10k forest run (with a new, inexperienced guide)

There is a small company in Northern Ireland called ‘Born 2 Run’, who organise some pretty challenging races. Hills usually feature; quite often, they are BIG hills. There is a series of races called ‘Run Forest Run’ (yes, I know you are thinking of the film now), six very challenging races through forest trails.. with hills. Invited to enter the first one, I happily did so. Now, do remember that every race for me is a first, having only started running earlier this year. Of course, seeing being a bit of an issue for me, I run with a guide runner. Today, I ran with a completely new guide, one who has never actually run with a blind person. A challenging race became a little more challenging.

So why run a challenging race with someone who has never acted as a guide runner? Well, why not? In fairness, my guide today – a pretty amazing guy called Colm (known across the NI running scene as ‘Bootsy’), has been doing all he can to learn how to guide. He ran a recent half marathon alongside one of my regular guides, interrogating her for every scrap of advice – and then went and practiced by donning a pretty hefty blindfold, and being guided by another untrained runner. Not content with that, he then managed to convince someone else to run a race equally blindfolded, guided by Colm.

Guide runner training in live traffic

I have to say, the challenge Bootsy set himself was no easy one. The course we were running today was not flat, not smooth, and certainly not easy. All week I had been hoping for dry weather. Cold, I could deal with. Rain meant mud, and likely lots of it. Of course, we had rain yesterday and overnight, plenty of it. I actually do not mind running in the rain, my usual guide and I have been soaked to the skin on more than one occasion, and in honesty I enjoyed the running so much I did not realise I was soaked until we stopped!

Bootsy found me easily enough this morning – Kambo (my Pathfinder Guide dog) went to the event with us, though he was certainly not running! A ‘test run’ around the Mary Peters track to see how we coped was in order, though that would certainly be tested as we ran the course. The actual race begins with safety announcements, including an alert to the many folk running today that I was there – running blind. I believe it is fair to my peers that they are aware of a blind runner, I have no desire to hold back far better runners than I, and am aware that running with a guide means we are a lot wider than usual runners (and have difficulty making space on narrow tracks).

Born 2 Run – the start

Once away, we soon changed from running track to my favourite: hills. Seems to me that recent races have had a hill within the first half mile. I shall have to re-examine courses in more detail before I enter the next one! Over the hill (some say I am, by far), and onto mud, glorious mud. Glad I was not wearing shiny new running shoes. The next 6 miles would be more mud, interspersed with leaves (noticed how the leaves from trees are falling much later these days?) and the occasional bit of road – complete with cars, an extra challenge – and bridges. Oh, and a very odd, windy sort of sloping ramp. That was fun….

On and on we went, encouraged by the route marshals – I really admire these folks, at every race I go to, there are folks who give up their time to stand on the spot in all weathers, ensuring not only that we know which way to go, but remain safe. It was especially encouraging today to hear the marshals at every point shouting our names out as they spotted us (with an almost obligatory stop for photos). Bootsy and I agree that for us, the finish time is not actually that important, its the enjoyment of the race, the atmosphere, the sense of achievement that matters most. Just as well, as my running is akin to Santa trying to run from angry reindeer!

Bootsy is well known for being a real character – he really is fun, in so many ways. The last marshal point definitely required a stop and a photo call. It’s December, it will soon be Christmas, therefore what more of an excuse is required for mince pies and ale? None! I hasten to add that my own mince pie intake has miraculously (and frighteningly, to those who really know me) dropped this year. Usually by now I have the ability to pass very well for Santa, due to the dimensions of the mince pie fuelled belly. This year, running takes precedence, and not one mince pie has passed my lips. Joined by other runners who had finished the race but had run back to join us, a break for mince pies was certainly in order – though I still abstained (until the 24th, at least). My guide truly earned his treat at the 9th kilometre marker!

9 Kilometres? A 10k race? That must mean the finish is in sight! Well it would, except for two minor details: I cannot see, and there is yet another HILL to contend with! I have to take my hat off to the course designers at Born 2 Run, they certainly know how to make us work for our medals! At least I could hear the finish, and that iconic track from ‘the Boss’…… Born to run! Up and over the last hill, right turn, back onto the running track. Feels weird under foot after all that mud, leaves, etc. Oh, and the puddles. Lots of puddles. Last 800 metres to the finish, and suddenly I hear cheering – Bootsy tells me there are people cheering from the office block, off to one side, and the finish itself. Apparently, there are many cameras there, too. Don’t know why, I am just an old, fat bloke running a few miles – slowly. Put me in a red suit with bells, and children would be none the wiser. Surprised that Santa runs, perhaps.

Over the line, it’s done. 10k. But how did my beginner running guide manage? Well, I think he earned a rest in a quiet corner. He had to put up with me for the duration of our run – no easy task. He did, however, guide extremely well. He pointed out every change of surface, warned me of leaves, puddles, managed to keep me out of the river (which we were VERY close to at points), steered me through kissing gates, over bridges, up hill and down again (several times), and not once did I find a tree or other obstacle. Even the occasional dog, out for a quiet walk, caused us no problem. All in all, I think Bootsy has passed his test, with flying colours. I have a huge debt of gratitude to this amazing, interesting, fun guy. I shall find a way to repay him. Meanwhile, he tells me he will be running the Derry Marathon, with his cameras. That’s one thing about this guy – he runs, he runs a lot. He also runs with cameras. Several of them. And you never, ever know when or if he will suddenly appear from nowhere, cameras in hand, and photograph you – or record you, after which you will appear on You Tube. Which reminds me…. the video will appear later, I will add a link to it for your enjoyment.

Just one more thing to add to this wee post…… a very public, very sincere THANK YOU to my new friend, a guy I really do have huge respect for…. Colm Fearon.

He was so happy to have survived 10k with me, he leapt for joy!

For more information on Born 2 Run events: http://born2runevents.com/

Colm’s You Tube channel, with lots of video – quite entertaining, and highly recommended: https://www.youtube.com/user/colmfearon/videos

You Tube video from today, courtesy of Colm (Bootsy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sarc88Z0GLk&list=UUBO3u4-xgCCaBM5NJC6SD0w&feature=share