"We want to run with Common people like you...."

RACE SEVEN: SOUTHAMPTON COMMON -
8th JULY 2012

While Andy Murray paced nervously around the grounds of Wimbledon, twelve equally well-primed and energetic athletes prepared themselves mentally and physically for the seventh race of the Team Tonia series.  Just as Murray was receiving last minute advice on technique and positive mentoring from his coach and support team, so were the Team Tonia athletes as our very own fitness guru Emma Roberts led us in our first, and only, proper warm up!

Our team consisted of nine runners and four walkers (including one canine); unfortunately a prolongued injury and a double-booked diary meant that two of our team were unable to make this race. 

The Southampton Sizzlers: (from L to R) Mandy Cowie, Emma Roberts, Georgia Cook, Amanda Kane-Smith, Vikki Bealing, Katy Ross, Kate Bone, Emma Dowinton, (front) Ellie, Rose and Superdog Max
Missing from picture: Gemma Richmond (dealing with poorly son), Jo White (on a warm-up jog)

Our venue was a very muddy Southampton Common, and we set up our base camp not far from the stage and on the driest patch of grass we could find.  The heavy rain of the previous day (and previous month) meant that conditions were bog-like; trainers were beginning to let in water before we had even begun.  The support crew came prepared with pac-a-macs and wellies, but when the hot July sun did get to shine, the little Team Tonia-ites shed the waterproof gear and spent the rest of the day 'Glastonbury style' in bare feet.  The Team decided to embrace the joys of nature and adopted a 'muddy mien' in the form of war paint.  Whether the idea was to intimidate our fellow runners or benefit from a free facemask I am not sure, but it certainly gave us a very small taste of the forthcoming Hell Runner race in November (google 'Hell Runner Down South' if you are intrigued, or if you fancy joining us?!!).  By the time Gemma joined us, she had no choice but to don the facial decoration, only to hear from a passer-by that the puddle (from which Emma had extracted the mud) was where her dog had just 'been'.

The event was larger than some we had undertaken, and as such it was unclear exactly which was the start and which was the finish line.  Any confusion would soon be clarified when Katy bravely jogged off to seek assistance.  Unfortunately, Katy came across her two biggest celebrity heroes, 'JK & Joel', who were manning the nearby Heart Radio gazebo.  Totally starstruck and in awe of the former Radio One duo, Katy forgot the directions given to her by the handsome two and came back muttering something about CCBC's 'Hider in the House'.  As a result, when it was time to stride proudly towards the start line, we were actually making our way to the finish.  A quick change of direction and we were amongst the crowds, itching to get to the front of the runners wave.  We had waved goodbye to Amanda, Rose, Ellie and Max who went to join the walkers, and soon we were proceeding to the start line to await the countdown.  This was a race with a phased start, just like the Hyde Park race, but this time, with determination and lots of 'elbows', we managed to get fairly near the front of the group.  Despite the clearly marked starting positions for runners, joggers and walkers, we found ourselves, once the race had begun, stuck behind walkers only a few feet from the front of the group.  The 'elite' athletes in the team had to grit their teeth and recite their mantra "It's only a fun-run", but it was mildy irritating all the same!

There was no doubt that this route was a more accurate 5km distance.  Not only did we all 'feel' that it was 5km (and boy, that long incline up the Avenue was hard work) but two of our Team were equipped with the very latest in hi-tech gadgetry to calculate their every tired footstep.  Vikki was able to track her pace, distance and overall time via some kind of 'chip' attached to her shoelace - and not the kind that I find stuck to my shoe after Henry has thrown his dinner from his high chair.  And Mandy had an i-phone app that recorded the same; but also encouraged her family and friends on facebook to send her encouraging cheers and whoops as she made her way round the course.  The rest of us received our cheers and whoops from the friends and family that again came along for support - and once again we are extremely grateful.

The Team Tonia Toddlers

25th dog home: Max Kane-Smith

Each Team member finished the course in a respectable time, and even Max the Superdog was 'placed', coming a triumphant 25th for the canine finishers.  The mother-daughter combo of Emma and Georgia raced round together, while Katy once again led Team Tonia home in style.



Katy's dodgy arches held out and Jo's back seemed to be holding too, Gemma's nausea subsided and my knee(s) just about kept going.  Unfortunately Emma's back gave in half way round the course, seeing her struggle from the 3km mark.  Determined not to stop however, she kept running and made it across the finish line, wondering whether her chiropractor would be working on a Sunday.

There was no time for a picnic after this race due to the Wimbledon Mens' Final.  The children had to make do with a quick ice-cream for lunch which they ate, back in their waterproof clothing, as the heavens opened. 

It was another great day, and the mud didn't put us off.  The children had a brilliant time; I don't think I have ever seen a child actually try to swim across a puddle before......yes that's right, Beau was lying on his front in the puddle, arms and legs going a-pace, he even tried the back-stroke before he was hooked out by his father!  Priceless!

"Mud, mud, glorious mud
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood
So follow me follow, down to the hollow
And there let me wallow in glorious mud"

Kate xxxx
9th July 2012