Members, News

TRC Bulletin for W/C Monday 1st November

Please wear a Hi-Viz top for your safety and head torches are recommended

Before the Thursday run you can store your kit and meet in the Fitness Suite if you wish or you can go straight to your Groups in the car park for the 19:00 run start. The Fitness Suite room will also be open after the run for tea and biscuits and chat.

Thursday Club Night Leaders

  •   7 min – Jim Godden
  •  8 min – Kevin Woo
  • 9 min – Jim Williams
  • 10 min – Emma Pritchard
  • 12 min(5k) – Kathy Willott
  • Walking – Val James

Tea Rota

  • 04/11 – Nick Langridge
  • 11/11 – Angela Hague

A separate e-mail was sent to everyone 28/10 with a new tea rota for the next 6 months, please check for your name and a date. If it is your week to be on tea duty and you cannot make it then you are responsible for finding a replacement. Thank you for your help in making this important part of club life work smoothly.

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  1. Club Kit

A BIG thank you to Kev Cundy who has been managing the club kit for many years now and is in the process of handing the role over to Carol Mosses. Thank you to Carol for agreeing to take on the role too. If you want any kit please contact kit@thornburyrunningclub.co.uk and let us know what you want (short sleeved T-shirt or vest), size (a sizing guide is available and sent to everyone in their Welcome e-mail) and when you are available to collect. And , of course, make the payment on-line. We are about to do a restocking order so please let us know what you need. Also remember we have branded TRC kit (hoodies, jackets etc.) available directly from Linela (not Carol) in Olveston which is made to order. For more info on the branded kit see: https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/about/club-kit/

  1. parkrun of the Month – this Saturday 6th November.  

The parkrun of the month for November 6th will be Berkeley Green. Please wear Club colours. Be great to see a really big turn out on this fast course. As Thornbury’s parkrun last Saturday was cancelled, Sat 13th November will now be Thornbury parkrun’s 99th birthday. Time to celebrate!

  1. Cross Country – Gloucester League

First cross country event of the Gloucester league took place on Saturday 30th October at Cirencester and 20 TRC Members took part – race report will follow soon. If you are not already on the TRC Cross Country WhatsApp group please ask XC-Captains Hannah Hamilton or Jim Godden to add you.

Next event Wotton PARC (KLB school) Sunday 12th December. There are no on the day entries this year and entries close 5 days before a race.  Everyone needs to individually enter using the link below. Please make sure you include Thornbury RC as your club in your profile:  https://entrycentral.com/glos-xc-league  For details of all the events see : https://www.athletics4u.co.uk/cross-country/

  1. Pete Mainstone Challenge

Two events to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge.

  • 19th December Chippenham Shortest Day 10k
  • 27th Feb – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!)

Full results to date can be found on the TRC website:

https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

  1. The Case for Doing Tuesday Efforts!

‘Vigorous Exercise Could Add Years to Your Life’, study suggests https://getpocket.com/explore/item/vigorous-exercise-could-add-years-to-your-life-study-suggests?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

  1. Discounted Offers to TRC Members

Sports Massage: Jason has been used by several Club Members and until the end of November he is offering 50% off to TRC members. Jason provides a mobile service and can be contacted on 0797 4181049

Running Gait Analysis at Thornbury Clinic: Thornbury Clinic at the Leisure Centre now offer a full running gait analysis service. Get rid of those niggles and improve your run technique. For more information check the link below and don’t forget TRC Members get a 10% discount. https://thethornburyclinic.co.uk/our-therapies/running-gait-analys/

  1. EA Run Coaching Programme –  Session #2 The Marathon

If you missed the EA Run Coaching session on the Marathon or if you want to listen again then a recording of the Kerry Newell led session can be found here…  use Passcode Passcode: L1L5Vw#$

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/lcU-VfukB4qo1N0R8nnJdHhFyq0y8iWwjw4P1ja18M_TbS64ESDfGpHMKP72CfeZ.82BwyHurkpw5OZ04

  1. Dates for your Diary
  • Monday 22 November – TRC Committee Meeting 20.00 (Zoom)
  • Thursday 16th December – Xmas lights run and after-party at Thornbury CC
  • Sunday 19th December – Traditional Christmas Wotton-Under-Edge run
  • Monday 20th December – ‘Oldies’ Lunch at the Anchor Morton. See Richard Illingworth if interested
  1. Club Nights

Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms please see:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms

31/10/21

Members, News, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Tea Rota from November 2021

Many club members value the opportunity for tea and biscuits and a chat after the run on a Thursday. This only works if we have somebody willing to make the tea and unfortunately, we have had very few volunteers since we resumed meeting inside. To solve this we propose to go back to publishing a ‘Tea Rota’ on a six monthly basis.

This is an opportunity to give something back to the club and you will only have to do Tea on a Thursday once every two years!

If it is your week to be on tea duty and you cannot make it then you are responsible for finding a replacement. The initial Tea Rota for the next 6 months November through to May 2022 is accessible through the link to the Tea Rota -1 from Nov 2021 to May 2022 . The Tea Rota excel file attached has two tables – one sorted by Date and one by Name.

We have full use of the Fitness Suite situated downstairs in the Leisure Centre for Tea. This is a large room with double opening doors onto the path at the back of the Centre. Usually on a Thursday Val James will be at Club early to set up the Tea. We keep all the Tea stuff and biscuits in a cupboard in the Leisure Centre and Val and Arthur have keys to the cupboard. We have a Tea Urn in the room which is usually refilled each week by the Centre staff.

All you need to do is turn up at 18.50 with a litre of milk (may need to be 2 litres if we get more runners staying for tea) You will be responsible for the room security whilst the others are out running as people tend leave stuff such as their car keys etc in the room. Suggest you bring along something to read before everybody returns from about 20.10 then help clear up and you should be free to go by 20.30

Any questions on the Tea Rota or if you need the e-mail addresses of others on the list please contact Arthur Renshaw 07810 300025 / rensh1@hotmail.com

Any questions about what to do if you are on Tea please speak to Val James.

Thank You for your co-operation.

Arthur Renshaw 28/10/21

Members, News, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C Monday 25th October

• Please wear a Hi-Viz top for your safety when running around the streets.
• Head torches are recommended when running away from well light areas.
• Before the Thursday run you can meet inside the Leisure Centre in the Fitness Suite if you wish or go straight to your Groups in the car park for the 19:00 run start. The Fitness Suite room will also be open after the run for tea and biscuits.

Thursday Club Night Leaders
• 7 min – Mark West
• 8 min – Ashleigh
• 9 min – Chris Pritchard
• 10 min – Steve Dimond
• 12 min(5k) – Amel
• Walking – Val James

Tea Rota
28/10 – Pete Mainstone
04/11 – Nick Langridge

Many club members value the opportunity for tea & biscuits and a chat after the run on a Thursday. This only works if we have somebody willing to make the tea and we have had very few volunteers since we resumed meeting inside. To solve this we propose to go back to publishing a ‘Tea Rota’. This is an opportunity to give something back to the club. If it is your week to be on tea duty and you cannot make it then you are responsible for finding a replacement. The initial Tea Rota will be sent out separately to all Members by e-mail.
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1. EA Run Coaching Programme – Session #2 The Marathon
If you missed last Monday’s EA Run Coaching session on the Marathon or if you want to listen again then a recording of the Kerry Newell led session can be found here… use Passcode Passcode: L1L5Vw#$
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/lcU-VfukB4qo1N0R8nnJdHhFyq0y8iWwjw4P1ja18M_TbS64ESDfGpHMKP72CfeZ.82BwyHurkpw5OZ04

2. Cross Country – Gloucester League Saturday 30th October.
First cross country event of the Gloucester league is on Saturday 30th October at Cirencester. See details of all the Glos League events here: https://www.athletics4u.co.uk/cross-country/
There will be no on-the-day entries this year and entries close 5 days before the race ie tomorrow Monday 25th. Everyone needs to individually enter using the link below. You have to register with Entry Central first and enter your name & address, dob and Club (Thornbury Running Club) and then register for the race once your profile has been set-up: https://entrycentral.com/glos-xc-league
For full details and arrangements for the day you need to be on the TRC Cross Country WhatsApp group. If you need adding to the Group contact the XC-Captains Hannah Hamilton or Jim Godden.

3. Pete Mainstone Challenge
Two events to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge.
• 19th December Chippenham Shortest Day 10k
• 27th Feb – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!)
Full results to date can be found on the TRC website:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

4. parkrun of the Month – 6th November.
The parkrun of the month for November 6th will be Berkeley Green. Please wear Club colours.
Sat 13th November is Thornbury parkrun’s 100th birthday. Time to celebrate!

5. Discounted Offers to TRC Members

Sports Massage: Jason has been used by several Club Members and until the end of November he is offering 50% off to TRC members. Jason provides a mobile service and can be contacted on 0797 4181049

Running Gait Analysis at Thornbury Clinic: Thornbury Clinic at the Leisure Centre now offer a full running gait analysis service. Get rid of those niggles and improve your run technique. For more information check the link below and don’t forget TRC Members get a 10% discount. https://thethornburyclinic.co.uk/our-therapies/running-gait-analys/

6. Club Nights
Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms please see:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms

24/10/21

Members, News

CHASING POLDARK: JO AND ROS’ CORNISH ADVENTURE

By Joanne Plumbley

As September is for me the official start of Winter, and Cornish cliff running decidedly too cold for comfort, I wonder how Ros ever talked me into entering the 80 mile 3 day Atlantic Coast Challenge? However, she did, and efficiently ordered in some late summer sun and some stunning scenery to make for a magical trio of trail marathons from Padstow to Lands End.

On day 1, a panoramic Padstow to Perranporth path was bathed in sunshine and there was no rain in the forecast to endanger Ros’ immaculate make-up efforts. So after about 20 minutes delay whilst I turned embarrassingly and frustratingly in ever decreasing circles under the unattainable aspiration of calibrating my watch compass, we got going. Adopting a sensible (honest!) pace from the start, we set about the 42 kilometre route along the coastal path. Despite the chastisement of silent seal watchers who were less than impressed with our exuberant exclamations of delight, we successfully progressed along the cliffs and beaches thoroughly enjoying stunning sunshine and seascapes along the way.

Day 2 – Perranporth to St Ives was destined to be a mere 41Km but unwilling to accept such absence of challenge we opted to sand-ski through the dunes adding sufficient adventurous ascents to ensure acceptable levels of finish line exhaustion. Another beautiful day to showcase an exquisite coastline in all its finery.

Starting out in St Ives on day 3 we arrived at a blustery Lands End after 7 hours of boulders, beaches and breath-taking vistas and were welcomed to an amazing ocean sunset and the nation’s shortest lived Cornish pasties. Thank you Ros for another amazing adventure – now we just need Natalie to have serious words with a non cooperative hamstring so we can all hit the trails together again soon.

Congratulations to Ros and Jo on another amazing feat of endurance; don’t know how you do it! Hope Natalie is restored to racing fitness very soon too.

Members, News, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C Monday 18th October

• Please wear a Hi-Viz top for your safety when running around the streets.
• Head torches are recommended when running away from well light areas.
• This week meet up in your Groups outside in the car park before the run. Please be in the car park for a 19:00 run start.
• As we have no volunteer to do tea this Thursday the inside room will not be open and there will be no tea!

Thursday Club Night Leaders
• 7 min – Rob Watkins
• 8 min – Lizzie Williams
• 9 min – Mike Bennewitz
• 10 min – Arthur Renshaw
• 12 min(5k) – Jim Williams
• Walking – Val James

Tea Rota
21/10 – No volunteer, no tea.
28/10 – tba (volunteer required)

If we are to carry on offering Tea & Biscuits after Thursday night’s run we need volunteers for the Tea Rota – please see Arthur Renshaw

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1. EA Run Coaching Programme – Session #2 The Marathon Monday 18th October (by Zoom)
Kerry Newell will be leading a discussion on Monday 18th October 7:00 – 8:30pm about marathon – pacing, nutrition, time goal setting etc. If you are planning to run or thinking of running a half or full marathon then please join the call. Kerry’s current roles include England Masters Marathon Team Coach. Please join at 6:55 for 7:00 prompt start:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89049057236?pwd=cnIzY2MwQVpuRFVpRkMrV3JzYktSQT09
Meeting ID: 890 4905 7236 Passcode: 871943

2. Cross Country – Gloucester League Saturday 30th October.
First cross country event of the Gloucester league is on Saturday 30th October at Cirencester. See details of all the Glos League events here: https://www.athletics4u.co.uk/cross-country/
There will be no on-the-day entries this year and entries close 5 days before the race ie Monday 25th. Everyone needs to individually enter using the link below. You have to register with Entry Central first and enter your name & address, dob and Club (Thornbury Running Club) and then register for the race once your profile has been set-up: https://entrycentral.com/glos-xc-league
For full details and arrangements for the day you need to be on the TRC Cross Country WhatsApp group. If you need adding to the Group contact the XC-Captains Hannah Hamilton or Jim Godden.

3. Pete Mainstone Challenge
Two events to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge.
• 19th December Chippenham Shortest Day 10k
• 27th Feb – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!)
Full results to date can be found on the TRC website:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

4. parkrun of the Month – 6th November.
The parkrun of the month for November 6th will be Berkeley Green. Please wear Club colours.
Sat 13th November is Thornbury parkrun’s 100th birthday. Time to celebrate!

5. Runners Who Lunch – 20th December
‘Runners Who Lunch’ are planning a Christmas lunch on Monday 20th December. Dining at about 1:00 pm at ‘The Anchor Morton’ followed by beverages at ‘The Butchers Hook’ all welcome. Before booking Richard Illingworth is looking to collect names of those who are interested in coming along. Please contact Richard directly richard.illingworth1000@gmail.com

6. Discounted Offers to TRC Members
Sports Massage: Jason has been used by several Club Members and until the end of November he is offering 50% off to TRC members. Jason provides a mobile service and can be contacted on 0797 4181049
Running Gait Analysis at Thornbury Clinic: Thornbury Clinic at the Leisure Centre now offer a full running gait analysis service. Get rid of those niggles and improve your run technique. For more information check the link below and don’t forget TRC Members get a 10% discount. https://thethornburyclinic.co.uk/our-therapies/running-gait-analys/

7. Club Nights
Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms please see:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms

16/10/21

Members, Results, Thornbury Running Club

AWESOME ORNAS CONQUER EDEN – race report w/e 10th October

TRC has notched up a few parkrun ‘first finishers’ in recent weeks.   Last Saturday saw a hat-trick of sorts on a single day.

Mallards Pike is a single-lap course through the Forest of Dean that attracts some serious cani-cross runners – of both two and four-legged varieties.  Bristol and West’s Ben Robinson holds the course record in 12:34.   Clearly he is some athlete, as you have to have incredible leg-speed to avoid face-planting into the dirt at 4-min mile pace, but after recording that time you’d think the dog would get a name-check too.

On Saturday, TRC’s Taryn Roberts was first across the line in a brilliant 20:08.  The results page says she was ‘assisted’ and while it is possible she stopped on the way to ask for directions, we can presume that she too strapped herself in behind her canine companion and set off into the woods like Boudicea astride her chariot. Taryn has set the mark: any other TRC member fancy competing for the unofficial club cani-cross record?!

At the Mundy playing fields Sean Leadbetter continued TRC’s excellent showing at our home parkrun, winning in an impressive 18:46.   The grass, hills and sharp turns mean Thornbury is not a fast course, so any male time under 19 minutes is seriously good.

Severn Bridge, by contrast, is a fast course, although running from the bottom of the bridge to the apex into a headwind is deceptively tough.   18 year old James Harrod prudently paced his effort to the half-way point, and then used the slope back to base to good effect, finishing with a sub 5-min mile, to record 16:09, the fastest time by a junior and the ninth quickest in the history of the event.

Behind our three race winners there were some other noteworthy performances.   Ashleigh Ferris missed her Thornbury parkrun PB by a handful of seconds, and ran just over 25 minutes.  Melinda Evans ran a 30:56 PB in the same race.  At Severn Bridge, Paul Harrod was still in England while son James was scanning his barcode in Wales, but still finished 6th in 18:30.   Roger Glew is in a rich vein of form at the moment, seemingly knocking off parkrun PBs each week for fun.   He’s increasingly resembling a Michelangelo sculpture that is coming into sharper relief as the marble is chiselled away.  Another 23:27 PB to add to the collection.  Catherine Dack (24:24) and Ann Green (28:06) also ran their respective Severn Bridge PBs and both comfortably exceeded a 70% age-grade score.  Congratulations too to Naomi Hibbard, for her ‘post baby PB’ of 29:44! Finally, at Cheltenham, Clare Watt ran 24:20, and recorded yet another highly impressive age-grade score of 77% plus.

Phil Blackburn joined TRC during lockdown, and has been wowing the 7-min group with the dizzying rate at which he has been improving.   Phil came from a background in football, and so for the first few weeks needed help tying his shoelaces, and had to be carried off with cramp after the first couple of miles [citation needed].   Since then he has been posting fast times at races from 5k to half-marathon.   On Sunday, he ran his debut marathon in Manchester and finished in a wonderful time of 3hrs and 5 mins.   He was on for a sub-3 until about mile 23 when he just couldn’t quite maintain the 6 min 50 mile pace he had been hitting on average right up to that point.   Old hands at the club know it takes years to build an endurance base.   Phil has achieved a phenomenal amount in 12 months, and if he can maintain his obvious enthusiasm for training, then allied with his natural talent and raw speed, he could knock 20 mins plus off that time during the next few years.

The Eden Project marathon in Cornwall sounded like a fell run that happened to be on tarmac.  The site itself is full of sharp ‘switchback’ paths that sap the hamstrings on the way up, and the quads on the way down.   Plus the rest of the route on local roads is undulating to put it mildly.  So forget the times, and focus on the finishing positions.   Ben Bohane cranked up that internal diesel engine of his and finished in a fantastic 7th position overall, in a time of 3hrs 33 mins.  A quite brilliant run for someone who hasn’t had the time to train seriously for a marathon, even if he has been ripping up the 10ks.   

Laura and Henry Orna were raising money for MIND – a fine charity, and a cause very dear to their hearts.   Laura was the 5th lady, and finished within the margin of error of 4 hours.  Husband Henry’s relentless training sessions up and down Olveston’s Vicarage Lane were put to good effect as he finished in a shade over 3hrs 50.   Henry and Laura are NHS heroes who somehow seem to combine bringing up their two lovely children, with incredibly demanding and stressful jobs, and yet still find time to train and race at a high level.  Inspirational stuff, and all your club mates salute you!

*Next race report will be w/e 30th October, covering round one of the Glos cross country league.

Members, News, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C Monday 11th October

• Please wear a Hi-Viz top for your safety as it is now dark for the run.
• Head torches are recommended when running away from well light areas.
• You have the option of meeting inside TLC (Fitness Studio) or outside in the car park before the run. Please be in the car park for a 7:00 run start.
• Tea is available in the Fitness Studio after the run.

Thursday Club Night Leaders
• 7 min – Nick Williams
• 8 min – Kevin Cundy
• 9 min – Jerry Clothier
• 10 min – Emma Pritchard
• 12 min(5k) – Jim Williams tbc
• Walking – Val James

Tea Rota
14/10 – Carol Mosses
21/10 – tba (volunteer required)

If we are to carry on offering Tea & Biscuits after Thursday night’s run we need volunteers for the Tea Rota – please see Arthur Renshaw

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1. EA Run Coaching Programme – Session #2 The Marathon Monday 18th October (by Zoom)
Kerry Newell will be leading a discussion on Monday 18th October 7:00 – 8:30pm about marathon – pacing, nutrition, time goal setting etc. Kerry’s current roles include England Masters Marathon Team Coach. Please join at 6:55 for 7:00 prompt start, thank you:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89049057236?pwd=cnIzY2MwQVpuRFVpRkMrV3JzYktSQT09
Meeting ID: 890 4905 7236 Passcode: 871943

2. Monday 11th October. Free Runners Pilates Taster Session – with Nicola Crocker from Phoenix Therapies
Do you struggle with niggles and injuries? Would you like to improve your speed or endurance? I can help you to unlock your potential by improving your balance, posture, and core strength which can help you get back from injuries quicker or reduce them in the first place. I am offering a FREE 30-minute virtual Run Stronger Pilates taster session on Monday 11th October at 7:00pm
https://ukri.zoom.us/j/97244259138?from=addon Meeting ID: 972 4425 9138
I am already offering both virtual and face to face classes. If you would like more information, please contact me directly on: 07894 293345 or nicola@phoenix-therapies.co.uk

3. Pete Mainstone Challenge – Series Finale Announced
With three events to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge Jonathon Hall is closing in on Nick Langridge at the top of the Men’s table and is only two points behind. Meanwhile Jo Plumbley has a comfortable lead over Hannah Hamilton in the Ladies table.
• 27th November Having a Mare (Bath Racecourse) – EVENT CANCELLED
• 19th December Chippenham Shortest Day 10k
• NEW 27th Feb – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!)

Full results for the Berkeley 10k can be found on the TRC website:
https://www.thornburyrunningclub.co.uk/racing/members-results/rr-champs-results-2010-2/results-2021/

4. parkrun of the Month – 6th November.
The parkrun of the month for November 6th will be Berkeley Green. Sat 13th November is Thornbury parkrun’s 100th birthday. Time to celebrate!

5. Runners Who Lunch – 20th December
‘Runners Who Lunch’ are planning a Christmas lunch on Monday 20th December. Dining at about 1:00 pm at ‘The Anchor’ followed by beverages at ‘The Butchers Hook’ all welcome. Before booking Richard Illingworth is looking to collect names of those who are interested in coming along. Please contact Richard directly richard.illingworth1000@gmail.com

6. Sports Massage – 50% off. A message from Kevin
As part of my final taper for London I treated myself to a sports massage from Jason. I know a few others have also met with Jason. I can really recommend his work and until the end of November he is offering 50% off to TRC members. Jason provides a mobile service and can be contacted on 0797 4181049

7. Running Gait Analysis at Thornbury Clinic
Thornbury Clinic at the Leisure Centre now offer a full running gait analysis service. Get rid of those niggles and improve your run technique. For more information check the link below and don’t forget TRC Members get a 10% discount. https://thethornburyclinic.co.uk/our-therapies/running-gait-analys/

8. Club Nights
Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms please see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms

Finally, this weekend our intrepid pair of Ultra runners, Ros Rowland & Jo Emerson, are running 78.6 miles in 3 days along the Cornish coastal path from Padstow to Land’s End in The Atlantic Coast Challenge – watch out for the reports of their adventures next week.

10/10/21

Members, News, Results, Thornbury Running Club

GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MARATHON, race report w/e 3rd October

Unless you’re a runner, you don’t really appreciate what a supreme effort it is to complete a marathon. It demands months of focused training, and even then it is almost impossible to prepare the body to keep moving forward at speed when glycogen reserves in muscle fibres are exhausted. There is a reason why marathon aficionados say that 20 miles is the real half-way point. At the end of the race you know you’re going to be walking like John Wayne for the next fortnight, and won’t be able to run at any serious pace for at least a month.

However, if you’re going to put yourself through it, then our capital city must be the place to do so. Congratulations to all the TRC runners for racing the London marathon: without exception you did yourselves and your club proud.

Yet special mention must go to debutant George Evans who smashed Rob Watkins’ all-time club record for the London marathon. George took part to raise money to help refurbish the netball courts at his daughters’ school. After his stunning 2hr 52 and 33 second effort they ought to name them after him. George’s progress in recent months has been staggering – and it was no surprise to see him record such a marvellous time, some 23 minutes inside the ‘good for age’ benchmark that London marathon organisers set as a target time for the very best runners in the UK to aim for. Dad of three, environmental consultant, champion runner, community fundraiser, Boden catalogue model…is there nothing George can not do? If he can find the enthusiasm to stick to this training routine over the next 12 months, is Nick Langridge’s all-time club marathon record of 2hr 43 under threat?

Hard to think anyone could better George’s effort, but Chris Foley came very close. He finished 43rd overall in his age category (which for a race the size of the London marathon is amazing) in a time of 4hrs 16 mins. He beat his own ‘good for age’ target by an even greater percentage than George did, which is in indication of how good Chris’ run was, and it is remarkable how consistently he performs across the distances.

Club captain Kevin Wood had prepared meticulously for the event, and more importantly raised thousands of pounds to support the Young Lives against Cancer charity. However his race-day began when the fire alarm was set off at the hotel and he was pitched out onto the street at 1am. Will these die-hard supporters of Chepstow Harriers stop at nothing? Bleary-eyed and weary before he started, Kevin still managed to produce an excellent run of 4hrs 12 mins. Not far behind him, Paul Reeves finished in 4hrs 25, Sarah Newnes in 4hrs and 28 and Sonya Bryson in 4 hrs 32. Mike Bennewitz ran a fine 5hrs 51.

Sunday also saw the rescheduled running of the Berkeley 10k, which was also the latest instalment of the Pete Mainstone challenge. It is a brilliant race, meticulously organised by our friends at Dursley running club. It starts and ends at Berkeley Green College (site of the old power station) and features two loops of the picturesque town, the highlight being the run over the bridge where fatigued runners can glance up at the Castle and see the window where the anxious King Edward II watched the 1327 edition of the race. It is a pretty flat and fast course, and TRC members took advantage to produce some excellent finishing times.

Nick Williams followed up his Bristol half-marathon PB with another stellar performance to finish in second place overall in a time of 34:57. From an already high base, Nick is still improving, and now mixing it with the very top runners in our region. Ben Bohane has a marathon next week, but still gave this race the Spinal Tap treatment, ratcheting it up to 11, and finishing in 38:05. Simon Pinnington also smashed the 40 min barrier, finishing in 39:15, and a clear winner in the MV50 category. Congratulations.

Phil Blackburn also has a marathon next week, and therefore soft-pedalled a little, but still pushed a big enough gear to finish in 40:14. He pipped Paul Thomas to the post by just one second. Jim Godden continued his strong recent form with 40:44. Paul Saville said his ‘lungs felt like old hoover bags’ but they still got him around the course in 44 mins. Nick Langridge consolidated his lead in the overall Challenge standings, and his 45:09 was the highest age-adjusted score of the day. Jonathan Hall finished in 45:50; Chris Pritchard ran under 55 mins; Richard Illingworth and Mel Lloyd took just over an hour.

The TRC ladies team also produced some fantastic results. Hannah Hamilton wasn’t very well, but was still the first TRC women home in 45 mins. 10km is really just a warm-up stride for Jo Plumbley, but this endurance specialist is still rapid over the shorter distances. She was the second TRC woman, in a shade under 47 mins. Emma Barnes was third women for TRC, in 48:49 and a brilliant second place overall in her age category. Clare Watt ran 49 mins, and would have been very high up indeed in her age category. Selina Slater completed a very strong set of results for the ladies team with a run of 52:39.

Despite all these outstanding results, the only TRC member to win a race this weekend was Chris Worrell, who was first finisher at the Minehead Parkrun in 18:51. Our cross-country team seems to get stronger by the week.

Conditions at the Mundy playing fields are probably now no better than good to soft, so any PBs from now on are all down to improved running performance. So ‘chapeau’ to 14 yr old Thomas Darton (19:49), Michael Owen (24:07) and Roger Glew (24:22) for setting new course PBs.

Members, News, Thornbury Running Club

TRC Bulletin for W/C Monday 4th October

• Please wear a Hi-Viz top for your safety as it is now dark for the run.
• Head torches are recommended when running away from well light areas.
• You have the option of meeting inside TLC (Fitness Studio) or outside in the car park before the run. Please be in the car park for a 7:00 run start.
• Tea is available in the Fitness Studio after the run.

Thursday Club Night Leaders
• 7 min – Jim Godden
• 8 min – Hannah Hamilton
• 9 min – Hugh McPherson
• 10 min – Jon Welsh
• 12 min(5k) – Steve Dimond
• Walking – Val James

Tea Rota
07/10 – tba (volunteer required)
14/10 – tba (volunteer required)

If we are to carry on offering Tea & Biscuits after Thursday night’s run we need volunteers for the Tea Rota – please see Arthur Renshaw

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1. EA Run Coaching Programme – Session #2 Monday 18th October (by Zoom)
Kerry Newell will be leading a discussion on Monday 18th October 7:00 – 8:30pm about marathon – pacing, nutrition, time goal setting etc. Kerry’s current roles include England Masters Marathon Team Coach. Please join at 6:55 for 7:00 prompt start, thank you:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89049057236?pwd=cnIzY2MwQVpuRFVpRkMrV3JzYktSQT09
Meeting ID: 890 4905 7236 Passcode: 871943

2. Free Runners Pilates Taster Session – Message from Nicola Crocker – Phoenix Therapies
Do you struggle with niggles and injuries? Would you like to improve your speed or endurance? I can help you to unlock your potential by improving your balance, posture, and core strength which can help you get back from injuries quicker or reduce them in the first place. I am offering a FREE 30-minute virtual Run Stronger Pilates taster session on Monday 11th October at 7:00pm
https://ukri.zoom.us/j/97244259138?from=addon Meeting ID: 972 4425 9138
If you can’t wait that long I am already offering both virtual and face to face classes. If you would like more information, please contact me directly on: 07894 293345 or nicola@phoenix-therapies.co.uk

3. Mob Match #2 – December -> Spring
Bitton would like to move the date of the mob match, as the provisional December date is too close to the Sodbury Slog to organise another event. With both club’s having full race diaries we are now moving this to the spring. Date and more info to follow.

4. Pete Mainstone Challenge – Series Finale Announced
Five events completed and 3 to go in the 2021-22 Pete Mainstone Challenge.
• 3rd October Berkeley 10k
• 27th November Having a Mare (Bath Racecourse off road) – EVENT CANCELLED
• 19th December Chippenham Shortest Day 10k
• NEW 27th Feb – Challenge Finale – Pontypool Park 10k (Pete’s personal pick!)

5. parkrun of the Month – 6th November.
The parkrun of the month for November 6th will be Berkeley Green

6. Runners Who Lunch – 20th December
‘Runners Who Lunch’ are planning a Christmas lunch on Monday 20th December. Dining at about 1:00 pm at ‘The Anchor’ followed by beverages at ‘The Butchers Hook’ all welcome. Before booking Richard (Illingworth) is looking to collect names of those who are interested in coming along. Please contact Richard directly richard.illingworth1000@gmail.com

7. Club Nights
Please don’t attend if you have any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. For the latest list of COVID symptoms please see:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/#symptoms

02/10/21

Members, News, Results, Thornbury Running Club

Calm before the (London) storm. Race report, w/e 26th Sept.

There are positives and negatives when the wind does not blow. On the down-side it means less renewable energy production, leading to greater reliance on natural gas, which in turn leads to a price surge, with knock-on effects for the energy market, which could exacerbate an inflationary spiral with huge consequences for the cost of living, household finances and the global economy.

But on the plus side, light wind makes for perfect Parkrun PB conditions.

At the Mundy playing fields Jim proved that he has still Godden-it! Our men’s cross-country captain ran a 20 minute-flat PB, finishing fourth overall. As Jim competes in a category reserved for those with high levels of accumulated wisdom, this translated to an age-grade score a smidgen under 80% – a ranking Parkrun UK says is national standard. A fantastic run by Jim, and hopefully this level of performance will mean he will challenge for his age-group title in the forthcoming Glos Cross Country League races.

Not far behind Jim, Tom Usherwood also ran an excellent PB, finishing in 8th place in 21:53. Emma Pritchard was fourth female finisher, and just missed out on her course PB, running 28:05. Melinda Evans also missed her PB by a handful of seconds. She ran 32:08.

To judge from his Strava feed, Dylan Roberts has spent the past two years, off-grid, living wild in the Forest of Dean, surviving on berries and wild boar. Or possibly he and his family moved to Lydney – I ought to check. Either way, this naturally-gifted athlete has been throwing out some stunning park-run times recently. He was second place at Mallards Pike in 18:22, but has previously run 17:44. Hopefully Dylan can be tempted back over the Bridge to bolster our men’s cross-country team.

Six days after a full-on half-marathon effort most people are still re-fuelling on pies and vin rouge, but Paul Thomas joined Dylan at Mallards Pike in a very respectable 6th place/19:25/78% age-grade. Over at Stonehouse, Nick Langridge ran 21:54, which also gave him a 79% age-grade score. I realise I go on about these quite a lot, but it is worth noting that a 25-year old male runner would need to record something like 15:45 to get a comparable score to those recorded this week by Jim, Nick and Paul.

I understand that Nikki Foss ran the Nottingham half-marathon on Sunday. She finished in 2hrs 17mins which is an excellent effort, especially considering she’s only recently started to train consistently after giving birth.

Finally, just a week out from London, not many people would choose to warm up with a trail half-marathon. However George Evans continued his highly impressive run of form with an outstanding 15th position out of 527 runners at the Forest of Dean Half, in a time just over 1hr 28 mins. This route wouldn’t be comparable to a road run, so this tune-up suggests a sub-three hour run could be on the cards next Sunday in London. Good luck, and have fun, to all the TRC runners heading to the capital next week!

For runners of all standards