Thursday 29 March 2007

Just a reminder

For those of you taking part in the Worthing 20 on Sunday, do remember that it's a 9 o'clock start. A number of people are meeting at Uplands at 6.45.

If anybody, other than the Ladies Captain, needs an early morning call, please let the Chairman know.

Cranleigh 21

Peter Burfoot took part in the Cranleigh 21 race last Sunday - so for all you softies who can only manage the 20 miles at Worthing this weekend, take a look at Peter's race report:

The lanes and roads at Cranleigh are quite similar to Barns Green (not too far away). It was a cold and dreary morning. I got up at 06.45 hrs with my body clock at 05.45. However the blues and lack of enthusiasm of the day before and the cold which I had appeared to be getting had gone. I awoke knowing I had recovered from the rather testing 65 min 8.7 mile run along the Thames which I did on Thursday in Oxford. I left home for Cranleigh just before 7 and arrived a few minutes after 8. I rubbed deep heat on my legs but was short of time so left my upper body (mistake No. 1).

The race started on time at 09.00 hrs (8.00hrs on my bodyclock) and my pace settled down to my predetermind (wide) bracket quite soon, but the 1st mile came up in 6:45. After that it was a little over 7 min/mile for a bit. A Sittingbourne Strider came alongside and I commented that he had come a long way - he confirmed that he had also run the Thanet 20. I released him as my Polar was beeping that I was going too fast. There was a girl with a Thames Hare and Hound vest whom I kept passing and repassing.

The first loop was 9 miles and you were back in Cranleigh village with the sun starting to shine, running along the pavement at a furious pace with the buildings echoing the slip slap of the trainers behind you. There were a few people watching so the pace was maintained during this period. You then went along a disused railway line like Hailsham and I slackened my pace to let those trainers by, only to discover they were a group of 4 SGP Clubrunners from Horsham Joggers. There was no way I could have continued at their pace. 10 miles came up in just a couple of seconds under 72 mins which so far as I know is a record for me. At some point I had developed a pain in my left shouder, What was it? Had I pulled something? Can you run a marathon with a painful shoulder? It was because I hadn't had time to rub Deep Heat into my upper body. All these thoughts were going through my mind.

I was still doing OK but running on my own with the Hare and Hound girl some way ahead. The half marathon came up in 1:35, my second fastest ever. You then turned to go towards Cranleigh again on this 6 mile loop and up a rather unwelcome hill before descending towards Cranleigh again. Just after 15 miles you start the 6 mile loop and disused railway section again and I went to get another gel from my bodybelt - I had been having SIS gels every 5 miles but delayed as this was a 6 mile loop. Lo and behold, the zip handle was no longer attached to the zip and I had to try and open the pouch with my fingers and teeth all to no avail (mishap No. 1). I had resigned myself to going without the gel and taking the orange juice option at the last 2 drinks stations when I realised that I was going to need to open the pouch anyway to get my car key. It was then that an idea dawned upon me - to use one of the four safety pins from my number and thread it through the zip to form a handle. That I did and got my gel (but I still went for the orange juice option).

On the last 6 mile loop I was passing all those people who were doing the 10 - 15 mile stretch. Then I saw the Hare and Hound girl ahead and went past her. The 20 mile marker came up in 2:30:30 or thereabouts ( a bit slower than Thanet and a Grade 4 rather than a Grade 3) and the finish came after the 21 mile marker. I did not know which was the finish line but I stopped my clock at 2:39:55. After stretching I left, driving towards all the runners coming in the opposite direction, many trying out their FLM charity vests and looking decidedly worse for wear (possibly still on the 1st 6 mile loop). I enjoyed the race. I was home by 13:25 hrs.

The results on MABAC put me in 94th place out of 474 on the 21 mile race with a time of 2:39:52. Analysis showed that my time was 7.23% slower than the shorter Thanet 20. I compared the results of 3 other faster Thanet and Cranleigh runners and my time was marginally better comparatively than 2 of the others, The 3rd (the one who passed me) was over 10% slower. He had been quite happy to talk when he was runnning with me and I suspect he could have got a much better time if he had needed to. However the closeness of my comparative time with the other 2 is probably a better guide to the result than the absolute time, having regard to the course and the conditions.

Peter.

Thanks for the report Peter. A couple of things spring to mind. 1. How do you manage to run with a Polar Bear? The nearest I've come to that is with a Fox's Glacier Mint. 2. If you think the girl from the Hare and Hounds is fast, you want to see Nutty Norah from the Rose & Crown.

Peter will be flying the Waddies flag in the Rotterdam Marathon next month - so good luck Peter.

Monday 26 March 2007

Only 4 weeks to go ....

Quite a number of Waddies used the weekend to complete their final non-competitive long training run - so to those who have tired and aching limbs this morning ..... tough!

A couple of Waddies wore the club vest in competitive events over the weekend. Martin and Cathy Burke flew the flag at the Brentwood Half yesterday, Cathy recording a 1.54.11 (1.53.34 Chip) and Martin (who insists it was never on his agenda to race, only to pace and nothing to do with meeting his mate Leffe on the previous evening) recording a 2.09.44. Liam Burke wore the Waddie vest in the 3 mile Fun Run and finished in 142nd place out of a field of almost 800 in a time of 24.00.

Peter Burfoot who is taking part in the Rotterdam Marathon in a couple of weeks took part in the Cranleigh 21 event yesterday and his result will be posted here just as soon as he's finished - sorry, as soon as we have have it!

To those Waddies taking part in the Flora London Marathon, there's just four weeks to go and the last of the long runs will be taking place this Sunday in Worthing. The Worthing 20 is also a Sussex Grand Prix event - so there's plenty of points at stake as well as miles under your belt. If you haven't entered, you should still be able to do so on the day - but do make sure you get there early, it's a 9 am start.

Also this week, the Committee meeting tomorrow night should be an emotional affair as Peter is re-united with his Nike hat - we'll try and get some photos of the event.

Coming up in future weeks the Folkestone 10 takes place on Good Friday (April 6th), The Lewes 10K and Fun Run is on Easter Monday (April 9th), there's a 10K in Arundel Park on the 15th before the running community decamps either to London or to their sitting rooms in front of the TV for the London Marathon on April 22nd. Finally, on April 29th it's the Hastings 5 Mile - another Sussex GP race. Organisers say that the Waddies have the largest entry from a single club which is great news - those of you who have not entered yet can do so by clicking here to go straight to the rather basic event website.

Have a good week.

Wednesday 21 March 2007

Happy Birthdays all round

A dozen or so Waddies took a bit of rehydration on board last night as London Marathon preparations took a back seat to birthday celebrations.

Janet was celebrating A Very Significant Birthday and was spotted trying to liquidise a sausage and a piece of pizza; Lin took the whole ageing thing in her stride; and Sarah carried out a thorough test of the Guinness. At the mention of age though, the boys (Tim and Mike P), clutching thier half pints of milk stout, simply looked down at the floor, mumbled something about 'still being able to do it though' and shuffled their feet towards the buffet table.

Never mind chaps they do say that life begins at ... err ... 40, 50, 55?


Janet looks delighted at the food parcel presented to her for her birthday. Gain weight now - ask me how!


You see, that's the problem with flashback. maybe if we'd asked Tim to wear a hat ....


Sara keeps an eye on Lin's drink - looking for dregs?

Monday 19 March 2007

A couple of reminders

No races at the weekend - as far as we know - so those in London mode would have enjoyed or endured a long run. For those following an established training schedule, you'll probably have just one more biggy to come and that's the Worthing 20 on April 1st. If you have yet to submit your entry then this link takes you straight to the Worthing website. Remember that the race is part of the Sussex Grand Prix series and there are valuable GP points at stake.

There are no races in Sussex this weekend although a couple of Waddies will be flying the flag in the Brentwood Half Marathon on Sunday. For masochists there is also the Sevenoaks 10K in Knole Park.

A couple of reminders about other events this week. Don't forget tomorrow night after the usual training run there's a special post-run rehydration session in the Greyhound to celebrate a few birthdays - including A Very Significant One for Janet (30?).

On Saturday night, Martin and Cathy are holding a Quiz Night in Beckley Village Centre to raise some money for their London Marathon charities. The evening begins at 8 and for your fiver a head there's wine and nibbles thrown in!

And the final reminder - as you look out of your windows in anticipation of the expected snow, icy winds, hailstone and God knows what else is due to be thrown at us, was it just a week ago since these piccies were taken in Hastings??

Have a good week.





Wednesday 14 March 2007

Sara in line for Oscar!!

Club Secretary Sara Wrenn is featured in the promo video for the Hastings Half Marathon.

Romours of roles being lined up in Hollywood are, so far, unconfirmed.

Any suggestions for appropriate film roles for Sara?

Check out Sara's performance here

More photos from Hastings

More photos from Sunday's race in Hastings. We're awaiting the confirmed and final results - but when they arrive, we think Waddies will be on the honours board with Albert amongst the leading V Old Blokes, Helen Neary up there amongst the Vet ladies, Cathy Burke looking to retain her 1st Rye Lady title and both Cathy and Martin sweating on whether they have made the Best Pub Team - running under the joint banner of Wadhurst Runners and Rose & Crown, Beckley.

Remember to check back here for more news and piccies from Hastings.



Kathie storms to a finish.



Melinda and a weeble.



Don't you just hate these nippy things who stand waiting for the rest of us - look at Rachel - fresh as a daisy!!


Sam and Nyree escort a lost runner over the line.

Tuesday 13 March 2007

Get your thinking caps on!

Martin and Cathy are holding a Quiz Night on Saturday March 24th at Beckley Village Centre, starting at 7.30 for 8.00, with proceeds going to their London Marathon charity effort - raising money for St Michael's Hospice and Martha Trust.

Teams of six-ish are welcome although teams will also be made up on the night. Cost is just £5 a head which includes a couple of bottles of wine and nibbles.

Please contact Cathy on cathy@nice-work.org.uk to reserve your place.

Monday 12 March 2007

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!

The Waddies were out in force yesterday for the Hastings Half Marathon. The race was run in unseasonably warm weather but whilst that caused problems for some of the runners, it didn't stop a huge 24-strong Wadhurst team from posting some superb times. To put this performance into perspective two years ago, the membership of the club barely topped 25!



Skipper Mike pain was the highest placed Wadhurst Runner finishing in 1.25.45 and claiming 118th place; two other Wadhurst Runners posted sub 1.30 times, Ed McKinney in 1.28.02 for 160th place and Mike Mackay in 1.29.50 for 212th place.

There were pbs for Mike Pain, Peter Burfoot, Rachel Clements and Sara Wrenn whilst Albert defied his geriatric status with a cracking 1.39.54. In the Mini Run, Liam Burke led the Robertsbridge Community College team in his Wadhurst Runners vest clocking 8.57 for the 2.5K course.



Check back here later for more news and more photos from the race. In the meantime, the provisional results are available here



Provisional results:

Mike Pain 1.25.45
Ed McKinney 1.28.02
Mike Mackay 1.29.50
Peter Burfoot 1.35.08
Albert Kemp 1.39.54
Eddie Wattenbach 1.44.07
Linda Hayes 1.44.10
Cathy Hall 1.48.01
Rachel Clements 1.48.06
Helen Neary 1.49.19
Tony Dymond 1.52.52
"Bonita Backhouse" 1.53.54
Shane Last 1.54.08
David Jones 1.55.32
Cathy Burke 1.58.21
Martin Burke 1.59.02
Nyree Thomson 2.00.09
Sam Craven 2.00.09
Kathie Gates 2.05.27
Melinda Mackay 2.06.33
Tony Gates 2.07.25
Charlie Petkovic 2.15.16
Sara Wrenn 2.28.57
Tony Sorrell 3.00.16

Thursday 8 March 2007

Well done Peter!

Peter Burfoot was one of the few Waddies in race action last weekend as he competed in the Thanet 20 - an ideal pre-Spring Marathon event.

Peter finished in a PB time 2.29.05 - good enough to place him 93rd in the race and good enough to beat his previous 20 mile pb by a staggering 14 minutes! Unable to secure a place for the London Marathon, Peter will be wearing the Wadhurst vest in the Rotterdam Marathon this spring.

Remember that it's Hastings this Sunday and you should meet at Uplands at 8.30 for car sharing. There are two spare places available because Rachel D and Bonita are not able to run. And if anybody can help with handing out leaflets to promote the Bewl 15, please see Albert or Martin.

Tuesday 6 March 2007

Social News

Just a note to remind everyone that there's a quiz taking place this Friday at the Lime Tree in Lamberhurst. You don't have to book - just turn up, pay and play. The quiz starts at 8pm prompt and there will be at least two Waddie couples going - so if you're looking for something to do on Friday why not go along and join them.

And a reminder that several members of the Wadhurst Runners are celebrating a birthday in the week commencing Sunday 18th March. To help them party we have arranged to go for a drink on Tuesday 20th after training in the Greyhound.

Everybody is welcome to come along, including anybody who doesn't fancy going for a run first. Just go along to the Greyhound around 8/8.30pm.

So we can warn the Greyhound please could you please let Cathy Burke (cathy@nice-work.org.uk) know whether or not you are likely to be there.

Birthdays that we know of are Sara, Janet, Tim, Mike Pain, Tony Sorrell and Linda Hayes. If anybody else wants to claim a birthday around this date please let Cathy know - she wouldn't want anyone to feel left out!

Plus are there any more acceptances for the awards dinner on Saturday 28th April at The Bistro, Lamberhurst Vineyards. Cost is just £23.50 per person. If you need another copy of the menu or require any more details, once again, please let Cathy know.

Monday 5 March 2007

All off to Hastings?

This Sunday sees one of the biggest dates in the Sussex racing calendar with the running of the Hastings Half marathon. The seaside half marathon is regularly voted the country's top half marathon and well over 4,000 entries have already been received - so a record turnout could be on the cards.

There should be a strong turnout of Waddies on Sunday but if you haven't yet got your entry in, don't worry as the organisers are also still accepting entries on the day. Mind you, if you are thinking of leaving it until the last minute, you'd be advised to make sure you're in Hastings well before the 10.30 start time - the race HQ and surrounding areas are extremely congested and parking can be a problem.

Next up in the Sussex GP series, and ideal for London Marathon preparation, is the Worthing 20 on Sunday April 1st. If that's a touch too lomg, why not take a look at the Paddock Wood Half which takes place on the same day? It's a flat course and ideal for a pb.

No Waddies in action locally at the weekend (unless you know any different?) but Cathy and Martin were part of a group who travelled to Bruges for the annual Ostend to Bruges 10 Mile Race. Cathy was definitely in pot hunting mode as she came home first lady in the 6K - and was rewarded with her pot. Complete with plant!

Martin finished the 10 Mile Race in 1.26.47.

Have a good week.

Photos below show Martin huffing and puffing his way just 1K from home; and the second photo shows what happens if you trust your camera to a local who’s watched the entire race from the comfort of the bar!!



Friday 2 March 2007

Meet the Committee (1)

The club has grown dramatically over the last few months and our membership now stands at its highest ever.

One of the problems of a growing membership is that, because not everybody attends Tuesday or Sunday training - and not all members race in GP races - many of us don't even get to meet.

So, just so you can put a face to a name we thought it would be a great idea to publish photos of some of our leading lights.

The first in the series features Men's Captain Mike Paine and Club Treasurer Tim Clements. If anybody else has suitable photographs of club members we'd be delighted to share these with the membership ...... email martin@nice-work.org.uk. Anonymity is, of course assured.

But discretion isn't.

Here's Mike ....







And here's Tim

Thursday 1 March 2007

New Social Secretary

Following Janet's decision to stand down as Social Secretary due to work commitments, our new Social Secretary has been revealed. In a glitzy ceremony following a press conference in Leicester Square, Cathy Burke outlined her hopes and fears for the future, thanked her Mom and dad for helping her get where she is today, thanked her writer, publicist, sound recordist, director and editor ....

Anyway Cathy has picked up the baton and is now looking for help. First of all, she would really like those who haven't done so to confirm whether or not they will be joining us for the Club Awards Dinner on Saturday April 28th at the Bistro at Lamberhurst Vineyard. If you are intending joining us please email Cathy at cathy@nice-work.org.uk.

And in her first posting as Social Secretary, Cathy writes:

"Several members of the Wadhurst Runners are celebrating a birthday in the week commencing Sunday 18th March. To help them party we have arranged to go for a drink on Tuesday 20th after training in the Greyhound.

Everybody is welcome to come along, including anybody who doesn't fancy going for a run first. Just go along to the Greyhound around 8/8.30pm.

So I can warn the Greyhound please could you let me know whether or not you are likely to be there.

Birthdays I know of are Sara, Janet, Mike Pain, Tony Sorrell and Linda Hayes. If anybody else has a birthday around this date please let me know - wouldn't want anyone to feel left out.

Cathy"

Don't forget Cathy can be contacted at cathy@nice-work.org.uk or by phone 01797 230730.

No Sussex GP races this weekend - and only the Steyning Stinger Marathon taking place locally - so good luck to those of you off on your long runs on Saturday or Sunday. Don't forget the club training run will be leaving the Leisure Centre as usual at 9.00.