November 2011

ROUND THE BLOCK
Issue Number 82
Nov 2011
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Your Committee and other support members. ....................................................................................................... 3
Editors Page .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Club Futures - Roderick Hoffman ................................................................................................................................. 5
Annual Awards - March 2011 ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Chairman’s award .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Alamo Trophy ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Brian Forrester – Adrian Lee trophy nomination 2011 – BA Athletics Club .................................11
Alan Anderson – Tom Mitchell trophy nomination 2011 – BA Athletics Club ..............................11
London Marathon Reports from some of our club place runners – April 2011......................................12
Piers Keenleyside’s London Marathon ...........................................................................................................12
Marathon Report -. David Godfrey. .................................................................................................................14
Joe Nolan - Ramblings of a Marathon Rookie - (Part 1) ........................................................................15
Joe Nolan - Ramblings of a Marathon Rookie - (Part 2) ........................................................................18
London Marathon 2011 – Colin Haylock ......................................................................................................25
Marathon Journey - Karen Blackman ............................................................................................................26
London Marathon 2011 – Ian Cunningham ................................................................................................27
London Marathon 2011 – Steve Taylor .........................................................................................................28
200 Marathons - Ray Hampton.........................................................................................................................29
WARR 2011 - 22nd - 25th September: Grapevine, Texas ....................................................................................30
Athletics 2011 .....................................................................................................................................................................31
Grand Prix events - 2011 – Eddie Giles ..........................................................................................................31
Rosenheim events - 2011 – Eddie Giles ..........................................................................................................32
ASCA – T&F, 20th August 2011Eddie Giles...................................................................................................34
BA Championships & Fun Day – 25th September 2011 - Eddie Giles................................................35
Club In House Events 2010/11 (CIE) ........................................................................................................................37
Dec 2010 CIE – Parkway Mile – Steve Newell .............................................................................................37
Mar 2011 CIE – Equinox 5k– Steve Newell ..................................................................................................37
Apr 2011 CIE- Watersplash 10k / 5k – Steve Newell ...............................................................................38
June CIE – Parkway Mile ......................................................................................................................................39
August CIE – Cranford Relay ..............................................................................................................................39
Women’s Cross Country- 2011 – Clara Halket ......................................................................................................40
Men’s Cross Country- 2011 – Barry Walters..........................................................................................................40
Other races and events....................................................................................................................................................41
Bridges Relay 2011 – Richard Ruffell .............................................................................................................41
BAAC ROM Park run Bedfont Lakes 25th June 2011 ...............................................................................41
ROM - Park run Bushy Park - 6th August 2011............................................................................................41
Black Park Run – Eddie Giles .............................................................................................................................42
Frankfurt Marathon - Colin Haylock - 30th October. ..............................................................................42
Pavey beats Radcliffe as Farah retains his Bupa London 10,000 title .............................................42
A Very Enjoyable Green Belt Relay Weekend - Brian Bennett .............................................................44
Back to the Land of my Fathers – Nick Edge ...............................................................................................45
Slough Homeless Our Concern ...........................................................................................................................47
Snippets .................................................................................................................................................................................47
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Your Committee and other support members.
President
Chairman
Deputy Chairman
John Williams
Brian Forrester
Richard Ruffell
Hon. Secretary
Hon. Treasurer
Men’s Captain
Ladies Captain
Steve Hillier
Chris Kelly
Barry Walters
Clara Halket
Track & Field
Captain
Membership
Secretary
Communications
Secretary
Statistics
Events Secretary
Minutes Secretary
Eddie Giles
stevehillier@msn.com
ckelly@amadeus.com
Barry.Walters@BA.com
Clara.Halket@baclubs.com /
clarapn@aol.com
eddieGiles@et-enterprises.com
Alan Friar
a.friar1@ntlworld.com
Paul Brandon
PBrandon@amadeus.com
020 8990 0817
Nick Edge
Neil Frediani
Steve Hillier
nickedge@baac.freeserve.co.uk
neil.frediani@ba.com
stevehillier@msn.com
01753 664121
General Committee
(Unspecified
portfolio)
Paul Goldsmith
Alastair Heslop
Kat Henville
Roderick Hoffman
Paul.Goldsmith@BA.com
aheslop@amadeus.com
020 856 25788
020 8990 0825
rhoff10350@aol.com
roderick.hoffman@BA.com
(H) 020 8581 1589
(W) 020 873 86998
Richard.Ruffell@BA.com
To view latest committee information check :
http://www.baRUNNER.org.uk/index.htm
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0208 572 3815
020 873 86897
/ 07956 829973
020 864 5728
020 8990 0892
020 873 89588
020 864 5728
Editors Page
Welcome to the 82nd RTB
I need to start this magazine with a plea for a new editor! I left the club over a year ago now
and as much as I love reading everyone’s articles, I think it is more appropriate that someone
from the club should pull it together. It is a great opportunity of keeping up to date with what
is going on in the club, and you also have the fun of deciding what goes in the magazine.
For those of you who do know me, I have spent 2011 speeding up the completion of my
psychology course, by completing 2 modules of my Open University degree. I have one course
left in 2012 and so I will have finished my degree by the end of Oct 2012. My picture is one of
my cats trying to read my exam revision notes on child psychology, while sitting on my books!
Just out of the picture were the other 2 cats sprawled across my notes.
RTB will also found on the BA clubs website and on the new website
www.baRUNNER.org.uk.
Before reading the marathon reports I have to give the following warnings!!
 Contains themes of an adult nature!
 This magazine may contain nuts!!
 This magazine contains flash photography!!
Natalie
Ps – Joe you owe me several drinks as I have read your report several times!!
E-mail me on
Natalie.Lang@hotmail.co.uk
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Club Futures - Roderick Hoffman
In its thirtieth year the club is asking itself what it needs to do to move forward. This included
an on-line questionnaire last August and a Club Forum held to discuss possibilities. A number
of initiatives have been suggested and progress is being made on some of these.
The need for an up-to-date website featured strongly in both the Questionnaire responses and
at the Forum. For this reason a new website has been set up to provide information for
existing members and to advertise the club to new members. The website has the address:
www.baRUNNER.org.uk
Remember the name to pass it on – “be a runner org’anisation uk”. The website contains upto-date “News”, “Results” and “Diary” sections. There are many other pages on the website for
other useful information and more can be added. It is important that the website content is a
team effort so all members are urged to review the site and to propose new content and
improvements.
In the on-line questionnaire Park Runs were rated highly by many BA Club members. For this
reason the Committee have introduced a recommended Park Run every other month. These
runs are being well attended – usually higher attendance than at Run-of-the-Months. It is
particularly pleasing to see new faces within the club hosting BAAC’s attendance at their local
Park Run. If you don’t know what a Park Run is then check the Club Diary and contact the
host of the next featured Park Run.
BA Clubs Futures Questionnaire Responses: Electronic feedback received from (only) 16
individuals, 14 of whom are current club members.
How useful/important are the following for finding out about Club Events and Activities? (14
replies):
eMail
99%
Magazine
Website
71%
69%
Club Night
64%
Notice Board
Traditional Post
36%
31%
“Club’s Heartbeat”
“Not efficiently used”
“Good round-up but appreciate hard task to produce”
“If kept up to date this would be 100%”
“The Club’s front door”
“Helps hold club together”
“Only if I am able to attend”
“Rarely look at this”
“Not required”
What Club Events attract you most? (13 replies)
In-house Events (CIE etc)
(non-club) Park Runs
Marshalling
Relays
Club Socials
International Events
Cross Country
Group Training
69%
54%
38%
38%
31%
31%
23%
23%
Unstructured Club Night Runs
(non-club) Triathlon
Run of the Month
(non-club) Hash
Track&Field
(non-club) Orienteering
(non-club) Others
5
23%
23%
15%
15%
8%
8%
8%
How can we get new members? (16 replies)
Interactive website
Focus on events at LGW etc
Team presence at Park Runs
Publicity about range of events involved in
Better info on CIEs
New members to influence club diary
Formal runs from Waterside
Mass participation in Wed evening runs
More structured training
Mentor new joiners
Get better at encouraging members to
rejoin
Weekend training runs
More handicap races
Restrict marathon places to members
Friendly picture gallery
Be more proactive in recruitment
Reduce costs of BA Clubs
Leave BA Clubs
New club ID – drop “Athletics”
Affiliate with a local club
Create a parallel non-BA Clubs club
BAAC offshoot at Waterside
More CIEs at Waterside
Promote the benefits of BA Clubs’
membership and BActive Gym
Compare full costs with other clubs
Free trial membership
Improve communication style to be inclusive
for strangers
Listen to the views of recent leavers and new
joiners
Consult with other BA Club Sections for ideas
Encourage access to non-members as guests
Annual Awards - March 2011
Male Athlete of the Year
This year we had several strong candidates for this
award. John Coffey continues with the performances that
he showed as last year’s most improved athlete, while
Chris Kelly now tops the Reading Park Run league of 521
runners.
Our winner had a superb run at WARR, finishing 3rd in
the 10K. He has represented the club well in the Cross
country league, and is always there for the club,
managing BA hosted events, such as the Concorde 10K,
Round The Block or Round The Park.
The award goes to one of our strongest runners of recent times: Paul Knechtl.
Female Athlete of the Year
This year’s winner was another BA success at WARR. She
was BA Athletics Clubs’ first lady finisher in both the 5K and
10K. She is a much improved runner, and she has been
successful this winter at the Surrey League cross country
events.
Our winner this year is Lissa Pritchard
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Men’s Track and Field Grand Prix
This award is collected by the athlete who has shown the
greatest all round ability at a wide range of events. Our
winner had an impressive season, leading the team to
within a whisker of the Rosenheim final. His personal
successes included wins in four Grand Prix events: 200m,
400m, 1500m and Javelin. His presence of mind at the
Epsom Rosenheim track meeting, when dealing with the
quietest starting pistol ever fired, makes him a worthy
winner.
The Men’s Track & Field Award goes to Eddie Giles.
Ladies Track and Field Grand Prix
This year we have seen significant performances in our in-house events
at Windsor, in both the Grand Prix events and at the Family Day. Our
winner was our top lady high jumper and shot putter of the year.
Congratulations to Kat Henville
Men’s Cross Country Trophy
This trophy is presented to the man who had most
success during Winter 2009/10 with our cross-country
team. The main candidates are those who have put in
the hard miles to collect Surrey League points for the
club, and retain our League 3 status. Last winter, John
Coffey had a very successful season, but could not quite
close the gap on the team captain.
The new king of the mud is Barry Walters.
Ladies Cross Country Trophy
The ladies team continues to thrive with great team spirit. There were good all round
contributions to the team results, with Helen Smith and Monica Alonso pushing the
winner close. The overall award was taken by a runner who, despite being hit by a
couple of serious injuries, continues to outpace most of the opposition.
Our top lady cross-country runner last winter was Kat Henville.
Round The Block Trophy
This trophy can be won by devising, marshalling and
taking part in BA events throughout the year. As last
year, Barry Walters’ keen involvement in almost every
BA event left him in a close run second position.
This year, the award goes to the chap who organised the
most races, was always there on the finish line to cheer
us home, hosted the most socials, and looked after us like
no other leader can.
This year’s winner is Brian Forrester.
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Most Improved Athlete
There were two main contenders for this
trophy.
Adrian Haines continued his excellent progress,
smashing his 1500m personal best at the British
Masters.
The other main candidate, and the award
winner, has showed great progress in her road
running, with a fine performance at WARR. She
has also made great strides in her cross country
running, improving her times and consistently
representing the club.
This year’s champion is Marion Woodhouse
Veteran’s trophy
This trophy was presented to the club by Malcolm
Field.
Despite the fact that most of the club’s members are
vets, this year there was only one candidate. Our
winner shows enthusiasm in any event in which he
competes. He is one of the quickest sprinters we
have ever had in his age group, but is better known
for his cross country and road running
performances.
He has run in more Bushy Park run 5K events than
almost anyone alive, and is the best salesman the
event will ever have. What’s more, his age-graded
result of over 80% in this event puts him level with two other legends of British
athletics, Hugh Brasher and John Coffey. Our winner encourages new members and
cheers on established athletes. He is a credit to the club.
The award goes to Alan Anderson
Brian Forrester 10K Trophy
In the past this trophy has been given to runners who
have shown great doggedness and persistence in
improving their times and battling the elements
throughout the year. This time, the cup is awarded to one
of our top runners for a very special run, leading the BA
team home in WARR race in Docklands. Our winner was
the first veteran to finish and came a close second overall.
The Brian Forrester 10K Trophy has been won Dave
Dixon.
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Chairman’s award
To host WARR, we first had to win the right to stage the event, and generate the level of
enthusiasm required. We had to persuade the airline running community that London was
the right place to stage the event. We had to attract and retain event sponsors. We had to
investigate and make complex recommendations on the best way of staging the event. We
had to persuade British Airways senior management to support and act as a figurehead for
the event – and of course we had to mobilise scores of volunteers to make it all happen.
Our Event Chairman and
Project Manager led every step
of the way, opening doors,
removing barriers and
encouraging a huge response
from athletes, helpers and
sponsors.
The Chairman’s Award goes to Kat Henville and Roderick Hoffman.
Alamo Trophy
This weighty trophy was won by BA many years ago, and has traditionally been given to
someone who has provided us with a
spectacular and memorable performance.
Last year we hosted the event in London – a
huge undertaking which would not have
been achieved without most of our club
members. A small group of people
supported Kat and Roderick, leading a wide
range of projects. They spent a year
planning, negotiating and drumming up
support for the event. They dealt with
sponsors, hotels, local authorities, event
centre managers, Pearly Kings and Charlie
Chaplin, without blinking an eye.
This year, the Alamo trophy is awarded to the WARR core team: Alan Friar, Graham Taylor;
Helen Smith; John Taylor; Marion Woodhouse; Mark Taylor; Natalie Lang; Nick Edge; Paul
Brandon; Simon Turton
The event raised sufficient funds to finance the trip of their
lifetime for at least three seriously disadvantaged children.
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Gary also celebrated a milestone birthday at the awards evening!
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Brian Forrester – Adrian Lee trophy nomination 2011 – BA Athletics Club
Brian Forrester has been the driving force behind the British Airways Athletics Club since its
formation nearly thirty years ago. Once a useful half marathon competitor, Brian has for
many years switched his attentions to promote the Athletics section, and enhance the
relationship with BA Clubs.
One of his first major projects was to manage the World Airline Road Race in Hyde Park in
1985, and he has used his organisational skills ever since to plan races and social events. He is
well known to BA Clubs staff, working with them to arrange room bookings, meals and
transport, and he always has a cheery word for the reception and bar teams. He encourages
use of BA clubs catering facilities for athletics events, and works with the kitchen to arrange
club “picnics” at local track venues.
Brian is the heartbeat of the Athletics Club. He is the first person members turn to for support
or advice. Brian has chaired the committee for many years, and takes pride in doing things
the right way.
The Athletics club are pleased to nominate Brian Forrester as a deserving candidate for the
Adrian Lee award.
Alan Anderson – Tom Mitchell trophy nomination 2011 – BA Athletics Club
Alan Anderson is not the best orienteer in the club. In fact, his navigational skills are
legendary. However, his running ability, his commitment to BAAC and to BA Clubs, and his
collection of age related records are exceptional.
Alan has welcomed many new runners on their first steps with the club, and provided them
with significant support, as they have moved towards their goal of being a half-decent jogger,
or a 3 hour marathon runner. He will happily speak to anyone, and makes each person feel
valued.
Since retirement over ten years ago, Alan has increased his level of fitness by cycling scores of
miles each week, by regularly running with the club and by exercising with the Nifty Fifties.
He is an ambassador for this group, and has attracted others into the fold.
Alan’s biggest claim to fame is the weekly Bushy Park run, where has competed nearly 200
times in a BA vest. This puts him in the top 25 attendees out of more than 3000 runners. He
has run an age related percentage of 80.4%, which is very good, and he shows no signs of
slowing down.
During one Saturday in August this year, Alan cycled a fifteen mile round trip to compete in
the Bushy Park run, then drove to Uxbridge to support BA at the ASCA Track & Field
championships. He ran in the 5000m, and not satisfied with that, competed in the 4 x 100m
relay to lead his team to a useful time. He admitted afterwards that he didn’t feel as sharp as
usual in the sprint!
For his combination of athletics prowess, and his support for club members around him, the
Athletics Club has no hesitation in putting forward Alan for the Tom Mitchell trophy.
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London Marathon Reports from some of our club place runners – April 2011
Piers Keenleyside’s London Marathon
The Training (lack of)
The plan was to keep running through the winter with a couple of runs home from work
during the week (2 x 10 miles) and a shorter run along the canal near home at the weekends. I
would then increase the mileage and pace in March and April with the hope of doing
something like 3:45 on The Big Day. I’ve had a groin strain for the last 2 ½ years which
restricts the speed I can train at without it putting me out of action for a few days so I can’t
really see myself ever getting near to my pb of 3:04 ever again.
Sadly in early December I entered the Perivale 5 mile race and pulled a hamstring in my left
leg by trying to do a reasonable time. I think I did about 38 minutes. Ten years ago this would
have cleared up in 2 or 3 days but now I’m in my mid-50’s these things take 2 - 3 months to
get better!
I tried running on and off through December and January but the hamstring would always tug
at me and be tender for the next 2 or 3 days so I never really started to get fit. On top of that
was there was the freezing cold weather that provided another excuse not to go running!
In February the hamstring was nearly better and I managed to start doing a couple of runs per
week. We then went on holiday to South Africa for about 10 days and in the warm weather I
was out running most mornings. With all the running I thought I would have lost some weight
but when I got home I was actually heavier at a rather porky 12st 3lbs! I think it must have
been the large buffet breakfasts I’d had for the last 10 days!
Back at home, training was still difficult as we’ve just had an extension built on the house and
there were loads of DIY jobs I should be doing rather than going out running. Towards the end
of March I realised I had still not run further than the 10 miles home from work since doing
the Clarendon Way Marathon last October! I resolved to do a 20+ mile run on each of the next
3 Sundays but due to pressing DIY issues (I’d found some woodworm riddled floorboards) I
only managed one such run - the week before the London Marathon!
The Wager
A couple of weeks before the marathon we had my brother and
other friends over for dinner. I can’t remember how it came about
(a few too many beers!) but the subject of running the marathon
in fancy dress came up. My brother bet me £50 (to be donated to a
charity) that I would not run the marathon in a Borat style
mankini! Well when it’s your brother you just have to rise to the
challenge - so I said yes! Next day I trawled the Internet and
ordered my self a leopard print mankini - so much more tasteful
than the more traditional lime green Sacha sported in the film!
A few days later I got a very small parcel and I was beginning to regret what I had got myself
into. As you can imagine a mankini is not the most comfortable of garments and when I first
tried it on I thanked God I wasn’t any taller! These things only come in one size and stretch to
fit! Ouch! There is also very little material - I could see I would need to borrow some
Veet/Immac from the ladies of the house to tidy up my mankini line!
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I also did some last minute shopping at the Excel Marathon Expo when I went to register on
Friday evening - I bought a pair of ‘test’ running shoes (Adidas ‘Response‘) from the Sweat
Shop stall for a bargain price of £20. They felt so comfy I decided to wear then first time out at
Sunday’s marathon.
The Race
The night before the race I came up with a plan to save my blushes (a bit). I would run in
normal kit with my mankini in a bum-bag. I‘d then change into the mankini in a portaloo a
couple of miles from the finish and be able to show my brother the finisher’s photo as ‘proof’
that I had done it!
However as time went by waiting for the start on Blackheath I decided that I might as well do
it properly - the weather was going to be warm and I’d be the coolest runner on the course in
my leopard print mankini, black curly wig and stick-on moustache! With 40 minutes to go
until the start I rushed to the gents changing tent, stripped off and applied handfuls of
Vaseline between my legs before slipping into the mankini! Not wanting to draw too much
attention to myself I then put on an old baggy sweatshirt and made my way to pen 5 of the
green start area.
A minute before the start I took off the sweatshirt and immediately started to get a few looks
and comments - mainly along the lines of you’ve got some guts (even balls!) or must be mad to
be dressed like that!
The gun went and I crossed the start line after about 45 seconds - not too bad a start. I settled
into a pace of just over 8 minutes/mile. I was running on the outside of the field close to the
spectators and was soon getting plenty of support from sometimes shocked and disbelieving
spectators. The most frequent response from older women was O.M.G! whilst younger
teenagers pretended not to notice me but would sneak a look as I went past making sure to
make no eye contact with me!
Loads of spectators reached for their cameras and mobile phones to take my picture and I
think I must have been about the most photographed runner of the day. Early on in the race a
little Japanese guy running alongside me was trying to take my picture without much success so I stopped to pose!
I also received some unwelcome attention from fellow runners - I
was slapped on the bum 5 or 6 times during the race! Half by ladies
(not so unwelcome) and half by men! Some spectators also got in
on the act by whacking me with their inflated batons. Perhaps the
mankini was not such a good idea!
As I got towards the 10-mile mark my pace started to slow towards
9 minutes mile and by half way (reached in 1hr 56mins) I was
down to10. I plodded on and was soon in Docklands and rounding
Canary Wharf. I lost sight of the mile markers a few times which
helped psychologically as when one did come into view I found
myself a mile or so further on than expected.
By 20 miles my legs were like jelly and I thought a lot about walking
and as I crossed the 22 mile marker I did - but only for 2 or 3
minutes. I managed a sort of run for the next 4 miles but stopped
again to pose for a photo at the BA Parliament Square crossing and
embrace (or should that be embarrass?) my wife who was marshalling there.
13
As I drew close to the finish line I managed a sprint and
overtook 10 or so other runners in the last 50 metres and
after crossing the line I found a barrier to lean against to
recover. Meanwhile a photographer took a rather
unflattering picture of me, which he sold several times - it
has ended up on half a dozen newspaper websites including
The Metro, The Mail and The Guardian! Another picture was
also published in Monday morning’s Sun newspaper – not
page 3 I hasten to add – page 19! My time was just over 4hrs
20 mins and I was 14,000th!
Whilst hobbling to the baggage trucks I saw BA’s nemesis
and LM race sponsor, Sir Richard Branson strolling around
and went over to shake his hand and told him what a great
race it was!
Many people asked if the mankini chaffed ‘down there’ surprisingly it didn’t. However it did chaff where the straps
rubbed against my stomach and chest - possibly due to a
lack of Vaseline. However if I do the marathon again next year I should be OK as I’m
thinking….. ‘fig leaf’!
Marathon Report -. David Godfrey.
First of all my thanks to the British Airways Athletics Association for giving me a place in the
2011 London Marathon, I am most grateful.
Training Report, January 2011 - I walk, not run the Marathon, and I usually start training on
New Years Day, making it one of my New Years Resolutions to get fit for the coming year. I live
in Central London and my main area of walking is along the Embankment, on the south side,
which does not run parallel to the main road and where there is less traffic pollution, at least
that is what I tell myself. I am an early morning riser and I am usually out at around 6AM and
often surprised by how many people I see either hurrying to work or, like myself, getting
some exercise in before daybreak.
January the 1st was not the best of days but true to my resolution I got dressed in warm
clothing and prepared to start to walk off the excesses of the Christmas break. It was freezing
cold but after the first shock and now putting a hat and gloves I managed to walk from my flat,
over the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge to Westminster Bridge and back in just about an hour. Not
bad for a first attempt.
Since then I have extended my walking to the West End for the Winter Sales and to the Royal
Parks, another of my training grounds. I can now boast that last Saturday I walked home from
South Kensington, in two hours flat. I am also attending my local Gym to keep up a general
level of fitness and so far, I am pleased to say that, at this early stage, everything is going to
plan. Future walks will take me along the Thames Path, to Kew and Richmond and sometimes,
the other way, into Docklands.
I hope other Marathon hopefuls are also taking their training seriously and not letting the cold
weather put them off. I wish them all Good Luck and hope to read further success stories in
future editions of Round The Block.
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Joe Nolan - Ramblings of a Marathon Rookie - (Part 1)
Apologies to all our more experienced marathon runners for such a long rambling and maybe
trivial report – as with any first time experience it is a great unknown to me and I am sure I
will be much more knowledgeable after the event
Just recently Steve Newell told me that runners peaked after about 10
years, whatever age they started! That bodes well for me, as it is
exactly 10 years ago that I started trotting. It was after a few drinks
too many in the pub that some friends (?) decided to put my name
down for the 2001 grandly named ‘British 10k’ in London a few
months later. Despite always being pretty quick off the mark for about
10 yards across a tennis court, my first training run lasted only 200
yards before I became ‘crippled’ for a week and subsequently spent as
much time on the physio’s couch as I did training. On the big day I
managed to complete the race in just under an hour in a field that had
drafted in the great Haile Gebrselassie and Zola Budd for publicity.
After a lifetime of disliking the thought of running, I got the bug and
looked for more 10k’s. The 10-year peaking seems to apply as I did my
fastest 10k to date last year and just recently managed a new 5k PB
during my 50th Parkrun.
Watford ½ marathon
Joining the BA running club was the result of speeding into the Concorde Club one evening a
bit late for a tennis match and believing I’d been speed checked by a ‘big clock’! On sheepishly
approaching the operator to excuse myself it was Eddie Giles who told me it was in fact a
timer for a running event (phew!) and hearing my witterings that I did a bit of running
suggested that if I joined the club that I would get faster, so I signed up!
As far as the marathon is concerned, I watched most of these on TV from the very first in
1981, having the greatest respect for every runner - never did I ever think I would be capable
of taking part. With BA I have helped marshal the marathon for quite a few years now, and
each time the thought of doing the event came briefly into my head, lasting only about 3secs
until better sense prevailed as the glamour of running the last 800m down Birdcage Walk to
the end was immediately stifled by the thought of the gruelling 26 miles before. I can’t explain
what happened after last year’s event, that despite never having run much more than 10k
(apart from a few 8 miler Windsor MABAC’s and a Kingston Breakfast run), I got the
overwhelming desire to have a go! Maybe it was fellow runners who said that you have to do
it at least once in your life and to experience the tremendous atmosphere.
It is worth mentioning that amused (or bewildered?) by my preoccupation with 10k’s, Nick
Edge took me to one side early last year and said “Joe, there are other distances than 10k’s”!
His remark provoked me! I then discovered the 5k Parkruns and added 40 of these to my
usual yearly schedule of 20 plus 10k’s! I also took in the Cabbage Patch 10 miles and the
gruelling Hog’s Back before the end of the year. (As an aside, I was recently in Sweatshop
buying some XC shoes when a chap also came in for shoes; the assistant asked him what sort
of distances he ran, and he said 100-250k Ultra’s and had just come back from a South
American jungle race, both our jaws dropped. Wonder if Nick had been thinking these
distances?!)
Anyway, I ‘secretly’ applied via the ballot and was quite disappointed not to get a place,
however I was really chuffed later to get one of the BA allocated entries in December. On
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reflection, it was only Lynn Stephens who kept prompting me to try some longer distances as
these were easier (???) and that I would be well able to manage these (!!!) – I must admit that
once I got to 8 miles in events to follow that I did start to find it a bit easier somehow to keep
going. Most of my friends were astounded by the idea of a marathon, questioning both my
sanity and ability. I’m still not sure what other BA members think as those I have mentioned
this to seem to show a slightly glazed look (maybe since most of the Club seems to have run
marathons this is nothing special to them, rather than concern over my capability!!!)
I devised my own training plan rather than adopting one of the many published ones, as my
objective was solely to ‘get there’ rather than thinking of a finish time. I needed to build up to
being on my feet running for 4-5hrs. I started in earnest after the winter snow cleared on
murky Wednesday 29 December with a 10k around my regular training route around Virginia
Water lake and parts the Great Park – I never tire of this place. The plan of action was to
steadily increase the distance each week up to about 25 miles before marathon day. I would
also add in my usual early year 10k’s and weekly 5k Parkruns. I soon learnt that I would have
to ramp up a bit quicker to allow a ‘taper’ down some weeks before the day – hmmm, lot to
learn still! I was carrying over some injuries from last year, like all of us, and suffering weekly
costly physio torture – some torn calf muscles, Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. All of
these were on one leg so I wasn’t deterred as a 1 legged (+ spring blade thing on other) runner
beat me in a 10k a couple of years ago and I have one perfectly good leg anyway! In addition,
after suffering kidney stones last summer and being emergency hospitalised I had just been
diagnosed with another dreaded stone lurking – this was more of a worry as I now have an
uncomfortable continuous dull ache in my side.
My Plan A was almost immediately scuppered by the Physio who instructed me to keep
mileage below 10 throughout January until we got the injuries under control. I also realised
some other shortcomings in my plan - that although I was running better distances that I was
going much slower than I knew capable and also it was also tempting to cry off on occasions
when not so much in the mood or the weather bad. Plan B was then to introduce some events
as a formal ‘stake in the ground’, and so I entered my first half marathon in Watford in early
February under physio instruction to take it gently. I was really pleased to get to the line in a
chip time a whisker under 2 hours without any problems, and confident that I could take
another 5 mins off that another day. At about 9 miles I felt really good and managed to speed
up considerably. I’m not sure that half’s are good mentally, as you end most races knackered
and the thought of a multiple of the same amount again is daunting! This was followed by
Valentines and South London 10k’s. I was then charmed by the Physio, who on announcing
going off for a couple of weeks holiday told me that I hadn’t long to go and had better pull my
finger out and step up my mileage quickly (who was it holding me back ???).
My own runs, now every other day, were steadily increasing and on my first attempt at 17
miles found myself going a bit scatty in mind and body at about 16? Was it a ‘mini-wall’ as I’ve
heard about creeping in at these distances? Maybe I had been short of water but another thing
to consider. Did the BA XC Champs 5 miler in February and the rescheduled Cliveden XC 10k
(at Black Park early March) and then signed up for the free Datchet Dasher 20 mile marathontraining event on 13 March. Bloomin’ cold and freezing rain and wind for the first hour,
together with some really tough hills. My legs stiffened up bad at 16 miles but I managed to
hobble to the end in 3h 13m, although on arrival my legs gave way and I toppled over and had
ringing knee pain for a week!
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I was then given someone else’s entry for the
Marlow ‘Water of Life’ half marathon on 20 March,
thinking ‘great, I can see if I can do a better half
time than Watford’, but it turned out to be a XC
course although I was happy to get through it
solidly with a 2h 0m 30s time with no real after
effects! I had to go up to the Scottish Highlands
during the week following and in some spare time
visited John O’Groats and slowly cantered the
20miles back to Thurso which was quite a remote
adventure.
Next I signed up for the Gade Valley Harriers 20 mile marathon training event on 27 March
(they do a series of a 12 miler in January, a 17 miler in February and the 20 in March). Again,
there was a heavy freezing downpour at the start albeit short and the route had some even
worse ‘killer hills’ into the Chilterns but I got there safely in 3h 20m with no after effects this
time which at last has given me better confidence now. Their events are famed by an amazing
spread of free tea and homemade cakes to devour at the end. I would thoroughly recommend
these 20 mile training events to any other ‘beginner’, as they instinctively make you run a bit
harder, are amongst similar aspiring runners, are fully marshalled with watering holes and
first aid support! With the hills they are said to be worth quite a few more miles on the ‘flat’,
which I believe the LM course is pretty much.
After last Saturday’s Parkrun, I ran my own 12 miles yesterday (Monday) and on Wednesday
will do the club Watersplash 10k, followed by a deliberately slow Parkrun chug on Saturday,
and the Frimley Hospital 10k on Sunday before a restful pasta-eating week leading up to the
17th, that may just include just a couple of leisurely laps of VW lake and of course a trip to the
ExCel to collect my number.
Along the way I have been given tips, which I guess may be trivial and obvious to more
experienced runners, but have been very useful to me and I feel worth passing on to any other
‘beginners’:
Steve Hillier told me to find a good progressive training plan and stick to it as well as you can,
but don’t get stressed, because there may be glitches along the way. However your training
goes, take it easy in the last week before the race and drink lots. If you plan to get new shoes
and socks, test them early, and Vaseline! (My Physio recently condemned my ‘old faithful’
shoes so fortunately I have had time to test and ‘bed in’ some new ones). Steve also said ‘we’ll
be waiting for you at the end’ (very reassuring but I don’t want you to stay late Steve!)
At the BA Awards evening Natalie/Clara/Steve T/PG/Trevor emphasised the need to use (and
test first if compatible with) carbohydrate gels for this distance – glad to say that I have now
started trying these and they certainly helped me on both the 20milers and thanks to Clara as
these are certainly cheapest in Tesco’s! Natalie also told me to have my name clearly marked
on my top to get supporting cheers along the way (I’ve got my sewing box out now!) and to
make sure I’m running the last few miles past the BA Marshalling points (would suggest that a
baggage trolley is on hand to wheel me the last couple of miles just in case!).
Eddie G has warned me of his experience of being pretty wacked out before the start after
having travelled there, the waiting, the bag drop and finding the start and the queuing for loos
etc – made me think of getting a hotel room nearby but these have pretty much now all sold
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out and were ridiculously inflated up to about £300/night anyway! I’ve been kindly offered a
seat on the Datchet Dasher coach albeit a 6.30am start. He also said the dreaded cramp
always came in at about the same distance 18-20 mile, so intake all the drinks you can.
Some other good friends (Paul & Cathy) who have completed quite a few marathons/
duathlons/ triathlons etc have warned me about the horrible sticky ‘treacle’ underfoot as you
go through the gel stations, of the need for sun-cream if it’s a sunny day and even the use of
cycling type shorts underneath to minimise the dreaded ‘chaffing’ and take care about the ‘old
nipple burn’!!!
Despite what I have said before about a finishing time, this does become a ‘wonder’,
particularly as it has to be entered on the application form (I didn’t think ‘why’ at the time). I
put down a conservative estimate of 4h45m. Playing around with some marathon predictors
that base answers on other distance times in fact produced possible a 4h time although I felt
that the actual training runs may doubt this. Now realising that my declared estimate would
‘pen’ me further back at the start I sought info on whether this can be changed but alas it does
not seem possible. I generally like to start a little ahead of my predicted time to get away
prompt but I will have to try to charge ahead on the day if I’m feeling good.
Other than Gary R, Graham T, Steve T and Jas M, I am not sure who rest of the ‘team’
representing BA are, but wish everyone well and thanking all those marshalling in advance for
their support. I have thoroughly enjoyed every step of my training as the ‘goal’ has been in
the front of my mind and I have an ‘inner confidence’ now of making it as long as the aching
kidney stone stays where it is until after the day.
Stop Press: have just been awarded the Sweatshop Monthly Parkrun prize of a free pair of
running shoes of my choice – very nice birthday present for today!!!
Joe Nolan - Ramblings of a Marathon Rookie - (Part 2)
Summary for busy people and those who’ve done it before:
 Got off to a great start, was ahead of schedule at 10k so decided to slow down a bit and
save it for later,
 Feeling good up to 17miles when legs started cramping,
 Worsened more at 22mile
 Painful struggle to the end but got there, albeit a slower than hoped 4h51m –
 I didn’t win but can at least tick the box as having done the marathon now!
…and for those with a lot more time to idle away or those who may like to have their first go
in the future, here is my long essay ! :
Well, the week before the big day was going well with a couple of good steady 10k’s at the
Watersplash and Frimley and a final slow 5mile trot around Virginia Water on the Friday
before so the ‘body’ was ready-as-it-could be and raring to go.
I’d made the trek over to the ExCel to get my number, timing chip and other goodie bag things
that included a can of Fullers beer – was this to be drunk before, during or after? The good
‘Marathon Expo’ certainly started to raise the atmospheric feeling of the event inside me,
bumping into quite a few people I knew and overdosing on so many free samples of energy
bars and drinks that I started to think might be enough to fuel me for the race and whole week
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ahead. The show had so much razamataz going
on ranging from daily marathons being run on
treadmills by pro-looking 100mph runners,
latest running clothing and equipment
exhibitors, running charities, other worldwide
marathon organisers and much-much more.
Well …the official marathon photos were just
too £expensive !!
After my Part 1 report concerns I’d got much
sensible advice over my rearward starting pen
as being the right place to start for my first
marathon, to forget about ‘a time’ and just enjoy it. I couldn’t help continuing a bit anxious the
likelihood of being held back for quite a while waiting for the start and being held up by ‘slow
starters’ from my experience in even much shorter events with many runners, particularly
those who were just out for not much more than a lark along (no offence meant but this may
be because I now spend more time now amongst more serious runners!) Anyway, a ‘lifeline
offer’ of a ‘leg-up’ the starting pens was received from an ‘insider’ (identity protected just in
case of repercussions) who suggested possibility that I could be moved from my designated
pen 8 up to 3 or 4 – fantastic and accepted, although I had to play along with a crafty ‘plan’ on
the day (to follow later).
Rather than run my weekly ParkRun the day before I volunteered to marshal and was given
barcode scanning duty, which after logging about 250 runners made me ‘see barcodes’ every
time I blinked for the rest of the day which may not have been a such a good idea – the plan
was to take it easy and get an early night but I don’t think I actually got my head down until
midnight and didn’t really sleep in anticipation of the day ahead – whatever was to happen I
thought that within another 16/17 hours it should be over.
The alarm clock started screaming at 5.30am, as I had to be up, packed and get to Windsor to
be on the Datchet Dashers coach leaving at 6.30am. I can’t run on an empty tummy and for
morning races have found that a bowl of porridge about 2hours beforehand works for me –
however we were about 4 hours still on the countdown so I had the brilliant idea (I thought)
of putting the porridge in a flask to have a bit later when I got to Greenwich. There were a lot
of runners on the coach from surrounding clubs. Although I knew a few of the faces on the
coach, I sat alone, overhearing all the chatting going on, ranging from ‘mega-marathon-ites’
swopping sub 2h45m strategies to ‘newbies’ with less running miles to me who it seemed had
only run round the block a couple of times in training and sounding very nervous. We arrived
at a chilly Blackheath at about 7.30, with all the surrounding area roads being blocked off by
the Police and a real ‘buzz’ already in the air.
There was over 2hrs now to wait for the start but I had to make the ‘secret rendezvous’ that
would get me through the ‘Fort Knox-like’ security into the Blue start zone (I had been
allocated Red beforehand). We met up and was given a blue marshal’s bib and slipped in,
being given duties and advised to ‘change into a runner’ at the last moment! My contact had
been elevated to Pen 1 & 2 duties, so it looked like I was going to be up even nearer the front –
crikey! Anyway, wearing the ‘uniform’ I was continuously besieged for information (where is
the start, where is the press area, where and latest time to drop my bag, and have you got any
plasters!) which I had to conjure up sensible answers from not knowing anything. Now it was
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time for my porridge, but it had all set solid in the flask! Anyway, frantic shaking and to the
bewilderment of many around I managed to get most of it out and down into my empty
tummy – minor panic over! I rang friends who had arrived at Birdcage Walk to marshal for a
chat and also touched base with others who were on course at 9 and 14 miles to say ‘hope to
see you in a while and all’s well’.
Time was moving on quickly so I paid a last visit to the loo before any queues appeared and
then did my ‘Clark Kent act’ changing in a corner to transform myself into a runner - I had to
conceal my red number under a keep-warm old t-shirt that would be chucked away at the last
moment. I organised my ‘picnic waist bag’ (with my energy gels, jellybeans, painkillers should
my lurking kidney stone ache worsen, plasters, mini emergency drink, tissues and mobile)
and carrying my pre-start last water and suncream went into the caged Pen 2 amongst some
pretty slick looking runners and pace boarders showing a scary 2-3hours. This was however a
privilege to be up here and so much appreciated.
Unexpectedly the sun started shining though and it became warmer sooner than forecast. I
slapped some cream and passed it around to many grateful others who hadn’t been prepared.
There was a mixture of excitement and anxiety amongst all who were bandying about some
rather fast target times. We were all then walked up closer to the start gantry where Richard
Branson was talking on a platform but I couldn’t quite see him, and the Elite Men being
introduced just about 20 yards in front of me. Gosh, I thought about previous TV pictures of
the start, with so many masses of people behind hoping I wouldn’t be trampled over.
Just moments before the start now, and suddenly there were many 100’s of guys up against
the side railings having ‘one last p** for the road’!!! Blimey, I said to someone alongside
‘there’s a picture you never see on the telly, and ‘what do the girls do?’ Thrown to the side
went skip loads of t-shirts, bin bags and other garbage and the moment of no return had
arrived!!! A rather muffled hooter sounded and there was a cheer as within just a few seconds
I was over the start line mats and on my way, feeling good, just behind the Elite runners but
they rather un-sportingly tore off leaving me trailing a bit behind! I was now on my way on a
great unknown long voyage!
Despite being so many people around me there was comfortable space to run safely being
amongst well-disciplined experienced runners. Cheering crowds had lined the opening stretch
already and just after a few hundred yards I heard my name called out loud, oh dear, was this
an old work colleague who lived nearby and had vowed to jeer me? I was a bit ‘thrown’ but
then realised that I had forgotten that my name was on the front of my running vest and it
fortunately wasn’t him but just the first of what was going to be many hundred times that I
was going to be cheered by name along the way. I hadn’t even got a mile and was shocked to
come across 3 runners(?) already walking right in the middle of the road creating an obstacle
– why ? - why not get out of the way ? - Goodness knows why they were starting at the front!
Surely, as per race instructions they should get over to the side!! Anyway, got round them OK
and plodded on completing the first mile very comfortably in 8m50s, maintaining same pace
as most around me. Got the impression that the first couple of miles were ever-so-slightly
downhill which helped.
The size of, and cheering from, the crowd was already quite overwhelming who ranged from
babies and very young children to wheelchair bound very elderly people with so many
holding out their hands to ‘high five’ you – I felt the obligation to return the gesture ever so
often to show appreciation which got great response which in turn boosted me – when my
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name was called I tried to nod and smile as much as I could which I could tell was being
appreciated back – well, they’ve all come out to support us! Onward plod but next I started to
hear loud ‘boo-ing’ from the running pack! What was going on? Well, it was the merging of the
runners from the blue and the red starts!! Being fairly well forward of the masses this did not
really cause any congestion but at last I could ‘relax’ as I was now safely amongst other ‘red
numbered runners’ which had been troubling my mind up to then.
Arrived at the first 5k timing mats, nearly tripping as these stood an inch high as I tend not to
lift my feet very much, and saw my time as 26m 45s which was ahead of my planned schedule
but no worries and continued full speed ahead enjoying myself on the way as many bands
were firing up and the crowds cheering with beer and wine in hand (I was looking forward to
a pint later in the day already). Hit the 10k mats at 54m 45s which despite still feeling fine
started to cause a bit of concern as simple arithmetic suggested a potentially dangerous-forme too-sub 4 hour time so I decided to ‘slow it down a bit just in case and save it for later’. I
was getting into the swing of things now with the excellent water stations every mile, taking a
new bottle each time to keep well hydrated and treated myself to my first energy gel (planned
about every 6 mile). Having slowed a bit I stayed over on the right hand side as other runners
were now steadily overtaking me which was fine.
Greenwich was a bit twisty and it was a real shame that due to renovation work this year that
we didn’t go by the Cutty Sark, which has always been a great traditional route-mark on TV. I
was starting to see other runners experiencing trouble and the regular medical stations were
filling up with early casualties so I made sure that I continued to run as steadily as possible. I
started to look out for my first group of friend’s at 9 miles through a twisty bit after Surrey
Quays and it was great when I spotted them, which gave me a real boost. 10, 11 and 12 miles
passed by comfortably and I knew that soon I would be at Tower Bridge and the halfway
point. It was certainly warming up and I came across the ‘showers’ for the first time – having
heard about these in recent years I thought that they would be like some sort of run-through
big car wash, but in fact they were about half a dozen small spray-heads on a garden hose on
one side of the road – I started to go through these from here on as they were very refreshing
even if only for a few seconds!
Water stations were becoming a bit hazardous as runners were dropping more and more
bottles after a quick slurp and you had to watch your feet - I nearly tripped on a few of these,
and thought I’d twisted my ankle at one point – goodness knows how much worse this would
be for people further back? It was getting quite slippery through some of these areas with all
the water as well. Onto Tower Bridge which felt quite long across for some reason but then I
saw ex-GB athlete Denise Lewis waiting with a camera crew – I pointed at her in recognition
and she shouted ‘keep going Joe’ (did she know me, perhaps not(!) just seeing my name
badge) – obviously didn’t want to interview me but on the other hand I don’t think I had much
to say of interest at that stage anyway! The turn right after Tower Bridge is a bit of a ‘downer’
as you know you are going in the opposite direction of the finish and soon come across
leading runners on the final run-in on the other side of the road.
Anyway, went through the halfway stage at 2h05m which was good for me but thought that
soon I may need to pick up the pace a bit. Chugged on eastward and came across my second
group of friends at Shadwell at 14 miles, which gave me another boost. At Millwall I became a
little bit disorientated as to where exactly I was relative to Canary Wharf, thinking I knew the
area better having visited there many times in the past. Then, at about 17 miles, the mileage
that I had experienced some problems in training, I felt that I had been suddenly rugby-
21
tackled as both my legs from the knees down seemed to be stiffening up bad which was a bit
scary with so far yet to go and I had to slow down dramatically. ‘I mustn’t stop’ I kept telling
myself – if I did I’d surely seize up altogether.
The Canary Wharf complex at 19 miles was extremely noisy in the closed in parts with alldrummer bands which did my head in a bit as my legs now felt they were wading through
treacle. Jeff Salt, the Yateley 10k series organiser who I know, appeared alongside also in
some difficulty and we had a short chat before he moved ahead but this took my mind off the
pain for a while. Next, the crowd seemed to be reacting to something going on a little behind
me and then I realised what, a near-naked man was now alongside me, who then started
talking to me!! Crikey I thought, why me? He said that he worked for BA as the crowd
screamed more and more – as he finally moved on I breathed a sigh of relief (and later of
course I found out it was the brave Piers K of BA who I had never met before, but now how I
will always remember him!)
Despite the pain at 20 miles at least I knew I was ever nearing home and I had the best shower
so far - there were some firemen together with fire engine and hose who on request would
properly blast you – I asked and got it!! The crowd were cheering and offering more and more
sweets, and for me heaven were segments of orange around the course which I grabbed at
every opportunity which together with water and my gels certainly kept me well hydrated
and nutritioned. Goodness knows where my 5k split times were going now, which later I
realised had dropped appallingly, the mission now was just to get to the end as it was quite
obviously a ‘zero option’ to quit when you are caged in and crowds that won’t let you out! (My
last two 5k splits had been 41m33s and 42m37s …’personal worsts ever’)
At 21 miles I seem to remember a lovely lady out in the road offering everyone sweets and
finding no takers offered drinks and again finding no takers offered a massage and finding no
takers - as I hobbled past I then heard her shout OK, how about a kiss. I nearly turned back for
that offer but got ‘shoved along’ by other ‘strugglers’ unfortunately! Must look out for her next
time. At 22 miles it was my turn to see hoards of slower runners on the other side of the road
having just got halfway which was a bit of a boost to my spirits however my upper legs and
hip joints now joined the bottoms in cramping up – this was really bad now but I had to keep
going, passing Tower Bridge with the crowd cheering ‘come on Joe, you’re looking great, not
far now ’ As I tried to raise a smile, in my head, I was saying no I’m not looking good at all and
you wouldn’t want to be inside my body, and every single step is still a bloomin’ long way to
go!!! I wished that I could have been put away in the Tower of London at that point for a long
sentence!
This next section seemed much gloomier than before (or was it just how it seemed to my
bleary eyes) and I was certainly not enjoying things now and just desperately wanted to get it
over and thinking never-never-never again. Hopefully, at least soon I would be seeing friendly
familiar faces on the BA marshalling points which I ‘had been instructed to be running spritely
past’ …somehow? The overwhelming desire for an ice-cream came over me and I could even
taste it which gave me a sort of refuelled desire to get to the end and gobble one down! I
emerged through the Waterloo underpass and soon came up to the first BA marshalling point,
waving to Brian F and Clara and others who all appeared weary from their hardworking day
already. Big Ben finally came into sight but was not the joyous vision that I had hoped
beforehand but at least I knew I was nearing the end of this torture. Into Parliament Square
and where was Natalie who was the one in no uncertain words told me to be running there? –
couldn’t see her at all but did recognise others !
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Around the bend at the top of Birdcage Walk at last with a slight downhill slope I woke up a
bit, passing the marshalling Taylor brothers, Marion, Helen, Alan F, Barry and many of my
marshalling friends so I briefly stopped and shook a few hands before the final 1k (or just
over twice around Eton track!) to get to the end passing Eddie K’s team halfway along. Didn’t
see any BA people on the bend near Buckingham Palace (Spur Road?) but at last I stumbled
past the finish line, sadly with no feeling of achievement but just relief that it was now all
over! I had finally made it in 4h51m, but I got there! I hadn’t got breathless at any time; it was
just the undercarriage that broke down on route!
I was wacked out, a bit sunburnt and having now stopped my legs did indeed lock up solid just
as I had to somehow climb up a ramp and onto a platform so that my timing tag could be cut
off and then make my way with great difficulty to the furthest baggage truck to collect my
kitbag and change of clothes. Colin Haylock bumped into me being rather saddened by his
own time putting it down to the heat, but very kindly congratulating me that I should be very
proud on completing my first ever marathon – my mind was still in denial of that aspect as a
sense of the course having ‘beaten me’ was so frustrating after all the training.
I found it difficult to make my way safely through the large gaggles of meet ’n’ greeters around
Horseguards Parade and it was more torture trying to change in the tents due to no seats or
benches to sit on and along with other sufferers toppled onto the ground and couldn’t get up
for a while. I bumped into another tennis friend who had just finished also and only about 5
minutes ahead of me despite having done the event 5 times before so maybe I did better than I
had thought after all. Back on my feet I limped on towards my friends who were to take me
home, at Birdcage Walk marshalling point, wanting that ice cream at last but the queues were
just too long and had to wait until a bit later for that!
I had some bad leg cramping during the Sunday night afterwards but after a couple of days my
legs seemed to be back to normal and I returned to my local 5k ParkRun the Saturday after
and took in the Stockley Park 10k a few days after that. I’m back to my usual busy diary of
running events and my ‘more main sports’ of tennis and karting now. Since marathon day
about a month ago now I have done six 5k’s (including a new PB by 5s) and four 10k’s
(including one only 17s off my PB) so there doesn’t seem to have been any long-term damage!
A ‘post marathon analysis’ with my physio suggested that maybe the early pace (beginner
mistake despite all the advice) was part of the problem although I was feeling comfortable
with it, but really I didn’t have a sufficient distance running base having only done my first
half marathon in February. It was a bit too hot for running as well, 10OC lower may of helped
me a lot. My training was concentrating on 'being on my feet' for about 4hrs, but maybe not as
much as nearly 5hrs and the 2-hour wait in Greenwich Park before!
Reflecting back on the start pen situation, a fellow ParkRunner taking part did say how
difficult it was back in the back pens ‘as a runner’ amongst herds of animals, pure fun strollers
and other ‘constructions’, and many delays on route due to slow ‘traffic’ I was very fortunate
not to have been back there and advise this as a consideration to any new runners. Maybe
there should be slower ‘runner-only pens’ towards the back but ahead of these other
participants. Watching the TV recording a couple of days after with my mind going over the
last 9 miles and 'seeing' it rather than 'feeling' it in a better light I felt that the real
achievement had now been realised to the point of wanting another shot at it to get it right so
have started the process by entering the 2012 ballot. I have also now just entered the Dublin
Marathon in October, with about 5 half’s added to my schedule as well this year to help build
up my base level distances. Is this foolish madness??
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I must thank the BA AC for the entry and incredible opportunity to take part in such a
memorable life event and to all the support and encouragement received. Well that’s about it
for now, and anyone who has managed to read this far can be rewarded by cutting out the
token below and presenting to me for a free drink when you next see me in the Concorde Club
bar!!!!
1 drink token for great endurance in
reading Joe’s 2011 marathon report !
Finally (really!) I’m adding a small number of the supportive emails I received from club
members, other runners, and other friends which may inspire and help others considering
running the marathon (have taken names off, but a few of you will know who you are!) Many
thanks and so much appreciated!
(before) Just wanted to say GOOD LUCK for the marathon - you are braver than I will ever be.
I won't be there on the day but I hope things go well and that the weather is kind
(after) Well done! It's always tough to know how things will pan out on the day. The main
thing is to make it to the end and you did. I have been thinking that I may do a marathon one
day - just to say I've done it once. Many years into the future I suspect!
**********************
I think it is fabulous, well done. I'm not sure you should ever even consider having a time in
mind for your first one because it is such an unknown. I did 4.19 in my first but I was just glad
like you to finish. I did feel very proud of myself though, so I hope you do too. It is such an
achievement to run a marathon I know it doesn't feel like it to us because we are surrounded
by runners but in the general population there are so few people who run them. Sorry to
hear about the cramps though but yes clearly you have more in the tank if you did ever want
to do one again
**********************
I was concerned about your welfare as it was hot and many fell by the wayside, so pleased you
finished the event first time, a great achievement! Times are irrelevant if you don't finish so
your time was really good. I watched a good bit of it and like yourself, at about 20 miles, lots of
runners started to feel weak due to the heat etc. I thought I spotted you near the end, were
you wearing black and white? I'll never understand why some of these runners make it even
more difficult by wearing or carrying heavy joke extras!
**********************
You got round without too much ‘damage’ and that’s the important thing. To do it is a big
experience and I don’t think I could do a 4.51 now, so be proud of yourself. Have a good restsee you soon.
**********************
Well done on your first marathon. Glad that you got a good start, that is important at London.
Thought that you would be at the back as you were a first timer. Everyone (that is normal
runners like you and me) get problems around twenty miles. Something to with being human,
the scientists know why it happens but can't find a way round it. It takes as much effort to do
the last six as it does to do the first twenty. don't know if you use squeezy gels or not or the
high glucose tablets as you run. the huge number of people at London do not help and the
other thing is the course is 99% flat, you are always using the same leg muscles, going up and
down hills may be hard work but it moves the work load on the leg muscles around. Forgot to
tell you to stay off your legs on Saturday, you can spend too much time wandering round
London and the London sports village. Take it easy and don't expect to get back to premarathon times on short distances overnight.
END OF JOE’S 2011 MARATHON REPORT, REALLY!!
24
London Marathon 2011 – Colin Haylock
Steve Hillier has asked that I write an account of my marathon experience. The marathon
started for me way back in December when I received the green light; I had been awarded a
place. I was absolutely delighted! It was now all systems go as, having completed the Venice
marathon in October with a time of 3:53, my goal now was a sub 3:40, this is what I would
push for over the next few months. I kept a diary to monitor progress and dedicated 5 days a
week to training with an average weekly mileage of 35 miles. In February I completed the
Wokingham half in 1:37 and felt on course to achieve my marathon target time. Having also
included 6*20 milers in to my training plan with a 2:42 PB I thought everything was going
well apart from the odd injury, which is to be expected.
Having had a couple of sleepless nights leading up to the event I felt glad the day had finally
arrived and made it to the start line with no injuries. I felt relaxed and planned to run an 8:15
pace. The first 8 miles passed quickly and fairly un-eventful which is great until I noticed the
cloud base beginning to break and the sun bursting through, oh dear. My immediate thoughts
were to stick to the target time. The half way mark ‘Tower Bridge’ soon came around with
every thing still going to plan. At this stage I started to mentally prepare for the last 6 miles,
knowing this is when the race really begins, programming my mind just to stay with it and not
give up despite all the tricks the mind will play. I remember at about mile 15-17 that my time
had started to drop and my concentration became very poor, so nothing unusual about my
concentration levels then but some concern about the time. All I could think of is ‘why’, I have
achieved this and more in training, Yes it was warmer but I had the ability. Something wasn’t
right: each mile became harder and harder. I thought, “the pain will pass shortly and I’ll get
through (over) the wall and all will be OK again.” Well, I had hit the Great Wall of China, it just
carried on forever and the pain just stayed with me, it felt horrible. Looking at my watch the
distance covered was 22 miles ‘please, why can’t it be mile 24 or 25, no 26 miles and then it
would just be a few 100 yards to go and my time would be really great’. It wasn’t, it was 22
miles and I had to keep going for nearly another 4 ½ miles. I want to stop but “I can’t, I can’t
give up after all that training”, this was a bad day at the office. Things just didn’t seem right.
Passing the marshals that included my wife and brother I could not even muster enough
energy to say ‘hello’, despite a thank you for helping out on the marshalling, as now my focus
was not collapsing before the finish line. The flags at the finish were now in sight and I knew it
would soon be over, “never again” I repeated in my mind. I crossed ‘that’ line, in a time of 3:55
and a little disappointed I had not achieved my target and felt this had been my toughest race
to date. The following hour I cried like a baby, a complete emotional and physical wreck.
Several hours later I started to analyse my race and realised I failed to hydrate properly at
each mile, pouring more water over my head to stay cool rather than drinking half the bottle
and then using the rest to cool down, a valuable lesson learnt. I have been running just over
two years and each time I run there is always something I can learn from the run I have just
completed. I use to think running was about putting on a pair of trainers and of you go –
there’s much much more, a science really.
Finally a huge thanks to BAAC, all the marshals and the super people I have met at the weekly
training sessions. A great bunch.
Oh … just one more thing ‘ can’t wait to do it all over again’.
25
Marathon Journey - Karen Blackman
My marathon journey began last year on the 25th April 2010, standing in Parliament Square
as a marshal. As I watched the runners come towards me there were very few smiling, but a
lot in pain and some even falling to the floor. For some reason I wanted to be part of it and to
this day I am still not 100% sure why!
I have been a runner for a couple of years, still fairly new to it, but with two half marathon
under my belt, I felt I was ready for the challenge that most runners aim for. Thing is I don’t
think I was really prepared for how hard the training was going to be. People had tried to
warn me, but I thought, well I run loads at the minute surely it won’t be that bad… how wrong
I was!! So to give you some perspective, let me tell you what I do for a living. I manage a
competition livery Yard, looking after 27 competition horses. A regular day involved me
mucking out and riding at least 10 horses (pretty exhausting). But on Show Days, I am up at
4am and home at 8pm, the runs on those nights were extremely difficult!
After getting my place, I started my 16-week intensive training programme on Boxing Day.
The first few weeks were fairly easy, with my long run only 8-10 miles. However, the onset of
shin splints starting to play a part, so thick Tubigrips became my faithful companion on all
runs. I joked that at this rate I would be running in fancy dress as a mummy!
As the weeks went on the snow turned to rain, and it felt like every time I stepped out the
door for a run the heavens opened. I ran past houses looking in at people sat on their sofas in
front of the telly, and would be so envious. What I would’ve given some nights to have been on
the sofa! Still I had made a commitment and had started to raise money for the Institute of
Cancer Research so there was no backing out. The charity meant a lot to me and I really didn’t
want to let anyone down. The times I was low I used to look at how much I had raised and the
messages of encouragement from friends and it would pick me up, helping me to run faster.
When the runs got longer, I recruited the help of my sister. Running 16 plus miles was not
possible on my own. She would cycle alongside me passing me drinks and chatting to me, to
keep my mind off the miles ahead. When things got tough, let me tell you she had to do some
quick talking. She once told me the history of Budapest and what earthquake proof buildings
are made of. She later admitted that she might have made a bit of this up! Nevertheless she
was brilliant I couldn’t have done it without her!
The day of the race I don’t think I have ever been so quiet. I think secretly my boyfriend was
loving it, because for the past 4 months all he had heard, was marathon this, marathon that.
He came with me to Greenwich, it felt like I was 5 years old again at my first day at school. I
was excited the atmosphere was brilliant, but I will have to say I was really scared. Scared that
my knees, shins and back were hurting before I had even started. Scared that I was going to
have one of those running day where you just couldn’t do it!
When I made it to the start, I thought, this is it girl just keep running till you see the finish.
That’s exactly what I did and my knees and shins held out the whole way. In fact I ran and felt
great, Tower Bridge was amazing, the crowd was huge and my parents were their looking
really proud of me! I had one low moment at 21 miles, my hips had started hurting and I was
tired. The crowd had also dropped off and the only sound was of running feet on the road.
With the ground feeling hard under my feet, I had to really dig deep and give myself a good
26
talking too. I knew there was no way I was stopping or walking, I told myself, that the people
you are raising money for are in a lot more pain than you everyday of their life!
At 24 miles at Embankment my two friends were there just as I came out of the tunnel. I don’t
think I have ever heard them scream so loud. It gave me the boost I needed. I steamed down
Embankment towards Big Ben and there I was, where I stood the year before and I have to say
I was one of the few that were smiling!! Just around the corner my boyfriend was shouting
and waving a banner, seeing him and hearing the crowd really pulled me along Birdcage Walk,
down the Mall, and helped me to cross the line in 4 hours 18 minutes.
For me, this marathon journey began with me running 26.2 miles, but ultimately, became so
much more!! It taught me so much; parents are always right (you can do anything you put
your mind to); family are so supportive (especially when runners are being really difficult);
my sister is better at history than David Starkey; and finally I really need some new music for
my iPod!
Lastly a massive thank you to all who marshalled, I managed to avoid the tape!!
London Marathon 2011 – Ian Cunningham
Having watched my wife complete London in 2009; and then run Brighton in 2010 as well as
marshalling at London I suppose I was always going to end up going for London myself in
2011. Once I had my BAAC place I browsed through the Runners World training schedules
and (for reasons best known to me) alighted on the 3 hours 30 minutes schedule. If only I’d
realised back in December what that simple selection would mean in the coming months!
Through December I was running 15-20 miles a week and had a pretty decent base from a
decent year of training and racing. January – I started off with a 10 mile long run, building up
to 15 miles by the end of the month. The first 15 miler was a good deal harder than I
remembered from last year. By the end if the month up 37 miles a week. The race interest for
the month was the Perch (which had been transferred from the old course on Epsom Downs
to Nonsuch Park), which was a good old, fashioned cross-country 10k with mud and hills. I
clocked just under 49 minutes which was about what I was expecting.
February – saw the mileage ramping up with a couple of 19 milers and weekly mileage totting
up to the low forties. As ever the long runs felt hard but my body was adapting to the training
demands. I picked the Dorney Lakes half marathon as it was flat and offered a good chance to
set a steady pace. I managed to do precisely that and managed just over 1 hour 40 minutes
which kept me on target for my developing 3:30 obsession. A very dull (4 laps of the latke)
course but about as flat as you could wish for!
March – the big month! Every week over 40 miles up to a max of 47 miles. The long training
runs were all 19/20 miles. I had intended to compete in the Finchley 20 but got a better offer
(tickets for England v Scotland at Twickenham!) so instead I went for the Cranleigh 21. This
was a lovely friendly race but thankfully I was warned about the “undulating” course
beforehand! I started off at a reasonably conservative pace and ran the last 5 miles or so at
target marathon pace – which was really hard work considering the hill in the last mile! April
– training in April is mainly a question of not getting injured and getting into the taper.
Nothing too silly but feeling every twinge in my knees and worrying about the big day.
27
The Marathon – I was lucky enough to have a straightforward journey to Greenwich Park, just
an hour door to door and then some time to soak up the atmosphere beforehand. My
aggressive time prediction landed me in Pen 3 at the red start – I was pleased / surprised that
by the time the gun went off I was already out of the park gates and across the line in just over
a minute. The early miles felt good with perfect weather and some easy downhills. I kept
saying to myself “get to half way in good shape and then you can push on” but unfortunately
my legs weren’t listening! I got to 10 miles around 2 minutes ahead of my target pace and
managed to hold that up to 16 miles when the heat and early pace began to take their effect.
From mile 17 onwards the race felt like a real war of attrition and my main focus was when I
would allow myself my next gel, and once they were gone, when I would see some friendly
marshals. Seeing Kat, Richard and Bridget gave me a much needed lift and then it was one foot
in front of the other to the finish. Having seen some of the official photos it looks like I was
working really hard up Birdcage Walk.
My finish time was 3:32:46, some 2 minutes outside my target, but allowing for the distance
off the “racing line” it was close enough!... and there’s always next year… So what did I learn
from this experience:
 Having a training buddy makes all the difference on those long training runs – thanks
Lissa!
 It’s good to have some other marathon obsessive’s around you so that you don’t bore
everyone else talking about running nonstop – thanks Trevor / Adam / Piers!
 Don’t miss out on the opportunity to raise some money for charity. There’s an extra
incentive when you know there’s £1000 dependent on you!
 The rule that you get out what you put in is so true – 600 miles of training did translate
to a good result
 The scenery and location don’t matter – it’s the people you look out for – thank you
marshals!
 Weather the commentators describe as “perfect for marathon running” isn’t!!
 You always run further than 26.2 miles in a marathon!!
London Marathon 2011 – Steve Taylor
My training had started late after a 'non running related' twisted knee and ankle and my first
run, after taking off pretty much the whole of November and December, was a rather slow 5k
park run on the 1st Jan. So I knew I would be asking a lot of my body and the miles would be
piling on rather quickly in training. Unlike previous years though there were no major hiccups
in the training, and despite the continuous need to tend to the minor niggles, I made it to the
start line with a real good solid block of training behind me. I felt in better shape than my
previous two marathons, my 5-mile handicap times had come down well and I was really up
for it. On the start line I felt really quietly confident and probably a little blasé about the task
ahead.
The start went well with the first half coming up in just over 2 hours, probably about right for
a 4:10 finish I thought, which is what I was after. However it was all about to go downhill. At
about mile 17 I just seemed to run out of energy, much sooner than I had anticipated. I think
the heat was taking its toll, either that or I had been a bit too optimistic on my pace. Once
you're running on empty though it's a bit of a one-way street and my earlier sense of
confidence was replaced with the stark realism dawning of just how difficult the remaining
28
miles were going to be. I took on some more water and gels but my stomach was cramping up
with the sugary goo inside. I hadn't had a problem in training so this was a bit unwelcome. I
went through 20 miles at least 10 minutes slower than my training run round the hilly
Richmond park. It was a case of hang on in there to the finish. Surprisingly I picked up some
energy at around mile 23 and had a good run through to the finish. It was great to see fellow
Marshalls on the last stretch and it certainly helped the last couple of miles fly by. I felt a little
despondent at my performance and the time of 4:24 (still a PB) but was cheered by the many
people who congratulated me on the finish.
Perhaps I had lost site of the achievement of finishing a marathon, the special atmosphere of
the day, and had spent a bit too much running time staring at the watch. A humbling lesson for
the future. Go out and enjoy.
PS - In hindsight I did have a bit of a cold the week before and had also spent a late night on a
work project. Not quite the ideal final week. After the event the cold came back full on and a
week later got worse. I think I'm just about recovering a couple of weeks later.
200 Marathons - Ray Hampton
After finishing my 1st marathon in 1982 and vowing never to do another one, it seems quite
amazing to have clocked up my 200th.
There has been lots of pain and suffering along the way, plus lots more enjoyment, and I
wouldn’t change a thing. Along with my wife Sylvia (the bag lady) my greatest supporter, we
have traveled far and wide and met hundreds of lovely people along the way. There have been
big city marathons with thousands of runners and spectators, plus lots of great pasta parties,
meeting up with friends and acquaintances every year. Small rural trail marathons with
hardly any runners or onlookers along the route, and races in spectacular settings around the
world.
I completed my 100th marathon in New York in 1993 on one of Mike Barnett’s trips, I
enjoyed it so much and have done seven more over the years, and each one completely
different. My favorite race is London, up to now I have finished 22 and hope to be there next
April. Always a highlight is to get to the 25 mile mark and get the support of the BA marshals. I
was hoping to make the London 2011 race my 200th marathon but since September 2010
have been suffering with a condition called AF, it just means my heart-rate is irregular, not life
threatening but just mean’s I am struggling to breathe properly and soon run out of energy.
I managed to do my 199th race in June at one of my favorite trail marathons in Chatsworth,
Derbyshire. It took longer than normal, but I still enjoyed it and finished in just over 5and a
half hours.
In August I usually run in another trail marathon called the Dovedale Dipper. It also
incorporates a 15 mile ramble. My wife and eldest daughter had planned to do the walk so I
said I would do it with them. On the way to the event they talked me into doing the marathon,
saying it would take me about the same time as their walk. After just over 6 hours later I
approached the finish line to a rapturous reception of whistles, cowbells and applause, also
the place was festooned with banners. They had planned the surprise with my family and the
organizers and it really was a special moment. As I said. I hope to run London in April, so if
you see me jogging walking or crawling anywhere after the 25 mile mark, please give me your
usual support.
29
WARR 2011 - 22nd - 25th September: Grapevine, Texas
Below are the results for the BA team in the recent World Airlines Road Races held in
Grapevine, TX. I would say that although there were a few problems generally I thought it was
an enjoyable event. The location of Measdowmere Park by the lake was stunning and the after
race BBQ, low-key awards ceremony were generally well received.
10K
4th
P. Knechtl
18th
J. Taylor
th
27
G. Snook
43rd
I. Cunningham
66th
J. Harbert
th
77
L. Pritchard
79th
A. Banks
99th
C. Stockwell
th
115
R. Hoffman
121st
I. Monk
BA 2nd Masters Team
251 Finished
5K
6th
A. Haines
11th
P. Knechtl
th
14
B. Walters
98th
J.Harbert
109th
I.Cunningham
th
125
A. Banks
126th
I. Monk
148th
C. Stockwell
th
170
L. Pritchard
208th
J.Taylor
209th
M. Woodhouse
th
212
H.Smith
277th
S. Newell
th
365
D. Rimmer
437th
JaneTaylor
438th
Sue Newell
st
BA - 1 Masters Team
541 Finished
3rd Overall
2nd Age Group
1st Non Airline
2nd Age Group
1st Age Group
30
1st Masters
1st Age Group
Athletics 2011
Grand Prix events - 2011 – Eddie Giles
Grand Prix 1 – 9th May
The 1st of 6 Grand prix events took place Monday evening 9th May.
1000m
Triple Jump
Eddie Giles
3.53.8
7.27m
Steve Hillier
4.35.28
6.99m
When we arrived at Eton track, the Eton boys had captured the track till 8.30pm. So we had a
majority vote 2-0 to ride over to Hillingdon track and start off the Grand Prix series there.
Great track facilities there and very helpful with any equipment needed.
Grand Prix 2 – 23rd May
The
Grand Prix of this season took place at Hillingdon Track Monday 23rd May. On a
cloudy & wind swept evening just 2 of us.
1500m
Shot Putt
Eddie Giles
6.19mins
7.33m (5kgs)
Steve Hillier
7.32mins
9.31m (6kgs)
2ND
Grand Prix 3 – 6th June
On a very crowded Eton track, sharing with Berkshire girls & Eton boys on a training session,
with nearly every track & field there is, the BA boys managed to slot in our 200m & Javelin
events. Many thanks to Nick who timed us in the 200m & the Eton boys sports Master who
started the race.
200m
Javelin
Eddie Giles
29.8
21.23m
Steve Hillier
31.9
20.00m
Nick Edge
21.07m
Grand Prix 4 – 27th June
The 4th Grand Prix of the season was held at Eton track on Monday 27th June. Only 1 turned
up for the 800m & Hammer throw (Me!). I managed to ask a guy called Peter to time me for
the 800m. It is hard work to do a lone time trial but managed a season’s best of 2.42.2. No
contest on the Hammer because a lone Hammer thrower is not a good idea. Look what
happened to Brian Bennett last year.
Grand Prix 5 – 18th July
On a cold & damp Monday evening the 5th Grand Prix of the season took place at Eton. 2 of us
lined up for the 400m race with Eddie Giles winning this time. In the Long Jump, Steve had his
revenge winning with a jump of with Eddie jumping.
400m
Long Jump
Eddie Giles
69.6
3.63m
Steve Hillier
79.5
3.34m
Grand Prix 6 – 5th September
Results of the 6th and final Grand Prix of the season took place at Eton 5th Sept.
100m
Discus
Eddie Giles
13.9
22.40m
Steve Hillier
15.1
21.32m
31
Rosenheim events - 2011 – Eddie Giles
Rosenheim 1 – Kingsmeadow 4th May
On a warm pleasant evening 4 BA athletes took part in 11 events out of 13. Everybody there
enjoyed the first meeting of the season at Kingsmeadow. Results are below, but it doesn't
always show the effort that you have to put in, to get the results. There we were the start of
the 4x200m relay, Chris Minn blasts out of the Blocks, hands over to Steve Hoffman 10m
ahead of the other 4 teams, who motors down the home straight with a good lead, hands the
baton To me, blimey I'm in the lead (this is a first), managed to hold off the bunch behind me
for about 100m, but got taken by two young guns blasting Past me, not too far ahead, hand
over to Steve Hill who does a solid Run to come 4th with a very good team time for the event.
Chris Minn
Steve Hofmann
Steve Hillier
Eddie Giles
All
100m
Shot Putt
200m
400m
Hammer
Triple jump
Shot (NS)
800m
1500m
4x200m Relay
11.6
8.97
25.5
61.4
30.19
6.8
7.12
2.54.4
6.09.2
1.52.2
2nd
4th
2nd
5th
5th
5th
7th
5th
4th
Rosenheim 2 – Walton, 18th May
The rain held off for the whole of the match, a very good set of results, and again we ran a very
good relay to come 3rd nearly 5 seconds faster than 2 weeks ago at Kingsmeadow. We are
currently 4th placing in the league, so well done to all that turned up at Walton.
Steve Hofmann
Eddie Giles
Chris Minn
Steve Hillier
All
100m N/S
400m
Long Jump
100m
200m
Discus
Javelin
High Jump
4x200m Relay
12.4
59.4
3.07
11.7
23.9
21.32
20.63
1.10
1.45.7
4th
5th
1st
1st
10th
9th
6th
3rd
71.0
2:46.3
30.7
28.5
20.86
11:07.3
5:17.6
4th
5th
4th
3rd
4th
4th
5th
Rosenheim 3 – Kingsmeadow, 1st June
Eddie Giles
Steve Hillier
Chris Kelly
400m
800m
200m
Hammer
Discus
3000m
1500m
Rosenheim 4 – Twickenham, 15th June
Men’s BA team did very well this time coming 3rd overall on the night, and now 4th place in
the league. Part of the good results was due to Adrian Haines (nice to see back and running
well). In the 800m race he kept the pace up in front of the pack, was bumped into at 400m. But
determination made him surge to the front and keep him there to the finish to win. His time of
2.08.9 may have got him into the top 10 for his age group in the country.
32
Adrian Haines
Joel Clewett
Chris Minn
Chris Kelly
Steve Hillier
All
800m
Long Jump
2000m SC
100m
400m
200m
1500m
3000m
Javelin
Shot Putt
4x200m Relay
2.08.9
4.94
6.23.0
11.5
54.6
27.5
5.23.3
11.16.6
20.17
7.55
1.48.4
1st
4th
1st
3rd
2nd
5th
4th
4th
4th
3rd
4th
10.77
14.9
16.2
11.4
23.6
5:24.3
11.47.7
2:01.5
4th
5th
1st
2nd
2nd
4th
4th
3rd
Rosenheim 5 – Eton, 6th July
Steve Newell
Eddie Giles
Chris Minn
Chris Kelly
Graham Taylor
All
Hammer
Discus
110m Hurdles
100m
200m
1500m
3000m
4x200m Relay
Rosenheim 6 – Kingsmeadow, 20th July
We completed the Rosenheim league matches this season and what a match it was. In the cold
& wet night at Kingsmeadow, the team covered all the events on offer, With 35 points, we
were 2nd team on the night…fantastic. All of the BA team put in 110% and even a club record
thrown in for good measure. Yes, it’s that man Adrian Haines again with a storming 2.05.5 for
the 800m beating The 17 year old record of Paul Toms (2.06.1) M40 (subject to confirmation)
All the results are on the attachment above, one thing to note is that the K&P men’s team won
every event there was, and they nearly got 60 out of 60 points only to tie at the High Jump.
With a bit of practice that could be us next year!! The points table shows we have 98 points,
this has been confirmed as wrong, it should be 148 points. This puts the Men’s team in a
strong position to qualify for the finals East v West (fingers crossed)
Chris Minn
Adrian Haines
Joel Clewett
Chris Kelly
Steve Hillier
All
100m
200m
800m
400m
Long Jump
High Jump
400m Hurdles
3000m
1500m
Javelin
Shot Putt
4x200m Relay
11.7
23.9
2:05.5
58.7
4.97
1.45
67.6
9:16.7
5:13.4
2.18
7.74
1:46.6
2nd
2nd
2nd
4th
3rd
4th
3rd
2nd
4th
5th
4th
2nd
I would like to thank everyone that helped me and competed in this years events, couldn’t do
this without you.
33
ASCA – T&F, 20th August 2011Eddie Giles
Wow! what can I say. It's 2.25pm on Saturday 20th August at Hillingdon track, the final event
of the ASCA meeting, and just about to witness something special. Just before this though, we
had a feast of good athletics and everyone had sore throats from cheering on our team. We
cheered Chris Minn for a double win in the sprints, a double win for Adrian Haines 800m &
1500m with a fantastic sprint finish in the 800m to overtake Colm Groome in the last 30m to
win gold. We have a future star in the making, when in the 800m for Ladies, Abigail Taylor,
who I believe is 10 years old, as a non scoring competitor, won the race, a fantastic
achievement (sign her up in the club now). Chris Kelly had us on our toes in the 5000m just
missed out on gold by just over a second but a great PB. Everybody that competed on the day
did a great job.
So at 2.25pm,the starters gun blasted off and the 4 x 100m Mens relay was on its way. Over
the past year at the Rosenheim league matches, we had run a lot of relays and Chris Minn
would rather run a catch up leg on the straight and me starting on the bend (we were
organised, we knew what we were doing!!). So the race progressed and on each leg we lost
ground bit by bit to a strong LH team, Chris was handed the baton in the final 100m he must
have been behind the 4th LH runner by 25m and you would not think he could make up that
ground and win. But metre-by-metre you could see him closing him down nearer and nearer
till the final lunge, he had won by a thickness of the vest material. We were credited with the
same time, a timekeepers nightmare and we had won. Looking at the average time for each
runner, it was around 13.4 seconds, Chris must have been in the 10 second bracket to pull off
the win, Sensational.
Both the ladies and Mens trophys went to the LH teams, but we will win them back at Dublin
next year!! A big thank you to all people involved in the organisation throughout the weeks
and months leading up to this superb event, and all helpers on the day.
BA Men
145 Nick
146 Eddie
147 Adrian
148 Steve
149 Chris
150 Chris
151 Steve
Event
100m
Shot Put
High Jump
800m
Discus
200m
5000m
Long Jump
400m
Javelin
1500m
4X100m
Men
Name
Chris Minn
Steve Hillier
Steve Taylor
Adrian Haines
Steve Hillier
Chris Minn
Chris Kelly
Alan Anderson (ns)
Adrian Haines
Eddie Giles
Chris Minn
Adrian Haines
Chris, Adrian, Steve,
Eddie
BA Ladies
167 Monica
141 Clara
142 Melanie
143 Petra
144 Janet
Edge
Giles
Haines
Hillier
Kelly
Minn
Taylor
Result
11.8
7.94
1.30
2:07.6
20.32
24.1
18:46
27:34
5.04
68.5
23.95
4:42.3
53.4
Alonso
Halket
Holman
Lausen
Smith
Posn:
1st
2nd
3rd
1st
2nd
1st
2nd
Event
100m
Discus
High Jump
800m
200m
3000m
Ladies
Name
Clara Halket
Janet Smith
Janet Smith
Monica Alonso
Abigail Taylor (ns)
Petra Lausen
Melanie Holman
2nd
2nd
2nd
1st
Long Jump
Petra Lausen
3.33
2nd
Shot Put
Janet Smith
7.95
2nd
1st
4X100m
Mel, Monica, Clara,
Petra
76.3
2nd
34
Result
18.8
33.36
1.15
3:34.5
3:10.5
37.5
14:07
Posn:
2nd
1st
1st
2nd
2nd
2nd
BA Championships & Fun Day – 25th September 2011 - Eddie Giles
We had another successful Track & Field event at Eton this Sunday (BA Championships & Fun
Day) 24 Athletes covered a host of events. We introduced a new event on the day, the 100m
backwards sprint!! There was a long and technical discussion with the starter, on the position
of where the leading heal should be. He did allow the ball of the foot to be at 30 degrees so
that the heel was over the line but not touching. And you thought it would be all so easy!
Well done to all competitors and to all the helpers who were all there measuring, collecting
thrown items, writing down, timekeeping etc. We are all grateful to you all. The Superstars
event was a close call this year with Steve Taylor & Steve Hillier with the same points sharing
2nd spot. But by some fluke, Eddie Giles was the winner this year. Thanks to everyone that
has supported the heavy track challenges this year, and hopefully see you all again next year.
100 Metres
56 Eddie Giles
36 Steve Taylor
45 Steve Hillier
54 Pamela Santoriello
170 Jo Nolan
200 metres
56 Eddie Giles
400 Metres
56 Eddie Giles
36 Steve Taylor
45 Steve Hillier
800 metres
56 Eddie Giles
57 John Coffey
35 David Barnard
1500 Metres
140 Paul Knechtl
57 John Coffey
56 Eddie Giles
36 Steve Taylor
45 Steve Hillier
3000 Metres
138 Graham Taylor
57 John Coffey
Egg and Spoon (1)
136 Abigail Taylor
54 Pamela Santoriello
72 Aaron Knechtl
53 Lucia Santoriello
52 Olivia Santoriello
3 Legged race (1)
137 Madeline Taylor
52 Olivia Santoriello
136 Abigail Taylor
54 Pamela Santoriello
00:14.5
00:15.0
00:15.3
00:19.6
00:26.3
00:30.8
01:12.3
01:20.1
01:22.5
02:54.3
03:10.7
04:17.8
04:40.0
06:17.5
06:20.6
06:32.3
08:07.2
100 Metres Backwards
56 Eddie Giles
45 Steve Hillier
36 Steve Taylor
100 Metres Backwards
136 Abigail Taylor
54 Pamela Santoriello
53 Lucia Santoriello
52 Olivia Santoriello
51 Gabriella Santoriello
Up to 7 years 50 metres
51 Gabriella Santoriello
137 Madeline Taylor
8 years and over 80 Metres
136 Abigail Taylor
53 Lucia Santoriello
139 Jack Knechtl
72 Aaron Knechtl
52 Olivia Santoriello
00:26.8
00:28.3
00:30.3
00:37.3
00:39.8
00:46.2
00:53.6
01:01.9
00:11.1
00:11.4
00:15.4
00:16.1
00:17.6
00:18.0
00:18.6
11:45.0
12:54.1
00:09.4
00:09.9
00:11.0
00:13.4
00:15.3
00:19.7
00:21.0
00:35.7
01:07.4
Egg and Spoon (2)
58 Emily Walles
137 Madeline Taylor
51 Gabriella Santoriello
60 Alex Holman
91 Aaron Knechtl
3 Legged race (2)
55 Paul Goldsmith
72 Aaron Knechtl
35
00:06.0
00:07.2
00:08.1
00:10.9
00:21.1
00:31.6
00:31.6
Long Jump
45 Steve Hillier
54 Pamela Santoriello
59 Mel Holman
60 Alex Holman
137 Madeline Taylor
136 Abigail Taylor
Shot putt
178 Harry Wild
34 Nick Edge
35 David Barnard
45 Steve Hillier
54 Pamela Santoriello
59 Mel Holman
Hammer
178 Harry Wild
34 Nick Edge
45 Steve Hillier
54 Pamela Santoriello
56 Eddie Giles
Discus
178 Harry Wild
34 Nick Edge
35 David Barnard
36 Steve Taylor
45 Steve Hillier
55 Paul Goldsmith
56 Eddie Giles
54 Pamela Santoriello
Superstars
56 Eddie Giles
45 Steve Hillier
36 Steve Taylor
Discus
1
2
3
Posn
1
2
4
5
6
2
Best
3.64
2.62
2.61
1.66
1.52
2.62
4
2
3
1
5
6
5.73
7.93
6.14
8.32
5.11
4.75
4
2
1
5
3
9.55
14.36
20.17
8.76
13.32
7
6
5
4
3
1
2
8
16.48
17.97
18.22
18.35
19.70
25.30
20.69
9.30
High
Jump
3
2
1
Wellie wanging
Steve Hillier
Harry Wild
Eddie Giles
Steve Taylor
Kat Stather
Lucia Santoriello
Mel Holman
Nick Edge
Pamela Santoriello
Abigail Taylor
Madeline Taylor
Alex Holman
Phillipa Holman
Emily Walles
Olivia Santoriello
Gabriella Santoriello
45
178
56
36
171
53
59
34
54
136
137
60
61
58
52
51
Javelin
178 Harry Wild
34 Nick Edge
54 Pamela Santoriello
High jump
45 Steve Hillier
56 Eddie Giles
34 Nick Edge
36 Steve Taylor
54 Pamela Santoriello
53 Lucia Santoriello
136 Abigail Taylor
wellie
Wang
3
1
2
400m
1
3
2
36
100m B/W
1
2
3
1500m
1
3
2
Posn
1
5
4
2
10
12
6
3
9
7
14
11
15
16
13
8
Best
26.73
15.94
17.77
24.19
8.45
7.40
14.44
21.89
9.98
12.35
6.27
7.59
2.52
1.46
7.05
10.47
2
1
3
12.73
17.22
8.95
3
4
2
1
F=2
F=2
F1
1.15
1.1
1.15
1.35
0.9
0.9
0.9
Total
10
1
13
=2
13
=2
Club In House Events 2010/11 (CIE)
Dec 2010 CIE – Parkway Mile – Steve Newell
Rules: 4-mile legs to be run, turn clockwise round the cone. Nobody runs more than two miles.
Teams with fewer than four runners may choose who runs an extra leg. Teams may choose
their own running order but must declare to the starter in advance.
December 2010 may yet go down in history as the coldest for a generation but conditions for
the traditional mid winter mile relay were cool, calm and no worse than damp and not the
worst experienced over two decades by any means. A very light breeze from the Hayes
direction added a rich aroma of coffee.
The event attracted fewer runners than we've been accustomed to with not a single Taylor
running for possibly the first time ever! Thanks to the officials - Start and times Brian
Forrester and Paul Brandon & turnaround cone Harry Wild and Steve Newell.
All the nativity inspired named teams except the Roman Ten sent their best runners out on
the first leg and the best individual times of the evening were recorded by Barry Walters
(5:52) for the Shepherds, Chris Kelly (5:56) for the Angelic Host and Mo Khan (6:01) for the
Magi. For the women, Kat Henville, a late addition to the Roman Ten, was unchallenged with a
6:22. Colin Haylock made a promising debut with 6:09.
The MAGI
Mo Khan
Denis Foxley
Eddie Giles
Simon Turton
12:25:57
12:06:01
12:06:42
12:07:03
12:06:11
ROMAN TEN
Alan Anderson
Kat Henville
Nick Edge
Richard Ruffell
12:27:42
12:08:25
12:06:22
12:06:42
12:06:13
THE SHEPHERDS
Barry Walters
Steve Hillier
John Coffey
Barry Walters (again)
12:27:07
12:05:52
12:08:18
12:06:51
12:06:06
THE ANGELIC HOST
Chris Kelly
Tony Barnwell
Alan Friar
Colin Haylock
12:28:47
12:05:56
12:09:25
12:07:17
12:06:09
Mar 2011 CIE – Equinox 5k– Steve Newell
Calendarwise, this was probably the latest "Equinox" ever and on a dull blustery evening all
runners were running out of daylight over the last km. Astonishingly four runners
(highlighted with an *) ran their own shorter variation of the well established course and 1
minute has been added to their times by way of a penalty and a more than fair and reasonable
correction.
A promising debut performance from Simon Hurley, and a welcome return from Kat Stather
(nee Henville) who was sidelined in 2010 by a serious riding injury. Graham Taylor now has
an unrivalled sequence in terms of appearances being ever present certainly as far back as
2004. Roderick Hoffman has appeared every year from 2005, Helen Smith has only missed
one race in the last eight. Ian Hudson has now missed two consecutive years and one wonders
whether we will see him again at this fixture.
Thanks to Brian Forrester, Anne Coffey and Paul Brandon for timekeeping, Nick Edge and
Paddy O'Shea out on the course. A panini supper was served afterwards in the Concorde Club
37
(Lounge Annexe) on an evening when Brentord FC won a famous Johnstone's Paint Trophy
victory away at Charlton Athletics in front of live TV cameras. SE region, 2nd round.
Times
Chris Kelly
Simon Hurley
Barry Walters
Katherine Stather (Mrs)
Simon Turton
Graham Taylor
Dennis Foxley *
John Coffey *
Alan Friar *
Steve Taylor
Joe Nolan
Eddie Giles *
Roderick Hoffman
Tony Barnwell
Alan Anderson
Steve Hillier
Helen Smith
Steve Newell
David Barnard
2011 mins per mile
19:34
06:18
19:57
06:25
20:13
06:30
20:29
06:35
20:50
06:42
20:56
06:44
22:24
07:12
22:31
07:15
23:31
07:34
24:00
07:43
24:01
07:44
24:06
07:45
26:42
08:36
27:36
08:53
28:59
09:20
29:16
09:25
29:50
09:36
32:32
10:28
33:39
10:50
Apr 2011 CIE- Watersplash 10k / 5k – Steve Newell
A warm evening at the end of a glorious day of spring sunshine triggered setting up a table for
a water station for the first time ever. The Watersplash 10km goes back to 1989 and this was
the 23rd consecutive year. It has often been held 11 days before the London Marathon to give
members an opportunity to round off their winter training with a final workout with their
fellow club members before resting up and heading for Greenwich Park. The 5km option was
introduced along the way to satisfy a growing demand from members wanting a shorter race
at the same time of year. Including those 10km starters stopping half way the 5km option has
become almost as popular as popular as the original.
The starters/timekeeping team were Brian Forrester, Ann Coffey, Paul Brandon and Patrick
O'Shea. The runners enjoyed a meal of lasagne and chips in the clubhouse afterwards and
prizes included some Easter Egg bargains.
Watersplash 10km
Mark Taylor
Chris Kelly
Colin Haylock
Graham Taylor
Richard Ruffell
John Coffey
Dennis Foxley
Alan Friar
Steve Taylor
Joe Nolan
Roderick Hoffman
Watersplash 5km
Barry Walters
Katherine Henville
Gary Rushmer
Simon Turton
Alan Anderson
Steve Hillier
Marion Woodhouse
Helen Smith
Steve Newell
2011
39:00
39:51
42:46
42:46
43:13
45:44 MV60
47:18
48:39
51:04
51:25
56:49
38
2011
18:44
20:32 F1
21:20
21:39
29:07
30:12
31:07
31:07 FV
31:35
June CIE – Parkway Mile
Conditions approaching "summery" greeted the runners after a day of showers during a very
unsettled spell, which had left patches of moss growing on the track and some muddy spots in
the subways. Graham Taylor complained about weeds growing on the racing line! The annual
mid-summer fixture provided Paul Knechtl with an excellent opportunity to make his debut as
a veteran and he duly won the elite wave with a fine performance in 5 mins 9 seconds well
ahead of Barry Walters.
The slower wave was won by a rapidly improving Roderick Hoffman, who chopped 69
seconds off his previous most recent outing in the race. Rhiannon Taylor was the fastest
female, bursting past Helen Smith in the closing stages. Harry Wild was at the turnaround
point which was round a cone and anticlockwise, chosen as a safer option. Brian Forrester and
Paul Brandon were race officials along with Paddy O'Shea out on the course warning a
remarkable number of commuting cyclists using the path as originally planned.
Race 1
Roderick Hoffman
Alan Anderson
Steve Hillier
Tony Barnwell
Ian Hudson
Rhiannon Taylor
Helen Smith
Steve Newell
07:45
08:07
08:16
08:25
08:44
08:46
08:58
09:32
Race 2
Paul Knechtl
Barry Walters
Mark Taylor
Simon Turton
Graham Taylor
Eddie Giles
Alan Friar
Nick Edge
junior
05:09
05:41
05:50
05:58
06:14
06:43
06:47
06:54
August CIE – Cranford Relay
The relay event took place on Wednesday evening in damp, but mild conditions. The venue of
Cranford Park provided an ideal running surface with the grass recently cut. Eleven BA
runners took part and we managed to make up 6 teams of 2 for the relay. Leg 1 saw myself
returning after recent injury to lead home narrowly ahead of Richard Ruffell. Leg 2 saw the
lead change several times with first Steve Newell, then Tony Barnwell and finally Alan Friar
coming home first. Our thanks to Brian, Paddy, Harry and Paul for timekeeping and recording
duties. Afterwards we enjoyed panini's and celebrated Richard's 50th Birthday in the
Clubhouse.
1st runner
Nick Edge
Rod Hoffman
Richard Ruffell
Barry Walters
John Coffey
Alan Anderson
12-54
13-13
11-08
10-57
12.50
14-54
2nd runner
Alan Friar
Eddie Giles
Tony Barnwell
Steve Newell
Steve Hillier
Richard Ruffell
39
11-57
12-12
15-09
17-17
16-31
10-53
Total time
24-51
25.25
26.17
28.14
29-21
34-51
Women’s Cross Country- 2011 – Clara Halket
Ladies XC 3rd Match Results
The 3rd match of the ladies XC was hosted by the
Stragglers in Ham on 15Feb. It was a chilly and
blustery day but at least it was dry. The host had
initially wanted to use chip timing for this race but
eventually had to abandon the idea due mainly to
some organisational issues that resulted in missing
chips for some clubs (ours included!).
Due to illness, injury and people
away, we only had four of our very committed ladies running that day.
They were supported by Mark Taylor, his daughter, John Taylor, Barry
Walters and me (the injured one!). Leading in the team, once again, was
Kat, followed by Lissa who missed the start by a few minutes, and then
Helen and Marion. I tried to take some running shots but they didn't turn
out well so here are a couple of the static ones.
Men’s Cross Country- 2011 – Barry Walters
The first Surrey League cross-country of the season was held in Lightwater Country Park last
Saturday. Conditions underfoot were dry and in mild weather the men had a good turnout of
12 runners. The competition in Div 3 is obviously hotting up as despite our best efforts we
finished 9th team on the day. Mark Taylor lead the team in with a fine run finishing 3rd V50
and placing 27th overall, he was followed by Chris Kelly 46th and John Taylor 53rd. It was
good to see Simon Ashford out in a cross-country event also. Afterwards the team tucked into
sandwiches and birthday cake plus tea and coffee, which were generously provided by the
ladies team. A big thank you for that.
Pos
32
58
70
86
106
112
130
141
147
186
200
201
Name
Mark Taylor
Chris Kelly
John Taylor
Barry Walters
Simon Ashford
Graham Taylor
Denis Foxley
John Coffey
Richard Ruffell
Neil Frediani
Steve Hillier
Alan Anderson
40
Time
32.18
34.13
34.46
35.34
36.44
37.15
38.44
39.17
39.45
46.29
51.36
52.46
Other races and events
Bridges Relay 2011 – Richard Ruffell
Thanks for taking part in the Bridges relay on Wednesday night. It was a good evening, with
the weather being kind and the teams doing well. Here are the overall results. The ladies team
were first LBH. Well done. Kat was third LBH lady. No LBH podiums for the men.
Dave Dixon
Eddie Giles
James Ruffell
Chris Kelly
BA Men's team
12.57
17.02
15.46
14.23
1hr 00mins08 secs
21st
209th
154th
83rd
21st
Vicky Edwards
15.28
23rd
Natalie Ruffell
16.11
33rd
Kat Henville
14.41
12th
BA Ladies team
46.20
5th
Ladies - 12 secs quicker would have had 3rd!
BAAC ROM Park run Bedfont Lakes 25th June 2011
All park run information can be found at the website http://www.parkrun.org.uk/
The first stage of the park run world (got to think big!) tour was held at Bedfont Lakes on
Saturday. A healthy turn out of 10 BAAC runners, in an overall field of 103, was led home by
Barry in 18:47 (narrowly missing Gary Rushmer’s BAAC course record of 18:42). It was good
to see 9 first timers at Bedfont and 5 parkrun virgins. Of course, Alan showed us all up
completing his 182nd parkrun!
Overall
5
18
19
21
29
39
42
62
72
86
Barry WALTERS
Mark TAYLOR
John TAYLOR
Graham TAYLOR
Ian CUNNINGHAM
Alan FRIAR
Eddie GILES
Roderick HOFFMAN
Alan ANDERSON
Marion WOODHOUSE
Time
18:47
20:08
20:14
20:48
22:10
22:53
23:24
26:11
27:15
31:19
ROM - Park run Bushy Park - 6th August 2011
The second stage of the parkrun world tour was held at Bushy Park on Saturday. A healthy
turn out of 7 BAAC runners, in an overall field of 722, was led home by Colin in 19:43. PKs
course record of 17:32 wasn't in any real danger! It was good to see 3 first timers at Bushy
Park. Honourable mention to John for a top 10 overall finish in Age Grading.
43
Colin HAYLOCK
115
Ian CUNNINGHAM
158
John COFFEY
291
Stephen Keith TAYLOR
324
Roderick HOFFMAN
444
Alan ANDERSON
517
Tony BARNWELL
Also spotted:
534
Andy LORD
41
Time
19:43
21:25
22:07
24:22
24:59
26:45
28:02
28:31
Black Park Run – Eddie Giles
When I saw Joe Nolan at the track last Monday for training, he mentioned he had done a Park
run 5k in Black park the previous Saturday. The Park is 5 mins away from me so I thought I
would give it a try this week. Got myself organised to get in the car park by 8.30am. The
temperature was -4, what was I doing here, I could be at home!! Joe arrived and went to the
start area where we put our track suit tops down, just then a lady in a yellow top & hat and a
guy next to her in blue attire, said they were a couple of virgins and didn't know what to do.
Sorry, a crease in my notes, Park run virgins.
Just then the starter gathered us all together, standing on a box facing the runners, told us the
course was 4 left turns and 2 right turns only to be told by most of the runners that it was 2
left and 4 right turns. He was facing us and his lefts and rights were different to us. After
clearing that up, he shouted 'GO' and we were off. Lots of frozen puddles to go round, but a
very good course. After about 3k I was feeling cold and couldn't get going, I was wearing
shorts, what was I thinking, no doubt, frozen assets in the bank!! Then at that point in the
race, Joe sped passed me faster than a Federer forehand (well almost). I was able to hang on
till the final 400m where I just passed him to the line, but Joe had done a Park run PB, great
stuff. A really good morning run, but I’ll do another one when it warms up!!
Frankfurt Marathon - Colin Haylock - 30th October.
A well-organised and very flat course. The world record missed by just 4 seconds, not by me
though, a chap called Wilson Kipsang in 2:03:42. The new world record was only achieved a
month ago by Patrick Makau in Berlin - 2:03:38. Anyway closely followed some 5,000 runners,
me 3:49:27, with a target time of 3:50, so I'm happy (about time). I enjoyed this race as I was
far more realistic about my finish time than when running London and therefore kept my pace
consistent all the way through. After running London in April I promised never to run a
marathon again, but some months later decided to give it another go, I'm glad I did.
Just for information in case any one considers this event next year. I signed up approx 5 weeks
before the event. Stayed at the Mercure hotel, which was less than a 10 min walk away,
(booked 5 days before the event) BA rate £50 room per night. Flew stand-by on the Saturday,
and returned Monday, flights were wide open.
Pavey beats Radcliffe as Farah retains his Bupa London 10,000 title
Paula Radcliffe suffered defeat on her return to racing this morning as Jo Pavey stormed to
victory in the Bupa London 10,000, part of the Run Britain series, while a jetlagged Mo Farah
retained the men’s title with an easy win over domestic competition on much of the London
2012 Olympic marathon route. Radcliffe was hoping for a victorious come-back in her first
competitive appearance for 18 months, but the world record holder was no match for Pavey
who led from the start to take the UK 10km championships title.
While Pavey powered home on a beautiful London morning in 32:22, a sore back left Radcliffe
struggling to find her rhythm and the 37-year-old could only finish third in 33:17, 29 seconds
behind British cross country international Gemma Steel. “It was a bit of a disaster for me,” said
Radcliffe who has recently recovered from bouts of bronchitis and laryngitis. “I didn’t see Jo
after 4km. I just couldn’t stay with her and from that point it was just terrible for me. I just
wanted it to be so much better.” Radcliffe finished nearly three minutes outside her world
best, clearly hampered by a lower back problem which flared up four weeks ago. “It’s very
42
frustrating,” she added. “I had some problems with my back coming in to the race, but I
thought it was going to be alright. I wanted to come back and at least do myself justice but I
didn’t. It was rubbish and I’m embarrassed.”
While Radcliffe had a frustrating morning, Pavey enjoyed another morale-boosting
performance following her 2:28:24 debut at the Virgin London Marathon six weeks ago when
she pencilled her name in for Olympic selection. “I loved it out there; it’s such a fantastic
event,” said Pavey. “I would have liked a quicker time but my legs weren’t quite ready after
the marathon. It was a solid enough run, though, and it was nice just to get back out there and
get on with it.”
While Pavey led from the start, Steel made her move at half way, closing in on Radcliffe and
moving into second before 6km. She quickly built a lead that Radcliffe couldn’t close and was
delighted to take second nearly half a minute ahead of her idol. “I saw Paula and I was starting
to catch her, but I couldn’t believe it,” said the 25-year-old. “I didn’t know whether to pass her
or not. Paula is my idol so I just didn’t think I should be passing Paula Radcliffe. “I hung back at
first but at 5km I felt really comfortable and just went for it. I could see Jo but she had too
much on me.”
Radcliffe has already ruled out an appearance at this year’s World Championships in Daegu,
and she will now seek treatment on her back before deciding whether and where to run an
autumn marathon as she seeks the Olympic qualifying time. “I really wanted to come and run
on this course and get used to it before the Olympics,” she said. “It’s such a great day and the
atmosphere out there was fantastic, so I am really gutted. I just didn’t have the turnover at all.
My breathing was fine, but my leg just felt a bit dead and there was no power. “Every time
somebody passed me I kept saying ‘go with them, go with them’, and when Gemma passed I
try to go with her but I couldn’t. It was all I could do to stay relaxed. “I’ve been training really
hard since January and I should be in much better shape. I will need to run a marathon faster
than I ran today.”
Farah wasn’t quite at his best today, either. After twice breaking the British record on this
course in the last two years, the 28-year-old was content to secure a third consecutive victory
after arriving from his US training base only 24 hours earlier. The Briton often leads from the
outset, but Farah left it late this time, breaking clear from a leading pack of five with only a
quarter of the race remaining to win in 29:15, more than a minute and a half outside his
course record.
London athlete Solomon Mehretab was the surprise package as he took second in 29:37,
slicing 34s from his personal best, while Scotsman Andrew Lemoncello overhauled Phil Wicks
to finish third in 29:38. “I just decided to see what happened today because I’m a bit
jetlagged,” said Farah. “My aim was just to get the win. The time was really slow but I just
wanted to put in a good performance. I felt alright but my legs were a bit heavy.” Eschewing
his usual front-running tactics, Farah set off with caution, tucking in behind Wicks, the early
leader, in a large group of 14. Looking relaxed, he shadowed Lemoncello, who made the first
significant move after 4km as the leading pack was cut to five. They passed 5km in 14:42 with
Farah on Lemoncello’s heels, followed by Wicks and Mehretab, and this group negotiated the
tight corners through the City of London and past St Paul’s Cathedral before dipping back to
Victoria Embankment.
Farah made his bid for home emerging from the underpass beneath Blackfriar’s Bridge.
Surprisingly, it was the little known Mehretab who stuck to the double European champion as
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Lemoncello and Wicks dropped back. The two ran side-by-side through 8km (a 2:51 split)
before Farah kicked clear. “I wasn’t worried at all,” said Farah afterwards. “I just wanted to
see what happened today. I knew we were running slowly so I was confident, but there was
one guy I didn’t know who stuck with me for a bit.” Results:
Men
1.
Mo Farah
2.
Solomon Mehretab
3.
Andrew Lemoncello
4.
Phil Wicks
5.
Mark Warmby
Women
1.
Jo Pavey
2.
Gemma Steel
3.
Paula Radcliffe
4.
Justina Heslop
5.
Hollie Rowland
(Newham and Essex Beagles)
(Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets)
(Fife AC)
(Belgrave Harriers)
(Newham and Essex Beagles)
29:15
29:37
29:38
29:41
29:50
(Exeter)
(Charnwood)
(Bedford & County)
(Clapham Chasers)
(City of Norwich)
32:22
32:48
33:17
33:20
33:58
Note from Simon
I'd like to thank you all for your efforts yesterday at the BUPA 10000 and Olympic Race Walk
Trial, overall I think the day went very well and the morning weather was an added blessing.
The race walk was 'interesting' but I personally don't think I'll be giving it a go although I've
now got a better idea of the rules.
PS. Kat wondered what the qualifying times were for entry into the UKA Championships, held
for the first time at the BUPA 10000. Any British Athletes who had run 10km faster than
32mins (Men) and 38mins (Women) in the last two years were offered a complimentary
entry. Maybe seeing you running next year Kat?
A Very Enjoyable Green Belt Relay Weekend - Brian Bennett
Well done each and everyone of you. Only a change in the Rules stopped us from bringing
home THE CORPORATE SHIELD again. However we all did well to finish without any
disqualifications in what was our 8th consecutive year in the event.
Everyone should be mentioned but that would take me some time, but I will refer to Dave’s
outstanding Legs in finishing in 2nd and 4th places after agreeing to change legs at short
notice, and including a 13.5mile Leg on the 1st.day,and also Chris who ran Two Legs on the
2nd.day (Total of 19.6 miles), after 12.2miles on the 1st.day. I would also mention Eddie &
Paul our 2 regular Drivers who give up their weekends to cover some 250 miles. Runner Chris
also drives his 5/6 seater. Congratulations must also be given to John Coffee who won the
Mike Hutchins award, for the oldest runner and well deserved too. Many thanks go to Bridget
Ruffell and family, who once again gave time to Marshall leg 6 on Day 1. Well done to our
“Two Virgins” Alice & Rod who both ran well. Lastly I will be thanking the Staff at Ye OLDE
PLOUGH HOUSE, who made us most welcome & went out of way to make our short stay an
enjoyable one. Thanks to you all for an enjoyable running weekend, I believe we are all
winners.
PS - Commiserations to Richard Ruffell, Ray Hampton and Mark Taylor for not being able to
take part through injuries.
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Back to the Land of my Fathers – Nick Edge
(Well, not mine exactly; but somebody’s, obviously)
OK, you’ve run legs 4 and 16 of the Green Belt Relay, you’ve run “Drover’s Arms” in the Welsh
Castles. Maybe the “Tough Guy” at Wolverhampton or the Snowdonia marathon. Want a real
challenge? Want to know what a real off-road course is like? The smallest town in Britain
(pop. c. 600) is Llanwrtyd Wells. Spelling it is bad enough; pronouncing it is impossible for us
Sais*. Herein it will be referred to as LW. It is the birthplace of the infamous “Man v Horse”
race. Runners and horses on the same, usually very narrow course at the same time? Yep.
Crazy.
This 22-mile, extremely tough course can be run by individuals (yeah, right) or 3-man relay
teams. I blame Clara. She suggested the event at a committee meeting a few months back,
thinking we could get enough interest for several teams. In the event the vast majority of the
club membership sensibly declined the invitation which left just Barry and Muggins here to
join her in this venture into the unknown. There is only about ¾ mile difference between all
three legs but this didn’t stop Barry bagging the shortest (leg 3). I did the decent thing and
gave Clara the choice. She actually chose the longer first leg on the basis that it had fewer
extreme descents, which is something I enjoy so we were all happy (?)
Clara did all the organising, Barry volunteered to drive, and so I had it easy. Inevitably, after
we left the M4 and ventured deeper into the Principality, the weather broke and the heavens
opened. I hadn’t expected anything else. Almost every time I’ve run in Wales I’ve ended up
half-drowned. We passed a squad of bikers parked in a lay-by struggling to get into their
waterproofs. A bit late for that, lads. We reached our hotel in good time however, then drove
the half-hour or so to LW, enjoyed the pasta party and checked out the start area etc for the
morning.
Race day dawned bright and sunny but it didn’t last. Bang on time the rain started just as we
were called for the out-door briefing. The rain at this time however wasn’t too heavy. I should
mention at this point (because it has a bearing on later events) that the runners for legs 2 and
3 are bussed out to the changeover points and the runners for each leg put their bags for
immediate post-race requirements, mainly dry clothing, in the appropriate coach. The coach
then waits at the changeover for the last runner of that leg to arrive then ferries them to the
finish area back in LW. Consequently I took Clara’s bag with me in coach 1 and Barry took
mine in coach 2.
At the first changeover there is a superb view of the runners cresting a hilltop far above, then
traversing the hillside on the way down, so I easily spotted Clara’s fluorescent top (Club fine
for not wearing BA colours!) when she was still a mile away. As she handed over I yelled “Your
bag’s on the front seat” (I’d asked the lady already in the adjacent seat to watch out for her)
and I was off. Because of the rain, which had only stopped about ten minutes previously, I
hadn’t really warmed up properly which meant that the first ginormous hill which appeared
just around the first corner came as a bit of a shock to the system. We’re not talking tarmac
here, or even Lloyd Park at its worst, we’re talking stony, muddy, rutted, uneven farm tracks
chewed up even more by the horses which had already gone through, with a couple of stream
crossings thrown in and what looked like a vertical cliff-face in front of me. However I learnt
something here which was to stand me in good stead throughout. I resorted very soon to
power-walking up the steeper climbs and I realised this was just as fast as most people who
were still “running” up, but I was using much less energy.
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There was an overall climb of about 250m to the highest point on the course at 500m and
despite the fatigue I was already feeling I have to say that the view from the top was
tremendous, but then I was into the downhill. This is my territory and I was making up places
almost by the dozen. Then into a severely undulating section where I stuck to my tactic of
power-walking the ups and hammering the downs, although the rough ground at times made
this a bit hairy. There was one welcome moment of comic relief when I came upon what
appeared to be a simple mud-splash where there were a few runners floundering about.
“Wimps!” I thought, “Attack! One foot in, one foot out and Go!” Great plan until I got to “one
foot in”. Not only was the water almost knee deep but there was soft, deep mud at the bottom
and it was virtually impossible to keep one’s balance so I found myself on all fours along with
the others. My efforts to escape weren’t helped by the fact that all I could do was laugh, while
others were cursing and swearing as they tried to extricate themselves. Eventually, with half
of Wales in my shoes I got to the final 1½ mile descent to the changeover and I made up a lot
more places, even reaching the finish before I expected it as a marshal called out “Turn right
and then 300 yards to go.”
As I handed over to Barry he yelled what I heard as “Bag . . . back of the coach . . . on the rack”
and then he was away. I found my bag but then we were told that as the coach had to wait for
the last relay runner there was a shuttle bus going to and fro so we all transferred to that. As
we arrived in LW the heavens opened up again. I reckon the Weather Gods decided that as I’d
not been rained upon while running I had to pay. As there was a walk of about a mile to the
finish the dry clothing I’d changed into quickly became not dry. By the time I arrived, dripping,
Barry had finished but luckily I spotted him and Clara at the food tent. No surprise there. The
surprise came when Barry, still in his race kit, asked “Have you got my bag, Nick?” . . . . . Ahhh .
Because the race instructions had said that leg 3 runners’ bags could be transferred directly to
the finish I hadn’t given it a thought. Apparently Barry had said “And my bag as well” but I
didn’t hear that bit. We didn’t know where the coach might have ended up. A marshal told us
that the last bus had not yet returned but although I waited in the town centre while Barry got
some dry clothing from the car, it didn’t appear. After a few failed attempts to find it Barry
thought to try the little industrial site where he’d got on it, and there it was. No driver, but it
was unlocked and the bag was still there. Barry is too much of a gentleman to give me a hard
time but there was no need – I was kicking myself.
Having confessed all I therefore feel the right to mention my own little triumph. Barry told us
he’d been passed by quite a few horses, at which point it dawned on me that I hadn’t seen one
at all on my run. In fact I’d not been passed by anything, regardless of how many legs it had. So
not only had I not been “Dorised”, I hadn’t been “Dobbined” either. And how many of you can
say that?
There are a couple of PS’s:
1. I have to say this is the toughest course I’ve ever run. One of the first people I passed was
an older guy (maybe my age?) with a prosthetic leg. He was running the whole 22 miles.
During our search for Barry’s bag I spotted him still a mile or so from the finish. Awesome.
2. While waiting for Clara at the changeover, on a narrow lane where horses, runners and
traffic were competing for space, a car pulled up briefly and a face, which I didn’t
recognise at the time, peered out of the driver’s window. “I know you!” said the face,
“British Airways”. Since he was holding up traffic he had to drive on and I soon forgot
about it. Then as we were walking back into town after the finish he appeared again and
the penny dropped. Only the senior members of the club will remember Dave Shore, who
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ran with us in the 80s. He is now retired and has been living locally for five years. Always
a big lad he is now a bit bigger and the beard has gone, which I guess is why I didn’t
recognise him. Small world.
3. LW also hosts the World Bog-Snorkelling Championships, but I am NOT proposing we
enter a team.
* “Sais” is the Welsh equivalent of “Sassenach” or “Pommie B*st*rd
Slough Homeless Our Concern
Slough Homeless Our Concern (SHOC) is a charity which aims to provide, within a safe and
friendly environment, a comprehensive package of services to tackle homelessness and social
exclusion. They aim to provide clients with the knowledge and tools that will help them to reintegrate back into society and become useful members of the community. SHOC also
provides its clients with some home comforts, including a hot meal, some clothing and
toiletries.
Last year, British Airways Athletics Club generously donated SHOC surplus T-shirts from the
World Airline Road Race event. This year we launched an appeal asking for your help to
provide some of the basic needs for SHOC’s 300+ clients. You explored your drawers,
cupboards and lofts, finding running kit whose sentimental value have expired, and for which
you had no further us. What's more, all manner of other useful items appeared from
grandma's trunk - smart shoes and clothes to help SHOC members attend interviews; mugs to
help them set up independent living, as well as the old T shirts and tracksuits to keep them
warm at night.
If you have any items left, please could you contact Steve Hillier at stevehillier@msn.com, and
we will make sure that your donations reach a worthy cause. In the meantime, thank you for
your huge effort in helping to give a bunch of people a happier Christmas.
For more details about SHOC, please visit the website: www.sloughhomeless.org
Snippets
Eavesdropping……
After another superb City of London 5K race this Wednesday I overheard a Conversation
between 2 athlete finishers. 1ST man said “ just don’t understand it , I had a big bowl of pasta
an hour Before the race and still had stitch” 2nd man said “that was your mistake, you should
have had porridge”.!! So that’s the secret!!
Kat & John Wedding Thank you Note…
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AND FINALLY.....
Congratulations Kat & John!
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