Hoad Hill Harriers

Dalton 10k, what a night for Hoad Hill a beautiful evening and a stack of prizes, Hoad Hill had an excellent turnout which is as it should be for a local race. This was my second race of the year not counting cross country races and I finally felt strong after having had Flu during March. I was also in a new category, vet 50. Arrived early and had a chat with friends etc, then wanted the loo a few times, even after not having eaten for a good deal longer than was recommended. Why am I always like this, I have been the same in all sports I have competed in and will probably think something is wrong if I feel any different.
My race plan was different than normal as I had been weak for ages and really had no idea where I was in terms of 10k time. Target 1, first mile in around 6 mins then see how I feel, as it’s a bit of a drag for next 2 miles. The race settled out at about 1 mile and I had a group of four around me. Dave, Jeff, Chris and Steve were ahead but I knew they were going a bit faster, haven’t a clue what was going on behind as I never ever look behind. Roger Quayle from Barrow passed me and from his last race result I thought he may have a 37 min run in him, might be able to hang on, who knows. Anyway I managed to hang on, and knew at 4 miles that I had a stack left in me so I pushed on ahead of all four of the surrounding group and managed to make it stick. I had a good last 2 miles as I was now warmed up and crossed the line in 38.38 not a PB on this course, but a good strong run. Looking at the results later and I realised I was also No 38, so I had a full house of 38’s, uncanny. Dave Fulford finished an incredible 3rd and was very close to Gary Dixon, looks like we could have a potential race winner in Dave. Good runs by everyone, Jeff, Chris, completing the men’s team prize, Sharon 1st lady, myself vet 50 prize, Sharon, Steph and Abbey ladies team prize. Andy Whalley, his first 10k and a picture in the paper. According to Andy he has an attraction for Photographers so stick by him if you want your picture taken.

We have also had our first venture outside Ulverston this month when Pat Thomas had reccied two routes from Woodland Church. I have underlined and placed this in bold for the benefit of Damian who managed to visit most of the churches in Cumbria on that night but still never found us. A big pity really as we all had a great evening and as usual Pat’s interpretation of a few climbs meant pretty hilly. We look forward to a few other feature runs from Pat through summer and also the famous 7mile err sorry 12 mile run from Damian over Kirkby Moor, don’t be put off by the 12 miles, yes it’s pretty hard but the views are great if it is a good night.

Thursday Training
Our thanks to Mike Fawcett for the past months training sessions as he has now handed over to Penny Moreton. We have already sampled 4 sessions of Penny’s and anyone who thought things may be a bit easier were in for a shock. Penny has devised a training schedule to prepare us all for up to half marathon distance, this schedule will also benefit our 10K distance and first impressions are that it is well structured. Just remember you are putting the effort in to make yourself stronger, faster, and if you wish to race, that personal best within reach.

I have had no race reports this month so I will do my best to cover the events that have been competed in by club members; these include the Dallam 10 k, which was on the Sunday after Dalton. Sharon Dixon, Mike Fawcett and Mike Lavery made the journey and all had solid runs.

The Golden Ball 5K followed this with Darren Athersmith and Sharon Dixon competing over this shorter distance, I think this was Darren’s first race in a long while and he must have been pleased with his time of 17.41. Sharon finished 2nd FV35 again in 19.17.

This year we also had three Hoad Hill Harriers running in the Keswick to Barrow walk. Sounds a bit of a contradiction, running a sponsored walk but when you think of the record for the 40 mile event being under 4 Hours, that is some serious running. Chris Howie, Dave Fulford and Mike Lavery competed, with support from various members and friends throughout the distance. I know Chris had been training hard for the event and was under no illusions as to the task ahead. Gary Dixon from Barrow arrived home first, and Chris was an incredible 3rd in a time of 5Hrs 24.50, I saw Chris at the top of Mill Brow and he said he was very tired, or some other words to that effect. Unfortunately I didn’t spot Dave but he has since told me he somehow managed to do an Erik at Dalton and went the wrong way. When he ended up at the bypass roundabout he finally realised his error, but was too tired to worry about it by then, he still finished in a very respectable 7Hrs 08.46. I never spotted Mike Lavery either but I found him in the results and he came home in 8Hrs 25.26. The only other regular was Karl Fursey who was not far behind Dave in a time of 7Hrs 11.36.

Moving on through the month and we come to the Windermere Marathon, this year it proved not to be as big attraction as last year to club members but Nigel Storey and Penny Moreton both ran in the event. This was Nigel’s first Marathon and he had been training well for it. Nigel has really only been running for about 18 months and chose a testing route for his first time. He finished in a time of 3Hrs 49.11 which is a brilliant time. Penny was running after having competed at the London Marathon she finished in a time off 4Hrs 57.48. Looking at the results I also spotted Karl again finishing in a time of 4 Hrs 29.40.

Finally we come to the Edinburgh marathon as far as I know we had Jeff Chadwick and Ken Lamb running this event for our club and also ex Hoad Hill Harrier Sue Hool, Just as I was writing this I received an email from Ken with a bit of a ditty about the day, I had not spoke to anyone prior to writing this but my Mother lives just over the Forth Bridge and had said it was blowing a gale all weekend, I had thought that would be bad news for some fast Edinburgh times and Kens words prove the point. Here’s Kens report.

It's a numbers game.
My number for Edinburgh marathon was 999; well I didn't know which of the emergency services I needed most. The police to book me for going too fast over the first half (1hr 36m), the fire brigade to rescue me from the windy conditions, or an ambulance to cart me off at the end.
More number crunching. If you take my finish time (3hr 33m) away from my race number (999) you get 666.Well the devil got the better of me this time, but he won't next time.
I ran this marathon last in 2004, the course was totally different. It’s much flatter, but the wind really did spoil this one. On a calm day this could be a good marathon for a PB.
I set off far too quick in the first half, getting there 8mins quicker than London, but finishing 1min slower. It really is about getting my early pace right if I am going to break 3hr 20mins as is my target. I’m already looking forward to taming this marathon distance. What a challenge.
If you ever decide to try this marathon, which I can recommend you do. I can give you two pieces of advice.1.DONT go anywhere near the BORELAND LODGE HOTEL, it is without doubt the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in. 2.Get accommodation in Musselburgh which is at the finish and a twenty min bus trip to the start line.
By the way, another number for you, this was marathon number THIRTEEN.

Thanks Ken you’re a lifesaver I was short on material this month, but to complete the report looking at the results Jeff finished in 2 Hrs 48.07. And Sue in 3Hrs 08.01. I am sure we will hear about Jeff’s race on this Mondays Club night, but looking at his time it could be a Club record. I of course stand to be corrected on this by the club statisticians, but it’s the fastest I know about.

Hope this is enough for this news letter and if anyone has any news or is doing anything of interest please let me know in time for next months edition.

Graham