1,000 Races and counting - NOW

1000 Races and counting....NOW

Congratulations to Dave Needham: he has run his 1,000th race this week. He managed to achieve this milestone at the Liversedge Half. Sorry for the mix-up.I think I might ask him to write all of them down so that I can fill the bog far more quickly. How many of these races have now disappeared? Barnsley 6?

If Dave Allemby reads this, he'll probably tell us that he's on his way to 2,000 by now.

Has anyone else in the club logged all their runs? A few extracts would go a long way...

Editor's Notes - Issue 2

I thought that I'd be struggling to find anything to put in the magazine this week. No need to worry, as a number of contributors came up trumps. A big vote of thanks to all the people on Flikr who allowed me to use their photos or videos in the BLOG. Without them, it would be far less colourful, it really does make a difference.
Training seems to have been put on hold for some of us. The snow, earlier in the week, meant a few of us had to contend with resting and eating. One orange jacketed runner didn't mind the snow. Follow this link and scroll down the photos. Is that you in the orange top? Or do you recognise them?
Ailsa was this week's star, as she was the only one who posted a comment. PLEASE feel free to use this facility, it will help me to create articles for the following week. When you've read a particular post, post a comment in the white box at the end of the article. After I've moderated it (if it needs it), your comments will be added to the BLOG.
Enjoy your weekend's racing and/or training.

 Errors: I just haven't got the time to proof read all of the articles thoroughly this week. Please let me know if you spot any and I'll put them right as soon as I get your comment. Thanks.

Editor  

PFR Subs - a gentle reminder

I remember it well, Pauline being her usual busy self at the December Winter Handicap. What was she doing? Handing out subscription slips for membership to our wonderful running club. And of COURSE, we all dashed home and filled in a cheque for the said amount and posted it promptly. Not quite. Mine went in the, "Do it later" drawer and there it stayed for a whole month!
If it's slipped your mind too, write a cheque out a.s.a.p. or hunt between the cushions of the sofa for that long lost £1 coin or two. It will make Pauline's life so much simpler.

Martyn's Weekly Results Roundup (2)

 
This report is sent to local newspapers for inclusion in their sports' pages.

Penistone Footpath Runners & AC had a good turnout at three races last weekend.   Luckily the snow had disappeared to be replaced by cold, strong winds and rain making conditions difficult in the Fell Races.

Denby Dale Travellers organised the Annual Mickleden Straddle Fell Race over a 14.5 mile course from the Flouch to Derwent Reservoir and back.    Conditions underfoot were very sticky making the race a test of endurance in the cold, strong wind.    New member James Pierce was first home in 55th place in 2-12-08, just in front of Jim Bell who was 58th in 2-13-28.    Barbara Haigh took the 1st Lady vet 60 prize again to keep her run going of prizes in this category.    Other results were 85, R Clough 2-17-20; 107, M Raynor 2-21-53; 146, C Deacon 2-30-23; 182, B Lindsay 2-41-50; 188, G Dimelow 2-43-23; 192, P Claydon 2-44-56; 207, D Foster 2-52-34; 218, H Parkin (L) 2-57-48; 224, S Jones-Morris (L) 3-01-14; 225, B Haigh (L) 3-01-41; 226, S Clough (L) 3-02-44; 229, S Halstead (L) 3-03-35; 230, A Lightowler (L) 3-04-13; 244, T Mellor (L) 3-17-41.

There was also a good turnout of Members at the Lads Leap Fell Race from Crowden but no results are yet available.

Vet 65 Dave Needham stayed on the roads to compete in the Dewsbury 10K and took 2nd prize in that category finishing in 373rd position in 46-26. 

Mickleden Straddle - Woodhead Mountain Rescue's View

 

Steve  asked me what it’s like being on the hill providing safety cover for fell races; so here is a short piece on the Straddle.
It’s always an early start to get on the hill in time for a fell race. The MS starts at 10.30am but the team meet up at HQ at 8.00am to pick up kit and get into sections (small teams that operate together). There were around 30 team members who volunteered to turn out for the race, so getting them all in place can be a logistical nightmare.

Photos by kind permission of woodytyke

By 8.30am my section were reluctantly getting out of the team vehicles at the shooting cabin below Pike Low. It was already blowing a force 6 with rain and low cloud but we had to get to Bull Clough by 9am with a stretcher, gases, medical bag, shelter, cas bags (big fleece sleeping bag) and our personal kit. From Bull Clough I headed up to the top of Cutgate. We were in our mountain shelters by 9.30am.
For the next hour we hunkered down, whilst outside there was driving rain, gales and a surprising amount of ice.
A point worth noting; I had a base layer, fleece, light weight water proof, belay jacket and Mountain Rescue jacket on plus 3 layers on my legs, a buff and mountain cap on my head and this was in a shelter. I was “just” warm enough, another hour and I would have started to get cold. Think about this when deciding what you put in your bumbags if you’re going out on the hill in this sort of weather.
I got out to shout encouragement (and occasional abuse) at the runners as they went through. The rain had stopped by then and the wind dropped slightly. Occasionally we had a HPM team cross through on a reccie. Mark P’s team emerged out of the clag and I instantly recognised their silhouettes. Later Brent came through, it’s nice to be able to give out “encouragement” rather than receive it.
Two runners dropped out at Penistone Stile. They were escorted back to the team vehicle before being driven back to Langsett. Thankfully no one needed any help off the hill this year.
After the sweep runner came through for the first time I started to walk back as I was on beer selling duty. I passed the two other sections at Bull Clough and Hingcliffe Common who would remain on station until the sweep runner returned.

By now the runners were passing me. The lead group were way ahead.
The Team remained on the hill until we were sure that all the 250 people taking part were safely down.
Back at the barn it was obviously a tough journey out with many commenting how hard the trip out had been but even with the bad weather most of the team would rather be on the hill than at home watching tv.
Ian www.Everythingoutdoors.co.uk

Alex Simon - Runner of the Week

How do you manage to balance running with work, family and being a rock star? 

Having recently completed a tour of the States (every estate in Barnsley that is!) my international rock star status can impact on my running.  However, as we are regularly chased out of the venues by hoards of adoring fans, it has helped with my overall fitness.  It’s a similar situation with the family.  A regular run up to the local shops to get the Pot Noodles in adds to the overall weekly mileage.  

What's your favourite race?

I really enjoy the Trunce.  It was one of the first races I competed in and it’s always a brilliant atmosphere.   We are lucky to have a noted event on the race calendar on our doorstep.  Despite running it for a few years, it never gets easier.  Well done Andy, Mark and the team for organising it.

Which is harder, teaching or running? (Robin Clough!)

One is very painful, leaves me out of breath and seems like a long uphill struggle.  It makes my body ache from head-to-toe and reduces me to a quivering wreck.  The other is running! 

What's the hardest race you've done?

The Three Peaks because I fell on the final descent and broke my ribs.  I always seem to fall over when fell running.

Favourite food and can you recommend a good place to eat?

Pot Noodle.  You can pretty much eat it anywhere so long as you have access to some boiling water.

How do you relax?

Family, dog, band, music, running (it is relaxing in hindsight), beer, evenings with Steve and Sal (when we get invited!) and I am attempting to write a book based on my great-grandfather’s experiences in Ypres during WW1.

What's your favourite piece of running gear?

My mobile phone as it allows me to venture out on the fells totally ill-prepared knowing that those friendly lads and lasses at Woodhead Mountain Rescue will come and rescue me when I am stranded miles from civilization wearing only a t-shirt.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?

The epicentre of culture, knowledge and progress…Liverpool. 

What's the definition of a true scouser?

Embraces a diverse and dynamic culture, sense of history and understands the city's place in it.  Rebellious spirit, self-deprecating and a habitual wearer of tracksuits. 

Top 4 records of all time for your desert island discs...

I am a big fan of Ska music and enjoy bands like: The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners, The Beat.  Picking a favourite is difficult but I will go for The Beat, ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cbUW2EY4KE

‘The Chicken’ by Weather Report http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgntkGc5iBo  because Jaco Pastorious is a fantastic bass player.

‘Conchise’ by Audioslave http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGPZGBfzIT0  One of the best live bands I have ever seen.  Chris Cornell has a voice like an angel and the guitarist, Tom Morello is a genius and a top man.

Without any bias I would suggest that The PB10s version of ‘So Close’ by Calvin Harris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGghkjpNCQ8  is a classic.  The PB10s’ version is only available at our live events.

YVAA Cross Country Championships

We are organising the Yorkshire Vets Cross Country Championships at Wentworth Castle on the Saturday 16th March.   We need a good turnout from the Club.   Details and entry form can be found on  http://www.yvaa.org/ .

We will also need some helpers to Marshall and mark out the course.

YVAA 36^th Cross Country Championships

Saturday 16^th March 2013

Venue: Wentworth Castle, Lowe Lane, Stainborough, Nr. Barnsley, S75 3EN

Race promoted by Penistone FR & AC (Permit No. 1213070)

 

Directions: From the M1 motorway

Please follow the brown tourist and Garden directional signs after you leave the motorway at Junction 37 (Barnsley). Follow signs for Barnsley Town Centre (A628) – taking the first exit on the roundabout if you are coming from the north and the third exit on the roundabout if you are travelling from the south.

Take middle lane (signed A6133) at the traffic lights. Turn right at traffic lights (signposted Doncaster A6133 – brown sign at junction). Continue along the dual carriageway until next set of traffic lights (approx 1 mile) where you turn right. Turn left at next junction after you have crossed over the motorway. Continue through Gilroyd until you reach Stainborough Village. Go straight forward at the crossroads junction, past the Strafford Arms pub and follow the estate road up the hill to the visitor car park.

Facilities: There are no showers but toilets are available in the café as are excellent refreshments.

Note: for more information about Wentworth Castle look at www.wentworthcastle.org

Registration: This will either be in the café or in the marquee outside the café.

Club Tents: see the attached map.

Parking: parking is available 5 minutes walk from the start / registration areas. Car drivers must collect a parking token from registration to lower the barrier and get out of the car park!

Coaches: Please contact Martyn Cartwright from Penistone FR &AC, Email: martynandpauline@tiscali.co.uk if you will be arriving by coach.

The Course: this is another great parkland course over undulating grassland with a small woodland track section. At the moment (November) the course is mainly good running with just a few small areas of wet ground at the far end of the large lap (see map). Lots of dear in the park for those that have time to enjoy the views! Good spectator facilities and even gardens and adventure playground to explore if children / partners get bored! Excellent café for hot drinks and snacks as well.

Lad's Leap - Anne Beresford

A welcome sight on the way back to the finish!

My log of Lad's Leap.

Photos by kind permission of dancingbadger72

Paul looking cool!

Arrived in rain, low cloud and a sharp wind, so I was hoping it was cancelled. However, the "Lad's Leap parking this way" sign suggested it was still on.  Bumped into a few PFR menfolk at registration, the absence of ladies was noted.  Fell down outside the toilets before the start, not a good sign.  Set off near Colin P and Brian B, always good to see a newer club member getting muddy.  Uphill was a struggle, reached the top and the weather hadn't improved.  Had a nice? run across the top, somewhere near Colin until he took off into the mist.  Headed downhill, slightly off-track with about 30+ others, which cost me about 3mins (that's my story).  Up the quarry track where I caught up with Colin.  Hit the top back at Lad's Leap, soon to be overtaken again by Colin on his third wind.  Had a fantastic run back down to the Youth Hostel and finish, passing a few folk in the process.  Nearly overtook Colin, deja vu from a few years ago, although he chooses not to remember.  Next time Col!  Got back and found that most of the runners had a tale to tell about route choices.  Verdict: falls during race=0 (1 outside toilet), weather=not the best, mud=lots, enjoyment=a good way to spend a Sunday morning.  

Colin in red!