Author Archive: erradmin

Hooky 6 Report by Alison Craggs

All I can remember about this race was the booze.

Ian’s plan had me down for 15 miles that day, but I had entered the Hooky 6, so went for a long warm up and stumbled across the Hook Norton Brewery, before finding my way back to the start line.  It was a two lap course and 6 miles later we ended up back where we started.

The race, which is in the Club Champs and is the reason why I had entered, sells out quickly and unfortunately quite a few people were not able to get a place.  There was a bar at the finish and although Adrian and other Eynsham Road Runners had missed out on getting a place they did not miss out on getting a pint ready for the presentations.

Kate finished second lady overall and won a box of 3 Hook Norton beers and a beer glass.   She didn’t like beer so promptly gave the beer away to Jackie and Adrian, but kept the beer glass – because having won the race last year she now has a matching set.  Top tip, if you like beer make sure you are near Kate at the presentations.

Jackie was then declared second in her age category and won more beer. 

Jackie and Adrian had kindly given me a lift and on the way home talk was about the Hooky Christmas Canter, which again sells out.  Adrian was telling us that he enjoys that race because as you run round you pop into the church and get mulled wine and mince pies.  Jackie didn’t know of this, as she’d always sprinted past the church to win the race!

I did not win any beer that day, but did complete the 15 miles and won the wine 3 weeks later.

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Race to the Stones Report by Tess Evans

Racing to the stones – Avebury that is, not to some gig somewhere.

Ok, its an ultra of sorts, an ultra with options. I had been looking at this event for some time, picking it up and putting it down like some kind of ornament I had no use for. I had my reasons for dithering, these were significant, so when Colin, whilst walking his dog said he didn’t know what sock to wear for this event he signed up to, I decided.

It wasn’t about the socks, or even Colin. It was about getting back on the event waggon.

After running my first and very enjoyable marathon in October; I hadn’t been my usual active self. Maybe I needed to recover longer than I did. Possibly, it is said you need to have more of a break than you think, but not stop completely. Well, I didn’t quite do that.

I had a few medical issues and health scare which slowed me down, likely at the point I should have picked up. I fully understand what it is like to wait for a diagnosis, mulling over uncertainty and possibilities. In the end I decided to keep busy, I called the problem ‘Jeff’, as anything would be an assumption which could embody misdirected fears; I went on holiday and did a few nice things I wanted to do. Jeff is still with me as a passenger and is not too disruptive, although a concern. I wont bore people with the detail, but learning you have a benign tumour in your lung doesn’t relieve you, or excite you. Just exhale (metaphorically, because actually it effects breathing) that ‘it could be worse’.

So. I’m doing this event and others to push against Jeff. Unwanted passenger who seems harmless who might get me in the future. I should currently be struggling to breathe going up stairs, but I’m not. Why – because I have been active most of my life, and I’m little. Fortunate still.

Enough about me and why.

The event – a well organised machine, very accessible to all abilities. Weather for some was good, a little on the warm side for me.  We had more snacks available than was sensible, drink possibilities that were endless, and; So. Many. Stops.

Colin valiantly declared he would follow me as he had not done something like this before (I don’t remember being a) an expert, b) er, likewise?). Never mind. I hope he understands how I operate…

An hour into the event walk/ jogging to get out the way of people and chatting – I realised that it would have been better to do the whole thing in one go, especially as I was talking to walkers who were saying my pace was good walking speed and they were going to go through the night. Haha.

Lesson no 6. This is a different race to other events, and it will be down to technique as well as endurance and speed.

Lesson no 7. No matter how bright your t-shirt is, some t*@* will step on you.

Lesson no 8. The food at the stations is free to help yourself, but don’t eat 4 times as much, or you’ll look like that person who is shamelessly building another camel hump.

Lesson no 9. This might be a trail path, but the sun has packed it hard like concrete, trail shoes not needed (ouch!)

Lesson no 10. Feet swell, they keep swelling and want to escape the shoe.

Lesson no 10b. running uphill is better for you and was easier (tiny hills)

Lesson no 11. Ibrobufen gel is a mistake. My hand was numb from applying it, but it didn’t help with issue I had, haha.

Lesson no 12. This is a tough event, but you need to suit yourself; being polite to someone will fail for the 5th time they want a nice cup of tea and a sit down, and you are in agony.

Lesson 13. You have to physically do this event, but unless you tell yourself you can, you won’t. Psychology against yourself is a mean battle.

Lesson 14. It was a great event, well organised, beautiful timing, beautiful route; I have another chapter in my physical achievements.

Lesson 15. How can anyone wear flipflops after an event like that?

Thanks to Colin for the company, the lift and the distraction. I hope you understand that you are a better athlete than you think, because you are competitive, although stamina is your enemy.

Lesson 16. Do it once, you can then decide to regret it, or realise what you really can do.

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Standish Woodlands Chase Report by Al Graham

Sat in my car waiting out the rain, and looking at all the other runners in their cars doing the same, I have to say that it looked like it might be an endurance rather than a fun race. But then, with 10 minutes to go before the start gun, the rain lessened to a drizzle, and by the time we’d reached the top of the first hill the sun was trying to make a break through. The race is organised by the Stroud and District Athletic Club and is part of a memorial series for one of their former runners, Roger Briers, and if you complete the series you can join the medals together to form a plaque (which is a nice touch). The Standish Woodlands Chase 10(ish) miler (https://www.stroudac.co.uk/StandishWoodlandChase) is a runner’s race! From the start line you go straight up! For quite a long time. Infact, ‘up’ (and steep ‘down’) is a common feature of the race. However, the woods are stunning to run through and by the time you are on the second loop then you know where you are going and can start to enjoy yourself. The views of the Severn valley across to Wales and into the Stroud valley really take your breath away as you come out of the woods ready for the fast descent to the finish line. The race was really well organised, and all the local runners I met were really friendly. It was a small field with 153 finishers (in which I came 40th) but I don’t think it should become much larger - sometimes a smaller challenging race is really satisfying. I think I’ll be looking to do this again some time! 

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