Running Week That Was…..
Lytham Parkrun – Saturday morning saw 6 members of TCRC run the weaving off road course at Lytham Hall. Roy Tomlinson had a great run and crossed the line in 20.53! Dave Young showed his good form by running a great 25.13. The ever improving Steve Burgess had a storming run and posted a 25.48 and Dave Jones enjoyed his run of 27.36. Michelle Tomlinson, showing amazing progress following a year out with injury, had an outstanding PB run of 29.09, well done! The fabulous Christine Burgess smashed her parkrun PB and ran an outstanding time of 30.00! Very well done and much deserved!
Muddy Shoes 5 Mile Road Race – The first trail race of the club championship saw Roy Tomlinson complete the course in first place, in an amazing time of 41.12. Well Done Roy! Phil Hayes, in his second race of the weekend, finished in 49.47, closely followed by the ever improving Steve Burgess in 49.50! Michelle Tomlinson had a great run and finished in 1.05.30. Christine Burgess loves running the trails and this showed in a time of 1.12.42. Karen Livesey in her first trail race, showed how she is improving at every run and finished in a time of 1.13.14!
Cross Country – TCRC fielded a full team at the latest Cross Country event of the series.
A great deal of work went into the organisation of the first cross country event within the fabulous grounds of Rossall School. Weeks of walking the course and mapping it out by Mark Prior, Gillian Prior and Malc Sherwood, was awarded by outstanding feedback from participating clubs and supporters.
Thank you to all those who gave up their day to marshal, support and race for TCRC. Well done to you all!
Ladies Race
- Sarah Wetherill had a great run and led the women’s team in a time of 29.54, quickly by the fabulous Jenny Clarke in 30.14. Gillian Prior showed great determination and had a great run in 33.28. Kirsty Waywell showed her continuing great form in a time of 37.31. Debbie Cardwell ran a great race in her first cross country race of the season in 38.05 and Captain Sue Jones finished with a smile in 43.26.
- Sarah, Jenny and Gillian were awarded with a fantastic 11th team place (out of 26 teams)
Men’s Race
- The men’s race saw a cross country baptism for Steve Brooks, James Duffy and Jon Gardiner. Alex Fleming led the way in a great time of 45.20, followed by a very determined James Duffy, in a fabulous time of 45.33. Martin Boswell ran a great race to finish in 48.06 and was closely followed by Jon Gardiner, who showed his great potential, in a time of 48.23. The ever smiling Dave Barras showed his great form in a time of 48.30 and Joe Tyldesley had a fantastic race, crossing the line in 49.17. Steve Brooks showed he is in good form with a time of 50.08, followed by Ben Brennan, who ran hard to finish in 52.54. Phil Hayes and Colin Denny showed true determination and brought the TCRC team home in times of 57.06 and 1.00.09.
- An outstanding performance by the men’s team saw them awarded with a 19th overall team place!
Running Week Ahead
Tuesday – Tuesday is a club run, meeting at the YMCA at 6.45pm, ready to run at 7pm!
Thursday – Speed training this week will be ¼ mile speed loops, meeting at the YMCA at 7pm!
TCRC Message to all runners:
Beginners Group Update
We had 80 lovely people at the beginners group on Thursday! We were overwhelmed by the turn out and how enthusiastic each group was! We should see in increase in people attending the main club session on a Tuesday night, as more “beginners” feel confident in their abilities.
If you’re on FaceBook and want to give them some extra encouragement the groups called TCRC Beginners.
Meet Our Ultra Runners
Leon Flesher
I enjoy trail running as it gives me the opportunity to get to some great places! It is much more fun than just plodding mile after mile on the road. Sometimes the distances may seem high, but unlike road running you are unlikely (I’m unlikely!!) to run every inch of a race and so the sections which are walked give you time to recover.
The other thing I enjoy about trail races is that it is almost impossible to predict a finish time, even if you have done the race before as there are so many variables on the day, therefore there is less time pressure to be within a minute or two of a certain target!
Which races stood out for me last year – got to be Keswick Ultra. Pete, Roy Andy and myself ran it together and cheered each other on all the way – great team spirit.
My targets for this year are (in no particular order)
- Complete Keswick Ultra in a better time than last year
- Run the Lakeland 50 and manage to finish it!
- Complete the Hadrians Wall ‘Rat Race’ event – 69miles! I have never even run anything close to that.
If these things go as planned, then I may look to take on something else in the Autumn!
Roy Tomlinson
When I started running marathons my plan was always to try and complete a marathon in under 3 hours and then to try increasing the distance and run an Ultra Marathon. As it was in 2014 that I managed to run a marathon in under 3 hours, it was only last year that I looked at running my first Ultra. The decision as to which one to do was an easy one as Pete Waywell & Leon Flesher were both planning to run the 50K Ultra at the Keswick Mountain Festival (50km with 6,800ft of ascent) in May.
On the start line with Pete, Leon and Andy Fairbairn I was really looking forward to it and felt no pressure as I didn’t have a target time. We all set off together and when we were a good way into the race we decided that we would stay together and all cross the finish line together. As this was my first Ultra and I was finding it hard, it was fantastic that we stayed together in a team, I would certainly have done a lot more walking if I had been on my own. When I crossed the finish line I was exhausted but only a few days later booked my second Ultra, which was the St. Begus Ultra (36 miles from Bassenthwaite to St Bees on the coast) in August which I completed faster than I expected and really enjoyed.
This year my main focus is on London Marathon but after that I will certainly be looking at doing another Ultra.
I would recommend trying an Ultra to anyone who has completed a marathon. Don’t say no to an Ultra because you were exhausted after 26.2 miles and couldn’t possibly run a longer race, as a trail Ultra is a completely different experience:
- You will not be running all the way, there will be sections that you have to walk which gives you time to take in the beautiful scenery.
- There is less pressure on achieving a target time and you just set out to complete it and enjoy the event. When we ran the 32 miles Keswick race it took us nearly 7 hours, that’s double the time for a marathon with only 6 additional miles (OK hills as well).
- There are feed stations (not just water stations) where you stop and take on some food and drink. On the St. Begus Ultra I actually sat down at the halfway feed station for a few minutes and had 2 cups of tea and some jam sandwiches which were provided!
Pete Waywell
I prefer Trail to road running due to the fact there is less pressure than on the road, better scenery, a more relaxed atmosphere and times are not comparable
I stepped up to doing ultras after years of racing on the road and fells successfully! I had completed all the challenges I had set myself as a runner:
- A sub 78 minute half marathon
- A sub 60 minute 10 mile
- A sub three hour marathon
And I wanted to see what I was capable of doing without pressuring myself.
This last year has been probably been my best year of running to date, with events like the Lakeland 50 and the Cumbrian Way Ultra 73 mile, both races were done in fantastic weather, on fantastic courses. This was due to enjoying lots of recce runs up on the fells and trails!
The target for this year ultimately is the Lakeland 100, which prior to the floods was 106 miles, now after the floods, depending on what bridges get replaced, could be 110 miles.
I would say to anyone who is never ran off-road, give it a go! There is less pressure and for those who think any think further than a marathon is not achievable, think again! We are all capable, you just have to realise. It’s not like any other race! What race do you know where you can finish in the top five, having stopped for a cup of tea and a bite to eat!
Members Update
Club Championship
A full list of the Club Championships for both road and trail, are on the Website.
Club Handicap
To ensure that you qualify for the club handicap trophy, you must run at least two handicaps between January and May! The next club handicap is Tuesday the 23rd February. If you are unable to run and are able to marshal, can you please let us know.
Thunder Run
We currently have 5 teams for the Thunder Run event. £20 deposits are required as a matter of urgency! So far we have had 32 confirmations and are awaiting deposits! All deposits are to be given to Bev Foster!
If you are not getting any notifications by email, please let me know. We will be sending lots of important information out over the coming weeks, we don’t want you to miss out!
Racing Results
If you race, tell me about it! We cannot celebrate your success if you don’t tell anyone! Send your results and pictures to me! These do not have to just be club races! All results will be celebrated!
Weekend Training Runs
If you are running on a weekend, why not post it on Facebook? This weekend again saw lots of groups running varying distances. Running with Friends! Well done to all those racing, training or just enjoying the outdoors this weekend!
Parking
Can you please try and car share as much as possible, more so on a Thursday night! If possible please park on the road.