Sunday 29th January
Westbury Harriers – Weekly News
Editors Piece
The small group of Westbury Harriers heading off to Lisbon in early March, are well into their training plans. The big day is very much on our minds and only yesterday I was speaking to our team captain about training, preparation and even race tactics. With less than two months to go we’re starting to increase our mileage, and continue to include some speedier interval sessions.
With only 83 days to go until the London Marathon (Sunday 23rd April) many of you will also be increasing the milage and getting some long runs in. If you are, do let me know how your progressing. I’m sure many of our club members with upcoming marathons (and not just London) would be interested to hear and share their training experiences.
Tuesday Running at Yate Track and Thursday Intervals
There will be a running session at Yate Track again on Tuesday, and no doubt there will be two suggested interval options. The first will be short for those looking to run 5/10km events and the second option will be long if you’re training for a half or marathon.
I’ve literally just been told by Tamsin we’re planning to be on the grass again (weather dependent) at Coombe Dingle for a tough session of 10 x 2 minutes, with 1 minute recoveries. As always, there’s the option to drop a couple of intervals or easy off the pace if you’ve got a race coming up, or recovering from an injury.
Club Birthday -Clair Cusack
I’ve not mentioned a club birthday for far too long, so I’ve pleased to report Clair Cusack enjoyed a celebratory 50th birthday lunch on Saturday. Clair says, ‘great food and company, some lovely birthday surprises, including ballon, personalised card, generous gift voucher and what every girl needs…..a shower cap!’. Clair also passes on her thanks to Anneke who baked a delicious and enormous 3 tiered cake.
Club Supper at the Black Swan
Just a reminder it’s the club supper on Thursday after training. I’m afraid the deadline has passed and only those that have paid can now attend. I look forward to seeing some of you on Thursday evening.
New Membership Category for Students
The club has recently introduced a new membership category of £17 for students in full time education and living away from home. This means that when students are home for holidays they can still train and represent the club at competitions.
Club Kit
Westbury lightweight jackets have now been added to our online kit shop site (£15 for the RC Sirocco Windbreaker jacket and £17.50 for the Women’s version). These jackets are different to the fleece lined/waterproof ones priced £34.99 and something more for warming-up/running in where the other ones are great for standing around at cold XC races! https://tinyurl.com/3avd7zy8
The club also have a supply of buffs for sale at £8 each. Just message Tamsin and she’ll get one to you.
Chris Palmers Running the London Marathon for St Peter’s Hospice
Chris is getting in some serious training for the London marathon, and this year’s event is especially important to him as he’ll be running for St Peter’s Hospice and in memory of his mum. Chris goes on to say, “my Mum sadly passed away last year and I’m running the London Marathon this April in her memory, and raising money to thank St Peter’s Hospice for looking after Mum in her final months.
Their care and support made the difficult time easier for her, Dad, and the family, and it will be rewarding to raise some money knowing they are there for other families in the future. Thanks so much for the donations so far and if you can spare any small amount to help the Hospice, and help keep me training through the Winter months!”
The link is provided below so please feel free to donate to this very worthy cause.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-palmer-london2023
Pictured above and below, Chris with his Mum and Chris running the Riverbank Rollick (in St Peter’s Hospice vest).
Race Roundup
Well done to Lucy Richens for winning the 24k Fan Dance, and on her birthday too! Probably one of the hardest events you can do taking place in the Brecon Beacons and over Pen-Y-Fan.
Today, Rachel Liston ran the Chepstow racecourse 10k (pictured below) and Alex was in London for the Crystal Palace Park 10k. I’ve not seen the results yet but can only guess we had some impressive times.
Wednesday Evening Social Run
Don’t forget every Wednesday, starting from the Watertower on the Downs at 6:30pm is an informal social run. All you need to do is respond to the facebook posting nearer the time, so we have an idea of numbers.
Pictured below we have last week’s group. Big smiles all round, with the exception of Mark who has a look of apprehension on his face! I do hope they didn’t gang up on you, men have struggled for equality and against oppression for far too long!
Riverbank Rollick, by Thornbury Running Club
We had a write up in the last Weekly News but I never had the opportunity to include some photo’s, so here they are! Thanks to Mike ‘paparazzi’ Mewse.
And some more….
Strava Segment of the Week
Well done to Tim Carr who is in training for the next Greenman. Tim undertook a 24km run along a section of the route today, achieving a PR on Strava segment Bypass to Railway Bridge Uphill in a time of 2:18.
Diary Dates
Sunday 5th February Doynton Hard Half, a horrible cross country hosted by Emersons Green Running Club
Saturday 11th February Margam Park Gwent League (Club Championship event)
Thursday 16th February Weston Prom
Saturday 25th February English National Cross Country
Sunday 26th February Ironwood Challenge
Sunday 23rd April Offa’s Orror 10k and 10k trail run, Chepstow Harriers
Saturday 4th March Pont-y-pŵl Park Gwent League
Sunday 12th March Lisbon Half Marathon, part of the Super Half Series
Thursday 16th March Weston Prom
Saturday 18th March 20 and 1/2 Fission. Road event, good tester for an upcoming marathon
Sunday 26th March Club AGM via Zoom
Friday 31st March Severn Bridge Twilight 5 (and Club Championship event)
Sunday 2nd April Forest of Dean Spring Half Marathon
Sunday 16th April Frenchay 10k, it’s hilly!
Thursday 27th April Weston Prom
Saturday 29th April Butcombe Trail Ultramarathon 50 or 56 miler
Tuesday 9th May Race 1 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Sunday 14th May AJ Bell Great Bristol Run 10k and HM
Thursday 25th May Weston Prom
Saturday 10th June Man V Horse
Tuesday 13th June Race 2 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Thursday 29th June 19:30 Thornbury 10k Road Race, Thornbury Running Club
Thursday 6th July Tintern Trot Trail Race, Chepstow Harriers
Saturday 8th to Sunday 9th July Brecon Fans Race Weekend. Horseshoe 10 miler and Pen y Fan
Tuesday 11th July Race 3 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Saturday 29th July Magor 10k Road Race massive PB potential on a mega flat route
Tuesday 8th August Race 4 Rose Inn Series, Chepstow Harriers
Saturday 19th August Race the Train, trail event and you chase the choo choo
Sunday 27th August Severn Bridge Half Marathon and 10k
Saturday 30 September – Sunday 1st October World Athletics Road Running Champs Riga 1 mile, 5km and half marathon
Sunday 17th September Copenhagen Half Marathon (part of the Super Half Series)
Sunday 17th September Oldbury 10 miler Thornbury Running Club
Sunday 24th September Forest of Dean Autumn Half Marathon
Sunday 1st October Cardiff Half Marathon (part of the Super Half Series)
Editor this Week
Ian Gawinowski is Westbury Harriers Communications Officer and can be contacted via communication@westburyharriers.co.uk
