TRACK & FIELD SECTION

TRACK & FIELD DATES AND VENUES FOR 2011
• Sat 30th April	Blackpool
• Sat 28th May	Lancaster
• Sat 25th June	Hyndburn
• Sat 23rd July	Blackburn
• Sat 13th August	Preston
• Sat 27th August - Medal Meeting	Wigan

Track & Field 2011

Hi you crazy Wesham gang!

I hope your having a good start to the year with your training/races. Now is the time where I pull my finger out and start pestering you all as with being the clubs Track & Field Captain. The time is almost upon us for the new season to start and I now want names of those who are interested in taking part in what should no doubt, once again, be a fantastic season. If you’re new to the Track & Field and are unsure about it then I’m always available to tell you what you need to know or why not check out the reports from club members who have spoken of their track experiences and thoughts. You can't really go wrong with them.

Anyway, the season begins at the beginning of April but the warm up meetings are in March so now is the time to get your speed up!

The first Mid-Lancs meeting is at Blackpool on Sunday 30^th April so it should be ideal for a lot of people regarding travelling. Please give me your names if you wish to take part in this event. A lot of people have shown interest but now is the time to tell yourself to actually do it. If you can't participate or can spare the afternoon then it would be great if you can help out on the day i.e. time keeping/track judging. This is always very difficult to get these slots filled and, with the helpers, this makes the events go a lot smoother. Not only will you will be helping the club gain extra valuable points for doing so, you get a little packed lunch as well. So please help me by offering to help.

For a list of Warm up Meetings and League Meetings etc, I will be putting on the club website so keep checking or see me on club nights.

Finally, I hope to have dates for the midweek Stretford meetings in the near future - Still awaiting publication.

Cheers

Karl – Track & Field Captain

karl_lee85@hotmail.com

Start of the Summer 2009 - Blackpool Sports Centre Stanley Park,

Things had certainly changed since I last set a spike on a running track some 10 years previously in my hometown of Duckland.

Welcoming and inviting, the shining sun disturbed my line of vision as I approached The Stadium of Champions; ‘Blackpool Sports Centre athletics track. (Any excited Blackpool FC fans who may have been slightly excited that Bloomfield Road could fit the bill as being the ‘Stadium of Champions’ are obviously and sadly mislead).

A blurry figure came into vision on further approach; , approximately 6ft 2” in height with more muscles than Banana man’s lunch box leaned against an exterior wall filing a pair of running spikes………….with his teeth! I thought he must be assisting in propping the wall up while emergency rendering was being undertaken on the other side? Actually this finely toned athlete was due to compete………..

‘Gulp and Blimey’ am I in the right place? Indeed will I survive this?’ Further thoughts of many other disposition crossed my mind as myself and a small party of flimsy running beans trotted, wide berth style of the sparks flying from the spike anvil nicknamed Troy of the Track!

Coming into any athletic arena is a wonderful thing. There is a wealth of different emotions, thoughts, characters, stories and drama developing right in front of your eyes. The variety and wealth of skill, discipline, and desire to achieve at all levels and ages is rich in the air!

Finding your team mates is a skill in itself at any busy venue and a very welcoming sight upon finding them. The capability of your team leader and of course pals in delivering information, directions, and advice is no mean feat and highly commendable. It is the time spent with your team mates, absorbing the atmosphere, thinking of the challenges ahead help you to prepare mentally. Some time a little later, warming up contributes to the physical preparations ahead.

Not only is the atmosphere at track and field level infectious, but you can see mum, dad, the kids with dribbling ice cream, grandparents, teenagers intentionally not aware of such an event taking place, but enjoying their day out, also being absorbed by the unfamiliar events taking place in the ‘Stadium of Light’

I won’t lie but it is nerve wracking lining up at the start of your race. Whether you have competed before or this is your first time it is a nervous time. There maybe 4, 6, 8 or more of you on the start line all with one thing on your mind…..What ice cream shall I eat after this race? That and getting twice around this track as fast as you can! No prisoners, all eyes are on you, and you have to be so mentally and physically strong. Just shot the gun, ok too soon that, breathe, pump arms, breathe pump arms breathe and then you are finished. Great cosmic colours fell into my eyes and my heart was absolutely pounding. Any one wants a response from me just now may just get a clearer answer from planet Martian. Composed and prepared to leave the track you know the feeling, as you pass by your audience, other athletes, and your competitors, ‘That was great’!

I remember being informed by our capable team captain, Karl that the 1500m is ready for take off in half hour. Will you be up for it? Will I? Of course! You just try and stop me! You want to feel it again. That feeling of fast competition, the adrenalin high leading up to the line, during the race and afterward.

Did you know though that you don’t just have to do track events? Normally mixing on a weekend can be quite fun at first but could be detrimental to your health afterward. Mixing up your choice of track and field disciplines is fun all the way. Why not start with a race and finish with a long jump! For myself and some team mates it was finishing with a 3000m race! It is highly addictive you know.

I am very glad that, when I could participate in track and field events, I spent the best part of the day thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere, enjoying the sunshine, (apart from a late afternoon at Witton Park when it rained, albeit briefly, so hard that the 400 metre relay runners wore snorkel and flippers), supporting fellow competitors, eating waffles, laughing, pumping arms, breathing, competing, being absorbed into a distinctively wonderful sport!

Competing on the track after a 10 year absence was unnerving. It was the unknown, but it was by far the best decision made! In terms of achieving those precious seconds and minutes in competition, to be able to achieve your personal competitive ambition, to feel that adrenalin buzz - well look no further. Join team Wesham this Summer at a local track near you!

Written by: Charlie Pass

Submitted: 13^th February 2011

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw