Contents
Coming Events: April, May & June
Swapping Race Entry Numbers – Club Policy
Attendance Scheme/ Club races – 2006 details:
Fell Races: April to end June 06.
The Idle Trail Race – Sunday 16th July 2005
Black Sheep Brewery Race Series 2006.
Washburn Valley Relay – Friday 14th July, 7.15pm
Keswick to Barrow Event: Saturday 6th May 06
Events in bold indicate a ‘club’ event which members are encouraged to run.
|
Date |
Event |
|
Sun 23rd April 06 |
Jo, Laura, Davina, Stephen & Adrian all run in London Marathon. |
|
Sun 30th April 06 |
Rothwell 10k, 10am start. Yorks vets champs event. |
|
Wed 3rd May 2006 |
John Carr 5k, Esholt, 7.30pm. Fast, flat course. 2006 club race. |
|
Wed 3rd May 2006 |
Hare & Hounds Fell Race, Lothersdale. 3.6m/690’. BS. 7.30pm. See fell list for details. |
|
Sat 6th May 2006 |
40 mile Keswick to Barrow event. |
|
Sun 7th May 2006 |
Leeds Half Marathon, 10am. |
|
Sun 7th May 2006 |
Bluebell trail. 10 mile event organised by Stainland Lions. If you enjoyed the x country you’ll love this! |
|
Sun 14th May 2006 |
Ripon 10m. 1st of Black Sheep series. Lovely course. |
|
Sun 14th May 2006 |
Sheffield Half marathon. |
|
Sun 21st May 2006 |
Sandal Castle 10k (Wakefield). 95% off road. Entry forms now available at the club. |
|
Sun 21st May 2006 |
Yorkshire 10k, Ripon. |
|
Sun 28th May 2006 |
Melmerby 10k. Part of Black sheep series. |
|
Sat 3rd June 2006 |
Kirkby Malzeard 10k. Part of Black sheep series. |
|
Sat 3rd June 2006 |
Wharfedale off road marathon & half. |
|
Sun 4th June 2006 |
Roberttown 7. Liversedge. |
|
Wed 7th June 06 |
Chevin Fell Race. Great local event. See fell list below. |
|
Thurs 8th June 2006 |
Apperley Bridge Canter. Approx 10k. Woodhouse Grove School. |
|
Thurs 8th June 06 |
Bronte 5. Hilly 2 lap scenic course. |
|
Wed 14th June 06 |
Otley 10. 7.30pm |
|
Sat 24th June 06 |
Eldwick Gala Fell race. 3 miles. 3pm.Good family day out. |
|
Sun 25th June 06 |
Rainton 10k. Part of Black Sheep Series. |
|
Sun 25th June 06 |
Humber Bridge Half. |
We must reiterate that if you take a number from someone else, you must contact the race organiser to have the details properly changed. There is otherwise potentially a huge health and safety issue, and all personal and public liability insurance cover gained through the race permit will be invalidated. Furthermore, swaps which cross age and gender boundaries can really screw up race results and prize awards. We got found out recently because our own website results service is so good, and a local race organiser noticed the anomaly. We have positive relationships with every club and organiser we deal with, and we are a highly respected club considering how young we are. Since we are so visible and so successful we must be perfect role models for the sport! I can only do so much diplomatic feather smoothing before someone gets disqualified or banned. –Chris.
Top 25 Club Races for 2005: Handicap/ Attendance Scheme - 10 out of 25 possible races to count. Please don’t forget to sign in the book each time you attend a club session (but only pay once per week) as each attendance at a club training session is worth 1 point and to be eligible for a trophy members must accumulate at least 30 attendance points during the year. Each attendance at a “Club” designated race earns you 5 points (see below). 50% of the required points must be achieved by attendance at training sessions.
Davina is the Attendance winner for March.
|
Name |
March |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar |
Mar |
|
|
2 |
7 |
9 |
14 |
16 |
21 |
23 |
28 |
30 |
Races |
Total |
|
Adrian Trevelyan |
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
5 |
8 |
|
Alison Garlick |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
4 |
|
Amnuay Scott |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Amy Wright |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
3 |
|
Andrew Moakler |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
3 |
|
Anna Lincoln |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Chris Smith |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
6 |
|
Chris Stubbs |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
4 |
|
Dave Currie |
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
David Lewis |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
4 |
|
Davina Smith |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
5 |
12 |
|
Gary Naylor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
8 |
|
Hannah Peacock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Hayley Atkinson-Windsor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
8 |
|
Joanne Belcher |
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
5 |
10 |
|
Judith Metcalf |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
Julie Parker |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Kay Gambles |
|
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
Laura Brook |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
Laurence Doddy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
Lisa Hall |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
|
Martin Burnside |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
10 |
|
Peter Hilliard |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
4 |
|
Peter Vickers |
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Phil Routh |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
8 |
|
Richard Lyons |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Richard Raistrick |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Roy Bradshaw |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Simon Bellwood |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
5 |
9 |
|
Simon Blackburn |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Stephen Edwards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
Stephen Wolstenhulme |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
Steve Little |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Tony Blythe |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
Warren Fletcher |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
10 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
23 |
12 |
15 |
9 |
40 |
162 |
The Club races for 2006, where points can be earned, are as follows:
|
Date |
Race Details |
Comments. |
|
February 12th Sun |
Liversedge Half Marathon, 12.00 noon. |
5 Idle vests at the Liversedge Half. Jo was 5th woman, Laura 2nd F45 and Jo, Laura & Lisa got the team prize |
|
March 12th – Sun |
Spen 20mile, 10am. |
8 of us braved the blizzard conditions. M45 club record for Simon Bellwood, Female club record & 3rd in York’s Champs for Jo, F45 club record for Laura and pb’s for Adrian & Stephen. |
|
April- Sun 2nd |
Baildon Boundary Way Half, 10.30am. |
11 of us ran in extreme mud for the BBW. Chris Stubbs was 14th overall. |
|
May – Wed 3rd |
John Carr 5k, Esholt, 7.30pm. Fast, flat course. |
Club race 2006 |
|
May 3rd - Wed |
Hare & Hounds Fell Race, Lothersdale. 3.6m/690’. BS. 7.30pm. |
|
|
May – Sun 7th |
Leeds Half Marathon, 10am. |
Entry forms available at the club. |
|
May -Sun 14th |
Ripon 10m. Part of Black Sheep series. |
|
|
May – Sun 28th |
Melmerby 10k. Part of Black sheep series. |
|
|
June- Sat 3rd |
Kirkby Malzeard 10k. Part of Black sheep series. |
|
|
June 8th – Thurs |
Bronte 5, 7.30pm. Hilly two lap course. |
|
|
June- 8th Thurs |
Apperley Bridge Canter race. 7.30pm. Approx 10k. |
|
|
June TBA –Sun |
Harewood House 10k |
|
|
June – Sat 24th |
Eldwick Gala Fell Race 3pm. 3m/300’ |
|
|
July 1st – Sat |
Burn Valley Half. Part of Black Sheep series. 2pm. |
|
|
July 1st – Sat |
Carr Lane Challenge. 5 mile trail race. |
|
|
July 12th – Wed |
Stirton Fell race. BS, 7.30pm. 5.5 miles/1200’.
|
|
|
Aug 12th – Sat |
Arncliffe 4 mile Road race at 1.30pm and/or 1.8m fell race (443’) AS, 3pm. |
|
|
Aug 28th –Mon |
Spofforth 10k Trail. 1.30pm. |
|
|
Aug TBA- Sat |
Burnsall 10m road race and/or 1.5 m fell race. |
|
|
Sept 10th- Sun |
Robin Hood Full & Half marathons, Nottingham 10.05am |
|
|
Sept 24th - Sun |
Horsforth 10k, 10am. |
|
|
Oct 15th -Sun |
Bridlington Half marathon, 12 Noon. |
|
|
Oct – Sun 29th |
Holmfirth 15mile. 10.30am. |
|
|
Nov TBA– Sun |
Guy Fawkes 10mile 10.30am. |
|
|
Nov TBA Sun |
Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am. |
|
Spen 20
Sun 12th March
18 Simon Bellwood 2.13.50
M45 CR PB
48 Adrian Trevelyan 2.27.48 PB
69 Jo Belcher 2.37.11 F CR 3rd Yorks Champs
70 Stephen Edwards 2.37.14 PB
100 Laura Brook 2.48.56 PB F45 CR 2nd F40
111 Martin Burnside 2.53.15
131 Davina Smith 3.04.01
145 Lisa Hall 3.12.57
South Leeds Stadium 5 19th March
51 Pete Helliwell 33.21
56 Dave Lewis 33.38
58 Donna Edmondson-Booker 33.46 PB F CR 3rd Female
315 Ana Lincoln 50.14
351 Jane Lewis 52.49
There were 397 runners.
Liverpool Half Marathon Sun 19th March
437 Jo Belcher 1.34.06
1342 Laura Brook 1.45.59
Trimpel 20 Morecambe. Sun 26th March 06
198 Laura Brook 2.48.05 PB F45 Club record.
291 Lisa Hall 3.07.38 There were 363 runners.
Ackworth Half marathon 2/4/06
192 Hayley Atkinson-Windsor 1.32.19 pb. Female club record.
301 Lisa Hall 1.56.42
576 Amy Wright 2.03.22
There were 700 runners.
Baildon Boundary Way Off road (extreme mud!) Half marathon – 2/4/06.
14 Chris Stubbs 1.32.53
32 Simon Bellwood 1.38.38
43 Adrian Trevelyan 1.40.46
76 Phill Routh 1.49.14
98 Dave Lewis 1.52.21
128 Jo Belcher 1.57.07
163 Gary Naylor 2.02.46
186 Laura Brook 2.06.58
223 Amnuay Scott 2.12.31
291 Davina Smith 2.26.31
350 Ana Lincoln 3.10.26
There were 354 runners
Meanwood Valley Trail, Approx 7.5 miles. Sat 8th April
70 Richard Lyons 55.16
91 Phil Routh 58.10
124 Jo Belcher 60.40
208 Laura Brook 68.13
251 Amy Wright 72.18
There were 338 runners.
Wakefield 10k. Sun 9th April:
125 Hayley Atkinson-Windsor 40.51 pb. Female CR.
211 Jo Belcher 43.02
632 Wilma Saville 52.40 pb
650 Andy Moakler 53.03 pb
672 Diana Deas 55.18
943 Suzanne Bairstow 60.06 There were 1121 runners.
Guiseley Gallop Trail race 16th April
94 Phil Routh 46.06
100 Hayley Atkinson-Windsor 46.15
116 Richard Lyons 47.00 With hangover from hell!!
Jo Belcher Not on results! but quicker than Warren
171 Warren Fletcher 50.05
275 Laura Brook 55.33
285 Alison Garlick 56.02
511 Claire McConnell 1.14.19 There were 528 runners.
The two extra speed sessions that were held on Saturday 1st April and Saturday 15th April, in the field at Nab Wood Sports Centre were a great success, despite both being tough workouts. We hope to have another couple of extra Saturday sessions during the early summer.
This month we welcome 1 new member: Amy Harrison. Amy has been regularly training with Wednesday group but had to wait until she reached her 18th birthday before joining us.
Please note that many races require that competitors carry waterproof clothing, map and compass for the competitor’s safety. Failure to comply with a race organiser's requirements will mean that you will be barred from taking part in the race. Competitors should arrive at races prepared to carry any or all of the following equipment: Windproof whole body cover, other body cover appropriate to the conditions, map and compass suitable for navigating the course, whistle, emergency food (long races). This equipment is mandatory at all Cat A Long and Medium races.
If this is the first time you have considered fell racing select a race distance well under the distance you normally run on the road.
If you retire during a race you MUST notify the officials at the finish.
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.
SUN APRIL 30th 52nd THREE PEAKS RACE. AL.10am. 24m/4500’ from the Playing fields, Horton in Ribblesdale. £8.Must pre-enter. Visit website for details: www.threepeaksrace.org.uk
MON MAY 1st CRAGG VALE FETE FELL RACE. BS. 12 noon. 4m/720’ from near Cragg Vale Church. New course. Fete including stalls, bouncy castle, food, maypole dancing, duck race etc. Website: www.cvr.co.uk
WED MAY 3rd LOTHERSDALE FELL RACE. BS. 7.30 pm 3.6 miles/690’ from the Hare & Hounds, Lothersdale near Skipton. £3 on night. Website: www.kcac.co.uk
SUN MAY 7th GREAT HAMELDON HILL RACE. BM. 12 noon. 6m/1100’ from Peel Park pb, Turkey St, Accrington. £4must pre-enter. See website: www.clayton-le-moors-harriers.co.uk
TUES MAY 9th JACK BLOOR RACES. BS. 7.15pm. 5.2m/1150’ from Darwin Gardens, Ilkley. £3 on night. Website: www.jackbloor.co.uk
SUN MAY 14th MYTHOLMROYD FELL RACE. BM. 7m/1350’ from Mytholmroyd Community Centre. £3 on day. Website: www.halifaxharriers.co.uk
SAT JUNE 3rd PEN Y GHENT. AS. 3 pm. 5.5 miles/1650’ from Horton in Ribblesdale Playing Fields. £3 on day. Part of Horton Gala Day. £1 parking. Website: www.settleharriers.org
SAT JUNE 3rd WHAREFDALE OFF ROAD MARATHON & HALF MARATHON. CL/BL. See website for full details: www.wharfedalerufc.co.uk
WED JUNE 7th CHEVIN FELL RACE. AS. 7.30 pm. 3.5 miles/900’ from Otley Town Centre. £3 on night.
SAT JUNE 10th THE CARNIVAL. BS. 3PM. 5.8M/1150’ from Calder Holmes Park, Hebden Bridge. £3.50 includes entry into carnival. Prize category for runners entering first fell race. New race. Also Fun run at 2pm. Website: www.todharriers.co.uk
WED JUNE 14th WILL RAMSBOTTOM BADGER STONE RELAY. AS. 7.30pm 2.5m/590’ per leg from opposite old site of Ilkley College. £7.50 per team of 3.
SAT JUNE 17th 25th BUCKEN PIKE FELL RACE. AS. 2.30pm. 4m/900’from Buckden Village Green, Buckden, Nr Skipton. Village gala. Website: www.ogdenwater.freeserve.co.uk
FRI, SAT, SUN JUNE 23rd 24TH, 25TH MIDSUMMER MADNESS THREE DAY EVENT : FRI 23rd WICKEN HILL WHIZZ. AS. 7.30pm. 3m/1000’ from Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Near Hebden Bridge. Course partially marked and local knowledge an advantage. Race 1 of Mid Summer Madness 3 day event. Beer festival over weekend. New route for third race. Website: www.cvfr.co.uk
SAT 24th : RESERVOIR BOGS. BM. 11.30am. 7m/1100’ from Hare & Hounds, Chiserley, Hebden Bridge. £3 on day. Course partially marked and local knowledge an advantage. Navigational skills required. Race 2 of Mid Summer Madness 3 day event.
SAT JUNE 24th: ELDWICK GALA FELL RACE. CS. 3pm.300’ from Eldwick Memorial Hall, Eldwick. £2.50 on day. Website: www.bingleyharriers.org.uk
SUN 25th : TOM TITTIMAN BS. 1pm. 4m/700’ from Hare & Hounds, Chiserley (Wadsworth Old Town), Hebden Bridge. £3 on day. Village gala. Course partially marked and local knowledge an advantage. Race 3 of Mid Summer Madness 3 day event.
SAT JULY 1st SETTLE HILLS RACE. AM. 1.00 pm. 7 miles/1750’ from North Ribblesdale Rugby Club, near the Falcon Manor Hotel. £3.50 on day. Course partially marked and local knowledge an advantage. Website: www.settleharriers.org
SAT JULY 1st OAKWORTH HAUL. BM.3pm. 5m/650’ from Oakworth Gala Field, Oakworth. £3 on day. Website: www.kcac.co.uk
Following our success in hosting the 1st Idle Trail Race we are now organising the second race which we hope will be even bigger and better than last year. We received lots of very positive feedback about the event and this year we have a faster improved course. Entry forms are out now as we have now received our race permit. Once again Crosstrax will be sponsoring the race along with Airedale.
We have formed a committee to oversee the main race organization, although we will be calling on many more club members to assist with jobs on that weekend and in particular on the day so please all try to be available (with family and friends!) to help.
The race committee are: Chris Smith, Davina Smith, Kay Gambles, Martin Burnside, Steve Little, Peter Vickers, Amy Wright and Alison Garlick (results).
Idle AC’s fourth AGM took place on Thursday 6th April and minutes will be circulated to all members and will be available on the website.
Annual subs for 2006/7 are now due and it would be appreciated if all subs could be paid by the beginning of May. Please complete a membership form and give £15 (£7.50 concessions) to Davina ASAP. Many thanks.
In past years Idle AC have been the largest club for all three races and this year we hope to be even stronger for this series of 5k races around Esholt on Wednesday nights on 3rd, 10th and 17th May 06, starting at 7.30pm. Get a ‘league’ position by completing all 3 races. Entry forms are available at the club. The first race is our club race for 2006, get your entries in. Please note that there will be no club training on Wednesday nights on the above three dates.
We have 5 Idle AC vests on the London marathon start line this year. Good luck to: Jo, Laura, Davina, Stephen and Adrian.
The Black
Sheep Brewery Race Series is 6 separate running events organised by towns and
villages in scenic North Yorkshire. The objective is to complete 5 out of 6
races, 3 x 10k's plus the 10 mile and 1/2 marathon. Runners who complete the
required races will be awarded with a personalised plaque including their name,
total time and position.
Category winners will be presented with Age Group Plaques plus prize vouchers.
Prizes
and plaques will be awarded to the first five Male/Female runners overall, plus
the first 3 in the following age groups:- MO/40, MO/45, MO/50, MO/55, MO/60, MO/65, -
FO/35, FO/40, FO/45, FO/50, FO/55, FO/60, FO/65.
THE RACES
Ripon 10 mile: On Sunday May 14th, from Ripon Cricket Club.
Melmerby 10k: On Sunday May 28th, from the village of Melmerby.
Kirkby Malzeard: On Saturday June 3rd, from the village of Kirkby Malzeard.
Rainton 10k: On Sunday June 25th, from the village of Rainton.
Burn Valley Run: On Saturday July 1st, from the market
town of Masham.
Burton Leonard 10k: On Sunday July 23rd, from the village of Burton Leonard.
All races can be entered individually as well as part of the series. Entry forms available at the club. There was a closing date (series) of 18th April 06. For news and results visit their new website: www.blacksheepraceseries.co.uk The Black Sheep series is highly recommended by members of Idle AC. Lots of the events involve fun runs for the children and are generally good days out.
We have been invited to this 4 x 4 mile relay for men’s, women’s or mixed teams, around the Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs above Otley. It’s promoted by Otley AC but the West Yorkshire Winter League have identified it as a summer event between the clubs. Therefore we can have a go for both open and Winter League positions.
It should be an interesting evening out – let us know if you are interested as it would be good to get as many teams of any standard out as possible – it’s only a fiver a team! Otley are organising practice runs, and we have maps showing the legs, which are all on paths around or near the reservoirs.
The Keswick to Barrow Walk is a 40 mile sponsored stroll through some of the country’s finest landscapes. The route starts on the southern side of the Lake District town of Keswick and winds its way through some of the most beautiful scenery to the Victorian town of Barrow in Furness on the coast of the Irish Sea. Some of my work colleagues did it last year & thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it is something that could be done by members of Idle AC as a change from runs like the Blackpool event. It’s a long way I know but you do not have to run it all, after all it’s classed as a “walk”.
It is essentially a “sponsored walk” but there is no minimum amount of sponsorship demanded & there is no entry fee! The idea is that you get a team together of up to 10 people & between you raise some money for a given charity. The size of the team isn’t important nor is the amount of cash raised. There are checkpoints along the way with food & drinks available (at a small cost). Alternatively we can have someone with a “support vehicle” with sandwiches & energy drinks etc if there’s interest & a willing driver amongst us.
As a guide, last year there were 1008 entries with the slowest time being 16hrs 40mins. If you do manage to run it all you will get inside the top 50 with a time of around 6hrs 45mins. The winning male last year did it in a time of 4hrs 42mins & the winning lady’s time was 5hrs 50mins. I believe that Idle AC could attain some very good results & end up with a good team prize to boot.
For further info look at their excellent website at: http://www.keswick2barrow.co.uk/home.asp
There is definite interest in this event from club members. Please write your name on the notice board at the club if you are interested.
I’m lucky in the job I currently do, in that I teach P.E. to children right across the primary age range. The somewhat sedentary or middle aged population of female primary school teachers seem happy to hand over the teaching of P.E. to someone else for their class, though they are at pains to point out that they could do it if they wanted to.
If I want to amuse people when I talk about the job I do, I mention that I teach dance. It’s part of the P.E. curriculum – part of physical activity. Yet it is completely non-competitive. All we do in such lessons is look for good examples of movement, posture and control, and share them with others, who may then learn from them.
The children see dance as separate from traditional sports of course – they are not ready to make the link, like many adults in fact. But I have been able to make it in the course of my training to teach other sports to children. What connection could there be between two people I met on completely separate occasions – a golf professional and a member of the England Under 21 Rounders team? The answer lies in those basic primary dance lessons – in the achievement of movement, posture and control. They have trained their bodies to function effectively in a given environment. They have a real and impressive physical presence in their sport, because their posture and control of movement all have real purpose. They are totally efficient and therefore have a beauty which makes people want to see them perform.
There’s a total and basic misconception of physical activity and sport in general which infects our society and prevents those who might undertake physical activity from ever considering it. The problem is that many people think its principal purpose is getting good enough to beat people. In running we do plenty to make ourselves better – long slow runs to build up endurance, speed and hill work to build up strength and pace, et cetera. We pore over race results and chase club records. We do plenty of moving, but think little of how we move. Yet at its best, running is a beautiful form of movement. Ironically when it is done with an emphasis on posture and control of movement, it is inevitably done better, since energy is not wasted on unproductive movement.
We do try a little with sprint drills, but I think people are uncomfortable with them, and may not understand their purpose. Yet if we could concentrate on those which improve arm position and movement, we could make our running look better, because it would be more efficient. The arms provide balance in opposition to the legs, and forward drive. Therefore the arms should move forwards and backwards as the legs do. Yet so often they are swung round the front of the body. When the arm crosses the imaginary centre line down the middle front of the body, all the energy used in putting it there is wasted, on every single stride, throughout the run.
A drill which I have never tried at the Club is the ‘potato crisp’ drill, familiar to track athletes. The runner imagines holding a crisp between each thumb and forefinger, which must not be dropped or broken. In addition to encouraging a positive forward and back arm action, the drill prevents the runner clenching fists. If the fists are clenched during running, this transmits tension up the arms and into the shoulders. Running posture then is stiffened and efficiency of movement lost, whereas the shoulders should be low and back, and hands open.
I watched four very different runners at the last Nab Wood speed session. Dave reminded me of London Marathon winner Eamonn Martin, whom I empathised with because he worked hard and it looked like it! Dave is a little tense. Davina has a smooth running action, but underuses her arms somewhat – the arm action must become higher and more pronounced at speed. Jo swings her arms out and right across her body, losing power in an action that would be better suited to swimming. Yet she does sometimes listen, and towards the end of the session, when she relaxed a little, the arms came in, and I noticed she even allowed her hands to flop at the wrist. Her last two repetitions were both 5:50 for a short mile – 35 seconds quicker than the first two.
The slowest runner on the field that day was Lisa Hall. Yet when I watched her running towards me I saw the most efficient arm action and the most composed running style. She may not have run quickly, but she ran beautifully. Her efforts to improve will therefore be rewarded more easily than those of the others. Maybe she should take Dave dancing.
- Chris.
Current Men’s Club Records
|
Distance |
Category |
Name |
Time |
|
5 Km |
Open |
Joe Marjoram |
17.08 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
18.30 |
|
|
M45 |
David Lewis |
18:46 |
|
|
M50 |
Trevor Hooley |
21.22 |
|
|
5 Miles |
Open |
Doug Briggs |
29:43 |
|
M40 |
Chris Stubbs |
31.06 |
|
|
M45 |
Richard Lyons |
33.22 |
|
|
M50 |
Trevor Hooley |
38.42 |
|
|
10 Km |
Open |
Douglas Briggs |
36.13 |
|
M40 |
Chris Stubbs |
38.32 |
|
|
M45 |
Dave Lewis |
38:57 |
|
|
10 Miles |
Open |
Joe Marjoram |
1:01:22 |
|
M40 |
Chris Stubbs |
1:05:14 |
|
|
M45 |
Steve Little |
1:08:54 |
|
|
M50 |
Trevor Hooley |
1:20:04 |
|
|
Half Marathon |
Open |
Douglas Briggs |
1:18:58 |
|
M40 |
Chris Smith |
1:24:05 |
|
|
M45 |
Simon Bellwood |
1:22:48 |
|
|
15 Miles |
Open |
Chris Stubbs |
1:37:03 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
1:43:58 |
|
|
M45 |
Trevor Hooley |
2:03:18 |
|
|
20 Miles |
Open |
Chris Smith |
2:24:00 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
2:17:26 |
|
|
M45 |
Simon Bellwood |
2:13:50 |
|
|
Marathon |
Open |
Chris Smith |
3:04:12 |
|
M40 |
Simon Bellwood |
3:02:18 |
|
|
M45 |
Richard Lyons |
3:36:15 |
|
|
M50 |
Trevor Hooley |
4:15:08 |
Current Women’s Club Records
|
Distance |
Category |
Name |
Time |
|
5 Km |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
19:03 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
20.26 |
|
|
F40 |
Laura Brook |
22.04 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
20.59 |
|
|
5 Miles |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
33:46 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
37:17 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
40.03 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
43.13 |
|
|
10 Km |
Open |
Hayley Atkinson-Windsor |
40:51 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
44:09 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
47:11 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
52:39 |
|
|
10 Miles |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
1:13:00 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
1:16:38 |
|
|
F45 |
Kay Gambles |
1:16:50 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
1.32.38 |
|
|
Half Marathon |
Open |
Hayley Atkinson-Windsor |
1:32:19 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
1:33:50 |
|
|
F40 |
Kay Gambles |
1:51:00 |
|
|
F45 |
Laura Brook |
1:41:39 |
|
|
F50 |
Ana Lincoln |
1:53:27 |
|
|
15 Miles |
Open |
Donna Edmondson |
1:50:54 |
|
F35 |
Amnuay Scott |
2:00:43 |
|
|
20 Miles |
Open |
Joanne Belcher |
2:37:11 |
|
F35 |
Davina Smith |
3:01:01 |
|
|
F40 |
Kay Gambles |
3:02:00 |
|
|
F45 |
Laura Brook |
2:48:05 |
|
|
Marathon |
Open |
Joanne Belcher |
3:37.15 |
|
F35 |
Lisa Flesher |
3:51:50 |
|
|
F40 |
Kay Gambles |
4:10:00 |
|
|
F45 |
Laura Brook |
4:07:42 |