Cottisford 5k – Run fast!

by Elliot Hind

Last year James asked a few of the club to join him at a localish 5k race hosted by Alchester Running Club with the race HQ in a farm.  I was sad to miss out, but wanting to break my 5k pb (16.37 at the time, now 16.10); I was determined to run this year!

It had rained solidly for 2 days so I wasn’t sure about how fast a course it was going to be.  I arrived with Sam and Jamie (one of my training group from MMKAC) and we were delighted to meet Richard at the start.  We all had an aim for the evening; I wanted to run under 16.15, try and win and possibly run a pb, Sam wanted to beat Adam’s time (17.38) from last year and Jamie wanted to get under 17 minutes. I flew off the start in a pack of 4 and despite a small decline was shocked to see we had passed 1km in 3.02; had I gone off too fast?  I kept good rhythm but as the road undulated and had a couple of tight turns our pace slowed.  We were down to a front pack of 3 with 1km to go, but this is where the doubts crept into my mind.  Could I really go under 16 minutes?  Did I really have enough left in the tank to really go for it?  Unfortunately, on this occasion the answer was no.  Aaron Burgess from Oxford City (who I later found out ran 71 minutes at the Cardiff World Half a couple of months ago)  pulled ahead and James Bolton from Woodstock Harriers AC (who came 2nd behind Simon and under 16 mins last year) followed.  I didn’t have enough to respond.  There was a clock at the finish and I could see beating my pb was going to be tight, I tried to push to get there but went over the line bang on 16.10, level with my pb!  Beating myself would have to wait until another day. Once I’d stopped panting I turned round to see both Jamie and Sam had already finished!  Jamie had stormed home in 4th place comfortably under 17 minutes in 16.48 and Sam continued his brilliant recent form coming 10th in 17.34; we’d all achieved our main aims for the evening! We jogged back to support the other runners and saw Richard who was looking very relaxed; he finished in a brilliant 24.40 to claim the v70 prize and a brand new Club Record!
The LBAC Team!

The LBAC Team!

We waited for about 20 minutes for the presentation which took place in one of the farm’s barns.  I was delighted to get a medal and bottle of wine; Richard, having won the V70 category had already dashed home so hilariously Sam stepped up to collect his prize. I thoroughly recommend the Cottisford 5k for future years. It’s a really well run event, almost completely flat and has a great atmosphere.

London Marathon 2016 (part 2)

With 10 LBAC runners in the London Marathon 2016 we thought it best to have a quick report from a few different runners to get the overall and differing views from across the field. One thing we can all agree on though is the excellent performances across the board. From those new to running and the club, to PBs and Club records to those who pushed on despite the difficulties, injuries and everything the course threw at them.

And here is Chris George’s and Laura Brine’s take on it!

  read more

London Marathon 2016! (part 1)

With 10 LBAC runners in the London Marathon 2016 we thought it best to have a quick report from a few different runners to get the overall and differing views from across the field. One thing we can all agree on though is the excellent performances across the board. From those new to running and the club, to PBs and Club records to those who pushed on despite the difficulties, injuries and everything the course threw at them.

And here is Katie Haylock’s, Andy’s, David’s, Jo’s, Kas’ and Lynn’s take on it! read more

East Anglian League Results

EAL – Bury St Edmonds – 24th April 2016

A massive well done to all athletes competing on Sunday at Bury St Edmunds Although the smallest club we held our own on the day in difficult conditions. Of particular note are the U15 Boys who were 2nd overall on the day, with their female counterparts also having a good turnout and results to finish 4th. The results for the day can be found here. The under 11’s have their own tab as non scorers on the spreadsheet and showing good potential for the future especially Cary’s Clarke whos shot putt was awesome. A couple of name changes are taking place for Cary’s (80m) and Warren’s (1500) and James’ time is being adjusted by a minute. Thought I would send these out so you can see how well you all did. Performance of the day has to go to Daniel Boulder for his massive jump in the long jump to win that competition. We need more athletes at the next one on the 12th June at Braintree. Encourage those athletes in your age groups that come to training to help you improve your team status. Under 11’s have a Quadkids event that we are hosting on the same day! So a split team but we are big enough to manage both, but we need to get the older age groups represented better next time. Thanks to all the parents for your help in the cold conditions and particularly Pauline Bell being static on the finish line all day, good to see you had thawed out ready for parent helper at training on Tuesday where it was even colder! Naomi O’dwyer took some  the photos on the day which can be found on our facebook page.

All Girls Together for the Chicks Chase

by April Meadows
Wednesday 20th April 2016

As Wednesday evening dawned the nerves began to kick in as I prepared to meet my fellow runners (Kate, Susan, Kathleen and Modupe) for my first ever Chicks Chase race.

Pre race nerves are a constant companion at present but after 7 weeks of beginner’s sessions with Kate and solo runs my confidence has grown beyond belief.

As a newbie you are told constantly of the solidarity and sportsmanship between runners new and old, you take this as the cynical newbie who doesn’t dare dream of running 5km comfortably with the proverbial pinch of salt. How wrong I was…. read more

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