Hello blog lovers.
Well, you can knock me sideways with a 10k medal, and roll me down a hill! How many did we have in group 1 today?! Well, and for those of an OCD nature, you will love this. A big fat round 30 runners! That's right thirty!
Usually there are quite a few of our beginners group that can't make the Tuesday evening club runs, but it seemed as if the whole of our graduation group came along this time! I can't tell you how proud me and Sherry looked! Some of them went into group 2 and quite a few of them came in to my group! Of course I had some great help, our Michael, a newly qualified LiRF came along to help sweep and encourage any that were at the back, and CoachHels helped to be in the middle of the pack while I led.
I wanted to be the first to lead our new recruits through the woods for their first club run! Again, for this week we were only just going to touch on the woods as we ran up the path parallel to Birchwood, but at least it's still in the woods. Also it was a great opportunity to go through a few rules for group running when going through the woods. You all know the ones, when we see a root we shout it out, when there's a low branch, we shout it out, when we see sticky out bricks......yup, you get the picture! Now I was expecting to hear the message getting passed along, all down 30 people! Ok, so maybe not all 30 of them needed to call it out, but it was a good test. I seems as if there are quite a few shy people in the group, as I couldn't hear the call after I called out and one maybe two others! Something that we will work on as the summer months draw nearer! Oh I am so looking forward to running through the woods in the evening with our club! Its just so invigorating! After a days work, or with the kids, or even just a busy day at home, getting out in the evening, through the woods, listening to bird song, with the sweet aroma of fresh air (it does have a smell you know, once you're through Dog Poo Ally)
We all managed to get through the woods though, no trips, slips or falls. We came out on Orpington road and we had to cross over! We took a little break here while we waited for the rest of our group. So, I suggested that they could run back to the back runners or we could do squats! We did squats.....well there was one there that decided to just practise her breathing! I was trying to cross where we came out, but there is no crossing there, we had to run turn right to run to the crossing. It was the only way that the drivers would stop to let us cross over! Once over though we turned left and ran towards the loop that we would be doing! Yes, it is a bit of a challenge for our beginners, but really, if you think about it, the cheeky little loop we did when they were actually training to do the 5k in the first place was a bit of a challenge, and they did that with no problem. And then of course they all ran their first 5k last Saturday (blog to follow soon, honest!)
The road part of our route now, and it really was quite a group to lead. I must say we looked fabulous, there were enough bright luminous shirts among our group to make sure that those who were in dark colours (by the way, we must mention that for next week!) we sufficiently flanked! We ran all the way down to the little round about a quick couple of laps while they all caught up again and then we continued...up the hill of course.
We had a quick regroup at the crest of the hill ready for the down hill! Now this is a good bit! Not only was it down hill but at the bottom of the it there was a group of kids, about 6 or 7 of them, they saw us, they all lined up at the side of the road and then started "oooooooo-ing" with the arms out stretched and making little movements, then as we came past them the 'oooo-ing' got louder and then we ran past them as they did a 'mexican wave'! I made us all smile, we turned the corner and the rest of the group of friends, about another 5 or so did the same thing! I tell you, if I was a newbie runner and that happened to me I would be feeling so chuffed round about then, because I've been a runner for a long time and I was still so chuffed to have a little cheer like that! I hope our new recruits remember that little cheer and then try and imagine it done by a couple of hundred people as they are finishing a race!
We had that other little hill to climb up, the one we do our hill reps on, or as it was for our first timers, they could run around the little roundabout instead. Some of them ran around the little grassy island but most of them ran up to the top of the hill and then back down again! Marvellous. We finished our loop and headed up towards Petts Wood Road. I sent the front runners up towards the bigger roundabout on Petts Wood Road and suggested they run back to us or stay there for a rest. Again, the front runners were totally keen on this running malarkey and chose to run up and then back down again to the back runners.
With just one more road to run down on before we get to crossways, we were nearly all done. What a great evening from running. Just super fantastic. We had a huge group, two extra wonderful leaders among us as well as our usual group 1 runners. Such a great atmosphere. I think all the new comers were glad to see that they could do it, and I know that some of them were dubious whether they could do it but were pleasantly surprised to see that they could do it! Listen, it's not easy, it don't even feel easy even after a good few years! But you do learn to love that little bit of satisfaction that you did it, that you just pushed yourself, not matter how hard or little. Or the fact that you got out, even if you didn't want to and just ran the most slowest 5k, 4k or even 1k ever! Just doing something is better than doing nothing!
Anyway. I loved it, just simply loved it. It was a huge group but I had some wonderful helpers!
Here's our geeky stats, it's a K9 route, only as we gone through the woods K9 looks a little thicker around the middle!
I am loving running. I can say that with almost true conviction. After all, if I didn't love it, then I wouldn't still be writing this blog, right? So dive in, enjoy the ramblings of my open diary.
Tuesday, 9 May 2017
Tuesday, 2 May 2017
Club Run - Move Up Week
Hello blog lovers.
It was touch and go whether I would get there this evening, after last Wednesday back injury. But I felt as right as rain! CharleyBear however, was not feeling good, she has an injury, so I am down to lead, which is why we were running a nice gentle easy route. Not only that but it was 'Move up week'! You would think that being group 1 (the slower pace) in the club that we can't possible accommodate any from moving up! Well, today we did! We had a couple of our beginners join us, not only that but two complete beginners! One has been inspired by the marathon! I know exactly how she feels!
So after I gave out our route we listened to all the other leaders and then we went to our stake post to have a count up! There were 12 of us. J.J. and LittleJ were missing from our group this evening, they have this dreaded lurgy thing going around, Michael, who has now become a leader, joined in group 2, as that will be the group that he will be rota'ed in to lead but we had Auriol and Carole, plus Tracy and K! Plenty of our regular group 1'er's We shouldn't lose anyone on this evenings run.
The route I chose was the Crescent Drive route, a nice flat route, with a possible short cut if we need it. Our first part though was uphill, Kings way to begin with. Ok, so I said it was relatively flat, but that is the only hill we had in this evenings run, honest. So we started, we ran out of the gate, turned right and then turned right again to go up the hill. Those who got there first I gave them the option of going back down to join in with the backrunners, or do some squats! So squats it was!
I took a short walking break after we all re-grouped and then started our run again over the troll bridge, introducing 'run like 'Scooby-doo' to our newbies to the group! Considering we have new people joining us with the loop backs and squat breaks, we were not that far off our group 1 pace. Even with move up week timings (we should be running at the slowest advertised pace) we were on time. I was thinking to myself that we wouldn't be needing the shortcut to finish this evenings run!
We continued all along Crescent drive with little breaks or loop backs for the fast runners, and then walking breaks for the slower runners. It worked well all the way down to the corner of Shepperton road and then down (and up) Shepperton. We had a quack break and the turned right to go along to the off license! The faster ones knew were we were going, so I sent them off in front while I kept an eye on the backrunners and we re grouped again by the shop.
Once over the bridge I thought that the faster runners could do with a bit long stretching their legs, so I designated Carole, being the most fastest experienced group 1 member with me and Becky, to run with them to the end, while I ran with the backrunners. It worked out perfectly, Carole even got a a couple to run back to us when they got to the end.
We stayed all together as we ran up Tudor way and then I let them off the leash again to finish their run at their pace along with Carole and Becky, while I ran along with Kym, the complete beginner runner and with Tracy and K bringing the rear! A great run, but definitely a run of two halves, the faster half and the slower half! But we finished together as a group....almost....together!
Geeky stats.
It was touch and go whether I would get there this evening, after last Wednesday back injury. But I felt as right as rain! CharleyBear however, was not feeling good, she has an injury, so I am down to lead, which is why we were running a nice gentle easy route. Not only that but it was 'Move up week'! You would think that being group 1 (the slower pace) in the club that we can't possible accommodate any from moving up! Well, today we did! We had a couple of our beginners join us, not only that but two complete beginners! One has been inspired by the marathon! I know exactly how she feels!
So after I gave out our route we listened to all the other leaders and then we went to our stake post to have a count up! There were 12 of us. J.J. and LittleJ were missing from our group this evening, they have this dreaded lurgy thing going around, Michael, who has now become a leader, joined in group 2, as that will be the group that he will be rota'ed in to lead but we had Auriol and Carole, plus Tracy and K! Plenty of our regular group 1'er's We shouldn't lose anyone on this evenings run.
The route I chose was the Crescent Drive route, a nice flat route, with a possible short cut if we need it. Our first part though was uphill, Kings way to begin with. Ok, so I said it was relatively flat, but that is the only hill we had in this evenings run, honest. So we started, we ran out of the gate, turned right and then turned right again to go up the hill. Those who got there first I gave them the option of going back down to join in with the backrunners, or do some squats! So squats it was!
I took a short walking break after we all re-grouped and then started our run again over the troll bridge, introducing 'run like 'Scooby-doo' to our newbies to the group! Considering we have new people joining us with the loop backs and squat breaks, we were not that far off our group 1 pace. Even with move up week timings (we should be running at the slowest advertised pace) we were on time. I was thinking to myself that we wouldn't be needing the shortcut to finish this evenings run!
We continued all along Crescent drive with little breaks or loop backs for the fast runners, and then walking breaks for the slower runners. It worked well all the way down to the corner of Shepperton road and then down (and up) Shepperton. We had a quack break and the turned right to go along to the off license! The faster ones knew were we were going, so I sent them off in front while I kept an eye on the backrunners and we re grouped again by the shop.
Once over the bridge I thought that the faster runners could do with a bit long stretching their legs, so I designated Carole, being the most fastest experienced group 1 member with me and Becky, to run with them to the end, while I ran with the backrunners. It worked out perfectly, Carole even got a a couple to run back to us when they got to the end.
We stayed all together as we ran up Tudor way and then I let them off the leash again to finish their run at their pace along with Carole and Becky, while I ran along with Kym, the complete beginner runner and with Tracy and K bringing the rear! A great run, but definitely a run of two halves, the faster half and the slower half! But we finished together as a group....almost....together!
Geeky stats.
Sunday, 30 April 2017
Beginners Week 8 - Final Day!
Hello blog lovers!
So yesterday was the very last time that we will be meeting our beginners on a Saturday at the rec.......and I can't run with them! I was just so disappointed to not be running with them but I still went along. If I can't run with them at least I will be able to walk around the rec for first, and then just watch them run out and then run back in! You see, I hurt my back! After all the activities I do, running half marathon, helping out at the water station at mile four on the Virgin London Marathon last Sunday, and standing around on trains, pushing wheel chairs....how did I hurt my back!? Putting my socks on! I know! It's safer to go bare foot!
So I turned up to see nearly 40 runners for the final training session. It's all done now, there will be no more for these spring beginners. The next time we all meet will be at Normans Park parkrun, next Saturday to do our free timed 5k! We had about 8 PWR's with us, some have been here every week and have been running and watching them all achieve what they thought they couldn't!
So before we even started with the brisk walk around ZippySherry spoke about what's going to happen next week and what time we will be meeting up. By the way, we shall be meeting up about 8:30 in the car park of Normans Park, Bromley common entrance! That received a huge gasp, I could hear them all, '08:30, my goodness that's early' was the buzz going around! But Sherry explained that parkrun starts promptly at 09:00 and we need to get organised first! And then she said what our session is going to be today, 14 minutes for walking around with 2 minutes of walking, times twice! Do you know, there was not one gasp! Our runners that are here know that they can do it! There was no 'So what happened to 12 minutes' or 'Can we not just jump to 13 minutes' Nope, they all just accepted it because they knew they could do it!
I walked around with them as they did a brisk two laps of the rec and then ZippySherry did the warm up drills! And then the running started. I sat down on the bench, and I collected house keys, car keys and I became 'cloakroom manager' while they all started running around the green and then out onto the roads. I started up my garmin when they started running just so that I knew when they would be coming back into the rec. Let me tell you, sitting around for half an hour seems a lot longer than running around for half an hour! I was getting itchy feet, I was just so wanting to be able to run with them. But rest and gentle movement is what is needed for me and I shall just have to be patient!
It was good to see them running back after half not only that but running strong! Some of them had done the loop 3 times before getting back to the rec, others had done it twice! Truly amazing. One of the runners came and showed me his phone with his activity app opened on it "Whats that in kilometres?" he said to me. I looked at his phone and it said 3.12 miles, "That's 5k" I said to him! Well the look on his face was magic and he just realised that he had ran a parkrun in the half hour or so they were out! Thrilled to pieces! I felt proud for him, and for all of them that were coming through the gate, Grace and Ali and Claudia, Tracy, Shalini are just some of the names that I can recall (my memory is like swiss cheese!) They all looked pleased that they completed the course! I was a bit overwhelmed myself! Thinking about my own journey of how I got to here! What out for blog to come about about that!
When everyone had come back to the rec and the time had run out, although ZippySherry was doing a 'Donna' but ignoring the clock! But she was doing it deliberately, trying to get them to 15 minutes! They would have actually have done it! They all looked so comfortable! Really, honestly, so comfortable, even though they said it was tough! Oh my goodness I just can't wait for next week when they all run parkrun, at the own pace, doing their own thing, running for as much as they want to get around! I wonder how many will run it non-stop! I should imagine they all will have a go, and will probably do it! That two minutes walk we throw in the middle, its really not needed, it's just there like a comfort blanket, to know that there is a walk there! I know on my runs I have lots of comfort blankets!!
And so to the warm down stretches, our spring beginners course comes to an end. Graduation day is next Saturday at parkrun! I can't wait! I am just so excited!
So yesterday was the very last time that we will be meeting our beginners on a Saturday at the rec.......and I can't run with them! I was just so disappointed to not be running with them but I still went along. If I can't run with them at least I will be able to walk around the rec for first, and then just watch them run out and then run back in! You see, I hurt my back! After all the activities I do, running half marathon, helping out at the water station at mile four on the Virgin London Marathon last Sunday, and standing around on trains, pushing wheel chairs....how did I hurt my back!? Putting my socks on! I know! It's safer to go bare foot!
So I turned up to see nearly 40 runners for the final training session. It's all done now, there will be no more for these spring beginners. The next time we all meet will be at Normans Park parkrun, next Saturday to do our free timed 5k! We had about 8 PWR's with us, some have been here every week and have been running and watching them all achieve what they thought they couldn't!
So before we even started with the brisk walk around ZippySherry spoke about what's going to happen next week and what time we will be meeting up. By the way, we shall be meeting up about 8:30 in the car park of Normans Park, Bromley common entrance! That received a huge gasp, I could hear them all, '08:30, my goodness that's early' was the buzz going around! But Sherry explained that parkrun starts promptly at 09:00 and we need to get organised first! And then she said what our session is going to be today, 14 minutes for walking around with 2 minutes of walking, times twice! Do you know, there was not one gasp! Our runners that are here know that they can do it! There was no 'So what happened to 12 minutes' or 'Can we not just jump to 13 minutes' Nope, they all just accepted it because they knew they could do it!
I walked around with them as they did a brisk two laps of the rec and then ZippySherry did the warm up drills! And then the running started. I sat down on the bench, and I collected house keys, car keys and I became 'cloakroom manager' while they all started running around the green and then out onto the roads. I started up my garmin when they started running just so that I knew when they would be coming back into the rec. Let me tell you, sitting around for half an hour seems a lot longer than running around for half an hour! I was getting itchy feet, I was just so wanting to be able to run with them. But rest and gentle movement is what is needed for me and I shall just have to be patient!
It was good to see them running back after half not only that but running strong! Some of them had done the loop 3 times before getting back to the rec, others had done it twice! Truly amazing. One of the runners came and showed me his phone with his activity app opened on it "Whats that in kilometres?" he said to me. I looked at his phone and it said 3.12 miles, "That's 5k" I said to him! Well the look on his face was magic and he just realised that he had ran a parkrun in the half hour or so they were out! Thrilled to pieces! I felt proud for him, and for all of them that were coming through the gate, Grace and Ali and Claudia, Tracy, Shalini are just some of the names that I can recall (my memory is like swiss cheese!) They all looked pleased that they completed the course! I was a bit overwhelmed myself! Thinking about my own journey of how I got to here! What out for blog to come about about that!
When everyone had come back to the rec and the time had run out, although ZippySherry was doing a 'Donna' but ignoring the clock! But she was doing it deliberately, trying to get them to 15 minutes! They would have actually have done it! They all looked so comfortable! Really, honestly, so comfortable, even though they said it was tough! Oh my goodness I just can't wait for next week when they all run parkrun, at the own pace, doing their own thing, running for as much as they want to get around! I wonder how many will run it non-stop! I should imagine they all will have a go, and will probably do it! That two minutes walk we throw in the middle, its really not needed, it's just there like a comfort blanket, to know that there is a walk there! I know on my runs I have lots of comfort blankets!!
And so to the warm down stretches, our spring beginners course comes to an end. Graduation day is next Saturday at parkrun! I can't wait! I am just so excited!
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Tuesday Club Run
Hello blog readers.
So this is it, I finally caught up with my blogging, albeit its all out of whack, not in crono.....cronalo...cr...... it ain in order that it 'appened!
I was leading group 1 on Tuesday, and I was so pleased that we still had some daylight left because I was eager to get my group 1 through the woods for the first time this year..... er thats group 1 Tuesday group not group 1 or did DiscoRich call my group 'group 3' on a Thursday! Anyway, we were just touching on the woods today!
When I annouced it they were all so very pleased, until I mentioned the other bit, Tillingbourne Green! It's a lovely little challenge really, and I know that I for one am in desperate need to get some miles done. I have been slacking of late! So a few little hills will do us all good.
We had our usual head count, there were 20 of us that started! Twenty! I think that's a group record so far! It will be good practice for us all to get used to calling out to all behind us of the trips, slips and fall hazards along the way, and to call out if the illusive woodman is around.!
I shall finish this blog some time tomorrow!
So this is it, I finally caught up with my blogging, albeit its all out of whack, not in crono.....cronalo...cr...... it ain in order that it 'appened!
I was leading group 1 on Tuesday, and I was so pleased that we still had some daylight left because I was eager to get my group 1 through the woods for the first time this year..... er thats group 1 Tuesday group not group 1 or did DiscoRich call my group 'group 3' on a Thursday! Anyway, we were just touching on the woods today!
When I annouced it they were all so very pleased, until I mentioned the other bit, Tillingbourne Green! It's a lovely little challenge really, and I know that I for one am in desperate need to get some miles done. I have been slacking of late! So a few little hills will do us all good.
We had our usual head count, there were 20 of us that started! Twenty! I think that's a group record so far! It will be good practice for us all to get used to calling out to all behind us of the trips, slips and fall hazards along the way, and to call out if the illusive woodman is around.!
I shall finish this blog some time tomorrow!
Running With My Pals!
Hello blog readers
My blogs are all over the place, this one is for Thursday, the week before last!
Well that Thursday (13th April) morning I only did the one run, through the woods of course. Let me see if I can recall who came along! There was me, J.J. and.....I think Ariol......Viral......Kay.......Wait.....Viral? Yes, he was deffo running with us. In the .....social running group. We do like a natter when we run together. But yes, Viral was running with us, I think he usually runs in group 7 or maybe 8!?
It's great that the faster runners do come and chat with us in the social groups, it's most inspiring, and I am so sure that they themselves will get something back from us in the slow groups! I mean, look at all of us volunteers in the beginners course! It is so rewarding encouraging people to run.
You can tell I am waffling a bit, mainly because it has been a couple of weeks, and if I don't write these things down straight away, these days it just gets filed in my filing system in my brain! I am not good at filing at the best of times! But I do know that it was a great run, with some great people! Through the woods, which were quite dry then, perfect for running. I am looking forward to leading group 1 through the woods when it becomes lighter!
Here's the geeky stats
My blogs are all over the place, this one is for Thursday, the week before last!
Well that Thursday (13th April) morning I only did the one run, through the woods of course. Let me see if I can recall who came along! There was me, J.J. and.....I think Ariol......Viral......Kay.......Wait.....Viral? Yes, he was deffo running with us. In the .....social running group. We do like a natter when we run together. But yes, Viral was running with us, I think he usually runs in group 7 or maybe 8!?
It's great that the faster runners do come and chat with us in the social groups, it's most inspiring, and I am so sure that they themselves will get something back from us in the slow groups! I mean, look at all of us volunteers in the beginners course! It is so rewarding encouraging people to run.
You can tell I am waffling a bit, mainly because it has been a couple of weeks, and if I don't write these things down straight away, these days it just gets filed in my filing system in my brain! I am not good at filing at the best of times! But I do know that it was a great run, with some great people! Through the woods, which were quite dry then, perfect for running. I am looking forward to leading group 1 through the woods when it becomes lighter!
Here's the geeky stats
Beginners Week 7
Hello blog lovers!
I can't tell you how many blogs I am behind! Seriously. But I wanted to get this one out first. Keeping people motivated and encouraged to keep going is what I am hoping my blogs do! Or.......just light reading to help people fall asleep before bedtime!
It's great to see just how many have made it to the final couple of weeks left our our Spring Beginners course. I so love doing this course, twice a year we do it! Which to me is just perfect. It gives a nice chance for our beginners to join in our club and make themselves at home, sort out which group they will be comfortable in before we bring in more newbies. It would be wonderful if they all joined us!
Last Saturday we were running for 10 minutes with 2 mins walking, three times. But not only that but we went out onto the streets to show off exactly how we are doing! There is this 'cheeky' little hill just opposite the entrance to the rec, yup, you've guessed it, we run up here first! Well, when I say first it is after we have done all the brisk walk, the warm ups as well as a running lap around the rec first. Then we just slot in our PWR volunteers to accompany our wonderful group of runners. Because that is what they are!
I can't wait for graduation day, but we still have one more week to get them all ready, we will be getting them to run only two reps next week! Fourteen minutes each time, I don't think they know that just yet! Well if they read this they might do! But it is totally doable! If you can run for 10 minutes you can run for 12, and if you know you can do that, just adding another 2 minutes on there doesn't seem a lot! Seeing everyone last Saturday, I know they are all capable of doing it!
Right, Geeky stats for you.
I can't tell you how many blogs I am behind! Seriously. But I wanted to get this one out first. Keeping people motivated and encouraged to keep going is what I am hoping my blogs do! Or.......just light reading to help people fall asleep before bedtime!
It's great to see just how many have made it to the final couple of weeks left our our Spring Beginners course. I so love doing this course, twice a year we do it! Which to me is just perfect. It gives a nice chance for our beginners to join in our club and make themselves at home, sort out which group they will be comfortable in before we bring in more newbies. It would be wonderful if they all joined us!
Last Saturday we were running for 10 minutes with 2 mins walking, three times. But not only that but we went out onto the streets to show off exactly how we are doing! There is this 'cheeky' little hill just opposite the entrance to the rec, yup, you've guessed it, we run up here first! Well, when I say first it is after we have done all the brisk walk, the warm ups as well as a running lap around the rec first. Then we just slot in our PWR volunteers to accompany our wonderful group of runners. Because that is what they are!
I can't wait for graduation day, but we still have one more week to get them all ready, we will be getting them to run only two reps next week! Fourteen minutes each time, I don't think they know that just yet! Well if they read this they might do! But it is totally doable! If you can run for 10 minutes you can run for 12, and if you know you can do that, just adding another 2 minutes on there doesn't seem a lot! Seeing everyone last Saturday, I know they are all capable of doing it!
Right, Geeky stats for you.
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Running Off The 'Food Baby'
Hello blog lovers.
I had a bit of a break this weekend. I stuffed my face silly this weekend, my belly seems to be holding a food baby inside! I was with the Old boy and we went sampling a good few of the restaurents the New Forest and Burton Bradstock area had to offer! It started on Thursday evening actually! I haven't even written up my blog about my Thursday morning run yet, but I will get around to that soon! But this evening is all about group 1 run today! And for the second time this year I was sweeper! Charley was doing her debut leading in group 1 this evening! She had a big group, 15 of us to lead! LittleJ was there, Carole and Michael, Ruth and others plus a newbie too, a young man called Andrew!
For the second time this year I turn up to the rec with not a clue as to where we were going to go. Well, actually, I could see Mr. S's route, but Charley's route seem to want to stay hidden from me! I was looking forward to it though. I was going to be sweep, at the back encouraging who ever will be there. It was Tracy and Kay actually. Just like the old days in the old group 1 days when I used to sweep for IllustriousLeader! Those were the days! Dear Tracy though looked horrified! I am sure I am not that bad. We haven't been out for a Wednesday run for a while, she must be missing my nagging! It was a look of happiness that I would be running at the back today, that's what the was!
Charley gave out the route and mentioned the 'H' word! Well, if you gonna make an entrance into the leaders club then make it a good un! I still didn't quite hear where the route was, but I was still quite happy about that, I nice surprise, and I could concentrate on helping the back runners to stay on pace, to keep going and to not give in. We are went to our respective posts had the usual count up and then we were off! I almost forgot to start my Garmin as I was just totally relaxed about this evenings run.
We ran out of the gate and then turned right, we were running along to Petts Wood Road and then turning left. Charley had told me the week before some of the route, but I didn't really take it all in, I prefer to actually look at the map so as I can see it. Names of streets and roads don't usually help me to know where she was talking about. But I do recall that she said something about 'square bit' with a possible short cut for those who didn't want to do the square. I still couldn't quite figure out where about she had this 'square bit' of her route would be.
We ran along to St Johns Road and then turned left! Oh my goodness, our Leader CharleyBear (her new nickname!) She make look like a cute smiley young lady, but her first lead is taking us up Cardiac Hill, which can turn most of us into grizzlers as we try and run it! Tracy had no idea where we were, but K did. "You know that name of this hill?" I said but K said, "Shhh, tell her after" I agreed with her! The road started to rise "More hills' Tracy said! She hasn't seen the one that is just around the corner! We'll let that one be a surprise for her!
Well, it was that all right! She didn't look at all pleased, in fact she looked towards me as if to say that actually I am not that bad nagging after all! Cardiac Hill, on your first lead, now that's class there! She did say that she had not idea, not when she plotted it out on mapmyrun! She said that it didn't really show the elevations too well! Mind you, sometimes when you look at the elevation it puts you off when in actual fact it's not half as bad as you thought looks! Well, that's what I keep telling myself! And besides, it looks good on your geeky stats if there is an incline or two there!
Tracy really tried to attach the hill, she seem to just want to get up it as fast as possible! The main body of the group had all ready gone up it, it was just down to me, K and Tracy to flatten the hill! I was so impressed with Tracy and K as they just inched their way up there, no stopping, and then Tracy changed gear and started to go faster up it! Fantastic effort! K got up there too and was congratulating Tracy among the cheers from the others that were waiting.
We continued along the road till we got to the roundabout at Poverest/Petts Wood road. Now I know what 'square bit' CharleyBear was talking about! It's our Hill training hill! But we were heading down it instead, well, everyone else was, but me, K, Tracy and Charley bear were going to go straight along and then meet them at the other end. We got there quite quickly actually, and we had to run along the road towards them and then did a quick U Turn to run back.
From there it was running down Kingsway, to the left to follow the road to Crossways and then back into the rec! A great route from Charley, and now I know that we can get Cardiac Hill into a 3 mile run, with little short cut for those not wanting to do the 'square bit'. Her debut runleader, earning her a nickname, not bad Charleybear, not bad!
Geeky stats.
I had a bit of a break this weekend. I stuffed my face silly this weekend, my belly seems to be holding a food baby inside! I was with the Old boy and we went sampling a good few of the restaurents the New Forest and Burton Bradstock area had to offer! It started on Thursday evening actually! I haven't even written up my blog about my Thursday morning run yet, but I will get around to that soon! But this evening is all about group 1 run today! And for the second time this year I was sweeper! Charley was doing her debut leading in group 1 this evening! She had a big group, 15 of us to lead! LittleJ was there, Carole and Michael, Ruth and others plus a newbie too, a young man called Andrew!
For the second time this year I turn up to the rec with not a clue as to where we were going to go. Well, actually, I could see Mr. S's route, but Charley's route seem to want to stay hidden from me! I was looking forward to it though. I was going to be sweep, at the back encouraging who ever will be there. It was Tracy and Kay actually. Just like the old days in the old group 1 days when I used to sweep for IllustriousLeader! Those were the days! Dear Tracy though looked horrified! I am sure I am not that bad. We haven't been out for a Wednesday run for a while, she must be missing my nagging! It was a look of happiness that I would be running at the back today, that's what the was!
Charley gave out the route and mentioned the 'H' word! Well, if you gonna make an entrance into the leaders club then make it a good un! I still didn't quite hear where the route was, but I was still quite happy about that, I nice surprise, and I could concentrate on helping the back runners to stay on pace, to keep going and to not give in. We are went to our respective posts had the usual count up and then we were off! I almost forgot to start my Garmin as I was just totally relaxed about this evenings run.
We ran out of the gate and then turned right, we were running along to Petts Wood Road and then turning left. Charley had told me the week before some of the route, but I didn't really take it all in, I prefer to actually look at the map so as I can see it. Names of streets and roads don't usually help me to know where she was talking about. But I do recall that she said something about 'square bit' with a possible short cut for those who didn't want to do the square. I still couldn't quite figure out where about she had this 'square bit' of her route would be.
We ran along to St Johns Road and then turned left! Oh my goodness, our Leader CharleyBear (her new nickname!) She make look like a cute smiley young lady, but her first lead is taking us up Cardiac Hill, which can turn most of us into grizzlers as we try and run it! Tracy had no idea where we were, but K did. "You know that name of this hill?" I said but K said, "Shhh, tell her after" I agreed with her! The road started to rise "More hills' Tracy said! She hasn't seen the one that is just around the corner! We'll let that one be a surprise for her!
Well, it was that all right! She didn't look at all pleased, in fact she looked towards me as if to say that actually I am not that bad nagging after all! Cardiac Hill, on your first lead, now that's class there! She did say that she had not idea, not when she plotted it out on mapmyrun! She said that it didn't really show the elevations too well! Mind you, sometimes when you look at the elevation it puts you off when in actual fact it's not half as bad as you thought looks! Well, that's what I keep telling myself! And besides, it looks good on your geeky stats if there is an incline or two there!
Tracy really tried to attach the hill, she seem to just want to get up it as fast as possible! The main body of the group had all ready gone up it, it was just down to me, K and Tracy to flatten the hill! I was so impressed with Tracy and K as they just inched their way up there, no stopping, and then Tracy changed gear and started to go faster up it! Fantastic effort! K got up there too and was congratulating Tracy among the cheers from the others that were waiting.
We continued along the road till we got to the roundabout at Poverest/Petts Wood road. Now I know what 'square bit' CharleyBear was talking about! It's our Hill training hill! But we were heading down it instead, well, everyone else was, but me, K, Tracy and Charley bear were going to go straight along and then meet them at the other end. We got there quite quickly actually, and we had to run along the road towards them and then did a quick U Turn to run back.
From there it was running down Kingsway, to the left to follow the road to Crossways and then back into the rec! A great route from Charley, and now I know that we can get Cardiac Hill into a 3 mile run, with little short cut for those not wanting to do the 'square bit'. Her debut runleader, earning her a nickname, not bad Charleybear, not bad!
Geeky stats.
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