THE VIEW THROUGH MY OLD EYES

 

When you finally get this newsletter we will have successfully negotiated Christmas and the New Year races and celebrations which, I hope, you all enjoyed as best you could. That is providing the dreaded flu bug did not strike you down as it did both Kath and myself.  Fortunately the planning of the Rudolf Race had mostly been done when I was knocked out for a count of 10 on the 16th and for the next two days up to the 19th I was unable to do even the most basic things and, when Kath was also very ill on the 18th, I really thought the race was in trouble. That’s when experience and friends count and I can honestly say that, although both Kath and myself were drained, come 5pm on the Sunday we knew that the day had been a success for Wesham and Lancs Fire AC and so we have gone ahead and booked the 20th December 2009 with the promise I will have booked a flu jab a month before that date.

 

Congratulations also go to Derek and Cecilia Goodenough for another brilliant club Dinner Dance and Awards Evening on the 29th November which followed what was an exceptionally successful Wesham 10K This was thanks to a huge number of Wesham members and there friends and families who got stuck in long before the day as well as on the day itself.  I am not going to name anyone as it would be unfair to miss a single name out but fair to say that in some way or another more than 70% of the membership was involved in ensuring the day was successful and yes, the 28th November 2009 is already in the diaries that matter.

 

Congratulations to all those of you who won trophies in all the different challenges and competitions. Your performances over the year are ones I hope you will long remember and be proud of whenever you look at your memento wherever it may be - in the home or at work.

 

Looking ahead now, the 2009 challenges are already in full swing. At one point I thought we had lost the club Competitive Mileage, along with the individual mileage challenge, as Richard Davies was unable to carry on due to home and work commitments.  However, at the last minute, up popped Alex Rowe who agreed to take it on and so now you know who to tell if you race in some obscure venue that Alex is unlikely to find in the normal places on the internet and he can also then give you a mention in the reports he sends to the press every week.

 

Another change to the previous process is in finding the most improved each year. It used to be that to qualify you had to do a 10K selected by myself or one following this race before March in the qualifying year and also compete in at least six 10K’s that year.  This is no longer the case. This year I took your Wesham 10K time and. if it was better than your best recorded time in 2007/8, then that is your base time this year.  If it was not better than your best time last year then your base time is the one recorded last year.  Those of you who didn’t do the Wesham 10k your base time this year will be taken from the first 10K you do, that I am aware of, and again the same applies as above. If it’s not better than your best recorded time last year then I will use the better time. That just leaves those of you who may not have had a time recorded last year on my chart so your base time is the first one I find you in this year.  OK its still not foolproof but the flexibility is left with me at the end of the day and if someone improves by an unusually large time difference in a short period of time then I will not accept the first time, but that isn’t  going to happen is it?

 

Don’t forget, as if you ever could, the Road Race Series organised by Dave Young whose list of races are to be found elsewhere in this magazine, as also is the Age Related Series organised by Kath Hoyer.  Both these series have started and updates are always promulgated within the magazines as they progress throughout the year.

 

One series that as also started is the Fell Running Championship. Unfortunately circumstances are prevailing against Lee Barlow at present with the late production of the FRA Handbook commonly known as the Fell Runners Bible

but with a bit of luck he may get it before publication so watch this space.

 

The next race in the Wesham Organiser’s Calendar is of course the Ultrafit St Annes 10 on the 15th March and, as usual, I need marshals and helpers on the day. It is not Mothers Day so please, if you are available, then could you let me know as soon as possible.

 

Other dates for the diary are the 28th March which is Coniston 14 and Peter and Kirsty have again sorted out some accommodation at the Waterhead Hotel. So if you are interested please contact them.  The Interclub Series starts this year on the 8th April at the B.W&FAC venue starting at 7pm and the Wesham race is on the 20th July when we will as usual need a great deal of help from the members so put this date down in the diary whether you are running or helping.  The Round the Park Relays are on the 31st July and details will be available later in the year. Finally, for those who like to look ahead, this years Vets 10 miler is renamed the “Granny’s Bay” 10mile Road Race and is on the 16th August.

 

That’s most of the club news I can remember for now but there are lots of news and up to date info elsewhere in this publication and, as always, we have to thank Brenda, and her erstwhile secretary/photographer, Peter, for all there hard graft in producing this superb magazine. Again it is the perpetual plea that you as members get your brains into gear and send something for the next magazine. You’ve read it so surely there is something in your exciting or mundane life that we would all enjoy to read so “JUST DO IT” and send it off to our Brenda.

 

So who is missing in action at this present time? Well one person who I hope you will give a thought to is Anne Docherty who is at present recovering from a major operation. I know you will all wish her a speedy recovery. Another of the walking wounded is Mike Walsh whose back is giving him some grief but hopefully we will see him around again soon. The same goes for Helen Jolly who as had a wretched time this year with injuries but at least she is now back doing some coaching starting in this new year.

 

There is always some that I miss out naming but it goes without saying that we always miss you and we always love it when you come back so chin up and let’s make 2009 the year of recovery and keep everyone clear of those dreaded injuries and illnesses.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!

Dave Waywell, Chairman

Submitted: 1st January 2009

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor