Author: Sam

Waddesdon 5k

Waddesdon 5k

by Kate Johnson

I did this race on a bit of whim, Adam Haylock reminded me at parkrun and I thought if I could get a Chip-Sitter it was game on.

Wednesday arrived and Andrew was free in the evening as was Grandma Speedy so we decided to go over to Waddesdon, Speedy would flyer and look after Chip and Andrew would join me in the dash round the grounds.

I had no idea how I might run as anything on an uphill gradient has been a real struggle due to back pain. Waddesdon is a 5km race that is 2.5km uphill and then 2.5km downhill. Very little of it is flat. So that presented a potential problem. I had struggled the night before going uphill. read more

The 2019 LBAC Club Mile

LBAC Club Mile

Another weekend and another club championship race. They seem to be non-stop at this time of year!

This time, it was the mile track race. Open to both Juniors and Seniors to race around in several heats to suit their predicted pace.

First up in Heat 1, it was a real mix of youth and youthful exuberance with a big age range from youngest to oldest. Don’t let that fool you though as there were some pacey people in that heat.

Charlotte Evans just about held off James Parker to finish fastest in the heat with Jeni Read finishing 3rd. read more

Laps on the Track

Laps on the Track – An EAL debut

by Kate Johnson

I have spent the last 18 months spectating running rather than actually doing any. A very difficult pregnancy left me very ill and in and out of hospital and after that a traumatic emergency C section saw me still sat out on the side lines.

I have struggled to return to running, I have been in significant pain just walking and I felt like running further than a parkrun was out of reach. That in mind I was looking for different challenges to prevent me becoming frustrated with both the lack of running and the lack of speed. read more

The Off-Road Series is Getting Serious!

The Off-Road Series – some trail blazers and a relay round up.

by James Bell

Blimey, it’s nearly July and already we are seven races into the off-road series. I can say with confidence, there have been some stunning performances and the attendance at most events has been amazeballs. Of course, the majority of athletes have done Rushmere parkrun, and just behind that in terms of attendance has been the Greensand Ridge Relay. Although both events are always popular, some of the front runners in the series have yet to grab some points at Rushmere, take note Ruth Mitchell. That said, Chris Dimmock, Matthew Brooks and Sam Dear are the only ones to have done all three park runs to date and all of these are sitting pretty in the top 10, so it’s worth completing these for the points. read more

Meet the Buzzards – Pete Mackrell

Meet the Buzzards

Part Two of Meet the Buzzards – The second half of the dynamic duo of our wonderful Co-Captains, Pete Mackrell!

Name?

Pete Mackrell

Age?

37

Where were you born?

Burnley, Lancashire, England (in that order)

Tell me something about you:

When I was 12 I was Lancashire Maths champion, but I was rubbish at all sports and not exactly popular at school. Now I’m an accountant so I haven’t got any more popular, but I do seem to have discovered some talent for running. I take great pride in having run several times for Bedfordshire (cross country) and for England Masters (marathon). When not running you might find me at Turf Moor.

What inspired you to start running?

My girlfriend at the time decided we (by which she probably meant me) were getting fat so we should take up running. I hated the idea but reluctantly agreed to tag along with her.

Who is your favourite athlete?

Of the current bunch Eliud Kipchoge is the King, he’s sublime and a joy to watch. But Emil Zatopek is my hero because he wasn’t sublime, however he had guts, determination, ingenuity, humility, and three gold medals in one Olympics.

What made you choose LBAC?

It’s the only “athletics” club in town and I genuinely assumed the Fun Runners always wore fancy dress and did egg-and-spoon races!

How long have you been running and when did you join LBAC? 

I started running in 2008 and joined LBAC after moving to Leighton in 2011.

What is your favourite race distance?

Marathon

What is your goal for the next 12 months?

To stay injury free and keep proving myself wrong.

What’s your favourite post-run refuel snack?

A pint and a packet of crisps!

Fartlek or Pyramid session?

Pyramid

Speed or distance?

Distance

And one for the post Cross Country pub trips…

What’s your favourite drink?

A pint of something, preferably real ale.

Pete doing what he does best… marathons!
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