MY FIRST YEAR AS CAPTAIN

 

It’s all new to me this Running Captaincy.  The first year was a bit of a learning curve so hopefully this year I will get it right just a little more than last.

 

The highlight for me was how well we turned out in the Interclub Series and battled all the way.  We were short of a few of our star performers at the front end on the odd occasion; however, we rallied the troops in the mid-division and packed well together to win a few of the races – especially in Preston’s own back yard.  We just missed out on winning the overall men’s series but we made a fight of it all the way with Preston.

 

The turnout of club members week in, week out, never seem to surprise me.  We travel all of the North West to race on every type of terrain.  Wesham usually have the greatest number of club runners in each race which must encourage new people to our club and spread the good name of Wesham.

 

One department which I did not do so well in was the Northern 12 and 6 Stage Road Relay Championships. We narrowly missed out on going to the Nationals in Birmingham when we just came up short to qualify and we did not manage to get a team out for the SDC stage – all which were held in Sunderland.  Hopefully I can alter this for the new season and lead by example by being there myself which, unfortunately, I was not as I was on holiday last year getting a sun tan and a hangover!

 

To keep hunger and enthusiasm going in running you have to have goals – whether it be times to achieve or races to do which are new.  By trying something different we can also keep up your interest such as trail/fell races which gives you all new experiences.

 

The goal I have set for myself this year as Captain is to qualify for the 12-stage Nationals again.  The hardest part of this is getting our best team to take part in the Northerns which are being held in Sunderland. However, if we can get our Cross Country team there, through the hard work of Dave Young and the Girl Captains, Julie and Yvonne, I am sure that all our members will support the Road Relays as well.  It would be great to have two teams there with the A-team going for qualification and the B-team for members going for the experience of running with the best in the country plus a great day out as well.

 

Many thanks

Lee Barlow

Submitted: 11th March 2007