Evening people!
So let me get this straight. From the photos, you appeared to spend Tuesday’s interval session doing the can-can on the Stray? Someone please tell me that the Harriers or Striders saw you. Please. You looked like the athletic equivalent of a burlesque cabaret act. I have never laughed as loud as I did when I saw the photos. I thought I would need an ambulance. I love you all.
The friendliest burlesque club in town?
Anyway, I must lead you, with as much dignity as we can muster, to the results…
Results
The smallest people really do achieve the most remarkable things, I tell you. Just look at these results from last week’s PECO Cross Country Races. In the Years 4 – 6 race, Evie Illes came an amazing 15th place for the girls, followed by Georgina Reddish (22nd) and Connie Mitton (23rd). Harrison Iles (3rd) and Jake Stalker (4th) were right up front for the boys, and were soon joined by Joe Sutcliffe (14th), Barnaby Patterson (22nd), Aidan Ranns (25th), Will Harvey (31st) and Liam Hamer (44th). For Years 7 – 9, Sarah Lofthouse nailed it with a cracking 10th place for the girls, while James Harvey (13th) showed the boys what Team Nidd are made of. Lastly (but by no means least), Alex Robinson, scored a brilliant 6th place in the Years 10 – 12 grouping. Well done to all of you – each of you is an inspiration.
Right, you can wipe away the tears of pride now and get a grip of yourselves. You need to see the senior results. They’re just as good. Debbie Gibson (43:15) was the first Nidd Vest over the line for the ladies, followed by Michelle Smith (47:03) and Sarah Chalmers (47:04), Philippa Moorse (50:02) and Fiona Robinson (52:43). Tim Harvey (29:20), Andy Todd (30:47) and Fingers Harris (31:08) led the men round the 4.5 mile course, with the ever-muddy Fell Running Phil (38:48) and Dave Seaman (41:20) close behind. Well done to you all.
On Sunday, Amanda Metcalfe headed down to South Yorkshire to compete in the Barnsley 10k (I can’t say Barnsley out loud without saying Baaarnsleey. It’s rather awkward). She’s now safely back in North Yorkshire, and with a brilliant time of 54:52. Congratulations, Amanda.
And so to Parkrun. In Harrogate, it was all Matt Wilkinson (20:03), Martin Lofthouse (20:06) and Edoardo Piano (20:35) could do to keep on their feet on the increasingly wet and muddy Stray. Dan Eagling (21:32), Moira McTague (25:00), NV Junior Ben Rosie (25:00) were the next to negotiate their way across the quagmire, followed by Tony Ledwaba-Chapman (27:04). Sarah Hughan (27:54) took her dodgy knee for a spin as continued her return to full racing strength, followed by Rebecca Ventress (28:20) and Jane Hill (31:25). Parkrun faithful Mandy Smith (38:26) made sure Team Nidd finished on a high. I’ve no idea what the Robinsons were doing in Bradford, but Alex (23:12) and Fiona (31:15) soon made quick work of the Horton Park Run. Andy Todd (18:55) was the sole ambassador Team Nidd at Fountains Abbey but, as usual, put in a brilliant performance.
Have you done something you’re proud of? Would you like your work pinning up in the kitchen here at Nidd Valley House to that everyone can see your achievement? Then why not let me know, I don’t bite: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Week Ahead
• Tuesday: This is the last taster session before the interval session gets properly underway in the New Year. Meet at the Hockey Club and be ready to run for 7pm (and ready to dance for 7:15pm?). If that doesn’t take your fancy…
• Tuesday: There’ll be the option of a gentle club run, also meeting at the Hockey Club for 7pm.
• Thursday: This week’s club run will take in the delights of Coldbath Road. Leaving the Hockey Club at 7pm, the route takes us over the Iron Bridge, down Kings Road, past the Fat Badger, up Coldbath Road and Pannal Ash Road, before taking in Green Lane, Leadhall Lane and Hookstone Chase. There are plenty of options to cut the route short for those wanting something a little shorter, as well as options to extend if you’re feeling sparky. Here’s the route for those after a sneaky peak: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/928012181.
• Saturday: Fingers Harris is organising a bit of a Team Nidd trip to compete in York Parkrun. It’s a flat and fast course around the Knavesmire Racecourse. If you can drag yourself out of bed and to the start line for 9am, then he’d be thrilled to see you there. More details here: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/york/.
• Sunday: Michelle is leading another lovely Sunday Run. Although Michelle is our beloved Ladies Captain, her run isn’t just for the fairer sex, and all are welcome. The pace will be social, the views spectacular, and the weather better than it has been recently. Michelle is planning to do the Guy Fawkes 10 route, so if you’d like to run the course rather than marshal it, then this is your chance. Meet at Ripley car park and be ready to run for 9:30am.
If you too would like to organise a Sunday Run then please, please, do let me know. All you need is a vague plan and a reasonable sense of direction (by no means essential, frankly). It’s a chance to rediscover those off-road routes we don’t often see throughout the winter months, not to mention the chance to get up to your backside in mud.
And now, we have a very exciting new feature for you from one of our coaches…
Emma’s Stretch of the Week
From standing position (feet hip width apart and a neutral spine) take a step forward keeping your front leg bent and your back leg straight. Make sure both feet are facing forwards and flat on the floor, and that your front knee is directly above your ankle. Keeping the back knee straight but off lock, bend the front knee until mild tension can be felt in the calf of the back leg. Lean on a wall for support if you need to! Hold for 10-15 seconds then repeat on the other side.
Festive Mud, Sweat & Beers: 12 December 2015
So we’ll be starting off our festive celebrations with an eight mile run taking in the delights of Plompton, Little Ribston and Goldsborough. Meet in the car park at the Union Pub in Calcutt and be ready to run for 10am. This run will be a social bimble, so save your PB ambitions for another day. Have a look at the route here: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/926063497. If anyone feels that this is a little out of their depth, then let me know and I’ll make sure there is provision for a shorter route. I’m hoping desperately to be match fit so I can lead the run, although Dave will stand in if I’m still out of action.
But running or not, I’ll be out later that night when we meet in the Harrogate Tap for festive beers from 8pm. Please do drop in and come and say hi. It’d be great to see you. Just please don’t wear one of those ridiculous Christmas jumpers. Why not let me know if you’re coming? Either email me at chairman@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk or get involved via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1044567955561567/.
Club Championships 2016
Right then, we are still desperate for your views about what the road and fell championships might look like next year. Please make sure that your voice is heard in the upper echelons of power here at Nidd Valley House. You can do this by completing this tasty little online form: https://goo.gl/forms/sUWYfkmgeX. I’m hoping to discuss this with the committee in a couple of weeks, so please do get yourself a piece of the action.
Save the Date
Please keep these dates in your diary, folks:
• Saturday 19 December 2015: Ladies Brunch and Secret Santa. Having a pair of my own, I’m not privy to any more information than that. Sorry.
• Saturday 30 January 2016: Awards Night. An intriguing opportunity to see what your fellow club mates look like when they aren’t wearing lycra and make an effort to put a bit of slap on.
• Thursday 18 February 2016: AGM. This is your chance to vote out your current committee. Sounds like too good an opportunity to miss, if you ask me.
A Word to the Wise
“The five S’s of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit.” – Ken Doherty
The recovery is taking forever, but I hope to see you soon. Run well.
Sam x