All posts by admin

Club

Stone Master Marathoners – Our Races & How Members Can Help

Race Committee Co-ordinator and Chief Race Marshal, Brian Hall, has penned a piece to discuss our yearly races and how all members can play their part in keeping our club great!

I’m sure that when you see the emails from me begging for assistance at our events, your instant reaction is to think “here we go again – I’ve got to take the dog out, or wash my hair this weekend”, much more vital things to do than standing on a junction watching runners jog past without a word of thanks.

Please let me take a few minutes of your time to explain why our races are so important to our Club and to you, the members.

First, for the newer members, the events which we stage or participate in are:

  1. Spring Treble Challenge – the brainchild of one of our more senior members David Upton. As the name suggests, this is a series of three races on consecutive Thursday evenings usually in April. These are tough, off-road events each 5 to 6 miles long and have become very popular with local runners. Venues this year were Kibblestone, Milford Common and Barlaston Downs
  2. Westbridge 5 – usually in the first week of June and initially linked to Stone Festival, a flat, fast five mile loop along the canal to Aston and back categorised as multi terrain. This race is in the North Staffs Road Runners Association programme of races and is favoured by club runners and fun runners alike
  3. Also in June as part of the Stone Festival and to benefit the local community, we help to organise the Steeplechase and Dog Derby on the Monday evening of Festival week
  4. Flying Fox 10 – a ten – mile road race around the picturesque lanes of Standon, Chapel Chorlton and Maer. This is usually the last of the annual NSRRA races and attracts a field of between 200 and 300 runners
  5. Flying Fox Marathon – in 2017 we’re undertaking a huge commitment by organising our well-loved Marathon.

So, what is so important?

Primarily, income from the events, other than the Festival fun runs, is a vital supplement to the club’s finances and without this your annual subscriptions would at least double. The effect of this would, particularly in today’s climate, no doubt deter members from joining or renewing their membership. It is also possible, from this income, to donate to worthy charities and each year we give hundreds of pounds to charities usually nominated by the various Race Directors.

Members of Stone Master Marathoners join John Haine to hand over the £500 cheque
Members of Stone Master Marathoners join John Haine to hand over the £500 cheque

Organising races and similar events is also a good source of interaction between local clubs; we often exchange ideas and information at these venues which gives a useful insight into the world of running around us.

By no means least, the team spirit which is generated by all who take part in organising our events is excellent and spills over to the runners who all seem to enjoy themselves, no matter how tough the terrain! Your assistance is truly appreciated by the runners, the   management committee of the club and particularly by me. The numbers helping, certainly over the past couple of years has grown, making my job easy. We strive to make the events as professional as possible and this can only be done by working as a team, but it is vital that we have volunteer reserves for the future.

Westbridge 5Please remember that it is a rule of the club that all members should help with at least one event each year, a couple of hours out of the whole year is surely not too much to ask!

If you have not yet assisted and wish to do so, there are not just races but also several social events; just ask any one of the organising committee who will be delighted to point you in the right direction.

Thank you all very much for your help in the past, and in the future. It is your club after all! And best wishes for the forthcoming year.

Brian Hall

Club

SMM gifts £500 from Spring Treble to local charity

Stone Master Marathoners has gifted £500 to the Stone Community Hub, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of local people in times of need. Generated from their April trio of races, Spring Treble, the running club’s kind donation will be used for providing Hub’s financial assistance service for 6 months.

Stone Master Marathoners has a real passion for supporting both charity and the local community and Race Director John Haine was delighted to hand over the cheque at a presentation at SMM HQ. He commented, “Stone Master Marathoners aims to inspire runners of all abilities to develop their skills. The club is proud to be part of our local Stone community and our aim is to support other organisations whenever we can.”

The Hub’s Manager, Karen Wardell, was on hand to receive the cheque and told SMM “The donation of £500 will make a significant difference to the work of Stone Community Hub; we will use it to fund the money advice service we offer. We work both with those in debt and those struggling to budget. It is great example of the community working together when local groups such as Stone Master Marathoners offer to support the work we do.” On behalf of the Hub Karen also welcomed anyone in need of help or advice to pop by to the Frank Jordan Centre and a friendly face would be happy to guide them.

Stone Master Marathoners has a long tradition of supporting local charities and plans to continue this with upcoming races including Flying Fox 10 in November and the superb Flying Fox Marathon set for May 2017. Meeting regularly at Stone Tennis Club, the club urges all runners, from total beginner to elite, to join them for a chat and training run to make their running aspirations a reality. For full details of how you can get involved visit www.stonemm.co.uk.

SMM's John Haine presents Hub Manager, Karen Wardell, with the cheque
SMM’s John Haine presents Hub Manager, Karen Wardell, with the cheque
NSRRA, Race report

Meerbrook 15k – 30th July 2016

Well…what a week !

This time last week (about 6 or 7pm Saturday evening), I was just setting off on my 1st leg of 3 at the Thunder Run, what a fantastic event that was and I am sure everyone has seen the rave reviews, pictures and Kathryn’s excellent solo report. A few of you will also know that the hug I gave Kathryn wasn’t just for her benefit.

IMG_3271
Wednesday saw the unfortunate mix up at the Staffs Knot 5 where we ran and extra ¾ mile and thus not counting as a NSRRA race, I was going to write a report on that one but time and circumstances have been against me this week.
BUT today…the Meerbrook 15K, for those of you who don’t know this race, it is as flat as a pancake, superfast and super easy, one that everyone should give it a go next year….sign up before reading on !
However, for those who do know, I may not be telling the whole truth or in fact not even an ounce of truth…..it’s a bit hilly and it’s on a Saturday morning – it has been noted that Tim Hulse has booked his holiday to coincide with this race the past two years…coincidence?
As I am sure regular readers are now aware myself and Anne Marie like to arrive early and I am glad we did as it was the Leek Show and traffic was busy round the town and we also have a short walk to the race HQ before another short 1km walk back to the start line, making for not a lot of time for chatting, but we did have time for a mile or so warm up to the bottom of Gun Hill in preparation.
As we made our way to the start, we noticed Danny Soltys mingling around the front of the pack and we also had a rare sighting of Jackie Allen doing a NSRRA race….now anyone who knows Jackie knows she is allergic to hills…so why Meerbrook we asked ? Also on the start line was Anne-Marie, Victoria (aka Kathryn), Joyce, Emma, Bonnie and Pippa – at this point I must say…”C’mon Lads….two of us” it might mean I get 49 points in the club championship but we won’t be winning any team prizes if we don’t up our game (After Trentham it looks like the girls are leading the NSRRA team event).
Anyway, on to the race, my main competition for Group D spoils is Chris Wood from Rugeley and he is running very well at the moment so we chatted at the start and for some reason I told him the profile and best strategy, I should have said go hell for leather for 4 miles and see what happens ! We started at just after 10am and it is quite a congested start and you don’t really get into your stride for the first 1km which is a blessing really as it stops you going off to fast, because as you pass the 1km marker you start to climb Gun Hill – I can’t put in words how hard this is at the start of the race but it climbs for over 2km and at one point you need crampons !
I worked hard up the hill and passed lots of the D runners who had managed to get a better start but by the top myself and Chris were at the front of D group and I had even passed Pippa (she got her own back don’t worry). Waiting just before the top is Bryan Dale, thanks Bryan, it will be interesting to see if Emma gave the double thumbs up at this point (don’t let me down Emma).
When you get to the top it is a long gradual and occasionally steep descent for the next 4km or so, however after the climb your legs can’t make the most of it straightaway as they are still aching but gradually you get into your stride and make the most of it knowing you have to come back up here shortly. At this point I am still running with Chris and we pretty much pacing each other knowing we have the points in the bag, just a case of who gets the 50.
Although it is a difficult course it is very scenic with very little traffic and only the sound of heavy breathing disturbing the peace, the weather was good with a nice cool breeze and a few drops of rain did threaten briefly but thankfully not for long.

After the water station you drop down again and then a climb starts about 8km and then another climb and more climbs which make Beech feel like a flat track session, maybe an exaggeration but this is around the 10km mark and you have normally finished by now. About 11km I am just in front of Chris and then Pippa comes past looking strong, I feel like I have just been pacing the pair of them because not long after Chris comes past and they open up about 20-30 yards on me.
This is where I need to up my game because in my head I accepted that they were in front and was quite happy to settle for the points there and then, would I have caught them if I tried harder ? Between 12k and 13k you then climb back up to the top of Gun Hill and I did see Pippa have a sneaky walk for a few yards but unfortunately my legs decided enough was enough and I just plodded up the last 1k uphill knowing the downhill was to come.
When you get to the 13k mark the race, as a race is pretty much over because down the hill most people are just going all out and it is difficult to make up any ground. I could see Chris and Pippa just in front but they weren’t getting any closer and they crossed the line a few places and about 40 seconds in front of me – I think Chris was panicking it was me in the red vest right behind but he was safe.

IMG_3272
I crossed the line in about 71:25 over a couple of minutes faster than last year so I should be happy enough with that but my initial thought was disappointment, someone did say I had done Thunder Run, followed by Staffs Knot and then this so perhaps my legs may have had that extra 30-40 seconds and I shouldn’t complain.
The end of this race it is difficult to chat too much because everyone had worked hard and was knackered but had a quick catch up with the regulars and also discussed the race with the Bats. Danny came in a fantastic 4th just missing out on the top 3 by a matter of seconds and Joyce claimed the only silverware for the bats with 1st F65.

All the results are on the website already with 9 of us completing the course. I understand Tim Clegg did attempt to make the start but due to an accident and delays in Leek he came to the start area without his number as not realising so we missed the Usain Bolt finish today.
After the team photo we all made our way off home with no race plans for a couple of weeks so I might have a couple of days off to rest up. Unfortunately, my kids may have other ideas as they dragged me for a walk into Stone Pokemon Hunting although a sneaky pint at the Three Crowns on the way back was well deserved. I am now sitting here with another glass, legs aching and glad this week is over.

IMG_3270

 

Well done today to all the Bats and everyone who ‘survived’.

Race report, Ultra

Kathryn’s Thunder Run – 24hr Solo Race – 23rd/24th July 2016

Kathryn’s Thunder Run report

Before I begin, I have to say that I’ve written many run reports, but I’ve never been quite so daunted about writing one as I am about this. Perhaps it is in keeping with the magnitude of the race itself?! In true ultra running style, you might need to grab yourself a cup of strong black coffee and a few biscuits before you start reading as I fear I might go on for some time…

Preparation for the task of running for 24 hours began in September last year, when I decided for some strange reason that it would be a good idea. After running my first ultra in March 2015, I was well and truly bitten by the ultra bug and wanted to do more and more – to see how far I could go. It seemed like everyone I knew was still talking about the Thunder Run and planning to enter the 2016 event, so when entries opened in October, I was in there like a rat up a drainpipe! It felt like I had forever to train, but I knew that it would come around quickly, so I needed to decide upon my target and race strategy. More on that later!

So, what do you do to prepare yourself to run for 24 hours? A lot of running is the answer, but only part of it: there are other things to consider. I knew that I wouldn’t be the fastest solo female on the course by a long way – my 10K PB on a flat road course is 56 minutes – but what I lack in speed I make up for in determination (for that read stubbornness/refusal to give up – ‘death before DNF’ is one of my mantras!!), a very high pain threshold and the ability to go without sleep. With these three weapons in my arsenal, I focused on gaining as much strength and endurance as possible over the next nine months. A typical training week would involve some of the following, sometimes all:

1. At least three double run days, with the first of those runs usually pushing a heavy two-year-old in a pushchair up hills and off road at an easy pace. I did a few triple days too.

2. Back-to-back long runs at a very easy pace to get used to running on tired legs.

3. If I wasn’t planning a back-to-back weekend, I would do two long runs a week, usually 15-18 on a Wednesday when Giovanna was in nursery and a longer one at the weekend.

4. Lots of hills. Roger ‘The Mountain Goat’ Taylor was enlisted in planning the hilliest routes he could think of. The day we did Redhill Lane, Beech Caves, Hanchurch and the Monument I might have thought bad thoughts and said a few bad words.

5. Running most days. I rarely take rest days – I find I get very twitchy and would prefer to just to do a slow two mile jog than have complete rest. Not conventional I guess but works for me.

6. Speed work! Tempo runs of up to 50 minutes (this hurts. A lot!) and long intervals are my ‘favourites’.

As well as all of this, I planned in key events as training runs. These included the Sunrise to Sunset (8 hours of 0.81 mile laps) in December, to see how I managed with laps, Dukeries 40 in May, the Mourne Mountain Ultra in June and the Potteries Marathon in July. Roger and I also did the route of the Six Dales from Hartington in the Peaks (26 miles).

All of this running and generally being quite busy burns a lot of energy, so I tried to plan good meals and snacks to keep me going. I eat a mostly plant-based diet (loads of fruit, veg, salad, nuts, seeds, pulses, tofu and slow release carbs like porridge and wholemeal pasta) but occasionally eat fish. I do have a terrible addiction to dark chocolate though!

Mental preparation was also going to be key, and I developed a few techniques to help me to stay positive and/or zone out when the going got tough. One of them is to laugh at things around me that might be a bit random or silly. On the day, this turned out to be people who farted or burped on their way past me! Another is to sing to myself. When it’s really bad I count to ten in as many languages as I can. I also think about my sister, who has a rare genetic disorder and is totally immobile. So when I think I’m hurting, I think about her and how she can’t run a step – never has been able to – and I soon get going again, usually with tears in my eyes. Some of you may have noticed I wrote her name on my arm to remind me. People often ask why I put myself through the pain of running such a long way and my standard response is ‘because I can’.

imageSo, race day dawned and I was pretty nervous, but also excited about completing the task in hand. I knew I would have brilliant support, both out on the course and back at the temporary Bat Cave, but little did I know just how incredible this support would be. It all began with our lift to the start from Tom – this really meant a lot as I knew I would be in no fit state to drive home! We arrived on site at around 9:40, which gave me plenty of time for multiple toilet visits, much faffing about with kit (thanks to Victoria for the vest that actually fits!) and some time to collect my thoughts. I had decided in advance that my aim was going to be at least ten laps but hopefully more like twelve. This would get me somewhere near the top ten. After studying results from previous years, I discovered that the winner had typically achieved 16 laps, with a podium finisher usually completing 15. I am pretty certain that I have this in me one day, and especially now I have experienced the race and know what not to do! More on that later.

High noon soon came around and I made my way down to the start area with Roger, who gave me a goodbye and good luck hug and kiss. It felt a bit like I was going out on an epic expedition even though I knew I would see him in about an hour and twenty minutes! I started at the back and settled into a very steady pace. I have no idea what that actually was because I took the decision not to wear a watch – mainly to stop myself from obsessing about being too fast or too slow, but also because the battery life on my Suunto is naff. New watch hint!

The aim on the first lap was to get to know the course and settle my nerves. Mission accomplished as I got back to the Bat Cave in about 78 minutes. A quick stop for a Pepsi and a hug ensued, and I carried on to complete my first lap in 84 minutes. Just what I had planned. On lap two I still didn’t really feel like I was into my running and I realised, if I didn’t know already, that the heat was going to be a massive issue. I took three cups of water at the 15K mark and felt slightly better so on lap 3 I opted to carry a bottle of water, something I don’t normally do. I have a race belt but I wanted to carry as little as possible around me because of how sweaty I was getting! Despite the extra water, I felt a little nauseous and had headache, so at the end of lap 3 I had a longer stop for paracetamol, crisps, the first of many strong black coffees and my magic concoction of one electrolyte tablet and one Berocca in a bottle of water to take with me. This made a huge difference and by lap 5 I was really enjoying my running. The oppressive heat was also starting to die down, which made a huge difference. Lap 6 was done in failing light. I just about managed to get away without a head torch, but knew that lap 7 would be the first of the dark ones.5 laps done

Donning my head torch that looks like I’m going down the mine (it is that massive!), I set off for lap 7, which was probably my favourite lap up to this point. I love night running, even if I do sometimes get a little spooked, but the course was so busy I never felt alone. I made it a game to spot the black beetles on the floor of the woodland sections – there must have been hundreds. Speaking of insects, it was also quite nice not to have flies in my eyes or worse, in my mouth. The Bat Cave was starting to get quieter by this point as people took well deserved rests, but the stalwarts Brian, Bernie and JC were always awake, it seemed! I don’t know whether they appreciated my inane chatter throughout the night but they did a good job of making it seem like it was amusing. Bernie also continued to provide me with very strong coffee, which definitely helped (although he has since told me that they ran out of coffee on lap one and I was in fact drinking Fence Guard. This would quite possibly explain why, at 3am, I apparently looked like a bush baby as my pupils were so dilated they had disappeared into my dark eyes!). Onto lap 8, and it became much darker. Not because it was night, but because my head torch was running out of battery. Needless to say, I slowed down because I couldn’t see much and I was concerned about staying on my feet. This was one of the mistakes that cost me an extra lap – one that I won’t be making again. Lap 8 also saw me start to suffer very badly with chafing in a rather delicate area, from about 75km onwards. At this point, I decided to have a longer break at the end of the lap so I could find my handheld torch and get my chafing sorted! Thankfully Victoria was awake so I didn’t disturb her when I went in the tent to get my inhaler, paracetamol and Savlon. Much hilarity ensued when Roger woke up to a conversation he would probably rather not have heard – basically that his first aid skills were required between my bottom cheeks! Under normal circumstances I might have been embarrassed by his shouts from the tent of “Oh God that’s awful! It looks like a baboon’s ass!” but I had just run 80k so didn’t much care ? Set off for lap 9 with a slightly less sore bum and was feeling pretty good as I knew that sunrise would come by the end of this one.

imageAs dawn came round, I felt a new surge of energy and enthusiasm, and started to feel confident that I would run for the whole 24 hours without a break for sleep. Lap 10 was also a lot of fun, and as I finished I treated myself to breakfast of honey nut cornflakes. Left for lap 11 feeling good, but I hadn’t seen Roger for a while as he had either been asleep or running when I came back, and my irrational pathetic brain took over from about 101-104km. I couldn’t seem to get going, I didn’t really give a stuff and although I knew I would carry on, I couldn’t be arsed, to put it bluntly! Just before I reached the water station on what I have come to know as the ‘lap of doom’, our very own captain of vice, Paul, must have seen I was struggling as he gave me a big hug on his way past. That gave me the boost that I needed and I started to get moving a bit more quickly again. Had a bit of a cry at the end of that lap when I did actually see Roger, but JC and Ben encouraged me to keep going. So, after a big hug, I set off for what I knew was going to be my final lap. I also knew that at any time after the 1km mark, Roger was going to come flying past, which also kept me going. What is even more impressive is that he still managed a 42 minute lap with a quick hug stop ? Past the water station for the final time, I summoned up one last push to take me over the ridge at 8km (my favourite bit of the course) and down the hill the other side. By this point I was in floods of tears (tears of joy and relief!) underneath my sunglasses, but I did manage to stop crying by the time I got to the grassy straight for the very last time. I felt like running royalty as I was welcomed by cheers and Bats lining the bank with party poppers, and that gave me a massive boost as I headed towards the finish. Throughout the whole race, I was truly blown away by the time that people took to get me through. I felt like a queen every time I ran along the grassy straight back to base camp, as I was welcomed by cheers, offers of food, drink and a chair (sometimes two to put my feet up!). I have no idea where it came from but I don’t think Roger was expecting to run in to the end with me at 8 minute pace!! Crossed the line and heard the joyful chorus of beeps that signalled the end of this and every lap, but this time I stopped. Time stood still for a second, or at least it felt like it did, as the enormity of what I had done began to sink in. I had achieved my twelve lap aim and finished 11th lady. Not quite top ten, but I will be back next time to rectify that!

“You don’t need to be fast. But you had better be fearless.”image

image

10K, NSRRA, Race report

Trentham 10k – 17th July 2016

At the moment it is non-stop racing with the Thunder Run coming soon quickly followed by the Staffs Knot 5 and the Meerbrook 15k but today was the turn of the Trentham 10k.

Plenty of people recall the original Trentham 10 when it was a 2 lap 10 mile course but a couple of years ago it was rejigged to single lap 10k race meaning only one trip up past Beech Caves.

I last did this race 2 years ago but missed last years due to holidays and also it was a reserve NSRRA race last year so no points up for grabs !

After my successful jaunt round Cheadle last week I feel like I am running well and relatively comfortable so I even let the family come and watch at TrenthamIMG_0936

Usually this is quite stressful as I want some sort of routine before a race but this Sunday morning I still got up early enough for Porridge but  then sorted the kids out and made sure they were dressed and ready for my planned 9:30 departure. Guess what ? We left on time….shock…horror (suppose I better return the clocks to the original time now…..I didn’t before you shout at me !)

We arrived at Trentham and I sorted my number out and started chatting with the fellow Bats, Anne-Marie had thought it was a good idea to run up in preparation for Thunder Run next week, I toyed with the idea then dismissed it quickly, I think Anne-Marie wish she had also dismissed the idea.

It is always a bit sketchy before the race because everyone prepares slightly differently or warms up in their own way so I left the wife chatting to some of the girls and went off for a quickish 1mile war up to get the bones moving, during the warm up I quickly discovered it was much warmer than anticipated so I removed the under armour and went with just the vest. (its okay on a 10k I don’t get any friction on the chest area so took the chance even though I got the raised eyebrows from my darling wife).

Whilst warming up I checked out the competition, same crowd as last week and no sign of Chris from Rugeley, could it be another 50 pointer ? However, with the climb to Beech in the mix nothing can be taken for granted especially with Ollie Clarke closing in quick (is this okay Ollie ?). I also found out the start had changed slightly with the rapid downhill past the school changed to an uphill around the housing estate, it was a bit manic last time so hopefully this is a sensible move.

Anyway quick cuddle with the boys (and wife) and I made my way to the start, I am becoming to realise I should start a bit closer to the front and go off a bit quicker rather than jog round for a mile before starting up.

Quick speech from Ken mentioning something about car drivers being ‘silly’ I think that is what he said and then we were off. The quick left turn into the housing estate was a bit of a shock but off we went doing a loop for about 500 metres before rejoining Winghouse Lane and making our way to the bottom of the climb up to Beech.

A quick mention to my fellow D runners at this point as with the NSRRA you run alongside the same guys week in week out and it is all in great spirit and good fun so today I set out with Adrian (Cheadle), Matt (Trentham), Jon and some guy called Ollie (Newcastle), Steve (SC), Kevin (SMM) and a few others, there is also one lad Nick in Group E who has been running with me the last few races and is looking good for promotion this year.

We all started the long haul up to Beech and myself and Matt ran side by side most of the way until closer to the top Matt started to drop back, it is a good climb and when you get right to the top you have a quick 100 yard downhill before another little climb back to the main road. As we turned onto the main road myself and Nick found ourselves with a nice little gap so we use the big long straight to recover a little after the climb, you forget quite how far a mile is until you see it on a straight road….it goes on for miles….well a mile ! At this point you just need to focus on your own pace and not look too far ahead, so on we plodded and discussed tactics for the next couple of miles as I was leading D and Nick Leading E.

When you get to the A51 roundabout you turn left and there is a gentle climb for about 500 metres maybe a bit more but once you get to the top it is as good as downhill for the rest of the way so a bit more effort here and you have done the hard work. It was when we got to the top Nick said this is where I leave him, he tends to stay with me for 4 miles then drops back but I encouraged him on for about another half a mile before he started dropping back, I also took the chance to have a sneaky look back to see if I could see any of my competition, relieved to see they were not hot on my heels.

As we turned left back onto Winghouse Lane I did pick up the pace a little but with the number of races coming up I definitely decided to hold something back as I wasn’t going to smash any records by knackering myself up so when Captain Bernie hollered out my name I thought it was only fitting to holler back, a couple of runners next to me commented how did I have the energy to shout…oops.

IMG_0923

Hearing our shouting spurred on Pippa Steele in front of me and she put some effort in, she needn’t have worried I was quite happy trundling down and finishing a good minute or so faster than the previous time and leading group D runner.

Although it is quite stressful having family present it is always nice to see them towards the end and they give me and the rest of the Bats a good cheer as we finished with a downhill spurt, however for a second week running I walked the last couple of steps – saving myself for Thunder Run (every second counts …..what a pants program that was!).

We got branded shoe bag as a finishing memento this year which was unusual and actually a very useful addition to the kit so kudos to Trentham for this.

I then hung around and cheered on my fellow runners, Bats and all, with the various handshakes, pats on backs, and congratulations passed round on what turned out to be a very hot day, I even understand my children had ice creams and didn’t bother getting me one…..how rude !

Sixteen Bats flew round past Beech with Paul Swan finishing an amazing 2nd behind Amy’s husband ! IMG_0845Pippa Steele was the first lady bat with Tim Hulse sandwiched between them. I understand Mac won his Group again along with myself  and Emma Dutton won Group W, Kevin won 1st M65, Pam won F60 and I can’t figure out the younger women age groups but looks like we occupied a lot of the F35 and F40 places in the NSRRA tables if not overall – well done to everyone. I will try and get the results on the website asap but full results are up on the NSRRA site and Bryan Dale’s Race Photos (you will have seen photos on Facebook already).

All in all another excellent turn out with great support from fellow bats on the course, great turnout and another new member racing with us, well done Victoria Hughes  (you’ll need to check the name with Bernie as he shouted something different.)

group photo

So bring on Thunder Run….

 

 

 

 

NSRRA, Race report

Cheadle 4 – 10th July 2016

Last year I did my marathon debut (and still only one) at Potts so I gave this a miss, however I am concentrating on some shorter races this year and what could be better than a quick 4 miler on the flat scenic roads around Cheadle ! (Answers on a postcard).

The last few races I have approached with a more positive outlook to enjoy rather than to get wound up about competing and it appears to have worked as clocking up PB’s galore and plenty of points in the NSRRA. So much so John Edwards commented on my relaxed approach at Berryhill more than once as I tootled round “are you going to get out of second gear” was the shout on the 1st two laps….IMG_0346

However, Ken Rushton kindly pointed out earlier in the week that a group prizes were up for grabs and knowing Rugeley Runner Chris was not running I started getting it in my head that I needed to try harder.

Early morning prep changed slightly as I risked a cup of tea instead of the usual water and even had a shave……as most of us know shaving is a pain and weekends we don’t need to bother….especially the girls ! So I sat there waiting for Anne-Marie to pick me up at 9am all cleanly shaven and kitted out ready for Cheadle…I was slightly thrown when Nick Boulton drove up but with Julie and Anne-Marie in the car we set out on the short trip to Cheadle.

Parked up, met fellow bats meandering around the field, quick wee and then the usual spotting fellow group D runners. We all chatted as usual about how crap we felt and anything under 30 minutes would be a bonus etc. (even though Facebook chatter had been 29 minutes with 7,8,7,7 pacing according to Ollie Clarke).

Adrian from Cheadle, Ollie and Jon from Newcastle, Matt from Trentham and a few other group D runners were about so we were analysing the competition for the next 15-20 minutes before the race started. Ollie has been picking up pace recently so needed to keep an eye on him, it was Adrian’s home course and he ran well at Shugborough and Matt Burley had some great runs early on in the year but has been clocking in some titanic performances at various events for http://chelseaburley.wix.com/chelseaburleytrust – so might not be up for a 4 mile speed session.

Anyway 10:30 soon arrived and the sun was trying to shine and it was quite a humid morning with the threat of rain – typical British Summer – but we set off on the first flat, if not slightly downhill mile of the four.

I started quickly alongside Adrian who seemed to set off quicker than normal…was this confidence on his home course ? I settled in behind him as we found a 6:30m/m pace wondering if it was a bit quick with the hill to come but it felt okay and it was only 4 miles !!!!! After about ½ mile Matt Burley jogged past and we commented ‘there goes 50 points’ he looked strong and from earlier races in the season at Newcastle and South Cheshire we didn’t expect to see him again.

Then comes the left turn onto Freehay bank – it is described as 1 mile flat, then 1 mile hill, then flat then down…..well it is longer than 1 mile up and it’s quite tough. It is one of those hills that you just have to find your rhythm and dig in, you climb, it levels off, you climb a bit more, then a bit more then you turn into a narrow lane and then climb a steeper bit and (have I mentioned the climb) you eventually appear at the top. At this point I could still see Matt perhaps 100 yards ahead and had not heard or seen anything of the other guys in D behind me, a quick glance suggested they weren’t closing in fast.

Anyway at the top of the hill you are over half way and I was using Amy Gamble who was between Matt and I as a target to get me closer. Amy was having her own battle with another ‘L’ lady and it was helping me focus on closing the gap. Then comes the fun part a big downhill, I had forgotten quite how long a downhill it was – I caught up with Amy and I think I muttered something along the lines of lets catch these two up, with NSRRA it’s all about the points, and slowly but surely Matt was coming into range.

Over 3 miles down and you are telling yourself less than one mile and I can stop, but you know it is going to be a hard mile. I caught Matt up with probably ½ mile to go and sat behind him deciding if I should go for it or take him on in a sprint over the last 200 yards….well Matt is a lot taller than me and I am guessing those long legs might give him an advantage over a short sprint so I took a deep breath and surged past him. I pushed on and we turned back out onto the main road where we run for about 200 yards before turning into the park for a 50 yard finish on the grass – about halfway along I glanced backwards and I could only see Amy and not Matt so I turned into the field and basically jogged casually over the line with 50 points in the bag ! As you will see from the picture I was walking over the finish line, although it appears I stopped a bit too early as my watch was 10 seconds quicker than my official time…oops !Walking Finish

Amy was right behind me and had passed her ‘L’ competition so an extra point gained.

I was passed my Winner’s Mug and turned to congratulate Matt who finished not too far behind – he did admit when I passed he had nothing left  so he did well to come in with 49 points. The next 10-15 minutes are spent cheering on your fellow runners over the line whether they are Bats, fellow Group D runners or other likeminded people who just run on a Sunday morning for FUN!

One of the highlights of cheering in the Bats was Tim Clegg’s Usain Bolt sprint for the line, perfectly captured in the attached photo ! As Tim said he just needs to work on the other 3.95 miles !Usain Bolt

19 Bats completed the Cheadle 4 with Paul Swan with another top ten finish in under 24 minutes with Tom Wilson not far behind. By my reckoning we had 4 age group prizes with Amy, Kevin, Pam and Joyce and 3 Group winners with Bonnie and Mac alongside myself.

I won’t list all of the results as they are now up on the website but I know mine was a 4 mile PB and I am sure there were many others.Mug Shot

Cheadle 4 is a good race, lovely part of Staffordshire only 4 miles long so get home in time for lunch and well organised by a good running club and I am sure I will be back next year !

Next up Trentham 10k, I understand that’s a flat course as well.

Club, NSRRA

Bat secures Staffordshire selection following Potters ‘Arf performance

We’re delighted to announce one of our own, Paul Swan, has secured selection to represent Staffordshire against North Wales this weekend in the St. Michael’s 10k. Paul was 1st M50 at Potters ‘Arf this past Sunday with a chip time of 1:21:05, a fantastic 2min 30sec PB on the notoriously hilly course. Superb running, Paul, we’re very proud of you.

If you’re running or supporting on Sunday, be sure to give Paul a shout!

5K, Race report

Race For Life (Trentham) – 7th June 2016

Race For Life (Trentham) – 7th June, 2016

Every June Trentham Gardens plays host to Cancer Research’s Race For Life, a 5k race around the Italian gardens and lake that brings together the very finest of racers, enthusiastic runners and relaxed walkers. Open to all, the Bats put together an elite team of RFL athletes and hit the starting line with gusto.

If you’ve never tackled a RFL before, the atmosphere can be both inspirational and somber reading messages of love and support written onto people back plaques; I must admit, I’ve become a little misty eyed on more than one occasion lining up for this race over the years, tonight being no exception as Michelle Miles was running in memory of her Nana, Pauline.

Our strategy was clear from the outset with the majority of the ladies staying as a group apart from a couple of notable (for fab reasons) exceptions: Ann, Jayne Ford and Kirsty Stephenson. The course took in a couple of km around the beautiful Italian Gardens before circling the lake. I’m pleased to report they’ve ditched the last brutal climb at 4km so the mostly flat course is a much friendlier prospect!

The Bat colony swooped steadily around the course, making easy work of the course and chatting to other runners on the women-only run: the atmosphere was bright and positive and the whole gang enjoyed their run. Nearing the finish line we all linked hands and crossed the line together, huge smiles and big congratulations all round! We even heard a few of our fellow Bats (Clare Irving and Carrie Stockley) cheering us on as they’d put in fab performances with workmates and friends!

It was only as we regrouped towards the end we realised the reasons for notable absences; Jayne and Ann had decided to push on in what was Ann’s first ever race! She completed in , a fantastic achievement! And we must all allow Kirsty to take a bow; the tutu’d torpedo not only ran it solo but only went and WON it in an amazing time of 20:30! Superb running all round!

If you’ve got ideas for charity runs the Bats can support, drop us a line. RFL proved if you want to enjoy the camaraderie of running as a team, tackle a personal goal or take on the field, there’s something for everyone!

Half Marathon, Race report

Coniston Half Marathon – 5th June 2016

Tim Clegg – Coniston Half Marathon 5th June 2016 or Five Have Plenty of fun in Coniston

“It will be great – we can stay at the Drunken Duck and have a wonderful weekend – and you three can run your race and we’ll picnic by the lake – go on sign up now”. It was October 2015, my birthday, and we were staying in Otterburn with our oldest friends. Sat in front of the log fire with my second glass of MacAllan, my wife Judith’s suggestion seemed perfect. Andrew and Marcella had run the race that June with Marcella’s sister Mel and her husband Guy and were enthusiastic that we should join them for 2016. It was only after I had signed up for the race that Judith realised, to her dismay, that she was already committed to working that weekend and couldn’t come.

So it was five that gathered on the eve of the race at the Drunken Duck in fabulous sunshine. I carefully considered carb-loading, abstaining from alcohol and going to bed early, however, this was a race that I entered to enjoy the company of good friends. Having got my excuses lined up, I quaffed a couple of pints of Catnap – “well balanced bitterness leads to a long dry finish, with a fruity zesty character” (sounds like me). Gin cured salmon & wasabi followed by lamb and a glass or two of Talisker completed the pre-race preparations.

The Lakeland Trails Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K is a big event with two marathons and two half marathon races, a 10K and a children’s race all on the same day. The first of the marathon races set off at 07.00 which meant that enthusiastic runners were stomping about the hotel demanding fruit juice & porridge long before I wanted to get up. I suspect that they were the diners abstaining from alcohol & going to bed just at the time when we were contemplating pudding.

Andrew halfway to a tough marathonAndrew was the only one of us running in a marathon and his race started at 09.00, so we all got to the start in time to cheer him on his way, before registering and queueing for the portable toilets.

At the start of our half marathon at 10.00 the sun was already high in the sky. The course took us through the fields up Lake Road towards Coniston village, across Church Beck and past the Ruskin Museum. We were soon out of the village and left the road for the Cumbrian Way footpath and into the woods. The tree cover provided welcome shade, but the narrow path funnelled the large group of panting runners into a tunnel of trees, rocks and ditches. The field had not had time to spread out and as the uneven, rocky path climbed up the valley side faster competitors had frustratingly little opportunity to pass the many slowing runners.

Mel & MarcellaLow Yewdale brought the first drinks stop and it came at the foot of the steepest most rugged climb yet. The need to take on water stopped us dead in our tracks. This was not bottles of mineral water handed out by local Scouts, but big camping holiday canisters from which you filled your own water bottle or grabbed a plastic cup and a welcome square of flapjack.

Running up the hill that followed proved too much and everyone stopped after a few strides and walked. I tried to run (I’ve never walked in a race before), but the combination of the steep incline, loose surface, tired legs and trying to get past other people defeated me.

The path took us through Tarn Hows Wood and then out into the sunshine again with fantastic views of Tarn Hows below us. This brought the challenge of the official photographer and I did my best to smile and wave. The circuit above Tarn Hows brought lots of welcome support from walkers and families.

The descent to the lake side was steep and rugged and it was a relief to stretch your legs and run fast. When we got to the lake it felt that we must be nearly there. We weren’t. The run in was long and hot. It took us on a path along the shore, past the pier for the Steam Yacht Gondola and back into the fields of Coniston Hall and within touching distance of the finish line. Then frustratingly we veered away from our destination and into the next door campsite, round the lake shore and finally back in a big loop to the finish.

This was the second of three hilly half marathons on consecutive Sunday’s for me. I thought Buxton was challenging, but a trail half is quite different to running on the road and with temperatures in the mid 20s it was tough as our finishing times showed. Ice creams and a bottle of Jennings Bitter helped the post race recovery. The Potters Arf this weekend should be easier (?) but will it be as scenic?

We had fun, but will we do it again next year? I think Judith has cleared her diary already!

Half Marathon, Race report

Buxton Half Marathon – 29th May 2016

Race report: Anne-Marie Mountford

I’d entered this race sometime last year as it was one that I had not done or heard of before. After Paris I’d made a real effort to get some hill training in on long runs knowing that it wouldn’t be long before it was race day. They certainly paid off as I was able to go into the race feeling, not confident as that’s not me but not scared!

IMG_0375-AMMBuxton’s reputation certainly goes a long way and everyone that I spoke to remarked me about the killer first 3 miles up hill. Now there lay a quandary “to warm up or not to warm up”. We got there in plenty of time to allow for number and t-shirt collection, the usual 40 toilet trips and then a possible little jog to loosen the legs for the ascent. It was so lovely in the gardens that I really didn’t want to leave it. Thankfully I bumped into Bryan Dale and Ann who told me that the first mile wasn’t too bad and although it was a gentle pull it allowed you to get into a stride before the first hill.

We all stood on the corner of the Opera House waiting for the start. The weather was fantastic and I was hoping that it wasn’t going to get too hot (flashbacks of Paris in the heat). I bumped into Tim Clegg the only other bat out at Buxton, wished him a good race and then we were off (sorry no time for a very small team photo). I made it my resolve that I would NOT walk a step and didn’t care about my pace particularly so no matter what I was getting up those hills. The first 3m takes the route out of Buxton towards Leek and in the distance all the way up you could see runners. The only way to deal with this is to not look at where you are heading for but to keep you head down and try to think of other things. At the top I looked at my watch thinking this can’t be the end to it unless my mileage is off and sure enough there’s a bit more waiting for you around the corner to climb. It really wasn’t as bad as I’d expected and then there were the downhills to enjoy. We snaked down, round and sometimes up through lanes and over cattle grids (covered with mats) and it was so lovely and picturesque.

IMG_0643_TCIt felt as though we were back on the Coast to Coast run again. At 4m I got chatting to another runner and our thoughts turned to the next ascent at 7m which was another 1.5m of climb. He’d heard that it was awful but I was working on the basis that the first part, which I’d survived, was the worst. At the foot of the hill we stopped talking and the climb began. It must have been the massive block of chocolate that I had yesterday that kept me going because I got up there without any problems. The views from here were well worth the effort and you’re then treated to a lovely downhill past the cement factory. Everyone that I’d passed on the uphill seemed to glide effortlessly past me on the downhill – can some please help me with this as I just don’t have the technique! The mile from 9 to 10 was probably the most difficult as was quite boring and I noticed that lots of people were now walking but not me, Lynne Shepley would have been well proud of me. Just the last climb to do and whilst I was wondering where it was I realised that I’d probably just done it, so the hill work had paid off. At the top of this hill we then weaved down through back streets until wow you were entering the back of the Pavillion Gardens. It was really nice running down here with the sound of people having fun in the park and yay I spotted the 400m to go sign then double yay I spotted my son, then joy of joys I saw the rest of the family and I was so quick that there was no time for a photo. I finished feeling fresh, satisfied and happy, today was all about getting round and that’s what I did in a time of 2:04:30. I would absolutely do it again and would recommend it to anyone but you’ve got to do the hills in training. Tim finished with 2:23:10 which was impressive as he’d not run for a fortnight due to illness – well done Tim!

It was then time to get stuck into the picnic that I’d prepared and we even called in to Tittesworth for an ice cream on the way home – happy days.