RACE REPORTS
From the
Spring Edition of the WRR Magazine
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Article |
Date of Race |
Author/Submitted |
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Sunday, 25th November 2007 |
Written by: Dave Preston Vet 55 Submitted: 11th February 2008 |
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Written by:
George Kennedy Submitted: 2nd
January 2008 |
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Written
by: George Kennedy Submitted:
12th January 2008 |
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Sunday, 20th January 2008 |
Written By: George Kennedy Submitted: 28th January 2008 |
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Sunday, 27th January 2008 |
Written by: Richard Davies Submitted: 29th January 2008 |
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Sunday, 27th
January 2008 |
Written by: Martin Bates Submitted: 28th January 2008 |
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Sunday, 3rd February 2008 |
Written by: Chris Moss Submitted: 12th
February 2008 |
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Sunday, 3rd February 2008 |
Written by: George Kennedy Submitted: 4th February 2008 |
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Pennine Bridleway Relay
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Sunday, 3rd February 2008 |
Written by: Martin Bates Submitted: 3rd
February 2008 |
Pennine Bridleway Relay
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Sunday, 3rd February 2008 |
Written by: by Steve Myerscough Submitted: 3rd February 2008 |
Pennine Bridleway Relay
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Sunday, 3rd February 2008 |
Written by: Derek Buckley Emailed on: 18th February 2008 |
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Written
by: George Kennedy Submitted: 9th February 2008 |
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Kendal Winter League 2008 – Helm
Hill, Oxenholme (6/11)
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Saturday, 9th February 2008 |
Written by: Martin Bates Submitted on: 10th February 2008 |
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Written
by: George Kennedy Submitted:
17th February 2008 |
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Sunday, 17th February 2008 |
Written by: David Wood Submitted: 20th February 2008 |
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Sunday, 17th February 2008 |
Written by: Steve Myerscough Submitted on: 25th February 2008 |
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Written by: Mike Walsh February 2008 |
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Written by:
George Kennedy Submitted: 10th March 2008 |
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CHARITY EVENT ASCENSION ISLAND Sunday, 25th
November 2007 |
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Wednesday 21st
November 2007
After a 20 hour
journey I finally flew into
Thursday, 22nd November 2007
We were told/shown
that the race would a 2½ loop/lap out of the capital and down the west side of
the island. I was pleased about that
because it was flat with a couple of undulations, rising to about 200ft. These were at 6 mile, 11 mile and same again
every second lap. The temperature for the race day and every day is 26oC
to 32oC with unpredicted downpours now and again.
Friday, 23rd November 2007
One more bit of a run
today at a very, very gentle pace. I was
out at about 10am and thought about race day and running in these
conditions. I must admit I felt really
good and thought that if the conditions were like this on race day, I would be OK. Later on in the day I visited the athletics
track to watch some of the Esso
Athletes compete against the RAF, Army and American Military – a very, very high standard of elite athletes. (Reminded me of certain
runners at Wesham!)
Saturday, 24th November 2007
Not much done today
apart from more fluids and relaxing. Mid afternoon I did a bit of sight seeing,
whale watching and those green back turtles that all these conservationists go
on about. I returned to our cottage for
a “Pasta Party”. (No, I did not cook it!) Then it was an early night.
Race Day – Sunday, 25th November 2007
I had to get up early
because the bus was collecting us at 6.00am.
So, after my usual coffee and toast, it was off to the track for a
7.00am start to the race. After the
usual warm up, (as if you need it in temperatures 26oC to 28oC),
and a warning about the fact that there could be some low level flying aircraft
that were from an American Aircraft
Carrier. (I never
saw any but did hear them!) It was time
to start the race at 7.00am – BANG!!
We were off – all 57 runners. I got my usual silly start - off with the
front runners and, but the time I reached my first split 43 minutes, my tongue was
dragging on the gravel surface. I tried
to compose myself by saying: “Don’t panic – settle in the race.”
I suppose it was the
thought of being near the back of the race that I did settle in and start to
think of my split times. The conditions
were very good for the race – a slight breeze and sunny. (Just like Freckleton ½ Marathon but a bit cooler). Anyway, I
started to pass one or two runners and thought of my 10 mile split time – 1
hour 10 mins. I felt good but started my return to the start as this was my
first lap. I could see in the distance there was a slight undulation at 11 mile
but again no problem and kept on plodding away, passing more runners, some of
which had dropped out or were walking.
The race surface varied from tarmac in the town and villages to a firm,
sandy-type gravel which gave a very good grip. By now I was approaching my
second lap near the athletics track and started to feel a bit s*** but then I
started thinking about you lot, running in the Wesham 10k Race the day before,
what the weather was like and how many PB’s and so on.
The next split time is at 20 mile and again, with the breeze behind me,
I started to make good time and surprised myself with a time of 2 hours 17
mins. Six miles to go and I started to
think about a sub 3 hour race. (Then I wake up and smell the coffee!) At this stage of the race I just want to
finish.
On a final note I
would like to thank everybody at Wesham Road Runners for letting me train with them
on Monday nights and for giving me help and advice. Now let’s see if I can crack
this 3 hour marathon time but first I need a rest! Once again - a big THANK YOU.
Written by: Dave Preston Vet 55
Submitted: 11th February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
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I have
not spat out my dummy |
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No I have not spat out my
dummy so why have I not been writing? Easy - the writing was always about
running but, when you’re either injured or running crap, it’s very hard to
enthuse running merits. I always TRY to think about what I am writing so even saying
your racing’s crap can have some thinking your being big headed because your
crap would be a gourmet meal for them.
It has been a long road
back, pardon the pun, but it has been tough. I don’t live in the past, I don’t
expect to run the times I ran at my best, but I have do have goals. My best
times coincided training with better runners but if you can’t keep up with them
in training what do you do?
Injuries, you never know
how bad they affect your life style until you get them. The injuries, as bad as
they, are only come second to the depressions they bring.
I have now been running for
a few months but, up until recently, it has been a struggle. If I could put my
hand on the reason it would be ideal but it is probably a combination of things
that affects me. My job has never helped as I work nights and the lack of sleep
accumulates leaving me feeling very tired most of the time. The injuries make
you wary when you finally start training again.
You feel and notice every twinge. Non runners think I am thin as I weigh
13½ stone. This weight rises rapidly when I stop running, then, when I start
training, the extra weight slows me down - the vicious circle!
Somewhere in the middle of
all this depression little cracks of light appear; those lights can be
anything. With me they are always other people. Strangely they are usually of
the female persuasion. I don’t why.
The hill
races at
I had
someone keener that me to share this new experience, Sarah. Whatever the opposite of “in your face” is that would describe Sarah. She had me on my back foot over
my now infamous ‘chunky legs’ comment. She played me like a kipper with her
deadly combination of brains and looks. She kicked my arse big style going up Jeffrey
Hill as I followed those legs
until they were too far to be seen.
I loved the Horwich week though I really struggled
‘off road’ but it was all about challenging me - nothing else. I really enjoyed
it all even the so called XC which, if we had another boring lap, half the field would have lapped
me.
I drove up to Windermere to support those brave souls who
ran the
One of the big helps was Helen
Jolly’s speed sessions on a Wednesday night. Organised, friendly
training sessions are a great way of improving your fitness. At these another
couple of glints of light appeared Tanya and Emma. Tanya was wary of me as my reputation had preceded me and
Mud sticks and I sometimes
feel like the guy they dug up on that peat bog. Somehow Tanya has seen the person beneath the
mud and we now plan to head off to
A big surprise was having
my name drawn from the hat for the London Marathon place. I was totally shocked as
I never win anything so, at 22 miles, I will remember those who also wanted
that cherished place and that will keep me going.
I now wait to see if Caroline and Tanya get their club places for the
Written by: George Kennedy
Submitted: 2nd January 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
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The Friday night screw
that could have cost dear |
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2007 will go down as a very bad year
running wise and not just because of the constant injuries. Two people whose
company I enjoyed stopped competing and one was through ill health. Roy
Pickles always seemed to be around
races - if he was not running himself he would be watching.
When I am injured I don’t really want any contact
with other runners it just makes me feel worse.
I miss Jo because she is one of those unique people who make
you feel good just being around them. She has that energy that radiates a
lovely ‘feel good’ factor though, like her racing, potentially she is not aware
of it. Now, as I restart trying to get fitter and quicker I will think of Jo and Roy and be glad that through running
I got to know them both.
On TV, the start of this year has been
dominated by ads for sofa’s and beds. Now the various diets and work out DVD’s have started. The running
equivalent must be the “
The idea of giving a plan is riddled with potential problems
for people like me who don’t want to spend the next 3 months training for one
race and missing the ten in between.
Written by: George
Kennedy
Submitted: 12th
January 2008
Edited by Brenda Earnshaw WRR Editor
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“any sign of another gear?” HELSBY HALF Sunday, 20th January 2008 |
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I seem to be getting the miles in
but there is something missing and that is any sign of another gear. I have had
one big hiccup and that was the Helsby Half where everything was fine until 7 miles. Half Marathons don’t faze me - they are, and
should, be well within everyone’s capabilities. Helsby was down for my qualifying time
for this year New York Marathon. All I had to do was run under 1:40:00 and, since I love the course and
ran 1:20:00 some 4
years ago, I was going into this one a bit too cocky. I always had a time in
mind that I am aiming for at Helsby as 1:29:00.
I was the taxi for the day with
passengers Michaela, Tanya and Lee. We set off well early, leaving nothing to chance,
and found a spot on the main car park. This race was also the start of Caroline’s preparation for
The girls and I did a short warm
up, then a trot to the start. We managed to get as near to the front as we
should be. The first couple of miles are slightly uphill and a bit of a drag
then your into the country within the narrow lanes. I slowed for the first
water station at around six and drank a full cup. Things started going wrong at
seven! First of all I got a little
irritating stitch which I slowed down for. Then at nine a disaster! I needed a sit down loo. There may have been
plenty of hedges but I did not think I would find any toilet paper in the
grass. I knew we passed no pubs. If we had I would have run straight in. I was
in agony and, when you need to go, the running motion does not help. The next
four miles where slow, slow, quick, quick slow. The Big Apple was now the last thing on my
mind. As I slowed I kept looking back to see if
I went to race the
Written By: George
Kennedy
Submitted: 28th
January 2008
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor
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‘That’s Lyth’ LDWA Challenge Event Sunday, 27th
January 2008 |
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When Sunday morning dawned, it
didn’t seem such a good idea, an 0800hrs start at Kendal meant an 0500hrs
alarm! The scout hut in Kendal was buzzing with a
real mix of people, both runners and walkers; a few familiar faces but the
majority unknown. It never ceases to amaze me that these, and hundreds of other
events, have gone on all over the country for years and I have never seen or
heard of them. The kettle was on and there was a constant supply of tea for the
competitors - a theme which continued all day. A lot of the walkers even
carried their own mugs with them. We
checked in and received a laminated label that we hung round our necks on
string and presented for stamping at each checkpoint (CP).
The start was low key.
We all gathered in the road. An old chap, who founded the race, said a few
words and that was it - off we went through the streets of Kendal, climbing out of the
town at a steady pace, (well Stewart and I were). Everyone was
provided with a very detailed route guide, which is invaluable unless you know
the route. The detail in the guide is marvelous:
“ Ahead and 200 yards after
second gateway fork left steeply uphill then right on track to edge of golf
course. Follow waymarks through two gap
stiles (wall on right) to ladder-stile and footbridge over by-pass.”
The route carried on
mostly over fields and along tracks and footpaths with some road before
climbing to the top of Whitbarrow where the wind was serious and keeping your balance was sometimes a
challenge. The route description kept us
on track:
“Ahead with wall on left to
follow good path to Whitbarrow summit memorial cairn. Continue west down cairned path, then left
along edge of scar to wooden stile in wall (GR 440865). Descend steeply through woods bear left
behind goalposts, cross stile, then right across fields to Witherslack Hall.”
CP3 at 18 miles was in someone’s garage! Another warm welcome and plenty of cakes and
drinks. I managed parkin this time with a couple of cups of orange to wash it
down.
“Leave CP by garden path to
lane and take stile almost opposite, joining cart track to road.”
This was the home leg.
As we climbed up towards Scout
Scar, the limestone was getting a bit painful under my
feet and I
After several cups of
tea I declined the soup and bread but did manage a couple of bowls of rice
pudding with peaches – wonderful!
What a great morning
out: 23 miles, 3200 feet of ascent and all the food you can eat for a £6 entry
fee!
I don’t think they
publish results for these events but there was a hand written note on the table
at the end with the times for the first ten people home. The first of which had
completed it in just over 2hrs 50 mins – I bet he didn’t stop for many cakes at
the checkpoints.
Written by: Richard Davies
Submitted: 29th January 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
Kendal Winter League 2008
Sunday, 27th January 2008
Birkrigg
Common, Ulverston
(4th race in a series of 11 races)
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(Looking
towards |
PB potential: N/A
Atmosphere: 8 – Good crowds
as usual
Organisation: 10 – Magnificent. The entire course
was flagged! A different organiser organises each race – “organised
by runners for runners”. Results published Wednesday.
Value: 10 – Seniors £2.50, Juniors £1.
Beginner Friendly: 10 – Every standard is catered for. There’s
Under 12s, U14s, U17s and Seniors and the next race doesn’t start until the
last runner is in. Normal trainers would have sufficed today.
Do it again: An emphatic yes! It’s a 130 mile round
trip, but I loved it despite going over near the finish! I love the Lakes and
especially running and the fells. Never want to come home!
On Saturday, I picked up a
I should have had my
son Levon Saturday night, but I was going to see Van
Morrison, so I dropped him off at his grandparents and
picked him up 9:30 Sunday
morning. We were both going to run, (Levon was going to christen
his brand new £40 Walsh’s). I told him to just enjoy it. I didn’t want to put any pressure on him!
On the way up, we
stopped for the obligatory oil top up and Levon bought some coke and choc chips, (his
breakfast!). Levon promptly fell asleep for the remainder of the journey. Saw Gary Pendlebury and Trevor Rayner on a training run – both looking none the worse for their great runs
yesterday at Leeds Northern
Cross Country. (Wesham were the 1st
Birkrigg Common has a history of prehistoric
occupation evidenced by a mysterious
We had to enter the
race at a Ford Galaxy – juniors’ drivers’ side and seniors - passenger side. I got rid of all
the shrapnel Michaela left me with last night. The organiser never checked it,
just took my word for it - it was the right money!
We played football for
the next 45 minutes! Levon in goals and other passing by runners offering advice and saying how
much better Levon was than Scot Carson.
A dog cocked his leg
to pee on our makeshift goalposts. I shot……missed…..and hit the owner in the
back!!! Just to the right of our “pitch”, there were two seagull wings, but all that was left of the rest of it
was a few feathers! Presume a fox had caught it unawares.
At the last winter
league fixture I was cursing because the seniors didn’t set off till maybe 1:20
and we were hanging round for 35 minutes in the freezing cold, but once I set
off, I loved it!
For this fixture, you
could park on the green and the area was a hive of activity – children playing
with kites, a couple of lads tossing a rugby ball about and Levon and I re-enacting Blackpool 3 – Burnley 0
Levon’s race kicked off at 12 and there were thirty
six kids. It was Levon’s Fell
Race debut and he was wearing his brand new Walsh’s. I said I’d run with him. I couldn’t keep up
with him at first……till we got to the hill and I managed to catch him! He
walked a bit and ran a bit and was huffing and puffing and getting redder and
redder. I could see the ‘trig point’ and it
I thought he had done
really well and we had another kick around whilst the U14s and U17s were running. Another
boy joined in and I left them both for a quick warm-up.
There were perhaps
eighty in my race and we had to walk between to officials to check we were all
there. I set off and slowly started picking runners off. We hit the ‘trig
point’ and carried on down the other side towards the dreaded tarmac. I was
still managing to overtake a few and then we started climbing back up towards
the trig point again. Although I hadn’t done the race before, I had guessed
there wasn’t long to go. I managed to hold my position and went “hell
for leather” down an easy grassy slope towards the
finish. A marshal to my right was stopping the traffic and out of the corner of
my eye I saw a small group of Kendal girls (U17s?), when all of a sudden one of them seemed to drop a small ball and
instead of leaving it, she turned round right into my path to get the ball. I
was desperately trying to catch the guy in front and I couldn’t avoid her. I
went flying and over into the tarmac. (I’m still getting over a broken finger
and I have a soft bone in my right forearm I have already broken twice!). She
shouted “sorry”. I didn’t reply. I was seething – how could she have been so stupid,
especially as she must have just run down the same slope herself? I was grazed,
but I picked myself up. The guy in front was now uncatchable. I ran the last 50
metres into the finish. It’s only five weeks since I broke my finger. I wasn’t
sure if I was bleeding – Levon’s newfound friend confirmed I had just grazes. I finished in 22:59.
I thought I needed a
pint, so we headed off for The
Old Farmhouse - real ales - (Old Rosie scrumpy, Black Sheep and Adams), and a real fire! The pub dog, (a chocolate
We had a couple of
games of pool and asked for the bill – it was at this point Levon spotted a Preston North End plaque and then I spotted a road sign “
I had planned on going
to the South Lakes Zoo, but it was now getting on for 3:30 and it shut at 4:30, so I insulted
the landlord and set off back home.
Pictures of junior race: http://www.helmhillharriers.co.uk/gallery/Album31.htm
Written by: Martin Bates
Submitted: 28th January 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
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TORREMOLINOS HALF Sunday, 3rd February
2008 |
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So to the race day, having collected our
race numbers the previous evening. Identified on each number were our names
which I thought was a good idea. There
was a fair contingent of road runners from the Wirral staying at our
hotel as well as runners from the Chorley and
Initially there was a steady climb out of
town and it was easy to get carry away with the pace. However, the thought of in
At the 10k point we were still running
along the front and I felt in fine fettle but I knew there was going to be a
sting in the tail, i.e. a hill. This duly arrived some time after this point
and the ascent seemed to go on and on and on.
I guess the ascent lasted in excess of 5 miles and at the top I felt
absolutely knackered and was struggling to continue running. Fortunately it was
a cloudy morning and the temperature was somewhat lower than the previous day at
18 degrees c. I found the race to be really well organised with many marshals
and police motorcyclists in the traffic. There was an abundance of water
stations having sponges, oranges and bottles of water available so there was no
excuse to become dehydrated.
I managed to finish the distance just
over one hour 54 minutes. George
soon followed me in just over 1 hour 56.
Tim managed to finish in at about 1 hr. 39 minutes and Mark
over the 2 hour mark as did Howard.
At the finish we were given a goody bag, a cap and a t-shirt.
I have to say that the whole weekend was
a fantastic experience along and one I can recommend to fellow Wesham Road
Runners next February if you get the chance. The experience was not very expensive, indeed
very reasonable.
Written by: Chris Moss
Submitted: 12th February 2008
Edited by: Chris Young
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ALL
FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ME Sunday,
3rd February 2008 |
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The older I become the more confused I get. The
weekend after my night shifts was free but for whatever reason I had not yet
planned any races. On Wednesday all that changed Alex as texted to enquire if I wanted
to be part of the Bridleway Relay Team. Me
being the being I am asked if we where any more runners short. Alex replied “three”; I then made nine texts and one phone call. Steve
Myerscough
immediately texted back that he was available but he was working that afternoon
so obviously would require an early leg. Jason was interested but he would have
to find out if he could get cover for his job.
I was envious of all the runners on the first leg as
they would be getting it over and done with which, to me, is always the best
leg. Having been involved in countless relays and the Welsh Castles I know the demands of the
participants. There are always people who genuinely need to run early legs
because of commitments. Then there are
those who always have a reason why it is essential as to why they must run
early. When you are organising teams you soon know who they are. Alex had wanted to run two legs but
it was his mother-in-law’s birthday so he had to be back for a meal in the
afternoon.
With my ‘Alex Ferguson’ hat on, my obvious pairing was Alex and Gary - two very similar runners and a
great opening cushion. No it was poor Steve with Alex at the end of their leg! Steve looked as though he had just
done 10 rounds. Then I thought Steve could have run Leg 2 with any one of half a dozen
similar standards? As the pairs set off I gave up on the pairings and just
wanted Leg 5 to get
under way.
We had a bit of a panic at Leg 4; Lee as we knew we had to get to Leg 5
ASAP and it takes longer to
drive to Leg 5 as it
does for the runners from Leg 4 to get there. Alex had given me his bag but Lee also needed one so I gave him Alex’s. The rules state you must carry
a bum bag with a waterproof jacket, trousers a compass and a whistle. I then
needed a bag. Luckily I borrowed one which also had some banana flavoured
condoms within?
Graham was still slogging away and by
now must have hated the sight of me. We finally reached the school - dipped the
dibber and got our timed receipt.
Wesham A Karl and Lee 1:36:32
Wesham B Graham Vickers 1:29:06
I will never repeat the times I ran in the
past. Though Graham did not know it, he probably ran
one of the best races he has ever run that Sunday afternoon.
Written by: George
Kennedy
Submitted: 4th
February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor
Scenery: Not the Lakes and maybe wrong time of the year, but still worth a 7
Atmosphere: I tended to stay in the car for
as long as possible because I was freezing – 8
Organisation: 10 to the host club, Rossendale and 10 to Derek Buckley for organising for the 4th year on the trot. (Nothing to do
with today, but Rossendale has got 18 Level 1 coaches!!!)
Beginner
Friendly: 10 again……just ask Bernie Krawczyk and Sue Fearon who went off course, but still thoroughly enjoyed it. Don’t expect
marshals; it’s not a road race. My Leg (3) was easy to navigate, (just follow the Pennine Bridleway markers), but on some legs you had to consult your map/route
description. Bum bag compulsory with whistle, compass, etc.
Do
it again: Definitely. I’ve done Leg 3 twice with Richard Davies and Jason Barlow. Leg 5 with Richard and Leg 1 with Phil Metcalfe. Great day out topped off with a couple of beers in the Duke of
The race starts from Fearn’s School, Waterfoot, Rossendale. It’s an 8.5-mile leg to Long Causeway.
Alex Rowe and Steve Myerscough got us underway – they both had to leave straight away as Alex was taking his
mother-in-law out and Steve had to work. Alan Glasgow and Ian Sharples were the first runners for the “B” team and Jenny Salt and Tracy Hulme got the mixed
team off.
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Alex and Steve 16th in 65 minutes dead.
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Alan and Ian were hot on their tails with 18th in a magnificent 66:55.
·
Jenny and Tracy were 70th in 92:28.
·
Both our “A” and “B” teams finished in
front of debutants,
Leg 2: Long Causeway to
·
Trevor and Richard slipped to 28th with 1:52:33
·
Mark
Midgley and Russ Mabbett finished 60th with 1:52:08
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Julie
Cruse and Carmel Sullivan finished 44th in 1:59:27
Leg 3:
This was my leg and had the most
amount of climbing with a ‘sting in the tail’
and the toughest of the whole route.
I set off with Jason Barlow, (wearing
normal trainers), and started climbing straight away. There were three teams
following us straight away for added pressure.
A sole Rossendale runner
overtook us, but then dropped off when his partner didn’t follow. About a mile
to go, we were overtaken by Todmorden. I think. Jason could have run faster and shouted encouragement, but we were now on the ‘sting
in the tale’! We seemed to be gaining on them on the downhill, but
ran out of road! Jason thoroughly enjoyed it though.
We finished in a
predicted, (by Jason), 70:19 and only dropped one place to finish 29th. Jason shot off and drove home to
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Sarah
Sherratt and Michaela finished in 80:27 for the mixed team
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John
Rudd and Simon Cole, (on loan from Lytham), finished in 86:54 for 64th
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Derek and Gary P took over and had a storming run gaining
five places to finish 24th in 40:03 - in the results as Barry Norman (injured) and John Collier (cold)
·
Dave and Kath did 49:34 to come in at 45th
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Sue and Bernie came home 71st in 81:19 just behind two Bowland girls who they led
astray!
Leg 5: Whitworth to Waterfoot (11miles/1390 feet)
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Gary Pendlebury and Derek had a short break and ran again for the
mixed team finishing 23rd in 1:16:37 – Gary and Trevor are training for the Rome Marathon
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George kept Graham Vickers going, encouraging him
all the way round in 89:08 picking up four places; a great run by both
guys.
Final Results
1st Borrowdale 4:58:59
32nd Wesham A 6:24:36
39th Wesham Mxd 6:33:00
66th Wesham B 7:41:57
Written by: Martin Bates
Submitted: 3rd February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
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Pennine Bridleway Relay Sunday, 3rd February 2008 |
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The Pennine Bridleway Relays are an annual event hosted by Rossendale Harriers for anyone with nothing better
to do on a cold and windy February
Sunday morning – in other words, for people like you and
me. It is a series of five relay stages starting and finishing in the
Just to handicap me a
bit more, having no trail or fell shoes, I had to rely on my Asics road shoes. They were
far too inadequate for the muddy and rocky terrain encountered. As in cross
country, I don’t like the feeling of my legs pushing forward, only to be
slipping in the mud and getting nowhere. I lost places as soon as we came off
the road after a mile and hit the bridleway and some nasty muddy patches. At
registration, you had to prove you carried waterproofs, a map and
At the start I
arranged for my car to be driven to the stage finish and then I lined up ready.
Alex said he would go at my pace, which was good! But within minutes I was
struggling with my breathing - I knew was going to be hard. Out in front was
super vet Paul Muller, and I knew Alex could be racing him. I held my position for the first mile or so, before
coming off road and hitting the muddy tracks, when I lost a few places. I have
set my GPS to beep every mile, and every mile seemed to come very slowly. Even
after two miles I didn’t feel good, and that was the easy bit, (on the tarmac).
I didn’t even have the wind to use as an excuse, because it was behind me for
four miles, then generally blowing across me as the course veered eastwards in
the second half. When I had to run into the wind, it was horrendous. After the
first mile there was three miles of near continuous climb, a total of just
under 500ft and a tough, slow, muddy slog up
Upon reaching the high
point of the A671, (geographically speaking only!), there was relief at some decent, wind
assisted, downhill, and some good views across to
I have never wanted to
finish a race so much for a long time, and, though we made the finish in 65
minutes, for only 8.6 miles, I could honestly say I could have given no more.
The pace worked out at 7:30 minute mileing, which is my standard training pace
for that sort of distance. It wouldn’t look great in my diary, but mentally I
felt a great sense of achievement. Cross country is not my forte, but I gave it
my best.
Alex kindly praised my efforts, and I thanked
him. I may not have been able to keep up, but I wouldn’t have been as fast on
my own. Just to partner Alex was an honour, and at least I can say that I was running with a European Vet 50 Medallist!!
I didn’t hang around
following the race. It was far too cold for that. Once I got home, I made a
nice cup of tea, cleaned myself up, and then jumped back into bed for a few
more hours. Well, you can’t work too hard, can you?
Written by: by Steve Myerscough
Submitted: 3rd February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
Wesham ‘A’ team finished 32nd out of 76 teams in 6 hours
and 24 minutes. The winning team was Borrowdale in 4 hours 58 minutes, closely
followed by Horwich, just a few minutes behind. Wesham mixed team finished 39th
and the B team finished 66th.
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Penine Bridleway Relay 2008 Sunday, 3rd February 2008 |
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Thanks to all members who turned out for this years event and it was good to see
3
Wesham teams
complete the course with only minor route deviations and that our mixed team
managed to finish 4th
in the category losing out to Preston Harriers by a couple of minutes. Everyone will
have seen the results and figured out where things could have been improved but
generally I think that a good time was had by all those taking part. Still not
sure how Gary
and myself managed to run 2 legs but not appear on the results at all.
Many
of the runners this year were taking part for the first time and I would hope
to see them back at next year’s event which is on the 1st February
2009. I
will be contacting members in October to indicate if they would like to compete in
next years race and hoping to get an early commitment to the event with teams
decided by Christmas, which will only then need changes in case of injury, (so hopefully
not at all.) This year we were still
changing things round on the Friday before the race. If I can arrange this I will
then lead some training runs over parts of the route in January allowing people to
recce their leg in advance.
I
personally think this is a great day out that gives a tough training workout at
a time of year when it’s difficult to get motivated but when many are training
for spring marathons. Hopefully Wesham will be back stronger than ever.
Written by:
Derek Buckley
Emailed on: 18th
February 2008
Edited by: Brenda
J Earnshaw WRR Editor
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“DAYDREAM BELIEVER” |
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To a certain extent we all live in the past,
especially those of us of advancing years. Runners are just as guilty, dreaming
of when they did a certain time for a certain distance. Oh those memories! Mr Cruse always quotes: “You are only good as your last race” but even he is slipping lately,
reminiscing about the past. The last time I ran a
I am not as competitive as I once was. I still want
to win but I know my place in the pecking order has slipped considerably. I
never trained properly for any of the Marathons I have done. When I say ‘properly’ I never put the
long runs in. Once I ran 18 with Peter and Lee and hated it. The people who can run them, Steve and ‘the’ Alex, swear by the long training run.
But that’s my problem; I just don’t want to run 20 miles or more as a training
run. Steve will
drive up to the Bay Horse area past Garstang just off the A6 and run 20 miles but here’s the ‘but’ - he enjoys it.
This time around I am trying to pile in more miles
than usual but it isn’t easy. Like everyone, it has to fit in with my job and
now, after a 12 hour shift, I find it hard to put in runs straight from work.
It is then ‘all or nothing’ between the day and night shifts. After the Bridleway
Relays my thighs were as stiff as
boards. The hills affected the muscles I
obviously never use. I had two days off starting on the Monday so it was a juggling act. I
played Steff at Badminton at 9.30 and gave her a right
thrashing. I mention this because, though she only started playing last year,
lately she has been beating me. I refuse to play squash or tennis with her
because I know she would kill me. If anyone knows of a good local tennis player
please let me know - she needs competition! I had to play early as I was taking my car in
for a service at Audi on the docks at
Mollie, Emilia and Madison Betmead
The pace was slow on the way to the park because of
a strong headwind but on the way back it was noticeably much faster. I started
feeling rough as we approached Cleveleys. I knew I
was dehydrated and Caroline had no water left. The pace slowed at Rossall School - I was done in! We had run
somewhere around 15 miles. All the Marathons, all the halves and I still have not learned about
water intake. I did not want to hinder the proper runners training so I made
her carry on. I crawled for a few hundred yards then broke into a slow trot.
That night Caroline went speed training and, though dead on her feet,
did 5 x 800 metre reps.
On the Message Board I was correctly accused of only
talking about those surrounding me. I replied that I lived in a bubble. By that I mean I don’t troll the results to
talk of runs I have not seen. I talk of what I see and the people I admire. It
may seem like ‘name dropping’ but people like Caroline is not only a close friend but
someone I admire.
I don’t go out and run 20 miles for pleasure. I
don’t get up at 6am for my 2 year old, get my other two kids ready then take
them to school, ask my mother to babysit the 2 year old, run 17 miles then go
straight back to being the mother of three again.
There is a reason why some people are such good
runners and the more you get to know them the more you know why.
Good Luck Caroline
and Steve and to all the others who
are running Marathons in the next few months.
Written by: George
Kennedy
Submitted: 9th
February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor
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Kendal
Winter League 2008 – Helm Hill, Oxenholme (6/11)
Saturday, 9th
February 2008 |
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Scenery:
Gorgeous day - touching 60? Some of the U17’s were running without
tops (the boys). Great views towards Kentmere horseshoe 9/10
Organisation: The whole course way-marked with flags – results
out following Tuesday 10/10
Value: £2.50 for me, £1 for Levon 10/10
Beginner
Friendly: –
All standards catered for. No pressure whatsoever. Some of the children
looked as young as 6 in the U12 race. One really young boy was easily in the
top half of the field. A future Joss Naylor? Some great view points for
spectators. 10/10
Do
it again: I’m planning my holidays round it! I want to do 7 out of the 11 races to
qualify. (Juniors have to do 5). People were shouting, “Well
done Wesham” – we must be growing in stature in fell
running circles?
Brenda asked me if I had any photos to go with my
last KWL report…I didn’t, so its Brenda’s fault I went out and splashed out £100 on a new, (10 million pixel),
digital camera on Friday!
I took a few of the
course and a couple of Levon and his friend, (Helen’s son), Ellis Jolly – maybe ten photos and the batteries ran out! The sun was so strong I
had to point the camera towards the subject and hoped that I had it framed as I
couldn’t see a thing through the viewfinder. Today’s
Helen Jolly drove and we found it easily –
down a very narrow lane. I was aghast to find it littered with beer bottles/coke
bottles/crisp packets etc. Michaela and I collected them all in an
Ellis was getting nervous. Levon seemed unperturbed. I
waited on top of the first hill poised with my new camera. Ellis came past first,
(well up). Levon wasn’t too far behind and seemed to be enjoying (If that’s the right
word!) it more than the Ulverston fixture……or maybe it was just when his Dad came into view!!!???? (I ran the
whole route with him 2 weeks ago at Ulverston). They both seemed to finish
with a flurry and Helen ran down with them shouting encouragement. Levon was pleased he
appeared to finish above the same crowd as his last race. He wore my watch – finished
in 10:17. They had an orange and a drink and then went in search of a flat piece
of ground to play football!
We did a bit more of a
recce and watched the U17’s struggling up a hill which looked quite
moderate/innocuous from above, but when we got on it ourselves, it was a
different kettle of fish!
We set off on our two
lapper – an official was anxious to let us know, they weren’t joking when they
said it was two laps! Michaela set off like a proverbial rocket. Took me a bit to catch her and I found
myself running next to Pistol
Pete. I briefly got in front, but he overtook me again
and disappeared into the distance.
I kept picking off the
odd runner and was pleased I was more than maintaining my position. The only
tricky bit was after you hit the trig point there was a steep zig-zag down a
stony path through some gorse bushes – it reminded me of Hutton Roof when I fell
into a gorse bush! This time I stayed on my feet and managed to hold off Helm Hill’s Paula Radcliffe (Jenn Dunn) – she’s just had a baby, (she didn’t look old enough!!!) – Her first
race for 18 months!!!
I got a minor nose
bleed in the second half for no apparent reason. Michaela thought I’d fallen – for once I
hadn’t!
After the last cruel
climb, you can see the finish and a crowd of helpers and spectators. It’s maybe
only 250 metres. I swear I could hear someone trying to catch me, so I didn’t
hang about. When I got through the finish funnel, I looked round, but there was
nobody anywhere near. I stopped my watch……and it started! Argh!!!!
We dragged Ellis and Levon off their football
pitch and adjourned to the nearby, (quiet), Crooklands Hotel, (the scene of last Thursday’s Wrinkly run!), for a couple of pints of Black Sheep.
Thanks to Helen for driving and
letting herself get talked into a drink – hope Don’s dinner wasn’t late!
U12’s
1st Ben
Johnstone (Wharfedale) 6:40 29th Ellis
Jolly 8:14 43rd Levon
Bates 10:09 |
Seniors
1st Alastair
Dunn (Helm Hill) 32:12 15th & 1st Lady Natalie White (Bingley)
36:25 36th Peter
Cruae (Cruse?!) 41:00 39th Martin
Bates 41:56 62nd Michaela
Dempsey (6th lady) 47:11 72nd Helen
Jolly (12th) 56:46 75 finishers |
Written by: Martin Bates
Submitted on: 10th February 2008
Edited by: Chris Young.
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It’s 2008
it’s not a report -
it’s a blog? |
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Sandwiched between the end of my day shifts and
starting my night shifts I must do lots of miles. Monday, early doors, it’s time for
badminton with Stephania - round 46 and a knockout for the man in the blue corner. Monday afternoon the first run of the
week and it’s with the lovely Louise. It’s the turn to meet at her house and her
decision on the route and mileage. Louise picks the river so it’s a steady run up to Thornton
Lodge then down to the path that
skirts the high tide mark of the River Wyre. The path was very muddy but it was a beautiful
day, ideal for running. Tuesday - round 47.
If you only played backhand and I was a foot shorter I would be a beaten
man but I’m 6.2 with a sweet forehand, the blue corner takes the prize.
I attempted a double lap of Stanley Park on Thursday morning but my legs where still
suffering from Wednesday’s 18. I managed just a lap then back in for a sauna. Friday was our third badminton match of
the week and I managed my hat trick but it is never one sided. Saturday and
it’s the Parbold Hill race at
I picked up Sarah at
Sarah had a brilliant run though she
badly jarred her back going over one of the many obstacles. Though
disappointed, she knocked over 2 minutes of her last year’s time. Chris had a fantastic run considering
it’s only his second race in over a year (the first was last week). Graham,
Nigel and Kath all ran well. The question for Chris and I was: “Why where Kath’s legs not covered in mud
like the rest of us?” Trevor from
I have had a very Girlie week; a week with no male
training; but at the moment everyone has their training routine to fit in.
Written by: George
Kennedy
Submitted: 17th
February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J
Earnshaw WRR Editor
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BUTTERMERE 34K Sunday, 17th
February 2008 |
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In my opinion this
race is the best and most scenic in
There were a record
number of 94 entered and 92 finishers and there was also an excellent record time by the winner, Steve Littler (2:03:13) of Wesham, who has won it on four previous occasions. The previous record had stood since 1982, when it was set
jointly by the legendary Kenny
Stuart and Jon Broxap.
Among the other great runners who have won this race in its 30 year
history are Billy Bland, Hugh
Symons, Dave Spedding, Simon Booth and Stephen Moore, (now at LSARR). Steve Littler is in danger of becoming a
legend.
As well as Steve Littler’s performance there were good performance by all the Fylde based runners
but of particular note
Of course as well as
the race there is the weekend in the loveliest part of
To conclude, it was a
fantastic race, magnificent scenery, smashing company and great craic. Bring on next year and hopefully I will have
put in some descent training.
Written by: David Wood
Submitted: 20th February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
The race, as always, attracted
the usual Wesham following including Peter,
Martin, Julie, Michaela, the legendary Mike
Walsh and the ‘in form’ Steve Littler. There were a few
first timers, which included Alex
Rowe and Carmel Sullivan. I’d recommend this race for
anyone who is training for a marathon or just wants a really good challenge
without the palaver of applying for a marathon. And at a fiver, it’s excellent
value. There are water stations every 5 km, and at the bottom of Newlands Pass, I got a
sports drink, a probable contribution to not “hitting the wall” this time. You even get a DVD of the lakes thrown in.
Driving up, I realised
I never checked the internet to make sure this was the day of the race, so I
was relieved to see runners warming up around the park when I got there. I
turned up to the Longridge 7 miler last December, one Sunday morning at 10:30, and was a bit surprised when I saw no runners, no
cars, no mass of people getting numbers – until getting home and finding the
race was not until the following Sunday! Still, I did run the course, and even
though I felt I ran rally hard, I was still over four minutes slower than in
the race I did the following week, even though I would say I worked hard in
both runs.
Without much of a do,
we set of at 11 o’clock from Keswick town hall, and took the road south towards Borrowdale, a relative
gentle 7 miles past the placid Derwent
Water, through Borrowdale, along the tranquil river Derwent, past the quiet Lakeland village of Rosthwaith, (I ran for miles
thinking was that where that UFO landed – oh no, that was Rothwell!) and onto Seatoller. Just past the village, a dubious sign warns of gradients of up to 25%.
It may well just say, “Now you are going to work your arse of
boy!” or “Time for a bit of pain” or even, “You
should have taken up golf instead”. Passing motorists must think we’re mad, and those
that are preparing for a walk give you a look and smile of “rather
you than me”. It’s 250m of tough climb, but at 1.4miles,
it’s over relatively quickly. It’s no easy ride when you get to the top. The
gradient declines at 25%, making too steep to race down, although it didn’t
affect the three runners that came streaming past me down Honister. If I wanted
to design the perfect course, I’d have a sharp climb like Honister, but it would be
followed by a much shallower gradient so I could cruise downhill.
Performance of the
day, or maybe even the year, goes to Steve Littler, who not only smashed his own
record for the course, but also gained the overall course record set back in 1982 by local runners Ken Stuart and Jon Broxap. He crossed
the line in 2:03 and has now won this race more than anyone else in its 30 year
history.
The next few days
would mean tired legs, but as I move into my final four or five weeks of high
intensity training for
Written by: Steve Myerscough
Submitted on: 25th February 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor
EMAIL FROM MIKE
WALSH
Hi Brenda,
Thank you
for the Buttermere entry form, but entries are only taken on the day, or at
least they have been in the past, however it is nice to have a reminder.
Last year
there were about four water stations whereas there was only one in previous
years, I think it was because even they couldn’t find their places.
I
understand that a hearse is being used this year as a back up vehicle, to cut
out the middle man, as the first time that I "ran" it I was half dead at the finish and George Kennedy brought
me a cup of tea and a cake, otherwise I would have died of starvation.
PS. You can use this in your next newsletter if you find it
suitable
Mike
Walsh
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Good advice |
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Training
most of the time to me seems hard work especially when you time yourself you
always seem too slow. The one thing that racing does give is some sort of
accuracy to how fit you are and not what you assume you are. Working weekends
means I can’t be picky if I’m off and there is a race I do it. The one thing I
did not want now that I’m doing
The
following week I was on Monday to Friday days 6 till 6 so I would not have much time for training
runs. That Sunday was The Trimpell 20 - a race I had never done simply because I never fancied
running 20 miles! This year I had decided to take part at the least it would be
another boxed ticked in races
The
following Tuesday I returned from
Written by: George Kennedy
Submitted: 10th March 2008
Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor