mile 7"
In a snap instant TG's emotions changed: "Really?"

Buoyed by the thought of getting rid of the 7 kgs of coinage, TG put more effort to get to the looming mile marker. Soon Uncle came across the mile marker and TG's face lit up with total relief. Coinage unloaded, TG could now begin to move a little faster and motivated by the supporters from the flats encouraging her on: "Go go go Tyregirl!"

Soon after Laura called to tell TG they were at mile 11 and if she'd be okay to continue dragging the load until then. With a cheeky cheery reply TG said "no problem"......

The story continues with Part 2 next week as there is trouble ahead for TG!

First of all - no she did not leave me behind today. After Foxy (Race Director) had flagged us off and TG was no longer distracted trying to keep up with Anna (a runner),  I suggested to TG that she might like to have some "Run Free"  time. She was reluctant but I told her I was starting to feel a little worn out and would like to be saved for London.

In truth it was because of her steering capabilities. The circuit route, takes us round some very tight tread-raising corners and on Day 2, TG did not appear to take care to see how close I came to drowning in the lake. Perhaps it's an exageration but if you had to face a roller coaster ride for 8 hours, I'm sure you'd agree with me to sit out part of the event. However she did persuade me to at do a finally lap of honour with her.

So whilst TG completed 6 more laps with ease without me, I decided to try my skill out on photography. After all, have to start planning for my eventual retirement.

So here we are together again recollecting TG's premonition last month.....and a happy shot for the last and final lap.

Thankfully, Foxy gave TG a cool hoodie to wear at the end so that I could have a little street cred passing the other tyres in the parking lot!

Our next marathon will be the end of March for the Daffodil Dawdle.

Dear Race Director

I'd like to warn you that TG hates mornings. Having to get up early for the third day in a row has made her very grumpy. She has tried to run but can't seem to find the "gas" in her legs nor the motivation.


I will continue to be me chirpy rubbery self and perhaps she might have a little run.

Rec

...And on the 3rd day, TG realised she was not a superhuman as her body and head felt tired. She and Rec decided it would be best to enjoy the sunny break in the clouds and not push oneself. Both were happy to see the canal again especially Rec as he did not like the sharp corners he had to get round on the lake loop. With the better day, the canal was busier than the rain drenched first day.

Soon the rest of the runners would catch up with TG, but for the first time she was not bothered to see if she how far she could get before they did catch up. Instead TG took this opportunity to stop and chat to people about sustainability and the environment.

Steve, a canal boat owner, invited TG in for a cup of tea to talk about the eco-forest he and his wife Jackie wanted to do once they sold their boat. They dreamed of a tree house and a children's camp site for kids to learn about the forest food and building craft. The canal boat's seeping warmth and wafting smell of toast nearly pulled TG in. However Rec was feeling nervous about the 2 dogs that were hanging about him and nudged TG on.

The day soon turned and the sky darkened to a dreary gloom. TG needed to push on and found the motivation to do a run walk. Alas her earlier lag meant she would still be pelted by a little hail and rain. Fortunately, she was able to make it into the 3 Locks for a little respite as the rain increased in intensity.

TG soon found more motivation and by the end would have run about 10% of the route, a big drop from her first 2 days. She completed in 8:45:58

Hopefully day 4 will prove to be a better day after today's rest day!

Thank you to everyone who donated and to the Milton Keynes supporters/runners at Tescos :-)

Author's note: C.B.A = Can't Be Arsed

The last time I did laps was for an ultra trail marathon. I didn't take a tyre at the time due to the rockiness and tree roots that the route had. Instead me and a buddy ran one lap, skipped the next, went backwards the next, etc. The style of each lap kept us both fully occupied.

This time no silliness - just me and Rec to learn Italian. I wish you could all hear this Italian lesson. I was so bored with it that after one lap had to put the MP3 away before it made me fall asleep. I can now order coffee with milk and a bottle of red wine after an hour of listening to it! My first lap was slow and wonder if that has anything to do with what my mind was occupied with.

Oh well Rec was singing away to himself and I decided to join him with some power ballards and a beetles song or two. There were time improvements on the 2nd and 3rd laps. 4th lap we began to struggle with a song to sing. Think we were both getting bored with our own voices.....So for all you readers, here's a song from the Beetles...

By the 5th lap and with the drier tarmac path, Rec had slowed down. He was grumbling about the bits biting into his tread so I called him a drag! I know I shouldn't have but that's what happens sometimes when tyre and puller spend too much time with each other. I don't think he liked my rendition of the song either....

"Yesterday - Rec was such an easy tyre to play,
Now it looks as though he's sulking away,
Oh I believe in Yesterday"

So Rec sulked and the last 2 laps were really hard going. We only ran about 40% of the route, compared with day 1 when we ran about 50-60%.

Time completed in: 8:07:39

Thank you for the kind donations from the 60 and 80 year old couples. Your donations will be going to Earthwatch. Thank you also to all the runners for your constant support, the fantastic deputy race director Sam B-Lass and the chocolate lady Rach E :-)