Sent: 31 March 2011 00:35
Subject: V S Update - things to do this weekend; Roundhay parkrun;
backward running; results/reports from East Hull, Heptonstall, Dentdale,
Thirsk, Exeter; FRA navigation course
Things to do this weekend
Run the
Enter the Leeds Half Marathon (entries close some time
next week) – see www.leeds.gov.uk/runleeds
Order your lasagne (for next Tuesday) by Sunday 10pm –
order meat or veggie lasagne and optional apple pie to [email protected]
Tell your friends that we still have vacancies for our
Run in Leeds Group (we had 12 this week but can accept 30) see www.valleystriders.org.uk/ril.htm
Fill and return your census form.
Roundhay Parkrun
Message
from Simon Buckden, race director of the new Roundhay parkrunparkrun
We are delighted to announce the first Roundhay parkrun.
This will take place on Saturday 23 April 2011 at 9 am.
We are also looking to work with clubs so that they could benefit from
potential new members.
Details are on the Roundhay parkrun page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Roundhay-parkrun/127584317310477
If you know of anybody that would like to volunteer, if they could send an
email to [email protected]
as parkrun exists because of volunteers.
Bob says,
note also that there is a practice run on Wed 13 April at 6:30pm
Backward Running
The 2nd
There will be backward championship men’s, women's and over 40's races
available, plus a sponsored charity backward fun run for those not quite so
fit. More details, a beginners guide, a video of last years
event and how to book a place can be found at www.reverserunning.com
Peco Race 5 pictures from Amanda Seims
https://picasaweb.google.com/a
19 2:10:20
28 2:14:13 Clive
Bandy
50 2:19:33 Eric
Green
90 2:29:46 Simon Redshaw
134 2:38:26 Paul
Gill
159 2:44:42
Heptonstall Fell Race (report from Steve Webb)
Heptonstall
was a superbly organised event and attracted just over 200 starters, of whom
193 survived in some shape or form. £5 entry fee included tea before the
start (take note Trollers Trot), start administered by the local vicar
including an extract from the Gospel according to
Good
turnout of 11 Striders and a great performance from Tony Mills. Another
very good run from Simon V and Eirik got a fine finish position by virtue
of sprinting down all the hills. I think Malcolm was first V70
and thereby set the V70 record. I really struggled with stiff
hamstrings and no energy and was beaten comprehensively on the day by the
course.
Overall a
worthy addition to the championship. Next up, something completely
different - the Bunny Runs.
Fell
Championship points positions now on the website
Pictures
https://picasaweb.google.com/buddy.dve/HeptonstallFellRace2011#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jellybabyfairy/sets/72157626307720054/with/5543379694/
Dentdale run –
Saturday 12th March – 1pm (report from John Wallace)
An unusual
start time, presumably to allow people time to get to the tiny
The race
is 14.2 miles, the length being dictated by where there are bridges to cross
the river that flows through the dale. It’s a pretty simple route but very
picturesque. West out of the village, south of the river, for 3.5 mile, cross a
bridge, then east for 7 mile north of the river (passing Dent village on the
way) to another bridge, which we cross and return the final 3.5 mile south of
the river again. It’s not flat, although not desperately hilly either.
It’s also not dry due to the proximity of the river which in many places
creates large pools of water across the road – although not as bad as 3 years
ago when the western part of the run was cancelled due to flooding and we did 2
laps of the eastern part, which in no way could have been called dry – best bit
was a 40yd stretch of ankle deep flooded road, which we had to do twice!
But this
year it was much better, cool, little wind and even a hint of sun at times –
perfect running weather. Its well organized, with changing room provided in the
school (the chairs are a bit low which caused a few problems getting back up
after the race) and a tea provided for all finishers. Results are out very
quickly rivaling even the Striders! In short, an excellent event and highly
recommended. If there’s one fault it’s the last 150 yds over cobbles to the
finish, which was a great cramp inducer.
Nonetheless
I managed 1.40.38 which was a pb by 10 minutes (I said it was good conditions)
and I was pretty pleased.
Thirsk 10
Report
from John Wallace
The 2010
Thirsk 10 took place yesterday (27 March 2011) in conditions a far cry from
those that had caused the postponement from its original date. Conditions were
perfect for running fast times of a good flat course, whose only difficult
point is a sharp u-turn between miles 7 and 8. Those who forswore the joys of a
3 Peaks reccy were well rewarded as Striders returned a raft of PB’s, although
PB himself (running as Tim Towler) couldn’t manage one, and the travelling
support (Ken & Kathy K, Sharon, Jeremy and of course Joyce and Peter) had
plenty to cheer on.
Big
congrats to Rob DeGiovanni, 6th home in 54.42, a PB by 2 minutes.
Other PB’s
for Paul Kaiser, Roy Huggins (running as John Batchelor – John’ll be pleased
with his new PB), myself and Tom Button (in a fight for the line) and Gary
(Wo)mann. There are probably others so apologies to those I’ve missed.
I guess we
should enjoy it whilst we can because I can’t believe conditions will be so
perfect when the race returns to its usual date at the start of December.
Report
from Tom Button
Last
year's Thirsk 10 was postponed at the last minute because of snow and ice and
was rearranged for 27th March. Unlike last November the weather was
perfect for running: cool, dry and still. The start was also better
organised this year with the officials waiting until everyone had arrived
before setting the race off.
The
conditions seemed to suit the healthy turnout of Striders. We were
represented twice in the top 10 with Rob De'Giovanni in 6th (54:01) and Andy
May in 10th (56:05). Rob and Andy were followed by Paul Kaiser who finished in
58:30. Behind these were some other very respectable times and going by the
conversation afterwards there were quite a few PBs (including the second one in
two days for John Wallace). Thanks should go to all the Striders who
turned out to support - it's always good to see a friendly face or hear an
encouraging "voice". Thanks also to
Pos
Forename Surname ChipTime
6 Rob DEGIOVANNI 00:54:42
10
Andy
MAY 00:56:05
35
Paul KAISER 00:58:30
82
123
Drew
140
James TARRAN 01:05:14
150
Ian ROSSER 01:05:32
151
Eric GREEN 01:06:03
159
John WALLACE 01:06:07
160
Tom BUTTON 01:06:13
169
213
Liz
WOOD 01:08:53
237
Patrick BARRETT 01:09:40
277
Paul WHITE 01:11:53
298
Paul SANDERSON 01:12:45
346
Susan
432
Ruth
521
Carole TOWLER 01:24:16
Note
from Paul Kaiser
Striders
were 5th team in the Northern championships and 2nd team in the
The Grizzly (report
from Holly)
Tom and I
ran the Grizzly (Axmoor, near
The race
is 20 miles long, the route changes every year and this one was 'the hardest
one yet' (it's official, it says so on the website, and everything on the
internet is true)
1700
runners, set off by the town crier and (nearly all) reciting "God Save The
Queen",
We went
over a pebble beach, through the town centre and then followed signs for
'Beer', unfortunately it turned out to be the name of a town!
Through
the sea,
Through a
camp site,
Sea views
on the left and luscious green fields on the right
On trails,
taking in a pine forest, open fields, a pooey farm...and 4 knee deep bogs - one
with a guide rope to pull yourself out if you got stuck
Back
though pebble beaches x2
Up the
side of a sheer drop, about 100 foot high
All
punctuated by 2 bag pipers, karaoke, some fiddlers, numerous quotes for mental
uplift (e.g. "To see the furthest, look inside yourself"!!!) and
enough marshals to make Bob proud.
1st man:
2.38
1st Lady:
2.49
Tom
Button: 3.47, 141st senior male out of 413
last
runner: 6.16
And then
we drove all the way home!!!!!!
We'll be
there next year and we highly recommend it.
Holly
& Tom
FRA Navigation Course
(from Sarah Smith)
I thought I would share with you a great
tip. If your map reading skills need a little brushing up, or you would
like to know how to use a map and compass (confession: I always carry them but
didn't know how to use them properly) sign up for one of the FRA navigation
courses.
I have just returned to
That evening, we had an introduction to navigation, then Saturday morning at 7
am a brisk run up a hill and back for breakfast; then some work in our group (1
instructor to 3 students) - we went out on the fell and were shown
navigation techniques in the field and each encouraged to navigate the group to
specified features. In the afternoon we did an exercise where we all had
to navigate our way to checkpoints individually and in the evening, after tea
and some theory/instruction we did a similar exercise but in the dark - in
pairs. With Sportident dibbers (I think).
Sunday morning, another 7 am run (not for me though, I know I am bad) then
after an outline of the role of the FRA we all embarked on a 10k solo challenge
with dibbers again and this time it
was misty and visibility on higher ground was poor which meant we
could test our new found skills. The instructors took time and care if
they could see anyone (e.g. me) struggling with a technique. I cannot
thank my instructor and all the instructors who gave their time and knowledge
enough. Some of the techniques come naturally to me (e.g. setting your
map) but others I could never work out from a book or when a friend tried
to show me for example taking a bearing. But now, thanks to the work and
effort of these dudes I think I can do that now! It is going to be
important to keep practising for me, otherwise I will forget.
So, what a great weekend. I was so impressed with these people who have
given their weekend up to teach us these skills - the instructors and the
admin support were equally encouraging and it was a pleasure to spend my
weekend with such genuine and good people. I recommend that you look out
for the next one and put your name down, I understand they are always fully
booked, and fast.
I cycled home via Otley where I stopped off for tea and cake at Deb's
house. I am unable to walk now but its good to combine a weekend in the
Dales learning how to navigate with a long Sunday bike ride (good training for
Wetherby to Filey) .... Sorry I missed Heptonstall but hope to see you on
another run soon. Hope you all had a good time in Heptonstall and had
some cake too!