The Cross-Countryless (maybe) Week Ahead

04/01/2010 by Dick.

We’ve had an email from Club Bryn Bach saying they’ve had to postpone/cancel the LCL XC because the ground up there is “a sheet of ice and unlikely to be safe to run on Sunday.” We’ve offered to put the race on in Chepstow but I think it’s more likely to be put off to a later date.

But there will still be an opportunity to put on your off-roaders this weekend. Following the success of Viv Matthews’ session last Saturday we are putting on a speed session at 9.30 every Saturday morning in Piercefield Pk providing there’s no XC or Club Champs race that weekend.

The advantages of speedwork on parkland are (1) reduced stress on joints; (2) increased strength of stabilising muscles and ligaments thereby reducing wasteful unbalanced movements and chance of injury; (3) improved performance in off-road competition (Riverbank Rollick, XC races). How can you expect to race well off-road without training off-road?

 We’ll put out a note when we know what’s happening for certain.

Anyway the first training sessions of Q1 on Tuesday offer a choice of 4XThornwell Loop or a new hill session at Beech Grove devised by Ivan. Choose whichever fits in with your training plan.

On Thursday it’s the Mathern Run. Basically seven miles but those after a longer run can tack on a tour of Bulwark. 

May I also remind everybody to book their Dinner/Dance tickets this week. Giving in your menu choice and cheque to Suzie this Tuesday will save you £5.50 per ticket. Cheques won’t be cashed till the end of the month.

Posted in Club News | No Comments »