Well done to all the Hedgies that made the long trip to Blackfield for Round 4 of the RR10 summer cross country series. It was certainly a warm one, so many thanks to all fantastic cake and biscuit makers for your post-race refreshments. Another great turn out for HERC.
The Ladies results were as follows: 

And the Men's results were as follows:

With 13 Ladies and 27 Men running, the club had four complete Ladies teams and 5 complete Men's teams.
The Ladies teams were in 10th, 24th, 40th and 50th place and are 5th overall in the league table.
The Men's teams were in 11th, 16th, 24th, 31st and 33rd place and are equal 8th overall in the league table.

After sitting out race number 3, Hedgies are back in action again for round four of the RR10 summer cross country series on Wednesday the 31st of May 2017. This time we travel to Blackfield for the race hosted by Hardley Runners.

PLEASE CAR SHARE IF POSSIBLE!

Information from the organisers about the race is as follows....

On the 31st May, Hardley Runners have the pleasure of hosting race 4 of the 2017 RR10 series. This will take place on the Cadland Estate, Blackfield, near Fawley.
 
A link to the course route can be found here https://www.strava.com/activities/583942028. It is a single lap of 4.8 miles, the same as the previous 4 years. We have run the course a few times in the last few weeks and recommend trail shoes. Most sections of the course are currently dry, but the tracks are rutted in places. There are also tree roots and small amounts of mud. The mud could be worse if we see rain over the coming week.
 
Parking will be provided on the Queen Elizabeth II Recreation Ground in Blackfield, accessed from Thornbury Avenue, Blackfield. SO45 1YQ for your Sat Nav. As ever, we expect parking to be tight, so please car share if possible.
 
General Notes:

• The start is 19:30 hours prompt.  Please allow plenty of time to arrive - the A326 will be busy with traffic in the evening.
• The midges will be out in force, please consider bug spray.
• We do not have sole access to the Cadland Estate, which is popular with dog walkers, cyclists, horses and other users, so please be considerate to the local residents.
• The Cadland Estate is also home to horses and cattle.
• The route is a mixture of grass, trail and muddy sections.  Water can accumulate and tree roots, ruts and low branches are the some of our interesting features.  These will be indicated by marshals.
• Toilets will be available in the QEII pavilion.
• Please be considerate to other forest users and be aware of cattle, horse riders, cyclists and dog walkers on route

Any further questions, please let me know.  We look forward to seeing you all next week!
 
Rob Wells & Dan Latham
Hardley Runners  

Well done to all Hedgies that made it to Lakeside to compete or support in the second race of the five race series. The results show quite a few Hedgies improving on their time and position from race 1. Keep up the great work!

The results from race number 2 held on Wednesday the 23rd March 2017 were as follows:

Many thanks to Karen Andrews for the following event report on the Lakeside 5K race on 24th May 2017...

This Wednesday saw the second in this year's Lakeside 5k series, based at Lakeside 1000 near Hilsea.

I have done a number of these races over the past few years, and have experienced three different courses. The first course I did involved a few loops around a car park, an uninspiring section along main road, then a nice straight sprint to the finish line. Last year the course was changed to incorporate the lake (quite aptly, given the name), but keep the same finish section. One more change for this season has seen the course become two identical laps, preceded by a fast, slightly downhill start. I have to say, despite the new course having a few tight turns and a splattering of bollards to avoid, I much prefer it. The gravel and tarmac path around the lake takes runners on a much more scenic route than the old road course, and it is nice to run without cars whizzing by. Doing two laps doesn't bother me - I always think lapped runs are only mentally challenging if you let them be. But think positive and they can be quite beneficial - you know that once it starts getting tough, all you need to do is start that second lap and you're over half way!

So... as it was such a beautiful day, Wednesday's race preparation for me went as follows: Go to the seaside. Eat ice cream. Remember to drink lots of water. Forget to apply suncream. Get sunburn. Decide not to race. Be informed by the children that I have to race because they still want to go to their Uncle's house (chief babysitter). Drink lucozade. And an espresso. And another one. Plan your departure time based on the 7.30 start time. Realise it's a 7.15 start time. Get a move on!

It was lovely to arrive and see lots of Hedgies already there. Some warming up, most catching up, and all discussing how this beautiful heatwave was just a bit of an inconvenience on a race night.

When you enter your first Lakeside 5k of the year you get issued with your number. You then keep this for each of the races in that season. Having run the first one in April, I already had my number so headed along the lakeside path for a warm up. Lakeside always seems to be a popular hangout for geese, and my warm up including "ahhh-ing" at the baby geese (which probably have a proper name, like geeselings or something). Then it was off to the start.
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Lakeside isn't chip timed, so the start can be a bit of an elbow battle near the front. I found a spot near a runner I know who is about the same pace as me. We were having a lovely chat when the horn suddenly went off, and we never did finish our conversation. Maybe next month!

The slightly downhill start at Lakeside makes for a fast first kilometre, which suits me quite well. My plan was to go out fast for the first km, cling on/slow down slightly for the next two km, take km four a bit easier (somehow this helps me psychologically to know I get a bit of a breather!) then pick up again for the last kilometre. I pretty much stuck to the plan, with the help of a few fellow runners who I teamed up with at various points. Running is always easier when you have someone to run alongside! I was pleased to find myself over taking a number of people in the last two kilometres, despite my planned drop in pace. With about a mile to go I overtook a lady who always finishes ahead of me. With a kilometre to go (and with the help of synchronised running with a man from Stubbington Green, which kept us both pushing on) I upped the pace and did my last kilometre in 3.47. I crossed the finish line at 18.59. Not a PB, but faster than the month before so progress! Given that I only like hot weather if I am near a pool or on a beach, I was pleased to finish so strong. Or finish at all. In all honesty I wanted to stop after one lap because it was hard work and I was so hot. What got me through wasn't sheer grit and determination. It wasn't repeating inspiring mantras in my head. Nor was it an intrinsic desire to achieve my best. It was the fact that one of my Year 11 students often helps to give out water at the finish line. No way was I dropping out and risking him seeing me giving up on something, when I constantly harp on about self belief at school.

For me, the best bit about local races is always seeing running friends, and cheering some of them on over the finish line then having a catch up. It was great to hear of some excellent performances and PBs. Notably, three Hedgies came in under 18 minutes - well done Kevin, Will and Peter.

There's no medal after the Lakeside races, just the glow of sweat and the pride of a job well done (and a banana). I am a big fan of race bling, but despite there being no hint of medal/Tshirt/purple hand towel, I still enter Lakeside because of the chance to run a fast and flat course. Whatever pace you run, it is a good chance to push yourself under race conditions to see just what you can achieve. The atmosphere is really good, there are lots of Hedgies to cheer you on, and a Starbucks less than 20 metres from the finish line! There was none of the famous Hedgie cake this time, but I am planning on baking for the next one (requests now being taken).

Well done to everyone who took part, especially when most of us would quite happily have been in the garden with a cold drink.
If you haven't done a Lakeside 5k before then I thoroughly recommend trying the next one on Wednesday June 28th (& getting your cake requests in to me early!)

Entries can be completed online at http://www.athleticevents.co.uk/lakeside%205k%20series.html

Karen x

Another warm one at Royal Victoria Country Park yesterday for round 11 of this season's Hampshire Road Race League. Many thanks to all Hedgies that entered the race or turned up to support the club and the runners. Thanks also to Southampton AC and all the marshals. 

The Hedgie ladies had 18 finishers and the men had 20, so a great turn out for another sold out race!

Provisional race results for all those that entered with their club as Hedge End Running Club are as follows...

An HRRL update will be posted, when the league results are updated.

Round 6 of the 2017 RR10 cross country league is hosted by Hedge End Running Club at Manor Farm Country Park on the 21st of June 2017. As race organisers, we don't run in the race but do need to marshal it. For any members that have participated in the RR10 races, this is your opportunity to give something back and provide a memorable race for all the other clubs. We're using signup.com to keep track of those members that volunteer to marshal. Respond to the email sent to all members or click here....

I will keep it brief as Tracy and Robbie have already articulated what a fabulous event the London Marathon is.  It is unlike any other running event I have taken part, you are like a premiership football for the day, without the wages or abuse.  

I thoroughly enjoyed the race, which was always far and away my number 1 goal for the day.  Running wise it was hard day at the office, even with what I thought was a very conservative pacing strategy.

A couple of things I did learn from the race.

1. It is advisable to do some training in the lead up to a race, it really does help.  Running a total of 50 miles in January and only 80 in February, was not good preparation.
2. Tapering is also not just an old wives tail, it really does help your performance.  I had completed a 50 mile race two weeks previous, which went well but I had struggled to recover from it.

Thanks for the club for giving me the opportunity.

So where does one start… Do you want just a race report or the full weekend experience… I’ll go with the latter and you can skip through the logistics part if you like.
My travel plan was to stay at the Crowne Plaza in Ealing for two reasons, firstly I know the hotel and it gave me easy access to an office on Monday morning. Secondly it is part of the Holiday Inn chain that are official partners of the race so it had a coach transport to the start included in the price.  The coach worked out well, although a little early for some I’m sure (7:30 arrival at the start).  Personally I was happy enough I always prefer to be early, although had it been a rainy day I might have had a different view.
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So getting nearer to the race it's amazing that in a field of twenty thousand people queuing for a portaloo that someone shouts your name and you find yourself having a selfie with your fellow club members, Hedge End Running Club are always a friendly bunch!  Just before the start another spots the red white and blue Hedgie vest and appears, it was great to have Donna to chat too as we waited for the start and ran the first mile or so together before inevitably being split up by the sheer numbers of people jostling for position on the road.
So onto the nitty gritty, my hope, despite lack of training was to get sub 4 hours (3:59:59) but deep down I knew that was an impossible ask and simply finishing would be an achievement so off I trotted after a wave to the Royals (I got far too starstruck and excited) I managed to hit the first 10 miles or so at the pace I wanted for a 4 hour time.
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 Unfortunately during that time the dreaded thought of do I need a ‘personal stop’ or not was in my head, so at about 12 miles (* distances may not be accurate at time of typing) I had to stop, que, and get started again which inevitably put me behind my 4 hour target. My first instinct was to put my foot down and make that time up ASAP, but my sensible head (yes I do occasionally have one) said I had half a marathon in which to chip away at the deficit and get back on track at a steady pace. Fast forward to 18 - 19 miles and boom, flick the switch and my legs suddenly had nothing!  


Hit the wall...

Well, I would say that London Marathon is one of the most amazing and uplifting things I have ever done. I really enjoyed it, and whilst I said I would never ever do a marathon again, I will do another one. It was harder than I expected after 18 miles, and even though I had done a fair amount of training I still ended up walking the last 5 miles.
I was passed by 4 Rhinos, ( one whom I ran with and got water for, for about a mile) and I felt really inspired by all the messages on peoples backs, and photos of loves ones. The support from the crowd was really uplifting and with all the bad things that happen in the world, this was one of those really positive events that makes you see the good in people as well. Cheesy I know, but that was what I felt.

I had amazing support from the crowds and friends and family, and whilst I know I am meant to cry at the end, my dear friend Jo ( Comerford) had a tear in her eye for me when I met them all at the finish meeting points.

Well I thought I was very disciplined, however I did what so many people had told me not to do. I went off too quick at the start. I kept looking at my watch and thinking ‘ I need to slow down’ but the crowd just takes you.
I was so pleased I was able to meet Julie at the start, and have a chat beforehand (and calmed me down) and also Robbie, - it was great to get a photo of us all together.

I thought the race was very well organised, and there was no panic at the start. I would however say that the queues for the portaloos throughout the race, meant that you just kept running , thinking I’ll go at the next ones, but they were just as bad. I got to 20 miles and had to give in ( sorry too much info, but I share this as I have learnt a few lessons). In my paranoia of getting dehydrated, as it was quite warm, I think I probably drank too much water, on top of the tailwind that I had also in my camelback. Anyway when I finally decided I could wait no longer, I had to wait about 20 minutes for one. My friends that were tracking were all worried I had collapsed, as suddenly I had stopped moving completely.
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I would also advise that unless you know London like the back of your hand, ( which my husband didn’t) it is difficult to get to lots of viewing points especially with two kids in tow. I also managed to run past all of them twice even though we had agreed 14 miles, and just before 17 miles to meet and dump the camelback. Consequently I didn’t see them until 19 miles, that they had to leg it to, so as not to miss me again. At which point Jo had joined them and expertly moved them to other positions and the end to see me. I mention this point as for the quicker runners supporters this would be even more of a challenge!

I had an amazing day, and I think friends and family had a good time. They were just blown away at the speed of the Elite runners. Ben has said he would like to do London one day, and asked how long he has to wait.

So on the whole, I think I made some of the classic novice mistakes, and I am annoyed with myself for walking the last 5 miles, as the following day, I was walking fine, using the stairs etc., and know that I could have put more effort in. I think for me, when I got to the 21 point and I had seen a number of people taken ill, I wanted to just make sure I finished without flaking out, so I played it safe. Still another lesson.
 
I would definitely do London again if I had the opportunity and would consider Southampton, as it’s on the doorstep, but otherwise I think I will be sticking to half marathons as my favoured choice, only because of the time commitment for the training.
 
Thank you so much for giving me this brilliant opportunity, something I will never forget, was Jo welling up, and my two boys and husband telling me how proud they were of me. Unforgettable!

There are two members of the month again for April. Next time, the format for the MotM awards will change as responsibility moves over to the Running Steering Group.

This month the awards go to Andy Cockerell and Will Anthes.

Andy has been heavily involved in delivering the Tuesday track sessions at Southampton and the Thursday interval training over the past year. He's also (so far) competed for the club in six of this season's HRRL races as well as finding time to go to Boston for the Marathon in April. He also completed the 2016 London Marathon in a time of 2:58:15, the first (and so far only) sub 3 hour marathon in a Hedgie vest. Congratulations Andy

Will also ran a marathon in April - competing in the inaugural Southampton Marathon. Will has done a tremendous job for the club behind the scenes over the past couple of months, renewing everyone's membership and England Athletics registrations. It's not always visible how much time and effort this takes but all members should be grateful to Will for the work he's done. Will is now also starting to lead Thursday evening group runs. Congratulations Will.