Apologies for the delay in posting this. I’ll be up to date shortly!
It’s my turn…
to produce the Newsletter this week whilst we try to put together a new team to take it on. We have had some interest but are still asking for a few more people to come forward. It’s an important communication method for the club and if you feel that it’s something you’d like to take on, or be part of a team to produce it, please get in contact with Geraint.
Please remember that the Club is operated entirely by a team of Volunteers. We are always on the lookout for people to take on vacant roles within the club or to help out in any way that they can. In the run up to the Club’s AGM on the 25th April, there will be an opportunity to put your name forward for vacant roles on the Club’s Committee. We are also always looking for people to become Run Leaders or to help out in a more informal way. You really don’t need to be a speedy runner or have extensive running experience to be able to make a valuable contribution.
Blaise Castle Parkrun; Saturday 27th January 2024
We are opening up the Clubhouse next Saturday (yesterday by today’s post!) during and after the parkrun. An opportunity for members to get together over coffee and biscuits after the run. I know that lots of you do parkrun with family or friends who are not club members – but of course they are welcome; so please do come along!
We need a team of volunteers to open up, put the kettle on and tidy up afterwards. You can fit this in around your own parkrun, but if we have anyone who isn’t running and can stay at the Clubhouse whilst the run is taking place that is a real bonus! There is a Club Championship race at Chepstow on the Sunday, so this may be a good opportunity to enjoy a shorter run around Blaise and save those legs for the race the following day! I will post something of Facebook for those who can help to respond to, or speak to me at training.
Thursday Intervals
This week’s session will be on the field. Five (yes, that is right) lots of four minute efforts with one minute recoveries!
We work together in pace based groups, everyone should have someone to run with. We have good numbers across the groups but it would be great to increase the size of both Group 1 & 2 as well as Groups 5 & 6. Why not give it a try if you haven’t done so already.
A large group braved sub zero temperatures for last week’s road session at Glenavon! Well done all, particularly those that wore shorts!!
Tuesday Track Sessions
This week, the session is 3x 400m, 100m jog recoveries & 3x 1200m with 200m jog recoveries.
The Track at Yate is a fantastic facility, we are fortunate that our links to that club allow us to run there. Running under the floodlights on a winter’s evening makes a welcome change from running in the dark. Running down the finishing straight really makes me feel that my running career has reached far greater heights than it actually has! Booking is through Run Together. Well worth giving these sessions a try as well!
Be Safe. Be Seen.
It is important that when running on these dark evenings, we wear bright clothing and / or a running light. Please make sure that when attending a club session you are dressed appropriately. Run leaders do have responsibility for the safety of runners in their groups and will have to speak to the persistent offenders!
Club Championships: an update.
The Club Championship is building up to its climax! Thank you to J.Kinghts for keeping us all up to date throughout the season; and to T.Carr for his brilliant analysis posted on Facebook recently. The leaderboard makes interesting reading. With those at the top having completed at least 10 events already, and with only the best 10 counting, their opportunity to incresase their points is limited. There are several runners yet to complete 10 events who are well placed to make a late challenge. Becoming the Club Champion in our Anniversary year would make quite an accolade! Who will be the Ladies and Men’s Champions?
Diary Dates
Sunday 28th January Chepstow Race Course 10K (Club Championship). https://tinyurl.com/yc6se84z
Sunday 4th February The Doynton Hard Half Marathon, trail race.
Saturday 10th February 2024 Gwent Cross Country League Margam Park
Sunday 18th February Dursley Dozen Trail Race (Club Championship). https://tinyurl.com/2p8sn7eu
Sunday 25th February 2024 Bath Two Tunnels Railway Race
Saturday 2nd March 5th Gwent League Pont-y-pŵl (Club Championship)
Sunday 3rd March Newport Half Marathon fullonsport
Saturday 16th March 2024 – Masters Open Cross Country Championships. Corwen, Wales. (Men/Women masters V35, V45, V55, V65 plus)
Saturday 27th April Butcombe Trail Ultra Marathon 50 or 56 mile options
Editor This Week
M.Andrews is this week’s guest editor. Ian’s Newsletters were such an interesting and informative read. However I have a spreadsheet that confirms that on average there were 4.75 mistakes per week therin. I don’t have Ian’s wit or wisdom, but hope at least to have improved on that! There is a rota in place for the next few weeks whilst we wait for other volunteers to come forwards.
