Archive for February 2010
Poster Competition!
14/02/2010 by Ivan.
We are looking for great posters to advertise our open races, the first being the Offa’s Orror.
They need to be eye catching; encouraging and provide the essential details of the event.
You can find all the relevant details of the Offa’s Orror Event on the web page http://www.chepstowharriers.org.uk/offa.htm
We hope to print a number to put up at the leisure centre in Chepstow & Monmouth and at any other suitable places in the area.
Whilst it would be good to have them in digital form (scanned or similar) paper cut and paste is fine.
A suitable Easter themed prize will be awarded so come on all you budding artists and get busy.
Feel free to use any of the pictures from previous events – again see the above web page.
Send the submissions to communications@chepstowharriers.org.uk or give them to a committee member on club nights.
With Offa’s Orror coming quite soon please get the entries in by the end of February.
Competition is open to all, so get the family involved!
Bonus prizes for a poster for the Rose Inn series!
Brecon GL XC by James + Dick
13/02/2010 by Lou.
Thanks Gerry, some really good photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerryashton/sets/72157623427895746/ That’s a great one of Marianne with the mountains behind. But…you should have run!
I think everyone had an enjoyable (and tiring) day out at Brecon. Conditions were good, a bit cold, and it wasn’t particularly muddy underfoot - although I didn’t see the colour of Dick’s feet at the end 
We all got there at about 12.20, leaving loads/not very much time for the girls to get warmed up for their race. I’d guess that Maz got there with Matt a good few hours earlier so she could get in a long run beforehand to warm up! Was fantastic to see Sam back running, and Steve looking like death - but hilarious as usual (at least you’ve got a week off now! lucky child out of wedlock 
). And everybody helped put up the imaginary tent. To the race…
Unfortunately I didn’t get to see most of the women’s race because I was with child (not pregnant obviously 
) walking round and feeding Seth; but from what I did see they were all fantastic. 
I expect lovely Lou will write a more detailed and better account than myself of the women’s race! I’m not sure of placings, but Maz was first in for Chepstow and 8th overall - brilliant. She even had to have a long warm-down run - to get in the extra mileage? - That Rich Matthews is a hard task master! Next in was Lou, (17th possibly?) and hopefully very pleased. Should have worn shorts, although I do like the pink stripes down the side. Then Sam, taking it easy for the first lap , wearing ridiculous pink fluffy gloves (and giving me stick for my attire!) was next. Covered in sweat - anyone would think you’d been for a run. Sue was fourth for us, running well and running tomorrow in the Rhayader Rant - good luck. Next up was Vanessa, who said she found it tough, but did great to run considering the ‘lack of running’ last weekend. Berta was next in and completed our strong women’s line up - I’ll look forward to seeing where the team finished overall when the results come out. All the women ran amazingly well
So the men had a hard task ahead of them if they were to live up to the women… personally I started off too fast and realised this after 1/2 a lap - mainly because I was knackered. It was all downhill (metaphorically speaking!) from there for me, trying to hold on for another 2 1/2 laps. Tom Cruise I ain’t (and if you’re too lazy to work that out…mission impossible). Luckily the support from the women was fantastic. They’ve all got a good set of lungs on them. And if I inadvertently mentioned I hated anyone, what I meant was that I loved them. And Marianne still seemed to be running around. By lap two, I was just waiting to be overtaken by Matt, Mark, Steve etc… I should mention the course here, but there’s not much to say other than it’s pretty flat with a few mole hills and one embankment you run up twice. Slightly undulating you could say, with a few tight turns to slip up round. Back to the running and at the start of the last lap Matt had finally caught up with me, told me to ‘keep at it’, which I may have done for all of five yards before remembering how tired I was. Matt stormed off catching up loads of people in front of me. So I waited to be overtaken again by the next Harrier, only no one did and thankfully the finish loomed. Do a sort of sprint even though no one is there and try to not have a heart attack. I didn’t get to see Steve finish but he ran really well holding his position all the way - good pacing session for the marathon! Then Mark came in I think struggling with his knee, with a nice sprint finish, good man for not quitting, thanks Lou for getting him to keep going. John was next up with a great sprint at the end (I also think he might have done one at the beginning, but that’s neither her or there!). Then barefoot Dick running well, possibly with cold feet? Chris, who you couldn’t possibly miss with the colours he was wearing, finished with a cracking sprint overtaking three guys. And finally last but not least was Andy, who maybe even enjoyed himself a bit?! Cracking run guys. Not quite as good as the girls, but getting there… 
I know I found it tough today, so everyone who ran did fantastically well. Hopefully we can get a really strong team for Blaise next month
And from Dick:
Good running from our girls including two top twenties: Mar 8, Lou 19, Sam just behind, Sue, Vanessa and Berta (who scored at Ponty and helped give us 1st team).
Top 50 for Matt (48), then James 61, Steve 72, Skippy 114, John 143, Zola 159, Chris 172, Mr Bray 191.
And another good run from Kayley (10th ) our only junior today . She got her invitation to run in the nationals at Birmingham as have Issie and Will Leney - great honour for them and the Club. I hear that some of the seniors who ran today will also be selected.
Thanks Eric for team registration, and Syd for finish duties - a first for the Club I believe and kudos for us.
Fairwater’s LCL cross country (AS) 7th Feb.
10/02/2010 by Lou.
Thanks to Fairwater for a great cross country course and a friendly welcome – just the cure we needed.
Being the morning after our dinner dance it was to be expected - early Sunday morning I found out that many of our fab female runners were done in by the evil booze and other ailments and would NOT be running. By the time we reached the leisure centre team was down to three – two hardy stalwarts – Berta, Sue and me.
Arrived at Pontypool park and we were thrilled to see a suffering but none the less there – Niki – thanks for coming Niki despite a few hours sleep, head cold and sore throat. So things were looking up
.
Then we recced the course – no way – it was like a mini fell race. As Gerry put it:‘’It seems the instructions were that we could use all of the park except for anything that could be mowed. What this meant was nothing on the course that wasn’t steep, rough, muddy or all three.’’
Andy and Dick were obviously thrilled the rest of under a cloud of doom awaiting our slog round the vertical climbs, stream crossings and already hard to stand up on seriously slippery very muddy descents. Ho hum .
Then the race. Dick passed me telling me to’ get a move on gal’ so I did ( thanks Dick ). I’m still amazed by runners like Dick who can race their own race while coaching others – I was shouted encouragement and instruction from Dick for the whole course There was also plenty of support from Fairwater organiser Mark – thanks for that.
Laurie flew past in pursuit of Andy Creber where I gather there was an uphill downhill struggle with our latest man of speed taking the lead on the ascents and gnarly fearless AC winning the descents.
I struggled to keep close to Neil and tried not to hear the female breathing advancing from behind. But Julie Davies of Griff was very kind when she overtook and even encouraged me by saying I would get her back on the down – I tried and failed.
Shame it was over really but not enough to do another lap of the course with Julie. Anyway I wanted to see our teams finish.
Sue (4th) just lost 3rd place and was followed by Niki (5th). Then Berta came in to complete the team. And we scraped a win.
So now what a fantastic xc course – so interesting and fun. A huge thanks to Sue, Niki and Berta for your brave running. I must have looked pretty done in myself as race organiser Mark bought me coat, some sweets and tea – which was nice.
The men did good too. Even on the day after the night before our men’s team have provisionally come first.
Our fast bad lads regained some credibility by running so well even after excessive amounts of alcohol and ladish behaviour, as Gerry said:
‘’Mark, with eyes like the proverbial pxxx holes in the snow proved that he still has amazing powers of recovery from a skinful at the club dinner’’
James (2nd)
Matt Stott (5th)
Mark Harvey (14th)
Laurie (22nd)
Hot on the heels of these four came the mysteriously converted ( and rebuilt? ) xc runner Andy C ( She has the power, she had the technology? ).
Well done Andy (27th) ahead of 10 times club champion Luke(33rd)
Next was Neil, Dick, Gerry, John Thomas, My Rob, Kev, Nick Davies, Andy George and Phil Scrivins.
Well done to all those who ran and thanks again to Fairwater for putting on a fab course being great hosts.
D/D Gill’s Photos
08/02/2010 by Dick.
Enjoy this photo gallery all captured by newly-appointed club snapper, Gill.http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/apgstott/ChepstowHarriersDinnerDance2010#
D.Dance Slave Auction for Haiti by Niki
07/02/2010 by Lou.
An enormous thank you for everyone who contributed to the auction last night. It was a huge success and raised £1300 - and that’s without Rob Brown’s party bus to and from the venue. How much did this raise Gill/Rob? People were extremely generous with offering their services as ’slaves’ and people were even more generous with their bidding. I’m sure alcohol helped! A very big thank you to Andy Creber – our auctioneer for encouraging people to bid as highly as possible – and generally for doing such a sterling job. The highest bid was £180 – for Berta’s painting services. Clearly the credit crunch has ended in Chepstow. I’m sure certain ladies in the audience appreciated the oiled up, loin cloth clad slave – certainly Esther and Jane participated eagerly. Good girls!
Below are the services offered, and the amount they went for at the auction. One very important detail, that wasn’t mentioned, is that everyone who successfully bid for a service and didn’t pay last night (and that’s everyone except for James, Mark, Tom Gibbs, Neil and Gill), needs to send me a cheque for the relevant amount, made payable to the British Red Cross, or give me the cash – cheques are preferable. Please either hand these to me at a training night, or post to:
Niki Morgan
Flat 7, St Maur House
St Maur Gardens
Chepstow NP16 5NZ
SERVICES BID FOR:
Mathew Lawson - Half day’s gardening – to Steve Caldwell for £12
Geoff Cram - Computer assistance – to Syd for £10
Jo – Sports massage – to Luke for £30
Suzie – babysitting – to Andy Ost for £12
Astrid - Reflexology – to James for £20
Gerry – Digital photography. On-line gallery – to Esther for £15
Esther – Taxi service – To Andy Stott for £30 (I think it was £30?)
Ian and Gareth – Off-road extravaganza with Sunday lunch – to James for £20 (paid)
Lou and Niki – Off-road extravaganza with lunch – to Andy Stott for £20 (paid)
James – Car Valeting – to Niki for £21
Niki – Meal at flat to one hunky (oh well, I tried) bloke – to Mark for £30 (paid)
Lou – Painting/decorating or cooking – to some random person for £20 – who won this bid?
Syd – Trailer full of logs – to Neil for £60 (paid)
Rick – Day’s climbing for beginner – to Jenni for £35
Vanessa – Fairy cake masterclass for kids – to Steve Caldwell for £18
Charlotte Blore – Swimming tuition plus training plan – to Andy Green for £45
Kath – Sports massage – to James for £40 (paid)
Vanessa – cake making - to Rick for £40
Becky Lane’s company – Free life insurance review – to Nicola for £15
Jane Green – Piano lessons (5 x 30 mins) – to Jane Rymer for £50
Jane Rymer - Dog walking/ironing – to Steve Caldwell for £13
Laura – Month’s free membership of Curves Fitness Centre – to Esther for £15
Jane – Babysitting – to James for £20 (paid)
Andy M-W – Scale and polish or dental filling – to Rick for £40
Jem Cohen – Personalised nav day – to Steve Caldwell for £48
Geoff Cram – Cat fed for weekend – to Tom Gibbs for £21 (paid)
Andy C – Adventure activity day for 8 people – to Andy M-W for £65
Berta – Portrait painted - person/animal (can you distinguish in Chepstow Harriers?) – to Mrs Carter for £180 (paid)
Neil – B&B weekend in Poole – to Gill Stott (with her husband?) for £140 (paid)
Laurie – Ride on his throbbing machine – to James for £20 (paid)
Jan – Horse-riding – to Jane Rymer for £70
Natasha – Gourmet meal – to Steve Caldwell for £60
Steve Caldwell – curry night at youth club – to Gerry for £20
Disco bloke at Dewstone Golf Club – Free Karaoke Night – to a random person for £50 – who won this bid?
Thank you all again! If anyone disputes anything above, please post here.
Niki
The Week Ahead 8 Feb 2010
07/02/2010 by Dick.
A hilly theme this week. On Tuesday you can choose either:
1) the gentle hill of Beech Grove. We go a little faster this month, but for 40 secs instead of the 50 last month. And the recovery jog back is longer - 80 secs instead of 70. And there’s a longer rest of 2 minutes between sets. Do 3 or 4 sets according to your schedule and how your body feels.
2) the bigger gradient of Steep St (prize for first reader to guess how it got its name). Here again choose 3 or 4 sets. Each set consists of a short, a long, a short and a long hill.
The Shirenewton run on Thursday. One of our longer outings, and why not in your preparation for the 13.1 miles of the FOD Half? But don’t take too long getting round and getting changed: for the 2nd Thursday of the month is CURRY NIGHT!!!
Or the 20 mins out and back on the Bridge may fit in better with your plans. Or again the Off-Road gang is growing weekly and new members are nursed along so nicely.
And finally on Saturday it’s the next Gwent League at Brecon. Always excellent training and a good Club occasion, come and join the fun and enjoy the cakes and sweets after. Junior races start at 12, senior women at 12.50, and senior men at 2.20. No fee, no numbers, no registration - just tell the Club Captains you’re coming and get there early enough for us to put your name down.
Revised Dinner/Dance Bus Timetable
05/02/2010 by Dick.
By popular request we’ve increased the number of stops and delayed the timing to give everyone more time to titivate themselves (actually the Chief Coach couldn’t get an early hairdresser’s appointment and always nicks himself if he has to rush shaving his legs). Tutshill 5.55. Leis Ctre steps 6.10. High Beech R 6.20. Pwllmeyric Layby 6.25. Caldicot X 6.40. Arrive at Dewstow 7.00. Return at midnight
Dinner/Dance Bus Timetable
03/02/2010 by Dick.
The Queen of the Tarmac will try to observe the following schedule for serving Chepstow to the Dinner Dance venue on Saturday:LYDNEY RAILWAY STATION leaving at 16.50. TUTSHILL: outside Chepstow Motor Services at 17.15. LEISURE CENTRE: at steps, main entrance at 17.30. St ARVANS: car park of the Piercefield at 17.50. CHEPSTOW ROUNDABOUT: 17.55. CALDICOT: outside the Cross Inn at 18.10. Arrival at Golf Club 18.30.NB: Leyland `Titan` PD2, 1959. Seating capacity : 64. Top speed: 38 mph. It`s a closed top, not an open topper, but no heaters. Little luggage space, no WC. Children and Fell Runners upstairs, Road Runners downstairs. No hawking or spitting. Do not distract the driver.The glamorous Clippie will be collecting fares for the benefit of the Haiti appeal - and will sit on passengers’ laps for extra large donations!
The Week Ahead 1 Feb 2010
01/02/2010 by Dick.
Lou starts her stint as Coach of the Month on Tuesday with 1) the Beachley Loop session., which is three each of the 900 metre loop and the 700 metre straight at your 5k race pace with a jog recovery. The Beachley Loop is about the only flat course around Chepstow but it is a fair way to get there, so a couple of the coaches will be offering lifts there and/or back.Choice 2) is the Danes Park Loop, with a smaller loop for Groups E and F. Runners are being asked to increase their pace in February sessions from the 10k that we did in January to 5k this month. The coaches will explain in more detail before the sessions.Please note that announcements and session choice now take place at 6.55, with runners leaving the Leis Ctre at 7 sharp. Please don’t amble in at 7 or later and wonder why everyone is going the other way!On Thursday the Boughspring runs offer you three distances. See the maps on the Training & Coaching page.I expect the off-road gang with their headtorches and off-road shoes will also be finding an interesting route on Thurs.Have a good time at the Dinner/Dance Sat night, but go easy on the alcohol because… you need to be ready to race in the Leisure Ctre League cross-country in Pontypool Park at 11 on Sunday morning. Meet at our LC at 9.30 or follow the directions on the Club Only/Cross Country LCL page.
