The West Yorkshire Winter League Cross Country - What a result!

 

The festive event at Pudsey on 15th December showed a glimpse of what Idle AC may be able to achieve. It was only our second ever cross country yet we had 24 members on the start line, wearing a variety of fancy dress outfits and silly hats all eager(?) to compete on the extremely muddy course. Ian Fisher (dressed as a Scouser !) provided us with our second win, however his winning margin was slightly shorter as he was closely followed  by new member Steve Bottomley who finished second. In total we had 3 men in the top six with Stefan Macina finishing sixth. In the women’s race Donna Edmondson began to show a flair for cross country running with a highly respectable 5th place. On the day the men’s team finished in 3rd position and in 3rd overall with the women in 5th Position and the vets in 6th. After two events the team results are as follows:

Men

 

 

Vets

 

 

 

 

 

 

LBT

2620

 

Pudsey

929

Pudsey

2572

 

Dewsbury

929

Skipton

2401

 

LBT

915

Idle AC

2353

 

Skipton

881

Dewsbury

2329

 

Stainland

781

Stainland

2110

 

Baildon

765

St.Bede's

1912

 

Idle A C

725

Baildon

1876

 

St.Bede's

Nil

Women

 

 

Overall

 

Dewsbury

587

 

LBT

3171

Pudsey

551

 

Pudsey

3123

LBT

551

 

Skipton

2949

Skipton

548

 

Dewsbury

2916

Idle A C

491

 

Idle A C

2844

Stainland

479

 

Stainland

2589

Baildon

462

 

Baildon

2338

St.Bede's

  63

 

St.Bede's

1975

 

All individual results are available at the club or via our website.  After the third event (Stainland) the individual positions (so far) will be given for the Dave Turpin and Paul Dowson memorial trophies. These two very special trophies are presented to individuals each year - these are for the most improved male and female runner who has completed all 5 events. The most improved male runner receives the Dave Turpin Memorial Trophy and the most improved female runner receives the Paul Dowson Memorial Trophy. Through these trophies we remember two well known league competitors who both died suddenly, indeed within days of each other, during the 1999 -2000 season.

 

The third League race is on Sunday 19th January 03 at with an earlier 10.30am start. T he Venue is Greetland Community Centre, Rochdale Road, Greetland. To get there drive to Halifax via Odsal top and Shelf.  Through Halifax follow Huddersfield signs. A couple of miles beyond Halifax on the Huddersfield Road, turn down to the right at a mini roundabout following “Stainland”.  After a mile or so turn right up Rochdale road at the Traffic Lights where “Andy Thornton’s Architectural Antiques is, for Greetland. Alternatively follow Chris from the cricket club at 9 o’clock. The leisure centre is a mile up the road on the right. The facilities at the leisure centre are moderate, with limited showers but with a comfortable bar and usually a selection of hot food after the race. 

 

Second Open Morning -  Sunday 12th January 03 at 10 am.

The Club will host its second ‘Open Morning’ on Sunday 12th January at Hepworth & Idle cricket club. As with the successful November event this will involve Chris offering a coached speed session to all club members, and to anyone else who wants to attend. Its therefore an ideal opportunity for members to invite any potential new members along. This event will have a ‘Marathon Theme’ and refreshments will once again be available. Chris has promised not to give another lecture about running failures or to even mention jelly babies.

The Vets Bill

 

It’s at this time of the season that people review what they have achieved over the last year, look forward and plan for the next twelve months. From a zero start at the end of March until the end of 2002, Idle AC has continued to grow in both stature and numbers.

About 50% of our members belong to the Vets category. From these ranks our Vets have covered races from 5k to Marathon, road to cross country, with great personal success. These achievements are recorded on our web site in the club records and results pages.

Well done to you all, I would like to wish everyone continued success in 2003.

Last month saw one of the strengths of our club, in the numbers running at a slightly damp Abbey Dash 10k in Leeds and at an even damper cross-country league race at Pudsey.

After 2 races completed in the league we are now lying in seventh place of  the Vets section but have a realistic chance of improving one or two places, if we can keep the numbers up for the remaining races.

As a boost to our position, at Pudsey I tried to introduce a “ringer” disguised as a Vet. This was in the shape of Ian Fisher complete with wig and moustache.

Unfortunately his moustache kept falling off  before the start and people kept recognising him. I think next year I’ll include a tube of superglue in my kit bag and try again. I’m sure Ian won’t mind wearing a large black moustache for a couple of weeks over Christmas until the glue wears off.

January 26th sees the start of the Yorkshire Vets Grand Prix series in Leeds, as mentioned previously this is a great series. If anybody requires more information, venues or times etc. let me know.

And finally, my tip for 2003.

To improve your performance or just better your running use Masons Dog Oil.

It was originally used for massaging racing dogs, hence the name. Many athletes, including long distance runners, tri-athletes, cyclists, find Dog Oil helps them warm up muscles before taking part in races, ease their muscles and joints afterwards and aid physiotherapy on damaged muscles, tendons and joints.

I’ve tried it for a number of years now and other than a few unscheduled stops at lamp posts or trees it seems to work ok. If anybody wants to try some first before you buy I’ve got some in my kit bag next to the superglue - Steve Little 

 

New members: 37 members in the first 10 months.

The membership of the club ended on 37 (including 4  second claim members) as 2002 drew to a close. We welcome Steve Bottomley who joined as a second claim member (first claim Pudsey and Bramley), and who came 2nd at the Pudsey cross country.

 

Christmas Meal  

 

This was a wonderful night out with a good food, brilliant company, two quizzes from your hard working administrator, a finely crafted poem written and performed by the secretary, and a raffle organised by Kay which took over the whole place and made good money for the club. Congratulations to Peter Vickers who was drawn for Idle AC’s club entry for the London Marathon on 13th April. We wish him and the other members taking part every success.

 

The Christmas meal brought further celebrations as Alison and Paul Garlick announced that they are expecting their first baby next Summer. Obviously this will be a future Idle AC runner! We offer them our best wishes.

 

In fact the Christmas do was such a good night that Chris has booked the Symposium for our 2003 do. Please make a note in your diaries for Friday 12th December 03.

 

 

 

 

The First Annual Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap Race.

 

The first ever Idle AC Sewage Works Surprise 4 mile Handicap race was run on 22nd December 02.  The results were as follows:

                                   

 

Handicap Time                       Actual time

1.     David Lewis                     26.39                           23.09

2.     Joe Marjoram                     27.15                           24.15

3.     Steve Little                         27.23                           22.53

4.     Peter Vickers                     28.02                           26.32

5.     Donna Edmondson           28.09                           26.09

6.     Adrian Trevelyan                28.13                           24.43

7.     Tony Blythe                        28.47                           25.47

8.     Joanne Belcher                   31.01                           31.01

9.     Davina Smith                      31.31                           30.31

10. Kay Gambles                     31.38                           30.38

 

Well done to Joe Marjoram and Steve Little who picked up 2nd and third place prizes. However the winner of the 2002 IDLE AC Sewage Works Surprise Handicap race was David Lewis - Congratulations. The picture on the cover  shows David ‘wearing’ his trophy which will be engraved with his name and the year. 

NB: Well done to Stan (the dog) who completed the course in 26.08.                                                                          

Coming Events January, February and March 03:

 

Events in bold indicate a ‘club’ event which members are encouraged to run.

Date                     Event

12th Jan 03                  Open Morning -10am Hepworth & Idle CC.

19th Jan 03                  3rd Cross Country at Stainland, 10.30 am start.

26th Jan 03                   Brass Monkey Half Marathon, York, 10 am start. This event is now full.

2nd Feb 03                   Roundhay Romp 10k and 5k - Idle AC members needed to help the RNLI with this event (marshalling etc.). Please give your names to Chris if you’d like to help.

9th Feb 03                    4th Cross Country at St. Bede’s (Esholt), 11 am start. Please all support this event.

16th Feb 03                  Liversedge Half Marathon, 12.00 noon start. Entry forms at the club.

23rd Feb 03                 Final Cross Country at Skipton, 11am start.  Let’s pull out all the stops for the final event.

                                   

The WYWL Presentation Night will be on Friday 14th March at Skipton. All members and partners are invited to what we guarantee will be an excellent night out including all the League Team and individual Presentations (hosted by Chris), a bar, disco, buffet, raffle and just generally all having a good time.  A name list will be placed at the club for all those who want to attend (price to be confirmed) so we can arrange transport.

8th March 03               Dent 14.3, 1pm, Saturday race.

16th March 03              Spen 20, 10am If you can do this you can run a marathon!

22nd March 03            Coniston 14 (Saturday), 11am.

23rd March 03              Ackworth Half marathon, 10.30 am.

Club Kit - The fleeces have arrived.

 

The Idle AC fleeces (£23) have arrived and we have received complimentary comments from other League clubs.  We also have a further supply of Idle AC T-shirts at £6.50 or long sleeved T Shirts at £7.50 each.

 

Attendance Scheme/Handicap Scheme starts Jan 03.

 

Remember that members now have two chances to win individual trophies in 2003. One is for the person who gains the most “attendance points” in the year, another trophy will be awarded to the winner of the club races, which will be handicapped.

 

To be eligible for the club’s Annual “Handicap Championships” members must accumulate 30 points during the year.  Each attendance at a training session is worth 1 point.  Participating in a “Club” designated race will earn you 5 points (see below).  50% of the required points must be achieved by attendance at training sessions.

 

The handicaps will be determined by calculations based on completed speed sessions & current performance in races.  These calculations can be made available for scrutiny if required - Martin.

 

Top Fifteen Club Races for 2003: Handicap/Attendance Scheme (6 out of 15 possible races to count):

 

February - Sun 16th                Liversedge Half Marathon, 12.00 noon.

March -    Sat 22nd                 Coniston 14, 11am.

April  -    Sun 6th                     Wakefield 10k  10am.

April* -  Sun 6th                         Baildon Boundary Way Half, 10.30am.

April* -  Sat 12th                        Meanwood Valley Trail 8, 10.30am.

April* - Sun 20th                    Guiseley Gallop 10k, 10.30am.

 

NB: the above 3* races are part of Triple Challenge - 5 points for any individual race but extra 2 points if all three are completed. Therefor a total of 17 points available from the Triple Challenge Series.

 

April- Tues 1st                       Bunny Run1, 3mile ‘Fell’ race, 7.00 pm. 

May - Sun 11                        Leeds Half or Full Marathon, 10am.

May - Wed 14th                    John Carr 5k, Esholt, first race.

June - Sun 22nd                     Blackpool Half or Full Marathon, 9am.

Aug -   Sat 9th                      Arncliffe Gala Road  and/or Fell race.

Aug - Sat 23rd                      Burnsall Classic 10 mile road race.

Sept- Sun (DNK)                  Horsforth 10k. 

Nov-  Sun (DNK)                Guy Fawkes 10mile.    

Dec- Sun (DNK)                 Abbey Dash 10k.

In addition to the above members will each receive 2 points for each of the remaining three WYWL cross country races: 19th Jan, 9th Feb and 23rd Feb.

Reminder -Help Needed - Roundhay Romp 10k on 2nd February 2003.

 

Peter Vickers has been approached by the RNLI who are organising this event in Leeds to try and get help with marshalling, handing out leaflets etc. Idle AC have offered our assistance and we’d be grateful if members give their names to Chris if they who want to help on the day. This will, of course, be particularly good experience for members, especially as we hope to organise our own event in the future.

 

Races in December 02: Chevin Chase and Jolly Holly Jog.

 

Despite the extremely muddy conditions (worse than Pudsey and Dewsbury) 8 Idle AC members ran the Chevin Chase on Boxing day which had a field of over 850 runners: Chris Smith, Richard Raistrick, David Lewis, Tony Blythe, Dave Currie, Davina Smith, Joanne Belcher and Sue Elliott. In addition there were second claim members Ian Fisher and Stefan and Claire Macina.

 

Jolly Holly Jog:

 

Slightly better conditions prevailed on the 29th December for the Jolly Holly Jog multi terrain 10k course at Ripon.

 

Idle AC had three runners: Chris 41.31 (36th), Peter Helliwell 47.38 (113th) and Davina 51.41 (162nd). There were 284 runners in this event. 

 

 

First Idle AC member to run in overseas race:

Well done to Martin who was the first member to race overseas when he ran the the Sylvester Laufen 10k in Essen, Germany on 29th December in a time of 49.56.   

Fell Racing in 2003:

 

Chris is currently looking at recommending a ‘course’ of fell races of gradually increasing difficulty during 2003, and perhaps even at giving awards to those who progress on the course, subject to committee approval.

 

As a ‘gentle intro’ to fell running we recommend that everyone takes part in the first of the ‘Bunny Run’ races held on Tuesday 1st April 03, 7.00 am  from the Guide Inn, Harden Moor (£2). This is a 3 mile race with 300’ feet of climbing and is easily accessible to all Idle AC members, being similar to or less difficult than the Winter League races. All runners receive a cream egg, and in addition a special bottle of beer to commemorate the silver wedding anniversary of the organisers, Dave & Elaine Woodhead. Dave still runs to a high standard, and the couple have become famous as race organisers over the years. The race is a ‘c’ short race (see below).

 

If you like the idea of fell running and would like to have a go please speak to Chris. 

All fell races are given a grade indicating length and difficulty. Difficulty is indicated by:

A, no less than 250 feet climb per mile, not more than 20% on roads, at least 1 mile in length (NASTY);

B, not less than 125 feet climb per mile, not more than 30% on roads (FAIRLY NASTY);

C, not less than 100 feet of climb per mile, not more than 40% on roads and contain genuine fell terrain (NOT VERY NASTY) .

 

Length is indicated by: L, 12 miles or more; M, 6 miles and over but less than 12 miles; S, under 6 miles.

 


Note: A list of local fell races in 2003 is available at the club or on the website.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE - FRA SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

With effect from 1st January 2003 Rule 9 in the FRA Safety requirements has  changed.

" 9 - EQUIPMENT
Competitors should arrive at races prepared to carry any or all of the following equipment :-

Windproof whole body cover.

Other body cover appropriate for the weather conditions.

Map and compass suitable for navigating the course.

Whistle.

Emergency food (long races).

These requirements constitute 'best practice' and are mandatory at all Category A Long and Medium races.

In the event of settled fine weather, confirmed by a local weather report, the organiser may decide to waive some of the above requirements at Category A Short races.

Organisers must ensure that whatever requirements they specify on the day are met by holding complete or random checks before the start of the race and at the end of the race."

So, the Race Organiser no longer has the discretion to waive any of the equipment requirements above in long and medium races. Very short events like the Bunny Runs won’t really be affected, but for anything longer or more arduous bring your bum bag with all the kit, to be on the safe side.

 

Review of 2002 - What a start for Idle AC!

 

2002 saw Idle AC go from strength to strength, from inception in March. There are the obvious major things that we achieved such as forming and affiliating the club, finding a great base, establishing a brilliant website and producing the best club kit ever!!. Here’s a few ‘statistics’ that members may not be aware of (or may not care about) but I’ll tell you anyway - Davina.

 

Idle AC competed in a total of 44 races with 161 individual outings. This doesn’t include the two cross county events in which 23 and 24 members ran.   This included 5 k’s, 10k’s, 10 milers,  half marathon’s, marathons, fell races, trail races all a variety of other distances.

 

Idle AC had 25 ‘articles’ in the Telegraph & Argus Newspaper and two in ‘Athletics Weekly’ magazine.  All these are within the Idle AC scrap book which is available to all members if you fancy a browse. The highly acclaimed website has had nearly 3000 hits since March!.

 

 

What 2003 has to offer:

We hope to offer a great deal in 2003. We will continue to build up the club in terms of the numbers, the ethos, and in the support and enthusiasm that we can all provide to one another. We will continue to offer weekly coached seasons on Tuesdays offering hill and speed work. In addition we will be organising a trip early in the new year to Greenhead Track at Keighley.

 

Martin will be launching the Attendance and Handicap Scheme and Steve will be offering the vets the delights of the West Yorks Vets League plus other events.  We will have our fist Annual General Meeting in April.  

 

We will be running in the West Yorks Winter League Canal Relay - more details later but the date is likely to be Saturday 8th June (subject to confirmation. In addition we will try and enter a team in the Bradford Millennium Way Relay hosted by St.Bede’s. There will also be Open Mornings, Club Handicap races, local races,  and ‘away’ weekend events such as Blackpool.  Chris is also looking at the possibility of a Training Weekend in the Northern Lake District in Spring

 

In addition to running events there will be ‘social’ events such as the WYWL Presentation evening on 14th March, a ’First Year Anniversary Bash’ (probably at  Chris and Davina’s). Hopefully at some point during 2003 Hepworth and Idle pavilion will be opened and we can all join the cricket club  in their celebrations.

 

We will also be accepting invites to run with other local clubs such as Pudsey Pacers, Skipton AC, and  possibly Ilkley Harriers. Finally, we will, of course be competing in the West Yorkshire Winter League and hope to host an event in 2003.   This is just a tiny number of things that Idle A C will be offering in 2003.  If you want something done - nail a committee member.  Here they are in reverse age order: Davina Smith, Martin Burnside, Chris Smith, Steve Little, Kay Gambles. Kay (“what committee meeting”) is getting a bit forgetful but she tries her best…

 

A Word From the Coach…

The coaching message is simple at this time of year - get the miles in. It doesn’t have to be horrible, as one hardy group demonstrated on the bright and frosty morning of 6th Jan. with a huge 2 and a half hour effort.  Long runs should be done at an easy conversational pace, the idea being to train the body to burn fat as fuel from the outset, rather than immediately begin depleting glycogen stores. (If you’re breathing hard you’re  consuming glycogen quickly). So too the cardio vascular system is trained to operate efficiently, and the foundations are gradually laid for faster work and races later in the year. This long steady run then will have more training effect in this area than two shorter runs making up the same distance.  I have previously warned against long runs being undertaken too frequently, but each has his or her own tolerance level to fatigue, and as training mileage gradually increases at this time of year, so this is the time for those long runs.

 

And so on our run we clattered through frozen puddles up Sconce Lane, waded through powdery snow and looked at the view on Ilkley Moor, Steve giving us a quick history lesson on the Romans in Yorkshire, and Donna regaling us with the tale of when she was chased across a field by a randy donkey at Woodhall.

 

It can be miserable at this time of year running a long way in the dark, so if you get a fine weekend day, collar some more people from the club and get out. You can conquer snow and ice with off road shoes.  In fact a good tip in icy snow is to run in mucky shoes - it cleans them beautifully!  If you’re new to long runs don’t forget vaseline - use it to stop chafing in groin and thighs, men’s nipples and women’s lumpy bra straps.  A bit on the face too can protect against the icy blast.  Go for full body cover with hat and gloves - remember 30% of heat loss is from the head - so at least you won’t start to suffer so quickly if you have to stop.

As soon as you get going, you have taken possession of the winter!

                                                -Chris.

 

Website:         Visit us at www.idleac.co.uk