Archive for October 2008
Cardiff Half Marathon 19th Oct 2008 (Ivan & Sian)
19/10/2008 by Lou.
9am Start time for the race meant a pretty early wake up call to get up walk the dog
and get some breakfast before heading travelling to Cardiff. Thanks to Sian’s parents
for getting up early on the one day they didn’t have to and driving us there and
cheering us on.
Race started bang on time and a number of harriers no doubt dashed off for last minute
toilet runs (i know of at least one) before diving back into the start lanes and fighting
through to thier appropriate start posistion.
There were a bunch of runner’s world pacers at the event, and sian managed to find
the one she wanted (turned out to be the same guy who had paced for 1:45 at bath).
After much speculation the day before we’d finally decided on what we were going to
try for and it went well for both of us.
Myself & Rich.M set off a bit quick and i was about a minute up on my target time at
half way so did get a bit worried, but it all felt good so i just carried on.
Sian’s pacer did a great job and he crossed the line at pretty much bang on
1:40 (according to the Gun timeclock). Some might say shouting Ogi Ogi Ogi, Oi, Oi, Oi
at regular intervals was not the best use of vital oxygen - but we say it all adds to the fun.
There was a real sense of camaraderie in the group - maybe our leaders demand that we “don’t let
anyone fall off the back (at mile 10) as this is where the real work begins!!” made us stick together
- i for one was way too scared to slow down!!(Sian)
Thanks to all the friendly faces that we spotted on the way round - Matt & Marianne may as
well have run, they seemed to be around every corner!
Chepstow Harrier Results (that the live search throws up, and some that i knew were running)
Ivan Teed 1:19:15
Rich Matthews 1:21:52
Dave Somersall 1:28:11
Lou Summers 1:32:49
Helen Duffield 1:34:31
Sian Griffith 1:39:26
Rob Summers (Harrier by marriage) 1:51:47
James O’Grady 1:58:50
Carolin Lidgett 2:02:38
Helen Spiers 2:12:50
Sarah Lewis 2:14:43
Anne Masters 2:15:45
Claire Locke 2:38:21
David Locke 2:38:21
(I’m pretty sure there were some others, so if anyone wants their name added to the list, let me know)
We were a tad aprehensive on entering the event as we had heard various rumours
from previous years. When checking out the course map i was a bit worried that
one dog-leg section on the course might cause problems. As far as i know it was ok,
didn’t cause any problems for us.
From our viewpoint the organisation seemed really good, compared to our
Bath experience, the race started with perfect timing, and thier results system
seemed to be doing a pretty good job. As we got back to the car we both recieved our
text messages giving us our finish times.
The comentator/mc did a great job keeping us informed of time etc.
The course was flat and fast with a few ‘off road’ sections - shock horror!
Well done to all those who ran.
The recovery plan starts at 7pm with a phonecall to the Chinese, following shortly on our
return by a few large glasses of wine. Bon apetite
The Week Ahead - 21 Oct
19/10/2008 by Dick.
Tuesday’s choice is the new hill session in the middle of the Danes estate or a pyramid speed session on the Link Road.
The Boughspring Runs on Thursday (see map on Training & Coaching page) give you a choice of three distances. Then after training we have booked the Community Room and a buffet for our visit from our Welsh Athletics guests - Steve Brace, Satu Haikala and Chris Moss. This is a great opportunity to ask the experts about training and coaching, and about the workings of WA and what they do and are going to do for our £5 yearly membership.
Saturday is the last opportunity to join in a Sugar Loaf recce. Thirteen of us ambled round last Saturday and one of us was a two-year-old in a buggy, and four were infant and primary school children. That gives you an idea of what a pussy-cat this race is. It will be marked on the day, but it’s well worth recceing.
On Sunday is the last East Wales Championshp race of the season - the Tour of Torfaen Half Marathon. Still time to enter and take part in the fastest half in the calendar. See Club Championships page for link and details.
The Week Ahead - 14 Oct
14/10/2008 by Dick.
In this month of hill training it’s School Hill’s turn to take the weight of pounding Harriers’ feet on Tuesday.
Fed up with hills? Come to the Link Road for 6 X 800 metres. The same alternative is also available for Thursday - PROVIDED THERE ARE ENOUGH WANTING TO DO IT - with the run being the Hayesgate 7.
We have advertised cross-country training for Saturday morning 9.30, BUT if there is demand we’d like to put on a recce of the Sugar Loaf hill race which is fast coming up as the next Club Champs race on Sat 1 Nov at 2pm from the Crown Inn, Pantigelli, just north of Abergavenny. This is quite a beginner’s introduction to fell racing, with some uphill obviously, but also some nice flat stuff on a green ‘carpet’, and some exhiliarating but safe descending. The plan is to do a gentle jog round this weekend and/or the next - ideally on a Saturday so as not to spoil anyone’s racing or long run on the Sunday. email me on dickfinch@talktalk.net or phone 01291 627569 if you’re interested.
Mendip Muddle (From Vanessa)
13/10/2008 by Gerry.
There were so many Harriers I sort of lost count - apologies if I got any of this wrong, I wasn’t taking notes and the results aren’t up yet!
Martin led the field home in 3rd place followed by Steve Caldwell in 4th overall, they both got prizes. May I add the prizes are always imaginative, I believe they got tickets to Wookey Hole and a round of golf respectively.
Matthew Stott next, then Mr Lawson, then Steve Harris.
After Steve H came Andy Blackmore and Andy Stott who seemed to have had a good battle for the finish with Andy B catching Andy S a few 100 yds before the line. Nick Battersby came in next 2 weeks or so after his marathon.
Bill Savage next, then Ian Wade. Gerry Ashton next, then Colin Prosser (I think), Geoff Bayliss, Steve Hill (or was Steve before Geoff? I am really not sure…), Dave Andrews and Philip Scriven. Sorry guys, there were so many of you I should have brought a notebook! Feel free to correct me where errors have been made!
Of the girls, Niki had a great run in a great time despite tough conditions, followed by Sue A (2nd in her age group - wine and chocolates - on her birthday!) and Esther. Then came Gill Stott (also got a prize) while Berna and Jane Bayliss came in together.
Times were slower than in the past, the winner was a long way off the course record. I am told the conditions were tough underfoot and the heat did not help. Reuben kept commenting that ‘they have been swimming’ when the runners came past us just before the line. It was good for spectating and cheering at the finish though. And the cakes and bacon rolls were excellent as usual.
Thanks Vanessa for the write up - taken from the BB - see there for more comments.
See also my personal blog entry for the Mendip Muddle - Gerry Ashton
Gwent League Cross Country at Bridgend
12/10/2008 by Lou.
by MattLeathard on Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:05 pm
A brief report from hot and sunny Bridgend. Not really proper cross-country weather, but good for the tan!
A good turn out of Harriers despite the MM clash. Excellent to see some younger harriers out, especially the young Summers’ running in the novice race. Good runs from Darcy and Paige as well. We like the socks!
Sam lead the ladies home despite her affliction(!), followed by Marianne, Liz, Lou and Sian completing a strong team. All well placed and closely packed. Syd, ever the gentleman, let the Chepstow ladies lead the way as he competed in the Male Masters race at the same time, and came home a comfortable winner.
Another good turn out from the men, with Mark captaining us well, followed by (I believe) Stuart Penny, Paul Scott, Ivan, yours truely, Mike and Coach Dick finishing strong. John Wright unfortunately twisted his ankle, hope it’s better soon.
Thanks to the supporters for all the cheering. Thanks to Sian for the post-race cakes, those who did the Mendips missed out!
Thanks Matt, Lou
The results now show Chepstow Harriers women came 8th in Division 1. Our men were 4th in Division 2. Good results - well done everyone
The Week Ahead - 7 Oct
05/10/2008 by Dick.
Tuesday’s training is Hospital Hill for 10 hard efforts with jog back recovery. The speed alternative is 10 X 400 metres with 400 metres jog recovery, on the Link Road. Followed by a quick shower and the monthly Social Committee meeting - all welcome, please come along and have your say in all the fun things we are planning.
The Link Road speed session will also be available on Thursday as an alternative to the main run, the Sedbury 7. Another quick shower and then down to the Bellhanger for the 2nd-Thursday-in-the-month curry night. One or two people have said that we should maybe try another venue just for the sake of variety. The Social Committee meeting on Tuesday is the place to sort that.
Sunday we’re spoilt for choice. The Mendip Muddle is October’s Club Champs at Charterhouse, Somerset 11am, meet LC 8.30 (link on Club Events page). It says postal close date is Monday 6 Oct but entries on day subject to availability. It’s a scenic 12 miles mainly off-road across the Mendips.
Or there’s the 1st Gwent League cross-country at Bridgend, meet LC 10.00, women’s race 12.50, men’s 2.30. We’re going a bit early because we have youngsters doing the earlier races.
All the races incorporate the East Wales Championship (you have to fill in a form there to count), and are also a selection event to represent East Wales in the Inter-Regional Champs at Wrexham on 13 Dec. Do well in those and you could emulate Stuart Penny and Syd and get a Welsh vest! This season’s Home Countries International is in N Wales on 28 March.
