Archive for the Social Category
The Week Ahead 23 Jan 2012
23/01/2012 by Dick.
Steep Street is this Tuesday’s venue dear runner. Six long and six short hills will give you a marvellous cardio-vascular boost as well as upping your leg strength for improved running efficiency in all your future training and races.
Then try out that improved efficiency and cardio-vascular ability on Thursday in the Severn Bridge 5k Time Trial. Regular time triallists find that their racing know-how and race times have benefitted from the monthly no-pressure Bridge runs.
Hope to see you on Saturday evening at the annual awards dinner. I hear that there are still a few places left for this informal gathering. The delicious and plentiful home-made food alone is worth the admission price, folks.
The Week Ahead 19 December 2011
18/12/2011 by Dick.
A fun-packed Weaker Head is a-coming!
All the joys of Steep Street on Tuesday. In the olden days this ancient thoroughfare was the site of at least four public houses. Alas none remain, but nowadays you can get intoxicated with the pleasure of skipping up this fine gradient.
And even more fun and games on Thursday, you lucky people! Our annual Christmas Relays down at the Loop Road, Beachley.
It’s important that everyone joins in – our teams must contain runners of all speeds to make it all work. So there’ll be Juniors, Strivers, ancient men like the Club President and Head Coach, as well as quick sleek men and fast racy women.
Prizes for best fancy dress (as judged by Life President), and for winning teams of course, and for any exceptional performances (not necessarily running!). You’ll have to be pretty boring to come away empty-handed!
Then it’s off to Wetherspoons for our Christmas drink. Hurrah!!!
12/12/2011 by Dick.
Tuesday’s session is the 5k Time Trial on the Severn Bridge starting at 7.30. May be a bit breezy but if it’s in your face one way it’ll be in your bottom going the other way.
On Thursday you can choose between the Itton 8 and a special 6 mile run if you’re one of our dear Strivers. Then there’s the usual alternative speed session of 10 x 400 on the Bridge. All wanting to do the Bridge session should post their name in the Comment box below to be sure of some other runners.
Whichever you choose, don’t forget it’s the Christmas meal at the Shangri La.
And finally the last Club Champs monthly race is the Christmas Tree race at Ellwood in the Forest. You can enter on the day and enjoy a scenic off-road 5 miler.
The Week Ahead 5 December 2011
05/12/2011 by Dick.
Well, Bulletin Board reader/s will know that the coaching team has responded to popular demand by putting on Thornwell Loop for the second week running.
There’ll be a difference of course: last week’s version was scheduled by November’s Coach of the Month, Andy Meek-Welsh, and capably managed by Dave Somersall; while this Tuesday’s has been scheduled by December’s C of M Lou Summers. You lucky people!
On Thursday the Boughspring Runs will suit all elements of our membership, with the shortest route being just perfect for the Strivers.
I hear there is a demand for the Thursday speed session on the Bridge, but potential participants are advised to post their intent in the Comments box below this Blog. If people know there are others meeting at the Larkfield roundabout layby or down on the Bridge they know it’s worth the journey.
And finally – being the second Thursday in the month it’s CURRY NIGHT. See you there.
Sunday Cycle Ride
02/12/2011 by Dick.
Will be doing a taster type ride this week, around 20 miles, very steady. Heading for Thornbury with a coffee stop, 9.00am meet at St Lawrence Roundabout - back in Chepstow by 12.00.
Going forward:
The taster ride will be the last thing I organise before Christmas. Will resume after the festive period with the focus on longer steady state group rides with a bit of a training bias. Will provide you with some details during December. A few of us are meeting in December to have a look at how we take things forward and whether there is a desire to develop the group approach into a club. Will let you know how this goes.
Best wishes
Paul
Cwmbran Track 3k Meeting Time
01/12/2011 by Lou.
Neil, Dick and I are leaving our LC at 5:45 to drive to Cwmbran - want to get there in time for a good warm up!
If you can make 5:45 and fancy joining us meet on the steps - otherwise I guess people will be meeting at 6:00.
See you there.
The Week Ahead 28 November 2011
28/11/2011 by Dick.
It’s Thornwell Loop on Tuesday. We put this session on most months as it’s considered good, hard, effective training, and a valuable guide to what shape you’re in.
We’re spoilt for choice Thursday. The ‘Club 10’ (St Arvans/Devauden/Itton) is perhaps for the stronger runners.
We’re putting on a shorter run for our new slower runners group, henceforth to be known as the ‘Strivers’ (Cotswold Way Relay runners will recognise the name). Every Thursday will feature a Strivers alternative run of about 5-6 miles.
Then there’s the now perennial Thursday speed session on the Severn Bridge. It will usually be 10 X 400 metres with 200 metres jog recovery. Meet at the big layby (no parking restrictions in the evening) by Larkfield roundabout at 7.05 to jog down the Link Road to the Bridge. Or go straight to the ‘gate’ at the start of the bridge on the ‘upside’ – the side we do the 5k on.
And the fourth choice is rather special. Many Harriers will know Mark Fry of Fairwater Runners – he’s the ‘stocky’, well-nourished one who often introduces the LCL race. Mark is moving to Scotland and there will be a farewell run (3k on the track) and celebration party at Cwmbran Stadium on Thursday at 6.45. All LCL clubs are invited, and we’re hoping for a sizable contingent from Chepstow.
Please enter your name in Comments below ASAP as Fairwater would like to know how many to cater for. I think we’ll need to leave from the LC at 6.
Friday will be another fun evening as Sue and Gerry are putting on a Club Quiz in the LC at 7pm. Come along and make up a team. There will be a few questions on a hill/mountain theme, but only because at a quiet moment during the evening, the winners of the Fell series will be receiving their award. Don’t let this put you off!
And finally on Sunday is the third Gwent League at Singleton Park, Swansea. This is an interesting course with lots of variety, and any Harrier would enjoy it. Women’s race at 1.40, men’s at 2.50. I wonder if 11.30 would be a good time to meet.
The Week Ahead 7 November 2011
07/11/2011 by Dick.
Our new Link Road ‘downhill’ session has become so popular that we’re repeating it this Tuesday. It’s a mixture of long runs (1,600 metres) and short ones (400 m) with the only ‘uphill’ bits being the 800m recovery jogs. A great opportunity to improve your leg cadence and basic speed.
On Thursday it’s the Shirenewton run that can be as much as 10 miles if you do the full circuit down to Crick and through Mathern. Or as short as six if you do the out-and-back.
Get round as quick as you can and get down to ‘Spoons for Curry Night!
And finally … the 2nd Gwent League cross country on Claverton Down by Bath University. Nothing like as hilly as Pontypool Park: more a fast course to test your improvement after Tuesday’s quick leg work. Come along and help us get more points.
Sunday Bike Rides
03/11/2011 by Dick.
Our cycling friend Paul James is organising some more rides:
Sunday 6 Nov
Alongside the “advanced style” group ride that meets at 8.30 at St Lawrence roundabout, I’m also proposing (if there’s enough interest) to run an “intermediate” style ride also departing at 8.30 from the same location. This will be around 30 - 35 miles in length run at a similar pace to the ride we did to Usk a few weeks ago (remember that beautiful sunny morning?). Looking at a route around Pilning and Thornbury, hopefully with a coffee stop. May be one or two climbs but the major part of the route is flat, aiming to be back in Chepstow 12 - 12.30
Sunday 13 Nov
Two group rides “advanced” and “intermediate”, both leaving at 8.30 from St Lawrence roundabout. Full details to follow.
Taster Rides
Hoping to run one more taster ride before the year end, probably in early December and hopefully with some kind of festive theme. Full details to follow.
Calling All Brains
25/10/2011 by Dick.
Our Leisure Centre has invited the Harriers to enter a team in a quiz they are organising for all the clubs and societies that use the Centre.
So if you think you know a few things – one of the rounds has a Christmas theme – and you’re free on the evening of Saturday 12 November, give Dick your name now. Adding a comment below is a good way of doing that.
While we’re on the subject, don’t forget the Club quiz on Friday 2 December, which will incorporate the Fell Race series prize-giving during the half-time break. Further details will follow a little nearer the date.
