(TDLR. The Headlines: On Tuesday we have the final interval session with a final trip to the Job Centre, with sessions at 6pm and 7pm. On Thursday, we have a Brooks try-on night at Thruscross Reservoir at 6.30pm, and a club run up Valley Gardens at 7pm from the Hockey Club. On Saturday, we have the Pendle Fell Race. Read on after that for information on up and coming races, how to enter the Evening League, how to renew your subs, and all the details of a navigational domestic halfway up a hill…)
Right then,
I’m writing this as we’re driving up the M1 after a weekend down south in the shires. I’ve had a lovely time, but I’m desperate to get back to Nidd Valley House to see what everybody has been up to (and also to see what damage and chaos has been inflicted while I’ve been away. Seriously, you turn your back for one minute…). Anyway, with our anticipation as eager as ever, let’s have a look at what everybody has been up to.
Results from the Week That Was…
Well, there are some things that you will never forget: your first job, your first house, your first kiss. Well, Carolyn Jones completed her first half marathon in club colours when she raced the Sheffield Half Marathon yesterday, an event she will never forget, that’s for sure. She has written to the results team at NVH to let us know that she nailed it in 3:02.55 and we’re nothing but bursting with pride for her! Well done, Carolyn!
Although we don’t yet have official times yet, we had a few Nidds out at the Blubberhouses LDWA event yesterday. This is the 25 mile walking/running/jogging picnic around the hills round the reservoirs and Beamsley Moor, where athletes stop every few miles for a pot of tea, or a pork pie or – if they are particularly lucky – a slice of rather excellent lemon drizzle cake. Anyway, Graham Hyde and Andrew Gilbertson were both out, and Andrew has told me that he finished in about 4:52. Not sure about Graham, but well done to him too. Brian Hainsworth also had a crack at it, but decided to run home afterwards too, so he clocked a total of 35 miles all in. Anyone would think that he was training for something. Rumour does tell that there was a mystery Nidd there but we are unable to identify her. Will the mystery Nidd please stand up?
On Planet Parkrun, Iain Scott ran at Woodhouse Moor, Sam Fugill and Jane Evans ran at Andover, and over in York you’d have seen Kevin Dalton speeding round the racecourse track. Karen and Craig Mills were back in London running at Highbury Fields, Emily Wighton was at Roundhay, and Katherine Morton was at Shrewsbury. Matt Rickard was at Sandy Water (I’d not heard of it either, but I have since read that its near the Welsh town of Llanelli) and we had really great showings at our three home parkruns. You don’t want to miss the full results, you really don’t: https://tinyurl.com/47nsmxd6.
If you’ve got a result that you’d like to tell us about, then why not drop me an email? We’ve more than enough gold stars for everybody, here: samfugill@gmail.com.
The Fixtures for the Week Ahead
What is it with Jeremy Leggings? The man is obsessed. Last week he’d organised a solstice run and he’s back at it again this Monday. If you fancy a 7.4 mile steady paced head torch run to enjoy the sunset what with the clocks going forward and all, then he’ll be leading a trail run from Riley car park at 7pm. As ever, the pace will be as social as the company and all will be welcome.
On Tuesday, we turn for the home straight with the intervals with a final session outside the Job Centre. We’ll be running two sessions as per the usual arrangements and, although most will gather at the venue at quarter past the hour, feel free to meet at the Hockey Club at 6pm or 7pm and jog down to the start for the warm ups. Not this is a popularity contest, obviously, but should you want to know which supply teachers we’ve drafted in then you’ve got Brian and Bec for the first session before Jane teams up with Head Coach Emma for the 7pm session. The final interval session. It’ll be emotional. #totesemosh.
There are a couple of options for you on Thursday. The first is a try-on night for off-road shoes with Brooks. Meet at the carpark near the dam on Thruscross Reservoir, where the try-on will be available from 6.30pm followed by a 10k run round the reservoir at 7pm (don’t forget your head-torch, as you’ll probably need that for the latter half). Should you wish to do some shopping and buy any of the shoes that you try on, then the lovely folks from Brooks will gladly relieve you of some pennies. Obviously, if you don’t want to do the try on but just fancy a run out in your own shoes then you will be welcome.
If you want to stay closer to home, then there will be a club run from the Hockey Club on Thursday. This week, we will be having a run through Valley Gardens. Leaving the club at 7pm, we’ll head over the Stray and under One Arch into town, and down to the Pump Rooms. As the nights are getting lighter, we’ll be able to run up through the gardens rather up Cornwall Road, and then head up through the woods to the water tower. Back onto Otley Road, you can turn left onto Otley Road, York Place and to the Hockey Club, or you can run back via Beckwith Road, Green Lane and Leadhall Lane.
Whatever you do and wherever you run, please don’t leave anyone behind, and do join us for a pint in the Hockey Club bar afterwards. The beer is cold, the crisps are crunchy and the conversation is as sparkling as you imagine it will be.
On Saturday, we’re back at it in the fell championships with the Pendle Fell Race. This cheeky little number is only 4.5 miles, but guarantees some tough climb and exhilarating descents, including a chance to mount Big Eng (… grow up….). Entry is on the the day and between £5 – £7, depending on whether you are a Fell Running Association member, and you can find more details here: https://tinyurl.com/ym3br5y5.
Further Ahead & Booking Now Open
On Easter Sunday (09 Apr 2023), we’ve got the Guiseley Gallop. This 10k race is a road championship race and is essential running for all on the hunt for club points. Entry is £18 but it’s a lovely scenic run out, local, and will be a glimmer of fitness amidst your chocolate eating. All the details here: https://tinyurl.com/mr4yjydr.
On 16 Apr 2023, we’ve got the Boston (Lincolnshire, not Massachusetts) Half Marathon in our road championships. There are also 10k and full marathon options if you fancy those challenges. These races start early – like, 8am – so you’ll definitely need to be up with the cock to be on the start line on time, and probably want to think about car sharing. There are still entries available, and you can get yourself a slice of the action right here: https://tinyurl.com/4d386d25.
I know the 14 May 2023 is a way off yet, but the general entries for Muggles (ie. those who are not members of the Fell Running Association) for the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race open on this Friday morning at 10am. They will sell out unbelievably fast. If you want to join the fellies with a trip out on the Lakeland peaks, then this is where you will need to be: https://tinyurl.com/4vwhnnyb.
Subs
You know how it is. Subs are due, and at £35 they’re an absolute steal. I’d pay up, if I were you. I mean you could choose not to, of course, and that’s up to you. But I can’t promise that we won’t send the heavies round and you don’t want to know what Robert Hill and Alan Harby can do with some duct-tape and a baseball bat. Please fill in this form with all your details: https://tinyurl.com/mr35h8aw. Instructions for how to pay follow at the end of the form.
Evening League: Entries now Open!
Don’t forget that entries for the Evening League are now open, and this is our annual chance to get out in force and show the lesser clubs what an athletic force the mighty Black and Gold is. What do you mean you have not entered yet?! Entry is £20 but if Nidd Valley members use the code NIDD23, then they will get a discounted entry of £16. Do NOT share this code with others outside the club (we’ll find you out if we do, and then we’ll have the heavies back out again). Entry details are here: https://tinyurl.com/86sc49rc.
Tee-shirts
Sylvia is looking to see if there is sufficient demand for a new tee-shirt order in club colours (£27 for short sleeved and £30.60 for long sleeved). We need a minimum order of ten to make it viable. If you are interested in a new tee shirt – and why wouldn’t you be? – then please email Sylvia directly: sylviamorten1@gmail.com by the end of March.
Word to the Wise
I have these fine words from Dave Seaman’s recce of the Pendle Fell Race yesterday. Ewa Scott was clearly having some trouble with the concept that, in fell running, the first couple of miles are usually pretty steep.
Ewa: “Which way do I go?”
Dave: “Up. The ONLY way is UP!”
You can just imagine it, can’t you? Anyway, I’d be wary of taking advice from Dave on navigation. For some of us, no amount of therapy will shift the memories of Stockeld Park.
So from the navigationally challenged, from me, and from everyone here at NVH, have a great week. See you soon.
Chairman Sam x