Sent: 28 April 2011 16:10
Subject: V S Update - Calendar, Leeds Half, Parkruns,
Calendar
Sat 30 April
– Three Peaks race, 14 Striders running, go to Horton-in-Ribblesdale to see the
race, or “watch” on the internet (race information updated as each runner
reaches each checkpoint) http://www.threepeaksrace.org.uk/
Mon 2 May – Rothwell 10k, 8 Striders entered but also taking entries on the
day, see www.ukresults.net for details.
Tue 3 May - Pie and peas – book to [email protected]
by 10pm Sun 1 May stating meat or veg pie, peas or beans, apple pie?
Sat 7 May – Striders beginners group will be running
Sat 7 May – Open day at Lineham Farm, bluebell walks in the woodland, meet the
animals, art & craft activities, yummy refreshments. Valley Striders
has raised over £28,000 for Lineham Farm over the last 12 years – please visit
and you’ll know it’s worthwhile!
Sun 8 May – Leeds Half Marathon – more information below
Tue 10 May – Track session, also Jack Bloor Fell race (grand prix and
fell champ)
Tue 17 May – Club Handicap 10k, meet by Res 7:00 prompt
Sun 22 May – Peco presentations at Leos – see last week’s V S Update
Tue 24 May – Meanwood recce run, we’ll meet at 7pm and run the whole of the
Meanwood Trail route in groups
Thu 26 May –
Sat 28 May – Meanwood Valley Trail Race - we have 25 marshals so far (check www.valleystriders.org.uk/vsmarshals.htm
) - and need 40 more, please email me if you can help
Mon 30 May – Ilkley Trail Race
Sun 12 Jun – Bradford Millennium Way Relay – 5 by 10 miles in pairs, nowhere
near
Sun 19 Jun – Jane Tomlinson Run For All
Tue 28 Jun–
Sun 2 Oct – Harewood Trail Races organised by Valley Striders – marshals will
be needed!
Sun 2 Oct – Bradford Half marathon (please come and help at Harewood Trail
Races instead)
Leeds Half
We’ve “booked” 9 marshalling spots from Sheepscar,
through Meanwood to the traffic lights one-third of the way up
Thanks to Andy Settle, Dan Fisher, Dave Middlemas,
Gillian Felton,
There are 13 marshals so 4 points will be manned (or
womanned) by a pair of marshals, 5 points by solo marshals. If anyone
else is able to volunteer they can be paired up with one of the solo marshals.
More information for marshals, spectators and
post-race arrangements for runners in next week’s V S Update.
Parkruns
Last week, Striders were evenly spread between Hyde
Park race 183 and
10 Roy HUGGINS 18:04
11 Joel GIDDINGS 18:08
16 Ian ROSSER
19:08
20 James TARRAN 19:23
93 Chris SAWYER 23:41
177 Dave JONES 29:35
14 Graham JONES 20:45
16 Mike HIGGINS 20:57
28 Paul SANDERSON 21:34
111 Anne MCCAFFREY 31:52
129 Meryll CRIPPS 35:49
The guys at Roundhay said that it was much tougher
than
From
Richard Balshaw
I did
2:52:19 at VLM. Also spoke to Jerry at the start who did a race the day
before!
From
Kevin McMullan
Just to
let you know that I ran the London today in a pristine white valley striders
vest and received lots of shouts of encouragement and managed to finish quicker
than last year in 2.57.26. Saw Jerry at the end and asked how he felt and
he revealed he had run 2.17 when young. Crikey.
From
Eric Green
Just to
let you know I completed
From
Sarah Smith
The
When you finally get to start, setting off is quite daunting, you just try
to stay calm, focus, relax and then settle into a rhythm. I
liked the slow pace of pen number 5, I spent the first hour or
so listening out for any niggles and tried to make minor adjustments to
biomechanics to compensate for any. You just keep moving, checking your
pace every mile, making sure you don't fall over and when that's all working
well, actually enjoy it. Each mile took a fairly predictable ten
minutes, the math was easy - if I kept this up for 26 miles and pushed my foot
down towards the end, I might beat Peter's PB for the London Marathon and
he would treat me to a coffee and cake. That was never going to
happen though. I could dream. I did follow the thin blue line most
of the way in honour of the athletes who preceded me along the route, and in
fairness to save energy and hopefully a few seconds off my time.
Meanwhile, there were the water, Lucozade and Lucozade gel stations to
interrupt any thoughts of victory over Peter. They seemed to loom into
view as soon as the road became clear of empty bottles; this is not a
criticism, this seemingly almost constant supply of food and drink was
really welcome. Something else happened which almost caused memory loss
especially when it came to the all important need to beat Peter's PB.
Thousands of people applauding, smiling, cheering, shouting and by the end
screaming all the way round... ... literally willing all the
runners on, literally picking up those who fell. People in
Hallowe'en costumes (or maybe they were just goths) outside a pub, jazz bands,
horns, mobile discos, DJs on balconies, Darth Vader guarding a traffic
island, blokes sat on settees on the pavement drinking beer cheering us on, bag
pipes, drummers pounding under bridges... even a Valley Strider cheering
a Valley Strider on!
The handful of images I have retained are a drop in the ocean of what I saw as
I ran the 26.2 miles. The last 5 or 6 miles I cannot describe without my
lip wobbling. I am pretty sure that there was a very loud wall of
noise for a long time which was just constant and unwavering and I don't think
I have ever been anywhere like it. I have to confess a lot of it is a bit
of a blur. I was so proud to be taking part in such an amazing
event and so proud when I finished. I beat Peter's
time by seconds. He was gracious in defeat and handed me the crown,
by gracious text.
At the end of such a momentous marathon experience it should have come as no
surprise to receive a text from Bob before an hour had passed with his
congratulations and observations on my split times. Well that was more
welcome than an automated text generated by a chip time and deserves thanks,
surely. Thank you Bob!
Two who didn’t make it to the start line were
Matt Allen and Anna Costello.
From
Anna Costello
I just
thought I should let you know why my name is missing from the
Unfortunately
at the end of Jan when I was running well, I developed a niggley injury in my
knee. I continued to train (as we all do), even raced a half marathon in early
Feb when the physio were saying to do no more than 5 miles! By mid Feb, I was
finishing training sessions in tears from the pain so I took the physio advice.
I still had
I did go
down though and saw parts of the day although felt pretty rubbish being stood
at the edge of the road instead of running down the middle of it. I even shed a
tear at one point. Bring on 2012 I say.... I’ve no excuses with a full year to
recover and train.
Well done
to everyone that ran though- some superb times, especially Liz!
Sorry to
have not been wearing my Valley vest with pride this year.
Matt
Allen – I
spoke to Matt and he’d had injuries over the winter, was up to 5 mile runs but
wisely decided that he couldn’t manage 26
Anna &
Matt have both deferred their entries to 2012 (but, of course, will have to pay
again)
2012
Entries
Opened sometime last Tuesday between 00:30 and 07:30
(I didn’t stay up) and had closed by the end of Tuesday evening
These Striders managed to negotiate the online entry
system - Dave Penman, John Batchelor, John Hallas, John Shanks,