Readers, I have a confession to make. I’d love my August diary to be all about how well training for the RunLiverpool Marathon is going, but I’ve
been so, so busy I’ve hardly done anything at all!!
I’ve really struggled to fit in training, as I’ve been exhausted from my run in Brick Up the Mersey Tunnels, with a show every night and two on Saturdays.
My role as Maggie was physically demanding, with lots of dancing, playing to packed houses – the curtain wasn’t coming down till 11pm on some nights!
In the daytime I’ve been delivering a number of drama workshops and I’ve also started cheerleading classes on the Wirral and in Liverpool to cheer on Marathon runners. The classes are for boys & girls aged 6 to 16 – so if you’d like to book a place, please contact me through RunLiverpool.
You know, there are loads of opportunities for people who aren’t running to be part of the event – from volunteers to entertainers such as musicians and dancers to brass and steel bands! I’d encourage everyone to get involved as it’s going to be amazing, a real spectacle – again, you can contact the team at RunLiverpool for more information.
In the midst of my guilt about falling off the training wagon, my old youth worker Jim Walsh called me up and we managed to snatch a few half-hour runs over Bidston Hill. Jim helped me train for the London Marathon in 2002. He’s recently turned 65 and is such an inspiration! I had a lovely surprise the other morning, with the delivery of a large parcel from Mizuno who are the RunLiverpool Marathon’s foot and sportswear sponsors. Packed full of goodies like Mizuno running tops and shorts, there was also a personal invitation for me to visit their pop-up store at the event, where they will give me a running shoe assessment using biomechanics – it all sounds very scientific!
It was lovely of the Mizuno guys to think of me and I can’t wait to try out my new kit. I usually run in old sweat-tops and t-shirts so it will be good to get out and about in some great looking gear!
I’m starting to get quite excited now that October 9 is approaching. The buzz about the Marathon seems to be spreading far afield too – I’ve a mate in Sydney who emailed me with some coverage he saw about the race in his local paper.
There seems to be lots of ex-pat scousers spread across the globe who are using the race as a good reason to come back to the city and see family and friends. I’ve heard that over 9,000 runners are signed up now.
I can’t imagine what that will look like when they are packing the city’s streets, however I’m sure it’ll be quite an emotionally-charged experience – a moment of pure Liverpool pride.
Suzanne Collins is an ambassador for the RunLiverpool Marathon, which takes place in the city on October 9. The closing date for Marathon entries is August 5, with only 1500 places left. To register your place please visit www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk
For information on volunteering or performing at the race, call 0151 236 8432.