Notes:

(i) the advertised times are when we aim to set off. Runners typically arrive at the venue anything up to 15 minutes before this time, in order to socialise, find out more about the sessions which are taking place, listen to announcements, check the club noticeboard, and so on;

(ii) members taking part in a training session prior to competing in a race (mid-week or weekend) should seek the advice of the coach conducting the session in order to identify the most appropriate training level;

(iii) please appreciate our coaches - without them, we wouldn't have any training sessions!

(iv) All training sessions start from Carmel RC College, which is located on the Headlands, Darlington.

Changes to previously posted information are highlighted in red.

Circuit Training takes place every Monday evening 7.30pm – 8.30pm in the school gym. Circuit training is a type of interval training in which strength exercises are combined with endurance/aerobic exercises, combining the benefits of both a cardiovascular and strength training workout. 'Circuit' means a group of activities /'stations' positioned around the facility that are to be visited in rapid succession. The range of stations includes those comprising resistance equipment (free weights), as well as allocated spaces to do squat thrusts, pushups, jumping jacks, sit-ups, and other exercises. Each person should complete the activity in one station before they proceed to the next station. They then continue until they have passed through all stations once or twice as required, or until a certain time requirement has been met. Each session costs £1, this is to cover the cost of the school gym.

NB. MEMBERS TAKING PART IN A TRAINING SESSION PRIOR TO COMPETING IN A RACE

(MID WEEK OR WEEKEND) SHOULD SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE COACH CONDUCTING

THE SESSION IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THE MOST APPROPRIATE TRAINING LEVEL.

It seems like there may be a shortage of 'short' races that fit our championship criteria this year. To try to combat this potential problem we have taken the decision to include the Cowpen Bewley Absent Friends Trail race in this years championship. We know this is not ideal as it take place in less than 3 weeks time - February 14 - but entries only need to be in by February 8 so there is still over a week to enter. There is a race limit however - so beware. Entry forms in the race folder available on club nights or from Billingham Marsh House Harriers website. www.marsh-house.org

Also, please note that the Hartlepool Marina 5 Mile race on March 28 will also be included in the 2010 championship.

We are pulling together the dates of races from various sources and hope to have at least a provisional championship list out within the next two/three weeks.

Anthony

Knavesmire Harrier's Brass Monkey Half Marathon: 24th January 2010

With the best intentions and well thought out plans, things inevitably don’t work out exactly as you planned. So while I’m doped up on Ibuprofen and having consumed a swimming pool full of Lucozade I thought I’d type up a race review of the Brass Monkey.

The informal chatter around the Brass Monkey in the weeks leading up to the event promised a flat course which would be ideal for half marathon personal bests; the weather would be ideal; the long nature of the race would kick of marathon training perfectly and there was the potential to be some good goodies at the end.

Having hitched a lift from Mark and Wendy (thanks to them for the lift and the running tunes on the stereo!) I avoided the coach, which was going to be visiting York for post race food and drinks, to avoid the inevitable drinking. I have no doubt that on route to the race, the coach probably broke down and may or may not have been sent through a black hole – as is the tradition on Quaker Club trips. The parking at the event was plentiful and there was loads of room for cars. The early start and convenient location meant that it was easy to navigate through with ease, avoiding all the traffic and students which York normally offers.

There were loads of people milling around at the start, tea and coffee was reasonably priced and there was ample seating and toileting for all involved. Putting your bag into storage was quick and easy, as was getting your chip. It seems bizarre to me how so many races make a mess of chips and bags when the Knavesmire Harriers made it look so simple. Tees Pride, I’m looking at you!

There were two young ladies from Lucozade peddling “free sports science advice”, which basically meant freebies. They were surrounded by Quakers grabbing “free sports science advice”, although Brian and Dave didn’t look too pleased with the taste.

The race itself didn’t disappoint. Everyone went to the right pens quickly and easily, although I think there wasn’t enough room in the sub 1:30 pen as it was consistently passing people up until my little accident. The race was as flat as promised, with very little surface water. The light drizzle helped to keep things cool, whilst there was no wind in any direction. The race was extremely well marshalled, who shouted us all on through shouting our club names, whilst warning us to “keep to the left!!!”. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t have my iPod on me, there’s certainly been other races with more road time where we’ve been allowed MP3 players. I personally missed my music!

The mile markers were accurate and my Garmin satisfyingly bleeped within seconds of approaching a marker and the water stations were well staffed and maintained.

The finish was quick and breezey, with my gun time matching my Garmin and the chip time down to about ten seconds. The prize was a decent sweat shirt, which joins the rest of the cotton tops I wear when gardening and a goodie bag with some chocolate and energy gel.

From informal chat, Dave Todd, Mark Robinson and Brian Martin all had tremendous runs. Smashing their previous personal bests! Dave Todd being first “mortal” Quaker home behind Alister Tatham in a cracking time of 1:26 and Mark taking 8 minutes from his previous half marathon PB! I’m sure that more Quakers broke their own records and congratulations are deserved to all who took part and finished!

Overall, a superb well organised race which is well worth running! Definitely going to do this one again!

Photos thanks to Flaming Photography

Results for the Race are available on UKresults

If you have any thoughts, ideas or would just like to add something, why not add a comment below? [For registered users only]

Florida was the destination for distance runner, Toni Chaplin-Armer, who took part in the Walt Disney Goofy Challenge; running both a half-marathon and a full marathon on the same weekend.  If she thought that she was escaping the freezing British weather, she was in for a shock.  Orlando saw its lowest temperatures for years and she had to endure sleet in the first race and negotiate patches of ice on the following day.  Around seventeen thousand runners weaved there way through the Disney parks in each of the events.  She finished Saturday’s shorter race in 1:59:52 before completing Sunday’s marathon in 3:59:10 to take 2075th place overall and 38th spot in her age group.

Dawn Richardson also crossed the Atlantic, taking part in the Bermuda International Marathon.  Clocking 3:08:24, she took 7th place and was the third lady over the line.

Michael Joyeux was the first of ten Quakers at Sedgefield Harriers’ Winter Handicap.  He overcame his handicap of 19 minutes to take third place in 67:31.  Nick Watson came 5th in 68:03 with Stuart Hardcastle one place behind in 68:14.  He was followed by Anthony Corbett (12th, 69:36), Mark Colling (30th, 73:50), Mark Robinson (34th, 76:14), Daniel Crane (35th, 76:30), Susan Limbert (39th, 86:29), Sarah Beadle (40th, 88:02) and Alex Simpson (41st, 88:09).

Whitby hosted the latest NYSD cross country meeting, where in the ladies event Louise Trainer finished 17th ahead of Lucy Jefferies (29th) and Bev Snook (48th).  Steve Snook, in 44th place, was the first Quaker home in the men’s race.  David Todd and Ian Scott finished 57th and 88th respectively.

Quakers welcome all runners to their training sessions, which are held at Carmel School on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm.

www.quakersrunningclub.org.uk