Editor's Notes - Issue 3

Sunday's race at Liversedge was certainly one to rememberrrrr... It's the first time I've ever worn a waterproof in a road race. I know, I'm just becoming more and more of a tarmac wimp!
The V60 prize of £15 and a brilliant coffee mug meant it was well worth the effort. A big vote of thanks to Alex for making me get off my bottom and give it a go.
Training has gone well this week. I've been out four times every day, which has helped to keep the weight down. Running a long race always gives me an appetite and I managed four scones with lashings of butter on Wednesday. Not all in one go though. The four times a day has nothing to do with running, Sally has a bad back this week and I've taken Willow out for her daily scoots round the fields and Langsett on one occasion. I could have run with her, but my fell shoes are still festering in the boot from Lad's Leap a couple of weeks ago. (Saturday update - cleaned them)

I did get out yesterday (Thursday) for a very steady 10k. Part of that was 5k at 20 mile pace. It's the dreaded Spen 20 in a few weeks and I stupidly entered on line. In the middle of winter, you look at races and plan what to do in Spring. It's only when you look at the calendar in January, do you realise what you've let yourself in for. I'm hoping to be as near to 2:35 as I possibly can. It's a hilly course and needs to be treated with respect on the first loop. The last time I did it, I finished up walking parts of the last 2 miles because I was so tired. The 20 mile run at Hull a fortnight later was much easier.
The BLOG has not been as popular over the last week, with only 50% of the views that Issue 1 produced. I've ditched the POLL as less than 10 people had a go. I also took an executive decision to put things on the BLOG as they came in. Hopefully a few more articles might trickle in as the year progresses. Have a good week racing or training.
Editor.

Lisa Taylor - What a runner!

 

Hi everyone! 

Just a few lines about my marathon training so far!! Talk about roller coaster ride.. I know they say ur lucky to make the start line injury free.. But I had the shock of my life two weeks ago..went to a cardiology appointment after I had an episode of SVT..fast heart rate (at rest) last year and the specialist nurse said "AFTER WHAT U HAVE DESCRIBED TO ME IM GOING TO ASK U TO STOP RUNNING!!"
Omg I said I can't, I've got a marathon in 11weeks..she sounded serious & said I needed to be investigated (waiting list 8 weeks) as I may need a small surgical procedure & a beta blocker!! I was so shocked as I've exercised since the age of 15!! Not to mention how scared I was!! Anyway cut a long story short, she got me in for an ultra sound scan of my heart the same day!! 2 long worrying days I waited for consultant cardiologist to review my heart scan & he has given me permission to carry on training!! But wants me to have a 24 hr ECG!! He said not to push it with speed work & just plod!! I lost a weeks training but at least i didn't have to wait 8 weeks in the end!! So, I've been back on track this week and pulled off 16 miles this morning!! So very grateful to PFPR for this LONDON MARATHON opportunity & now the  weather's settling I shall hopefully be able to get to the club..as most of you know I live near Hillsborough/Sheffield so it's a long journey, didn't wanna risk it all that way in snow!!lol!! If any one would like to join me on my long runs I normally do them sat am!! Or if u have any suggestions on routes let me know!! Me and Sarah Sykes are planning one, running the Norton 9 in 2 weeks time then running round again to total 18 if anyone would like to join us!!
From Lisa T 

Penistone Park Run

What an amazing day at the Barnsley Park run on Saturday. Penistone Runners were out in force and the first four runners were all PFR's. Four PB's - Paul Fryers, Chris Law, Steve Storey (again!) - I think he's been to Kenya and trained with Mo Farah) and this week's ROTW - Kelvin Bowskill. It shows what happens when the spotlight falls on you Kelvin. Star man!

1	Martin COOPER	18:59	VM45-49	74.71 %				PB stays at 00:18:43
2	Chris LAW	19:19	JM14	73.43 %				New PB!
3	Mark LAW	19:39	VM45-49	73.88 %				PB stays at 00:19:27
4	Stephen STOREY	19:44	VM55-59	78.55 %				New PB!
16	Steve SANDERS	21:43	VM40-44	63.32 %				PB stays at 00:20:53
18	Martyn GOODWIN	21:50	VM50-54	69.24 %				PB stays at 00:21:12
22	Kelvin BOWSKILL	22:30	VM60-64	71.26 %				New PB!
25	Matthew  BURTON	22:48	VM40-44	59.87 %				PB stays at 00:21:08
28	Tom FRYERS	23:18	JM14	67.74 %				PB stays at 00:21:36
32	Dean ALLCROFT	23:49	VM40-44	58.64 %				First Timer!
33	Keith GORDON	24:05	VM60-64	69.00 %				PB stays at 00:23:21
43	Susan CHARLESWORTH	25:06	VW50-54	66.80 %				First Timer!
45	James FRYERS	25:11	JM14	67.57 %				PB stays at 00:23:17
46	Paul FRYERS	25:12	VM45-49	56.28 %				New PB!
47	Craig BIRCHALL	25:14	VM40-44	54.10 %				First Timer!
57	Raymond Paul BROWN	26:52	VM70-74	67.31 %				First Timer!
60	Sue HIGHAM	27:34	VW60-64	72.43 %				First Timer!
72	Norman COLE	30:01	VM75-79	65.52 %				PB stays at 00:29:06
92	David HORSFALL	34:47	VM70-74	52.76 %				PB stays at 00:31:00
94	Kim PORTEOUS	34:58	VW50-54	50.43 %				First Timer!
95	Colin PORTEOUS	34:59	VM50-54	43.21 %				First Timer!

Trans Pennine Trail - Official opening and Penistone 10k run

Barnsley MBC had an Official opening of the new surfacing of the Trans Pennine Trail, between the Show Ground and Shore Hall Lane at Millhouse, on Monday 11th February.    Martyn Cartwright and Pauline Senior were invited to the opening as the Club had sent BMBC a letter of support when they were bidding for funding to complete the works.     The Council obtained a grant from the East Peak Innovation Partnership as well as providing some of the money themselves.     They also have funding in place to complete the next section up to the A628 at Bullhouse Bridge..

If you have already been on the surface, you will notice how different it is to other hard “tarmac” footpaths.    This is a new material which the Council is trialling and is made up of old shredded car tyres, aggregate and a clear resin to bind them together.    A reported 9,500 tyres were used over the 1.3 mile length.    It is a cold laid material which is mixed on site, laid and spread out and then flattened out with a trowel, similar to laying concrete.    It is then left to cure for three days and is porous so that water can pass through it to prevent flooding.

When running on it , you can feel how flexible and spongy it is similar to a Tartan Track and will no doubt reduce the impact on the knee and ankle joints.

It is also great news for the Penistone 10K Road Race as the race will now all be on a tarmac hard surface which hopefully will help attract a higher entry.

BMBC say it is resistant to horses walking and trotting along it but unfortunately is not resistant to the horse droppings which their riders seem to like leaving behind them.    Why do they insist on using the new surface rather than the grass area alongside.    It’s a pity there is not a law, similar to that for dogs, to make them scoop it up and put it in a bin.
Martyn Cartwright

Editor: That would be SOME bin Martyn! 

Dear Martyn and Pauline

Thanks for attending the official opening this morning. Unfortunately the Chronicle photographer turned up at 11 rather than 10 having been given the incorrect time by his office. There were a few people still around but I am hoping they will use one of the photos we took of the whole group.

With regards to the Penistone 10k run on the 30th June (11am start) there is nothing else in the TPT Diary at present but I have included the TPT office in this email so it can go on the diary.

I would strongly recommend the following:

- advance warning signs of the event at key access points - Shore Hall Lane, Leapings Lane, Skatepark and green road - this will enable users to make their own choice about the route on that day rather than be faced with Marshalls etc.

- Please can you ensure the marshalls etc are aware that the users of the Trail have priority over runners, so participants will have to work round them, unless a temporary closure application is made to prevent public access. I would rather everyone works together so we don't have to put a closure on for future events.

Many thanks and when I have the photographs I will forward them onto you

regards

Sarah Ford

Senior PROW Officer

Pocklington 10 - I had entered!

I received my number in this morning's post -307. It's the heaviest number I've ever worn. I think it's more of a computer than a chip. Is there anyone else going to the race? I need a navigator to get me there on time!

Runner of the Week - Annie Lightowler

Catherine Dale - what is your most memorable run and why?

Lad's Leap 3rd April 2011, this was my first every fell race - I only attempted it as it was a Championship race and Ian Charlesworth had taken a few of us an a recce - it was a good job!  I had mainly only done road races and not really come across fell runners before  - well they looked a different breed all together - no fun runners, so I pretty much knew I would be last.  This is classed as an AS - easy and short - 5.9 miles and 518m of ascent.  After the first 10 minutes the whole field had disappeared out of view, so I was so glad of the recce otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue where to go, the route was taped, but once in the peat bogs as I am so little I had to climb up to the top of a grough and look for the next one and head for it - I must have looked like a meerkat!!  When I got to the last marshall he asked if he could run back with me - it was so great to have some company as I felt I wasn't really in a race, just me out on the route alone.  As I approached the campsite there was no finish line - I didn't know it but I was 20 minutes behind the last runner and they had packed up and everything. I had to give them the time on my watch!!!!  1:54:14, the winner did 48:03. This didn't put me off and I have since completed a good few more fell races and am not finishing at the back anymore. This year I have done Tigger Tor and Mickleden Straddle so far.

Sarah Jones-Morris - any particular race you would like to challenge yourself in the future?  Nicky Spinks - What are your fell running goals for 2013?

I would really like to do a Saunders - not sure if it is full this year?  Or another multi day race, and who knows maybe an ultra.  I am doing Grindleford Gallop on 9th March and I am running for Infertility Research (a charity dear to my heart) in the Yorkshire Marathon on 20th October, so hoping to smash my Dublin marathon time, as I am much lighter and fitter after being with the club a couple more years.  I also fancy a mud runner obstacle race!  I am doing an off road Half Marathon in Alnwick in June.

Joe Mann - how did you get into running and why?

I did my 1st race - Race for Life in Maidstone Kent in 2002, it was the fact that it was for Cancer Research that I did it, I downloaded a training plan and just ran round a field near where I lived. Race day came and I can still remember driving to and from the race alone and running the race on my own.  I did the same race a few more times but recruited some friends (non-runners) to do it too.  It wasn't until I left my husband did I enter a 10k - Great Yorkshire Run in 2008, and then Great North Run in 2009.  I would just train for a race and then stop running!

Nick Cable - What keeps you motivated and smiling?

Running gives me such a buzz, I love being in the fresh air and am so lucky to be part of PFR that I rarely ever go for a run on my own.  Since my hysterectomy I have felt so much fitter and have lost quite a bit of weight - this is helping me to run faster and am feeling a sense of achievement at coming a bit further from the back than I used to!  What's not to smile about - living in Penistone there are some fabulous places to run and the company is pretty great too.

Steve Frith - post race fuel?

As we're usually heading for some pub after a race - it's usually a shandy and some crisps or nuts!  I did go through an organised phase and would make up a salad wrap with chicken, fish and some seeds.

Steve Frith - what else floats your boat?

I am a member of Wakefield Triathlon club and currently learning front crawl, I am doing a few Sprint Tri's this year for the 1st time - a special one will be from Bamburgh Castle - a sea swim, road bike and beach run.  I am also doing a mile open water swim in Derwent Water in the Lakes in June. I bought a road bike in November but am still mastering clip in pedals and looking forward to a week of cycling in Majorca at Easter with friends from the club.  Anything that includes being outdoors, active with friends, hoping to camp more this year.  I go walking with my dad for a week every year - have climbed lots of Munros with him, but he's not 73 and we're off to Wales in September.

My suggestion for the next ROTW - Kelvin Bowskill! How about it Kelvin?

Age Graded - It's my motivation

As the years roll on and the chance of a PB has disappeared into the sunset, age-grading has given me the motivation to train a little harder and more often.
I'll never be able to achieve what I did in my forties and fifties but I can compare my previous times using this system. I think that the first time I came across WAVA or age-graded was when I entered the PFR winter handicap. It gave me a chance to look at my performance and compare it with people who were younger and faster. The Power of 10 site provides you with a whole host of information.
These are the top 10 age-graded performances for me:

	Event	Perf				Points	AGrade	Age	Pos				Venue	Meeting	Date
1	5M	31:30				67.72	81.36	56	65				Oxspring	South Yorkshire Road League	8 Apr 09
2	10M	65:37				67.64	80.87	56	16				Selby	Selby 10	13 Sep 09
3	10K	40:18				66.63	80.72	57	102				Rothwell	Rothwell 10K	3 May 10
4	10K	40:22			40:18	66.52	80.59	57	86				Barnsley	Barnsley 10K	15 Nov 09
5	HM	87:59				67.30	80.20	56	65				Bridlington	Bridlington Half Marathon	18 Oct 09
6	10K	42:31			42:21	63.15	78.52	60	112			3	Royston	Barnsley 10K	18 Nov 12
7	HM	90:43				65.28	77.78	56	47			1	Liversedge	Liversedge Half Marathon	15 Feb 09
8	HM	92:26				64.06	77.74	58	39			2	Doncaster	Isle of Axholme Half Marathon	11 Sep 11
9	HM	94:33			94:22	62.63	77.42	60	86			1	Roberttown	Liversedge Half Marathon	10 Feb 13
10	5KNAD	20:50				61.92	76.99	60	12			1	Barnsley	Barnsley parkrun 5K Event 102	12 Jan 13

No matter what age I run at, I can set myself realistic or not so realistic targets to aim for. It motivates me far more than anything else. I've managed to achieve over 80% on five occasions. Now that I'm retired, I might be able to get somewhere near that 80 figure again. I wasn't too far off my previous excursion at Liversedge in 09, which is quite promising considering the lack of training this winter.
One PB I should be able to set is for a 5k. I've only ever done the Locke Park run but I'm determined to go to Doncaster this year. Due to work commitments, I've never managed it before.
I'm not sure which age-graded system Power of 10 uses, but I'll need to run a 1:31 ish half-marathon and a 68 min 10 miler. Let's hope the weather improves and I can get back to some sort of training.

Weekend Races

Races - What's On this week Holmes?

Saturday 16th Feb - Locke Park or Hillsborough 5k Park Runs, the weather looks good

or you could try the:

Ovenden Fell Race

Date & time: Sat 16th Feb 2013 at 11:30                     

Category: BM

Distance: 13km / 8.1m

Climb: 366m / 1201ft

Venue: Causeway Foot Public House, off A629 Halifax-Keighley Rd, HX2 8XX.

Grid ref: 064306 on OS21

Skills & experience: ER, PM, LK, NS

Minimum age: 18

 
Sunday 17th Feb - Wombwell 5  Just the odd hill or two

 

Click here: PFR to visit our website for further details of these races. Look for the Diary of Events link on the left.

 

 

 

Martyn's Weekly Results Round Up (3)

 

Last weekend, Members of Penistone Footpath Runners & AC were in the prizes again at two totally different events. In the hilly Liversedge Half Marathon on a cold day, Steve Frith claimed the first vet 60 prize when he finished in 86th position in 1-34-22 (chip time), beating the present club record. Dave Needham, celebrating his 1000th race in a 35 year career, was 231st in 1-48-36 to take 2nd prize in the vet 65 category. Alex Simon was 162nd in 1-42-27.

Three Members also ran in the 20 mile Wadworth Trog near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. The race, which included 4000 foot of ascent, was held on a cold day with conditions tretcherous underfoot with many icy bogs on the route. Nicky Spinks overcame the conditions to finish 26th overall in a time of 3-38-32 to finish as 2nd Lady and first vet 40. Ian Charlesworth was just behind in 48th position in 3-49-10 and James Pierce 67th in 4-02-32.

XC Wentworth 16th March Saturday

 Is there anyone who is available to marshall at the XC 16th March? Two races 12.00 and 13.15. It will be all over just gone 14.00hrs It is the Yorkshire vets XC and hopefully those who want to run are more than welcome, see Yorkshire Vets website. 

I'm entering teams on our behalf so if you are willing to turn out for your club let me know    mailto:janeandbob239(at)btinternet.com You need to be either male or female and over 40 or 35 depending on which.

If you are too young, too unfit or too injured, then come out and support/marshall/cheer on the rest of us.

Bob Innes

Winter Handicap Rescheduled AGAIN!

As the snow begins to fall again, just a reminder that the Winter Handicap will hopefully take place on:

Tuesday 26th February. So here's a little reminder of what Keith would like to happen:

Let's change this frowny into a smiley!

It would be fantastic if we could achieve two things in the final race of the Winter Handicap.


We only need SEVEN more runners (newbies) to reach a grand total of 100. The record number of runners at a Winter Handicap is 62! Let's make it at least 63!

Dave Foster is putting on a spread for those of you who'd like a hearty snack afterwards. Let him know asap what your requirements are.

  

Park Running

Well done to all those who took part in the 5k Run in Locke Park this week. Three PB's plus two first timers. Mark and Ailsa have helped us to move into joint 2nd spot in the number of different club members who've taken part. Both Kingstone and ourselves are WAY behind Barnsley Harriers though. This might change when we take part in the event for one of our championship races.
Damien knocked 16 seconds off his best time, Phil smashed his by 31 seconds and Steve by  a whopping 28 seconds.  Steve now lies in 2nd spot in his age category with the leader recording an amazing 19:03 for this hilly course. Brilliant running you three!
Kelvin just loves this event and enjoys a more or less weekly toddle round.

4	Damian KILPIN	18:28	SM35-39	71.84 %				New PB!
5	Phil HINCHLIFFE	18:38	VM40-44	73.79 %				New PB!
7	Stephen STOREY	19:45	VM55-59	78.48 %				New PB!
16	Mark RIORDAN	21:59	SM35-39	61.18 %				First Timer!
17	Martyn GOODWIN	22:01	VM50-54	68.66 %				PB stays at 00:21:12
36	Kelvin BOWSKILL	25:21	VM60-64	63.25 %				PB stays at 00:22:43
49	John SPENCER	27:12	VM55-59	57.48 %				PB stays at 00:26:46
63	Norman COLE	30:06	VM75-79	65.34 %				PB stays at 00:29:06
69	Ailsa PARK	31:02	SW25-29	47.69 %				First Timer!
86	David HORSFALL	34:50	VM70-74	52.68 %				PB stays at 00:31:00

Trainers in the bin? Wheelie?

It's that time of year when the weather is wet and sometimes slushy. You've tried your best to keep your trainers dry and smelling sweet. Not so with mine, a slight odour which is reminiscent of cat wee meant that a home needed to be found for them. I know, I'll dry them off and put them in the green wheelie bin until I need them. Thursday morning and time to put the bins out. Thursday afternoon and time to go for a run... Whoops! Ah well, I needed a new pair. That'll teach me to take more care and put them somewhere less painful to my wallet.

Any hints or tips on how to stop them smelling after a wet run? Post them in the comments box below.

Gun Time or Chip Time?

Chip Time?

Most people by now will have entered a race where chip technology has been used. The chips are usually tied onto your laces but are sometimes incorporated with your race number. The Barnsley 10k is one such event, and you are allowed to take the bib home with you. Liversedge on the other hand was a lace chip and these had to be given back. Why the difference? Is one cheaper than the other? Can the card ones be used again even if they are wet through?



or Gun Time?


We've all entered races where the runners have been asked to take their place at the start in relation to their ability. And DO they? No. How many times have you had to adjust your stride and move to one side because of the slower runners who have positioned themselves at the front? It can be a bit annoying, but maybe like you; they are trying to achieve a PB.
You cross the line and due to your position at the start of the race, there is a difference of 20 seconds between your gun time and your chip time. The chip time gives you a PB and a club record for your age group, while the gun time leaves you 3 seconds off your PB time and 10 seconds away from that record that has stood for the last 15 years.
So, what do you think? Personally, I think that you need to compare chip times with chip times and use these for your own records. Gun time records from the past are a different thing altogether, is it up to the club to decide what to do?

Here are the times for the first two runners in the V55 category from the Liversedge Half Marathon

147	90	David	Hudson	M55 to 59	Pudsey Pacers	67.58	01:41:37	01:41:38
148	238	David	Hewitt	M55 to 59	Steel City Striders	69.98	01:41:17	01:41:43

Dave Hudson won 1st prize in his age group, five seconds in front of David Hewitt. Yet the Steel City Striders runner was actually twenty seconds faster when you compare their chip times. If only he'd pushed up a bit further at the start.

What's the biggest difference you've had in your chip time and gun time?
Please feel free to have your say using the comments box below.




F-F-F-F-Freezing Liversedge Half Marathon

The weather forecast for Sunday didn't look too good earlier in the week. There was a reasonable chance of heavy snow from 9 a.m. onwards on race day. Training had been sparse to say the least, with only the winter handicap being a constant, unless you count the one that was cancelled. I'd done a long run on Thursday from Langsett towards Bolsterstone. I think it was about 8 miles in 88 mins, a seriously slow run in less than ideal conditions underfoot.
The forecast changed by the hour and Saturday evening saw the heavy snow set to fall around  3pm the next day.
Alex and myself had pre-entered at the last moment and had just managed to get in. It tends to be a favourite with unattached runners as a warm up for London.
Sunday came and an hour's walk with Willow first thing just about cleared the cobwebs away. I phoned Alex to see what he thought, light snow was falling but not sticking. I really wasn't bothered about going, lack of training had meant lack of motivation. Alex said that we might as well give it a go, I'm really glad that he persuaded me to make the effort.
After ditching the idea of a sat nav, our journey there took a lot longer than we'd anticipated. It was cold, really cold. The car park was quite a distance from the registration centre. We picked up our numbers and made the obligatory toilet stop or two, or three in my case. Back to the car and changed, no point in getting out yet as it is so cold. The weather was anything but inspiring and the decision was made to wear a waterproof top. Running in wet gear wasn't something we really wanted to experience. WIMPS!
Time to line up. The usual variety of gear, from vest and pants to Antarctic survival. I suppose that we were somewhere in the middle of this range. Nearly time to go, Alex picked a spot nearer the back as his training had been even more sparse than mine. I set myself at the back of about 100 runners.
The targets (in order of difficulty as I perceived them) I'd set myself were as follows:

• Complete the race
• Achieve a time under 1hr 40 mins
• Be in the 1st 3 V60 runners
• Achieve a time close to 1hr 35 mins
• Win the V60 category and win a prize
• Beat the PFR V60 time for the half-marathon

And we're off... Take it steady, not too fast. An easy thing to say but 6:16 for the first mile hardly makes sense. It felt so easy, so effortless, more like 7 min miling really. The first hill approaches and the time at mile 2 makes more sense. With no-one around me that I knew, it was time to go into the zone. Each mile was ticked off and compared with the long 12 miler to the windmills. Mile 2 to 3 - Oxspring to the greenhouse on the top road. Mile 3 - 4 - greenhouse to the wall at Hoylandswaine roundabout. With 4 miles gone, I'm one-third of the way through the race. I hadn't run this distance since October 2011.
Splits for the first 6 miles:  6:16  7:13  6:44  6:56  6:58  6:39 You can spot where the inclines were. 40:48 for 6 miles was quite good. Could I dare to double this and add a 7 min mile on top? That would be 88+ mins plus the bit on the end. 
A sharp turn left and a bit of a steep climb, STEEP - 8:17! Ah well, it was billed as a toughie. The next 2 saw a steep climb over the M62 to the top of the hill. Both miles saw 7:30 min miling and a sub 95 mins was going to be tough. The one thing about calculating possible finishing times is that it keeps your mind off the pain. Just two to go, that's Cross Lane end back to our house. More climbing and more climbing. The signpost for 12 made for wonderful reading. Just one to go, but it was one of the longest I've ever run. It seemed to go on for ever and ever. AND it was uphill! Consistent last 3 miles, 7:02  7:03  7:08. The finish was in sight and I tried to sprint but my legs just wouldn't respond. There was NOTHING left. Thank god it's over!
Alex crosses the line and looks as bad as I did. Really cold now, t-shirt and water and time to change. Beginning to visibly shiver and layer after layer goes on. We'd seen a nice cafe on the way to registration, Alex went to get the butties and I went to see if a V60 prize was in the offing. Ist prize with £15 to spend at the gear stall and a very nice coffee mug. Top chosen, time for the off - a nice bath and a kip to follow. The buttie had more sauce on it than a Carry On film but it was oh so tasty. Home to the usual, "How did you get on?" It's difficult for your other half when they don't really want to listen to a mile by mile run through of the race.
I felt really pleased with the way I'd run and on such a small amount of training. Hopefully, things might get even better but it will depend on whether I can keep the motivation going.