Archive for the Club News Category
New Club Kit - from Kitman John
24/11/2008 by Dick.
Hi All
Well I hope all or most of you saw our new Hoodies and Fleeces at the AGM, more importantly tried for size?
Sizes range for Childrens – Adult XXL
Guess you want to know the price……….
Hoodies £15:00
Fleeces £17:00
If you’re interested email me via the Club Kit page, Bulletin board or just grab me Tues/Thurs.
Website photos to follow.
Cheers
John
The Week Ahead - 24 Nov
23/11/2008 by Dick.
The pace doesn’t slacken here at CH. After the thrills and laughs of the AGM, we drive on to another packed week.
Those whose noses aren’t adjacent to the grindstone on Monday morning are invited to a recce of December’s Club Champs Race, the Pudding Race at Merthyr Mawr.
The choice on Tuesday is 4X1600 on the Link Road - in response to requests from those experienced runners who say we don’t do enough long speed/endurance . Or you can do School Hill. And don’t forget to come along to the Social Committee meeting afterwards.
Thursday is the S Bridge 5k time trial. After all this training it’s the ideal way to check out your current form and get some speed in your legs.
Those who did the Sugar Loaf will I know be eager to run the next Winter Series fell race, the mighty Blorenge! Saturday 2pm at Llanfoist Village Hall, just outside Abergavenny - £2 enter on day. A classic short up-and-downer and one to flaunt on your CV.
The Week Ahead - 17 Nov
17/11/2008 by Dick.
Tuesday’s choices are either a classic 12 X 400 metres (400 jog rec) on the Link Road or the new Danes Park hill session.
Thursday’s run, the Tour of the Town, starts early at 6.30. It’s AGM night and you need to be washed/changed by 7.30 to get stuck into the buffet before the meeting starts at 8.
On Sunday at 10 we’re meeting at the Leis Ctre to travel to Abergavenny to do a walk-up, jog-down recce of the Blorenge Fell Race, that comes off the following Saturday 29 Nov at 2pm - enter on the day £2 (start saving now).
And encroaching into the following week, anyone who’s not working on Monday 24th is welcome to come to Merthyr Mawr to recce December’s Club Champs race (you need to enter this one NOW if you haven’t already. It gets full early). We’re meeting at 10 for the recce.
Cardiff Half - More Results
17/11/2008 by Dick.
My apologies to Jane Rymer who told me at last week’s Curry Night that she had submitted a comment on Ivan’s report that I’d posted. I missed it at the time.
The original results didn’t list runners’ clubs, so we missed the following times - all Harriers that joined from the Beginners class:
Caroline Lidgett 2.02.38
Kathryn Thomas 2.08.41
Tania Forehead 2.08.45
Jane Bonsor 2.13.43
Jane Rymer 2.25.30 - can do much better but had tummy upset!
The Week Ahead - 10 Nov
10/11/2008 by Dick.
Mark Harvey, this month’s coach, has devised a new speed session based at Beachley Loop Road, the housing estate on the left on the way to Beachley. It’s based on two lengths of road of about 700 and 900 metres and sounds an interesting and challenging session. Back in Chepstow, Geoff will be looking after the popular Hospital Hill session. Either will be useful for the LCL XC on Sunday.
Thursday will be the Boughspring runs with a choice of distances. Followed of course by the regular 2nd Thursday-in-the-Month treat - the Harriers Curry Night in The Bell Hanger. A tasty curry and a drink of your choice, all for £5.59.
Friday evening is a special occasion for us. It’s the LCL and East Wales Champs prizegiving at the RAFA Club next to Cwmbran Shopping Ctre. Every Chepstow Harrier who took part in last season’s cross-country or this summer’s road league should come along and receive the prizes we’ve won. And Mark and Lorna have won E Wales Champs trophies. There will be nibbles and music and a small charge, £1.50 or a raffle to cover costs. Meet at the Leis Ctre at 7 to share cars.
Then Sunday 11am is the next LCL cross-country at Hartridge School on the Spytty Road, Newport. Come off the M4 at the Coldra, J24 1st exit and after about a mile you’ll find the school on the left. Meet Leis Ctre at 10.
Gill’s Snowdon
28/10/2008 by Dick.
Now Snowdon from a first-time runner’s viewpoint:
Saturday morning! Rise and Shine!!! Had a lovely nights sleep, only banged my head on the bunk bed about 8 times. I know, I might knock myself out if I keep this up and then I will not be able to do it!!No chance! Breakfast was a YHA version of porridge brought on a plate. Never mind we won’t moan as Suzie tucks into her toast smothered in peanut butter!
We arranged to go on the double decker bus to take us all to Nant Peris at 9ish as the race starts at 10.30am. The weather was horrendous! gail force winds and torrential rain. The last time it was like this it got cancelled said one happy competitor!! If only we’d known I said to myself!!!!
On the bus to the start, shivering with cold. I knew I should have put on my long sleeve top instead of braving it in my sleeveless Harriers top!! Too late now!
Suzie sat down next to marathon photo man who takes the official pics of the course. “Now! don’t forget to look out for me and take some lovely pics of us and I might just give you a couple of welsh cakes!!!” He smiles in disbelief at this woman who looks slightly insane. Wind, rain, gale force winds are in full force as we stand at the start. It’s amazing what protection a bin bag will do!! (Got a lovely pic of myself, Roberta and Richie modelling one!)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… we are off!! A big smile at the S4C cameras as we run past, you never know your luck!!
The wind was in full force and I was fighting against it for the first 4 miles! I was determined not to walk especially at the start. I could have hugged Suzie as all that hill training paid off! I was at the top in no time and then for a lovely downhill. I remembered to not go to fast at this point (Andy Meek-Welsh’s words rang in my ears) remember the knees and still a long way to go! A steady 9.5 m miling from the Garmin as I glanced down. (Off came the bin bag to reveal my very proud Chepstow Harriers vest!!) We decided at the start that we would all run our own race. I knew that Suzie was ahead of me as she is doing amazing at the moment and I could see Roberta in front of me and thought that Claire and Tash were behind me!!
Halfway mark was an incline through the village of Beddgelert and I could see Roberta just in front of me. Pushing my legs and arms up the hills, before I knew it I was level with Roberta and then a quick chat and I felt good so pushed on. Bev Meek-Welsh and Gareth Jones did an amazing job and kept popping up every now again and it really kept me going.
Wind, rain, wind and more rain!!!!! The scenery despite the horrendous weather was spectacular with lakes and mountains on either side. What more could you ask for?
I still felt good and mile 20 was my goal!! Get to that and only another 6.2 miles to go!!
The dreaded mile 21, which was practically vertical for 2-3miles, was looming. I along with everyone else halted to a quick walk at this point. Gareth Jones met me at the bottom of the hill. “Grit your teeth Gill,” he said “and just get up there!!” Wise words from an experienced runner, he can’t be lying to me, surely!
Nearly at the top now and the wind was blowing me from side to side. OMG where is the downhill. I kept going, pushing my legs and arms and then I could see the top of the horizon. Wow! I’m at the top. Downhill now for a couple of miles, through the slate quarry, off road. The wind was really strong here and kept trying to push me off the track. I plunged on heading for Llanberis which I could see in the distance. A slight incline at mile 25.5 . Just round the bend said one supporter saturated in rain! Now! where have I heard that one before!!! She was right though, a quick spurt over the road and I could see Suzie and Tony shouting my name. Through the finish line at 5:15:45
I was thrilled, it was all over!!
What a fantastic weekend!!! Back to Petes Eats then with everyone else for a big nosh up but unfortunately had to forego the sticky toffee pudding and custard as tooooo full up!
Thanks to Suzie who offered to drive home. she needs a bit more practice with that reverse gear!!!)
I am still walking on air today, although stiff and sore!!
Would I do it again? Of course I would, it was brill despite the weather. Next time though I am going for just under 5 hours.
Thank you Suzie for another great weekend away, although I am definitely booking the accommodation next time if you don’t mind!! Well Done Claire as well for doing so well after her treatment last year!! Amazing woman or what!! Thanks to all the other Harriers for their fantastic support as always especially Tony, Bev and Gareth.
And Yes! I got my Snowdonia sweatshirt and Petes Eats mugs!!! Got to be worth it! And of course the t-shirt and coaster at the finish!!! Roll on the next one!!Apologies for the long blog but got a bit carried away with excitement.
The Week Ahead - 14 Oct
14/10/2008 by Dick.
In this month of hill training it’s School Hill’s turn to take the weight of pounding Harriers’ feet on Tuesday.
Fed up with hills? Come to the Link Road for 6 X 800 metres. The same alternative is also available for Thursday - PROVIDED THERE ARE ENOUGH WANTING TO DO IT - with the run being the Hayesgate 7.
We have advertised cross-country training for Saturday morning 9.30, BUT if there is demand we’d like to put on a recce of the Sugar Loaf hill race which is fast coming up as the next Club Champs race on Sat 1 Nov at 2pm from the Crown Inn, Pantigelli, just north of Abergavenny. This is quite a beginner’s introduction to fell racing, with some uphill obviously, but also some nice flat stuff on a green ‘carpet’, and some exhiliarating but safe descending. The plan is to do a gentle jog round this weekend and/or the next - ideally on a Saturday so as not to spoil anyone’s racing or long run on the Sunday. email me on dickfinch@talktalk.net or phone 01291 627569 if you’re interested.
What’s On Week Comm 30 Sept
29/09/2008 by Dick.
Tuesday for most is the Bridge Inn 5k over in Shortwood, Bristol - the latest Club Champs race. 7.30 enter on the night. Meet at Leis Ctre at 6 to share cars.
If you can’t make it, come to the Leis Ctre at the usual time to meet up for a run.
Thursday’s main run will be the Tour of the Town (see website under Training & Coaching for the route). If you’re looking for some speedwork, you can do 4 X 1600 metres on the Link Road with 2 mins recovery.
No cross-country training on Saturday as Sunday is the real thing. Meet at Leis Ctre at 9.30 to share cars to Pontllanfraith near Blackwood. Remember to bring your Leisure Centre League race number. If you haven’t got one see Dick on Thursday, or if you must on Sunday morn.
This Week 23 Sept
24/09/2008 by Dick.
Back to the Link Road Tuesday after 6 months off road. A speed pyramid sharpener to get your legs ready for Thursday and your last chance to post that really fast 5k that you know is in there somewhere. The Sedbury run awaits those who prefer the quiet life.
Either way report to the Leisure Ctre at 6.50 and don’t forget your shiny top or bring your fiver to buy a cost-price one from Dick.
We had a 200% increase in turnout for last Saturday’s cross-country training over Piercefield. Those who made the effort found it a great session that compresses a typical XC course into a really effective half-hour session. The beauty of is that you can be of any standard and yet you never feel alone at the front or back. Berna and I had quite a tussle, with Calum passing us every now and then. You could even bring the kids along for some healthy exercise and know that they’ll never be far away. So 9.30 in the top car park. The more the merrier and the XC season starts next week.
The Week Ahead - 15 Sept
15/09/2008 by Dick.
Tuesday’s speedwork will be a new session devised by Andy Meek-Welsh using the park in the middle of the Danes estate. It sounds different and interesting, and likely to become a favourite in our training calendar. Or it’s a fartlek session over Piercefield Park.
Thursday is the final 5k on the Severn Bridge. This has proved very popular. If you haven’t done one yet, come down and have a go and post a time for your Club Champs points.
Then celebrate with our monthly visit to Wetherspoons in St Mary’s St for a nice supper and drink and chinwag.
Finally, cross-country training in Piercefield Park on Saturday at 9.30. Last week’s session attracted a grand total of one, Kevin, who nevertheless had a hard but lonely workout. Kev is rather hoping that a few other Harriers will join him this week! The first race is in two weeks remember.
