Chair Update

What a great start to the New Year for Mickleover Running Club. Between us all we are really growing with confidence.

The club has been going for almost two and a half years and in that time it has grown from a handful of local runners to a club that is regularly attracting 30 to 40 runners on a Tuesday nights so we really must be doing something right.

Some of the initiatives that were set out behind the scenes last year are now really starting to show dividends.

Alan, our fearless men’s captain, has worked hard to help build up our run leader pool and ensure that we have suitable cover on our club nights.

The last few Tuesdays have really shown the benefit of this has once where we had huge, unwieldy groups we are now starting to have smaller more manageable ones.

This has two benefits, one it’s safer, but also it allows us better group our members to best suit their ability and needs.

Thursday’s continue to be a bit of a work in progress.

Raj is doing an excellent job of ensuring that everybody gets round safely and having the opportunity to have a social run amongst friends with no pressures on pace is brilliant and really important.

However our ultimate goal is to allow Thursday’s club night to offer a similar structure to that of a Tuesday.

Again we are working hard behind the scenes to try and make that happen and we will keep you posted on our progress.

Spring Schedule

Over the last few months we have been operating the Winter Schedule. This has meant we have been restricted to running around the roads of Mickleover.

However in the next few weeks the clocks go forward and we’ll be able to get back into the country side and also start to put together some structured runs.

I have a few ideas for new routes, sessions and excursions for the lighter evenings so keep an eye out on the Run schedule over the coming weeks for what we have in store.

Running Surgery

We would love to hear from you on what you want to achieve and target over the next few months.

Maybe you want to smash you 5k, 10k or Half-Marathon PB or maybe you are looking to tackle your first Marathon or Ultra.

We have a many members who can provide advice on all distances so after Tuesday’s run why not come and find me in the RBL bar and let me know what you are looking to achieve in the coming year and hopefully we can help you smash your goals for the year.

February Committee Meeting

Thursday the 28th Feb will see the first committee following this year’s AGM.

The Committee meeting will take place at the RBL following Thursday’s run and all are welcome to attend.

It will be an opportunity for you to post any questions you may have as well as for me to give you an update on what has been going on over the last couple of months and what we are looking to achieve going forward.

Chairs Role

Hi I’m Ross and I’m Mickleover Running Club’s Chair and I have been with the club pretty much from the beginning and I have seen it grow from strength to strength.

I used to be a keen runner, many years ago, but after one too many injures I hung up my running shoes for what I thought was the very last time. But when Mickleover Running Club started up I thought I’d give this running thing another go, you know just to keep fit.

Well under Mickleover Running Club’s watchful eye I have come back stronger and in 2018 managed to complete my first Marathon, something that would not have been possible without the support of the Club.

It is my hope that as the Chair of Mickleover Running Club I can help support and encourage the new and existing members so they too can fulfil their goals, whatever they may be.

Wilmot Wander

Sunday 4th January saw a team of 4 of our MRC runners (Adrian, Kel R, John and Vicky) undertake the huge challenge of an ultra marathon event, the 28th Wilmot Wander.

The route is 32 miles long and encircles the city of Derby; crossing fields, canal towpaths and tracks with some short road sections, and a few strenuous and very muddy hills thrown in for fun.

The weather forecast had not just been bad, it was horrendous.

The prospect of sleet and high winds all day was not very appealing, but despite this, at 7.45am we arrived at the race HQ, the 27th Derby (Chaddesden) Scout hut.

It was busy as we entered the building, walkers had been setting off at their allocated time slots every 2 minutes from 7am, so the event was already well under way.

Our start time was 8.18am, so we had plenty of time to register, check our kit and change our clothes (many times) whilst trying to decide on the best combination of layers for the conditions.

We were all a little nervous, but mainly I think we were wondering why on earth we were there, about to set off in the freezing cold for a 32 mile run that would last the whole day when we could have been at home, in the warm, having a leisurely breakfast and reading a newspaper…

Our 2 minute warning for our start came around all too quickly, we checked our laces, put on rucksacks and gloves and prepared to leave the Scout Hut.

Adrian had reccied the route in advance and downloaded the GPX, so we set out on a confident start through Chaddesden (although another group of runners rather confusingly took a different route through the park after only a couple of hundred metres).

It was still very cold, but the sun was out and we had to hold ourselves back from setting out too fast, there was a long way to go!

The first couple of miles were busy, there was a steady stream of runners crossing the fields and passing through picturesque Locko Park, past the lake and up the hill towards Stanley village.

The first checkpoint was at The White Hart Inn at Stanley, but at only 5 miles into the event this was a very brief stop, pausing only to check in our team and have a drink of squash before heading uphill out of the village towards Morley.

The lanes and fields around Morley made for a very pleasant run with an occasional walk for steeper uphill stretches.

We quickly reached Breadsall Moor where the constant flow of runners and walkers crossing the course were probably not helping the golfers enjoy their morning round.

The route took us down a muddy track through the woods, over a locked gate (causing a bit of a bottle neck) and underneath the A38.

Shortly after this we met our first real challenge, a very steep and slippery climb up through Coxbench Woods.

We walked this, but still at a reasonable pace as conversation died down with the effort and concentration.

Once we reached the top we had a lovely flat stretch across open fields before descending so very steep steps down to Duffield and the 2nd checkpoint.

I felt particularly sorry for the race marshalls at The Bridge Inn, they we stationed in the shade in what felt like a wind tunnel, some were huddled in rugs as they waited for the competitors to pass through.

By this stage we felt the need to refuel, with sandwiches, biscuits and jelly babies and also our first of many cups of tea and coffee.

Again we didn’t hang around, we had the prospect of Bunker’s Hill and the longest stretch of the route between checkpoints ahead, so we felt the need to get going.

After crossing the railway footbridge and a quick dash across the A6 we reached the approach to Bunker’s Hill, the highest point on the route.

This was a long slog across the particularly muddy fields at the foot of the hill, then up the hill proper.

Kel and Adrian were ahead, John and I took this very steadily, not wanting to tire our legs for later in the run (that was our excuse anyway - in reality it hurt, the ground conditions were tough and I couldn’t have walked it any faster).

Eventually we reached the top and were grateful for the gentle downhill through Quarndon and out across open ground near Kedleston and over to Mackworth village.

It was here that we were very pleased to see the first of our MRC supporters, Lucy, who was to join us for part of the run.

Unfortunately for Lucy this started as another walk through even more mud on the path up to the Radbourne Lane water tower.

Here we were back into MRC territory: looping through the Langley Park estate onto Radbourne Lane, back onto fields opposite Hackwood Farm and over towards Radbourne village.

The next checkpoint was almost in our sights, but we had one last obstacle to deal with, the heaviest, stickiest mud ever. And it did stick, in huge big clods, all around our shoes, doubling the size and probably tripling the weight.

It made our feet heavy, our shoes were getting pulled off our feet. This was tough and we were so close to home…

The checkpoint, at last. We scraped the mud off our shoes onto any free bit of fence or gate we could find and had more food and more cups of tea.

We felt better already and set off to Radbourne Church in higher spirits, which were raised even further as we reached the field and saw Tracey and Jo waiting for us, armed with flapjacks and more jelly babies.

It would have been rude not to eat some, so we did and they were delicious.

Tracey and Jo joined us for the walk up the hill, but then we left them, a nice downhill stretch all the way back to the cycle track.

Crossing over the track the path to Greenside Court seemed much steeper than normal, as we reached the top we spotted Emma waiting near the gate, “quick, run, before she sees us walking”.

So we did run the last bit to the gate! Emma was armed with everything that you could possibly need, plasters, paracetamol, chocolate… a runner’s first aid kit, we were very grateful. Off now on the roads, Ladybank Road and onto Pasture’s where Jamie and the kid’s gave us more support as Lucy left us to head home.

We had parked a car on the route in case we need complete change of clothes if the weather had been wet.

As it was only a quick change of T-shirt and restock of food supplies was needed and we took the footpath across the fields towards Burnaston.

It was here that Paul Dolman and Teddy joined us for a time, keeping us company as we took in another checkpoint before skirting the woodland near Toyota to reach the A38, where Paul left us.

This was by far the scariest part of the whole day, waiting for a gap in traffic before crossing 2 lanes quickly on tired legs to the central reservation, then having to do the same again.

Thankfully we managed this without incident, heading over to Findern, then through the village and onto the canal path.

We followed the canal path to the Stenson Bubble where Adrian’s wife had kindly agreed to meet us, armed with road shoes, so that we would have more cushioned footwear for the long tarmac path into the city.

Changing shoes was fantastic, it made the last 10 miles so much more comfortable.

It was a long way along the canal, but flat. We made it to the last checkpoint at Swarkestone, but this time, with the temperature starting to drop, we took our drinks with us and set out on the homeward stretch back to the city centre.

We were amongst a lot of other Wilmot Wanderers now, both runners and walkers.

Legs were starting to tire and niggles develop, the pace was slower but we kept going.

Across the ring road, into Alvaston Park, along the Derwent and into Pride Park.

A last tricky bit crossing the foot bridge over the A52, quads were really hurting on the steps down, then the last short stretch of road back to the race HQ and a very welcome bowl of soup.

We had done it!

We had completed 32.5 miles and we managed it in less than 8 hours despite numerous stops at checkpoints and rendez-vous points.

This was never about the time, we had always planned to walk the up hills and stop at checkpoints to refuel and rehydrate.

This was about a huge personal achievement, an ultra marathon, and we had succeeded.

I really enjoyed this event, it was an amazing course and really well organised.

The company was fantastic (a huge thanks to Kel, Adrian and John for making this such a great experience), we had a lot of fun and the MRC support we received really helped make the day.

A special thanks to Adrian for doing so much planning and running the route in advance, I’m sure we would have got quite lost without him!

Running A – Z

I is for...

Intervals

a speed workout where a set distance is run repeatedly with recovery jogs in between to build speed and aerobic capacity

Also...

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS or IT band syndrome)

is an overuse injury of the connective tissues that are located on the lateral or outer part of thigh and knee

and...

Ice bath

submersing in cool to cold water for 10+ minutes after a hard workout to reduce inflammation; also see torture

MRC Social Diary

Tuesday 2nd April 8pm

(after club run)

Supporting Nic’s chosen Club Charity SENSE. More details in the next newsletter.

Marathon Training Woes

Running a marathon is a challenge…but getting to the start line fit is arguable the biggest challenge.

As the mileage is piled on during the weeks of training many of us find our bodies start to creak and moan.

For some of us an injury will mean we take stock, review our plans and opt to defer - sometimes it’s just not your day.

For others, it will be about injury prevention, management or taking some rest or limiting the miles a bit, re-evaluating your targets and getting to the start line.

This year I’ve opted for the former, deferring Manchester Marathon for a year.

There are loads of resources on line providing guidance and advice so if you’re feeling a few niggles (and as ‘maranoia’ creeps in) take a look…oh and a good sports massage every now and then will go along way too!

coachmag.co.uk

Club Captains Corner

Here we go ...

‘Oh, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?’, Percy Bysshe Shelley

Winter has finally arrived – so please take care if you go out running – kit up with layers and tread carefully.

First of all, can we all wish Mark Luckett the very best as he travels to Tokyo for his latest marathon, and No 3 (I think) in his quest for the 6 Majors.

In case you don’t know the Majors are: London, Boston, Chicago, New York, Berlin & Tokyo. While Ewan and Ross are off to ‘Sunny Spain’ for Barcelona in early March. Best of luck to all of you 😊.

Something New:

We are all runners, and we all run for different reasons but like many people involved with sport/activities we can fall into a groove, a rut where we feel comfortable and happy/safe in knowing what we are doing.

There is no harm in this of course but there’s a lot to be said for reaching outside of your comfort zone and try something new.

For those who are happy with Parkruns maybe try a 10k, or those of you who max out at 10k why not reach for a half, and of course you half marathoners…how about the full marathon, and marathon to an ultra (or dare I say go shorter and try a 5k Parkrun :S).

Of course it doesn’t have to be ‘road running’. With so many trail runs available why not venture out into the countryside?

For me, on the 3rd Feb, I headed off for a 10mile off road self navigated race. Yes – self navigated – so no marshals, no arrows – just a map 😊.

So it was on this beautiful winter morning I lined up with others in Ticknall ready for the Winter Bash.

This is not the type of event to run hard all the way round, just go out and enjoy it – walk up the hills (save the energy) and then run where you can safely.

I would recommend it if one likes off road and something a bit different.

Results:

So far this year we’ve seen MRC members smash the Wilmott Wander – many congrats to John, Vicky, Adrian and Kellie on completing this jolly event in and around Derby – 32miles on and off roads on a chilly but nice morning.

Winter Bash – Alan: 1.40.57 – 40th overall.

Jacqui was down in London doing a 10k – along with the War Paint 😉.

The 4th race in the DRXC was held on 10th Feb at Anslow, on a popular course…….and after a week of cold, we had the rain making the course heavy & muddy.

Sad to say though, that for various reasons only a small team turned up and ran the 5.3miles around the course. First home was Aaron (26th), adding a second good run from Allestree, I was 2nd MRC home (56th) very closely followed by James S (59th), John B (61st) and Craig -a friend of Emma’s kindly joined us and run under the MRC banner was the last male home in 69th.

Meanwhile with the Ladies, Emma lead home in 6th overall, Rowan continued her progress back finishing in 19th, Jacqui (without the face war paint) was 25th and Tina was 40th – and thus making a full Ladies team.

We all had a good run and once again really enjoyed it. XC is a fun and very much a team/club event – and if approached sensibly – a good alternative to just trudging out the miles on a Sunday.

XC Runner of the Day

I was going to suggest me - seeing as I didn’t fall over at the water feature (and I had 3 goes at it)....but seriously I think it has to go to all 9 of us who ran - in slippery muddy conditions - but was great fun :)

Provisional Results after Race 4 of the DRXC

On the day:

Mixed	No team (No Male Team)
Men	Not enough
Ladies	5th

Individual Placings
(after 4 Races)

Men Snr:

Pos.	Runner
14	Aaron
19	John B

Men V40:

Pos.	Runner
04	Wilf
05	James S
06	Alan

Ladies Snr:

Pos.	Runner
02	Emma

Ladies V40:

Pos.	Runner
04	Vicky

Ladies V45:

Pos.	Runner
07	Jacqui

Ladies V50:

Pos.	Runner
07	Tina

A fantastic set of results by all, but special mention again to Emma for her consistent running again over the Winter.

Finally, a big thank you to all who have run the XC, but we have 1 more race on the 10th March.

Lets get as many of us there as possible.

Info will be posted as soon as I have it!

Coming Up:

The next DRXC is very soon – 10th March – Lichfield way – details I’ll post on Facebook when I get them and email an update too, but race start is 10.30. That’s all I can say at the moment – sorry ☹.

The Hairy Helmet 2019

I have emailed some members about the event, and if places are still going, I will email out to the next lucky group 😊

Livingston Relays

This is a chance to try and run against some of the best clubs in Leics & Derbys - -if interested, please contact me and we could enter a team or two (well hopefully four!).

The date is Sun 5th May at Brunstone Park. Each leg is 3miles – need 4 men for a team and 3 Ladies!

DRS

Still no news on the events for the 2019 DRS Series!

That’s about it 😊 enjoy your running folks.

Beckie & Nic rasing money for Sense

We are running the London Marathon fundraising for Sense, a charity that believes that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

Their experts offer personalised support through their centres, holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes.

They are here for everyone who needs them, for as long as they need them – providing early intervention for children, helping young people access education, and supporting the transition into adulthood and beyond.

This is a huge challenge, and Nic’s FIRST MARATHON!!!!!!

Official Charity Page