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Newsdesk 2005
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RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 176 20 APRIL 2005
Editor: Steve Rowland
mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com
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HEADLINE NEWS
* 2.41 London Marathon by Lauren Shelley
* 25 in a row for Mike Peace and John Hanscomb
* Nadia Fidler and Alex McKenna 17th and 21st in Mini-Marathon
* Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Smith
* Runners wanted for Green Belt Relay
WHAT'S COMING...
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The fixture list for the 2004/05 winter season, can be found on our web site.
More details of the following from
Andy Bickerstaff (07966 552302 / mailto: andy@norris-hobs.co.uk ) or
Phil Aiken (07739 035189 / mailto: phil.aiken@rnid.org.uk ) or
Anna McLaughlin (07971 606521 / mailto: anna.mclaughlin@itv.com ).
Saturday April 23rd Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday April 24th Sam's Run 10km. 10.30am in Bushy Park.
Saturday April 30th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday May 1st Sutton 10km. Ranelagh Grand Prix Race 3.
Wednesday May 4th Thames H&H Parkland relays in Richmond Park.
Start 7pm at the Pen Ponds car park.
Saturday May 7th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Saturday May 14th Ranelagh Bushy Park Time Trial 5km. 9am
start
Sunday May 15th Richmond Half Marathon. Ranelagh Grand
Prix Race 4.
2005 RANELAGH ROAD RUNNING GRAND PRIX
The next events are the Sutton 10km on May 1st and the Richmond Half
Marathon on May 15th. Full details can be found on our web site and entry
forms can be found in the folder at the clubhouse..
GREEN BELT RELAY Saturday May 21st and Sunday May 22nd
Bev Ali writes:
"For the last three years, the Ranelagh Bloodhounds have been the winners of
the coveted Toilet Seat trophy. It is awarded for persistence and teamwork,
not speed! So, if you have given up on ever being a part of a trophy winning
running team because you never expect to be fast enough, but you do have the
endurance and tenacity to run approximately 10 miles on two consecutive
days, the Bloodhounds want YOU! Team members have no minimum or maximum
cruising speed requirements. We do not run deliberately slowly in order to
be last - we would be delighted to come in second or third last, but there
is no pressure to perform, only to finish. We have already four committed
members, and 2-3 tentative ones. Ideally we need a total of 10 committed
team members and 2-3 alternates in case of injury or illness. Those who join
earliest get first crack at choosing legs (new ones!) If you cannot run,
support in the way of driving and/or handing out water is always needed
too".
We have three teams entered in all, so there's room for anyone who wants to
take part in this unique event. As Bev says, speed is not important, just
the willingness to run a stage in usually scenic countryside on two
consecutive days. You can find lots of info at www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk. If
you're interested please contact me or Anna McLaughlin (details above) or
Bev Ali (mailto:bev.ali@blueyonder.co.uk) as soon as possible.
RANELAGH RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Sunday 15th May
We are introducing chip timing this year, and entries and results will all
be handled by Sports Systems. It's important therefore that if you are
thinking about running the race you should get your entry in early. It may
not be possible to slip late entries in, even if they are from Ranelagh. In
fact, with so many races reaching their entry limits nowadays it's advice
that applies right across the board. Details and forms are at
http://www.sportsystems.net/ranelagh/Scripts/default.asp.
WHAT'S HAPPENED...
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LONDON MARATHON Sunday 17th April
For the 25th running of the London Marathon we were blessed with a beautiful
day for the spectators, though perhaps a little warm for the runners. Paula
Radcliffe complained of a stiff breeze too, but it didn't seem as strong as
in most years.
The elite women were first away at 9am and as Paula disappeared into the
distance Lauren Shelley and Marie Synnott-Wells settled down to the task in
hand. For Lauren the target was 2.40, the Australian 'B' standard for the
Commonwealth Games; for Marie the aim was to beat her personal best of 2.57
set last year in Paris. Illness had hampered preparations for both of them,
especially Marie, but both started as if they meant business. Lauren passed
the 10km mark in just under 38 minutes, with Marie about three minutes
behind. This was perhaps a little too fast for Marie and she settled back to
44 minute pace for the following two 10kms. Lauren maintained an admirably
steady pace and in fact her third 10km was her fastest of the race at 37.53.
She passed half way in 80.34 to Marie's 89.33.
Lauren never weakened, picking up several places in the closing stages to
finish a magnificent 21st in 2.41.42, just outside her target but a huge
personal best. Marie struggled a bit in the closing stages but finished in a
more than respectable 3.09.
Lauren reports:
"It was a fantastic day! London really put in on with blue skies and
perfect weather (in fact the Brits thought it was bit hot for running but I
still had my gloves on!).
The marathon atmosphere was great - I was pretty excited but relaxed too by
marathon morning - no nerves, just lots of anticipation. I had a start with
the elite and championship women runners, which meant we had our own
marshalling area and toilets and started at 9am, ahead of the main field and
the masses. It made things very easy - you didn't have to worry about
queuing for loos or baggage trucks, just running!
I stood on the line with Benita Johnson in front to my left, the Kenyans
directly in front (I was taller than them! Felt a bit odd!) and Paula across
to my right. Haile Gebrasalessie was the starter, about 10 metres away.
Needless to say I wasn't daunted.
The first mile I felt a bit sluggish but once properly warmed up I had a few
girls around to run with and settled into a good rhythm and pretty much on
my target pace, feeling comfortable. Running around the Cutty Sark at 6
miles was a highlight; I think the idea of running London this year first
hit me when I visited the Cutty Sark and Greenwich in July last year and
recalled the pictures of runners streaming past.
The Tower Bridge was also great though I started to have a little tough
patch through here (not even halfway, about 19km!). Got through it and
although the legs were starting to ache I wasn't getting any slower, just
having to push a bit more. By now I was running on my own but with a few
other girls in sight, and was able to move up on a couple over the final
stages. The course ran right past my workplace in London and I'd practised
running miles 15-20 after work a couple of times, which reallly helped.
Running up Birdcage Walk it seemed a long last mile but once I turned to see
Buckingham Palace and then the finish it got a lot easier!
The crowd was fantastic - saw and/or heard a few mates out there along the
way, and a few of the Ranelagh crew - thanks for the support; it really
helped!
After the finish I just relaxed in St James Park in the sun and it was
lovely to sit there with the roar of the crowd, all the runners finishing
and Buckingham Palace in the background. Later I headed to a pub in
Whitehall, about 75m from Trafalgar Square, and stood out on the street in
the sun with masses of runners having a beer. To be honest the beer
normally doesn't go down too well after a marathon, but the two pints was
the best Fosters I've ever had! The atmosphere, weather, company and my
hyper mood all helped!!
On the way home the beer had set in and my legs felt pain free - as I got
off at the tube station I walked up two flights of escalators without pain,
something I normally struggle to do after a day at work! I even considered
the 25min walk from the station instead of the bus, and when I got home went
up the stairs two at a time! (for those who haven't done a marathon this is
NOT normal!). Yes, I was in a good mood and had a great day, running and
otherwise. Today of course I am a little sorer and paying for carboloading
on beer after the race instead of food!
Oh, I'd better go through the results: first half 1:20:34, second half
1:21:08.
Splits:
5km 18:54
10km 37:57 (19:03)
15km 57:23 (19:26)
20km 1:16:29 (19:06)
25km 1:35:15 (18:46)!!
30km 1:54:22 (19:07)
35km 2:13:42 (19:20)
40km 2:33:05 (19:23)
It's funny, when it felt tough around 20-25km it was actually because I had
picked up the pace slightly, trying to keep up with a girl that had passed
me at just a slightly quicker pace!
So I am pretty happy with how it all went, and how I was able to maintain
pace and stay strong when I started to tire. I had originally hoped for
2:40, but the last 5 weeks haven't been ideal and I knew anything under 2:45
would still be good. Though 2:40 is a B Commonwealth Games qualifier, I'm
not disappointed in missing it - I will need to do a lot quicker than 2:40
if I want to get in as there are already several women faster than the A
qualifier, 2:35, and only 3 can run.
So I had better head off for a swim and let these legs recover ready for the
next one!! (Gold Coast, 3rd July - 11 weeks!)".
Marie adds:
"Can you say thanks to all the supporters on Sunday for turning out to
support us marathon runners. The support was inspirational and helped the
miles go quicker".
Back in the main pack it was Grant Lemke who led the Ranelagh contingent in
the early stages, with a 38.01 first 10km and half-way in 82.02. But Ken
Fotherby knows how to pace himself and from two minutes down at the half
distance he cruised past Grant at about 35km to finish in 2.51 nearly three
minutes ahead.
Mike Peace was on three hours schedule for the first half but hampered by an
ankle injury he slowed in the later stages to finish in 3.10. But the
important thing for Mike was just to get to the Mall and complete his 25th
consecutive London. Nearly 90 minutes later John Hanscomb got there too and
the pair became two of only 28 'ever presents' who have a full set of
finishers' medals. You can read more about this dwindling band on their own
web site http://www.everpresent.org.uk. Mike plans to go on - perhaps to
make it to 50! - but for John, 70 years old in August and 13 minutes slower
this year than his previous worst, this is the end of the road as far as
marathons are concerned. Congratulations to both on a great achievement.
Michael Beverly and Chris Read made it inside three and a half hours and
Crispin Willis, Lucy Burnett, Stephen Instone, Therese Panetta, Evelyn
Joslin, Sophie Timms and Tim Woolmer inside four, despite in Tim's case
finding himself still inside a portaloo when the gun fired. Tim ended up
running most of the way with Karen Broadbent who was unlucky to miss four
hours by a scant 27 seconds.
We had 25 finishers in all, almost equally divided between men and women. A
special mention for Celia Beverly who only took up running last year to keep
up with the rest of the family: her careful preparation brought her home in
an excellent 4.48. Bringing up the rear as usual was race-walker Mike
Rowland, who threatens to run the race next year!
Another ten Ranelagh Harriers ran in the 4km London Boroughs mini-marathon.
Fastest was Matt Hirschler with 15.50 but the best results came from Nadia
Fidler and Alex McKenna who battled with each other in the Girls 13 - 14
race to finish 17th and 21st. Both should have a further year in this age
group. Georgia Miansarow and Sam Hunton also achieved top 100 finishes.
BUSHY PARK TIME TRIAL 5km Saturday 16th April
A third consecutive 3rd place by Mr Consistent Nick Wright, whose last four
times on this course have all been within 10 seconds!
1 T Doran (OWLS) 16.51
3 Nick Wright 17.54
21 Alan Davidson 20.52
25 Adam Wright 21.10
27 Darren Wood 21.24
33 Roger Wilson 22.28
LYONS MARATHON Sunday 17th April
Kerry McLoughlin ploughed a lone Ranelagh furrow in Lyons to record a fine
3.32.31 in 1064th place.
THAMES TURBO JUNIOR SERIES RACE 2 Saturday 16th April
Amelie Hunton won her race and Holly and Luke Wilson both placed. The final
race of the series is at 9am on Saturday 7th May from Hampton Hill Cricket
Club in Bushy Park. Further information from TheCrouchers@tesco.net.
Girls Under 11 2km
1 Amelie Hunton 8.44
3 Holly Wilson 10.55
Boys Under 12 2.5km
1 J Stanhope 11.34
2 Luke Wilson 11.36
TRI-SPORT AQUATHON Sunday 3rd April at Epping
Amelie Hunton was only 7th fastest swimmer but outran the field to win the
girls 9-10 event by nearly 20 seconds.
1 Amelie Hunton 7.57 (swim 1.54, run 6.03)
THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR Long distance Saturday 16th April at Ansty
Congratulations to former club captains Julian Smith and Sarah Seal who were
wed on Saturday. They have our very best wishes for a long and happy future
together.
TRAINING
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Tough Tuesdays continue as normal, with speed work for various groups and
Wally's beginners' club, at 7pm from the clubhouse.
Robin Drummond's "Improvers Sessions" continue on Thursday nights at 7pm
from the clubhouse, concentrating on speed and technique.
As an alternative on Thursday nights, Margaret Auerback and Frances
Ratchford are holding Strength and Conditioning coaching sessions at 7.30pm
in the free-weights room at the gym at St Mary's College, Waldegrave Road.
Coaching at the gym on other days is negotiable. For more information
contact Frances at mailto:grapevineproductions@compuserve.com.
Also Wednesdays at 6.30pm and Sundays at 10am at the clubhouse for a steady
run in the Park.
NO MORE COLD SHOWERS
Clubhouse Manager Alan Craig reports that the women's showers have now been
fixed and are hot!
CAR PARKING
Please DO NOT fill up the Dysart car park on Tuesday nights - or indeed at
any other time! We have to keep on good terms with the landlord, so restrict
your parking to the grass in front of the clubhouse or beside the wall. If
these places are full, please leave your car across the road.
ON YOUR BIKE
Wally Garrod writes:
"Well, I've done the London twice, walked the Camino (500 miles), what next?
How about a 220 miles sponsored cycle ride across CUBA! There are 29 of us,
each person has to raise £700 so that we can buy talking wrist-watches,
talking calculators and school equipment for children who are partially
sighted attending a school in Havana. My backside is sore, my neck is stiff
and I've fallen off once but it will all be worth it just to hear Fidel
Castro talk for one hour, two hours or three hours(!!) on 1st May.
Please, PLEASE sponsor me: sponsorship forms are in the clubhouse or ring me
on 0208 390 1676 or e-mail me on mailto:teresa40@yahoo.es. I leave on 23rd
April - every £1 helps. Thanks from 'scrubber Garrod'."
FINALLY
From "Runners' World":
"Run the Naked Ambition 3 as nature intended - in your birthday suit. That's
right, clothes are optional in this Orpington race on May 15. Total nudity
is not advised, though, as it is a trail race so the organisers recommend
trail shoes. You'll receive a certificate at the end to prove you ran as
God, if not decent society, intended for this three mile event".