Archive for March 2009
The Week Ahead - 30 March
30/03/2009 by Dick.
Thanks to Geoff Bayliss whose reign as Coach of the Month ends on Tuesday with a choice of speed sessions on the Link Road or the Thornwell Loop.
The Loop session starts with a downhill length of the Link Road followed by 3 loops of the Thornwell estate and then the last rep back up the Link Road.
The Link Rd session consists of 3 sets of 800/400/400 reps (4 for the fast crew!).
On Thursday we’re venturing off road after the winter gloom with the 3 Woods tour. No doubt darkness will descend before we complete the run, so you still need your hi-viz top for the inevitable return along the highway.
Sunday sees the April Clubs Champs down in Somerset for the Taunton Half. Watch the Bulletin Board for car-share timing.
The Leisure Ctre League Summer season dates are due to be set on Sunday evening. One topic on the agenda is a review of the new age-group points scheme first used in the cross-country season. This calculated the top placings based on the best four races of each individual, compared to the old method of adding the positions for all five races in the series. Our Committee will be agreeing Chepstow’s view at our meeting on Thursday. You might like to give your views to a Committee member.
Club Champs - Cardiac Arrest
29/03/2009 by Ivan.
Report courtesy of Steve “Excuses Excuses” Harris.
(Alternative report available on the bulletin board!!)
Despite Andy Creber describing the weather as going to be “perfect” in the build up to the race (He meant raining, howling wind etc) the weather was in fact perfect, not too hot with a gentle cooling breeze.
The course was interesting, starting off with a loop around the farm involving a couple of horse cross country jumps (Think Piercefield park only smaller) then a long uphill trek throught the woods of Huntley, which was followed by a lovely long downhill stretch. Then the challenge (Other than Marshalls not knowing the course and stopping you to send you in the wrong direction), off road climbing up a hill through the undergrowth, using a rope at one point, got the heart pumping before a fast downhill back to the farm. I wonder if Colin regretted his earlier comment of “that hill dosen’t look much” as he went round for the 2nd lap.
The course was dry and relatively fast for an off road “challenge” those who are looking for Championship points might regret missing this one, but in wet weather this course could have been a real test, with the potential of being as muddy and energy sapping as last years Mayhill Massacre event.
Chepstow men came in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, with the women winning 2nd and 3rd women overall. Alas no team prizes were awarded.
Results (Sorry if I’ve missed anyone, I’m sure there’s someone)
1st overall Mark Harvey in 48:02
2nd overall James Blore 48:08
3rd overall Steven Harris 50:49
4th Chepstow Andy Creber 58:11
5th Chepstow Bill Savage 1:00:47
6th Niki Morgan 1st Chepstow lady and 2nd overall Lady 1:02:52
7th Lou Summers 2nd Chepstow lady and 3rd overall lady 1:08:26
8th chepstow Colin Prosser 1:10:38
9th chepstow Dave Andrews 1:29:17
Club champs results will be available on the website soon. www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/champs.htm
Sign up for the Castles Relay
29/03/2009 by Andy.
The Welsh Castles Relay, a 20 stage jaunt from Caernarfon to Cardiff, takes place this year over the weekend of 13th to 14th June. We’ve entered a team and are now collecting names of people who want to take part.
Selection for this event has nothing to do with ability - though you will need to be able to run approximately 10 miles at 10 min/mile pace or better due to the logistics involved.
It’s a weekend of fun (60 teams of 20 runners plus support vehicles in a convoy down the length of Wales) with two nights under canvas (or on the floor of leisure centres) and a whole heap of team spirit.
If you can’t make it for the whole trip (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) then put your name down for one day (Saturday or Sunday). If you can’t commit to a whole day but could turn out for a single stage then put your name down too. Priority will be given to people who can commit to the longest period of time - but in all the years we’ve taken part we’ve always had runners who can only turn up for their stage.
A list is being compiled on the bulletin board (http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=439) - if you’ve not got an account then sign up now, or give your name in person or via email to Andy Ost (or any other committee member).
If you’ve got any questions about this event take a look at our page on the subject (http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/castles.htm) and ask around - there are plenty of Castles veterans who will be only too happy to explain how it all works. The official website is: http://www.lescroupiersrunningclub.org.uk/castles/
Hope to hear from you soon!
Andy.
James Jets Junior Jug (& Sue & Liz!)
28/03/2009 by Dick.
Congrats to Liz Francis, Sue Ashton and James Blore - all South Wales Winter Fell League Series Champions.
Liz and Sue also won today’s race up Pen Carrig Calc. James was notable by his absence. Saving himself for the Cardiac? A few weeks ago he could race on consecutive days, but age catches up with all of us I guess…
And a good run from Paul Murrin in 3rd place. Hope you’ll be available for the Rack Raid and/or Cotswold Way Relays, Paul.
The Week Ahead - 23 March
23/03/2009 by Dick.
Come down to the Severn Bridge on Tuesday and see how your training’s progressing. The 5k Time Trial will be run on the upstream side.
It’s the Sedbury 7 on Thursday and the last road run of the season.
Sunday is your chance to gather more valuable points in the Club Championships. The Cardiac Arrest is now located in Huntley and according to their website entries are still available. Follow the link on the Club Champs page.
San Domenico 20
22/03/2009 by JohnW.
Ideal conditions (although a little too hot for me) saw Pete Hutton, Ian Wade and myself tackle the out and back undulating San Domenico 20 miler, which follows the Taff trail starting at Merthyr Tydfil. With lots of runners using this as a good prep race for their spring marathon, Ian (Vienna), Pete (Ridgeway 40) and I (London) were no different.
Results as follows:
Yours truely 24th…..2:23
Pete 60th……………….2:38
Ian 97th………………….2:53
Despite the arching quads, stiff calfs and juicy blisters, a good race was had by all.
John
Quiz Night
22/03/2009 by JohnW.
I’d just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended our quiz night on Friday, and kindly donated to my charity, Phabkids. With your generosity £138 was raised through the raffle, book sales and sponsorship. Once again Thank you so much.
John
WE WILL ROCK YOU - DEADLINE - Tuesday 24th
22/03/2009 by Ivan.
Last chance to book your seats for the Worldwide Smash Hit Musical We Will Rock You at the Bristol Hippodrome. We have 52 tickets in the front of the Grand Circle for 7.30pm on Thursday 8th Ocober 2009 for £34 each (a saving of £6.)
24 of Queen’s songs set to a story written by Ben Elton with humour, rock and romance, it’s not to be missed!
To reserve your seat please give a cheque made payable to Suzie Shepherd by next Tuesday 24th March. Suzie will be at harriers training on Tuesday night. Alternatively if you can’t make that send an e-mail to ” web at chepstowharriers.org.uk ” and we can forward the message on to Suzie.
Free Orienteering Lesson!
21/03/2009 by Dick.
This week’s special offer - experienced orienteerer Gill Stott will be giving away her winning secrets at 11 this Sunday morning, 22 March. If you haven’t got a compass, Stottie has a few spare, but make sure you have your legs and arms covered.
Travel up the A48 to Blakeney.
Turn left onto the Parkend road.
Go past the Wenchford Picnic area, then turn immediately right under Blackpool Bridge, signposted Upper Soudley. After 1km take the tarmac track to the right, probably signposted Blakeney Hill. The parking area is a clearing after 500m.
There is a map on the Bulletin Board under Chepstow Chat in the Darker Side of Running bit.
Quiz Friday - Don’t Forget!
18/03/2009 by Dick.
Yes it’s this Friday evening at 7.30 in the Leisure Centre Bar.
Only £2 including a tasty buffet and loads of prizes.
Make up your team of 5. Or just come along and we’ll find you a team.
Prizes for winners and for a special picture round.
Quizmaster is Andy Meek-Welsh and he says questions are not too hard!
