Author: Andy

Girls & Women take up the baton

For the last few years, the club’s results across the Chiltern League have been heavily reliant on an increasing quality and quantity of senior men earning more and more points to push us further up the table but it would seem that at Teardrop Lakes this weekend the girls really came to the party.

It would be unjust to venture into the report on the races without offering a thank you to all of the volunteers to gave up their Saturday from very early to set up the course, man the car park, marshal the runners and de-rig the course. Some of these people sacrificed their own runs or days with their families to help out. A few of them were not even from our club, so particular thanks go to those guys who were really selfless to stand out in the drizzle all day. Finally, Richard should get a big pat on the back for once again co-ordinating what is actually a huge cross-country fixture that is now regularly featuring international athletes. read more

Marathon PB in Abingdon, although still a lot to learn!

2016 has been really special for me.  I’ve worked really hard and run personal bests at every distance that I’ve run.  I ran my second marathon in Manchester in April; I was pleased with 2.48, but I fell apart big time in the 2nd half and was determined to put it right with an autumn marathon.

After a bit of research (and encouragement from training partner Gary Blaber of MKAC who had already entered) I entered Abingdon at the end of October.

My training couldn’t have gone better. I gradually increased my weekly mileage and averaged 80 through the summer and early autumn.  My results got better and better winning the Bedford 10k, Tour of MK, Northampton Half Marathon and breaking the club record for 10km; I felt ready! read more

Leeds Abbey Dash 10k

By Maria Williams

Well, like the true athletes that we are it was a steak meal and fairground rides in Campbell park the night before said race. With a whole five hours sleep, we set off in darkness along the M1. Our journey of two and a half hours flew by. It must have been all the bitter wind pushing us up the motorway.

We arrived in Leeds to find the car park we were told was a good place to park was closed. After one way streets and road closures, u turns on tight roads and turning right on a no right turn road, we found another car park. This one was filling up fast and the queue for the pay and display machine was bigger than a toilet queue at a the race. It was nearly my turn to put in my money when I realised I was 70 pence short, how embarrassing, though a kind man gave me a pound and I couldn’t thank him enough. Runners are great. read more

Anything for a club record!

By David Killick

Four weeks ago I didn’t even have this in my plan, and thought anyone who ran over marathon distance was a complete lunatic.  My season had been anything from 100m to Marathon, plus some throwing events chucked in there for good measure (Usain Bolt and Mo Farah could learn something from this I am sure).

Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed London marathon but being injured going into it and after it, the stress of the whole event (getting in, expo, getting there, time to beat pressure) was quite a lot. I love the lower key but tougher 1/2 ironman triathlons. But this year I didn’t have the chance to do one, so sitting at work one day I started thinking; Do I want to do another marathon and realised I didn’t want the stress again, so why not think about something longer (I know, how stupid of me). read more

Continued improvement from Mark

In November 2015 Mark Adkins ran his first Stag trophy race in 20.32 and finished near the back of the field. A year on and having now completed six of the 2.5 mile handicap races, he has six PB’s to show for his efforts and is fast approaching the 18 minute mark.

Yesterday’s time of 18.15 earned him fourth place on the night but takes him into an early lead in the overall standings. Nothing much should be read into it yet as the trophy could still be taken home by someone who hasn’t even run a race yet this season. His closest challenger is Nikki Inchley, 2 points behind, who came home second last night to follow-up her fifth place from the October race. It’s Nikki’s first proper season of running for about 15 years, but is rapidly improving. read more

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