CaptainSlog Late September Issue 2015
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Hi everyone,
Sorry for the delay in getting the Slog out this (last) month, but sometimes it's as the name suggests... especially when work can get in the way of running (which we're sure you'll agree always take priority).
Well done to everyone's achievements over September and sorry if we haven't mentioned everyone or all the events. There's still more to do over the rest of the month and to the end of the year. We're looking forward to seeing a swathe of red over the line at the Herts 10k, hearing the results from the away events in Majorca and seeing old and new faces at the Cross Country Sunday League.
Some socials to put in the diary:
- Herts 10k post run drinks at the Inn on the Green from 12noon
- 30th January for the Arrows AGM and Annual Dinner
Happy (and safe) running!
Lou and Speirsy
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Club 5k:
Back to the Winter route but it was a perfect evening for running with 13 Arrows starting - all we had to do is remember the route!
Congratulations to Justin (sandbagged his last result!) Busby who came in first with a splendid 18:45!
Welcome and well done to first timers Rosie Coup and to Taras Huzar who came in second place.
It was welcome back to Phil Jacobs but a last 5k for Jen who is moving soon - Hope to see you back one day!
We saw a14s PB for Derek Lambert and amazingly a 1s PB for Alex Smith with a stunning time of 18:16 and nicking some of Speirseys CRs in the process - We definitely need a head to head... Simon Speirs?
We only managed 12 finishers as sadly but sensibly Chitra had to pull up short with a sore Achilles, better to save it for Palma! Hope its eased now.
(i think you can still have some points;) )
Thank you to all marshals - this course needs you!
Georgie Hamilton, Graham Harper, Laura Hicks, Michael Hessey, Louisa Thompson, Patrick McGuinness, Jonathan Bungard
Position Name Racetime
1 Justin Busby 00:18:45
2 Taras Huzar 00:22:13
3 Derek Lambert 00:24:48 PB!
4 Jason Smith 00:20:17
5 Alex Smith 00:18:16 PB!
6 Neil Hewitt 00:24:15
7 Rosie Coup 00:31:33
8 Jillian Russell 00:31:33
9 Phil Jacobs 00:21:12
10 Karen Wilkins 00:24:51
11 Brian Yates 00:29:33
12 Jennifer Cunniff 00:27:07
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Parkruns:
So many Parkruns, so many Arrows, so little time to do it all justice. If you're not a member of the Facebook world, you're regularly missing out on regular reports from John Rowlands, Steve Bowran or Louise Thompson (sorry if I have missed anyone!).
Such a popular thing to do! All you have to do is register in advance at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/stalbans. They email you a barcode, which you bring with you when you turn up at any of the events anywhere. Don't forget, it is FREE, there is no pressure and you can go every week if you want!
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Other race reports
The St Albans stampede (12 hr endurance race), Maidenhead Half marathon, Dunstable Downs challenge, The Hatfield 5k series and the Standalone 10k to name a few. Speirsy and Lou want to give everyone a mention but short of time this month (already late with this Sept issue!)
Well done everyone, we're truly impressed with the range of races, the infectious enthusiasm and results!
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Race Reports
Please see those below and send your race reports to captains@harpendenarrows.co.uk (if you don’t send them, we are likely to have missed someone! ).
We'll also try and make sure we get press coverage when we can - send to the captains or post on facebook and we'll see what we can do. Needs to be by Sunday evening in order to to write the copy and get to the various Sports Desks.
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Lots of potential races and events on the Arrows website. Some are listed below (Club League races are highlighted in red). http://www.harpendenarrows.co.uk/web/index.php/race-list
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11th Oct: Herts 10k
As local as it gets (starts and finishes in Rothamsted Park) and a Club League event for runners and marshals, so get this one in the diary and let's see a mass turnout. There is a technical T-shirt this year (at last!!). Enter at www.herts10k.com.
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18th Oct: Arrows Away Event - Palma
You aren't too late to join in with this year's away event - Arrows are off to Palma where there is a marathon, half marathon and 10K. You can fly from Luton and there is a wide choice of accommodation. The weather may be a little warm, so why not make a mini holiday of it and bring the family? Enter here
Quite a few Arrows are already signed up and these are always really enjoyable events. -great support throughout the training and the race itself, so a lovely introduction for first timers.
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The Sunday Cross Country League
Dates are out and we'd love old timers (to the cross country not just those in the higher age categories) and anyone new to the club to come a check at least one out. We need 8 ladies, 13 men to get both A and B teams. The ladies swept the board last year so will need to keep up standards this season.
More details to follow - but some guidance here for last season and please consider the following dates for your diary. All on Sundays starting at 10:30am:
18th Oct CHESHUNT
22nd Nov TRENT PARK
6th Dec STEVENAGE
17th Jan WATFORD
14th Feb ROYSTON
NOTE: the clash with the Palma away event for the first one, so please make a special effort to come if you can as this determines how many teams we can count for the rest of the season.
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25th Oct: Love Luton Half Marathon
It will begin at Stockwood Athletics Track and will run through Luton on closed roads taking in the beautiful Luton Hoo estate (running past the iconic mansion house) and finish in the heart of the town centre. Enter here.
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29th Oct: Club 5k
Our last outing on the Nickey Line for this year, so come and get that SB. Run or Marshall - 5 points for the Arrows League. We meet a bit earlier at St George's to sign in and give food orders, then walk over to the start on the Nickey Line (down the steps on Hollybush Lane and along to the railway arches). This is a handicap race, so everyone can win!
Social afterwards at the Engineer - all welcome!
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14th Nov (Sat): Dirt Half
If you were unlucky with St Neots entry, why not try this instead near Leighton Buzzard? The race follows the canal towpath north to Stoke Hammond with stunning views, climbs through beautiful countryside to Great Brickhill then passes through the scenic Stockgrove Country Park before following the Greensand Ridge back to the start via the canal towpath. Details here
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15th Nov: St Neots Half Marathon - * extra places *
It filled up within hours of opening, but the website says they are opening up another 500 entries on 1st Sept, so it may be worth checking if there are any left at St Neots Half. You can also do official transfers up to the 1st Nov by emailing keith@nicetri.co.uk.
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15th Nov: Watford Jogger's Autumn Challenge
The course has always been fun through the woods and they've extended the fun by an extra mile to make the course 10k. A great alternative to St Neot's and we've been successful at securing the Autumn Challenge trophy over the years. Come try it.
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29th Nov: Hatfield 5 Mile
Another PB potential course - it is 1 lap of five miles and is flat and is on predominately quiet lanes and pavements including part of the Alban Way. See here for details.
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The 2015 Club League
Nearing the end of the year - but 3x cross country, Herts 10k, St Neots, Watford Autumn Challenge and all those Parkruns can certainly help boost your position if you haven't considered the league before or thought you'd left it too late.
We'll be updating over the course of the next few days as we put in the Herts 10k results and the Cheshunt XC.
A full list of the 2015 League races and current results is on the website Club League 2015 and League races are highlighted in red above. Most will be set up as Arrows Facebook events, if they haven't already.
Please enter as "Harpenden Arrows" and, if you do unofficial race swaps, you must inform the captains no later than a week after the event or they cannot count for either party.
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Arrow of the Month for September was David White, a recent member of Arrows and convert to the Thunder Run and you can see his profile along with previous profiles here. Well done David.
If you think of someone you would like to nominate - please do let the Captains know.
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Training tip of the Month
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The benefits of Cross Country
Speirsy has had editorial control this week so he's taken the chance to push the Cross Country... how could the period between Oct - Feb be any different!
Why do it? Go read the article by the author of "The Art of Running Faster" by clicking here.
Best summarised by one sentence "Cross country racing is a superb way to develop determination and stickability, pushing back against that final limiting factor—psychology. The mental strength that cross country develops will help you in any kind of race you try."
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Where are Arrows out running???
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One of Speirsy's favorite routes this month incorporates "Partridge Alley" which is a strava segment in both directions for those who are interested. Why partridge alley - go run it at night on a headtorch to find out!
Map is here
Right out of St George's down Westfield Road. Cross Lower Luton Road to Bower's Heath Lane, cut thru hedge to go up side of lane to left hand turn. Follow hedge to gravel track. Turn left along avenue of trees. Turn right just before 3 way footpath marker alongside of hedgerow and follow ALL way along field through gate and to road.
At cottage take a left up path. Follow foot path for 1m through avenue of trees to road. At road turn right (effectively straight ahead) and then left at corner onto gravel track. Turn left on footpath down hedgerow through fields. Follow footpath straight ahead until at crest of hill where you can see train line.
Turn left. Follow path until turn right down hill to small hamlet - East Hyde. Cross Lower Luton Road and take left onto Swan Walk before bridge. Follow cycle path to cross Westfield road and continue onto bridge with stairs to right. Descend steps and then up Ox Lane to home. Its about 7 miles with 4.5 miles on trails.
Do you have one and would like to make sure everyone knows about it..? Please let Lou or Speirsy know!
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Specials and circuits
- Please watch out on the event ticker on the Arrows website for special events. Email the captains if you're looking for something special - whether speed or headtorch sessions!
Socials
- Post Herts 10k Drinks at the Inn on the Green - scheduled from 12 noon
- Tues 13th Oct - Cake night after the run
- Thurs 29th Oct - Engineer after the Club 5k
- Sat 30th Jan - Arrows Annual Party and Awards incorporating the AGM. It's at OA's - details to follow, but get the date in the diary now!
Arrows Kit
If you want Arrows kit please download an order form from here and hand it in to Colin with your payment. We have vests, T-shirts, hoodies, hats and caps, but if you have some suggestions on other kit you'd like, contact the captains or Colin.
If you want some white iron-on letters for your race kit then Louise has them (contact Ladies Captain). There are some in stock and we will re-order from time to time (cost 13p each and full instructions provided).
Supporters' flags
We have 2 large red Arrows flags - great for spectators contact Ladies Captain if you wish to take them to an event.
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Happy running,
Louise and Simon captains@harpendenarrows.co.uk
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RACE REPORTS
Please do send us any of any races or adventures!
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