EYNSHAM ROADRUNNERS NEWSLETTER

October 2006 

CHAIRMAN’S RAMBLE 

Hello everyone

Not having seen this ‘new’ newsletter, I’m not sure whether you will have noticed any changes yet, as we now have a new editing team who I’m sure will introduce themselves at some stage. Anyway, I will still have a slot somewhere within the newsletter, so I will try not to make this the most boring part.

Running – I’m sure that when you read further on, you will soon become aware of what a successful few weeks we have had, with Eynsham Roadrunners winning many individual, team and category prizes, in a variety of races ranging from, Swindon, Hanney, Motavation and too many others to mention (that means I’ve forgotten them, sorry)

Cross-country season – starts again in November with the first race on November 5^th at Ascott-under-Wychwood, when we have another chance for the men’s and ladies teams to go for promotion. This is possible as long as we have both teams at full-strength – not just in quality (I think we have a little quality somewhere) but also in numbers. Even if you may not be in a scoring position for ERR you may well be in front of a person scoring for another team. Go on, come and join us playing in the mud. It may be cold, it may be wet, but we will have a laugh and it will be fun and we definitely will go to the pub afterwards (what else did you expect?)

Maylarch Eynsham 10k and 1-mile fun run – As always, this is the most important date in the calendar, this year on Sunday 26^th November, when we ask you all to help out to ensure that is a successful, enjoyable and profitable day for Eynsham Roadrunners. As usual, I will be asking for volunteer marshals and helpers, and before you know it many other requests will follow asking for food donations. Please offer to help as the more willing helpers we get, the easier it will be for all of us.

Christmas is coming – I guess and hope that all the usual fun events will be taking place, no I don’t mean will Father Christmas be coming, I mean the usual 1-mile fancy dress run, the New Years Eve house crawl, the New Years day walk, but maybe it’s a little early to talk about these, so watch out for your next newsletter for more information

So I think that is it from me in this newsletter, so I look forward to seeing you at all of the above, and more.

Tony. 

Introduction from the Editors

Welcome to the October newsletter. As Tony mentioned above, there is now an editorial board consisting of Jane, Denise and Graham who will be looking to bring you news and reviews loosely connected with running and the club. The aim is to publish a newsletter every couple of months so we will be badgering for contributions all those unfortunate enough to be in our presence when the next issue is due (December). You have been warned. 

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS 

100-mile Charity Fun Day

Siemens joined us this year to make our 100-mile Charity Fun Day bigger and better and helped to raise a record £1700 for the following charities: Oxford Children's Hospital, St John Ambulance and the Oxford Transplant Centre. This year in addition to the running, we had rowing, cycling and triathlon challenges, Larry and Peter making PA announcements and a big TV screen!  

Eynsham Challenge, 14^th July

We lost (3:2). 

Canoeing

Great day out on the River Wye organised by Pete (15 July). Sun shone all day and only Katie and her boyfriend James fell in. We’re not sure if it was during a tiff. A few ladies enjoyed a bathe in the river after a hard days paddling, then it was back to Kate and Phil’s for an Indian take-out. 

Eynsham Triathlon

20 hardy souls took part in the 2^nd annual ERR triathlon at Woodstock on August 15^th. Competitors had to complete a 200 m swim, 11 mile bike ride and 5k run. Robbie won it (but then, he ought to), but Nick Sheard won the prize as best ‘amateur’. Jane was best lady, and Jan provided bacon butties afterwards. 

Cotswold Way Walk

Paul and Andy Creasey organised a weekend of walking part of the Cotswold Way (30 Sep/1 Oct). Wonderful scenery, good company, good food, and the heaviest rain you can imagine.  

Pat’s Garden Party

Pat put on a fantastic spread of cakes and tea and raised an impressive £1000 to support Matthew Marks attend the Scout Jamboree next year. 

Gourd competition results

Freaky Gourd – prize to Kate for her naturally curvaceous, smooth skinned pair of gourds.

Gorgeous Gourd – prize to Larry for a very striking tall, speckle skinned beauty.

Groovy Gourd – prize to June and Sue for their artistically enhanced flower laden beauty.

Special prizes to Pete for his athletic gourd groupies and Jane for an attractive bowl of mixed gourds.

Highly commended prizes for Cindy’s amorous pair of well dressed gourds and Derek’s ‘corn-on-the-cob’ (a swan gourd with sweetcorn on it)

Thanks to all who took part – it was fun! Linda 

Skittles night

46 people participated in a night of skittles at the Gardiner Arms in Tackley. Congratulations to Robbie (no not Robin) and Mary who won the competitions, but Joan’s last go had to be the most entertaining; the first ball was hurled with great enthusiasm but bounced off the sides and returned to her without reaching the skittles; the second, thrown with equal enthusiasm went straight through and the third might have knocked one skittle over as it bounced back off the wall. Luckily no lights were broken. 

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 

Cross country

So it’s time to dust off those spikes that were last seen in March, check they haven’t shrunk over the summer, and decide to buy a new pair anyway. But how do you keep them in tip-top condition? We asked club members for their tips and suggestions. 

Jane – “I use a bucket of warm water and a toothbrush, and take the spikes out.”

Paul – “Throw them onto the lawn and attack with a hose.”

Denise – “I leave them for Graham to deal with.”

Graham – “Spray with a hose and dry with newspaper.”

Tony – “I wash them in a delicate programme at 30 degrees, and find Fairy Snow works best (even better than the Co-op own brand), then tumble dry for 25 minutes. My preferred fabric conditioner is Comfort with essence of yiang yiang, as meadow fresh can be a bit harsh.” 

Sunday 5 November  Race 1: Ascott under Wychwood

Sunday 3 December  Race 2: Culham Park

Sunday 31 December  Race 3: Radley

Sunday 4 February  Race 4: Cirencester Park

Sunday 4 March   Race 5: Banbury

This season a new race number system is being introduced. This seems to be similar to the Motavation system with number ranges allocated to each club. See new website for details: http://www.oxonxc.org/

Christmas Party 

Saturday 16^th December 2006 at the Evenlode

Cost approximately £30 per head including half a bottle of wine.

Time – 7.30 for 8.00, but of course, the bar is open before that. 

Contact Larry for details using any one of the following means:

• phone 01865 375130 or
• email larrypoole@aol.com or
• text to 07712527261. 

Nick Sheard has kindly volunteered to dust off his D-J skills and put on a disco that will keep us dancing from 10:00pm till 1.00am, and Mike has promised to clear the dance floor if any Status Quo is played. 

Fancy dress run

Talking of Christmas, don’t forget the annual fancy dress run on the last Wednesday before Xmas (20 December).  

Photo competition

Please get your entries for the photo competition to Denise soon unless you want Jan to ‘run’ away with all the prizes.  

Spring marathon 2007

Following the mega success of the Paris trip last year when we managed to drink all the Guinness in the James Joyce pub (well, Brigid did), we are planning another ERR invasion of Europe. So, if anyone is interested in either running a marathon next spring or in coming along for the shopping and sightseeing (and Guinness), please come along to the next meeting on Monday, 30^th October at 8.30 pm in the White Hart when we will be discussing the cost and making a final decision.

Favourite locations are Rome (18^th March), Prague (13^th May) and Copenhagen (20^th May). If you can’t get to the meeting but are interested, please email me on jankavanagh@btconnect.com so we can add you to the list, thanks. 

RUNNING WILD 

Tony’s Teatime Tea Cosy

As anyone who attends the White Hart on a Wednesday night knows, Tony is showing his age and is no longer able to drink as many pints as he used to. Instead, he has taken to drinking copious amounts of tea, so this knitting pattern is dedicated to him.

Nothing could give a prettier finish to a dainty Wednesday night tea than this exquisite little cosy with multi-coloured flower finish. Any small oddments of two-ply (in harmonising tones) will make the flowers. There are numerous colour combinations to suit one's tea-set.

Materials: 
1/2 oz. mist blue 2-ply (half the thickness of the fingering weight) 
1/2 oz. mist blue 4-ply (fingering weight), 1/2 oz. darker blue 2-ply, 1/2 oz. darker blue 4-ply. 
3 Old UK Size No. 8 knitting needles; Bone ring about 1 1/2 inches in diameter

Pattern:  
Wind the 2-ply into 2 separate balls. Using double 2-ply, cast on 46 stitches. (In the 3rd row the 'made' st. is obtained by knitting under the wool between 2 sts.) 
1st Row: Purl. 2nd Row: Knit 2 tog. all along row. 3rd Row: (K 1, WRN, M 1, WRN) repeat between brackets to end of row, ending with WRN, M 1 4th Row: Knit, dropping the WRN (46 sts.). Repeat these 4 rows nine times more (10 patterns). (MEASURE FOR REQUIRED DEPTH OF COSY) .. and so on …

To Make the Flowers:  
Wind the 2-ply wool loosely round two fingers of left hand (1st and 2nd fingers) about 28 times … and so on ….

Chairmans comment – the last time I saw anything like the above cosy, it was being worn at Cross-country by the new editors. Perhaps that’s why it took them so long, as they had their ears sticking out of the holes (usually for handle & spout) instead of their eyes! 

Another Chairman’s comment – with reference to the Chairman’s age, I suggest you refer to the Club Championship table to see if he acts his age or younger!! 

Editors’ Response: he's touchy about his age, isn't he!   

Poem for a Long Distance Runner (found by Jan)

It’s simple to say that you’re finished, and die

It’s easy to whimper and whine

Keep on with the fight, though there’s no help in sight

You’ll soon cross that lost finish line.

You’ll come out of the black, with the wind at your back

As the clouds start to part, there’s the sun

And you’ll know in your heart, as you did at the start

You’re not a quitter, you’ve won! 

 

ERR Cooking Corner

In a new series, that will hopefully last at least one edition, we’re bringing you seasonal recipe ideas to titillate your palette that you can try for yourself. The first recipe we bring you has a Halloween theme, so brush off your broomsticks and get out your potions, it’s time to try ERR Halloween Squares!! (As tested at the Swindon Half Marathon). 

Halloween Cross-Country Mud Squares with extra Worms 

150 g dark chocolate, broken into pieces

100 g unsalted butter

4 tbsp golden syrup

100 g Rice Krispies

50 g dried blueberries

50 g dried cranberries

100 g mini marshmallows

50 g white chocolate. Broken into pieces

jelly snakes and bugs to decorate (optional) 

1. Line a 20 cm square tin with baking parchment or cling film. Place the dark chocolate, butter and golden syrup in a pan over low heat and stir until melted.
2. Put the Rice Krispies in a large bowl and mix in the blueberries, cranberries and marshmallows. Stir in the melted chocolate mixture until everything is well coated. Spoon the mixture into the tin and spread out evenly. Chill in the fridge for an hour until set (or make the day before and chill overnight).
3. Remove from tin and peel away paper or cling film. Using a sharp knife, cut into 16 squares or 32-bite pieces. Melt the white chocolate in a small bowl over a pan of barely simmering water, or in the microwave on high for 1 minute, stirring half way. Using a teaspoon, drizzle the white chocolate over the squares. Scatter with jelly sweets, then allow to set before piling onto a serving plate. Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
4. Per serving: 197 calories, protein 2 g, carbohydrate 26 g, fat 10 g, saturated fat 6 g, fibre 1 g, sugar 17 g, salt 0.15 g

Robbie’s triathlon training

For those of you that took part in Lesley’s triathlon back in August you may now realise that triathlon is not just one sport but three all rolled into one, with each discipline using different muscle groups and different strengths. Most people can run, cycle and swim but to put them all together effectively takes time and training, particularly going from bike to run.

I am doing a triathlon coaching course in the next few months. So if you are thinking about doing a triathlon next year talk to me and I can help to point you in the right direction with training needs or maybe which races may be best for you. As you may know I also race for team TRI UK, which is the biggest triathlon retail outlet in the county. So I can also try and guide you on any products you may need. I feel very privileged to race for and train with Eynsham Road Runners and TRI UK as both teams have a special place in my heart; Eynsham, because I was born in the village and all of you are great to run with and TRI UK because they sponsor me and save me lots of money each year.

Lesley and I have started a turbo training session at the Pavilion on a Wednesday night before running so please feel free to join us.

There will be more from Robbie on triathlons in our next newsletter. 

 

RACE RESULTS 

British 10K July 2 
Mark Gascoigne (SM)  44:20 
 
Didcot 5 July 2

Sandra Jinks (1st FV55) 55:03 
 
Didcot Fun Run 
Zac Payne 18:20     Loren Hessey 31:42 

Yarnton 5 July 8

Tony Whitlock (3^rd MV) 30:38    Mark Creasey (MV50)  32:33    Richard Saunders (SM)  32:47    Graham Bridges (MV40)  33:50    Peter Larbalestier (MV50)  37:07    Roger Gascoigne (MV50)  49:01

Sheila Gascoigne (1^st FV)  38:55    Jane Larbalestier (3^rd FV)  40:57 

Yarnton Fun Run

Hannah Larbalestier (1^st girl <15) 13:48 

Waddesdon 5K July 19

Tony Whitlock (2^nd MV50) 18.39    Ben Breaker (SM)  18:49 (PB)    Chris James (MV40)  19:17    Graham Breaker (MV40)  19:38    Robbie Phillips (SM)  19:50    Nick Sheard (SM)  20:56    Derek Breaker (MV50)  21:35    Larry Poole (2^nd MV60)  21:53    Bob Pomfret (MV40)  22:28    Kevin Kavanagh (MV50)  22:30    Hugh Morris (MV50)  22:37    Ian Spencer (MV50)  23:04    Simon Taylor (MV50)  23:41    Ian Keeley (MV50)  25:19    Andy Creasey (MV50)  26:15    Roger Gascoigne (MV50)  33:10 (J)

Denise Bridges (FV35)  23:27    Katherine Bates (FV45)  23:53 (J)    Sheila Gascoigne (FV45) 23:59    Jane Larbalestier (FV45)  25:05    Jan Kavanagh (FV45)  26:19    Jenny Breaker (SF)  29:18    Pat Whitlock (FV45)  29:50

1^st Ladies Team: Denise Bridges, Katherine Bates, Sheila Gascoigne, Jane Larbalestier 

Hornton 6 July 22

Simon Taylor (MV50)  47:41 

Gloucester Half Marathon July 23

Simon Taylor (MV50)  1:49:10 

Hook Norton 6 August 6

Chris James (MV40) 37.50    Ben Breaker (SM)  38.35 (PB)    Tony Whitlock (MV50)  39.06    Graham Bridges (MV40)  39.27     Robbie Phillips (SM) 41.41    Nick Sheared (SM)  41.42    Larry Poole (MV60)  41.55    Hugh Morris (MV50)  44.41

Kate Williamson (1^st FV55)  45.28    Sheila Gascoigne (FV45)  47.10    Katherine Bates (FV45) 48.30    Denise Bridges 49.14    Pat Whitlock (FV45) 59.52     Joan Ryan (3^rd FV55) 60.38  

Headington 10K September 3

Tony Whitlock (3^rd MV50)  39:17    Graham Bridges (MV40)  40:15    Mark Creasey (MV50)  40:20    Chris James (MV40)  41:26    Nick Sheard (SM)  43:54 (J)    Kevin Kavanagh (MV50)  47:52

Kate Williamson (1^st FV55)  47:34    Sheila Gascoigne (FV45)  48:43    Denise Bridges (FV35)  51:30    Jan Kavanagh (FV45)  55:38    Pat Whitlock (FV45)  58:33    Joan Ryan (FV60)  61:55 

Leighfield 10 mile September 3

Simon Taylor (MV50)  1:22:00 

Newbury Triathlon September 3 (300 m, 22K, 5K)

Peter Larbalestier (2^nd MV50)  1:11:00

Jane Larbalestier (FV45)  1:20:31 

The Beast 13/14 Mile Multi-terrain 3 September (from Corfe Castle, Dorset)

Bob Pomfret 2:02:46

“The weather was appalling: high wind, low cloud and rain but I ran my best time in four attempts (2 minutes and 47 seconds slower than I was hoping for) and was 213th out of 480 finishers. I'll be back for another go next year. If any ERRs want to join me that'd be great.” 

Witney 10 September 10

Chris James (MV40)  67:38    Mark Creasey (MV50)  67:41    Graham Bridges (MV40)  68:20    Ben Breaker (SM)  68:38    Larry Poole 69:39 (1^st MV60) (J)    Richard Saunders (SM)  75:02    Peter Larbalestier (MV50)  77:33    Hugh Morris (MV50)  79:17 (J)    Kevin Kavanagh (MV50)  84:33

Kate Williamson 78:00 (1^st FV55 and 1^st County Championship FV55)    Sheila Gascoigne 83:10 (3^rd County Championships FV45)    Katherine Bates (FV45)  86:20    Jane Larbalestier (FV45) 86:53    Jan Kavanagh (FV45)  94:01 (pb)  

Robin Hood Half Marathon September 10

Mark Gascoigne (SM)  1:34:00 

Nieuwpoort (Belgium) Half Marathon September 10

Tony Whitlock (MV50)  1:30:00 

British Heart Foundation Blenheim 10K September 17

Ray Clarke  1:06:00

Sheila Gascoigne (FV45) 48:02    Jane Bishop  1:04:11    Carol Green  1:09:16    Karina Stratford  1:18:05

Well done to Karina for taking part in and completing her first race. 

Berlin Marathon September 24

Graham Bridges (MV40)  3:44:25 (pb) 

Hanney 5 October 8

Tony Whitlock (4th MV50)  30:33    Graham Bridges (MV40)  30:48 (pb)    Nick Sheard (SM)  33:01    Kevin Kavanagh (MV50)  35:21 (pb)    Hugh Morris (MV50)  35:35    Derek Breaker (MV50)  36:21    Martin Johnson (MV50)  38:40    Ian Keeley (MV50)  39:10    Andy Creasey (MV50)  39:30    Ray Clarke (MV60)  49:54

Kate Williamson (1^st FV60)  35:44    Katherine Bates (3^rd FV45)  36:49    Jane Larbalestier (FV45)  37:32 (pb)    Jan Kavanagh (FV45)  41:11 (pb)    Pat Whitlock (FV45)  46:07    Joan Ryan (FV60)  46:43    Linda Breaker (FV45)  49:22    Sandra Jinks (FV60)  50:42    Kathy Green (FV45)  50:10    Marisa Keeley (FV45)  52:35    Jacque Johnson (FV45)  54:42   

Henley Half Marathon October 8

Matthew Marks (SM)  1:47:59    Jonathan Marks (MV40)  1:48:00

Congratulations to Matthew on his first half marathon at the tender age of 14 

Forest of Dean Duathlon October 8 (5K, 17K, 5K)

Peter Larbalestier (MV50) 1:19:03 
 

Swindon Half Marathon Sunday 15 October

Tony Whitlock (MV50)  1:29:32    Graham Bridges (MV40)  1:30:24    Larry Poole (1^st MV60)  1:31:06    Nick Sheard (SM)  1:32:07    Ben Breaker (SM)  1:37:29    Bill Middleton (MV60)  1:48:31    Ian Keeley (MV50)  1:52:13 (pb)

Kate Williamson (1^st FV60)  1:41:03    Katherine Bates (FV45)  1:44:32 (pb)    Jane Larbalestier (FV45)  1:48:58    Pat Whitlock (FV45)  2:05:11    Joan Ryan (FV60)  2:17:41    Xanthe Sturt-Taylor  (FV35)  2:37:23

Congratulations to Xanthe on her first half marathon 

Abingdon Marathon October 22

Larry Poole (1^st MV60)  3:23:00   

Jan Kavanagh (FV45)  4:17:16 (pb) 

Ascott-under-Wychwood 10K multiterrain October 22

Tony Whitlock (MV50)  43:22    Mark Creasey (MV50)  44:28    Graham Bridges (MV40)  45:17    Ian Spencer (MV50)  52:40    Martin Johnson (MV50)  53:24    Ian Keeley (MV50)  54:54    Andy Creasey (MV50)  56:24    Paul Creasey (MV60)  57:30   

Kate Williamson (3^rd lady FV60)  50:28    Katherine Bates (4^th lady FV45)  50:54    Jane Larbalestier (FV45)  55:25    Pat Whitlock (FV45)  78:00 

Ascott-under-Wychwood 5K multiterrain October 22

Jacque Johnson (FV45)  33:08    Sandra Jinks (FV60)  33:08    Cindy Creasey (FV55)  39:00 

Thruxton Mass Attack Duathlon October 22 (5K, 30K, 5K)

Peter Larbalestier (MV55)  1:38:00 

Roll of Honour

Motavation series – Kate 1^st V55, Andrew Clark 2^nd U17, Tony 4^th V50, Ladies Team 4^th, Men’s Team 8^th

Didcot 5 – Sandra 1^st FV55

Waddesdon 5K – 1^st Ladies Team, Tony 2^nd MV50, Larry 2^nd MV60

Hanney 5 miles – 3^rd Ladies Team (County Championship)

Pram Race – 1^st and 2^nd ladies teams

Hook Norton 6 – Joan 3^rd FV55

Motavation – ladies team (unspecified award)

Yarnton 5 – Tony 3^rd MV50, Sheila 1^st FV, Jane 3^rd FV

Witney 10 – Larry 1^st MV60

Newbury triathlon – Peter 2^nd MV50

Swindon half marathon – Larry 1^st MV60

Abingdon marathon – Larry 1^st MV60

…. and 1^st FV55/60 every race Kate has entered. 

Things we could have won if we had ticked the box

Witney 10 mile (County Championship) 1^st V60 – Larry

Hanney 5 mile (County Championship) 3^rd FV45 – Katherine 

Send your race results to …

Please send results from any races that you run (including triathlons) with details of race name, distances and times and any prizes won to Jane Larbalestier: 01865 880449 or email: janemdavies@tiscali.co.uk  

Headington 10K Report by Graham (with help from Google)

Interesting facts about Worminghall Airfield, otherwise known as RAF Oakley:

1. Honor Blackman drove a Jaguar across the airfield in an episode of Midsomer Murders.

2. It was featured in the James Bond film Octopussy.

3. David Bowie wrote ''Wild is the Wind' after competing there in the Headington 10K. 

Ok, so the last one was made up. At least I think it was, as I couldn't find him in the list of competitors. It would have been a fair description of the conditions, though, which if not quite as hot as last year had the added bonus of a gale force (well, quite strong) wind to contend with, which was at its worst as you turned off the sheltered country lanes to complete the last 2.5km on the airfield. At this point a Jaguar or even a foldaway plane cunningly disguised as a horse's behind would have been more than welcome. Ah well, the 'PB course' boast would have to wait for another year to be proven. Not that this mattered to Tony, who burned round in 39:17, and would have given Honor a run for her money (now there's an interesting thought). Next home was Graham (40:15), who made the brave/foolish move of overtaking Mark (40:20) at about 4K and just about held him off in the final stretch. Chris for once fulfilled his downbeat pre-race predictions to finish in 41:26, followed by professional triathlete Nick with a joker-justifying 5th place and a time of 43:54. Kevin was far too cool to indulge in the sprint finish going on around him and cruised home in 47:52, with Ian K continuing his return from injury to finish in 51:40. Another day, another LV55 title for Kate, whose time of 47:34 also meant that she was the first ERR lady, although not so far ahead of Sheila, with an excellent 48:43. Third ERR lady was Denise, whose 51:30 was enough of a struggle for her later to remark that "she's not at her best in the mornings", which few would dispute, although in fairness she did also complete the 'Only Fools' event around the Blenheim Horse Trials course a couple of hours later. Those who more sensibly went to the pub afterwards were Jan (55:38), and Pat (58:33), followed by Joan in 61:55. 

The Swindon Mental Battle (or Half Marathon)

I have always believed that running is half physical and half mental. Sunday’s Swindon Half Marathon definitely proved this. For a start a lot of runners found it a mental battle just getting to the start and avoiding the road blocks. I had a mental battle as I had not done the mileage before hand, spent the last week playing catch up (yes I know, it’s the wrong thing to do) but the mental state has to know you can do it. My get out was “I haven’t done the mileage, I’m just going to get round”. Yes I know you’ve heard it from me before, but it works for me.

Larry had a mental battle as he is doing the Abingdon Marathon next week and felt he had tapered too soon, so how was he going to run it today? Fast and furious so that he knows he can still perform, or gentle to reserve energy for next week. You obviously went for the fast and furious Larry – well done on 1^st man over 60. Jan is also doing the Abingdon Marathon next week and was having a mental battle – “do I run and risk injuring my hip further or stay at home and miss out on a Club Championship race” – she didn’t appear. Kevin didn’t appear too – perhaps that was more of a “her indoors” battle rather than mental? We shall never know. 

I heard Bill say that June had informed him “you don’t have to run it all”. He must have included June in his mental battle before he came out – don’t know it that’s wise Bill! Ian Keeley was keen to do his second half marathon, but he had a mental battle with pain all the way round the course with old sports injuries that even 3 overloaded capsules couldn’t dull. He did do a very nice limp afterwards and a PB – well done! Denise has been having mental battles with herself for a long time now. She is so competitive but continually gets injuries. Feeling that she was being pressurized by others to run that day it was a big mental battle for her to decide that it was better not to run than to make her injuries worse. Your cakes were lovely Denise – thanks they just hit the spot. 

And then there was Xanthe, she had done all the training, had got to the start in plenty of time, but yes you’ve seen that look on virgin half marathoners before, haven’t you, pasty white and sick looking – do you remember the feeling – that’s a mental battle in itself. We at the back have a lot of mental battles, but don’t think the ones at the front don’t have them too. Their problem is not should they run, but that they have “got to run at all cost”, and “they must run their fastest at all costs”.

So thanks for the bottle of wine, it does great things for the mind but the body – oh well. 
 

Club Championship

With only one more club championship race yet to take place (and the marathon results to be added) it rather looks like Tony and Kate have got the men's and women's championships all sewn up. In the men's competition all of the top few places look quite settled now, but in the ladies competition 2nd place appears to be up for grabs: will it be Sheila or Katherine...? Fighting it out for 4th place are Jane and Denise who are currently neck and neck, then Jan and Pat are only one point apart. Its all going to come down to the ERR 10 mile on the 12th November.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

Sun 29^th Oct  Candleford Canter (Ladies only)

Sun 5^th Nov  Oxford Mail X country league round 1 Ascott-under-Wychwood

Sat 11^th Nov  Tiddy Hall Folk Night (see Cindy)

Sun 12^th Nov* ERR 10 mile race 10:30 from the White Hart (register

                  before 10:00)

Sat 18 Nov ERR Time Trial (10 mile bike ride) 2.30 pm Fire Station car park Eynsham (see Peter Larbalestier)

Sun 26^th Nov  EYNSHAM 10K

Sun 3rd Dec  Oxford Mail X country league round 2 Culham Park

Sun 10^th Dec  Bicester 10K

Wed 20^th Dec  Fancy Dress Run

Sun 31^st Dec  Oxford Mail X country league round 3 Radley College

Sun 31^st Dec  New Year’s Eve social

Mon 1^st Jan  New Year’s Day walk

Sun 7^th Jan  Oxon County Championship X country at Horspath/Shotover

*Club Championship event 

Editor's signoff

We hope you enjoyed our first issue, however, if you think there are things that we have missed or you didn't enjoy, please let us know. Finally, we would love to have contributions from all club members, so if you have anything interesting you want to share with the rest of us and want it to be part of the December issue, please send it to Jane, preferably by email (janemdavies@tiscali.co.uk) by 30 November. As you can see, we will accept anything including articles, adverts, knitting patterns, recipes and poems … as long as it’s not rude. 

For other race reports and further information on the Club Championship and many other club matters, please take a look at the website www.eynshamroadrunners.org.uk