Afternoon troops,
I must say that this is very awkward. We had our Committee Christmas drinks last night and it all got a little out of hand. Martin and Matt were mixing cocktails, and Jon brought some of his homebrew. I’ve only just regained my sight but we haven’t seen Dave since shortly after 10pm. If anyone finds him, can they pop him in a taxi back to Nidd Valley House? Either way, it’s the last time I challenge Michelle and Judy to a Nidd Valley drink-off, that’s for sure. Still, with that water under the bridge, let’s get straight to the results.
Results
And I must say: they do make very interesting reading. Let’s start with the PECO results from last week’s race at West Park in Leeds, which have finally found their way across the ether. From the boys: Matt ‘he tells me he isn’t bitter about not always being first last week by I feel he doth protest too much’ Wilkinson (32:45), Fingers Harris (33:40), Martin Lofthouse (33:43), Andy Todd (34:05) Edoardo Piano (36:54) and Steve Newton (42:57). And from the ladies: Sarah Chalmers (52:52), potty-mouth Philippa “I am f***ing running” Moorse (54:25), and Michelle Smith (55:36). Jolly good work, chaps.
From the Juniors competing at the PECO, Harrison Iles (7:25) was up at the front in the Years 4 – 6 category, chased by Jake Stalker (7:39) and Evie Iles (8:50) around the one mile course. And it’s a special congratulations again to Harrison (8:14) whose super-dooper effort at Junior Parkrun this morning helped him walk away with first place! Well done, Harrison, and well done to all of you small people. Excellent efforts!
Given that most of the ladies were being ladies that brunched yesterday morning, it was a quiet affair at Harrogate Parkrun, although the results are as impressive as ever: Moira McTague (25:56), Tony LC (28:55) and Mandy Smith (39:12). Maurice Kelly (22:39) got himself a new PB when he stopped off at Durham Parkrun on his way up to Newcastle, and Amanda Metcalfe (27:23) popped over to compete at the Roundhay Parkrun. Finding that the Keswick Parkrun was unavailable due to a few absent bridges, Fiona Robinson (she’s still a Robinson, so presumably she hasn’t told Tyson Fury it’s all over yet) made fast work of the Workington course, finishing in 29:53. Well done to you all.
The biggest showing for the club this week was at Fountains, where Andy Todd (18:54) held Fingers Harris (19:31) at bay, followed by Matt Rickard (20:51), junior Jake Stalker (22:13) and Steve Newton (22:59). Making an eventual return to racing, this comeback Chairman hauled himself round the course in an exhausted 23:40 (and this will be first and last time you beat me, Ginger. Understood?). Father and son team Tim and James Harvey each completed the race in 25:40 and were later joined by John Reast (28:37) and Jane Hill (30:34). The increasingly frequently-spotted Sue Reast (30:47) completed the line up.
Well done to the 16 Nidd Valley ladies who took part in the Secret Santa run from Hampsthwaite yesterday. I’m told that a pot of Vaseline was among the presents shared, but other than that I have no further details I’m afraid. Sounds intriguing, if nothing else.
We’ve come a long long way together, through the hard times and the good, I have to celebrate you baby, I have to praise you like I should: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
A Nidd Valley Christmas
Things are a little different here at Nidd Valley HQ over the festive season, so here’s the heads up with all of our Christmas running plans.
• Tuesday 22/12/2015: take a break from your Christmas panic shopping and join us as we tackle the ever popular and undulating Knox run. It’s over the iron bridge, round Bilton as far as the Little Wonder Roundabout, before lining up for town and home. There are so many options to extend or cut short that you’re spoilt for choice, to be honest with you. Route here: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/928005285.
• Christmas Eve: there’ll be no run from the club. Have the night off and hit the eggnog. It is Christmas, after all.
• Christmas Day: pop your santa hats back on and get yourself onto the Stray for a festive Parkrun – meeting at the usual time of 9am. The perfect chance to work off the hangover and work up an appetite.
• Tuesday 29/12/2015: and we’re off to run the little-known Mallison route. This time we’re out down Claro Road, round the Stray, down Leeds Road, round Firs Crescent, over Leadhall Lane, onto Pannal Ash Road, down Otley Road and in. It’d be lovely to see you there. Route here: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/928026333.
• New Years Eve: again, there’ll be no run from the club given that most people will be putting on their best party frock in readiness for the celebrations (I certainly will!).
We’ll get things back on track when we meet again on 5th January to kick start the interval training. I can hardly wait.
Emma’s Stretch of the Week
It seems that are a few people out there with tight IT bands at the moment which can lead to the dreaded ‘runners knee’…..must be all this running every day in December thing! So the easiest stretch for IT bands (in my opinion) is this one: sit with your back against a wall and your legs out straight. Cross one leg over the other and pull the leg towards your chest. You should feel a stretch at the top of the outer thigh.
Steady Runners
Our email group for the steady runners is now up and running (see what I did there? Up and running? Yeah? Oh never mind…). If you feel this is the group for you and want to be part of it, then please let me know: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Save the Dates
Please keep these dates in your diary, folks:
• Saturday 30 January 2016: Awards Night. Dancing the night away. Only I like dance like John Sergeant on Strictly.
• Thursday 18 February 2016: AGM. James Bovard once said that democracy must be more than two wolves and a lamb voting what to have for lunch. Come and tuck in at this feast of democracy in action.
A Word to the Wise
I know that, after last week, anything I post is going to seem pathetically lame and tame. Still, this week’s word to the wise highlights the risks associated with running in fancy dress during an unseasonably warm December.
“My chestnuts are totally roasted” – Jane Hill
And on that festive note, it’s a very, very happy Christmas from me and everyone here at Nidd Valley House.
See you in the New Year.
Chairman Sam x