Quarterly Newsletter July 2017
Club ChampionshipsThere is a separate Mens and Ladies championships and the rules will be the same as usual:
• YoumustbewearingaCorshamRunningClubvestorT-Shirt.
• Youmustbeafullypaidupmemberoftheclubfor2017
• 20pointswillbeawardedtothebestresultafterage-grading,19pointsto2ndbestandsoonuntileveryonegets5pointsforenteringachampionshiprace.
• Itisyourbest8racesthatscoresowith17eventsinthechampionshipyouhaveplentyofchancestogetasmanypointsaspossible.
The races for 2017 are as follows:
20th August TwoTunnels(Bath)
10th September ChippenhamHalfMarathon
15th October Grittleton10
22nd October WhiteHorseGallop(Westbury)
5th November OvertheHills(Bradford-on-Avon)
3rd December* BromhamPuddingRun
*Dateunconfirmed
BestHeddington5k
3specificParkruns†
Any(non-Chippenham)halfmarathon-bestresultcounts
Anymarathon-bestresultcounts
5bonuspointsfordoingateamevent(CWR,AVR,MobMatch,Endure24)
†2xbeginners’graduationandwehaveabiggapinApril/Maysoonearoundthattime.
If you have any questions contact Carl Zalek.
Don’tforgettoletusknowifyouachieveaPBinanyofyourracesthisyear,wewanttohearaboutit!itlookslikeouttraditionofcakesandproseccoiscontinuinginto2017.
Emergency Contact Details Theclubcommitteehaverecentlydiscussedthecollectionofemergencycontactdetailsforourmembers.Wefeelthatwewouldbebetterabletoassistyoushouldsomethingunfortunatehappenwhileattendingaclubnight.Thesedetailswouldonlybeaccessiblebythecommitteeandgroupleadersandeventhen,onlyintheeventofanemergency.Ifyouwouldlikeustohavedetailsonfileforyouthenpleasecompletetheformhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/
e/1FAIpQLSc3QJePEQ1XgQLvYUDALiEyKALiP6XHvGfvePvnN0aQTskfiQ/viewform.Thisiscompletelyvoluntaryhoweverthecollectionofemergencycontactdetailswillformpartoftheapplication/renewalprocessfornextyear.
Away Runs 2017TuesdayAugust1st Marshfield
ThursdayAugust17th Kingsdown
TuesdayAugust29thQuarryman’sArms(Box)
Club Kit:Youmayrememberthatitwasdiscussed,votedonandagreedthattheCorshamRunningClubcoloursweretoremainaspertheconstitution,GoldandBlackatthe2017AGM.
UpuntilthispointwehavealwaysbeenabletoofferbothvestsingoldandblackandTshirtsinayellowcolourfromoursuppliers.WhilstwearestillabletogettheveststheTshirtsarebecomingmoredifficulttoacquireandthecolourisbecomingmorelikeafluorescentyellowratherthangold.Whilsttherearelargeamountofcompaniessellingsportswearthereareonlyahandfulofcompaniesmanufacturinganddistributingthesetypesofgarments.
RonhillwhomanufactureandsupplyourcurrentvestsareabletomakeTshirtsinthesamefabricandcoloursasabespokeorderforus,thedownsideofthisistheywillbearound£20eachandwehavetoorderaminimumof5ineachsize.
TheCommitteeareexploringwhatoptionswehavewithanumberofsuppliers,untilthenoncethecurrentTshirtshavebeensoldthenwewillnotbereplacingthem.Vestswillcontinuetobeavailableat£18.00,thesecanbewornoverashortsleevebaselayerandIhavenoticeditisanoptionanumberofyouarealreadyadopting.
Inordertoparticipateintheclubchampionship,clubmembersneedtobewearingaCorshamRCt-shirtorvest.Ifyouwouldlikeoneorjustwanttoshowyoursupportfortheclub,checkoutthekitpageontheclubwebsiteforCorshamRCbrandedrunninggear.
ContactDantoorderplease:[email protected]
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
From the Chair
WelcometothisourSummereditionofthenewsletter.AsIthinkaboutwhathasbeenhappeningtotheclubandit’smemberssincetheSpringeditionI’mveryexcitedaboutreadingallofthenewsandreportsyouhavekindlysubmitted.OneofmypersonalhighlightswastoattendtheWiltshireAthleticsPresentationeveningwhichisarecognitionofbothindividualsandclubsfortheirachievements.ToseeCorshamRunningClubnotonlyreceivethenominationsbutalsotopickupawardsforAlison,StewartandDamienasindividuals,TheOneMileClubtowintheawardforthemostinitiativegroupandahighlycommendedawardfortheCorsham10kwasaveryproudmoment.
Theclubcontinuestogrowinnumbershelpedbythosewhograduatedfromthebeginnersgroupaswellasthosewhohavejoinedusonaindividualbasis,ifIhaven’thadthechancetomeetyouasyetpleaseacceptmypersonalwelcometoCorshamRunningClub.
LastweekendsawthelargestSocialeventtheclubhasheldwithaCeilidheveningorganisedbyRachelandMo.Itwasafantasticeventinwhich130membersandfamiliesjoinedusfortheevening.ThankyoutoallthosewhocamealongandmadetheeventthesuccessitwasaswellasthosewhosupportedtheCommitteebothbefore,duringandaftertheevent.FollowingitssuccesstheCommittee
arealreadylookingataChristmaseventsolookoutforfurtherdetailswhichwillbecommunicatedshortly.
Finallybasedonmembershipcommentswehaveamendedourclubnightgroupstructurestocaterforallabilitiesandallowprogressionthroughthegroupsifandwhenmemberswantto.Thereareanumberofnewandprevioussessionswhicharebeingaddedtotheschedule,ifyouhaveanyquestionsorcommentsonthegroupsorthesessionsthenpleaseletletanyofthegroupleadersorcommitteeknowsotheycanbediscussedbeforethepreparationandissueoffutureschedules.
Richard Biggs
Sincethelastnewsletter,wehavehad5 club championship races,andtwo team relay races.
20 Maywasthebeginner’s graduation 5kraceatChippenhamparkrunwhichattractedatotalof36clubmembers,withmanyofthebeginnersgettingPB’sforthefirsttime.
4 Junewehad24runnersintheChippenham 5 milerace,withCorshamwinningboththeladiesandmen’steamprize.
13 JunesawthefirstoftheHeddington 5k series,with16runnersfromCorshamcompeting,welldonetoJamie McBrienwhoachievedfirstplace.
The River Run on 5 Julyattractedarecord36Corshamrunnersonahotsunnyevening,withmanyofthe
ex-beginnersrunningthis5kforthetime.Jamie McBriensecuredfirst placeandCraig Rumble third place.WehavebeenchallengedbyChippenhamHarrierstohaveatleast50runnersenteringthiseventin2018!Canwedoit?Yeswecan!
11 JulysawthesecondHeddington 5K withCorshambeingrepresentedby20runners,JamieMcBrienachievingsecondplaceafterMichaelTowlerfromAVR.Theweatherwasn’tkindtotherunners
thatnightwithheavyrainallevening.
The Cotswold Way Relay and the Avon Valley RelayswereagainwellsupportedbytheclubmembersandI’msuretherewillbeseperatenewsletterarticles
detailingthese.
Sofarthisyearthesupportoftheclubchampionshipraceshasbeenfantastic!Pleasecontinuetosignupforthem
astherearestillplentyofracestoenter.
Don’tforgettoletusknowifyouachieveaPBinanyofyourraces,wewanttohearaboutitforCarl’sendofyearreport!
Jane Tunnicliffe
Club Captain’s Report
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Damian Hall - vet male athlete of the year, Corsham 1 Mile Club - club initiative of the year, Corsham 10k - highly commended race of the year, Stewart Unsworth vm40
winner off-road race league, Alison Graham - vf50 winner off-road race league.
One Mile Club
WehavebeenabletousetheCorshamSchoolplayingfieldsformostsessionsthisterm.CongratulationstothosewhocamealongonthetwoextremelyhotWednesdays.Wehaveplayedthepopularchasinggames(Britishbulldog,Chaintag,StuckintheMud,CatchaTailetc),haverunrelaysincludingasackrelay,huntedtheflagsandhavedonetheannualDressing-
Uprelay.Forthelatter,abigthankyoutoDorothyHousecharityshopaswehavenowbeengiventheskirts,blouses,hatsandscarvesandcanusethemeachyear.
AttendancehasbeenvariabledependingontheweatherbutwehavehadverylargenumbersonsomeWednesdays.Wehavehadsomenew
membersandhaveofferedplacestoallthefamiliesonthewaitinglist.WehaveseveralfamiliesregisteredforSeptembersomeofwhomarekeenfortheirchildrentojoinassoonastheyareinYear1.
SinceApril,severalmembershavereceived10milecertificates,T-shirts(15miles),20milecertificatesand30milecertificates.CongratulationstoHarrietBennettforreceivingher100milecertificate,t-shirtandtrophy.WilliamRitchiehadbeenaloyalmemberoftheclubforsixyearsandduetoamovetoWaleswouldnotquitereach150miles.Hewasawardedaspecial140mileshieldinrecognitionofhisachievements.
TheOneMileClubhasbeenawardedtheWiltshireAthleticsAssociationtrophyfortheclubinitiativeoftheyear2016-2017.
Ourlastsessionbeforethesummerbreakison12thJulyandwerestarton13thSeptember.
Humphrey Barnikle
Welcome to our New MembersSamHydeEdHarperJulianThornhillKirstenWilliamsBeckyDrennanEddStoneGemmaReadeHeatherConstableChloeComptonKatieRawlingsNickMaryonChrisMcleodAnnaGardiner
IfyouareyettopayforyourmembershipemailSteve:[email protected]
Wiltshire Athletics Awards
Monthly NewsletterWhy I Run
IamoftenaskedwhyIrun,especiallywhyIwouldwanttorunlongdistancesovermanyhoursandpossiblyinthefuture,multipledays.WhatcanIpossiblyenjoyaboutitorgetoutofthisexperienceofsufferage?I’msometimesconsideredbyothersasanutter,crazy,offmyblockoratbestjustmad,noneofwhichIdeny.Whywouldanysanepersonwanttogoandsufferandbeoutinallelements,gothroughtotalexhaustionalmosttothepointofdelirium,wheninsteadtheycouldbecuddledupwatchingamoviesafeathome.Everyrunnerhasconfrontedthisattitude.
ThewayIseeitisthatIhaveplentyof
othertimeforTVandidleness.Ipreferreallifetomovies.Goingofftorunisagreatexcusetogetawayfromeverythingandindeedconfrontingmynaturalidleness.WhatIgetfromitis,forexample,anopportunitytoappreciatethebeautifulunspoiltlandscapesmiraculouslyprovidedbynature.Aroundeverycorner,reachingeverymountainpeak,emergingfromeveryforest,allengagethatchildishexcitement-whatwill
appear,willIseecivilisation,anotheramazingview,willtherebeadeer,justsomeunusualtree,butusuallysomethingIwillnothaveenvisagedorhadapictureofinmymindie.somethingtoengagethemind,totake-inandrecalllater.Ialsoenjoythepeaceandtranquillity,tobreathinthefreshunpollutedair,andimportantly,simplyhavingsometimejustformyselfdoesitforme.Therearenoremindersofeverydaystresses,andalthoughphysicalexertionisinvolvedinexcess,it’sstillanexperienceofrelaxationofthemindthatrejuvenatesthespirit.Then,finallywhenit’sallover,returninghomemore
appreciativeofallthejoysoffamilylife,thenslowlybitbybitunconsciouslytakingthatforgranted...untilthenextadventure.
Asasideeffect,andwhatisoftenconceivedtobethemainreasonforrunningis,Ibelieve,thatit’sdoingmegreatgoodwithalltheassociatedhealthbenefits,suchas;afeelingofwell-being;increasingstrengthoftheheartandlungs;wideningofthearteriesandpromotionofgoodbloodflow,lowering‘bad’cholesterollevels;promotingstrengtheningofthemuscles,jointsandligaments;increasingbonedensity,helpingpreventcancer;increasinglongevity;andgivingmeafantasticheadstartintooldagewhenitfinallydoescome.Iwillstillberunningwhenothersarestrugglingtostandandtowalk,aresufferingallsortsofailments,areoverweight,andhavepoorgeneralhealth.Okthereisnoguaranteeofthat,butthepercentagesareonmyside,andasIsayallthesearejustsideeffectsfortherealreason.
Chris Hunt
TROWBRIDGE 10K Sunday,20thAugust2017
THE FLYING MONK MALMESBURY 10K Sunday,27thAugust
MELKSHAM 10K Sunday,17thSeptember
AUTUMN EQUINOX RUN 10K & Half Marathon Sunday,24thSeptember
DYRHAM PARK 5 & 10K Sunday,1stOctober
SUTTON BENGER FLYER 5 MILER Sunday,19thNovember
This10kwasinitssecondyearandwasorganisedbyRedfishevents.DannyC,MarkCortavilleandmyselfentered.Itwasalovelyvariedfigureofeightcourse,takingyouonroads,inwoods,acrossfieldsandupanddownhills.Itwasquiteasmallevent,nevertheless,itwasawell
organisedandfriendlyrace.Iwouldrecommenditandwillbesigningupforitagainnextyear.Nophotostakenonthisoccasion.
Cheddar Gorge Half - September 10th2placesavailableforanyonewhowantstorunthischallenginghalf
marathon.Relishwon’tallowtransferofplacessorunnerswouldhavetoruninthenameoftheoriginalrunners.Ifanyoneisinterestedcontact:[email protected]
Upcoming Events The Dilton Dash 10K 21 May 2017
Monthly NewsletterBeat the Bore26 May 2017
OnagloriousMayFridayeveningPaulandHamishScotfordandItookajourneyGloucesterwayforaraceagainstnature.
Witharoundahundredotherlikemindedfolk,andasthesunsanklanguorouslyandgloriouslytotheWesternhorizon,wefoundourselvesinagrassyfieldneartheRiverSevern,whichwasgoingtoprovidethepacemakerforourevening’srunningentertainment;THEBORE*.
Thesimplepremisefortheracewas,afterathreemilecrosscountry“warmup”andjoiningthebankoftheRiverSevernfortheremainingfivemiles,wastotryandreachthefinishlinebeforeTHEBORE.Theracestarttimewasintheorydesignedtogiveafightingchanceofachievingthatend.NatureisunpredictablehoweverandwiththespeedofTHEBOREvaryingbetween6mphand13mphasittravelsupriveritwasunclearexactlyhowfastwewouldhavetoruntostayaheadofit.
Fromtherathervaguetimingsontheevent’swebsiteitlookedasthoughasub9minutepermilepacewouldbesufficienttobeatTHEBORE,andIhadgearedmyself(andHamishandPaul)torunatthatpace.Atthestartlinemypre-racecalculationswerecalledintoquestion.Aslightlylaterthanadvertisedstartingtimeandafleetingreferenceintheracebrieftotheborepassingthefinishlineatjustbeforeteno’clockindicatedthatthepacewouldneedtobequickerandmorechallengingthanIhad
anticipatedandmis-advertisedtoHamishandPaul.Insuchcircumstances,andinthewordsoffellracinglegendJossNaylor,thereisonlyonethingtodo;“runhard”.
ThatIattemptedtodofromthestartbutkneelengthgrass,anuphillslopeandrockhard,
veryunevenunderfootterrainmeantthepacewasoffthatrequired.Thingsimprovedontheothersideofthehillbutconditionsunderfootremainedsporty;thesettingsunprovidedmomentaryscenicrespitebutmeantlookingupfromjobinhandandriskingatwistedankle.
Withtheinitialwarmupsectionoutoftheway,theriverbankwasjoined,andasduskandTHEBOREdescended,theracewastrulyon.Therewasahopethatgoingwouldbefasteralongtheriverbank.Unfortunately,numerousstiles,whilstprovidingachancetocatchmybreath,slowedprogress.Moreover,theriversidepathwasinterminablypotholedbyhoofprintsfromwettertimesnowbakedrockhardbytheMayheatwave;buttimeandtidewaitfornooneanditwassimplyaquestionofpressingonasfastaslegsandlungswouldallowandseeingwhathappened.
WithsevenmilesuponmyGPS,andbasedonpacetothatpoint,mychancesofbeatingTHEBORElookedtobedisappearingrapidly.Therunnersaroundmewerestilldrivingforwardthough,andwithnosignorsoundoftheboretherewasstillhope,Ihadawordwithmyselfandinvestedonelasteffort.
Asisoftenthewayofthesethings,Iroundedabendintheriverandwasgreetedbythewelcomesightofthetravelingsupport(wifeSue,sonTomanddogRosie),whichmeantthatthefinishcouldnotbefaroffandmy
paceseemedtomagicallypickup.ItneededtobecauseatthatmomenttherewasanominousroarbehindmeindictingTHEBOREwasonitsway.Unfortunately,sowasdarknessandhavingnotputmyheadtorchonitwasaquestionoftrustingthefeetandhopingthefinisharrivedbeforeTHEBORE.WithplentyofencouragementfromthespectatorsgatheredonthebankthefinishlinesooncamentoviewbutonlyasthenoiseofTHEBOREincreased;wouldImakeit?
WithalastditchflailingoflegsIcollapsedoverthelinewonderingifIwastherebeforeTHEBORE.ThemarshalswerenotsuresoIpickedmyselfupandheavedmyselfuptheriverbanktobegreetedbyTHEBOREpassing;Ihadmadeitbutonlyjust!-marvelous!
Asplendidraceagainstnaturewascappedbyabaconbuttyandtea,servedintheracemementomug,andaveryrustic,environmentallyfriendlymedal.All-in-allasuperwaytospendaFridayevening.IfyoufancytakingonTHEBOREtoothenextrunningispencilledinforSpring2018.
ThankstoPaulandHamishforjoiningmeontheadventureandSue,TomandRosieforthesupport.
Dave Mackie*TheSevernBoreisoneofBritain’sfewtrulyspectacularnaturalphenomena.ItisalargesurgewavethatcanbeseenintheestuaryoftheRiverSevernatvarioustimesoftheyeardependentonheightoftide.
Monthly NewsletterEndure 249 June 2017
48 hours in ReadingAteamof7CRCrunnerstookontheEndure24challengeatWasingPark;justsouthofReading.Thiseventinvolvesrunningasmany5mileloopsasyoucanin24hours.Therearemen’s,ladiesandmixedcategoriesforsoloists,pairs,smallteams(3-5)andlargeteam(6-8).Wewouldbeamen’slargeteam.
Alltherulesstateisthatyourunasmanylapsasyoucan,andifinateam,everyonehastodoatleastonelap.Wedecidedthatwewouldjusttakeitinturnsandseehowwegoton.TheCorshamteam(inrunningorder),consistedof:StewartUnsworth,DanHarman,GavinJohnson,CraigRumble,DaveMackie,CarlZalek,PaulScotford.
Theentrypriceincludedcampinginalargefieldandspectatorswerewelcome,somyfamily(Tammy,OscarandBonnie)camedowntosupportasdidWendyScotford.
Friday 9th June 201716:00–WeallmeetatSpringfield.6ofusheadtoReading,GavinwilljoinusSaturdaymorning
17:30–ArriveatWasingParkandstartsettingup
18:30–3tentsallpitchedandreadytoheadtotheracevillage,turnsoutwe’reaboutasfarawayaspossible
19:30–OscarandBonnietakepartintheEndureminimile
20:00–23:00–Drinksmayhavebeenconsumedandhumorousnicknamespassedout,butwhatgoesontourstaysontour!
Saturday 10th June 201708:00–Baconsandwiches,SausageSandwiches–ThanksTammy.
11:00–Gettingready,numberspinnedtovests,wonderingwhereGavinis?
11:10–StillnosignofGavin
11:20–OK,cuttingabitfineGavin
11:30–IfGavindoesn’tshowupsoon,we’llhavetogodowntothestartwithouthim.
11:35–Gavin’shere,let’sgo
12:00–WatchStewartsetoffonourfirstlap.
12:45–StewarthascompletedourfirstlapandpassedthewristbandtoDan,everyoneclamoursforinsightintowhatthecourseislike.Wealsodiscoverthatmanyteamshavenovelwaysofhighlightingthemselvestotheirnextrunneraschangeoverisverybusyatalltimes.
13:30–WouldhavethoughtDanwouldbelongfinishedbynow.
13:38–Danhobblesintoviewat53minutes,Wehadgivenhimthenickname‘One-lap’thenightbeforeashecametoEndurewithapre-existingkneeinjuryanditturnedouttobequiteprescientashishamstringhadcompensatedforhiskneeandhe
hadhobbledthelasttwomilesofhisonlylap.
15:30–HavingseenGavin(40minutes)andCraig(33minutes)completetheirlaps,IwaswaitingforDave(40minutes)tocompletehisfirstlapsoIcouldgetmyfirstlapdone.
15:32–IhadthewristbandandIwasoff.Head–firstlap,longdayahead,takeitsteady.Legs–OHYEAH,let’sgetmoving!Thereisaroaduphillforthefirstkm,thenrollingupsand
downsmostlythroughforthenext4kms;includingalittlekickjustbeforethe3kpointandaVWstoppedat4kwithmusicblaringout.Justpastthe5kmarkerisheartbreakhill,Iwouldboundupthisonmyfirstlapbutitwastobecomemuchtougherwitheachsubsequentlap.Afterthat,moreloopingroundthewoods,throughthefairyforest,downhillandwindingbacknext
tothesoloistsandpairscampsitebeforecrossingthelineafter36:44andhandingtoPaul(40minutes).Excellentfunandgreatroute.
16:30–Backatcamp,allhavingfunanddiscussionnaturallyturnstotactics,everyone(exceptDan)stillwillingtogoinrotation,howwouldwesleep,wasitwortheveryonedoublingupovernightanddoingconsecutivelaps(no),whenwouldwehaveadrink(takingitseriously).
16:48–We’veallcompletedalapandare12thoutof21largemen’steams,top10wouldbegreat
19:00–Dancheckedtheresultsboard,wewereupto10thof21,timetoconsolidatetop10
19:25–Readyformysecondlap,hadtotakemyheadtorchastheymust
Monthly NewsletterEndure 249 June 2017
becarriedbetween20:00-06:00.Goingtotakeiteasythistime.
20:03–5secondsslowerthanlap1,somuchfortakingiteasy.Didn’tneedmyheadtorch.
20:30–HavingabeeranddecidingthatI’dsleepalittleafterlap3andabitmoreafterlap4,mostofusseemedtobethinkingalongthesamelines.Weweredoingasimplethingofrunner1wouldwakeuprunner3whentheyreturnedtocamp,2wouldwakeup4andsoonandwe’dalwayshavesomeoneoncourse.
21:00–Dandecidedtogethisheaddownforafewhours.Hewouldthengoontoprovideavaluableserviceovernightasteammanager,walkingbackandforthbetweencampandtheracevillageandkeepingusallcompany.
23:30–Readyformythirdlap,definitelyneededtheheadtorchthistime.IwouldbefinishingalittleaftermidnightandIwaslap18–weweredoingbetterthanIhadpredicted.
23:55–Runningthroughthefairywood,wheretheyhadputfairylightsaroundthetrees,everyonelovedthispart,eventhoughwewereallmanlymen.
Sunday 11th June 2017 01:00–Timeforsleep
03:00–Craigwakesmeup–B*****d!
03:01–Andit’sraining–doubleB*****d!
03:37–Startofleg4forme.Stillraining,butthefirstraysofdawnwerestartingtoshowbeforeIfinishedmylegandhandedovertoPaul
04:00–Danchecksresults–upto
7thof21,alongwayfrom6thbutwellaheadof8th.
04:30–Backtosleep
06:00–Kidswakemeup.
07:00–Tacticsagain,aslongaswestartourlastlapbymiddaywecanfinishit.IgetbumpedupaplaceasI’dbeenrunningsecondfastestanditgaveusbestchanceofcompleting36laps–ournewtarget,althoughI’dlosttheglorylap.
07:45–Isetoffforlap5,we’reallspeedingupagainnowasthenighthaspassed.
08:00–Dancheckstheresultsboardagain,we’reupto6thfrom21,narrowlyleading7thbutallstillrunningstrong.
08:25–I’vegotonelapleftanditcouldbepressurisedtogetusinby12forDaveMackietodoourglorylap.
09:00–Morebaconandsausagesandwiches.Foodofchampions.
10:00–Packinguptentsiswellunderwayandmuchhilarityensues.
10:33–Craigsetsoffonhisfinallap–1:27forCraigandmetorun10miles.
11:07–Craighassmashedouta33:23leavingme53minutestocompletemyfinallapandhandovertoDave,wecouldcomfortablyhavekeptouroriginalorder.
11:46–Myslowestlap(by3seconds)butIhandovertoDavewithplentyof
time.
12:25–WaitinginourCRCvestsforDavetoarriveinthefieldaswe’reallallowedtocompletethelastlaptogether
12:28–CRCcrossthelinehavingcompleted36lapsin24:28:04
12:30–Ourfinalpositionwas7thoutof22teams.There’sanextrateam.It’saMizuno(Enduresponsor)
teamin6thplacenow.FIX!Wewere24thoutofall231largeteamsand32ndofall745entrants(whichincludessolos)
12:35–Wehavetheobligatorypost-racebeerandteamphotoinfrontoftheEndure24wall.DaveMackiemayhavephotobombedtheAVRteamphoto,butluckilyhisgoldtopblendsinwiththeirlemon.
13:00–Allonourwayhome
Infinal–Wecompletedafranklyincredible36laps(180milesofficially,althoughwethinkthecoursewasaround4.75miles).Wekeptinrotation,therewasverylittleslowdownontimes,evenovernightwekeptthingsreasonableconsistent,withonlya7%differencebetweenourteamfastestlap(3:54:52)andslowestlap(4:12:07).Paulwasourmostconsistentmemberwithonly1:34differencebetweenhisfastestandslowestlap.
Formostofus,ourfirstlapwasourfastestandfourthlap(secondovernight),wastheslowest.
Weallhadagreattime,includingthe4supportersandwe’rehopingtogetabiggerclubpresencetherefor2018.AVRhadan8personwalkingteamsoanyonecandoit.£65mayseemalotbuttheorganisationisfantasticanditdoesincludecampinginthatpriceplusthecleanestraceportaloosyouwilleverencounter,aqualitytechnical
Monthly NewsletterEndure 249 June 2017
t-shirtandahugemedalforthosethatloveabitofbling.
Carl ZalekAnyonethatknowsmeknowsthatI’mnotaloverofroadraces,butgivemesomethingabitquirkymaybewithawaterfeature,horsejumps,aropeclimb,orinthedarkandInormallydon’thesitatetosignup.SowhenCarlfirstpostedthelinkforEndure24‘GlastonburyforRunners’a5milerelayeventrunover24hoursIthoughtnowthat’sdifferent.Mymathsmightnotbegreat,butevenItwiggedthatbeinginasmallteamcouldendupwithmerunninganawfullotof5milelaps.SoIsatbackandwaitedtoseeiftherewereanyothertakers.AsthenumbersincreasedIgotbraveandsignedup!ButastheweekendgotcloserIstartedtoactuallydothemathsIstartedtogetworrieddesperatelytryingtoworkouthowmanylapsIwouldneedtorun.I’dconvincedmyselfI’dbebyfartheslowestrunnerintheteamandhavetorunfurtherthanIhadeverrunbefore.
Thedescriptionof‘GlastonburyforRunners’isveryapt.Thinkingwewerearrivingearlywewereconfrontedwithaseaoftents.Itwasa10minutewalktothestartline.BonnieandOscarwerethefirstCorshamRunnerstogainmedalstakingpartintheFridayeveningfunrun.Thenextdayitwasourturn.Stuartwasfirsttorun.WecheeredhimacrossthelineashehandedovertoDanwhowasrunningwithhiskneealltapedup.FortyfiveminuteslatertherewasnosignofDanwebegantoworry,thenhehobbledacrosstheline.Hiskneewasfine
buthe’dtornthehamstringontheoppositeleg.Itwasgoingtobehisfirstandonlylap.Istartedtodothementalarithmeticagainthismeantmorelapsandlesssleepfortherestofus.
FinallyafterGavin,Craig,DaveandCarlhadrunwithsomeamazinglyfastlapsitwasmyturn.TheadrenalinestartedpumpingasIsawCarlcrossingtheline,hepassedthewristbandandIwasoffdodgingaroundotherexpectantrunnersandontothecourse,upthefirstriseandintothe
woods,steadilygainingandovertakingrunners.IknewsomeofthemwouldalreadybeontheirsecondorthirdlapbuteverytimeIpassedsomeoneitgavemethemotivationtokeeponpushingmyself.Thecoursewasmainlywoodlandtrailsofferingplentyofshade.Itookthefirstshorthillinmystridethesecondwastougher.AsIcrossedthefinishlineinatimeof40:02I’dneverbeensogladtoseeStuartfriendlyface.
OnLap2IstartedtobecomefamiliarwiththecoursewhichwasjustaswellLap3wasincompletedarknessDaveMackie’s‘moonlightruns’provedtobegreattraining.Ataboutthe4milestherewasthesurrealsightoftwinklingfairylightswrappedaroundallthetrees.WithjustoverthreehoursrestIwasbackwithmyheadtorchforapre
dawnstartforlap4.Passingrunnerswhohadstartedthelapaminutebeforemegavemeaboost.Ihadneverrunthisfarin24hrsbefore.Emergingfromthewoodsintothemorninglightwasamazing.Anothershortrestanditwasmyfinallap.BynowIfeltIknewthecoursebackwards.TwomilesinItoldmyselfIonlyhadaparkruntogobeforecrossingthefinishlineforthefinaltime.
TomysurpriseIwasamazinglyconsistentwithjust1min34secsbetweenmyfastestandslowesttimes.
Togetherwecompleted36laps180milesinjustover24hrs.WouldIdoitagain?Definitely,awellorganisedevent,fantasticteammatesandsupportcrew.AbigthankstoCarlfororganisingtheteamandTammyandWendyfordishingupallthosesausagesandwiches.
Paul ScotfordItisOctober2016andIhavePB’dinbothahalfmarathon
anda10kinthespaceofacoupleofweeks.Confidenceishigh.MensClubCaptainCarlhasaskedifthereisanyinterestintheclubaboutgettingateamtogetherforcompetingina24hourraceinJunethefollowingyear.Iknowoftheeventastwoclose
friendshadmarshalleditandextolleditsvirtues.Thedecisionisstraightforward:‘putmynamedownplease’.
Fastforwardeightmonths.IhavebeencrockedrunningamarathonlastNovember(memotoself:5marathonsin18months=rookieerror)andmoreimportantly‘lostfitness’duringmyenforcedlay-off.Iamdrawnfirst
Monthly NewsletterEndure 249 June 2017
intheseven-manrotationandamonthestartlineinthemiddaysunrecoveredfromtheinjurybutnotfromtheexcessfoodintake.
Thecourseisa5mile(8k)loopbasednearAldermaston,avillagemidwaybetweenNewburyandReading.Allbutthefirsthalfmiletakesplaceoff-road,largelyinwoodland.Highlightsinclude‘HeartbreakHill’atthethreemilemark(yousneeratthedescription….untilthefifthlap)andFairyForest(thelightsgoonduringthenight).Theclosingstageswindbackthroughthecampingvillageandbacktothestart/finishlinethatisoverseenbyacommentatorbeforeyouhandovertoyourcomradeinthecollectingpen.
ThefirstlappromisedtobesomethingofalogjambutthefieldspreadoutaftertheopeningmileandIlostmoretimebyfailingtowearacap,thusallowingsweattopourintomyeyesandunnecessarilyimpairingvision.Thenetresultwasasolidifunspectacular44minuteeffort.HandingovertoGavin,IadjournedforlunchwhereashorttimelaterCraiginformedmedisasterhadstruck.HepointedtothefarcornerofthemassagetentwhereDanHarmanlay.Hamstringpoppedafterhalfalap.Danhadmanagedtowalktherest(thatwascrucialaseverymemberhadtocompleteatleastonelap)butthatwasit.Oneanddone.SevenCorshamRCparticipantsbecamesix.
Afteroneturnthroughtherotation,‘Corsamgoingtorunlaps’(orlapinpoorDan’scase)were13thoutofthe22teamsinourcategory.Itrundledouttothecollectingareainasomewhatlackadaisicalmannerwithafewminutesavailabletochattofellow
competitors.AtleastIthoughtIhadafewminutesbutreckonedwithoutPaulScotfordandabanzai40minutelap.LuckilythefinishingstraightisrelativelylongandImanagedtocallouttoPaulinenoughtimetoeffectareasonablehandoverbutIwasalloverthegafftryingtogetmywatchstarted.Thataside,mysecondlapwassimilartothefirst,sweatintheeyesbutotherwiseunspectacular.43minuteslater,another5milesinthe
bank.
Theeventislabelled‘theGlastonburyforrunners’becauseitiscampingorientatedalthoughtheysupplyportaloos(verywellmaintainedthroughouttherace!),asmallbarandaround-the-clockfoodoutlet.Ourteamalsohadthebonusofanexcellentsupportcrew:TammyZalekandWendyScotfordsupplieddrinkandfoodjustwhenweneededitandwerelovelycompany,particularlyduringthenightrunswheretheycouldhavebeenexcusedforbeingtuckedupasleepintheirtents.
Irealisedmythirdlap,ataround9:30pm,wouldbeourlastoneindaylightandsubconsciouslywentoffrelativelyquickly.BynowIwasusedtotheloopandwithconditionsmuchcooler,ittranspiredthatthe42:30orsothatIpostedwastobemyquickest.Darknessfellsoon
afterwardsbutnightrunningdidnotdisadvantagetheteam;wewereslowlycreepinguptheleaderboardandwerenowintothetopten.
Myfourthlapwastobethebigtest.Ihaddonesomeheadtorchpracticebuthadnotruninthemiddleofthenightbefore.IchosetostayupasCarlwouldhavehadtowakemeatmidnightanywayandataround1:25amaftertakingoverfromPaul(Ihadgotusedtohis40and41minute
lapsbynow)Iwasonmynotsomerryway.ThefourthingsIrememberaboutthiscircuitwerethatitwasdrizzling,theFairyForestlightswerestunning,Darude’s‘Sandstorm’wasblaringawayandthatittookmeashadeover45minutes;myslowestlapbutnottoobad.
Iwasnotdueoutagainuntilsometimeafter5:30am,soIdecidedtotryandgrabafewhourssleep.Iwasinitiallypreventedfromdoingthisprimarilybecausemyleftleg
crampedupbutalsobyacrashingsoundonthetent.Rain.Heavyrain.‘Someonehasabsolutelycoppedit’wasmylastthoughtasIeventuallydriftedoff.ThatsomeonehappenedtobeourfastestrunnerCraig:‘itcamedownlikestair-rods!’
ItwaslightbythetimeIembarkedonlapfiveandsometeamshadsufferedmorethanothersduringthenightperiod.AVRhadadoptedatwolapperpersonpolicyforsomeoftheirteamsinabidtogivethenon-runnersmoresleep.Itwasanoptionwehadstronglyconsidered,butwedecidedtokeeptoourone-laprotationpolicy.TheproblemthatAVRfoundtotheircostwastherunnersrantheirsecondback-to-backlapmuchslowerthanthefirst,leadingnotonlytoworsetimesbutalsototiredrunnersstandingintherain-lashedpenforprolongedperiodswaitingfortheircolleaguetofinish.BythetimeIhad
Monthly NewsletterEndure 249 June 2017
completedinasmidgenunder45minutes,‘Corsamgoingtorunlaps’wereuptoeighthplaceandclosinginonthenextteam.
Theremainingladsscootedthroughtherotationandwewereupintoseventhplace(formuchoftherace,weweresixthoutof21butasuspiciouslateadditionofateamfromracesponsorsMizunodemotedus).Wenowhadtoconsidertherules:youwereallowedtocompletethecurrentlapatthe24hourmarkbutcouldnotstartanotherone.CarlandDaveMackieswappedpositionsasaresultbutwhenmyself,GavinandCraighadfinishedoursixthlaps,itbecameapparentthatbarringcalamityweweregoingtobeinthemiddleofacircuitwhenthefinalhootersounded.
Carldulyclockedupanothersub-40timeleavingDavetocompletethegloryleg.Thenatureoftheeventissuchthatalltherunnersareencouragedtojointheirteam-mateandcrossthelinetogetherandallofus,injuredDanincluded,leaptacrossthetimingmatincelebration.Seventhplace,36laps,180miles.Wewereallchuffedwithourefforts.
WhileCarlandDavewereoutontheirfinallaps,therestofuswereabletocheeronsomeoftheothercompetitorswhohadputinincredibleperformances.PeteCroallwastheleadingsolorunner,rackingup24laps(110miles).Furtherdowntheleaderboard,87-yearoldPeterWhitefromReadingJoggerscompletedninelaps.Theaptlynamed‘ThePerfectPair’,JennyMcBainand
SarahRendellofAlchesterRCran32lapsintakingthefemalepairstitle,completingmorecircuitsthaneitherthewinningmaleormixedpairs.
At£65theeventisnotcheap,butitcoverscamping,parking,technicalT-shirtandalovelymedalforeachperson.Moreover,itisexcellentlyorganisedwithcheeringmarshalsatmanyturns,awaterstationpartwayroundandbackgroundmusic
tokeeptiredmindsactive.WewereunanimousinourinteresttodoitagainnextyearandhopefullythiscanbeaneventCorshamRunningClubembracesintheyearstocome.
Stewart Unsworth“Running5milelapsaspartofateamfor24hoursjustoutsideReadingisnotthegreatestsellforanevent;particularlywhenitinvolvesaheftyfinancialoutlayandnegotiatingaweekendawayfromhome.WhilstthebarebonesofEndure24arejust
that,inrealityitofferedamuch,muchmorerewardingandmemorableexperiencethanthat:
• Gatheringinasplendidrurallocationwithnumerousotherlikemindedrunningfolk?Tick!
• Socialisingandbanterwith,andencouragementfrom,abunchofCRCs’finest-Tick!
• Adelightfullyundulatingandinteresting5mileoffroadlaptotrot
aroundoccasionally?Tick!
• Amagicwoodlitbyfirefliesandpopulatedbyfairies?Tick!
• Anopportunitytoeatsolidlyfor24hoursandnothavethesamemealtwice?Tick!
• Thecleanestportaloosyouhaveexperiencedatanyoutdooreventever?Tick!
• DiscoveringthatStewart“Audrey”Unsworthisafflictedwithanunusualconditionknownas“ladies’wrists”.Tick!
• Findingoutthatrunningthetherainandpitchblackatthreeo’clockinthemorningcanbeanupliftingandenjoyableexperience?Tick!
• Combiningatthedelightsofteamsportwith
theindividualchallengesandrewardsofrunning?Tick
Insum,bloomingmarvellous,andofcoursenotpossiblewithoutthefabulousendeavoursofCarlZalektogetusallthereinthefirstplace;chapeau.
Dave Mackie
Monthly NewsletterCRC on Tour
Natalie on the coast path, Weymouth and Looe
Max runs past her childhood home, Kamerik, Netherlands Jan and Mark in the French Alps Lois on the coastal path in Wales
Rob ran 5k in Norway Vikki met The Beatles in Liverpool
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Cotswold Relay 201724th June 2017
FOUR TEAMS! FORTY RUNNERS!CRChaveformanyyearsseentheCotswoldWayRelayasaparticipationevent,nopressureonanyonetorunfast,justturnupinyourCRCtopandgoforalongruninbeautifulcountrysidewith99otherpeople.
Theteamnaturewasepitomisedas4ofussetofftogetherfromChippingCampdenat7am,and12hourslater,alargecrowdfromCRCwerewaitingoutsideBathAbbeytocheerinCarlyHarveyandGeorginaTaylorastheyfinishedtogether.AndthenwehadafewcelebratorydrinksasistheCRCway!
Herearemanyreportsofafantasticday.
Leg 1: Debbie Kearsey, Dave Bethune, Stu Unsworth & Carl ZalekHavingcompletedthesetin2015andmissinglastyearduetoanadminerror,Iwasbackthisyeartogofromthebeginningandtrytobettermyoveralltime.Thegoalforthenext10yearsistotakeoff39:25togetmytotaltimeunder14hours.
Isetoffniceandquicklyandwasrunningwell,runningpastpeopleonthehillsandchattingaway.AsalwaysIenjoyedtherunningandtheviews,althoughthereisonefieldaboutamilefromtheend,whichisjustasuccessionofupanddownbumpsfor200metres,reallytakeingawayanyrhythmyoumayhave.
Ifinished3:09quickerthanIdidpreviously,soI’vemadeagoodstartonreducingtime.Leg2nextyear.
Carl ZalekI’mtryingtodoall10legsoftheCWRandIhave4legstogowhichincludedleg1.IhadalwayschosenotherlegsbeforethisoneasitwassofarawayANDitwasalongoneANDitstartedat7a.m.BUTbytotalcoincidenceIwasduetobeonacampingtripafewmilesfromthefinishofleg1onCWRweekendsoIthoughtthisismychancetodoit.AlthoughCarlwasdowntodotheleghedidn’tjoinStuart,Debbieandmyselfontheroutereccetheweekbefore.Foraclubcaptain,he’sprettylazy.Anyhow,theroutereccewasastupidlyhotsummerseveningandalthoughtough,wentwell.MyaimsfortheCWRhavechanged,sinceIdidmyfirstleg,fromgettingagoodtimetogettingatimewithinthecutoff.
RacedaycameandIwasgladofstartingbeforetheheatofthedayhadbuiltupbutastheracestartedIreallystruggledtofindanyrhythm.Iwasn’tmovingwellandfeltreallytiredbutkeptongoing.IsawCarl,Stuartand
DebbieallrunoffaheadofmeasI
waslefttowardsthebackofthefield.ImadeituptoBroadwayTowerandthenletriponthedownhilltoBroadwaytown.Thiswasabigmistakeonmypart.IwastryingtomakeupforthepoorstartandintheprocesshurtmykneeswhichonthenextdownhillmeantIcouldbarelyrunatall.Theywereokontheflatanduphillsoitwaswasn’tallbad.Ifinishedjustunder2hoursand5minuteswithinthecutoffsoIwashappy.Only3morelegstogo!JusthopemyinjuryisnotaseriousoneandIcangetbackrunningsoon...
Dave Bethune
Leg 2: Oscar Stringer, Pierre Lacrouts, Lauren Edwards & Mark Cain
Leg 3: Dave Mackie, Dave Aplin, Rachel Cannon & Mo Maddock
MythirdyearofCotswoldRelayingforCRCanditwasontoLeg3,describedinthebrochureasanicerelaxingstage-shortandnottoohilly.StillitistheCotswoldWayandoneshouldneverbelieveadvertising;despitestartingatCleeveHill,thehighestpointontheroute,theinitial
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Cotswold Relay 2017
goingfromthestartwasuphill!TheviewsacrossCheltenhamandtotheWestwerehoweverstupendousandoncethetopofCleeveHillwasreachedthegoingbecamefastacrossgrasslandwiththeleaderssettingacrackingpacetostringthefieldout.Havingsettledintoarhythmtherunningprovedmuchmoreenjoyableandcomfortablethantherecceoftheleg,whichhadbeendoneaspartofalongerruninheatwavecondtions.Thehighlightoftheleg,alovelylongdescentthroughwoodstotheA40roadcrossing,wassoonreachedandwasanabsoluteblast.ItdidnotlastlongenoughthoughandpaybacktimearrivedalltoosoonintheformofthelonghaulupRavensgateHill.Largelyshadedthankfully,agrindingrunratherthanafastwalkontheclimbpaiddividendsasanumberofplaceswereclawedback,whichinturnprovidedaddedimpetustopressonforthetopintheknowledgethatitwasfromthereonlyarelativelyshortstretchofflatandthendownhilltothefinish.Anice,relaxingstage:IdonothinksobutthepainatleastdidnotgoonforaslongasLegs1and2,andtheevereffervescentRaMoshowhadboughtproseccototoastcompletionintrueCRCstyle;bringon2018andLeg4.
Dave Mackie
Leg 4: Yuka Morrell, Craig Rumble, Gavin Johnson & Roy Harris
8:15wasthetimeas4intrepidexplorersmyself,Roy,YukaandGavinsetofffromCorsham.Iusethetermexplorersratherthanrunnersas
noneofushadmanagedtoreccethelegaheadofus.UltimatelythiswasprobablyablessingasitisoneoftheharderandlongerlegsoftherelayandalsojustsohappenstorunveryclosetoCooper’sHill(thecheeserollinghill)whichIfearcouldhaveputafewoff!GavinkindlytransportedustotheRoyalWilliamcarparkwhereweawaitedtheHarrier’sminibustotakeustothestart.
Offwewentwithmapsinhandandgpsfilesonwatcheshopingwe’dseeeachotheragainatthefinish.AsweheadedinitiallybacktowardsCheltenhamwegottotakeinthebeautifulviewsfromLeckhamptonHilloverCheltenhamandGloucester.Aftertheinitialhillystart,theroutewas,forawhileatleast,quitequickandkind.WewereofferedourfirstcupofwateratUllenwoodwhichwasmostwelcomeasthetemperaturehadstartedclimbing.NextcameCrickleyHillCountryParkandtheofficialwaterandJellyBabystop.AgainfantasticviewsstretchingoutoverCrickleyHilltowardsGloucesteralthoughsomewhattemperedbythehumoftheverybusyroadrumblinginthebackground.Crossingsaidroadwasthenextdauntingprospectbutthemarshalsdidanadmirablejobof“encouraging”thetraffictostopforuslongenoughtocrosstheHotAirBalloonroundabout.
WeweresoonoffroadagainanddescendingdownintothewoodsaroundCranham.Waymarkswerealittlehardtocomebyhereandconsistedmainlyoftheoddarrowandacornpaintedonatree.Itcertainlymadeitafunnavigationalexperience!FormeitsadlywentwrongwhenIhittarmacagain.IfollowedasignforPublicFootpathmissinganyreferencetoTheCotswoldWayandendedupaccidentallydoublingbackonmyself.Itcostmeaboutabout5minutes(andasIfoundoutlater6places)whichwasratherfrustratingandIhadtoapologisemostprofuselytothe
followingrunnerwhowentwithmeonmyoff-pistesaunter.
EventuallywewerebackontrackandwereachedthefamedCooper’sHill.Thankfullywedidn’thavetoclimbitdirectlyandtookaslightlylessdauntingpathupthroughtheadjacentwoods.Ittrulyisanamazingsitegiventhatpeoplethrowthemselvesdownhereonanannualbasis.Theviewbackdownfromthetopisfranklyterrifying!Iknewfromthemapthatthiswasthepenultimatebighillsowasbynowstartingtolookforwardtothefinish.Morewoodsfollowedandonemoresizeablehillwasovercomealthoughthelegswereprettytiredbythispointanditwasdefinitelyawalker.Thankfullytherestofthelegwasdownhill.TherewasonemoreroadcrossingofthesurprisinglyquietA46thatleadontothepathrunningalongthetopoftheRoyalWilliam.Therewasplentyofsupportasweturnedontotarmacforthelasttimeanddescendeddowntothefinishlineadjacenttothecarpark.AbottleofwaterwasquicklydispatchedandafterI’dgotmybreathbackIdecidedtoseeRoy,YukaandGavinbackhomewithapintoffinestcider!RachelandMohadstoppedbyaftertheirleg3runtoseeMo’shusbandPaulfinishleg4soonceeveryonewasbackwetookfulladvantageofthepubbarandgardenfacilities.
Craig RumbleIwasfollowingtwoguysthroughthewoodsontopofcoopershill.Itsoonbecameobviousthatwehadcomeofftheroute.Isawtheguysinfrontofmediveofftotherightofthetrackthatwewereon,anddescenddownasteephill.Standingatthetopofthishill,Icouldseeastreamofrunnersinthedistanceonwhatcouldonlybethemainroute.FeelingasenseofreliefIstartedboundingdownthehill,weavingapathoverlooseleavesandsprawlingtreeroutes.AsIpickedupspeedItoccurredtomethatthiswaswhatrunningwasallabout!The
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
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feelingoffreedomthatIhadasIspeddownthehillputasmileonmyface-thathadbeenbearingagrimaceforthelastfewmiles.Thiselationwascutshortbytheloud‘cracking’soundthatcamefrommyankleasIlandedawkwardlyonahiddenmound.Ilaidfacedowninthedirtforaminuteorso,thinkingtheworstandrealizingthatIwasstillsomewayfromcivilisation.IgingerlystoodupandfoundthatIcouldinfactputweightonmyankle–Aluckyescape!Iwastednotimeinploughingonwiththelastcoupleofmilesoftherace.Thenextdaywasn’tsopositive-inthatmyfootturnedblackandbecamegrapefruitshaped-butthepost-raceciderprovedtobemorethanamplemedicineonraceday!
Roy Harris
Leg 5: Alan Kember, Paul Scotford, Steve Parham & Chris Bott
I’venotmovedmuchsincecompletingLeg5earlierbutI’vejustseenDanielCraiginhisblueswimmersandIfeellikeI’verecoverednow.
Themorningstartedat9amwhenIcycledovertoAlan’shouse.Confidentlyarrivingatthewronghousewhichwasansweredbyachapwhocertainlydidn’tlooklikeAlan!AquickphonecallledmedowntoAlan,outsidehishousejoyfullywavingatmeandhewasingoodspiritsabouttherun.WewentinAlan’scartopickupPaulthenSteve,andthenwewereonourway!
Alandeclaredthathewasaneasilydistracteddriverandalthoughthisdidn’taffecthisdrivingitdidaffecthisabilitytonavigateatthesametime.PaullookingconcernedpromptlywhippedoutamapandmadesureAlandidn’tsteerusoffcourseastherestofushadagoodnatter.Ifounditinterestingtoexamineotherspre-racestrategiesinfuelintake.Alansippingonapouchofwhatlookedlikebabyporridge!Stevenoteatinganything,PaulhadwaterandafewcubesofchocolateandIatesomeweirdproteinbarthattastedlikeplastic.
Wepickeduptheminibus,tothestart,atSainsbury’sandsafelyarrivedingoodtimeinCranham.Wewishedeachothergoodluck.Idesperatelyscannedthefieldlookingforsomeone…anyonethatmightactuallyrunatthesamepaceasme.Paulthensaid:“IhateitwhenIlookaroundafieldofrunnersandeveryonelooksfast.”OhcrapIthought:“WhatdoyouthinkI’mthinkingifyou’rethinkingthat!?”PaulgaveoneofhischeerfulchucklesandreassuredmeI’dbefine.
Afterabriefingof“It’sabitwarmerthanexpected”and“Lookaftereachother”wewereoff!Upthehillonthetrack,throughthegolfcoursewindingdowntothetownbrieflythenbackacrossthefieldstojointhepathsthroughthewoods….allgoingabsolutelyfine.Icanseepeople.Icanseerunners.ThisisOK!Then….hmmm…therunnersinfrontaregoingalotquickernowIcan’tkeepup.Thenhills……shit,definitelylostthemnow.JustasIwastryingtorecallPaul’sdirectionsforthemainroadturningIheardsomeonebehindme“HiCorsham.Doyouknowtheway?”WithouttryingtolooktoopsychoticorsoundtoodelightedthatIcouldclingtosomeone,Iconfidentlybutcasuallysaid“yes”.Sowedidourintroductions.CarolinefromFramptonfeelingquiteoffwithstitchandhasnotgotacluewheretogo
andChrisfromCorshamwhosortofknowsthewaybuthasnotdoneenoughtrainingandhasachinglegs.Commongoal:gettothefinish.Sorted!
Fromthispointonwardswesupportedeachotheranddidourbest.Wedidwalkupthesteephillsbutwepickedupourpaceonthelovelydownwardstretchthroughthewoodsandwedidlookattheamazingviewsaftertheclimbs.Onabetterdaywedecidedwewouldhaveuppedourpacebutweweresotiredwejustpacedittothefinish.Ididn’tmakethecutofftimebutthatdoesn’tmatteronebit.Imadeit.
TherestofspeedyCRConleg5madethecutofftimelookbreezy.AlanhadagreatrunmanagingtosticktohistacticoffollowingAVR.Despite4hourssleep,Stevewasslickasalways,andPaulpickinguphispaceallthetimeandstillshowingsportsmanshipbyshoutingtherightwaytootherrunners.
Iwouldn’tbearunnerifitwasn’tforCRC.ThegreatspiritofthemembersiswhyIkeepgoing,theyhelpmetopushmyselftodothingsIwouldneverhavedreamtofdoingandalthoughI’mnotasuperspeedyrunnerIfeelvaluedformyinputtoday.
p.sIthinkitgoestoshowthatbabyporridgeistheoutrightwinnerforpre-racefuel!
Chris Bott
Leg 6: Pete Allen, Luke Davies, Lucy Bright & Jamie McBrien
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Cotswold Relay 2017
Leg 7: Steve Hible, Dave Camm, Ciaran Challis & Diane Aldridge
Iwascalledupatthelastminutetorunthisleg,soIdidn’thavetimetodoarecce.Onthepositivesidethislegistheshortestintherelay(7ishmiles),soyoudon’thaveasmuchtimetogetlostassomeoftheotherlegs!
Ontheotherhandthestartcanonlybedescribedas“brutal”.FromthesameplaceastheDursleyDozenstarts,straightupthehillallthewaytothegolfclub,10-15minutesofpurgatory.
OnceI’dgotoverthewobblylegstherestofthelegwasascenicjoy(asalltheCWRlegsare)andalltoosoonIwaspoundingthroughWottonunderEdgetogothroughthefinishwellbeforethecut-off.Proudtohavebeenpartoftheteam.
Steve Hible
Leg 8: Jane Clarke, Chris Hunt, Laura Sheppard, & Mike Lang
ThisisaneventIhaveonlydoneoncebeforebutloveitforitsteamspiritandsocialaspect.HoweverthisyearwasabitdifferentasIwasgivena12milelegandfeltIwasn’tquiteup
tothatdistancereally,especiallyifitwasn’tflat.Wellasitturnedout,ifyoudon’tknowalready,leg8wasprobablyjustlikealltheotherlegs,longerthanlong,andsteeperthansteep.
Ontheoffweallsprintedawayhappilyandallwasjollywell.Thesunwasshining,itwasasflatasapancake,andthescenerywasverypleasant,andnoachesandpains–thiswasgoingtobeabreezeandalotoffun.Wellitwasforthefirst4minutes.
THEN,turnand,ohwhat’sthis,averticalhilloracliff?200verticalmetresofascent.HardlyhavinghadachancetowarmupIfeltthiswasatincybitunfair.EveryoneIsawhadtowalkorcrawlup,noexceptions–wellIexpecttherewereexceptionsfromthoseatthefrontwhomhaddisappearedofthestartlinelikeabulletandhadbynowprobablysettledintoachairatthepubattheend.
LuckilyIhadseenahillprofileforthisevent,andknewtherewasthisbighillatthestart,butthatfactdidn’thelpmegettothetopofit.Nottoworrytherewasaninpromptuwaterstopjustaroundthecorner.WaterandjellybabiesIwasanewman.That’swhatalwaysmaketheseevents,thevolunteers.
Afterthedrink/foodhadkickedin,therewas4milesofwonderfulterrainprettymuchalldownhill;howeverthesteeperbitswerealmostashellishastheuphillbeingofunevenlooserockswhereoneslipwouldbedisastrous.
JustwhenIwasgettingintotherhythmofthedownhill,ataboutmile5,thesecondofthebighillshitus.ItseemedoverlygentleandIwonderedifIhadinterpretedtheprofilegraphcorrectly.Itwasquitearelief,butforthesecondtimeintheday,thispositivefeelingwasshortlived.WeturnedacornerandthereinfrontofuswastheTRUEREALhill.B*****b*****b*****.Therewasanotherleftturnandaflat30or40metresandthen…ohyes,goodie,thesecondhalf
ofthatbighill.Itdidn’tseemsmallerorlesshillythanthefirstnow.Itfeltlikeadreamgonehorriblywrong.
Only6gloriousmilestogo,somelovelyviews,iconiclittletowersandmonuments,allhelpedpassthetime.Nowforthemostexcitingmomentoftherun,andthemostpleasing–thinkingtherewasstillamileormileandahalftogo,thechurchsuddenlycameintoview.Itliftedmyspiritsimmensely,andastonishedmethatIwassoclosetothefinish.Justafewgatesanddownhillseparatedusfromthefinish.TheguyI’dbeenrunningwith(Iforgottoevenaskhisname)wastheonebetterdownhill.Suddenlythecompetitivespiritkickedin–Iwasdeterminednottolethimgetaway,soImimickedhisrunningstyleoflargestridesandlettingmyweighttakemedown,noholdingback,mylegsbythistimewouldn’thavebeencapableofslowingthedescent.NearlytopplingoverIsteadiedmyrunabit.Idecidedtotakehimonthelineinsteadintrueparkrunstyle.Italmostworked,butIsuddenlythoughtwhattheheck,andrealisedthatalthoughveryveryclose,it’snotgoingtohappentodayandsowhat.
ThencollapsingonthegroundinsatisfactionthatIhadactuallygotaroundthe12miles,andrealisinghowexhaustedIactuallywas,Ithoughttomyselftheusual‘neverneverneverletmyselforanyoneelseconvincemetodothisagain–notever’.
That’sitreally,untilnextyear.Thememoryofthestruggleandpainhasalreadystartedtofade,andbythemorningI’llalreadybelookingforwardtonextyear’sevent.
Thanksfororganisingsuchasuperbandmemorabledayout.Andamassivecongratulationstothe40CRCrunnerswhomall,withoutexception,didusproud!
Chris Hunt
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Cotswold Relay 2017
Leg 9: Jon Morrell, Max Luff, Michael Luff & Richard Biggs
Aswewaitedforthebustotakeustothestartofleg9IwashappytofindthatUncleBiggsyhadbroughtusallhalfapackofwinegums,whichIthinkwereintendedfortherace,butIateminetoutsuite(Igot4reds!!).Ialsohadabout5ofthosebitesizeflapjacksgiventousbytheniceladyontheminibus,sobythetimewegotgoingIwaswellfuelled(read:feelingslightlysick).Leg9isofcourse9mileslong.It’snottoolonganditisn’ttoohard,butthereisastilejust500mfromthestartwhichcausesarealbottleneck.Ifyouwanttobeingoodpositionandavoidbeingheldupyouhavetogohellforleatheroffthestart.SoIdid,andthenregretteditlater.Iwentwelluntilabout7milesbutthenblewupanddroppedafewplaces.However,IwassurprisedanddelightedtoseeYukaandthekidsatthefinishtocheermeon,whichgavemeabigboost.Mikewasnexthome,withMaxandBiggsyjustbehindhiminaneck-and-necksprinttothefinish.4CRCrunnershomesafely,andverywellrewardedwithaglassofprosecco,kindlysuppliedbytheLuffs!AndthenweheadeddowntoBathtowatchthefinishersandhaveacouplemore.Agranddayout!
Leg 10: Georgina Taylor, Carly Harvey, Adrian Finch & Lee DavisNot in ‘peak condition’...SoIvolunteeredtodoleg10insteadof
Glastonburythisyearbutthetrainingpreparationwasn’treallyideallet’ssay...
I’dfoundtimetodothereccethoughthankstoJaneTandCooneSundaymorningandjustaboutcoped,thenthebackstartedgivingmeabitofgrief,soaseveritwasabittouchandgoandmyconfidenceinmyselfwasatalowebb.
Havingbeendroppedatthestart,AdrianandIwalkedamileorsobackupthehilltotryandfindaregistrationpoint,howeverwejustfoundsomestunningdesresinColdAshtonanddidanextrahillbeforetheleghadevenstarted.
All the gear...EvenifIwasn’tphysicallytooprepared,Ilookedthepartwithmyluckypinkcompressionsocks;thecamelpak,stockedwithsomeliquidandgelsjustincasethewaterpointpeoplehadleftbeforeIgotthere;andmywatchwhichhadCarl’sridiculouslyfasttimeandroutefromlastyearprogrammedintoit.
Off to a flying start!Whenthestartinggunwentthegelsflewoutofmybrokenpocketinmypak-fortunatelyIcaughtonebutinmyenvironmentalistmodemyinstinctwastorunagainstthecrowdtopickupthelitteronlytobetrampled.
Dead legs ...Perhapsitwasthetimeofdayoftherunandnotdoingenoughcarbloading,butIdon’tthinkmylegshadevenfeltthatheavyeveninthemarathonup‘thosehills’orperhapsitwasthelackoftraininginthiscase...Ithinkso
WithCarlyalwaystheretosupportmehoweverandchaseupthehillswe
madeittotheoutskirtsofBath.
Afteralovelydownhillsection,connectingfunnilyenoughtotheendoftheBristoltoBathMarathonroute,wewerethenfacedwith(notfunnyatall)thesilliestsetofhillsbeforemusclecrampsinmycalvesstartedtosetinabout2milesfromtheend?!
The kindness of CRC Runners ...
Ihadtostop3or4timestostretchoffasthepainwassoexcruciatingIjustcouldn’tevenrunthroughit.Thepressurewasbuildingformementallytoo,asCarlyhadhintedthatshewasn’tsurewe’dmakethecutofftime(mywatchhadgoneabithaywireandIhadnoidea)andIdidn’twanttoholdherup:Sheinsistedonwaitingformethough,afellowCRCmemberwhoIhardlyknow,waswillingtosacrificehertimeforme?!
We’dmadeittotheCircusandthebestbit,thebitI’dvisualised,weavingthroughtheamazingarchitecture,pastthecheeseshop,andbewilderedshoppersandthenlowandbeholdtherapturoussupportingnoisearoundtheAbbeyareawithalltheCRCfacesinthecrowdatthelastcornerbeforethefinishline-We’ddoneitandbelievemeIwassoworriedIwouldn’tmakeit!We’dalsosomehowupheldanalrighttimetoo??!
I’musedtobeingabitofasolitaryrunnersomylessonlearntisthatempatheticrunningissoimportant-It’sgreattoseethatinthenewCRCtraininggroupsthelegendaryscooplivesstrong.
Georgina Taylor• Thiswasthe6thtimewe’dhadaLadiesteamanditwasthefastesttime–18:12:21
• Thiswasthe3rdtimewe’dhadaVeteransteamanditwasthefastesttime–16:43:55
• OurMen’steam;whichImadestrong;werethefastestCRCteamfor10years–14:18:43
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Cotswold Relay 2017
• JamieMcBrienwonleg6in1:00:50,whichisabesteverCRCtimeonthatleg
• JonMorrell’s1:07:55onleg9wasthebesteverCRCtimeachievedonleg9
• ThattakesthecombinedCRCbesttimeto12:17:37.Thisis15:35behindtheactualwinningtimeforthisyear(12:00:02,secondoverallgot12:00:12).Ourladiesbesttimeis15:24:45.
• NextyearwillseeMaxLuffbecomethefirstCRCQueenoftheCotswoldWay(runningeveryleg)andDaveCammwillbecomeoursecondKingastheycompleteleg10.Davedidlegs8and9forTeamBathsoI’msurehe’llwanttodothemforCRCin2019and2020.
• Wehad17newrunnersthisyear(9men,8ladies),takingourtotalofdifferentrunnersto118.
• RachelCannonorMoMaddockbecameour100thladyfinisherintotalonleg3.
• CarlyHarveyorGeorginaTaylorbecameour300thoverallfinisheronleg10.
Twicewehavetriedtoget3teamsandourbestwas29runnerswithonepullingoutonraceday.In2012and2013weonlyhad17runnerseachyearfor2teams.Itiswithagreatsenseofpridethatwewereabletoget40runnersacrosstheday.
ThenewCRCrecordsforladiesandvetswouldhavebeenmissedifjustoneoftherunnersfromeither
teamhadnotmadeitsoyou’renevertooslowtojointheteam.
Iwanttothankeverysinglepersonforvolunteeringtorunandthatincludestheother8whoforvariousreasonshadtopulloutalongtheway,youallgavemeenoughnoticetoreplaceyoubeforeracedayandkeepourteamsfull.
Ialreadyhave37namespencilledinforthe2018CWR,includingacoupleofnewbiessoletmeknowifyou’reinterested.
Carl Zalek
Peacocks (Men) Peahens (Ladies) Mixed Peas (Mixed) Mushy Peas (Vets)
1 CarlZalek
1:37:32 DebraKearsey
1:53:57 StewartUnsworth
1:50:03 DaveBethune
1:57:36
2 PierreLacrouts
1:59:52 LaurenEdwards
2:12:00 MarkCain 1:48:21 OscarStringer
2:12:00
3 DaveMackie
1:11:04 MoMaddock
1:30:12 RachelCannon
1:30:12 DaveAplin
1:18:28
4 CraigRumble
1:41:15 YukaMorrell
2:10:58 RoyHarris 2:09:02 GavinJohnson
2:12:00
5 SteveParham
1:39:54 ChristineBott
2:05:00 PaulScotford
1:49:27 AlanKember
1:36:11
6 JamieMcBrien
1:00:50 LucyBright
1:39:46 PeteAllen 1:39:50 LukeDavies
1:18:37
7 CiaranChallis
1:09:23 DianeAldridge
1:17:29 SteveHible 1:12:27 DaveCamm
1:23:13
8 MikeLang
1:36:49 JaneClarke 2:12:00 LauraWilliams
2:12:00 ChrisHunt
1:55:55
9 JonMorrell
1:07:55 MaxLuff 1:30:44 MikeLuff 1:30:15 RichardBiggs
1:30:29
10 LeeDavis 1:14:09 GeorginaTaylor
1:40:15 CarlyHarvey 1:40:13 AdrianFinch
1:19:26
14:18:43 18:12:21 17:21:50 16:43:55
‘Carl,you’redoingleg1inthefastmen’steamwithJon,JamieandCraig’
‘Oh,thanksDave!’
AndsoitcametopassthatIwouldbesettingusoffontheAvonValleyRelay.Icouldgoflatoutfor4milesandgivethebatontoJontomakeupsomeplacesandseehowhighupwecouldfinish.
Itookalookatthelast2yearsresultsasthatwastheonlyyearsthecoursehadbeenasitisnowandestimatedourteam’stime.Iwasprettyconfidentofapodiumspotandifwehadabitofluckwiththeotherteamsonthedaywecouldevenpulloffawin,even
morepressureforme,Ijusthadtogetmyselfinthemixtogiveusachance.
IhadtotakeitseriouslysoIreccedmy4milesacoupleofdaysbefore,I’mgladIdidaswhilenavigationwasn’ttoobad,itwasnicetobefullypreparedforthelastmileofkneehighgrass,rabbitholesunderfootandasuccessionofstiles.
IsetoffonmylegforalapoftheBradford-on-Avonrugbyclubfieldbeforeheadingoutontothecountrylanes.Ifoundmyselfin6thplacefollowingthisloop;althoughtheleaderwasasolorunner(sonotofficiallyintherace,althoughitmaybeacategorynextyear).IwasjustbehindanAVRJuniorandIthinkhewastryingtokeepmebehindhimandIwastryingtoovertake,afteramileI
managedtoovertakeandhewassoontrailingbehind.
3rdand4thwererunningtogetherandaswecameroundtoWarleighWoodat2milesitbecameapparentthattheyhadnotpartakenofarecceastheystoppedattheturninglookingconfused.BecauseI’msuchaniceguy,Ishoutedaheadthattheydidneedthetaketheturning.Theywerealsofromaladiesteamandamixedteamsonotindirectcompetitionwithus.AsItooktheturningIalsoshoutedaheadinstructionsforwheretoturntoheadtoDundasAqueduct.
Iwasabletoputonmyfastdapsfor
thebestpartofamileasitwasanicedownhill,allonroadtoSheephouseFarmaswecameoutofthewoods.Ikeptthe2aheadinsightandshoutedatthemastheturningcameup,althoughtheyovershotslightlyandIendedupin3rdplace.Nowitwasmytimetoshine!
Aswewentdownanarrowfencedinfootpathjustpastthefarm,therewasagateandIturnedaroundtoseealargenumberofpeopleclosebehindme.ItwasallalittletoocloseformylikingandIspentthenextmile,chargingthroughtheovergrowthandmystileworkwasexemplaryastheywerelowenoughthatIcouldputmyhandsonthetopandjustleapoversavingvaluableseconds.
AsIchargedacrossthefinalfield
beforesomestepsuptothecanalandtheaqueduct,Icouldsee2ndplace(And1stplacewasasoloistsodoesn’tcount),hadtakenaslighterrorandwasjustheadingtotherightgate.Behindmenow,wasjustthelady.Iboundedupthesteps,overthebridgeonthecanalandroundtothehandoverpoint.
IgavethebatontoJon(Veryhappytoseehim,ashe’dbeenoutthenightbeforeandhadn’trespondedtoCraig,JamieormeonourFacebookchatthatmorning),andestimatedIhadfinishedabout20-30seconds(actuallyitwas19)behindthe1stteamfromFrome.I’ddonemyjoband
givenusachance.
Iwaitedfortheother5runnersfromleg1anddroveusbacktostartwhereIpickedupmychildrenandheadedstraightforTrowbridgeRugbyClubandthefinishline.WhenIarrived,IwasconcernedthatI’dgonetothewrongplaceasitwassoquiet.However,headingroundtothepitchIsawtwopeopleinhi-vizwithclipboards,bottlesofwaterandtrophiesonatable.Therewasalsooneotherfamily(JuliaMaddocks).
Shortlyafterwards,Alexarrivedtoo,havingcomefromStavertonandheinformedmethatJamiehadhandedovertoCraiginfirstplacebyacoupleofminutes.(Thesoloisthadstruggledandeventuallydroppedout).Aslongasthesecondplaceteamdidn’thave
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Avon Valley Relay2 July 2017
anabsolutesuperstarandCraigdidn’tdoanUnsworththenwe’dgetthewin.
Craig’sfamilyarrivedshortlybeforeheenteredtherugbyclub.Allhehadtodowasalapofthepitchandwehadwon.Hemanagedthatcomfortablyandgotfirstplacetoasmatteringofapplausefromthesmallcrowdassembled.
Astheafternoonworeon,moreandmorepeoplearrived(includingJonandJamie)andit’sfairtosaythatthefinalfinisherhadamuchbetterreceptionthanCraigdid.
AsistheCRCtraditionweallenjoyedaniceafternoonwithproseccoandcake,cheeringonourfellowmembersespeciallyYukaasshehadtoputinasprintfinishtokeepanAVRladyfrompippinghertotheline.
Oncethefinalpersonhadcrossedthelineitwasstraightontothepresentationandwegotourhandsonthetrophies,oneforeachofus,whichwasanicetouch.
ThanksgotoDaveMackiefor
organisingusallandbelievinginmetobeoneofthefasterrunners.Thankstomyteammates,I’mnotaslowrunnerbutIwasdefinitelytheweakestlinkinourteam.Alsothankstoallofthosewhobakedthecakesandprovidedtheprosecco.ItwasagreatteameventandI’lldefinitelybesigningupfornextyearpleaseDave?
Carl ZalekThisyearIwasdrawnonLeg4ofthemen’s“smashit”teamwithCarlZalek,JonMorrellandJamieMcBrien(nopressuretheretheneh!).Ashortandsharp4.4kmsprinttakinginthewonderfullyleg-sappinginclinethatisWhaddonLaneinthemiddle.Ispentmostofthemorningpre-raceobsessingoverwhattimeIneededtoarriveatSemingtonreadyforthehandover.UltimatelyImadeitinplentyoftimeanddidn’tmakeJamieruntwolegsback-to-back.JamiecameflyingintoSemingtonin1stplaceoverallatthehandover.Thisisnotanewexperienceforhimbutitwasterrifyingforme...I’musedtochasingpeople!It’squitethedifferent
mindsetbeingoutfront...justhowbigwastheleadJamiehadgivenmeandhowmuchofithadIsquanderedalready?IwasnervouslycheckingbehindmewhenclosingeachofthegatesalongthefieldsadjacenttothecanaltoseeifIcouldspotsecondplace.ThankfullymyteammatesCarl,JonandJamiehadworkedreallyhardandthetimecushiontheyhadgivenmewasquitecomfortable.IthensawJamesLyerunningintowardsSemingtononthecanalpathwhomanagedawave-just!HewasfollowedshortlyafterbyJonwhowascyclingtothefinish,althoughinitiallyIthoughthewasthereto“motivate”James!ThelegfinishedwithalaparoundthefieldatTrowbridgeRugbyClub.Itseemstogoonforever-bewarned!ItwaswonderfultobecheeredoverthelineasalwaysbyfriendlyCorshamfacesandtheirfamilies.
Craig Rumble
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Avon Valley Relay2 July 2017
Advertising:Ifyouareaclubmemberandhaveabusinessorserviceyouwouldliketoadvertiseinthenextnewsletter.Pleasesenddetailstoveena@gingerindian.me.uk
Monthly NewsletterSpring 2015
Scafell Pike Marathon (11th Overall)9 July 2017
YesterdayIcomparedmyprepforthisraceVsmyprepfortheSnowdoniaTrailmarathon,whichIraninJuly2016.IreckonmyprepforSnowdoniawas60%,whereasIwouldputmyprepat85%forthisrace;a)IhadacoupleoffunnyweeksinearlyJunewhereIstartedanewjobandranlessmilesthanIshould’ve,b)Iwasdrunk3nightslastweekendandateashedloadleavingmeabout2kgheavierthanIwould’velikedat75kgonraceday.Butotherthanthat,thiswasmyAracein2017andmyprephadbeenverygood.
Ihaverun2000kthisyear,anaverageof74kperweek(that’s46miles,ifyoupreferthatoldfashionedstuff).Inthelast3monthsI’vealsofocusedonclimbing,and(importantly)descending,withjustunder16,000meters(52kft)ofascentinthelast12weeks.
So,asDaveWarrenpointedoutonracemorning,“you’vegotnoexcuses”.Andhewasright.
WedroveupontheSaturdayandstayedinacheap(butperfectlyfunctional)hostelinKeswick.Dinnerwasinanicecountrypubwithepicmountainsoneitherside.Thelakedistrictisjustawesometolookatand(forgettinghowbloodyharditwasgoingtobe)Icouldn’twaittogetstartedthenextday.After9dayswithoutcaffeineand3daysofheavy
carbloadingIawokeonracemorninginKeswickat6amtocloudyskiesandabout15C.Perfect.Drankloadsofliquids,lightbrekkie,doubleespresso,1caffeinegel,2ibuprofen,andoffwego.
Istartedoutfairlyspeedyatabout4:30/kmonundulatingtrail,whichleftmeinabout7thplaceafter10k.
Itfelteasyandnottoohot.Wethenstartedclimbing,whichwasfine,untilabout16kwherea)thevisibilitygotbadandb)thesignagedeteriorated.Atthispointmyself,andseveralothersaroundme,gotabitlost.AtonepointIendedupcompletelyaloneonthesideofamountainwithabout10mvisibility,notanothersoulinsight,climbingalmostverticallyupaclifftotryandre-jointhetrail.Bythelooksofthingsthisexcursioncostseveralofusabout5mins–butnothingcomparedtoothersIknowwhoweren’tabletousetheircompassorutilizetheirwearabletechnologycostingthemmassivetime…:)
IreachedthesummitofScafell(21km)in2h21m,andfoolishlythoughtthehardworkwasdone-ithadn’tevenstarted.Afterthatwehada2kmboulderfieldwhichwaspainfulonthe
feet,veryslow,andquitestressful.ThenacripplingdescentwhereIcameclosetofallingseveraltimes.Then(duetomypoorplanning)alackofwater,beatingsunshine,morebadsignposting,anothercheekyclimb,morerocksandtechnicaltrails….itjustwentonandonandon.AllIwantedwasastretchoftarmackedroadwhereIcouldzoneoutandplodalong.Itliterallynevercame.Thelast10milesoftheracewereattritional-hot,slow,technical,andreally,reallyhard.
Mytargetsbeforetheracewerea)beat5h,b)finishtop10,c)beatDaveWarren.Ididn’tachieveaorb,andchappenedbydefaultasDavecantreadamap,butintheendIwasvery,veryhappytofinishin11thplacewithatimeof5h16m.AftertheraceIwentforadipinDerwentWatertocleanoffbeforethe5hourdrivehome.
Itwasalongandveryhardweekend,butgoodtimeswithsomegoodfolk,andsomegreatmemories.It’sworthdoingthisraceonce.Youdefinitelywontdoittwice.
Jon Morrell
Getting To Know YouDavid Bethune
Iwastryingtoworkouttheotherdayhowlongit’sbeensinceIjoinedtheclub.KarenLittlechild(sheofFridaymorningrunninggroupandCorsham10Kcommittee)askedmeifIwouldgowithhertotherunningclubasshewaskeentojoinbutdidn’tdidn’twanttogoonherown.IsaidthatIwouldbutonlyuntilshemadeenoughfriendsthatshefeltoktogoonherown.Thatwasin2003andI’veenjoyeditsomuchthatIneverleft.Theclubwasverydifferentbackthen.Therewerenotsomanymembersandtherunsweremore‘freerange’intheirorganisation.Itwasprettycommontofindyourselfrunningonyourownmoreoftenthannot!Duringthelast14yearsIhavewitnessedtheclubtransformintothebigger,betterorganisedversionweallenjoytoday.InrecentyearsIhavebeenleadinggroupsessionswhichledtomebeingonethefirstclubmemberstocompletetheLeaderinRunningFitnesscourse(LiRF).I’venowbeeninvolvedwithseveralintermediatesandbeginnerscourseswhichhasbeenreallygoodfunandanenjoyablewaytobeapartoftherunningclub.
AswellasleadingIamalsoinvolvedinorganisingtheMarshfieldMudlarkeventwhichtakesplaceinOctobereachyear.It’sbeenareallyrewardingexperiencetobeinvolvedinaracefromtheothersideandfeelsgoodto
givesomethingbacktothesportofrunning!It’salsoaracethatIhaveaspecialconnectionwithasIliveinMarshfieldandthemoneyraisedgoestothevillageschoolwhichbothofmychildrenattend.
1.Sporting Icon?It’shardtopickonesportspersonwhostandsoutfromtherestastheyallshowalevelofsacrificeandcommitmentIcan’tevenbegintoimagine.IliketheBrownleebrothers.WhatAlistairdidforJonnyattheworldchampslastyearwasprettyamazingtowatch.
2. Best Book?I’mnotaprolificreader.About10booksayearisallIcanmanage.MostrecentlyIenjoyedSuePerkinsbook“Spectacles”whichdidmakemelaughoutloudonmorethanoneoccasion..
3. This week I have been mostly listening to?TheArchers...loveit.....beenlisteningforover20years....goon,testme?
4. Most bizarre running experience?IoncespoketoarunnerwhohadjustfinishedtheMudlarkandhewasaskingifanamputeehadevercompletedthecourse.AsIwasbusytellinghimhowhardIthoughtthatwouldbeIlookeddowntoseehisrunningblade,completewithoff-roadtread.....oops.....
5. Top Running Tip?Givesomethingback.Whetherit’sbeingonthecommittee,writinganarticleforthenewsletter,helpingataraceorevenleadingarunninggroupit’snotanaccidentthatanyonewhodoesthatlookslikethey’reenjoyingthemselves.It’sbecausetheyare!
6. Favourite cake?Anythingwithfreshcreamon....butnocustard...definitelynotcustard.
7. Top tipple?Loveapintofrealale...AbeerfromBoxSteamBreweryisafavourite....
8. If I won the lottery I’d...UsualstuffIguess...IhavethoughtrecentlythatifIcouldafforditIwouldpaysomeonetostretchmeonadailybasis...likeprofessionalathletesdo.Goforarunandthensomeonewouldstretchyou...itwouldbebliss...
9. Favourite Superhero, and why?TheHulk...don’tknowwhy...justalwayslikedhimasakid.
10. Favourite Holiday destination?Wentskiingformanyyearsanditwasmyfavouriteweekofthewholeyear.IalwaysthoughtthattheresortofSelvainValGardenawasthebestplaceIskiied.I’venotbeenabletogoforthelastfewyearsbuthopefullyI’llgettogoagainoneday.....