Monday 10 February 2014

February 2014 Newsletter

Looks like February is going to be a busy month. Here's a taster of what's to come.

Met League Final Standings
Congratulations and thank you to all of those of you who turned out to the Met League XC series races over the winter months. It's a gruelling and tough cross country series and it's often quite a journey to get to the the races.  The final race of the season was held at Wormwood Scrubs park yesterday and there was another good turnout, particularly for the men, ensuring that we retained our position in Division 1.

Final positions in league:
Men's A - Finished 7th in Division 1, securing our position for another season
Men's B - Finished 6th in Division 3. A strong turnout next season could we get a promotion to Div 2?!
Men's Vets - Finished the season 6th in Division 2.
Women's A - Finished 5th in Division 2, securing their position for another season

Women's Vets - Finished 3rd in Division 2, narrowly missing out on promotion. 

A big thanks to Major Carr who represented our club at the event as an official.  Special mention to Cornelia, our Youth Captain who took teams of juniors to most of the event too - no small feat.

This Saturday 15th February - Chingford League Race #6 - Victoria Park
This Saturday we host the sixth fixture in the Chingford League, the last race of the series before the relays finale in March.  Since we are hosting now is the chance to get involved + this is a road race (no mud!).  So, come and do something with your Saturday afternoon.  

There are three races:
  • 1:45pm - U13, Approx 3.1k (2 laps of our 1 mile course)
  • 2:05pm - U15, U17, Approx 4.7k (1 lap of the 1 mile course + one large loop)
  • not before 2:30pm - Senior, just under 5 miles (2 laps of the figure-of-8 course) 
As we are hosting this fixture, helpers needed!
  • Marshals (on the course for either the juniors, seniors or all races) or in the timekeeping/finish area - from 1:15pm
  • Helpers before and after the race (setting up the course and clearing down and in the hall with the catering) - from 12:30pm
  • Drinkers - someone to come to the pub with me after all the excitement after the last race and all is tidy..
Please contact me via email in advance if you can so I can work out a roster that fits your plans. If you want to run and help that should be fine too.

Saturday 22nd February - Club Championships 10 mile race - 10:30am Start
The penultimate event in our own Winter series, and a nice break from XC running for those who need it.  10 miles of fast, flat, traffic-free running against yourself or your fellow club members.  Please get to the club house by 10am as we will depart the club house at 10:15 for a prompt start.  The course is a measured straight + five '2 mile' loops, finishing in front of the White Lodge.  There are cups for the winners + tea, cakes and glory in the clubhouse bar afterwards. What's not to like?

As usual, not running but could spare 1-2 hours?  I could use some support with the timekeeping and results recording. Please get in touch.

Saturday 1st March - Chingford League Relays - Highams Park, nr Woodford
Please keep this date in your diaries for the always-good-fun Chingford League relays. A lovely setting and a fun way of running in a team (who said it was an individual's sport?).  More details nearer the time on Facebook, noticeboard etc.  The season awards ceremony will follow this event with tea and cake. Some of our runners are in with a chance of an award.

And in non fixture news:

Reminder - Sunday Long runs from the club house are go!
Make sure you get full use of the club house during marathon training season.  Laura and some others are leading these sessions on a Sunday.  Pleasesee the noticeboard for more info.

Yoga for Runners - coming to VPH & TH AC from Wed 5th March
Building on the successful extra Pilates, new strength & conditioning and personal training sessions running at the club, we'll add a Running-specific yoga class as well.  Yoga is a great way to improve strength and flexibility, postural awareness, injury prevention and rehabilitation. It will be taught by Gail Wilkinson, a strength & conditioning coach, personal trainer and GB age group triathlete(+ a highly accomplished athlete in her own right!)

Gail will be starting a "Yoga for runners" course, on Wednesday 5th March 2013. The course will run for 6 weeks and will focus on opening the hips and strengthening the core, through Hatha yoga. Learn about Gail on her blog here and a little about her yoga here in the Q&A section. For more information on booking, or the other "yoga for athletes" courses Gail runs, please contact her directly g_marie73@hotmail.com

Last up!
Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Stanley and Claire Greening who met at the club a few years ago and we married in January. I'm not sure which number in the series of club marriages this is but it's great to know the club promotes more than purely running and athletics. Small photo attached (spot the fellow club members..), Claire is the one in the white dress with a new husband on her arm!

That's it!

Simeon
Men's Road & XC Director


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Remember, there are many ways to keep in touch with your club:
  • Find out what your clubmates are up to on the Club Facebook page
  • Get the latest news and updates, follow @VPHTHAC on Twitter
  • Get news, updates and race results on the club noticeboard
  • Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website