This Week - 28 Oct
28/10/2008 by Dick.
Tuesday’s training is the monthly Severn Bridge 5k Time Trial - originally advertised in Wotson as New Estate Hills or 20/20 on S Bridge. Apologies for any confusion.
This will followed by the monthly meeting of the Social Committee. New participants and ideas always welcome. And have you cast your vote for the 11 December pub/restaurant night? - go to Bulletin Board/Social Whirl/Christmas Social Evening NOW.
Thursday is the Mathern Run - always popular.
And Saturday is the November Club Champs - the Sugar Loaf Race based at the Crown Inn, Pantigelli on the Old Hereford Road, just north of Abergavenny. Only five miles, most of them flat or downhill - honest! The course will be flagged, there are no compulsory kit requirements but bring along a warm, dry top that you can tie round your waist if the weather looks good. And tho’ off-road shoes are favourite, we have been recceing it in road shoes quite effectively. The views from the top of Sugar Loaf are breathtaking and afterwards there’s a nice warm and dry pub to enjoy a drink and free nibbles and swap tales of derring-do. All this for Race Entry Fee £2.50. Meet at Leis Ctre at 12.15. for 2pm start.
Ost Junior Arrives!
28/10/2008 by Dick.
Congrats to Sue and Andy - a boy Oliver, 7lbs 15 oz, born at 5.08 this morning. All doing well.
Waiting for you now Vanessa (and Kath a bit later).
Gill’s Snowdon
28/10/2008 by Dick.
Now Snowdon from a first-time runner’s viewpoint:
Saturday morning! Rise and Shine!!! Had a lovely nights sleep, only banged my head on the bunk bed about 8 times. I know, I might knock myself out if I keep this up and then I will not be able to do it!!No chance! Breakfast was a YHA version of porridge brought on a plate. Never mind we won’t moan as Suzie tucks into her toast smothered in peanut butter!
We arranged to go on the double decker bus to take us all to Nant Peris at 9ish as the race starts at 10.30am. The weather was horrendous! gail force winds and torrential rain. The last time it was like this it got cancelled said one happy competitor!! If only we’d known I said to myself!!!!
On the bus to the start, shivering with cold. I knew I should have put on my long sleeve top instead of braving it in my sleeveless Harriers top!! Too late now!
Suzie sat down next to marathon photo man who takes the official pics of the course. “Now! don’t forget to look out for me and take some lovely pics of us and I might just give you a couple of welsh cakes!!!” He smiles in disbelief at this woman who looks slightly insane. Wind, rain, gale force winds are in full force as we stand at the start. It’s amazing what protection a bin bag will do!! (Got a lovely pic of myself, Roberta and Richie modelling one!)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… we are off!! A big smile at the S4C cameras as we run past, you never know your luck!!
The wind was in full force and I was fighting against it for the first 4 miles! I was determined not to walk especially at the start. I could have hugged Suzie as all that hill training paid off! I was at the top in no time and then for a lovely downhill. I remembered to not go to fast at this point (Andy Meek-Welsh’s words rang in my ears) remember the knees and still a long way to go! A steady 9.5 m miling from the Garmin as I glanced down. (Off came the bin bag to reveal my very proud Chepstow Harriers vest!!) We decided at the start that we would all run our own race. I knew that Suzie was ahead of me as she is doing amazing at the moment and I could see Roberta in front of me and thought that Claire and Tash were behind me!!
Halfway mark was an incline through the village of Beddgelert and I could see Roberta just in front of me. Pushing my legs and arms up the hills, before I knew it I was level with Roberta and then a quick chat and I felt good so pushed on. Bev Meek-Welsh and Gareth Jones did an amazing job and kept popping up every now again and it really kept me going.
Wind, rain, wind and more rain!!!!! The scenery despite the horrendous weather was spectacular with lakes and mountains on either side. What more could you ask for?
I still felt good and mile 20 was my goal!! Get to that and only another 6.2 miles to go!!
The dreaded mile 21, which was practically vertical for 2-3miles, was looming. I along with everyone else halted to a quick walk at this point. Gareth Jones met me at the bottom of the hill. “Grit your teeth Gill,” he said “and just get up there!!” Wise words from an experienced runner, he can’t be lying to me, surely!
Nearly at the top now and the wind was blowing me from side to side. OMG where is the downhill. I kept going, pushing my legs and arms and then I could see the top of the horizon. Wow! I’m at the top. Downhill now for a couple of miles, through the slate quarry, off road. The wind was really strong here and kept trying to push me off the track. I plunged on heading for Llanberis which I could see in the distance. A slight incline at mile 25.5 . Just round the bend said one supporter saturated in rain! Now! where have I heard that one before!!! She was right though, a quick spurt over the road and I could see Suzie and Tony shouting my name. Through the finish line at 5:15:45
I was thrilled, it was all over!!
What a fantastic weekend!!! Back to Petes Eats then with everyone else for a big nosh up but unfortunately had to forego the sticky toffee pudding and custard as tooooo full up!
Thanks to Suzie who offered to drive home. she needs a bit more practice with that reverse gear!!!)
I am still walking on air today, although stiff and sore!!
Would I do it again? Of course I would, it was brill despite the weather. Next time though I am going for just under 5 hours.
Thank you Suzie for another great weekend away, although I am definitely booking the accommodation next time if you don’t mind!! Well Done Claire as well for doing so well after her treatment last year!! Amazing woman or what!! Thanks to all the other Harriers for their fantastic support as always especially Tony, Bev and Gareth.
And Yes! I got my Snowdonia sweatshirt and Petes Eats mugs!!! Got to be worth it! And of course the t-shirt and coaster at the finish!!! Roll on the next one!!Apologies for the long blog but got a bit carried away with excitement.
