Archive for March 2009
The Week Ahead - 16 March
17/03/2009 by Dick.
Tuesday’s threshold pace training is the two-minute fast/one minute slow session on the Link Road/Severn Bridge. If you’re in good nick then you can do 20, but those not on top form at the moment can choose to do 12. The alternative is that great leg-strength session, Hospital Hill.
More choice on Thursday - which of the Boughspring runs will you do?
Friday evening is brain-exercise time. Our first Club Quiz starts at 7.30 in the Leisure Centre Bar. Just £2 entry gives you a tasty buffet as well as the chance to win some fabulous prizes. Get together in teams of up to five, or find yourself some teammates on the night. Family teams especially welcome. Andy Meek-Welsh is Quizmaster and has included a picture round with a separate prize.
The week finishes with a great offer. So popular has orienteering become in the Club recently that Gill and Andy Stott have been asked to lay on a learner’s course. Bring along the family and find out what the fuss is all about. Meet a Blakeney Hill at 11 on Sunday morning. Find out more and a how-to-get-there on the Bulletin Board under Chepstow Chat/ What some might call the darker side of running.
We’ve had to postpone the Hash Run on Sunday. Apologies - it will now be on a Club night towards mid-summer. Watch out for news in Wots On.
We’re Going Up!
14/03/2009 by Dick.
Chepstow’s Cross-Country team have finally achieved their ambition of promotion to the Gwent League First Division. Led home by Skippy Mark in a best-ever 25th place - and that after a mad rush to Carmarthen from his morning shift in Bristol - James Blore (32nd), Stuart Penny (35th), Ivan Teed (44th), John Wright (70th), Matt Leathard (88th), Chris Goodwin (160th) and Dick Finch (167) all contributed to the cause.
Congrats to Syd who again was placed first in the 70+ category and duly took the series gold medal.
Our Women’s team depleted by injury and unavailability nevertheless consolidated their First Division status through the efforts of Marianne in 11th and Anthea in 45th.
Paige and Darcy took 18th and 32nd place in the Under 13s and we eagerly await the full results to see their series positions. Ever present in all weathers the twins promise great things for our new Junior Section.
Well done and thanks to all who ran a Gwent League in the season, and credit to Captains Mark and Lou for their unceasing efforts in persuading, cajoling and nagging us all on to the start line!
LCL Cross-Country Final Results
12/03/2009 by Dick.
A great effort by all last Sunday, with Men’s & Women’s teams winning on the day. Our Women were first in the series, and our Men 2nd behind Fairwater - congrats to Fairwater.
We had individual age category winners with Sian Griffith and Sue Ashton - a just reward for strong consistent running.
2nd placers were Gill Stott, Bill Savage and Mark Harvey, with 3rd placers Sam Harris and Dick Finch.
Captains Lou & Mark would like to thank every single Harrier who turned out in all weathers. A magnificent team effort.
Full results on http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/xc.htm
Offa’s ‘Elpers
10/03/2009 by Ivan.
Your Club Needs You!
Offa’s Orror 2009 is almost upon us – 10.30am Sunday 19th April.
This 20k off-road event run from Tintern Abbey and along Offa’s Dyke is the single largest Chepstow Harriers event and whilst providing the Club with vital funds fro training/coaching etc is also highly labour intensive.
Help is needed at the start, finish and all around the course before, during and after the race and if you haven’t already been approached I can assure you that yes you are needed – and for that matter your families and friends could also have a role and a bit of fun in the countryside.
It is even possible to help out and run if you wish to do both.
Please make it known that you can assist at any training night, by email ( to offa at chepstowharriers.org.uk ) or bulletin board and you will be given all the information you require.
Colin Prosser
The Week Ahead - 9 March
09/03/2009 by Dick.
The choice this Tuesday is the varied speedwork of the Pyramid session on the Link Road. Threshold reps of 800/1200/1600/1200/800metres with 400 mtrs reeovery between each one.
Or you can tackle the hills of the Danes Park Loop with all the benefits of the short sharp step flights. Leg conditioning at its best.
Get some consistent tempo pace running down to Beachley and back on Thursday. Those keen to improve their performance will include the Wyebank Estate loop to make a really worthwhile workout.
Then you can treat yourself to a well-earned curry and drink in our monthly visit to the Bellhanger. Just £5.59 for the whole deal.
Then put all this training together with a good cross-country performance at the final Gwent League fixture at Carmarthen on Saturday. Sounds like a long journey but it’s almost all motorway and the race timings are favourable - Women and Men’s races start at noon, then Novices, U13s, U15s all between 1 - 1.30.
Watch this space for meet time - 9.45 maybe?
Skippy Wins!
08/03/2009 by Dick.
Men’s Captain Mark Harvey led his team from the front today at the final LCL cross-country on a new hilly course in Rogerstone (thanks to Caerleon for putting on a challenging race).
Mark led the race from the start and was well away from the runner-up at the end of the four muddy laps. James Blore continued his improvement by taking fourth place, followed by Ivan Teed, Pete Ward, Matthew Lawson and Mark English as the six Chepstow scorers in a -fingers crossed - possible winning team.
Our women’s team of Sue Ashton, Gill Stott, Anthea Gair, Jan Morris, and debutantes Jane Bonsor and Jane Rymer, gave us strength in depth, and we think 1st Place. A great achievement from the Team and Captain Lou.
Our men’s team were well backed up by (not necessarily in this order) Andy Stott, Luke Malarz, Bill Savage, Neil Grant, Gerry Ashton, Rob Summers and Geoff Cram. Well done all.
Just the one fixture left this season - the Carmarthen Gwent League races next Saturday 14 March. A good turn out may well clinch promotion for our Men and a good position in the top division for our Women.
Forest of Dean Trails Half Marathon - Timing Chip
05/03/2009 by Ivan.
Important snippet of information if you are running the Forest of Dean Trail Half Marathon on 15th March.
Syd recieved a bit of information regarding the Timing chips, they are to be worn on the Shoe, any queries please contact the organisers : http://www.forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk/
Good luck.
The Week Ahead - 2 March 2009
03/03/2009 by Dick.
Geoff Bayliss is managing this month’s coaching and we start with the opportunity to take part in our new Kenyan Hills session on the lower St Lawrence estate just the other side of the A466. This is a 40 minute steady state run that takes in the up and down slopes of a not very steep hill. Ideal preparation for Sunday’s cross-country!
Alternative is 6X800 metres with 400 mtr jog recovery. Perfect training for improving your 5k pb on the Bridge in a couple of weeks time.
A choice on Thursday of the Mathern 7 or the Shirenewton 9.
On Saturday there’s a marvellous offer from Gill and Andy Stott to have a go at Orienteering at a beginners level. It’s in the Forest near Soudley, not that far from Blakeney, and advice will be readily availabe. Gill is even offering the loan of, and training in the use of, a compass which is all you need. Contact me if you’re interested in sharing cars.
The final LCL cross-country on Sunday morning at Rogerstone, just off M4 Junct 27 for the deciding races. Club Captains Lou and Mark are keen to hear from you. Injuries and absences are depleting our XC pools. Please let your Captain know you can come, and then meet at the Leis Ctre at 10. Your Club needs you!
Fun Runs - Success in the Sunshine
02/03/2009 by Lou.
Thank you so much to everyone who helped with our St. David’s Day Fun Run everyone put in a lot of effort and managed to enjoy themselves at the same time, making the event a great success. I really enjoyed the day - you were a great team and I love you all.
Thank you also to everyone who came along to run and support, it was great to see you there.
Of course thank you to Niki whose company - Mountain Kingdoms - sponsored the event.
The full results will be up soon but for now congratulations to:
Mum’s race
1st - Tanya Sutton
2nd - Anna Keele
3rd - Caroline Lidgett
Dads’ Race
1st - Martin Pengilly
2nd - Phil Conridge
3rd - Mark Jones
Runners’ Challenge
1st - James Blore
2nd - Kyran Hale
3rd - Steve Harris
