Archive for April 2009
Fell Race Points This Sunday!
10/04/2009 by Dick.
It’s the first race in Sue’s Fell Race Series this Sunday 12 April at 12 noon - Mynydd Troed at the Castle Inn, Pengenfford in a beautiful part of the Black Mountains.
It’s about 7 miles with three climbs, two nice long ridge runs and some fast, exhilarating descents. Fine weather is forecast and the views across to Llangors Lake and the Brecon Beacons are marvellous. So bring your family and your Easter visitors, and make it a great day out.
You must carry or wear windproof full body cover, compass, whistle & map (provided at registration). Runners usually carry these in a bumbag or small back sac. If you haven’t got any of these, I’ll bring along a spare set, and can any other Harriers attending please bring along any spare kit - thanks. And you’ll need your running shoes with the best grip.
The route is flagged - so you shouldn’t get lost. And it only costs £2 to enter, so you must be running out of excuses by now!
You need to allow an hour to drive to the pub, and then the start is a 10 minute jog from there. Pengenffordd is on the A 479 between Cwm Du and Talgarth. There’s a good map on the pub’s website www.thecastleinn.co.uk/contacts.htm
Postcode for satnav is LD3 0EP. Please park in the car park alongside the pub - on the right coming from Abergavenny/Crickhowell. The space on the opposite site is for regular pub customers, thanks.
See you there no later than 11.30. I’ll be off to the start just after.
Dick
Did You Miss the Time Trial Tues?
09/04/2009 by Dick.
The first 27 members have now done their 3k Time Trial - the essential first step in our improved training strategy. Your 3k time is used to produce your personal Pace Range printout - your guide to all your running, training and race performance.
There will be another opportunity to do the 3k on the track on Thurs 16 or Tues 21 April. Please see one of the Coaches if neither of these dates are suitable.
Celidh - Sat 16th May
08/04/2009 by Ivan.
Social Event coming up… get on those dancing shoes, come along for a dance and a Hog Roast. Family and Friends welcome. All for just £10.00. Check out the attached flyer for more information.
Chepstow Harriers Celidh 16th May
Exe to Axe - Sun 5th April - by Jeremy
07/04/2009 by Ivan.
I grew up in East Devon and recall many days (and nights!) spent exploring the local coastline and paths. So, when I heard that Sidmouth Running Club were staging this event from Exmouth to Seaton, I couldn’t resist. Quite apart from being a particularly stunning piece of the Jurassic coast (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Coast ), it also gave me the perfect opportunity to fill in a few gaps in my local knowledge. I therefore found myself with fellow Harriers Andy & Ellen Hughes at the start on sunday, relishing the prospect of 21 miles of coastline with a not-inconsiderable (yet not unreasonable) 5600′ of ascent. Unfortunately the start was a little frustrating, as the race quickly funnelled through a constriction, causing immediate congestion for the 130+ eager runners. This will be reassessed for next year. However, what followed was one of the most memorable runs I’ve ever done, partially for reasons of nostalgia, but largely for the sheer pleasure of running along this section of coast.
Under blue skies, with a gentle breeze and millpond sea, runners could enjoy the initial gentle undulating profile which allows establishment of sensible pace along the red devonian sandstone cliffs from Exmouth, through Budleigh Salterton and Ladram bay to Sidmouth (10 miles in), where I was heartened to see that many of the haunts (ie pubs) from a mis-spent (in my parent’s eyes) youth were still surviving. Sidmouth is reknowned for its advanced age demographics, so negotiating the esplanade was fraught with the frustration of dodging numerous walking sticks and multiple other slow-moving hazards. That said, I fully intend to be out exploring this coastline when I’m 80+, so I don’t bear (m)any grudges!
After Sidmouth, the hills grow in stature, inclination and regularity, interspersed with delightful hilltop running and thigh-testing wooden steps intended to limit erosion, yet perfectly designed to erode the most determined of wills. Despite cursing these measures at times, I recalled how I had helped maintain these paths in the past with a local school work-party, led by my father. I therefore apportion all blame to him. So absorbed was I by the scenery, that the passing of Weston Mouth occurred without any recollection of the naturist beach there (clearly the sweat was now affecting my vision). Apparently, a national trust sign here reads “‘In order to avoid embarrassment to family groups, Naturists are asked to keep to the right hand side of the beach in an area 250 yards beyond this notice.” You have been warned! The red sandstone cliffs give way to Cretaceous chalk pinnacles at Branscombe where the third and final refreshment stop was provided. Beyond Beer head, a new vista unfolds from the quaint fishing port of Beer to the contrasting seafront of Seaton with Lyme Bay and Portland beyond in the afternoon haze.
The finish at Seaton came sooner than expected in more ways than one, as I felt I had more mental and physical mileage in the tank, but strangely, I didn’t really want to stop. Nevertheless, I was happy to finish to a welcome reception and refreshments at the end.
You may have gathered that I quite enjoyed this one, and despite being a little biased, and I would enthusiatically recommend it. However, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d prefer you to keep it a secret, as this gem of a little long race must not to be degraded by mass participation in future…
Oh, and if you want to know how the Chepstow trio fared, I suggest you explore further at http://sidmouthrunningclub.org.uk
Report - Helly Adventure X - 28/29 Mar
07/04/2009 by Ivan.
Tom Gibbs took part in the Helly Adventure X race on the 28/29th March, attached here is his team’s race report. Well done Tom - great result.
Helly Adventure X Race Report
The Week Ahead - 6 April
06/04/2009 by Dick.
Our new training system starts on Tuesday with a 3k time trial on the Leisure Ctre track. Your time on this 7 1/2 lap run will give you your personal training pace range on a printout that you can collect from the bar later. You’ll also pick up a training guide and explanation sheet that will enable you to train more effectively and to improve your race performance. The session starts with a speed pyramid, and there will be further speed reps after the 3k for those who want.
Vanessa has organised the first of the four-race Club Handicap series for Thursday in Chepstow Park Wood (on the St Arvans - Devauden road). First runners start at 6.45. Everyone has an equal chance to win these races. The individual handicap start times will be posted soon on the Club Handicap page.
And being the 2nd Thursday in the month it is of course Curry Night at the Bellhanger. Come and join in the chat while downing a cheap meal and drink.
LCL Summer Race Dates
05/04/2009 by Dick.
ALL Club members are encouraged to take part in the Leisure Centre League series. There is no limit to how many runners turn up and run. You get a free race number from Syd and just run any or all of the six-mile Tuesday evening road races as you fancy.
There are age group prizes if you run at least four out of the five races, and you can score points towards the inter-club competition.
The first race will be at Chepstow on Tues 5 May at 7.30.
Then 26 May at Griffithstown Oasis Club.
30 June at Risca (canal run).
28 July at Fairwater, Cwmbran.
18 Aug at Bryn Bach Country Park.
The eight competing clubs include a new member - Ebbw Vale.
Club Champs - Taunton Half Marathon
03/04/2009 by Ivan.
If you are running the this months club champs race this weekend - Taunton Half Marathon - Meet at the leisure centre to share lifts at 08:15.
Offas Orror Recce Thurs 11am
01/04/2009 by Dick.
Short notice but Colin and Syd will be running a shortened version of the route, missing out the Tintern Trot section, leaving the Anchor Inn, Tintern at 11 on Thurs 2 April. About 8 miles maybe?
Please come along and see where the water stations and marshalling points will be, and help deliver letters to the houses on the route.
Charity - Ironman - Legwax
01/04/2009 by Ivan.
Bev Meek-Welsh, Richard Lewis and myself have entered the German Ironman in July to help raise funds for Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff. We have got a coffee morning (with homemade cakes) on Friday 3rd April at the Ebenezer Chapel in Magor, start time 10.00 am and Richard will be having his legs waxed at 10.15 am, if you fancy a cuppa whilst watching Richard go through a bit of pain then please pop along, the chapel is in Magor Square between the Mango Curry House and the White Lion pub.
www.justgiving.com/clairegibson2
Claire Gibson
