chair update

As the COVID situation continues to change and the confirmation this week that we are indeed in a second wave, we at Mickleover running club have taken the decision to delay the publication and scheduling of any formal Mickleover Running Club runs.

In order for Mickleover Running Club to safely host runs that fully comply with both government and England Athletic guidelines there are a number of activities and actions that we must first complete. With the threat of a further lockdown and the potential changing of these guidelines in the near future we feel that moving towards formal Mickleover Running Club runs at this stage is a little premature. Our main consideration has to be for the safety of both our members and the local residents with whom we share the streets with.

However under current guidelines groups of up to 6 May still run together provided that social distancing is followed. so with that in mind please do continue to do the excellent work you have all been doing in arranging your own runs via the private Facebook group and taking part in Robs excellent challenges and we hope to be able to offer formal runs again where we can all be together again.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

We have had an influx of New Members in the past few weeks so I've asked them to write a little bit about themselves.

The entire team at Mickleover Running Club is thrilled to welcome you on board. We hope to meet you in person soon!

Jason Humphreys

I’ve been running on and off for years now but have never been in a club before and I’m hoping that a support network and club mates will help me continue running when injuries and other commitments usually push it into the background.

I haven’t entered a running race for several years now with my longest distance being the inaugural Kilomathon about 10 or 11 years ago.

The picture attached (I’m number 18) was taken last year at the Wild Trent Challenge, which combined one of my other interests, canoeing, although I don’t get out on the water half as much as I like.

I’m looking forward to meeting people as time goes on.

Cheers

Jason

Paul Hopkin

I’m a 57 year old who took up triathlon when I gave up Sunday football aged 50.

I’ve competed representIng Belper 10:20 Tri Club in numerous swimming, cycling and running events including two full iron and eight half iron distance tris...soon to be nine after next weekends Outlaw X.

I moved to Mickleover from Belper about a year ago and I’m hoping joining your club will help me with some winter running motivation rather than my usual end of season slump.

Cheers

Paul

Samuel Hill

My name is Samuel Hill. I’ve lived in Etwall for 10 years now.

I’ve been running off and on for 22 years but only started taking it seriously in the last 5 or 6 years since starting ultrarunning.

Previously I did a lot of road biking and then moved onto doing Ironman. Once we had kids I realised that I didn’t have the time to train that I used to have so I picked my favourite discipline and started to run marathons and ultras.

I’ve been wanting to join MRC for years but I’m a bit of a loner with training so have been putting it off until now!

good luck team mickleover running club

Wait what ... an organised race? .... what?

A number of Mickleover Running Club members are racing today at the Carsington 7+.

Have a great run on this tough tough course, the whole of MRC are cheering you on so please let us know how you got on.

my training story
NICHOLAS SOUTHORN
BOLTON IRONMAN 2021

Hello and welcome to the second instalment of my MRC training blog – I hope that you have managed to take advantage of the brief heatwave (while observing whatever the present CoVID19 guidelines are, of course).

The past couple of weeks have been interesting for me as I have found my groove at the gym. My traditional method of training for endurance events which utilises exactly none of my hard-earned human physiology knowledge has been replaced by a more structured HIIT workout. I previously limited my training to running, jogging, a bit more running and the occasional run if I had time. It should have come as no surprise whatsoever, therefore, that during a ‘fun day’ 100m sprint last year, my body flatly refused to participate leaving me red-faced and largely chair-bound for some time after.

The idea of an exercise which made my heart rate exceed 120 was something about which I was apprehensive, and therefore approached with caution. I had always considered myself as a monogamous athlete and long-distance running to be my faithful partner. My reservations aside, I knew that my body needed more, so I started to look elsewhere. I am glad I did. Doing a blended strength, cardio, and combat HIIT workout with additional dynamic core training has completely transformed my fitness levels. The type I do is called Blaze (other brands are available) and I am now doing it four times a week with some running and swimming in-between for completeness. Using a fitness tracker, I can see that I can mount a cardiac response and recover from exercise much more efficiently. I am also finding hills to be much easier and less DOMS after a run.

My plan is to continue building on this diversity to create a solid foundation on which I can build a reasonable triathlete. My take-home message is to have an open relationship with running: you can improve your run-life by experimenting with other sports. Always practice safe exercise, look after yourself and be happy.

Raising money for the hospital is something that I am passionate about. Patient comfort, research funding, and new equipment is the aim of the Hospital Charity. We all rely on the generous donations from the public to make our hospitals work, and if my Ironman efforts go some way towards that end, I am happy with the new exercises, I am happy with the DOMS, I am even happy with the fact that I need to learn to swim properly. But don’t let me do this in vein – sponsor me and share my JustGiving page info so friends, family, and co-workers can do likewise.

Until next time – stay safe, stay happy, stay cool.

Nik

Nik's justgiving.com page

MRC ROAD SIGN CHALLENGE

Just for fun, all you need to do is run around the streets finding letters to spell out the word of the week on street names.

This weeks word is "STELLA" with a bonus point for "ARTOIS",

Here are the rules:

• Photo/ Selfie to be taken of road signs needed to spell word.
• First letter of first word on sign only to be used.
• Photos to be posted in new FB post each week.

club virtual events & challenges

MRC DOES manchester marathon 2020

MRC will be participating in the virtual Manchester marathon over October using 2.62 mile off road laps of mickleover meadows.

You can complete the marathon in a day or over several days during October. Over the next week we will send further details.

However, places are expected to go quickly for this virtual event. Entries open on Monday 21st September at manchestermarathon.co.uk

SO, sign up early before places go. For only £15 you will receive a stylish t shirt and solid gold* medal. *not solid gold.

sign up link (opens 21st)

MRC DOES VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON 2020

It's just 2 more weeks until the next VLM!

Yes , October 4th is the date.

Which means that you still have time to run the MRC style marathon.

So head out on the 4th October and run any of these distances

2.6k 2.6 miles 26.2 k Or 26.2 miles.

Wear fancy dress if you wish . Take a photo to celebrate your success , then post on MRC Facebook page.

Remember, there are prizes for the best fancy dress MRC and Mini MRC costume 🧡

Rob Humber, John S & Doug are completing the virtual VLM on Sunday 4th too.

Their route is up and down the Mickleover cycle track should you wish to do your distance on the same day as the official event.

MRC wish both them, James Upton and anyone else running this awesome distance all the good luck possible.

They will absolutely smash it .

GO MARATHON RUNNERS!

club virtual events & challenges

kathryn's special k : 1km Challenge

After winning Keren's "Langley Loop" Kathryn has returned the favour with her own virtual event... "Kathryn's Special K".

Between 16th Sept. and 1st Oct. (Baby due date), you have the chance to win a prize (1 for adults and 1 for kids) just by completing this 1km lap (or part of a longer run) around Vicarage Park.

Good Luck team and happy running!

club virtual events & challenges

PHOTO OF THE FORTNIGHT

Latest POTF is Vic leading the way on one of Sarah's Interval sessions.

What3Words Challenge

Pirate Percival has dropped his treasure map which lists 4 locations in a special pirate code.

It’s your challenge to find these locations, taking a selfie at each to prove you found the x's!

Click the link below for more info.

club virtual events & challenges

on the run with ...
Matthew Buller

CLUB
WHEN DID YOU START RUNNING AND WHEN DID YOU JOIN MICKLEOVER RUNNING CLUB?

I started running in about 2009 at Uni and officially joined MRC in March 2019.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING IN A RUNNING CLUB?

Motivation and support! As well as meeting such a variety of interesting and friendly people, a real sense of community.

WHEN AND WHO DO YOU RUN WITH THE CLUB?

Tuesdays regularly (with the odd Thursday if I have avoided the pub!). Pre Covid it would be the 7.30 or 8.30 groups. Currently we have a regular 7.30 group going on a Tuesday set up by Andy S. Keen to mix it up with some of Alan’s track sessions and Bash runs and anything else going when possible

TELL US YOUR HISTORY OF RUNNING?

I did a bit of Cross Country at school as a kid but nothing serious and never really enjoyed it all that much.

I started to get into casual running in 2009 at Uni in Sheffield after signing up to the Half Marathon with some friends however I would say I did not get into any consistent running until 2013 when I joined a running club (Eye Community Runners) whilst living in Peterborough and started racing and running regularly.

After moving back to Derby I ‘tested the waters’ with MRC in July 2017 but I soon lost my mojo and did not join.

I eventually joined in March 2019 and haven’t looked back since!

YOU
WHAT HAS BEEN YOU BEST RUNNING ACHIEVEMENT?

Tough question, actually a few spring to mind for different reasons;

First sub 1.30 half marathon at the Great Eastern in 2014. I remember having so much motivation for this and spent most of 2014 improving across various distances. It was my first real sense of achievement getting under what I considered such a tough barrier. What a feeling….

Manchester Marathon – first marathon and only marathon to date…..I have unfinished business.

Equinox 24 – An event completed with 4 of my best mates who all run casually but not regularly as part of a club. I manage to persuade them to the do 24 hour race as a team of 5 and they all absolute smashed it, we came 3rd overall completing 29 laps. I am not sure they quite realised how much of an achievement this was for a first outing at an event like this!

WHAT IS YOUR RUNNING AMBITION?

Keep improving where possible. There are inevitably going to be times when the mojo is lost however I would love to still be running and enjoying it later into life

WHY DO YOU RUN?

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Happy Life.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO RUN?

Anywhere new and different – mainly when I was travelling with work. Always great to have a quick check of the map so you know how to get home and then make it up as you go in a new place.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORST RUN?

Friskney Half Marathon in April 2015 – At the time it felt like there was a 100mph head wind for all 13 miles. Realistically there was a pretty strong above average wind for half of the race. I was still relatively ‘unexperienced’ and as usual went off far too fast with the wind behind me. I spent the last 3 miles feeling like I was going backwards with nothing in the legs! Lesson learnt – course management

BEST RUNNING PHRASE?

‘Many will start fast, few will finish strong’

FAVOURITE RUNNING PHOTO?

Thunder Run 2019 – Team Mud, Sweat and Beers finishing 6th.

HAVE YOU EVER LOST YOUR RUNNING MOJO AND HOW DID YOU GET IT BACK?

Lots of times – it is inevitable. The classic one of sign up to a race so you have to commit does really work. I also have needed to distance my self from anything toxic in my life at the time whether that be drinking, people or situations. Hard to do but always for the better.

BEST ROUTE AROUND MICKLEOVER/DERBY?

Well considering I have run the Piggs 10k route + some added nearly every week in lockdown it has to be that? Anything out that way on the lanes and fields is great!

WHO WOULD BE ON YOUR WISH LIST TO RUN WITH?

Haile Gebrselassie – loved watching him dominate every middle distance event when growing up and always done with the biggest, most infectious smile on his face!

WORST/BEST RUNNING ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

If I had a pound for every ‘not far to go now’…..

Best – The majority of your training week should be ‘easy’ miles. This has helped no end as I increased mileage as I had a tendency to run too hard all the time.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU RUN?

Not sure I could even remember as most of it is spent day dreaming. I generally run after work in the evenings so try to think about things away from work. Have just started listening to music and podcasts on the easy runs which I am enjoying!

RUN TO TIME OR DISTANCE?

Distance 95% of the time

RACE/EVENTS
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE RACE AND WHY?

I love the Crich Monument race held in July each year. Have done it a few times, it’s a big slog up to the monument which gets harder every year but nothing beats getting up there and having the long sprint finish steeply downhill into the village

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRE-RACE RITUALS AND FOOD AND DRINK.

Not very good at this sort of thing, but for longer races I just make sure I have had time for a solid breakfast and use of facilities at home and before the race. Nip tape and chewing gum (airwaves if possible) is a must! I spend more time knowing I am going to be comfortable when racing then the nutrition which I wouldn’t advise.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD TO RUN, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

North Pole – can’t have been many people who said they have?

WHAT’S YOUR ONE RACE ESSENTIAL?

As before – Nip tape & chewing gum

WOULD YOU RUN A MARATHON WITHOUT GETTING A MEDAL?

Apparently so as I am about to I think…….

Nutrition Tips for
Virtual Races