What a mixture of weather! A wonderful running day at The Brass Monkey half marathon was followed by snow in the mid week causing the predictor to be called off. It has now been rearranged for Thursday 12th Feb, February’s predictor will take place on Thursday 26th Feb.

Many thanks to all those involved in the organisation of the new kit, especially Pete Richardson. The high quality of the fleeces, sweat shirts and hats make them very good value. The club will certainly be noticed at events in the future.

I am pleased to report I am getting over the attack of common sense which I reported in the last issue. I will say that, although it is hard getting back into distance training, I am glad I took things easy, as I recovered from the attacking virus. Common sense does have a place in the runner’s training manual.

In my never ending attempt to see more club members at races I am starting a year long competition starting on 1^st. April (not a joke). I will name events. The first club member to finish in a named event will receive 20 points, the second 19 and so on. If more than 20 members run a race the points will be adjusted so that the last finisher  receives one point. The five mid week races will count. There will be a wide range of age and standard groupings. The named races for April are The Great Grizedale Trail 10 mile 4^th April, Lancaster 3 Bridges 10k 11^th April, London Marathon 18^th April. If you have the fleece etc. it will add to the event. If you are the only one there you are awarded 20 points! A full set of results must be given to me for points to count. I am feeling my way on this so please bear with me as I adjust things through the year. Presentations will be made at the 2005 AGM.

Enjoy your running.

I had entered this race well in advance, in the hope that it would keep me motivated over Christmas and New Year. It is the oldest road run in the world and was celebrating its centenary, so there as quite a sense of occasion. Although it was cold the sun was shining brightly - great running conditions apart from the wind. At the start I bumped into Angie Went and her sister. Apparently their father has completed the run every year for over twenty years but was unable to do it this year, so they were keeping the family tradition going. I set off at about the right pace for once and the first few miles flew by. With no one particular to try to beat it was just me against the clock, until I spotted a familiar pair of shorts at about 8 miles - the lady who had been one place ahead of me at our 10K. Still feeling good I caught her and passed her. Round about 11 miles the wind was beginning to take its toll on most people and my watch showed that I was slowing . Nevertheless I was delighted to smash my PB and finish in 1.32.20. I was given the prize for second lady over 40, although two much faster ladies in my age group made the open prize list. Angie and her sister ran together and finished in around 2.05. Although it may not be the most scenic half-marathon around, the organisation was faultless, including the transport up to Morpeth, the baggage reclaim and the rapid production of results. After a hundred years of practice they should be able to get it right by now!

Participation in this race is a must for EVERYONE! Early entry is essential to avoid disappointment. The race, which starts from York Racecourse, is obviously a very popular run with a whole range of runners. There were over 1,000 entries and some very fast times. Ian Fisher won the race in a time of 1.08.26. The ladies were even more impressive. The winning time was 1.13.44, and the first three ladies finished inside the old course record.

Conditions were near perfect with bright sunshine, low temperatures, and very little wind. Swaledale were well represented, with Richard Johnson (1.16.36) finishing in a very creditable 15^th place, and to his great surprise and delight, won a prize for his efforts. Although Richard was a Ripon Runner on the day, he went to receive his prize in his brand new Swaledale fleece. Erica Johnson (1.26.56) was next to finish. She was a little disappointed with her time- but this is what happens if you don’t race EVERY WEEK!

Liz Sowther continues to push back the boundaries with a PB of 1.31.12 – it’s looking promising for the year ahead. Jackie Keaveney had a super run. She found the course very flat, and kept wondering where the hills were. She sailed past Eric Nutter (1.46.31) (who is still recovering from ‘flu bugs’ ) at 9 miles and finished strongly in 1.44.31. Pete Richardson is getting back to fitness, and finished comfortably, in a time of 1.51.57. I set off at a steady ‘chatting’ pace and felt great up to 10 miles. At that point I wished I’d done a few more miles on my Saturday morning runs. I was pleased with my time of (1.54.47). which was a PB, and look forward to some good times this year. With minimal training, Jo Richardson had a great run. She hoped to get back before the marshals abandoned their posts, and she did that easily, finishing in a time of 2.32.35 – Well done!!

Glenys Nutter and John Hunter gave us great support, and while we were out pounding the roads, John, who would much rather have been racing, strutted around the racecourse showing off our new Swaledale kit.

It’s a super run, and you should all pencil it in to your race diary for next year.

Travelling almost fifty miles to run a 10k at Blackburn would not appeal to many runners This does indicate the quality of this run which starts and finishes on the running track at Witton Park. Over three hundred runners from the very fast and not very fast (thirty two to ninety minutes). As usual we arrived early to give us time for a warm up (which I never do because it’s either too cold or too hot) today was no exception, cold and windy. This is the time the activities in the car are reminiscent of a Soap Opera. ‘What are you wearing’, ‘that’s not warm enough’, ‘you will be to hot in that’, ‘I am wearing shorts’, ‘has any body any spare gloves and hat I forgot mine’, ‘Glenys you don’t need Powergell for a 10K’ and so on, Richard listens to all this but pays no attention to comments, ‘its time to get ready you have only fifteen minutes you haven’t put your shoes on and not yet been to toilet and there’s a long queue’. On this occasion Richard was considering whether to run or not with a head ache and sore throat, he decided not to run. Last time he ran this race he came fourth and this time he was hoping to move up a place or two.

We were requested to be on the start line five minutes before the start. Well here I am once again, this is the time when I think what I am doing here, shivering like this when you get older you are supposed to get wiser. I must be an exception to this rule, then I look around and then console myself that I am not the only one. So I wait for the start watching the antics of the contortionists bending and stretching, running backwards and forwards, jumping up and down, none of this

for me. It does not matter where I stand at the start I always get trampled on and elbowed when the gun goes off, this was no exception. After one and half laps of the track I noticed Erika with the green Swaledale vest in front, it was hard to imagine that she would be placed second female being so far back at the start. After leaving the Park there is two Kilometres of Richmond type up hill, this is were the runners who are like cheap electric light bulbs burn bright for short spells then fade out.

My strategy was to be at the 5K mark in under 25 minutes( my time last year,) I arrived in 24:49 I knew that the second half was faster, however there was a nasty hill at 8K, I kept telling myself not to lose concentration on the long flat part in the park and to try to pas the runner in front whoever it is. It was here that my age group rival passed me like he did at the Cumbrian half marathon, Longridge 7M, Langdale 10k, I had to make a decision, do I let him go ? NO. Then what? Keep on his heels and see what kick he had at the finish . He had done this to me on three occasions, I worked it out that if I passed him on the last lap of the running track, at the finish I would be five metres in front, not giving him time to respond, it worked. I beat him by 7 seconds, it was worth it and it made my day.

We all enjoyed the day, including Richard as Photographer.

Final Results:

Erika 40:59 Second Female

Eric 48:30 Second 65

Glenys 1:03:56 Second 65

Lights! Camera! Action! - Not the usual start to a race, however this was not just any race. Let me explain. Several weeks ago Yorkshire TV approached Ripon Runners to provide 25 runners, after 3 E-Mails, 9 faxes, 2 phone calls and numerous texts, (desperate, Me?) I secured Eric Nutter and I a place for a days filming at nearby Thornton Watlass Hall, Masham, for the TV series Heartbeat.

Early Thursday 29^th January, 6.30am we left Ripon on a coach destined for Thornton Watlass. On arrival we were told to decamp to an old double Decker bus fitted out with tables and chairs. After breakfast from mobile kitchens we were shown to the wardrobe truck to collect our costumes, our measurements were sent in a few weeks earlier, while everyone pulled out tracksuits and long sleeved tops, I pulled out a white set of shorts and vest. Now on the Wednesday you might remember the freezing winds and snow, today wasn’t much better. This was followed by a session in the make-up wagon along with a couple of the stars. Hair duly greased and side-parted, we waited for our first scene, and this was to be the start of the race. Eric and I lined up with Bernard Scripps and David, with Gina to our right on a podium, and the Lady doctor and receptionist behind us. It took four takes before the director was happy.

Our next scene involved running across a field, the wind was biting cold. Eric was nearer the camera for this scene having to steer clear of the cables from the cameras. David was in the background struggling to keep up before finally getting lost in some woods. We now headed back to the bus for dinner, Vegetable kievs and potatoes, followed by sponge and custard. Running after this lot wasn’t much fun. We shot more scenes in the snow, we were starting to suffer from the cold by now. Let me tell you it is not a glamorous life, filming.

The results you might wonder? Well I started first and finished 3^rd from last, Eric faired better at the front, the distance? - Around 400m, Time? - 9hrs, oh the shame of it. I’ve never been so badly placed. Throughout the day I managed to pull on my Swaledale Road Runner fleece and be photographed with some of the stars, much to the chagrin of Ripon Runners.

Feb 22nd Snake Lane 10 Pocklington

Mar 7th Haweswater half marathon

Mar 14th Redcar half marathon

Mar 21st South Leeds Stadium 5m

Tue 4th May Skipton 7.30pm

Thur 20th May Nidd Valley 7.45pm - (to be confirmed)

Wed 9th Jun Otley 7.45pm

Wed 23rd Jun Thirsk 7.45pm

Tue 6th July Swaledale 7.45pm

Wed 21st July Ripon 7.30pm - (handicap and presentation)

Club Meetings are fun!

The monthly club meetings are designed for everyone. It is a chance for you to have your say or just listen to others having their say. Enjoy a drink, win the ‘hundred club’ or a box of fruit then eat the food provided. The meetings take place at the Board Inn, Bar Gate, just down from the club house, on the first Monday of every month. These are social club meetings with club business thrown in. Why not give them a try?!

For those of you who have not seen or purchased yet, we have a stock of top quality, limited edition Fleeces, Sweat shirts and Hats, all embroidered with the club badge. We have a variety of sizes and you can have any colour you want as long as it is green! These are smart enough for casual wear and also make ideal pre race warm up gear. Available now at the incredibly low prices of Fleece £22.00, Sweatshirt £12.00, Hats £4.50 at the club house or by contacting Pete or Jo on 01677 427657.

A warm welcome to new members Philip Sweetland and Mel Sadler.

The Cross Training will take place at Richmond pool on Mon 9th Feb and Mon 19th Feb at 8pm til 9pm. If you are interested in participating and have not filled in a form and given it to Jo, please contact Jo Richardson on 01677 427657 a.s.a.p. as places are limited and almost full.

Details of the Keld to Richmond Run are attached. This is open to all club members and you can run as much or as little as you want. If you don’t want to run but can help on the day i.e. support drivers please contact Norman on 01748 824898 (Roots & Shoots) or 01748 823536 (home).

Sun 14th Mar Paintball - see attached

If you would like to organise or suggest any social event please contact Norman or Sue Smith. A social committee meeting will now be held each month on the Thursday before our monthly meeting at the club house after training. They will be kept as brief as possible, any club member who would like to contribute to the meeting i.e. ideas for future social events/help organise, is welcome to come along. Next meeting to be held on Thursday 26th February.

Don’t wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel - stride down and switch it on yourself!