Category: Run Reports

Entering – like many others I’ve previously put in for a ballot place and got the commiserations e-mail and magazine.  I was so close and yet so far last year when I got club reserve place, but bar tripping my successful fellow bats up, which I thought might be frowned upon, it wasn’t meant to be.

Again l entered for VLM 2019.  In October, I was sent a photo from my brother – 2 magazine covers – one saying ‘Commiserations’, the other ‘You’re in!’ I didn’t know who had got in, was it Dave or Dawn?  Well, it turned out to be Dave who had got one of the bequest places.  Dawn decided to self-fund a charity place with Whizz-Kidz and I was so happy for them to be able to experience the marathon together.  Again I got the commiserations email and magazine so entered the club ballot.  I wasn’t expecting anything, but to my utter surprise and delight was drawn out first.  Amazing! – It was meant to be, us all going to London together…

Training – well, training plans were a new concept for me, I’d usually just turn up and hope for the best, my aim just to finish, but this time I didn’t want to let SMM down.  I looked at the various plans and tried to train when I could, or was supposed to.  I worried that I wasn’t training enough, I worried that I was out too long on Sundays as I really only had that day to fit in longer runs and everyone else seemed to be doing so much more training than me.  I decided to run Knighton 20 as training but I found it difficult, even with Steve pushing me every time I tried to walk, and the weather was unforgiving.  There was no way I could have completed another 6 miles on top of the 20 that day… I went out a few times on my own, making up routes as I went.  Migraines plus sore ankles and hips stopped me training on a few occasions when I should have done longer runs.  Was I ready?  Probably not, but my focus was to go there, plod around and enjoy the scenery on this ‘once in a lifetime’ experience I’d been given.

Fast forward to Marathon Day – I met Dave, Dawn and Anne early at the tube station and we followed the crowds of runners to Greenwich.  Dawn and Anne went on their way to the red start. Myself and Dave went to the Blue Start.  Our Supporters – my husband Rob and Anne’s daughter Jenny went to take up their positions on Narrow Street.  Dave then left to go and get in his zone. Then that was it, I was on my own with nothing but my thoughts and a long wait.  I wasn’t due to start until 10.48, way after all the ‘faster’ runners had gone, and just before the bulky fancy dress entrants were told to start.  I scoured the crowds for signs of any other bats, but unfortunately couldn’t see any.  Someone else from Stone (small world) saw my SMM top and wished me luck – I wished him luck back and, never to miss an opportunity, encouraged him to join SMM (so watch this space.)  I crowded into my allocated start zone, shivering from the cold, and then all of a sudden I was at the front and off, high-fiving the commentator who gave SMM a shout out as I left.

And then I ran…

The Race – I was worried about it being too crowded to run at the start.  It wasn’t.  The atmosphere was electric and I got swept along in the excitement.  From the start the crowds were wonderful. The streets were crowded, people standing on their doorsteps, playing music, bands playing, everyone cheering and encouraging, shouting out to everyone who had their names on their vests (note to self, if you ever get the opportunity to do this again, get your name put on your vest.)  The first few miles past, and we filtered in to the runners from the different coloured starts.  I began to look out for Dawn and Anne who were meant to start slightly before me, on the off chance I could catch them, but no, I was on my own.  I settled in to running.  I was running well, and feeling good.  I passed the Cutty Sark.  I kept telling myself, just get to half-marathon and you’ll be fine.  Tower Bridge came in to view – wow, I’m running over Tower Bridge, how amazing is that?  My next aim was to get to mile 14 where Rob, Jenny and the Bat support crew would be… I scoured the crowds but I couldn’t see anyone.  I thought I saw Rob in the distance, I waved, but it wasn’t him.  Don’t stress, just focus on running.  Then, out of the crowds I heard Rob shout my name; I turned, nearly tripped, but still couldn’t see him.  I was disappointed I couldn’t see him but to know he was there supporting me spurred me on.

I pushed on.  Throughout the run I’d had the blue 5 hour marker first behind me, then in front as I attempted toilet and water stops.  I began to believe that perhaps I could do the marathon in 5 hours… I lost the marker, I thought she was behind, but no, she was in front.  Panic set in.  I told myself to calm down, it didn’t matter what time I did.  I kept on running and managed to get in front of her again.  I was still looking out for Dawn and Anne as I ran.  As the run went on, being a slower runner, I found I had to concentrate more as people would just stop in front of me to walk or stop for water, when I saw a gap to get through it would suddenly close in front of me.  As I ran through the Lucozade stops, the tarmac was so sticky from the spilt juice of the thousands before me, it felt like it was trying to stop me in my tracks, but still I ran.  I approached mile 21, the next chance to see our supporters.  Again, I scoured the crowds not being able to see anyone.  Then a hand came out of the crowd and Rob high fived me and I heard Jenny shouting, well done Helen, keep going!  5 miles to go, perhaps I can do this… 3 miles to go, I was tired, still managing to keep to the same pace but wanting to walk.  I started to calculate in my head, if I walk for the last 2 miles, what would my time be? No, I told myself, you can’t walk, keep running.  How had I gone from thinking I’d just plod around enjoying the scenery to being a running machine that could possibly do a marathon in less than 5 hours?  Just keep running… I saw the London Eye then Buckingham Palace came in to view.  I so wanted to get my camera out and take a photo of that, the Mall and the finish line, but I was on a mission.  I looked at my watch and decided 4:58 was my aim.  I ran and I ran, 800m to go, 400m to go.  Someone dressed as a teddy bear was by my side dancing his way to the finish line effortlessly. And then I was there, over the line in a daze, 4:57:09.  I’d knocked a whopping 1 hour 12 minutes off my 1^st marathon time in Cambodia and I’d got a lovely shiny medal!!!  Dave was there waiting for me after the finish (of course having ran the marathon, gone back to his hotel, showered, changed and got back to meet us!)  He’d done brilliantly well, 3:31:43 and I was so proud of him.  Anne and Dawn came in together at 5:34:56, Anne putting her London Marathon ‘demons’ to bed and Dawn managing to run despite grazed knees from her fall the week before and a dodgy foot.  Incredibly I’d managed to pass and miss them on the course, but they said they’d met Andy along the way.  We began to hear how well all of the other Bats had done and I’m super proud of us all, and everyone else who achieved or even attempted to run, walk or crawl the marathon.

What an amazing day.  I was so happy to have experienced such a wonderful event.  If you ever get the chance, please do it.  Don’t worry about thinking you can’t.  Just over 3 years ago, I’d never run before.  I’m not going to lie, 26 miles is a bloomin’ long way and sometimes it hurts, but the crowds of supporters help you on your journey and when you look back on your achievement it makes you feel amazing.  Just tell yourself you can do it and go out and enjoy the experience.

Thank you SMM for the opportunity.

Helen Cann, Bib 24157.

It has been said many times that, ‘running a marathon is not just about the race itself’ and now I would like to offer my perspective upon that belief…

2016/17 saw me training throughout the winter in preparation for the Manchester Marathon in April 2017 only to be scuppered by injury one week before the race and having to pull out.  2017 proved difficult both physically due to a herniated disk and mentally due to the frustration of not being able to run as I wanted to for the majority of the year.

In October 2017 I joined Stone Master Marathoners (SMM) after treatment for a herniated disc gave hope that I could get back to some sort of resemblance of the runner I was prior to injury (although that was not great shakes).

May 2018 saw me run over 100 miles in a month since March 2017 and this was followed by 6 more successful months of 120 plus miles all pretty much pain free.  Looking back, these 7 months of solid mileage provided the groundwork prior to undertaking a marathon training programme.

With no real intention of running a spring marathon in 2019, I was fortunate to gain a free place for the Manchester Marathon in April 2019 via the SMM club ballot after being ineligible for the Virgin London Marathon (VLM) club draw.  I was more than aware that there were a number of my fellow club members who would love to have been given this opportunity, therefore, I was going to give it my best shot which meant trying once more to achieve a ‘Good for Age’ time for VLM 2020.

December 2018 through March 2019 saw a 16-week training programme running 5 times a week and up to 170 miles a month.  Now I have always believed that I am quite a social runner in that I get just as much out of the social aspects of our great sport as I do from the actual ‘running’.

Training for a marathon saw me become very selfish with my time and running, this was possibly the most difficult aspect of my training plan.  Having to turn down the opportunity to join the Sunday club runs because the plan says 16 miles with the first 8 miles at 08:40 pace and the second 8 at marathon pace.  Whilst I attended many of the Thursday tempo runs, I ended up doing ‘my own thing’ as the plan ‘says so’.  The actual ‘being there’ on the Thursday’s helped tremendously as I was able to get some of that social aspect I love and I knew everyone else was ‘suffering’ along with me.

Race day seems to come upon you even though you have been aware of the date for months and those last couple of weeks when you start to taper see the doubts creep in, ‘have I done enough’, ‘what if I blow up again at mile 20’ (previous experience), ‘I will let everyone down’, ‘I will let myself down’, ‘the end of the world is nigh’, ‘Vale are going to get relegated’, well maybe not the Vale one but you get the idea!

Race weekend sees me miss my beloved Port Vale at home to Crewe Alex (biggest game of the season) as I travel up to Manchester on the Saturday before the race to get myself acclimatised or because your wife and friends see it as an opportunity to get a few (that should read ‘many’) beers down their necks as payback for coming with me (really!), you decide which one.

Sunday morning – porridge pots, hydration and oat biscuits along with nervous toilet visits prior to leaving the hotel.  My good friend Mark Owen, my wing man at my last marathon meets me in reception before we walk the 2 miles to the start.  Leaving the hotel finds perfect weather conditions and after initially starting to walk in the wrong direction (does anybody know how to follow Google maps?) we see other runners going in the other direction and decide they probably know where they are going.

I love runners because regardless of how short a period of time you spend with them, they can always chat for England all things running so the two locals we ask directions are soon chatting with us like we have known them for years.

A quick meet up outside Old Trafford with fellow ‘Bats’ for the obligatory team photo sees everybody else has the same anxieties and now I know for definite that the world was truly going to end.

Now for those who have not done Manchester Marathon, the start area is very clearly marked unless you are panicking over all sorts of nonsense then you haven’t got a clue where you are going.  My advice would be take a responsible adult, thanks again Mark Owen.  Once in the start pen the excitement / anxiety starts to kick in, the doubts return along with the nervous urinary and bowl systems.

Last minute stretching, checking your gear for the hundredth time, checking your watch for the thousandth time, checking with your wing man if he has the same time as you, checking with your fellow runner, then before you know it you are off.

It was strange, all the nerves disappeared and I became quite emotional, thoughts drifting about those who have supported me, the training runs both good and bad and the end goal, that elusive GFA time.

The first couple of miles saw me getting settled into my target pace of 07:35 knowing that if you get carried away now I would surely suffer later in the race.  Between miles 3 and 4 I could see a fellow ‘Bat’ about 100/200 metres in front and at first I felt myself speeding up to catch him for a chat until I noticed my pace had shot up so I relaxed and put the idea out of my head.

The next 6/7 miles saw a settled pace and an opportunity to chat to my fellow runners.  The fireman based at Stone fire station using the marathon as a way to achieve a time for Boston (USA), the young Glaswegian lady who was completing her second marathon and hoping for a 3:40 and the 3 Congleton runners wishing me luck.

Miles 12/13 sees runners loop back on each other which provides an opportunity to look out for fellow ‘Bats; both quicker and slower than yourself.  Seeing our familiar red shirt approaching certainly gives you a lift.

Just past the half-way point sees me catch up with a ‘lonely goat’ Ian running in his boxing gloves and headgear.  We run and chat for a while and this can be dangerous, not the chatting but the running with someone else as you either end up going too fast or too slow, be warned.  The support the crowd gives him is tremendous and infectious, cheers of ‘Go Rocky’, for the 100th time boost him and those around him.

Miles 20/21 sees the quietest part of the course just when you really need a boost as fatigue can start to creep in.  Mile 20 sees me catch a struggling ‘Bat’ and despite the feelings that you want to slow and support your fellow team mate the selfishness of the marathon runner kicks in again and off you go after a brief, ‘good luck’.

Now for those of you who know Matt & Caroline Davies you will be aware of their uniqueness and their unequivocal support for their fellow ‘Bats’ so seeing them along with Bonnie Seabridge at the quietest part of the course was such a boost.  I can only imagine what other runners thought as they could hear them shout out for each and every one of us– love you guys.

Now the difficult part of any marathon those last few miles and again it was the Bat army that pulled me through.  Now I’ve not mentioned them before but our amazing support kept popping up all over the course so massive thanks to, Bill (at the start), Anna, Joanne, Fiona, Kirsty, Nia, Aggi and Rozzie and not forgetting the Pom Pom girls Alison and Michelle.  To see familiar faces throughout the course and especially at mile 25 when cramp in my right calf started getting the better of me really spurred me on – Thank-you.

The finish line was fast approaching, no scratch that the finish line never approaches fast especially when your watch tells you that you have completed 26.2 but you are still 200/300 meters from the finish.  Those last nagging doubts hit, will I make it, what if I cramp up, the world is going to end but none of these materialise (even Vale aren’t getting relegated) and as I cross the finish line it’s one last check of the watch 3.18.11, just under the cut off time of 3.20 for a GFA time and a lovely new PB – now where do I sign up for London?!

Rewind the clock back to September last year… It was a Thursday night club run and Emma Phillips was telling me about a trail half marathon she had done earlier in the year in Wales, it sounded great and the very mention of red kites being fed as the race was finishing sold it to me and I thought I must go and give it a try!  ‘It’d be a nice day out if nothing else!’

So I did some research and entered the race soon after, followed by Becky Southall and Nikki Towle. Upon mention of the race to both my Mum and Glyn Pattinson, they signed up too! So with Emma and Craig also going we had a good group of us to enjoy our day trip!

Fast forward to March 2019, and having followed the Facebook updates from the event page we were all getting really excited, and a little nervous too not knowing exactly what to expect!  Once the hype of Stafford half marathon had died down it was time to hatch a plan of action (and of course check we had everything on the kit list!)

It was an early start for us all, the weather was looking good and on arrival we were welcomed by friendly marshals and race signs in both Welsh and English which made me smile. The scenery was stunning, overlooking the lake and once out the van for a better look, it was clear we were in for a treat.

Over to the tent for registration and on the board were the names of the 150 entrants. I collected my number and saw I was for once not the only Nia on the start list, this was when I knew I had arrived in Wales! The drawstring goody bag had energy chews, reusable cup, an energy drink and the race t-shirt. We bumped into Emma scoffing a sausage bap who was so excited and got us all hyped up! It was back to the van to get kitted up and meet Glyn and Becky for a team photo!

The race briefing followed and then it was a walk up the hill for the start. Surrounded by what looked like many seasoned trail runners we were off! The first few miles were easy to run on and myself and Glyn got swept away. I could definitely feel my legs were still somewhat weary post Stafford Half but it wasn’t going to stop me enjoying the event (it didn’t however stop me moaning… Poor old Glyn)!

Our feet and legs were quickly muddy/wet but it was all part of the fun. 3/4 miles into the race and we took a steep climb through the forest then out onto an open field with the most spectacular views. 5 miles in we stopped for a quick drink, energy chew and a photo opportunity.  This set the tone for the race and we decided to take numerous photo stops as it was just too beautiful not to!

As the race continued the terrain became more varied, lumpy grassland, boggy fields, shale paths, cattle grids, stiles, gates and woodland were all featured. Oh and a man running barefoot who overtook us! The marshals were just wonderful, so encouraging and upbeat. The course was clearly marked so any worries we had about getting lost were quickly forgotten!

One of my favourite sections was running down through a stream and some quite technical trails then at 10.5 miles we entered a steep grassy field. We walked here taking some pictures and when we turned around I said ‘S**t a photographer, run!’ Needless to say as soon as I passed him I walked again! The field flattened out and we got going again knowing we didn’t have far to go!

The final push through what seemed almost pitch black woodland and steep climb for the last half a mile or so was tough going but wonderful, the views once again were incredible and hearing the noise from the finish area pushed us on! A steep descent and into the finish! What time did I do?! It didn’t matter, it was great!

The sun was out and a short while after we spotted Nikki and Becky with beaming smiles heading downhill to the finish! Bat wings and all! They held hands and crossed the finish together! The atmosphere at the finish was just lovely. My Mum was next, she entertained us by doing her own version of bat wings on her downhill finish! She had been poorly prior to the race and wasn’t sure traveling up if she would even run, so I was so proud of her for getting though it! Emma was a tail runner and she was equally as happy as the rest of us as she finished. We didn’t see Craig as he was still out on course assisting a visually impaired runner.

The presentations took place and we were in awe of the winning times! Next were the red kites being fed over the lake so we all assumed our positions. (Ours was by Nikki’s van with a brew and a Jaffa cake). It was an amazing sight and Emma had been lucky enough to feed them herself the day before, a thank you gesture from the organisers.

We said thank you to the race organisers, Karen and Ian, before heading back with a full heart. This race was simply stunning, well organised and made us all remember why we run. We all have goals and PBs to beat but sometimes appreciating your surroundings and friendships through this wonderful sport is all that really matters.

To quote Emma Phillips ‘This race was not about times, pressure or conventional racing, it was simply about running for the soul’. 

See you next year Silver Trail!

Nia

Stafford Half Marathon 2019

By a Stone Master Marathoner /Runner (!)

There have been a few announcements in recent months (usually from Dave B or Helen) suggesting that I was the 3rd lady of Meriden (Escape from Meriden Ultra 2018.)  These announcements always exclude the real fact that there was not much running at speed involved on my part in this event and it was purely the true desperate need to get back to the comfort of a heated seat in the car that gave me and my joint 3rd friend the last dregs of energy to do that final mile.  Not any actual athletic ability or drive.  Partly as a result of this, I remain surrounded by people who genuinely believe that I am a person that can do this running thing.

Fast forward exactly 4 months on from that Meriden day and it’s the morning of the Stafford Half Marathon 2019. I have entered this year to put to bed a demon from 3 years ago when I started but didn’t finish this race – when I got to 4 miles and gave up after setting off too fast and running out of steam. I gave up and did the walk of shame back to town. I wasn’t injured, I just didn’t know why I couldn’t run any further and I was truly gutted having to walk back to town in my running gear and wait for Dave. I wasn’t a BAT back then, so I didn’t know that other people had gone through similar things but had teammates to help them through. Yet they do. Or at least they do when you have an SMM top on.

8.25am and despite our usual lack of race preparation (except a visit to Pasta di Piazza the night before) Helen and I arrived into Stafford telling each other that we were a) going to finish and b) going to beat our old PBs. We carried on with this wild exaggeration as we held court in the safety of the upstairs section of McDonalds. Other bats joined us and shared their aims of new PBs too. It seemed to be a day where we were all setting the bar high. As we went outside to join many more bats for the club photo, everyone was so positive and full of enthusiasm that I got swept up in the emotion of it all. I really felt part of this club and because of that, it was truly possible that I could finish this race today!

10am, I set off with Helen at my side, and Jo and Anne R by us. Like 3 years earlier, I set off faster than I should have, and kept that pace up all the way past the 4-mile point where I stopped the last time. This time, stopping wasn’t even a consideration as Bill Clarke appeared out of nowhere, ran a few hundred metres with us and told us we were running well (an actual first!) Surpassing the point of previous failure, I astonished myself continuing towards Radford Bank. As we passed Alex Yendole (in the only time I shall ever pass him in a race – but then he was there spectating with his dog!) we did Radford Bank with almost ease and into the water station for a 10 second drink. After that, Helen kept us running faster than I would have done and if I did think about slowing down then it was a waste of a thought. She was so focussed on her aim for us that I just had to keep running…

By the beginning of Beaconside it was getting harder and harder to keep up with her, and going along Beaconside, in what seemed a bit of a cold wind, it got even harder. This road seemed never ending and I was really starting to struggle. Fortunately, just when it was needed the most, the Bat support was truly there in the guise of Lynda and Sarah, and Ben & Amy, and many others who just said well done to those in Stone MM tops! The support carried me through most of that road, but I did slow down, and thankfully Helen pulled away so I could finally take the opportunity to walk for a moment – something I had wanted to do for miles! Alas, it wasn’t to be for long… As I walked into the water stop along the A34, Jo Yendole came past and told me to get running again. The cheek! How dare she! Suddenly, a ‘previously unknown runner’ in me came out and there was no way I was letting her get away with that …. Instead, I found myself running after her and once caught up with her, vowing to stay by her side. Jo didn’t seem to mind – she didn’t like this section, so I think was happy for the company. We then caught up with Jenny, who incredibly, told us she had a back injury and yet she was still running despite this but now struggling more. We made a pact. The three of us would make it through together.

I think those last couple of miles were hard on all of us – Jenny with her back, Jo with that part of the route and me… well I was now genuinely running out of my comfort zone to keep up with Jo and Jenny, but as the 3 SMM vests stayed together, it felt so very right. So, we kept going to that last mile. Then that last 400 metres. When we finally turned that last corner to head to the finish line, we even found a little sprint still in us (see the great Mick Hall’s photographic evidence!) to make it through the finish line together. As we crossed over the timing mats, it didn’t just feel right, it truly felt amazing!

Today, for me this was a great race. I finished on a high, knowing I ran faster than I had before (one of those elements of a race I previously seemed to avoid!) I not only got to put the old ‘flunked it demon’ to bed by finishing but I also got a 12 min PB on my previous half marathon time and Helen got a 16 min PB on hers. Walking back through Stafford we got pelted by a ridiculous hail storm, but even that couldn’t take the sense of achievement away. We saw other Bats who had achieved new PBs and read of many more through the afternoon and even where there may not have been PBs there were other achievements – the finishing of an event despite other factors (Jenny!) and of course, those who didn’t run but were there supporting with great smiles on their faces despite the weather as we passed by! (Alison – thank you!) For me, being an SMM club runner in this race today epitomised everything the ‘Great Club Chairman’ aka Tim has been known to harp on about… the Inclusiveness of runners of all abilities, the Camaraderie amongst those runners of all abilities at the start line and during the race and that bit of Competitiveness by the real runners in the club for a ‘proper running club’s’ sake!

Dawn

3rd Lady of Meriden /694th Lady runner of Stafford Half 2019

Isabel Trail’s 14^th Parkrun certainly tested the mettle of all runners and volunteers as the rain clouds loomed! Undeterred, however, a record number of 347 participants donned their Lycra and were ably supported by volunteers Stone Master Marathoners on their first Isabel Trail takeover.

Based just a few miles away, it’s important to know Stone’s running club is affectionately known as the Bats, so apologies in advance for any overuse of bat-related clichés!

Isabel Trail is a superb, flat, out-and-back course that has tantalising personal best potential. The pre-event briefing was a wet and windy affair however, as if like magic, the sun shone on the righteous literally as the event started and the rain held off for the duration.

Watching the wonderful gathering of Parkrunners start the event is always a proud moment, no matter what their personal motivations and goals. For example, we had the pre-race course analysis by 2^nd place male Adam Guy on his first time visiting Stafford. He was interested to know exactly where the finish was, and marshals were pleased to explain the finish is around the corner, so he’d need to keep his bat wings a-flappin’ as he swooped towards the finish!

Buoyed by a cancelled event at Cannock Chase this week, there was an abundance of first timers over in Stafford, including numerous dogs and little ones in buggies. Welcome to all tourists from near and far. Other highlights include watching the many young pups (still working in the bat terms, stick with me!) and beginner runners getting involved and giving their all to the line. Whether you’re a racing snake or more social runner, you’re a winner!

The sense of achievement is generally palpable irrespective of a finisher’s placing in the results at Parkrun. Indeed, every performance out there today was fantastic given the inclement conditions pre-run. As we all know, just getting up and fastening your trainers can sometimes be the hardest part and everyone should be proud of their efforts today.

 

Huge thanks to Paul Glover for drumming up a large colony of Stone Bats to support the core Isabel Trail volunteers. Everyone from Stone Master Marathoners had a fabulous time and we look forward to coming back again soon!

 

*Stone Master Marathoners would like to welcome all runners to join their off-road 5-mile series of races, Spring Treble. Held on consecutive Thursdays in April, it’s a fabulous way to build up your distance and you’ll enjoy all the same support and camaraderie on display at today’s Parkrun event. Full details can be found here > http://www.stonemm.co.uk/spring-treble/

On Saturday 9th March, myself and fellow Bat, Simon Hodgkinson represented Staffordshire at the British Inter-Counties Championships at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough after qualifying at the Staffs XC Championships at Stafford Common back in January.

A very windy day and both the senior and men’s races were a gruelling 6.6 miles!

A proud and enjoyable day for us both. (It was also great to see a familiar face in Mark Churton as I approached the finish!)

Hope everyone has a great spring/summer training and racing and please come and run in the XC over the winter. Yes it’s muddy and cold but it’s bloody goood fun too!

Nia

Simon – 41:08
Nia – 48:29

Lanzarote Half Marathon was meant to be my first ever half. I was meant to have a whole year to work up to the 13.1 mile distance; which sounded an incredibly long way when I decided that I wanted to enter last year while holidaying in the island. I signed-up to the 2018 event after seeing runners in the days following the race wondering around in their Lanzarote marathon t-shirts and feeling the excitement still in the air.

But things don’t always go to plan. Lanzarote became my second half marathon as I was kindly given a free place from a fellow club member for the Stafford Half due to it being rescheduled. I hadn’t trained enough, but I knew that I’d at least be able to complete the course.

I ran most of the race with Sara Buckley, who had already been round the course with the 9:30 Sunday group. I thought that even if I couldn’t keep up for the whole route, I’d have a good starting point. I did manage to keep up; the water and walking breaks being a huge help. I finished in a time that I was happy with: 2:08:51. But I then had a new goal to beat in Lanzarote.

Fast forward nine months, and not enough training sessions later, to a very warm and sunny Lanzarote. A Lanzarote that I hadn’t seen the past couple of Decembers; normally it’s cloudy and breezy, providing a comfortable temperature to run in. I arrived just under a week before the race and started to get apprehensive. I went out and did a couple of shorter runs with times that I was happy with, but they were later in the day when the weather was cooler. I wondered if I’d made the wrong decision to do the half marathon. But knowing that other bats were going to be doing the same event, helped calm some of my nerves, along with the Lanzarote I knew returning the night before, as thick clouds dominated the sky again.

The morning of the half marathon arrived, and the think clouds had disappeared, but it was too late to be concerned. After hastily putting on my sun cream, it was time to go to Sands Resort and catch the free organised bus to the tourist resort of Puerto del Carmen where the half marathon was starting.

Everyone was friendly and in a good mood. It was great to see so many international competitors; I was sat next to a Dutch woman on the bus who’d come over on a cycling holiday but had decided to also participate in the half marathon. But it was also great to see our usual local competition; Stafford Harriers, Chase Harriers and Aldridge Running Club to only mention a few, and from my childhood neighbour of Leighton Buzzard too.

Before the half marathon started, we got to see many of the marathoners pass their turning point and start the returning journey. I enjoyed seeing the faster runners in action, along with supporting fellow bats taking on the marathon challenge.

The marathoners had a tailwind until turning in Puerto del Carmen, when it then became a headwind. For the half marathoners and 10km runners, it was a headwind the whole way. Despite the conditions, I still wanted to get as good a time as possible against my PB from the Stafford Half.

A drum band marked the approaching start of the half marathon. After a while, the crowd of competitors started moving forward and I realised the race had begun. I started off with a few fellow bats and aimed to keep up with them; planning to use the same tactic as I’d used for the Stafford Half.

The course goes from Puerto del Carmen, past the airport, along the coast to the island’s capital of Arrecife and then finishing back at Sands Resort which is on the far side of Costa Teguise.

I personally loved the course: being able to run alongside a sea view; planes flying directly overhead as they land in the airport only meters away; seeing the city in the distance and reaching it quicker than expected. However, the ground is tough and hard on the knees and legs; roads aren’t as level as we’re used to and some of the race is run over cobbles too. The wind made it harder, but at least it was there to keep us a bit cooler.

There were pacers for the event, but they started at the very front of the pack and seemed so far away from us at the beginning (which should have been a pre-warning that the event was going to go off gun time only). However, within the first couple of miles I managed to easily catch-up with the two hour marker. I stayed near him for a while but, despite the strong start, I slipped behind as we started to enter Arrecife.

I didn’t get frustrated about my pace though. I’d been looking forward to this race all year and I wanted to make the most of running in the sun; in racing vest and shorts in December, along the sea with a breeze keeping me cool. I’d already run nearly half the race without stopping or walking; I aimed to just keep going.

I caught up with a couple of runners from Aldrige who I started chatting to and fell into their pace. A while later, they’d fallen behind to walk and take gels, but I continued running; despite not feeling too well from drinking on the go.

We were approaching Costa Teguise; the final stretch and the paths that I’d trained on. It was nearly in the bag and my watch was showing that although I wouldn’t be near two hours, I was still going to get a PB!

As we came back towards the sea for the final time, I noticed my partner among the spectators. He’s been very supportive of my running ever since I joined the club in July 2017, but he’d never been out to see me race before. It was great to see him there and made the finish feel all that bit closer.

The final run around the sea and into the town was a relief; counting down those final couple of miles. When approaching the final bend, a bike bell was ringing; the cyclist rushed past and the first of the 10km runners was in toe, sprinting towards the end.

Finally, the finish line came into sight; or should I say the first arch of the finishing stretch. On seeing the arch I started to speed-up for a final push, to see that there were around five more huge arches behind it. I kept going; pushing through for the best time I could get.

I got over the line and looked at my watch: 2:06:33. A new PB!

There were congratulations from other bats as soon as I got into the runners’ area and I enjoyed seeing the rest of the club runners finishing (along with receiving the event medal, which is a nice big, heavy one).

When everyone was over the line and the event had finished, it still wasn’t really the end. It was brilliant to be able to socialise with club members that I knew and hadn’t met before, over dinner and drinks for the next couple of nights. It really showed me how welcoming our club members of all different abilities are.

A couple of days later, while waiting for my flight back home, I got an email from the event organisers. My official time: 2:07:39. Not quite the PB I’d been hoping for but still a PB, and hopefully sets me in good stead for the races of 2019.

As a runner who doesn’t really excel at cross country, my main focus behind taking part in this year’s NSCCL was primarily to help the club out and also get some race fitness back into my legs after a long time out. The first round at Winsford spoilt us with gorgeous weather and perfect conditions (for myself anyway), although it was probably a bit too warm for most runners. The course was barely XC. Solid ground due to no rain, so no mud whatsoever. I loved it haha and I performed well to finish 11th and record my best XC position ever! But that was probably due to it not being a true XC!!

When results were all in, it was a surprise to find that Stone MM were sitting at the top of division 2. What a fantastic club effort. I think I can speak for most people at the club by saying, promotion probably wasn’t in the mind at the start of the day. This set the desire and motivation for the remaining 3 races.
Next up was Stafford Common. The conditions couldn’t have been any different than at Winsford. We were greated with cold, chilly weather and I had to opt for tights myself. Cold weather and myself don’t get on haha. The course however still didn’t contain any mud and it was another good performance by the club, however we found that we had slipped to 2nd overall. It didn’t deter us though and actually made us want to push that bit harder.
By the time Park Hall came around, I found myself extra motivated to help the club regain the top spot and I gave it my all! It was a nice clear day, but very windy. The breeze actually helped somewhat by giving us all a boost up the hill on each lap. (Or was that Bernie’s homemade mulled wine?) Either way I felt energized! Another strong performance by the club and although we didn’t get back on the top step, we had opened up a very nice margin over 3rd place. I left Park Hall thinking I’m actually really liking XC now. 3 races done and not a single bit of mud, awesome!!

That soon changed though as the 4th and final XC race at Rodbaston was a mudbath. 0 degrees and freezing rain. It was so cold I had to wear a waterproof under my club top. I opted not to wear spikes as I wanted to protect my calves. Big big mistake. My ‘barely’ trail shoes were completely hopeless. I spent the entire race tip-toeing around the bends and slipping every time I put the power down. Eventually I skied my way to 67th place and by god was I glad that was over! This was the true XC that I’d completely forgotten about. Anyway I soon had a big smile on my face as the results were in and we had done it! Stone Master Marathoners had secured promotion to division 1 with the 2nd placed team overall. It felt great knowing I had done my part in helping the club secure this promotion and I had discovered a new found likeness to XC. Yes despite the cold, rainy, windy weather most XC’s bring, there’s a different feeling and togetherness that road running doesn’t give you.

Fantastic effort everyone! Bring on 2019!!

By Danny Soltys