Day at the races
I enjoy running. It keeps me fit and in trim shape. Some days after working in the office, when the paperwork seems to screw up my head. I get home and change into my running gear. I go out into the fresh air and start running and suddenly I feel really alive. When my heart starts pumping faster and my leg muscles stretch and get warmed up, I start to feel energised. This is what the human body is really designed for .Not sitting in a car or sat watching TV and not participating in exercise. Leading a healthy lifestyle is important to me. I love my running regime but running five and six mile road and x country races is becoming less appealing. That relatively short burst of energy is becoming harder and harder.
I have got a race next week at Elsecar . A tough six mile road race , with quite a few hills to negotiate. I have done this race before so I know what to expect. The more I think about it, the less enthusiasm I can summon. When I ran it last year it was during a torrential downpour, which was quite refreshing in a perverse way. This year the weather forecast was for rain again but a least I could look forward to a well earned beer afterwards. After days of nervous anticipation, race day arrived. It was overcast with a threat of rain. I did a twenty minute warm up run to get my lungs and heart rate prepared. We all lined up on the start line and all other thoughts were pushed to the back of my mind. Whenever I race I always give it 100 percent. There are no half measures. The gun fired and away we went. Downhill to start and then we hit the hill. A good steady climb that sorted the men from the boys. By the end of the first tough section I was in eighth place and the really fast lads were pulling away. They were in a different league to me. There were a couple of runners in front of me I was hoping to challenge. I passed one and tried to catch the other. The runners were spreading out now and it was time to dig in. The rain started to come down and felt good.. I realised I was hoping to hang on to my current position. It seemed a long six miles with another steep incline. I pressed on and tried to save a bit for the finish. In the last mile the guy behind tried to come back at me but I gritted my teeth and held on to the end. It was great to get over the finish line. I managed to finish first in my age group and came away with a couple of prizes which rewarded me for my efforts. There were a lot of people from my old running club there and it was nice to run well against them.
It was a good atmosphere afterwards and a feeling of what we had been through.
I am glad that is out of the way till next time. O no I have got another race next week. Why do I put my self through this.!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steve Ford
Edinburgh Marathon – A Tough Day!
The day started great, sun out, granola and strawberry’s for breakfast.
Off we set to the bus stop, the start 1 mile away. The bus arrived full and as such we were running a little late, some panicking about not getting their bags on the luggage bus.
Jenny and Pete got a taxi and provided the luggage transportation whilst the rest of us walked to the start.
It was busy at the start and we tried to keep ahead of the other kestrels for the first mile. (Just made it!)
After all passed we sped along to mile 2, again getting in front of most. It was too hot for dashing about so we decided to get a taxi to the 16 mile marker. (Make a note to take on more fluids next time)
Had to walk about a mile to get a Taxi – got in the taxi – he asked for £40.00 – got out of the taxi, went to the train station. Waited ½ hour to get on. It was like the Deli Express, crammed solid with like minded people.
Eventually got to Musselburgh station and another mile walk.
Feet blistered now as we arrived at the finish. Managed to get a prime spot just in time to see the first male winner.
Shouting encouragement at all runners – no time for a drink, fearing we might miss the Kestrels. Camera at the ready. First home, Steve Ford with a fantastic time of 2h 57m although he looked a bit hot! . The others followed in due course. We waited for all our runners to finish but missed two due to clothing issues, so waited an hour too long. The sun was beating down, we were hot, thirsty, hoarse and crozzled.
We met up with the runners, who all did great in the conditions. Hobbled to the bus stop and went back for a pint of well earned refreshment.
Next day neither of us could walk due to being stood in one place for so long – balancing on a chair. Throat sore, blisters raw, sunburn glowing, ALL runners were in better condition than us!. Camera checked – most pictures looked like ghosts due to the brilliant sunshine.
We decided were not fit enough for the exhausting demands of being a top supporter so have decided to take the easy option next year and run it!
Alan Chambers / Chris Horry
Larwood 10k
A PERFCT DAY
SUNDAY 10/05/09.
7.30 ALARM, SUN SHINING THROUGH GAPS IN CURTAINS. HAVE TO BE AT SHIREOAKS FOR 8.30 TO SET UP. WHAT AM I DOING, HAVEN`T RUN A RACE FOR 18 MONTHS (HAVEN`T RUN IN A MORNING FOR 18 MONTHS.FOOL ! ).HAVEN`T DONE ENOUGH TRAINING (FOOL ! ). YOU`LL BE FINE SAYS VAL (ALWAYS RELY ON THE WIFE).
WHAT`S THIS , LES FIRST ON SITE,(NEVER BEEN KNOWN ), HELPING TO SET UP START FINISH LINE (JANE MUST HAVE KICKED HIM OUT OF BED). BEAUTIFUL MORNING , HEAT IN THE SUN.( I FEEL A BIT OF SPRING IN THE STEP. ODD, HAVEN`T FELT THAT FOR A WHILE). PETE AND JEN ARRIVE WITH GAZEBO.
9.30 KESTRELS START ARRIVING TO COLLECT NUMBERS AND T/SHIRTS. OVER 120 HAVE ENTERED (PROUD OF YOU ALL, PROUD TO BE A KESTREL).
FILLED WITH INSPIRATION FROM SEEING THAT MASS OF YELLOW SHIRTS I ENJOY THE RUN (A MOST SCENIC RUN) , I HAVE A GOOD RUN, I HAVE A GREAT RUN. THANK YOU FOR THAT SEA OF YELLOW.
VAL RUNS AFTER ONLY 5 MILES OF TRAINING (WOW). MIKE RUNS WITH NO TRAINING (GOSH, BUT HE IS ONLY 18).
PROUD OF YOU ALL , PROUD TO BE A KESTREL.
MICK BRIGGS
Bridlington Breeze! - Half Marathon Sunday 19th October2008
Just a short piece to say a few words about the Brid Half Marathon and everyone who took part – Me (Gillian), Alan, Clinton, Paul, Sue, Jane, Jenny, Pete, Sandra and Steve.
Personally, I entered this run as I hadn’t run one for a while due to injury, illness etc. Over the last few months my running had been improving and felt I was capable of running it in 2:10, maybe even a little quicker.
So, the start of the race came and off we went. My first mile was 9:30 and I was delighted. This pace continued up to 4th mile, and at this point the run was quite enjoyable. From around the 5th mile onwards we met the wind and hills! The following 8 miles were a different story, bleak, lonely and very long! By the 10th mile my legs were ready to give up until I had a text from my son letting me know that Wednesday were beating United 1-0 – this spurred me on for the next 5 minutes! The wind along the front was worse than ever – at times I didn’t feel as though I was moving and just when I thought I couldn’t go on any longer I saw the welcome sight of Paul White running towards me to run in with me – I cannot tell you how pleased I was!
I eventually made it to the finish being cheered on very loudly by the rest of the Kestrels, with a time of 2:18 and legs that did not belong to me!
Some people may say that time isn’t the most important thing – completing it and enjoying it should be uppermost, but I believe that most runners want a good time, me being one of them. But today I knew this wasn’t going to happen. What was more important to me today was the support of all the other Kestrels when I ran in to the finish, and particularly to Paul White for bringing me home. Thank you all.
Congratulations and well done to everyone – it was a tough run!
Gillian Garyson
Bridlington Diary – A sorry tale.
We arrived at Filey on Saturday ready for the Bridlington half on Sunday. The whether was sunny but a bit windy.
Pub meal and a few pints at night, not too reckless as the race didn’t start while 12 o’clock Sunday.
Clinton , Jane, Ann and I arrived at Bridlington sea front at 10:30 am on Sunday. It was freezing cold and windy! I bought a pair of gloves off trade stand and went for a hot drink - not daring to take my gloves and hat off.
Other Kestrels started arriving , Paul, Sue, Steve, Sandra, Chris, Jane, Gillian, Howard and friends. “Tropical” Jane Horry was freezing too (no surprise there as it was less than 20 deg/C !) .
We changed in the Leisure centre which was great as we were at the side of the swimming pool. I could have stayed there all day, lovely and warm.
We ventured out from our heated location onto the artic sea front 20 mins before the start for a Kestrels group hug.
Mad Pete had already done 10 miles pre-run warm up and was ready to do another 13 miles with Jenny!
The hooter sounded and off we went, out towards Flamborough Head. Steve was off to a flyer with Paul not far behind.
Warming through nicely at the 3 mile mark thinking that 1.5 miles of uphill was enough in one go. How mistaken I was. The next 2 miles were also uphill! Clinton and Sue were too strong for me and I fell back 100 mts just managing to keep them in sight.
Struggling to get second wind at 6 miles I saw Howard and his two friends, what a lift you get from seeing some friendly faces cheering you on.
Picking up the pace a little, I started gaining ground on the Kestrels in front. We turned the next corner and what a surprise, another hill, fancy that I thought!
As we rounded for home a downhill section (hurray!!) but the headwind was so strong it seemed as though we were still running up hill!. My legs going up and down like bees wings and it seemed like I was hardly moving forward at all.
A long piece of flat and no wind at last, I started making ground on Clint and Sue. Caught and past them at the last drinks station.
Through the housing estate and onto the sea front paths, the finish almost in sight. Rounding the corner on the headland for the last mile or so and was met by a 40 mph icy blast. Lungs bursting, shins killing stopped to give them a rub – passed by Clint and Sue again (bugger!) .
Came home in 1:45 or so, feet blistered, cold and achy but overall a fantastic day out and will do it again next year!
Had a beer, watched the second half of the Sheffied Derby with Clinton, forgot all the pain!
Alan Chambers
I've just found the attached picture of 'me' on the Dark Peak Fell
Runners website. It was taken on Aug 30th 2008 at the Longshaw Sheepdog
Trials Fell race. Don't tell everyone, but to those that don't know the
result of the race, it actually looks as though I'm leading the field in
a race to the finishing line. Unfortunately I was leading a bunch of
runners in a tussle for 72nd place!!!
Just to reiterate what Kenny has said about these races. For anyone who
doesn't mind a bit of mud, the occasional bog to manoeuvre or the
inevitable hill / hills, these races are a lot of fun. There's the added
bonuses of the surrounding countryside and moorland, and the opportunity
to try one of the local village pubs for after race refreshment, which
all help to make them all the more enjoyable. There are a stack of these
races that are run over distances between 4 and 7 miles in the summer
months which are the ones I plump for, and which are no longer than club
runs. The fell running calendar does thin out for the winter months when
all the races are run at weekends, but come next April, they come during
the week at a rate of at least one a week in and around the Peak
District.
Kevin.
The Boston to Skegness Seabank Marathon Jun 8th 2008
The Boston to Skegness Seabank Marathon took place today, and the first runners home were greeted by the Deputy Mayor of Skegness, Coun Pat Phillips and the Skegness Jolly Fisherman.
The winner of the marathon was Simon Gregory, number 172, who is a member of the Kestrels Running Club, Killamarsh, Sheffield. Dave completed the race in 3hrs 3 minutes and is a premier runner, often finishing in the top five. He is pictured left with the Deputy Mayor who presented him with a medal.
Hi Folks,
Les has asked me to write about my Marathon experience…so here goes!
If you don’t know me I’m the older woman (now 67 years!) who runs in glasses and did that spectacular nose-drive onto the tarmac during a club run last summer.
Now I didn’t start running until I was in my early 40’s. I found I loved the sense of freedom and satisfaction it gives you. Two years ago I joined Kestrels and I enjoy being in this friendly club.
After 5 unsuccessful attempts at getting in the London Marathon, I was accepted for 2008. The thought of 26.2 miles was daunting, I didn’t think I could do it but felt I had to try.
I’m an Aroma therapist and only work part-time, so could do runs during the day. All my long Sunday runs were in the beautiful Clumber Park. Believe me when I say the training is harder than the Marathon.
Gradually increasing my mileage and duration running meant that by the middle of March my long Sunday run was 20 miles over 4 hours. I was now using Lucozade gels and drinking Lucozade Sport whilst running which was a rehearsal for the big day. My Partner Harry was a great support. He always made me a flask of coffee and had a Sunday dinner ready on my return.
Marathon weekend came! On the Saturday I registered at excel, got my number and chip, had a massage and the obligatory pasta.
Sunday dawned bright and sunny, though a little chilly. Once in Greenwich Park the nerves and doubts were replaced by excitement. This was it, all those aches and pains forgotten. The two week taper meant my legs felt fresh.
Support from the crowds was great particularly around Docklands. People offer you sweets, cheer and clap enthusiastically when someone in fancy dress goes by. Time seemed to fly by as I listened to the music and watched the scene unfold.
I passed the girl on stilts and the 101 year old man with his ‘minders’ and Blind Dave who was running his 7th Marathon in a week (I was running for his Charity, Guide Dogs)
A handsome young man in a leopard skin thong got a great cheer, as did the girl in her undies!
At one point I passed a Rhinoceros then later was overtaken by one, was it the same one or were there several?
Reading the poignant messages on the backs of those in front of you was very moving, tributes to their loved ones who had died.
About mile 17 I had a quick stop to say hello to my daughter who, as agreed was waiting with her bright pink umbrella up so I would spot her. She was fed up of runners telling her it had stopped raining now!
There was another heavy downpour about mile 22and this dampened the spirits a bit as I was feeling very tired by now. My first sight of Big Ben was a real boost and I enjoyed the run on the Embankment and to the Finish.
My finish time was 5 hours 20 minutes 11 seconds.
My race plan ‘To finish in one piece’ had been accomplished and in doing so I’ve raised £960:00 for Guide Dogs.
This is just a flavour of what it’s like to run the London Marathon. Is it time for you to see for yourself?
Barbara Carrotte.
Gillian and Howard’s Wedding
Saturday 17th May 2008
I would like to say a great big thank you to everyone at the Kestrels for your generous, thoughtful gifts and good wishes.
Our wedding day was perfect from beginning to end, a day we will remember for a long time. It was touch and go leading up to the wedding because of my illness, but thankfully I recovered in time.
Thank you for sharing our magical day with us and helping to make it so wonderful.
Howard and I are off to Cyprus on Saturday (24th0 on our honeymoon and I hope to be back running soon after
Love to you all.
Gillean and Howard.
To All
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone at the running club who has sent me best wishes and given support while my leg has been recovering over the last few months. It really helped cheer me up and keep a positive outlook during the difficult periods.
The good news is that the consultant has managed to pin and fix my leg extremely well and the outlook for the long term is extremely positive. I have just been instructed to start walking and get in the gym on the static bike which is brilliant news. I've become so good on my crutches I was thinking of entering the "crutch half marathon"
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon and will be taking up my duty full position as steward over the next few months. Excellent news about the cross- country.
Kind regards
Jess
What can I say but very well done and a brilliant team/club effort to everybody who took part in the event. The hard work they all had to put in to run in the atrocious weather condition that you wouldn’t even take a dog out in!
The wind and rain added to all the mud that had to be encountered, when running through the many ploughed fields of this 8 stage relay run around Rotherham.
Everybody did brilliant and I hope they all enjoyed taking part and representing the club in this hard, but good event.
In organising the teams and setting the approx starting times that each member should be running their individual leg and finally setting an estimate finish time of 8hr 30mins, I can say, that in the terrible conditions they all had to encounter, the last runners for each team eventually crossed the finish line in a remarkable overall time of 8hr 29mins
Once again Very Well Done !!! to everybody who took part, and just remember next year can’t be as bad for the rain………I hope.
Les
BENIDORM HALF MARATHON - 25th November 2007
A birds eye view from a Killamarsh Kestrel (Jayne Horry)
This is of course is about more than the half marathon it is also about a week of fun, and of course, not forgetting the full marathon, for the one brave soul amongst us.
Although the morning of the run, started with a chill in the air and a few puddles around from the previous night's rain, the sun came out on cue for the start. The course is relatively flat and takes in the old town, the sea front and the never ending road that runs at the back of Benidorm (ok it did end eventually but on the day it felt like it was never ending). The course winds back on itself several times which provides a number of opportunities to give each other an encouraging shout. Before moving on to tell a few tales of the rest of the fun I have to mention the blisters …….oh yes did I have blisters, talking point of the evening, not a pretty sight and the dash to the start for Simon, as if 26.2 miles isn't enough when the taxi didn't turn up.
Well with the run out of the way it was time to relax. We were introduced to Rocky's Bar the haunt for the conquering heroes and of course the newly formed 'Killamarsh Kestrel's Boy Band' (aka Chris and Richard). But Wednesday is the night to be there in fancy dress, and oh boy, some go prepared and do it with style. That night we spotted Jimmy Saville, Elvis Presley, the platoon from Rourke's Drift, Sharon with her belly dancers, to name a few. Of course there was Killamarsh's own Hawaiian reprobates. Oh and The Boy Band were on the stage, again, will we ever get them off.
It wasn't all about the night life there was the beach during the day. With many hardy souls venturing out into the sea for a swim whilst some of us were content with just getting our feet wet. With the presence of Charlotte and Jonathan we were all given the chance to build sandcastles. We mustn't of course forget Annie the bullet volleyball server.
This short piece doesn't really do the week's activities justice. Next time you see him ask Chris about the horse riding or Simon and Richard about the difficulties in opening their room door on the last night. Although old enough to know better there was much burning of candles at both end that week and I have just managed to stay awake beyond 9pm since getting back. Finally, I would like to thank Jenny and Annie for organising the trip and everyone for my birthday surprise, I wanted my birthday to be different this year, well you all made sure of that.
The Marden to Edale Fell Race 2007.
The lone mad kestrel and the kestrel/dark peak crack pot !!!
We decided back in September to do this 23m endurance fell run, and it looked a good run at that time of year, but little did we know what was to come on the day of the race.
The weather forecast was terrible with wind, rain and sleet expected and on the morning of the run it was worst than that, it was not just rain and wind it was buckets of rain and gales you wouldn’t believe.
The start was from a street in Marsden with no shelter to get changed, so we were wet before we even started the run. But never mind it was only 23m to the finish line.
We set off at a snails pace knowing what was to come and it was a good job because what was in front of us was even worse, we had to cross open moor lands full of peat bogs that at times opened up to nearly eat you alive, then there was stream crossings that were more like river rapids at waist high, where we had to join hands with other runners to get across without being washed away!! On top of this we had gale force wind that if we had not got so much mud on our shoes, would have blown us for miles and miles, but in the wrong direction! At our last check point on the Snake road with just the another 4 or 5 miles to go I could have given up and sat in our back up car and cried, but you know what us fell runners are like we can’t be wimps, so it was off running again with a “smile”!
Well after just over 5hrs of running the village of Edale came into view and the ordeal came to an end. Tired and exhausted sat in the village hall it was all over and the comment of never again, “well until next year” was said
Les (lone mad kestrel) and Kenny(crack-pot)
My name is Helen Drury.
Myself, my brother richard, my aunty and uncle mick and val and
particularly my grandma and mum, would like to thank everybody who took
part in the langdale half marathon, to raise money for cancer research
in memory of our grandad, dad and husband who died a year ago on the
14/10/07.
I myself found it particularly hard as I had not run for a
while, but I am so proud that I did it in just under 3 hours.
Once again, thank you, thankyou
Langdale Weekend
Camping in the Lakes in September, not the warmest of times, in fact it was damp and wet. Good job we spent time in the pub then!
We were woken Sunday morning (race day) to the sound of very persistent rain on canvas – what on earth were we doing?
By the time we had made our way to Langdale for the start of the race, it had stopped raining, thank goodness, but was windy and cold!
We had a team photo and set off on one of the most scenic (and hilly) half marathons in the country. The rain held off until about 30 mins into the race, when it returned with a vengeance. I’m sure it even hailed at one point!
It was very good to see Chris and Jayne at 11 miles ish, halfway up that stupid big hill clapping everyone and shouting encouragement to us Kestrels. Bit late for me though, as my legs had long since turned, first to jelly then to lead!
It took me 2.23 to complete the race, I’m not particularly proud of my time, but hey I finished and still had a smile on my face, but I’m sure it looked slightly more like a grimace!
The half was tough enough, so well done to Les who managed two laps to complete the marathon, he must be mad.
Now that it’s a few weeks after, and I can walk downstairs unaided, I’m actually considering doing it all again next year – I must be mad also.
I’m sure Eric would have been proud of us all!
Jenny