Contents

Coming Events: November, December & January. 2

Attendance Scheme/ Club races – 2006 details:. 3

Race results: Various races. 6

Fell Races: Nov 06 to end Jan 07. 7

West Yorkshire Winter League 2006/7 season.. 9

Life as a Marshal. 11

WYWL 2006/7 season: 2nd Event at Temple Newsam. 12

Chevin Chase 7 mile off road race. 13

Yorkshire, Regional and National Cross Country Championships:  13

New members. 14

Christmas Do 2006. 15

5th Annual Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap Race: Sunday 17th December at 10am. 15

Keswick 2 Barrow 2007: Sat 12th May 07. 15

Christmas at Idle AC.. 16

Christmas Lights…... 16

From The Coach…... 18

 

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

Date

Event

Sun 19 Nov 06

1st WYWL race hosted by Idle.  See below.

Sun 29th Nov 06

Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am.

Sun 3rd Dec 06

2nd WYWL race hosted by LBT.  See below.

Fri 8th Dec 06

Christmas Do, 7.30pm. Idle WMC. See below.

Sun 17th Dec 06

Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap race. 10am.

Tues 26th Dec 06

Chevin Chase race, 11am. See below.

Sun 31st Dec 06

Auld Lang Syne Fell race. 11.30 am. 6miles/900’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth.

Sun 31st Dec 06

Jolly Holly Jog 10k, 11am. Ripon. 1 lap multi terrain course. (No entries on day).

Mon 1st Jan 07

Giants Tooth Fell Race. CS. 12 noon. 3m/400’ from Ogden Reservoir, Causeway foot. £3 on day. See fell list.

Sat 6th Jan 07

Yorks Cross Country Champs, Skipton. See below.

Sun 7th Jan 07

3rd WYWL race hosted by Dewsbury.  See below.

Sun 21st Jan 07

Brass Monkey Half Marathon. York.

Sat 27th Jan 07

Regional Cross Country Champs, Manchester. See below.

Sun 28th Jan 07

4th WYWL race hosted by Baildon (1pm).  See below.

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.

Name

Oct

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct

Oct

 

3

5

10

12

17

19

24

26

31

Races

Totals

Adrian Trevelyan

1

 

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

5

8

Alison Garlick

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Amnuay Scott

1

1

 

1

1

1

 

1

 

 

6

Andrew Moakler

1

1

1

1

1

1

 

1

1

 

8

Anna Lincoln

1

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

1

10

14

Chris Booker

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Chris Smith

1

1

1

 

1

1

1

 

1

 

7

Chris Stubbs

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Claire McConnell

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Dave Currie

 

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

2

David Lewis

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

David Nicholson

 

 

 

1

1

 

 

 

1

 

3

Davina Smith

1

 

1

1

1

 

1

1

1

 

7

Gary Naylor

1

1

1

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

6

Hannah Peacock

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Hayley Atkinson-Windsor

1

1

1

1

 

1

 

1

1

 

7

Ian Fisher

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Joanne Belcher

 

1

1

1

 

1

1

1

 

 

6

Judith Wolstenhulme

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

2

Kay Gambles

1

1

1

 

1

1

1

1

1

 

8

Lisa Flesher

1

1

1

 

1

1

1

 

1

 

7

Lisa Hall

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

Martin Burnside

1

 

1

1

 

 

1

1

1

 

6

Michael Masleczko

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

5

Nick Thorp

1

 

1

1

 

1

1

1

1

5

12

Peter Hilliard

 

 

 

 

 

1

1

 

 

 

2

Peter Vickers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

Phil Routh

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

 

1

 

8

Richard Lyons

 

1

 

1

 

 

1

 

1

 

4

Roy Bradshaw

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

2

Sarah Holness

 

1

1

1

1

 

1

1

 

 

6

Simon Bellwood

 

1

1

 

1

 

 

1

1

 

5

Simon Blackburn

 

1

1

1

1

1

 

1

1

 

7

Stephen Wolstenhulme

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

3

Steve Little

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

3

Tim Whitcombe

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

2

Tony Blythe

1

1

1

1

 

1

1

 

1

 

7

Trevor Hooley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

5

Warren Fletcher

1

1

 

1

1

1

 

 

1

 

6

 

20

18

23

17

14

14

14

12

22

30

184

 

Ana is the Octobers Attendance winner.

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 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.

A busy event meant only 14 of us got entries. Club records from Dave Lewis & Ana Lincoln.

May 3rd - Wed

Hare & Hounds Fell Race, Lothersdale 3.6m/690’. BS.

7 Idle AC vests for this local fell race.

May – Sun 7th

Leeds Half Marathon, 10am.

6 of the club entered this local event. Including Dave Lewis who got sub 1.30 for the first time!

May -Sun 14th

Ripon 10m. Part of Black Sheep series.

10 of us ran this scenic challenging race including Simon Bellwood who set a new M45 record with 1.06.54, Lisa Flesher with an F35 record in 1.12.40 and Richard Lyons who ran sub 70mins for first time.

May – Sun 28th

Melmerby 10k. Part of Black sheep series.

7 members of the club ran this 2nd race in the Black Sheep Series. Chris Stubbs broke the M40 club record in 36.25.

June- Sat 3rd

Kirkby Malzeard 10k. Part of Black sheep series.

7 at this lovely Saturday afternoon race

June  8th – Thurs  

Bronte 5, 7.30pm. Hilly two lap course.

8 Idle AC vests, including Simon Bellwood who set a new M45 CR.

June- 8th

Thurs 

Apperley Bridge Canter race. 7.30pm. Approx 10k.

11 members race this local event. Success for Donna and Hayley who were 1st & 2nd women.

June 11th –Sun

Harewood House 10k

Only Ana ran this local event.

June – Sat 24th 

Eldwick  Gala Fell Race 3pm. 3m/300’

Unfortunately no –one from Idle turned out for this local fell race. This could have been due to the Idle Beer Festival the night before.

July 1st – Sat 

Burn Valley Half. Part of Black Sheep series. 2pm.

A baking hot day but 7 hardy souls braved the heat! Ammie won some biscuits as a spot prize!

July 1st – Sat

Carr Lane Challenge. 5 mile trail race. 2pm.

Donna was 1st woman past the post. Ian won the men’s race.

July 12th – Wed 

Stirton Fell Race

Chris Stubbs & Phil Routh ran this popular fell race.

Aug 12th – Sat

Arncliffe 4 mile Road race and/or 1.8m fell  AS, 3pm.

Donna 4th in road, 2nd in fell, Ana 1st F50 road, Phill last in fell.

Aug 19th- Sat

Burnsall 10m(2.30pm) road race and/or 1.5 m fell race.

Ana ran this event.

Aug 28th –Mon

Spofforth 10k Trail. 1.30pm.

Chris just managed to stay ahead of Adrian & Richard , who retched over a fence at the end.

Sept 10th- Sun

Robin Hood Full & Half 

Marathons 10.05am

4 women in marathon, including Ana who ran her debut. New club records in F40 & F50. Great runs from Peter Hilliard, Judith (debut), Stephen, Julie (PB) & Suzanne in the half.

Sept 24th – Sun  

Horsforth 10k, 10am.

7 for this local race.

Oct 15th -Sun

Bridlington Half, 12 Noon.

Trevor set an M50 Club record. Nick ran a PB time.

Oct – Sun 29th

Holmfirth 15mile. 10.30am.

Ana ran this hilly two lap course.

Nov – Sun 5th 

Guy Fawkes 10mile 10.30am.

Simon Blackburn led home the 8 Idle AC runners with a 71min pb. Pb’s also from Nick, Martin &  David N..

Nov 26th Sun.

Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am.

 

2nd Complete Runner X Country, Boddington Hall, Leeds, 29/10/06

 

Men 9.5k

 158    Chris Smith    38.41

183    Steve Little     40.07

 

Women: 5.5k 

38    Hayley Atkinson-Windsor    25.42

96    Lisa Flesher                          31.12

 

Holmfirth 15 29/10/06:

128          Lisa Flesher            2.00.38    F35 CR

                Ana Lincoln           2.35.57    F50 CR

 

Shepherds Skyline Fell Race, 4/11/06. 6.25m/1150’, Todmorden.

98            Chris Smith            57.03

124          Phill Routh            58.55

134          Warren Fletcher      59.32

162          Tony Blythe           62.11

212          Lisa Flesher            71.10       There were 238 runners.

 

 

Guy Fawkes 10 5/11/06:

126    Simon Blackburn    1.11.36    pb

201    Dave Lewis             1.15.24

381    Nick Thorp             1.22.32 pb

451    Martin Burnside      1.24.52 pb

455    David Nicholson     1.24.55 pb

458    Phillip Twigg           1.24.57

700    Amy Wright             1.37.43

804    Ana Lincoln             1.45.16   There were 871 runners.     

 

 

 

Fell Races: Nov 06 to end Jan 07.                              

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.

 

SAT NOV 25th KIRBYMOORSIDE FELL RACE. BM. 11am.6.5m/1600’ from Beckside Village Hall, Kirkby in Furness, Cumbria. £3.50 on day. Website: www.bcrunners.org.uk

 

SUN NOV 26th RIVOCK EDGE FELL RACE. BM. 11.15am. 9m/1500’ Registration from Bridge Inn, Silsden. Nr Keighley. £4 on day.

 

SUN DEC 3rd BOLTON BY BOWLAND FELL RACE. CM. 11.30am. 8m/800’ from Bolton By Bowland Village, near Clitheroe, Lancs.£2.50 on day. Refreshments, village pub.

 

SUN DEC 10th CALDERDALE WAY RELAY. 8am, 50miles/6000’ in six stages from Old Rishworthians RUFC, Copley, Halifax. £42 per team of 12. Limit of 100 teams. Website: www.halifaxharriers.co.uk

 

SUN DEC 17th THE STOOP. BS. 11.30 am. 5 miles/800’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. £3 on day. All finishers receive a Cadbury’s Chocolate Chunk. Free coffee & biscuits. All prizes are “Christmas Related”.

 

SUN DEC 31st THE 13th BRISCOE’S BREWERY AULD LANG SYNE RACE. BM. 11.30 am. 6miles/900’ from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth. £3 on day. All finishers receive a bottle of beer.  Free coffee & biscuits. All prizes are beers, ales, ciders etc.

 

MON JAN 1st CAPTAIN COOK RACE. BS. 11am 5.5m/750’. Great Ayton, North Yorks. £5 on day. Website: www.nehillrunning.com

 

MON JAN 1 GIANTS TOOTH. CS. 12 noon. 3m/400’ from Ogden Reservoir, Causeway foot. £3 on day. Website: www.ogdenwater.freeserve.co.uk

 

SAT JAN 6th  OVENDEN FELL RACE. BM. 11.30am 8m/1200’ from Ogden reservoir, Causeway Foot, off the A629 Halifax-Keighley road.  NB: This is a serious Winter Challenge event. Full Body cover ESSENTIAL, plus additional cover. Website: www.ogdenwater.freeserve.co.uk

 

NB: January fixtures taken from FRA website. A full local fell list for 2007 will be available on our website once 2007 FRA Fixture list is available.   

Our home event in Buck Woods on 19th November saw the start of the WYWL 2006/7 season.  We had a record 230 runners, including  76 women line up amongst the field of runners from the 8 clubs. This included 34 runners from Idle AC.  The new course of approx 4.5 miles proved to be popular with most of the field. We received a lot of very positive feedback for all aspects of the event but especially for the encouragement that our marshals gave to all runners. Thanks to everyone who made it such a success. 

 

Ian Fisher won the race, and there were strong runs from a few of male team, especially from Adrian. The women’s team saw strong performances from Jo, Amnuay & from Claire Sweeney. Idle currently lie in 5th place in the overall team positions.

 

Newcomers to the club showed great promise too, with Andy, Nick, Philip & Julie  all having creditable runs. The results are as follows:

 

Men

 

 

Vets

 

Pudsey

1328

 

Dewsbury

458

LBT

1268

 

LBT

456

Dewsbury

1250

 

Pudsey

440

Baildon

1142

 

St.Bede's

425

Idle A C

1080

 

Baildon

423

Stainland

1019

 

Skipton

396

St.Bede's

1012

 

Idle A C

388

Skipton

757

 

Stainland

380

Women

 

 

Overall

 

Dewsbury

283

 

Pudsey

1577

LBT

283

 

LBT

1551

Stainland

280

 

Dewsbury

1533

Skipton

264

 

Baildon

1369

Pudsey

249

 

Idle A C

1324

Idle A C

244

 

Stainland

1299

St.Bede's

244

 

St.Bede's

1256

Baildon

227

 

Skipton

1021

 

 

 The remaining fixtures for 2006/7 are as follows:

 

Date            Host club                                         Venue

2.Dec 3rd      LBT                  Temple Newsam. Fancy dress/silly hats. 

3.Jan 7th       Dewsbury                        Details of course to be confirmed.

4. Jan 28th     Baildon Runners            Tong Park, Baildon. Note 1pm start

5. Feb 18th    St.Bede’s                           Esholt woods.               

 

With the exception of the Baildon event (1pm start) all races will start at 11am. Full details will be circulated to club members prior to each event.

 

Whilst the League does offer individual trophy positions, its primary objective is team competition.  The five team scores are added together to decide the following team trophies:

 

1st Combined Team, 2nd Combined Team, 3rd Combined Team.

1st Male Team.

1st Female team.

1st Vets Team (combination of male/females).

 

A club team is the first seven men to cross the line (which must include 2 vets), and the first three women (including 1 vet), in each event.

The vets’ team is the 2 male and the one female counting vets added together.

 

Different runners may score in different races - it’s just first past the post on the day.

 

The first Combined Team can enter the National Cross Country Final and the 2nd Combined Team can enter the Plate Race at the National Final which will take place at Nottingham in March 07.  Further details will be circulated prior to each event.

Any questions please speak to Chris as he is not only Secretary of the WYWL but he is the only runner to have run all 70 consecutive races in the past 14 years (Davina has slacked and has only run 68!).

Life as a Marshal.                                                          

Hi Chris and Davina

 Just wanted to write to let you know how much I enjoyed being a marshal for Sunday's cross country.  It was just as nerve racking as being a runner!
 
I got to my pitch in plenty of time only to be surrounded by spectators. All wanting to talk, all wanting to know where the best view point would be. Oh no I thought, what if they get crushed in the stampede!  One wanted to chat to me and tell me his life story of when he was a runner 26 years ago. I politely asked him to move back from the course path, and seeing his face once the runners had gone past him, proved my point.... he would have been crushed!
 
Chris's words kept going through my head, straight down to next marshal and turn left, this started to be a 'mantra' in my mind, but instead I only needed to point, they would never have heard me they were going that fast,  though by the time the back runners got to me, I did manage to say it.
 
Right, they have all gone past me, who was the back runner, what did they look like, need to remember!
 
Soon they were running past me again, from the back path, this time my mantra was - "straight down this time: Chris ran past, still giving me instructions! Jane Lewis was due to join me from her pitch, I couldn't see her, but I could hear her as she walked up to join me!

The spectators, were shouting words of encouragement, it was really nice to see really young children cheering their mums and dads on. Time stood still for a while, where were the runners?  This must be a long tough course!  Then there the runners were here again, Ian in the lead, but with a young runner hot on his heels.  Adrian was the next runner through for Idle.  By this time Jane and I were in fine voice, cheering and encouraging the runners in.
 
One spectator who I think may have been a coach was really encouraging his team,  ‘come on’ he shouted, you look fantastic, you are running like a 'gazelle'. Jane obviously liked this expression and when the next runner came through she also shouted, 'well done' you are running like a 'gazelle'. A bit of banter was exchanged and the coach said 'hey that's my words of encouragement, you can't use that', so Jane not to be outdone, shouted out to the runners, come on, up the hill, you're running well, you look like a .............mountain goat! By this time I was hysterical, I'm really not sure what the runners thought if they had heard!

Finally, the last runner came through, she was looking really dejected, but I had to admire her, she had stuck the course and it was her first cross country.
So next time, my dilemma, do I marshal or do I run? Because I do now want to try a 'cross country run'!
 
-Suzanne Bairstow

The 2nd event of the 5 races from our WYWL season is on Sunday 3rd December, 11am at Temple Newsam, hosted by Leeds & Bradford Tri club. The course is the same as last year - a one lap course of 4½ -5 miles. 

Directions: from the West head towards Leeds and take the central ring road towards York Road, A64, continue up York Road for about 2 miles. Bear Right at the junction signposted Halton and Temple Newsam, go under the railway bridge in to Selby Road. Continue up the dual carriageway and move to the right hand lane and go straight on in to Temple Newsam Road. Follow the road until you see the public car park on left of Temple Newsam Road, just above the running track. Ample Car Parking available, please do not park on the road.

 

From the A1/M1 motorway line, come off at the junction signposted A6120, Selby/Leeds, turn towards Leeds, depending whether you are coming from the North or South, go straight over the first roundabout, Sainsbury’s on your left, at the next roundabout take the second exit signposted Halton. After ¼ mile turn left in to Colton Road, straight on in to Temple Newsam Park, small car parks on your left and right, or follow the road towards the house, turn right at the end by the roundabout and continue to the end of the football field. Car park on right.

 

The changing facilities on site are not available for runners because of the number of football matches likely to be played. Toilet facilities are in the main block next to the house, as is the café. The coarse is an undulating one lap circuit of the park of about four and a half to five miles and is a mixture of track, woodland trail and path. Approximately 400 metres of the course is tarmac path, therefore spikes are not recommended. The course also goes over two wooden bridges, although these will be marshalled, athletes are reminded to take additional care when crossing.

After the race there will be a short results presentation at the Brown Cow Pub, which is at the junction of Colton Road and Selby Road.

The Chevin Chase entry forms are now available on Airecentre Pacers website: www.airecentre-pacers.co.uk

 

This scenic off road race starts at 11am on Boxing Day from Aireborough leisure centre, Guiseley. As it’s a really popular race I'd advise sending entries in ASAP.

 

There are also copies at the club.

Yorkshire, Regional and National Cross Country Championships:

In past years we had runners in the all of the above races however whilst we still hope to get runners in the Yorkshire and Regional races.  The National is in London.

This year the dates of the 3 championship races are as follows:

1.        Yorkshire cross country championships: Saturday 6th Jan 06 at Aireville Park, Skipton, (the day before a WYWL event- priority must to given to WYWL).   The distance for women is 5,842m at 1.30pm and the men run 11,170m at 2.15pm. The cost is £4 per person. Closing date 15th December 06. Please let Chris know by 5th December if you want to be entered. No late entries.

2.        North of England cross country championships: Saturday 27th January 07 at Heaton Park, Manchester (the day before a WYWL event- priority must to given to WYWL).  The distance for women is 8k at 12.30pm and the men run 12km at 2.10pm. The cost is £3 per person. Closing date 11th December. Please let Chris know by 5th December if you want to be entered. No late entries.

3.        National Cross Country Championships: Saturday 10th March 07 at Herrington Country Park, Penshaw , Sunderland. The distance for women is 8k at 2.15pm and the men run 12km at 3pm. Full details not yet received.  Entry into this event is conditional on an entry to the North of England AA championships (as above). Senior teams cannot be entered if only individuals have been entered in to the regional championships.

Due to the deadlines we therefore need to know names (to Chris) of anyone wanting to run in any of these events no later than 5th December 06 along with their payment. However whilst we’d encourage running in these events we would encourage members to make their first commitment to the West Yorkshire Winter League.

This month we welcome Hannah Peacock. Hannah has been running with us for a while but as a second claim member. However Hannah now joins us as first claim, having recently resigned from her first claim club, and is keen to run lots of races in her new vest! It’s great to have Hannah first claim.

We also welcome Rhea Hawkins. She has been encouraged to join a club by her partner instead of running alone on dark nights. Rhea is a physio who is keen to improve her current road race times. She is also keen to try running off road. Welcome!

Friday 8th December sees our 2006 Christmas Do at Idle Working Men’s Club. The fun starts at 7.30pm. This year we offer you live entertainment as we’ve booked local band, Idle Pop to perform for us. We’ll have a buffet and a raffle. Please give decent raffle prizes (one decent prize per family would be good!!) to Kay. You get all this for only £7.50 per person. Please pay Davina. We can guarantee a great night out.  The London marathon club entry draw will also take place so anyone who has their London Marathon entry rejected will be eligible for the draw for one of the club’s two entries.

As members may be aware December 02 saw the start of a yearly tradition for Idle AC – the annual Sewage Works Surprise club handicap race! The race is open to all members and will be run as a 4 mile Handicap race from the Stansfield Arms Pub at Apperley Bridge, starting at 10am on Sunday 17th December 06. Fancy dress is optional but it all adds to the fun and entertains passing motorists!!  There is a special annual trophy for the winner, which was won last year by Jane Lewis (in a very fetching little Santa number!). Chris Stubbs finished in second place with Richard Lyons in 3rd. Jane received the special trophy, presented to her by Chris, at the presentation afternoon at the Symposium with a hot buffet.  After last year’s brilliant bash we have secured the same deal at the same price this year - £5 adults/£2.50 children (pay on the day).  There will be a list at the club. Please write down if you intend running and/or attending the afternoon presentation at the Symposium (families welcome –we are bringing Joe & Katie).

 

It’s been a few months since a group of us “ran” the 40 mile challenge in the Lake District & while memories of the pain, along with blisters faded fast, the joy of completing such an event will stay with us for many years.  We all have a strong desire to be there next year & YOU are welcome to join us so please put the above date in your running calendar.  We do intend to make it a Club event in 2007 & I will publicise the details nearer the time.  I know it’s a long way off at the moment, but if anyone is remotely interested in attempting the challenge, just drop me an email & I’ll note the interest.  You can contact me at: martin@idleac.co.uk 

 

Martin.

December is a busy month for us all, with the second cross country fixture on the 3rd at Temple Newsam, the Christmas Do on the 8th, and the Sewage works Surprise club Handicap Race on the 17th.  As Christmas Day falls on a Monday, and a lot of the club are likely to run the Chevin Chase race, there will be no training night on Tuesday 26th December. All other training days around the Christmas & New Year holiday weeks will remain as normal. We will have our usual ‘Christmas Lights’ run on Thursday 21st Dec (20th for the Wednesday group) when we hope to find a selection of decorated houses which show festive spirit. Afterwards there will be mince pies. Hopefully we should have a good turn out for the Chevin Chase 7 mile race on Boxing Day at 11am. For those wanting a run on New Years Eve you could run the Auld Lang Syne Fell race!! This is a ‘B’ Medium fell race which starts from Penistone Hill Country Park at Haworth at 11.30 am. The race is 6 miles with 900’ of climbing (speak to Chris if you want to know more details about the course) it’s only £3 to enter (on the day only) and all finishers receive a bottle of Briscoe’s Brewery ‘Auld Lang Syne’ beer. All prizes are beers, ales, ciders etc. There is also the Jolly Holly Jog 10k from Ripon which I can highly recommend, though it fills early.

We were exhausted. It had been an extremely hard weekend and week. Chris had spent most of the Saturday in the woods, marking our cross country course, whilst I looked after two toddlers who sought my undivided attention. Later Chris moaned that his hands were dead as we chopped carrots at the cricket club. The Sunday passed in a blur – welcoming 230 runners, running a cross country, then dashing back to announce the results and help dish up the stew. Still no let up that afternoon – a choice of inputting 230 names into a PC to produce the results or entertaining 3 year old twins! We decided to take it in turns & do a bit of each.

 

In the end it’s all a huge success but very stressful, and we are tired for the remainder of the week.

 

By Friday night I’m a bit down.  I need a boost to aid my recovery. I go for a short run (really more like a slow shuffle). I’m looking for inspiration. Something to make me smile.

 

I know the route to take – down Windhill old Road towards Windhill & back via a quite side road. I know what I’m looking for, but am I too early? I look at my watch ….its 24th November.

 

Then I spot it. I find the thing to make me smile and to restore my spirit. The first Christmas lights for 2006.

 

There’s all the usual lights that I love, Santa climbing onto the roof, the Christmas tree and of course the steam train that looks like its moving. I smile.

 

I’m still exhausted but I’m happier now as I know that Christmas as started.  As the next four weeks pass, I’ll see more & more lights as I’m out running. I’ll search for the best ones so that I can take a group on the Christmas Lights run on 20th/21st December.  I can look forward to showing runners the ‘main’ house on Swain House that is always amazing and that raises money, via donations, for local charities each year. Running in December is special.

 

I’m in better mood after my run. I search the internet for Christmas Lights. I find the Mousehole lights in Cornwall displayed in all their brilliance. They look amazing.

 

It reminds me of the Mousehole Cat story which was inspired by the old Cornish legend of Tom Bawcock, and which Chris reads to every class he teaches. When the fishing boats were kept in Mousehole harbour for days by a raging storm, he risked his life by taking out his boat to fish, so that the villagers did not starve.  When they realised that he had gone, the villagers put a light in every cottage window, and stood on the harbour wall with lanterns, providing enough light to guide old Tom back with his catch.

 

‘….every year, folk come from all over Cornwall, at Christmas time, to see Mousehole lit up with a thousand lights….’

 

Enjoy the Christmas lights as you run this December. – Davina.

 

Visit: www.cornishlight.co.uk/mousehole-lights.htm 

Read: The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber & illustrated by Nicola Bayley.

Chris,

 

I won’t be able to attend Club sessions for a while as a result of a

broken heart.

 

Laurence.

 

I read the email with a rush of overwhelming sadness, and at once felt a sense of profound empathy with a fellow club member.  I’m afraid that in that instant I hoped another Club member wasn’t involved.  I didn’t have my glasses on of course, and on closer inspection the word “heart” in fact proved to be “hand.” 

 

I call this the “Pilchard Effect”.  Short sighted people like me don’t always actually see what words are, so our brains compensate by inserting words into our view which fit with the apparent shape they are looking at.  I first encountered it in a phone box where, without my glasses, I was apparently presented with the instruction “Insert coin or pilchard.”  Clutching my phonecard (remember those?) I was somewhat taken aback.

 

The central issue in my mind is of course communication.  It can bring us great happiness; it can break our hearts.  Also it can cause confusion and annoyance if it is inadequate or incomplete, or we misinterpret it.  At the Club we have developed regular and comprehensive methods for the dissemination of information.  Davina puts in huge efforts on the Idle Gossip, which I know is widely read, and on the meeting minutes.  I was always unsure about the meeting minutes, thinking them a little turgid and tedious for people to want to wade through.  But I gave a copy to Clare (“bouncy Clare” as Jo calls her?!) at the Wednesday run and she said, “Oh they’re like the Gossip, I read the lot!”  The same night Adrian came up to me and said, “Look I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t want the money back!”  I looked at him stupid, then realised he’d read his emailed copy of the minutes, where we said we’d refund his Brid fee as a matter of principle.  Mind you that’s another story.

 

There’s a huge amount of regularly updated information on the website, because of Davina and Martin’s regular diligent efforts.  Determined to join in the fun, I have developed my own personal web page, which Martin has kindly linked from the front page of the website, so I can quickly pass information on to those club members who choose to visit it. 

Unfortunately, however, communication is not just about the dissemination of information – that is only a small part of it.  After all what is the point of a conversation where you speak all the time, and receive no response? Even I stop for breath occasionally!  At its best communication should be a constant two way flow of information and opinion, of empathy and support, which leads to the building of positive relationships.  In personal terms, if someone withholds information, or fails to share their views, it leads to a sense of distance and alienation from that person. Certainly the worst episodes in my personal and running club life can be traced back to failed communication. 

 

Therefore it is imperative that we emphasise the opportunities within the Club for two way communication – and for the Committee that means direct feedback.

 

The first tool at our disposal as members is the Idle Gossip.  Not everyone wants to write flowery prose, or even read it, but if someone contributes something it gets printed.  I try to edit it as little as possible, to retain its integrity.  And it certainly doesn’t have to reflect Club policy.  Perhaps the more controversial the better!

 

Secondly it’s possible to email, write to, or speak to a committee member.  This will result in a discussion at the next committee meeting, with a decision recorded in the minutes. 

 

Thirdly we have had an internet chat forum in operation for some years.  Not many contribute, but more do look at it.  The one thing that handicaps the progress of the forum is ironically the fact that so many members meet so regularly at training, and do that old fashioned activity – talking to each other!  In fact we are perhaps rare among clubs in that in a typical week over half the total membership list will have attended at one time or another.

 

Fourthly Martin can add items directly to the “Latest Updates” section on the front page of the website.  Soon too he will launch an online calendar, so that with a click you can view the upcoming events for the club, and you can even get things added.

 

So how do you make your voice effectively heard?

 

1.                    Come to the Club and say things.

2.                    Write something for the Gossip

3.                    Visit the forum and post a message

4.                    Corner a committee member and tell them what you think

5.                    Ask for something to be publicised on the website or the calendar.

6.                    Come to the AGM in April and stir things up.  If it’s really bad read the constitution on the website or in your membership book and call a meeting.

 

My belief is that we are working towards completely open communication – yet we may still improve.  If you have ideas then tell us.

 

Unfortunately, however, however strongly you hold a view it may not be shared.  The Club must run with the majority, however unpleasant that may be for individuals who feel they are not being served.  So the opportunity for effective feedback may not mean you automatically get what you want.  In my experience, though, it’s always worth trying – you never know what the Club will pick up and run with. 

 

I know only too well that rejection is painful, and can lead to resentment.  What else indeed is the cause of a broken heart, if not a failure to gain a majority decision?  Yet in those moments when I thought I had a member suffering from unrequited love, I still hoped that he would recover eventually and return, a little older and wiser perhaps, to the most important thing – just getting out there and running.

 

 

                                                                                                                                -Chris.