Nearly Christmas

Full Monty

Today saw the Full Monty at Ham Hill and a few YTRRC runners were there.

Dark Nights

A chill wind blew as 10 brave Yeovil runners mounted their motor carriages and set off for the deepest darkest depths of Dartmoor (actually we briefly came out the other side of Dartmoor but if you closed your eyes for that spell before you drove back in again it’s like it’s so much bigger).

The trek down was arduous, not many could of made that journey but fortunately all 10 survived. I can’t say how many aid stations the front runners needed as we were a bit late.

The stark, desolate bleakness of Dartmoor set the tone as the sheer scale of the task facing them dawned on these brave intrepid runners. Was that sirens that could be heard in the distance from the grim walls of Dartmoor prison as we drove through Princetown? We hoped not.

The breaks of the motor carriages strained as they made the steep descent down to the Burrator reservoir. I wondered what mysteries from beyond the dawn of time were concealed in those dark waters before being reminded to #watchthefingroad.*

The race HQ was a ruined barn built from the grey granite of Dartmoor (totally not the nice visitor centre with nice toilets as advertised). There was no shelter from the fierce chill wind that cut to the bone as your brave runners changed and prepared themselves for the task at hand. Interesting note much easier to find a quiet patch in the woods for a discrete … at a night race….. not that I or anyone else in the club did this.....

Numbers pinned to well various places. Layers of technical fabric added. Hats, gloves, emergency blankets, emergency whistles, waterproof trousers. Spare hats, and gloves, tops and emergency nutrition. Obligatory photograph in front of the stone arch the race was to finish at. The ten milers were ready – oh, yes we needed head torches to! That’s important at night….

And the ten-mile race was off. It was a narrow track through the woods around the reservoir as runners jostled for position through the trees, past the bemused hikers wondering wtf was coming towards them. I’m sure they fought it was wood spirits from the hundreds of lights approaching them until those first runners went past. Some runners fell, I saw not what happened to them. They might have tumbled into the icey waters below. (don’t worry they said something along the lines of yeah I’m alright mate). Out of the forest, up, and up they climbed, there was no relenting as the path twisted and turned up treacherous paths that few had ever braved before. After two miles of climbing we past the frozen remains of a brave marshal from the year before. But still we went higher, on for another mile or was it two. It seemed like an eternity of stumbling through stones and bogs. Where was the peak? I knew not, I could see not, maybe the darkness concealing the heights we had to scale made it more manageable. Just one more step upwards, then another and another. Just keep going, chase those dancing lights through the night.

Then, suddenly, came the downhill. For those that dared test themselves it was exhilarating, place after place could be gained by flinging yourself down those slopes. The lights of your Yeovil runners hurtled down from the peak of Eylesbarrow, after the downhill of the Moor we had to work again. This time up ancient tarmac farm track before then descending into the woods where many a brave runner made slight navigational errors that totally would not of mattered if they’d of just kept going straight another 20 metres. Their hearts sank as they spotted the reservoir and realised they had to descend yet further. All the way down until they met the waters of the icey river below. They waded in not realising how deep they would go. It was a struggle to keep their heads above the water, gasping for breath as they pushed onwards and eventually throuygh ^

Chilled to bone, their energy sapped and shivering they began the final ascent back to the ruined barn used as the race HQ. First a maze where many a runner missed an arrow or two. Then field then, then lane then wood again until the sweet relief of spotting the reservoir again. The marshals urged us onwards warning of those despicable foes behind snapping at our heels! The final half mile felt like an eternity before the cheers of the admiring crowds welcomed us through that hallowed stone arch! The names of Jean Paul Humphries, Richard Howes, Rob Jones, moustachioed wonder Matt Driver and Nathan Gardiner who survived this epic test of courage and endurance should long be celebrated.

I didn’t witness the 10k, I heard it was tough with South West Running Mercenaries heading the field and the start began with those words you do not want to hear when stripped off for a 10k as icey winds blow across the dark water of the reservoir cutting you to the bone. “We’ll just wait 9 minutes till we begin”. It was a fast course but I’m told the hill you had to run over twice took it’s toll and the tarmac road was perilous with sheer drops too icey oblivion on either side. Anita Rufus, Elizabeth Diamond and Richard “all the races” Dodge did your club proud. I’m told they were led home by Steph Breary and Pippa Howarth who finished together and were the clubs top placed runners being joint 7th female overall.

The racers all sought their sheep skins blankets and flasks of mead while waiting for all the runners to finish.

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After the race we trekked to a local tavern one of our number had had the foresight to send a raven to the previous week. Fortunately, the raven had found its mark and the kitchen was waiting for us. Much mead was quaffed and hearty fair consumed as stories of our adventures reverberated around the taverns walls before your brave runners began the long march home. Pledging to renew their battle with the Moor, the spirits of Eylesbarrow and the watcher in the depths of Burrator reservoir again next year. We were also challenged to spend a night in the taverns haunted lodgings next time we passed that way. Are we brave enough?

This was a weekend that should long be celebrated in song and tapestry.

The triumphant expedition to Dartmoor was followed by 11 or 12 brave souls (one’s confusing) taking on the challenge of the Monty. And even more spectacularly one of your runners conquered all before him and proudly wore the green and white to victory. Well done that man Richard Bateson, that’s an amazing achievement. No less an achievement, the club was done proud by:
SHEEN, Darrell
GREEN, Leyton
LEGG, James
MERRICK, Andrew
HOWES, Tim
KEMP, Brian
POMEROY, Taegan
FROST, Hannah
DODGE, Richard
BROWN, Graeme

In all seriousness, it’s a great adventure and trip. The ten miler is technical if you want to push yourself and a fun challenge if you just want to beat it. The 10k is around country lanes and a great intro to night running. I really feel a part of a team and a group when I do these races and I would encourage anyone to come along and say you’re coming as part of the fun is the journey down with friends. The races are really friendly, it’s just awesome. There's plenty more of them to come.

*It’s a reservoir, it’s quite recent, some bits may be embellished for dramatic effect.

^The water was to short height and I used the stepping stones to the side, don’t know what the nutters in front of me were thinking!

PS this seemed a good idea at the time, sorry...

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Barbados 

Greetings from Payne's Bay, Barbados where we have just completed a 1 mile fun run, 5km race & finally a half marathon during the past 36 hours.

Having survived the one mile stampede on Friday evening with all limbs intact the highlight of the weekend was the 5km on Saturday where Nikki was 1st lady in a field of over 1000 entries. Disappointment that there was no cash prize on offer (unlike the 10km) but still a press interview and photo in the Sunday Sun (Barbados national paper) as a memory. Even I managed 2nd place in my age category!

Half marathon at 5 a.m. this morning was tough and it soon became very warm despite running first 10km in the dark. Nikki managed 1hr 49 mins with me 8 mins+ behind but both so relieved that we had only opted for the half as it was 35 degrees by 10 a.m.

I can thoroughly recommend Barbados to anyone, fantastic hospitality with everyone so friendly and with the cost of eating out there is no danger of putting on the pounds!

Running over, now for the holiday.

Cheers Simon & Nikki

Lanzarote Marathon

There will be no Blog next week due to Peter, Tim Hawkins and I running the marathon out there. Normally Pete, Paul and I have gone to Malaga which was supposed to be today but was cancelled due to the floods and rain. 

How lucky are we in the UK to have -1 and lovely winter mornings to run.

Mile 24 in Malaga

Santa Dash

This years Santa Dash is next Sunday and there is more information and entry form here.

Marks Pub Run

SANDFORD ORCAS PUB RUN

Exactly 4 miles from my house is the Mitre Inn at Sandford Orcas. It was a bit of a cyberman run tonight. Cold, damp, poor visability, and slippery. We set off upwards and left along Penmore road finding it very slippery in places, but reached the Marston road. A decision was made to continue across and run down towards Trent. The conditions were not good, so we turned and headed back. Church bells were ringing in the distance, and an owl was out hooting. In all, we did four miles which felt good afterwards. It was sensible not to push our luck too much, and it was certainly a memorable pub run. Thanks Phil.

SUNDAY RUN - MONTACUTE HOUSE

I was silly to forget my gloves this morning, and even sillier not to take my camera. We ran in the cold crisp air and brilliant blue sky sunshine out to Stoke, and Norton. We went right and ran to Turnpike Cross and over along the lane past Creedy Bridge. We took the right turn past Drayton up to the turning for the Fosse way. This is where the Romans walked a few years ago. It was then Yeabridge, Lower Stratton, and Wigborough. Further along it was like being in France with no hedges on both sides of the lane. This is where my camera was needed most. We did 11 miles in all, including the return journey through Little Norton, Tinkers Bubble, Ham Hill, and the road or path (optional) at Hollow Lane. My hands are still numb now, but I did get some vitamin D.

Hill Reps

From Nathan:

Hills are on Monday this week. 6:30pm meeting at the car park near the Great Mead/Lyde Road end of the river walk. Bring shoes that you don't mind getting muddy in as being doing a mix hill work & running around the river which is probably muddy and is also great for strength training.

Park Runs

One very wet park run this morning. But doing the green & whites proud - 3rd female finisher 😊😊 — at Penrose Parkrun.  Lesley completed the Southamton Parkrun as well.

Run Leaders

The course at Westfield Academy on the 8th Dec would be ideal for our members, it's only 2 hours, free and an opportunity to understand what being a run leader involves. Plus those 
members who are already run leaders can pick up some extra tips to support what they do. 18:30 to 20:30

Also of interest:

To All,

I hope this email finds you well.

I wanted to make you aware of RunTogether which is the new platform England Athletics have put together to support group running and has taken over from Run England. RunTogether has been developed to make leading running sessions easier for our qualified leaders/coaches. Through the new website you can promote your runs and provide information about them, set up routes and use dedicated marketing materials. RunTogether also has an App and this can be used for registering participants in/out of sessions, storing emergency contact details and removing the need for carrying physical paper copies of information to your sessions.

For further information about RunTogether please visit the RunTogether website -  https://runtogether.co.uk/

In partnership with Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) England Athletics are holding two RunTogether roadshows on Thursday 1^st December and Thursday 8^th December from 6:30pm – 8:30pm in Somerset. These roadshows are FREE to attend and all qualified leaders/coaches who attend will receive a FREE RunTogether reflective running vest.  The purpose of the workshops are to inform qualified coaches/leaders about RunTogether and give you the information required to set your clubs/groups up on RunTogether. 

To book your place on the workshops please visit the following links:

·        Thursday 1^st December - Bridgwater RunTogether Roadshow, Bridgwater YMCA: YMCA Bridgwater (The George Williams Centre), Friarn Avenue, Bridgwater, Somerset. https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/RunTogetherRoadshows/Runs/Summary/1b6140bb-14d3-4ad8-94a4-c0006282d633

·        Thursday 8^th December - Yeovil RunTogether Roadshow, Westfield Academy, Stiby Road, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 3EP https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/RunTogetherRoadshows/Runs/Summary/698d379d-4f0c-4c74-959c-e7619e5a973e  

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Regards

Rich Ayling

England Athletics

Club & Coach Support Officer

Wiltshire, Somerset, Avon & Gloucestershire

Awards Night Review

From Anita:

Yeovil Town RRC awards night 2016 

If you attended then please could we have some feedback on the evening. 
What did you think about the venue, the food, timings and any other aspect of the night?
Either comment on here or email the chairman (Email address on the website) as it will be discussed at the December committee meeting. 

Club Events

1. Tuesday Club Night is at Goldenstones 6:15 pm 6th Dec

2. Committee Meeting 7th Dec at St John's 6:30pm  

3.  Thursday Pub run is at TBC  at 6:30pm

4.  Track night on Friday at 6:15pm

5. The Sunday Long Run will be at Goldenstones 9:00 am 

5. The first Championship race is Sun 11th 4k Santa Dash 11.00 am