Tick tick tick tick........................boom!

Trial by Stopwatch

Wed 30 March 2011

7pm, somewhere in Northern England. At the warm-up, there was more discussion about food than there was about running. I think that’s natural, as no-one wants to talk about a time trial beforehand. The thought is too painful. We all just want it to be over, no-one cares what time they might get. It’s only 1.75 miles - too far to sprint but too short to relax within.

Debutants Karl Allen, Mark Burns-Cassell and Emily Heaviside should be pleased with their results. Incredibly, Paul Saager achieved his fastest time since records began in Oct 2003, with 11:15. Proof that being a Middlesbrough FC supporter need not be the kiss of death it is generally believed to be, and reward for a winter of diligent training.

And equally incredibly, Gill DSD also achieved a lifetime best with 13:17. Proof that being married to Andy has not led to a fatal tailspin in her running career as some feared.

Perhaps not quite so incredibly, Gill’s husband Andy got down off his chair to surpass his own previous best with 11:55.

Other PBs on the night – well done to Chris & Vicky Boyd, to the up & coming Shaun Graham, to John Nicholson, Steve Patterson, to the dark destroyer Kev Scott, and finally to Angela Watson. Angela capped a good few days after demolishing her 2010 time at Grizedale on Sunday by a full 9 minutes.

There were one or two PWs (no names of course), but all would be able to cite mitigating circumstances I’m sure.

Poignant moment of the evening – Sally Spence decided not to run, having been the only ‘ever-present’ at this club event to date. So her run of 14 consecutive TTs stops there – who can hope to beat that? Instead, she was Chief Name-Taker on the night, and I have to say her written results were easily the neatest I have had to transcribe in living memory. Well done Sally.

Thanks also to Mr Andrew Bell (Starter), Kevin Whitemore (Security), and Dave Peacock (Rabble-Rouser and Chief Heckler). Never have so many owed so much to etc etc...

So, did the winter training work? Or were a lot of people just trying harder this time? You decide.......

BHF London to Paris Bike Ride

In May 2008 soon after the finish of the Golden Globe 5k I suffered toothache or at least I thought  it was toothache; it was in fact a heart attack! I was fortunate and I survived thanks in part to Kevin Whitemore who drove me the short but vital 1/2 mile to the Penrith Emergency unit, after we arrived back at PRUFC car park.

After recovering from the shock of the heart attack I realised from speaking to friends and family, many of whom are in Eden Runners that nobody knew that a pain across the jaw was the sign of an impending heart attack. And this is where the British Heart Foundation comes in, as their literature provides such life saving knowledge as well as providing vital guidance in the debilitating days and weeks following the attack.

I decided therefore that in the run up to my 50th birthday that I would try and raise some money to help ensure in a small way that the BHF can carry on providing their vital charitable work. Enter the London to Paris Bike Ride 300km's over 3 days from the 2nd July!

I was able to form a team of 4 thanks to Wacker, Tony and Julia and the support of a mate Ian (to drive the support vehicle) and my wife Diane (to provide sort out navigation, logistics and fund raising).

In totoal we need to raise £1,000 (£250 each) with all money raised going directly to BHF (all costs are met by us). Our first fund raising event is a Quiz at PRUFC on the 1st April, £6 a ticket from Tony Lowery with pie and pies thrown in (not literally hopefully).

Although there are in effect 4 people undertaking the Bike Ride (with 2 supporters) we will not achieve the most important part the fundraising without your support, I hope that this blog will keep you up to date with our challenges along the way.

If you would like to contribute on our Just Giving page (thanks to Ian Horne and Alan Marshall for generous donations already) you can do so at http://original.justgiving.com/tonylowery2

Thanks
Dave P