(TLDR. Tuesday’s intervals are down on Knox, with sessions at both 6pm and 7pm, and our Thursday club run takes us to the Showground. At the weekend, we’ve got an off-road run up to the top of Simon’s Seat. More info below on a forthcoming committee meeting, the awards night, and a wise word that would make a Yorkshireman proud).
It’s Christmas here at Nidd Valley House and you hardly need me to tell you that everybody is very excited. We’ve let Fingers stay up late to decorate the tree, Martin and Darren have (rather optimistically, if you ask me) made their mistletoe crowns, and Sylvia is on the sherry. The Christmas tunes are on, our baubles are out, and I can think of no better time to have a look at the week ahead.
The Week Ahead
On Tuesday, we have the fifth in the series of hill intervals, and this means that we’re back down at the bottom of Bilton to do the Knox session. Either meet at the Hockey Club for 6pm or 7pm, and we’ll jog down to the junction between Ripley Drive and Knox Lane, where the warm up will kick off at quarter past the hour. Brian and Martin will be coaching the 6pm session, and Rachael will team up with Cath to lead the 7pm run.
On Thursday, we’re running the Showground route. Meet at the Hockey Club and be good to go for 7pm. We’ll head round the back of the school and down Kingsley Road towards Morrisons. We’ll run to Freeman’s Corner, and then up past Sainsburys and through the Showground. That done, you can head directly back to club for a shorter run, or extend along Otlands Drive and the Stray or past M&S and Leeds Road for something longer as the mood takes you. We’ll repair to the bar afterwards for a couple of scoops and the chance to talk about the good old days and how things were and all of that. Come join us, why don’t you?
As always, please keep an eye out for others and don’t leave anyone behind when out on club runs. We’re not that kind of club. Please also remember that we are meeting now upstairs in the Hockey Club rather than in the car park before our runs, so come and find us there.
There aren’t any championship or club races on this weekend, so you’ve got permission to take your foot of the gas a little bit. However, on Sunday, Phil Ventress has organised a Nidd Valley trip to the top of Simon’s Seat to admire the Christmas tree which always gets decorated with a few baubles. The plan is to meet at the top of Simon’s Seat for 11.30am, so you’re invited to get yourselves into groups and plan your own route to the top. Once up there, we’ll mill around for a bit, take some photos, drink something from a hip flask (so rumour tells) and then head back again. Phil has set up a Facebook event page, and you can find more details there: https://tinyurl.com/4w2ep6rr.
Results
Everyone who attended the York Yuletide 5 Mile would have been delighted to find that there wasn’t a dead cow on the course this year (those that did it last year will remember it well). And, without bovine obstacles, Adam Kirk (33:31) and Captain Dazzler (34.21) took first and second places respectively, with only a short gap of two places before Martin Lofthouse (36.07) took fifth place, Kevin Clark (36.39) took sixth, and Kev Dalton (37.07) took seventh. With the podium painted black and gold, Nigel Scaife (37.50) grasped a top ten finish before Amy Sheppard (40.35) nabbed the coveted position of third lady. John Beautmont (42.37) shouldn’t be overlooked with a time like that, and we’re nothing but full of festive praise for Guy Parker (46.38), Victoria Thomas (47.16) and our very own London Marathon nominee Philippa Thompson (51.07). Actually, on the subject of the London Marathon ballot, when Cath drew Philippa’s name out of the hat in the bar on Thursday evening, Philippa just started giggling hysterically, put her head in her hands and just said “oh sh*t”. I admire her positive attitude. Anyway, back to the results where Moira McTague (52.50) got the first place in her age category, leading home our finishing quartet, all with brilliant results to their names: Sarah Chalmers (55.51), Sarah Bracher (1:02.49), Nick Smith (1:04.28) and Fiona Robinson (1:13.37).Very well done to you all.
Winner, winner, Christmas dinner…
In parkrun, we’ve had Karen Mills in Vogrie, Alan Ward has been back in Workington, Kevin Nicholas has been in Keswick, Iain Scott took his morning constitutional at Heslington, the Deacons completed their athletic ablutions at Armley, Syliva Morten was up on the Chevin, John Mallet was at Robert’s Park, Simon Cocker was back home at Holyrood, and Emma Kicks was at the unpronounceable Zamek w Malborku in Poland. In addition, you can see all the usual faces at all the usual haunts, and read all the results here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86cfh8.
Emma with a reindeer with a microphone. Nothing to see here.
I can’t cry anymore / while you run around / break away / just when it / seems so clear / that it’s over now / drink your big black cow / and get out of here: samfugill@gmail.com.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
A quick reminder that on Saturday 17 Dec 2022, Sarah Chalmers is organising the ladies secret santa run. If you are a woman and want to get involved with this, have a look at your emails as Sarah has sent out some details about this. I’m sure she’d be thrilled if you wanted to get involved.
On Boxing Day, we’ve got the Chevin Chase in the cross-country championships, and if you can face a muddy jaunt round Otley and the Chevin having eaten your own body weight in food, then there is only one place you need to be. Here, specifically: https://tinyurl.com/dzcdd6pe.
Thanks to the multiple correspondents who got in touch to point out that I had advertised the Jolly Holly Jog as January 2022. Sorry for the balls up. The Jolly Holly Jog will be on Tues 27 Dec 2022 in Ripon, and is again providing the chance for more cross-country championship points. It’ll set you back between £17 and £22 depending on whether you want a memento or want to exercise your ethical credentials as well as your legs. You can make your selection and find out all the other info here: https://tinyurl.com/yck7zy9p.
Committee Meeting: 07 Dec 2020
So yeah, the last committee meeting of 2022 is this week. It’ll be emotional. Philippa has already sent out the agenda to the committee , but if there is anything you want to add and are prepared to ask especially nicely, then she might be able to squeeze you in: pwilkinson79@hotmail.com.
Awards Night: 28 Jan 2023
Good grief, people, what do you mean you haven’t got yourself a place at the prestigious Nidd Valley awards Night? I always find it a bit alarming, to be honest with you, to see people all dressed up when I’m more used to seeing them in mud-spattered running gear with sweat pouring off their face and a number pinned to their vest but there we are. Everyone does scrub up rather well. If you would like the chance to eat, drink, make merry and see Alan Harby throwing some shapes on the dance floor, then there is only one place you need to be: https://forms.gle/KaebNUcZhoLymBya8.
On the subject of Awards Night, Chairman Mike is on the lookout for any great photos you might have from the past year in Nidd Valley. If you’ve got some you’d like to share, please send them to him: mike.benson81@yahoo.co.uk.
Word to the Wise
So having our post-parkrun pot of tea and a teacake yesterday morning (I know, rock and roll), Debbie Dilasser informed Robert Hill that a turn on the ferris wheel at the Harrogate Christmas Market would set him back a princely sum of £7.50.
“£7.50?! I’d want to go round all day and not get off for that price” – Robert Hill, demonstrating his solid Yorkshire credentials.
So from Robert, from his bank manager, and from everyone else here at Nidd Valley House, it’s bye for now. See you in the week.
Sam x