Blog Archives - Hedge End Running Club

Race Report - Portsmouth Coastal Marathon - 21st December 2014 - Carlo Van Leeuwen

23/12/2014

When the VLM rejection magazine arrived, I decided to run the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon as my first marathon. I don't really do run plans and got no Garmin to pace myself.

Back in July I completed Race to the Stones, a 100k non stop, but ran a third of that at the most.

Main aim was to complete this marathon by running all of it. Time wasn't important, but hoped for sub 4 hours.

During last race in Gosport, I injured my calf, so because of that the longest run I did was just over 14 miles.

I was worried about lack of preparation and very nervous Sunday morning, although think I did a good job of hiding it. Then I thought of why I run and it sorted my head out like it always does.

Seeing so many Hedgies in the Pyramids certainly helped as well. Got to the start line and the race had already started, very odd. Ran over the start and completely forgot to turn my Strava on, so sorted that while running. Passed Keith on the seafront and got in a nice steady pace from the off, not too fast like I often do. Loved the off road bits, a nice change from concrete and tarmac.

Glad I decided to keep my jacket on as it was pretty windy. Great to see Hedgie support along the way! It was all going well upto mile 19, where I had to stop, stretch and walk a little bit. I had been told mile 20 is where you 'hit the wall'. Think I wanted to be as fresh as I could be for that and it worked!

Mile 20 to 24 went really well until I hit the Southsea seafront again. Head on into the wind, this time no protection from Cookie Monster outfit!

Heard Gary shout from the car for some pics and then finally crossed the line in 3:36:46! Incredible achievement and most definitely not my last marathon.

Just like to add that I think joining HERC was a great decision, you've made me feel very welcome and thanks to Nathon for getting us there and back.

Carlo

HERC Newsletter - December 2014

15/12/2014

This is the tenth of a regular ‘monthly’ newsletter published to club members providing summary key updates.

HERC December 2014 Newsletter.

Hedge End Running Club member / performance of the month for November 2014

15/12/2014

Kate Maslin was the HERC member of the month for November. The club vice captain has been a regular in cross countries and road race league events over the last year, with a string of impressive performance. She has now hit a rich vein of form highlighted with a new PB at the Abingdon Marathon (3:26), which included a good for age time and also the fastest time by a Hedgie lady in the marathon to date. if that wasn't enough she also ran PB's at parkrun, Lordship 10M and Gosport Half marathon. Great running Kate.

Hedge End Running Club member / performance of the month for October 2014

15/12/2014

Charlie Cooper was the HERC member of the month for October. Not only did he run the Bournemouth marathon in a new PB of 3:08, this was also the quickest time for any Hedgie in a marathon to date, while also coming first in his age category. He is also to be found as a regular run director at Netley Abbey parkrun. Well done Charlie.

England Athletics 10 Miles Championship, 27 October 2014, Portsmouth

14/12/2014

Well done ladies, it is official.

Foot Fetish - By Gill Rose

14/12/2014

Be honest with yourself, do you ever consider the role of your feet in running, other than putting one in front of the other? Do you do exercises to wake them up and strengthen them? Do you stretch and massage them?

Most of us neglect our feet and rely on stability shoes and orthotics to counteract problems with overpronating, calf strains, Achilles Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, hip and knee problems and more. I was one of those people who was prescribed custom made orthotics to address a knee problem, given a few exercises to do and left to it.

But have you ever wondered if there is a different way, maybe a better way? Often the above problems are caused by lack of hip stability and strength and lack of strength and mobility in the feet and ankles. A large majority of runners who come to see me have problems that can be traced back to these areas.

The full article can be seen below if you are on a PC or via the following link:

Foot Fetish

Hedge End Running Club member / performance of the month for September 2014

14/12/2014

Julie Ward is the September member of the month. Julie was awarded because of her excellent representation of the club at the RR10's along with her enthusiasm for the Bupa 10k, Ultra 12 and Bournemouth Half Marathon. she was also thanked for her edible contributions. Well done Julie!

Race Report - Hayling 10 Mile Road and Trail Race - 30th November 2014 - Karen Andrews

1/12/2014

I had never set foot on Hayling Island before this weekend. I have to admit I was seriously confused about how we could do a 10 Mile Road Race around what I expected to be a tiny little "island" (I knew there was a connecting road) with a small funfair and possibly a post box and fish n chip shop.
As myself, Berni and Helen Fry drove through Hayling I couldn't believe the size of it. However, perhaps more surprising was the fact that for possibly the first time in history I had chosen to do a coastal race on a day when it wasn't pouring with rain/ blowing a gale/ both of the above.
It was what runners would call "a perfect day for running". Fresh but not cold, completely still and dry. This race I had been dreading (and even contemplated not doing up until an hour before leaving) was now looking more appealing.
Lining up at the start line with a good splattering of Hedgies, something was missing. I think a lot of us have become accustomed to chip timing, meaning it doesn't really matter where you start in the field because your personal time will start when you and your chip pass the start line. As there was no timing chip, Berni and I decided to move forward slightly in the starting pack, trying to seek out that perfect spot where you aren't either constantly overtaking or being overtaken.
This was my third ten mile race in 5 weeks, and definitely my favourite. The course was as advertised: fast and flat, road and trail. It was varied, and on the occasions I took my gaze off the road ahead of me and admired the view, I enjoyed taking in the seascapes on such a beautiful day.
I found myself going through my usual race psychology during the run.
Pre race: I want to go back to bed
Mile 1: Woohoo let's go! Woah there... Not too fast...
Miles 2&3: I hate running
Miles 4&5: I'm giving up. I'll say I had a stitch/ broken leg/ serious trench foot caused by splashing through puddles.
Mile 5: Wahoo! Half way. I can definitely do this. Maybe I'll just slow down a bit.
Mile 6: That's 10k. I'm basically done. Maybe I'll try and keep this pace.
Mile 7: Only a parkrun to go! You can do this (from this point on I mentally check off parkrun laps in my head!)
Mile 8: I can't do this. I hate running.
Mile 9: I can do this! Not far now... Let's speed up a bit.
Mile 10: I absolutely positively hate running and will never put myself through this torture again. Never ever. Oh look... A finish line.
Post race: I love running! Look at my medal!! When's the next race?!

The trail section of the race was about two miles long and a nice break from pavement pounding, but boy does running feel easier once you're away from the mud and puddles and back on tarmac!
Along the way I made a new friend called Fergy (neither an ex-royal, nor a member of the Black Eyed Peas, but a nice guy from Portsmouth AC). We got talking around Mile 4, and he massively helped me around the rest of the course. I stopped talking about Mile 8 and instead responded to his words of encouragement with a pathetic thumbs up now and again.
There were two sections where we doubled back on ourselves - cue lots of opportunity for Hedgies to cheer each other on in the way only we know how! The first of these opportunities found me being more vocal than the second and my new friend Fergy politely telling me to pipe down and save my energy "that's not how I do things though" I told him.
I recently read a quote about racing that said that the best thing to do in races is focus only on the kilometre or mile ahead, and do what you can to keep your pace up for that period of running. As I got into the 10 miles at Hayling that is what I tried to focus on. I felt strong physically despite my usual race mentality, and focused on keeping to a steady pace one kilometre at a time.
The finish line of this race was a very welcome sight and came just in time. With 400m to go I kicked, knowing I was on for not only a PB but breaking the 70 minute mark for the first time. My last kilometre was done in 3.52, which I was really pleased with and helped me to a new PB of 1.09.34, taking almost a minute off my previous best. I finished 1st senior lady (4th female overall - some strong vets out there!).
Sweaty runner hugs with my new friend Fergy followed. We had a chat about running and I mentioned I had a young baby at home - I'm glad I didn't tell him on the way round as he wouldn't have pushed me so hard to achieve my PB.
There were strong performances all round from some great Hedgies. For many it was the last race of the year, and everyone did themselves proud. A big well done to Darren Butler who was running his first race as a Hedgie!
When we got home we had the great news that the ladies team had won a prize. Better still it was wine. Sally Turner and Anna Clark ran brilliantly to make up the ladies team of 3 who won the vino. It was completely unexpected by us all and well deserved - in Anna's words "I've never won anything before!" Well done ladies!
I would definitely recommend Hayling 10 - the lack of chip timing is a minor thing in what is a great race. I will be back for more next year!