Evening (late, again) team!
Sorry it’s a delayed missive this week, folks. You just can’t get the staff these days can you? Anyway, get yourself firmly in the saddle because the Nidd Valley racehorse is champing at the bit and ready to tackle the unpredictable steeple chase that is the results…
(Actually that just reminds me of a joke – I once had a horse called Treacle. It had gold stirrups.)
Results
And where better to start this week’s write up with a muddy trip onto Ilkley Moor where fell virgin Edoardo Piano (59:51) made sure he’d double-tied his shoelaces to race the challenging 5 mile route. Veteran of these muddy campaigns, Tim Harvey (49:09) secured a stonking time, and Fell Running Phil (1:10:45) recorded a self-confessed PW (personal worst). Phil described the course conditions as “as wild as I’ve known them in all my outings”, so all three times are all the more impressive on what is fast gaining a reputation as a technically demanding course which packs a punch well above its short five miles. Well done, chaps.
Edoardo Piano, who appears not be wearing his Nidd Valley vest. It’ll be double subscriptions for him come April, I tell you…
Here come the girls! The Nidd Valley Ladies took 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th female placings at the Harrogate parkrun on Saturday, and they are: Moira McTague (24:44), Sarah Lofthouse (24:50), Alison Iles (24:53) and Sarah Hughan (25:41). It does beg the question why they didn’t get their act together and get the first place as well, but we’ll overlook that, congratulate them heartily, and also make a fuss of Carolyn Easton (27:26) and Mandy Smith (37:58) who rounded things up for the girls. From the men, Matt Wilkinson (20:04), Fingers Harris (21:36) and Matt Rickard (22:04) started things off for us, followed by Steve Newton (23:22) and Mike Deacon (23:26). Jim Cook (22:41), Martin Lofthouse (24:50) and Tony LC (27:10) ensured it was a wrap and neatly in the can. Well done to you all.
Up in Fountains, Andy Todd (19:12) took tenth place, followed by Maurice Kelly (27:00) and Michelle Dinsdale (31:15), and at Wetherby Fiona Robinson (33:20) got herself a fab time, so that’s another four well dones there (I’m congratulating people like it is going out of fashion, I tell you).
Ah, the Juniors – always guaranteed to put a smile on one’s face. At junior parkrun, Harrison Iles (8:18) took inspiration from Joe Sutcliffe’s performance last week and bagged himself first place. Yeah, I know, incredible isn’t it? He was chased round the Valley Gardens by the very same Joe Sutcliffe (8:37) and James Harvey (9:07). Eva Iles (9:53) ensured that the Iles bookended this incredible parkrun with a smashing time of her own. Well done to you all! Although only small, the Juniors do roam far and wide, and it was lovely to see Ben (24:16) and Anna (30:45) Rosie compete at the Norwich Parkrun – two fantastic times to round off their half term and this week’s results.
The Nidd Valley Choral Society has been in rehearsals for weeks now, and all of them are in particularly fine voice. Give them a reason to sing your praises: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
The Week Ahead
What’s occurring?
• Tuesday: intervals. Well what else did you think you would be doing? We’re running on St Catherine’s Road, so if you’re not meeting at the Hockey Club for 7pm then we’ll see you at the Wetherby Road end of Slingsby Walk (where we met last week) for 7.10pm. Mike is coaching you this week, so you can be guaranteed an absolute corker. See you there.
• Thursday: let’s throw caution to the wind and have a crack at running the Pannal course. Meet at the Hockey Club at 7pm, and it’s out round the Stray, past St Aidan’s and onto Leeds Road, down to Pannal, back up Church Lane, Green Lane, through the alley past the telephone exchange, back to the Stray and home. There are more than enough options to cut short, so please don’t let this slightly-longer-than-usual route phase you. Here’s the route to help you get your ducks in a row: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/928016399.
• Friday: the NVRR birdie (okay, it was Anne-Marie) tells me that there’s early-doors drinks in Knaresborough at Wetherspoons promising cheap drinks and cheap chat. All welcome, and good luck to all of those competing.
• Sunday: it’s the Harewood Half Marathon, but I’ve just noticed that it has sold out. Good luck to those of you who secured one of the few lucky golden tickets. I’ll be thinking of you when I’m in my nice warm bed with a round of toast and pot of tea.
Emma’s Stretch of the Week
Ok here’s a quad stretch for at home in front of the TV. Lie on your stomach with your knees together and pull your ankle to your bottom. If you can’t reach your ankle (I can’t) put a small towel round your ankle and pull your heel to your bum holding one end of the towel with each hand. Hold for at least 30 seconds then pull the heel a bit closer in to your bum. If your lower back hurts put a pillow under your stomach. This one really works too!
(Chairman’s note: is it just me, or do most Emma’s stretches share the distinction as being “good for at home in front of the TV”? Lazy old thing…)
Your (not so) New Committee…
Thanks to all of you who came to the AGM last Thursday and devoured a vast amount of pizza. We just scratched quorate, and managed to get the whole meeting over in a new PB of 33:27 meaning I can chair an AGM a whole 9 minutes faster than I can run 10k. If you didn’t come, well, I guess that means you went hungry and are in no position to whinge about the committee you’ve been lumbered with for another year. And, having mentioned them, they are:
• Chair: Sam Fugill (don’t say we didn’t warn you)
• Treasurer: Dave Seaman (again, we really did warn you)
• Secretary: Sarah Hughan (ah, fresh blood, fresh ideas, competence)
• Men’s Captain: Martin Lofthouse (enthusiastic and a cracking runner, but does often have a condom on his head which is a little awkward)
• Ladies’ Captain: Michelle Smith (we should have made her PECO captain, if we’re being honest)
• Membership Secretary: Judy Greenwood (a safe pair of hands who helpfully reminds me of everything I forget)
• Junior Liaison Officer: Michelle Smith (see above)
• General Members: Jon Easton, Philippa Moorse & Sarah Chalmers (Her own boyfriend voted against Philippa standing for the committee, you know)
When you see them, try not to be over-awed by their celebratory status and give them hug by way of thanks for all they do. They’re a bunch of marvels, and I couldn’t do it without them.
You’ll note that Matt Rickard has stood down from the committee. I’m gutted about it, to be honest with you. Love that man, I really do (no, not more than you, Dan, don’t worry) and he’ll be missed. Thanks for all your work and effort, Matt, most of which has been both behind the scenes and unsung. Luckily Matt is still going to race direct the Guy Fawkes 10, so that’s a huge relief.
Minutes from the AGM will follow by email, and we’ll stick a copy up on the website when we have them.
… and we decided to hire a bus (among other things)
When we had our last committee meeting, we talked about all sorts of old rubbish, but we also decided that it would be fun to hire a coach for our trip to the coast for the Bridlington Half Marathon (it’s in the club champs, get it booked people!). Dave even daringly suggested that this could be paid for out of club funds, but I’ll believe it when I see the colour of the treasurer’s money. Anyway, even if participants pay, then it isn’t going to break your banks, saves everyone the hassle of driving, and might be good to develop a bit of team spirit. Group trip for fish and chips afterwards, team? I’ll keep you posted once I get things arranged.
Staying in the exiting world of rather good ideas, Martin (clearly preparing himself for the heady heights of men’s captaincy) suggested that we organise a Cross-Country Championships. Fell Running Phil is particularly excited, as he vehemently believes that once you’ve dipped your toes in the mud you’ll never look back. We’re starting small this year, and will be basing the championships on the PECO races in Leeds and the team event at Lightwater Valley. Again, we’ll share more details as we get them, but for the meantime I’ve sent FR Phil and Mark David back into the conference room here at Nidd Valley House to suss out a plan for us. We’ll keep you posted.
How very awkward
I’ve no idea how this all slipped through the net, but we made a few mistakes with the awards at the Awards Night. It’s hard to believe that the paragon of efficiency that is the inner workings of Nidd Valley House could have failed, and no doubt a rigorous internal investigation will be ordered as a priority. However, Carol Morgan is not allowed to claim the short-course trophy for the Road Championships (as she won the overall championship, and I’m told that you cannot win both), and so this award is given to Sarah Hughan. In addition (and I’ve also no idea how this happened), Jane Hill picks up a participation medal for the Road Championships. Sorry that you were both denied your moment of glory at the Awards Night, and I hope this goes someone to redress the balance. A very well done to you both.
Bed Race: Saturday 11 June 2016
I’ll be putting the entries in at the weekend for this year’s bed race. I’ve pretty much got the provisional teams lined up, and they look something like this:
• Men’s Team: Edoardo Piano, Matt Wilkinson, Andy Todd, Matt Rickard, Fingers Harris, Martin Lofthouse
• Mixed Team 1: Mike Deacon, Fiona Deacon, Emma Dooley, Steve Newton, Alison Iles, Dan Eagling
• Mixed Team 2: Sam Fugill, Jon Easton, Adam Kirk, Moira McTague, Sarah Hughan, Christine Jones
I’ve tried my best to accommodate everyone and, although there is no proposed ladies’ team this year, this arrangement gives everyone who wants to race the chance to do so (at least, I think it does). I’m really sorry if it seems like picking for the teams in the school playground, but there’s really no other way to do it.
As ever, there’s no guarantees about which teams we’ll get through the draw so it’s all pot luck. If you’re on the team list above, and still want to race, can you please confirm by sending me your date of birth, emergency contact name and number, and let me know whether you have raced in the event before. If you are able to give me the details of the child you’re planning on terrifying and nominate a team captain, then this information would be also very handy. I NEED this information by Friday 26 February 2016 at the very latest: chair@niddvalleyroadrunners.co.uk.
Word to the Wise
“Running teaches me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined” – the ever-prolific anon.
And with today’s lesson finished, you can put your exercise books and pencils back in your desk (not you, Lofthouse – it’s detention for you again). Class dismissed.
Sam x