Club Championships 2017 - 2018

We are starting to look at the Club Championships for 2017 - 2018 so if you have any feedback on this year, any suggestions for next year or any races you think would be good ones to include then please email Heidi on race@ealingeagles.com.

We like to support local races, ideally organised by other running clubs where possible, but all suggestions are welcome!

For those not familiar with Club Championships please check it out on our website as all the details including rules and this year's races are on there!

Club Champs Info

 

The Silence of the Hams

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve read a few Facebook comments and spoken to several people about the Eagle’s London Marathon blogs.  As the Eagles are the best and friendliest UK club (I’m assuming that’s now the UKA’s official line) it will come as no surprise to you to learn that all comments were encouraging and very supportive. 


There is a however a re-occurring theme.  Whilst the good and the inspirational blogs are welcome, people also want to read about when things are not going so well.  Put bluntly, if us ballot winners have a crap week, you want to know about it.

I understand this.  It is not born out of some sadistic, voyeuristic streak, if anything the corollary holds true and it comes from somewhere altogether more humanitarian.  We all have bad weeks, difficulties and setbacks and sometimes it is easy to think we’re the only ones that do.   So sharing these problems serves two purposes: it provides an opportunity for empathy, understanding and support and it reassures others facing similar issues that they’re not alone. 
So with this in mind I selflessly decided to knacker my hamstring.  OK, so I didn’t actually decide to do it.  Whilst I’ll admit finding blog material can be a challenge I draw the line at self-harming.  It happened spontaneously very near the end of an eight mile run.  Odd timing but there you go.

“Oh dear,” I said.  “This is not ideal.”  Actually I swore like a trooper, an act that is ill-advised outside the local primary school, but I digress.


So what to do?  Rest, ice, compress, elevate and try not to panic.  I hoped it was not too bad and would improve with a few days’ rest.  And improve it did, to the point where a gentle ‘test jog’ was thought agreeable.  Alas things were still not quite right (though much improved) and further rest and a trip to the physio was now deemed advisable.


My physio – the wonderful Michelle Tanner – confirmed what I had only hoped; it did not appear to be a muscle tear but just a minor pull.  It should be fine with a little more rest and few gentle exercises at home.  


Fortunately this happened very early on in training which means there’s both time to rest and still train sufficiently.  I actually sustained this annoying little injury at the very end of December, but thought I’d save it for blog number two.  (Blog number three is already in pre-production and by April you’ll have the blog equivalent of a really crap box set.)


As I write this it would appear things are better and I have resumed training.  However, both Michelle and my coach – the equally wonderful Jesal Thakker – have advised laying-off the track and the hills for two more weeks just to be on the safe side. Some alternative, hamstring-friendly sessions are planned instead. So there we have it, my second blog and already an injury to report, but fortunately only a minor one.  


Whilst I’m certainly not qualified to advise anyone on injury prevention, this did remind that many of us spend much of our time on avoiding injuries.  Why else would anyone choose to use a foam roller?  I have come to the conclusion that that foam rollers, along with trigger balls should be classed as instruments of torture under the Geneva Convention.   In my book they’re up there with waterboarding and Justin Bieber as things no one should really have to endure.  However, over the next 13 weeks I shall be utilising them all. (I am of course referring to foam rollers and trigger balls; it’s very doubtful that endless repeats of ‘One Less Lonely Girl’ will lead to any bio-mechanical improvements.)


This week’s training finished with the Eagles’ Sunday morning club run.  An enjoyable ten miles in the winter sunshine, spent in the splendid company of Lucy, Elizabeth and John (pictured).  
Anyway, that’s enough rambling from me. So until blog number three, I wish you all plenty of injury-free running.

Oh, and I had to Google the Justin Bieber song.  Honestly.

Trent Park MET League - by Kieran Santry

Whilst the Eagles were make the long journey on the Piccadilly line to Cockfosters, Ben Rawsthorne was out on the course and put in a fine performance in the U13 race, a massive well done to Ben for continuing to run MET without any other clubmates there to run with or support him. Having Ben run the course first was great as he provided us with great advice on the course and shoe selection. Thanks Ben.

A smaller than usual ladies team took on a tough 6km course. 


Marion Bolster was first Eagle lady across the line, Emily Schmidt made the journey from Oxford to represent the club, the effervescent Sue Park was next home (does she ever not smile in a race?). A late addition to the team was Nicola Phelan and she impressed the crowd with a strong sprint finish up the final hill.  Jess Hood finished just ahead of Lisa Snell and ladies team skipper Sarah Mack.


These results maintained the ladies mid table position in division 2. The vet ladies were third in this fixture but most importantly it keeps them top of division 3 and on course for promotion. 

Bright sunshine greeted the start of the men’s MET league 5 mile race at Trent Park.


A strong turnout of 18 men made our way to the start line. Is it just me that loves the gun going off at the start of a Met league race? I’m there watching the gun and it still frightens the ‘bejaysus’ out of me when it goes bang!


Then the usual surge as everyone fights to get into position. Testosterone levels elevated, deep mud, elbows flying, elite athletes, veteran runners (one man over 80),  crowds cheering, tree roots, and 3 slippery bridges to negotiate, you've got to love a bit of XC. This was the first proper muddy XC of the Met league season. Cam proclaimed on the tube journey to Cockfosters that he hadn’t seen enough mud in the UK but this surely made up for it.


Two twisty turny undulating laps and a long uphill finish sorted the men for the boys at this race. The ladies now smug after their run were out on the course to roar us on, ably assisted by Ellen, Skye (booing) and Dante.

Jose once again was the first Eagle home in 122nd place overall but he had to fight hard for it this time as the ever improving John Foxall was on his back going up the final hill and came in a mere 3 seconds behind him. Colin Overton is coming back to his best and was next Eagle home. Tom Easten, yes you read that right made his Met league debut (after a lot of nagging!).
He promised to finish in the top 150 but narrowly missed that by one place! In fairness he was wearing trail shoes not spikes so we won’t be too hard on him this time. Briaín O‘Dowd continued his improved form and romped home next although he did mutter something about doing a heavy hills session two days beforehand, Phil Evans  is the dark horse in the men’s team and had a storming finish.


Mr Santry had to be content with 7th place. New boy Stephen Ralston found the pacing tough and went out a bit too hard and suffered for the last 4.5 miles but you are only as strong as your last scorer so this was a particularly impressive Eagles debut. Remember his name this boy will improve.


Chris Lambert was in soon after Stephen and help to push other team scorers down the table. We welcomed back Sam Pearce who is returning to form after doing a lot of heart rate training over recent months. 


Cam Easton was loving all the mud. Dominic Wallace helped the Vets team move up the table with his fine finish. Paul Peasegood finished strongly just in front of the Met league ever present James De Vivenot.


Neil Enskat showed off his trade mark finish climbing the last hill, Paul Dodoumou continues to show form at xc while Baljit was pleased with his performance on this gruelling course. Nigel continues to defy his years with another strong run.

After a group warm down it was off to the ‘Cock Inn’ (I’ll spare you the not very appropriate jokes!) for a few pints of ale and porter and a race debrief. A massive thank you to our Chairman Thom Martini who organised everything on the day and was out on the course shouting abuse (I mean encouragement!). It was great to see the team spirit in the men’s team, some who rearranged holidays, post-phoned flights, cancelled dates and some even interrupted marathon training to come and be part of the team!


The team results are out and we managed to consolidate our 2nd place position in the league and more importantly narrowed the gap on the league leaders Highgate ‘C’ from 225 points to just 36 points.

Highgate ‘A’ are top of Division One and are going for a record 5th win in a row, Highgate ‘B’ are second in Division 2 narrowly behind our good neighbours ESM so they will be gunning to stay top of our division and complete the clean sweep across all three divisions.  In fact we even get a mention on their website! They mean business at Ally Pally.


So it all boils down to the last fixture at Alexandra Palace on the 11th of February. Start sharpening those spikes!

Juniors Volunteers - We Need You!

A small but dedicated team led by Kelvin Walker, Jennifer Watt, James de Vivenot and Lisa Dumais have been running the first ever Junior Eagles sessions for the last couple of months.

It has been a huge success so far and they want that success to continue.

For that to happen they would love some more volunteers.

The 'Running Jumping Throwing' sessions run on Mondays in Elthorne Park at 7pm and an endurance running session is currently being trialled on Wednesdays in Lammas park from 6:30 (so you can still do club run!).

If you would like more information or to sign up regularly or ad-hoc please contact any of the Juniors leaders, or contact the Eagles Coaching Coordinator (Ben Cale) on Facebook or at coaching@ealingeagles.com.

Night Run at Osterley - Special Offer

The National Trust at Osterley Park are holding their annual NightRun event on 11th February. Ed Hewison, as an Eagles member and the Outdoor Activities Development Officer at Osterley, has arranged a discount for us! 

You can get 20% off online entry using the code EALINGEAGLES - just go to:

https://race-nation.com/night-run-series-osterley-2017

Please copy and paste the link into your browser! 

The NightRun team are also looking for volunteers to be tail runners, marshals, and various other jobs on the night - if you can help please email edward.hewison@nationaltrust.org.uk.

It's a really fun event - look what a good time these Eagles had at the NightRun in 2015! 

Just remember to wear a head torch....and watch out for potholes. And cows. 

Harry's Blog 2!

Now with less than 100 days to go this is my second blog. Heidi Vickery has very kindly offered to coach me, but I’m not sure I’m the best trainee (coachee?), and I’d like to make it clear the following doesn’t quite follow her suggested training plan, and please don’t take it as. I did say, rather like Eric Morecombe, I intended to do all the training runs in the plan, just not necessarily in the right order, given my busy family life. In hindsight I’ve used this as an excuse to let myself be seduced by new running challenges, I’ve rather crashed headlong into the training, so please do not take this as good example. 


I took the opportunity of being off work on the 2nd of Jan to go for a long daytime run stretching out the furthest I had ever run to 26k, partly due to getting a little disorientated in Chiswick as it got dark on the way back. The Wednesday club run and a set of 800m intervals at a very frosty Perivale track on Thursday night were to plan. James Linney had tempted me on the Saturday into a long run incorporating Richmond Parkrun. Somewhat predictably I got carried away and ended up going hard round the Parkrun, and paid for it on the way home. I should have taken it easy the next day, however I had agreed to taxi my daughter and her friend to and from netball training on the Sunday morning in Hillingdon, and with two hours to kill I decided to run up and down the canal in the Colne valley and top 100k in a week.


With sore legs and a ticking off I aimed to take it easier the following week starting with a dawn run into work along the canal to Paddington on Wednesday. On Friday I used to the opportunity of working from home to do some hill reps up West Walk in the daylight. All to plan so far, but Sunday was looking very wet for the long run and James Linney had scoped out a run this time incorporating Fulham Parkrun for the Saturday. It was a bit further than in the plan, but I could not resist exploring a new stretch of the river, bagging a new parkrun and most importantly the company on a long run. I took it a bit easier on the 3 lap parkrun - it’s a quick course, but look out for the chicane on the back straight - but I felt the hills again at Kew Bridge and once again I struggled up the hill to Ealing. With a couple of minor detours and the extra distance to my house, it was so close to 20 miles that I added that ‘Garmin extra’ 200m even though I was shattered.


I wasn’t worried about sore muscles, but in the afternoon the side of my right knee suddenly became painful. It subsided the next day, and was fine when I ran round Greenford on the Monday while my daughter was swimming at Gurnell, but it was a wakeup call. So this week I’m cutting back a bit and taking it a bit easier. Now that it is past the date the ballot place can be transferred due to injury, I’ve need to look after myself and listen to my coach. However the key for me is keeping the training varied by running new routes, running with others and taking on challenges along the way. I am aiming to enjoy the training as all part of the experience I’ve been so lucky to get.

 

 

Welsh Castles Relay - Announcement!

Teams Entered - Time to register your interest


Hi Eagles, just to let you know that as per previous years we have just entered two teams (Open and Ladies) for Welsh Castles Relay 2017. The event will be taking place 10th and 11th June (also allow 9th June for travel).


We know many of you are interested in running this year and we’d like to start gathering interest. Whilst it is a very competitive and popular event, at this stage we’re just looking for expressions of interest on this google doc: 

https://docs.google.com/…/1MiMjh09bibT5tloeVaNNySWO83…/edit…

(Please copy and paste the link into your browser!)


Don’t know what Welsh Castles Relay is? Watch last year’s video and read on…


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2JeWK1SatI


Ealing Eagles are now regular attendees at the very prestigious and long running Welsh Castles Relay Race. The event usually takes place the first weekend in June and the Eagles enter both Open (Mens) and Ladies teams. Each team has 20 runners.


Each team covers 200+ miles in total in 20 stages over two days scaling the length of Wales, from top to bottom; starting in Caernarfon on Saturday morning and culminating in Cardiff late Sunday afternoon. Stages vary in length, between 8 and 13 miles and range from bumpy, to hilly, to virtually upright!


A true team competition, its great fun and a very popular event. Often referred to the ‘the closest thing to the Tour de France on legs!’ In 2016, we won our first trophy, with the Ladies Team taking an amazing 2nd place!


For further info go to http://www.welshcastlesrelay.org.uk (again, please cpoiy and paste into your browser!)


TEAM SELECTION
- Initial registration opens in January each year and teams are selected by WCR in early March. We have never been turned away yet, but it is an extremely popular event and we are lucky to have been invited each year we have entered.
- The Eagles teams are selected mid-late April, after the London Marathon but you need to start thinking about your entry now, if you want to make the team.
- This is the most competitive event the Eagles enter and has us competing amongst some of the best amateur runners in the country. This means we have to select our fittest and fastest runners – although we often need a few reserves to fill in at the last minute, so worth showing interest, even if you think you might not make the team. 
- Selection is done by the Team Captains, Kieran Santry and Jennifer Watt and is based on Spring (Jan-Apr) Half Marathon and/or 10 Mile times, including Garmin links from training. If you got a great time in January, but the Captains think you aren’t in shape nearer the time, watch out(!) you still might not make the team.
- You can increase your chances of being selected if you are able to confidently drive a 9 seater mini-bus to/from Wales and throughout the weekend. However, you won’t be required to drive on the day you run.
Hill Training – is key for WCR success, so we’ll be running some additional hill training sessions for WCR hopefuls and anyone else who wants to join. The Hills and Beers sessions were popular last year, so we may bring them back.

Good luck everyone!

Catherine's VLM Blog Two

Two weeks in, one eighth done and starting to feel real! 

I cannot quite believe it's two weeks in already and (touch wood) so far so good. Still feeling lucky and feeling blessed. The support I've got from everyone already is unbelievable. A big shout out in particular to Mark Yabsley and Angela Duff. Two fantastic partners in crime!  

My pre-plan started with the New Years Day Serpies 10k and I loved it. I ran with Angela and we chatted our way round. An ideal confidence booster at the beginning of the journey! 

 

Already I have found I'm adapting the plan to fit life (and to fit my long run in with Angela's!) I've also found that although not fantastic (which wasn't a surprise) I have not been as truly shocking at pacing as I suspected I would be! Ok again that may well be a bit down to Angela but my lone 6 miler on Wednesday ended up with 5 of the 6 being only one second difference in pace per mile! I impressed myself! 

I love the fact that this is a totally new challenge. A big, inspiring, huge challenge but I think I needed a new goal to help get my mojo back. When you lose a lot of fitness and do a distance you've done before it's easy at times to feel despondent you are nowhere near your PB...and believe me I am nowhere near! But now I have nothing to relate to. This is new and it's awesome. In a way although it's a huge undertaking, I almost feel less pressured (she says knowing it is early days!) 

The next few weeks see me fell running (best race ever) and equalling and going past my longest ever distance (14 miles ran two years ago.) I feel really positive about it all, helped by a great planning session with Mark!

Each time I start a long run I may feel daunted but I know I've got this. 

Perseverance, a plan, support and friendship...four essential ingredients in this marathon malarkey. 

Two weeks in...still loving it! 

Met League Cross Country - Trent Park : Saturday 14th January

Venue: Trent Country Park, Cockfosters, Enfield, London EN4 0JZ (please note; because of its size, Trent Park has several different post codes. The one given is the most appropriate and closest to the Cockfosters Road entrance to the Park).

Race Headquarters: Located just beyond “Go Ape”, on the left hand side of Lime Avenue.

Changing facilities: There are no dedicated changing facilities but there are male and female WCs adjacent to the Cockfosters Road entrance car park.

Showers: No showers available.

Course location: The start / finish area is adjacent to the race HQ.

HQ to course walk time: less than a minute

Course Description: Very undulating course on open, rough, lumpy park land. Liable to be soft underfoot throughout. Some exposed tree roots in places, especially along woodland section of course. Suitable for spikes.

Public Transport: London Underground – Cockfosters station is the northern end of the Piccadilly Line. The station is 300 metres to the south of the Cockfosters Road entrance to Trent Park (approximately 5 minute walk). Turn right out of the station, walk north along Cockfosters Road, past the BP Garage (with M&S).

We will be meeting at the front of the eastbound platform at Acton Town at 11:45am, leaving at 11:50am, to catch the Piccadilly Line to Cockfosters.


Parking: Parking is available but is likely to be very limited. Given the proximity of Trent Park to Cockfosters underground station, use of public transport is therefore strongly recommended.
The main car parking facility is at the Cockfosters Road entrance to Trent Park. Alternatively, parking may be available at a private car park close to the Southgate Hockey Centre at the top of Snakes Lane (post code EN4 0PS).
PLEASE NOTE: While both of these car parks will be marshalled, we do not have the resources to constantly monitor the number of spaces available at each one. Therefore, those driving to the event will need to decide which car park to park in and be prepared to drive to the other if the first location is full. Please note this will involve a journey of 2 miles. Please ensure you leave plenty of time in advance to allow for this and follow the directions of the marshals.
Cars must not be parked on any of the roads within Trent Park.
Trent Park closes at sunset, which will be at approximately 16:20. The gate at the Cockfosters Road entrance is usually closed at this time.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD DRIVERS PARK ON THE SURROUNDING ROADS. Anyone parking in local roads will risk damaging our ability to hold future events at this venue.

Directions from major roads:
Cockfosters Road (A111) entrance; approximately two miles to the south of Junction 24 of the M25, on the left hand side, or just over half a mile to the north of the junction of the A111 and A110 (Bramley Road), on the right hand side (sat nav EN4 0JZ).

Snakes Lane car park; located to the north of the A110 Bramley Road/Enfield Road, almost directly opposite Oakwood underground station and close to Trent Park Golf Club (sat nav EN4 0PS).

Timetable:

12:45 Under 11 Boys and Under 11 Girls (1,500 metres approx.)
12:55 Under 13 Boys (3,000 metres approx.)
13:00 Under 13 Girls (3,000 metres approx.)
Not before 13:20 Under 17 Men and Under 15 Boys (4,000 metres approx.)
Not before 13:25 Under 17 Women and Under 15 Girls (4,000 metres approx.)
Not before 13:55 Senior/Veteran/Under 20 Women (6,000 metres approx.)
Not before 14:35 Senior/Veteran/Under 20 Men (8,000 metres approx.)

Please ensure you wear a white Eagles top.

If you have not run Met League before this year or did not pre-register, please make a note of your EA number ( https://myathletics.englandathletics.org/licencecheck/ )

 

Marshals needed for XC on Sunday 15th January in Watford

In the past we have assisted Watford Joggers at the Cross Country event at Cassiobury Park by providing marshals.  As we don't host our own event other clubs who do host rely on clubs like us to help out.

We have been asked by Watford Joggers to provide 10 marshals at their event on Sunday 15th January.  At the moment only three people have volunteered so if anyone else is free can you please comment on the Facebook post or email race@ealingeagles.com.

The race starts at 10:30 and is approx 5 miles so it would be expected that you'd need to turn up around 10am and be available for a couple of hours.

If you need to do a long run that day why not run to Watford and someone who is driving can take some warm clothes for afterwards?!!

Thank you Eagles!

Jenny Baker Book Event 24th January

We run for lots of reasons - to get fit, to challenge ourselves, to eat more cake. But did you know that running could also be a secret weapon that equips you to deal with the challenges that life throws at you?

Come and be inspired by two women who found running helped them through life-changing illness and then get their lives back afterwards.

Louise Breckon-Richards is an actor who lost her voice, and therefore her livelihood and her means of creative expression. Training for the London Marathon helped her cope with the trauma as she waited to see experts and have surgery, not knowing if she’d ever be able to sing again. She has turned her story into a play, Can You Hear Me Running?, which ran at The Pleasance in London to great acclaim in 2016. 

Jenny Baker is an Ealing Eagle who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She set herself the challenge of running to all her chemotherapy sessions, seven miles along the river to Charing Cross Hospital. Those runs started as an act of defiance and denial but became a source of life and hope, enabling her to rewrite the story of what was happening to her. Her book, Run For Your Life, about running and cancer was published on 1 January 2017 by Pitch Publishing. 

Louise and Jenny will talk about their experiences and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Copies of Jenny’s book will be available on the night.

This event is planned for Tuesday 24th January at 7.30pm, at the New Inn. 

Marathon Training for VLM - Blog One!

Wow....to think three weeks ago I had no idea I might be running VLM and now I'm gearing myself up to start training next week. Who would have thunk it?!

As most of you know I've had a year of bad health and this is going to be a massive challenge BUT it is a challenge I am totally delighted to be given a chance to complete....thank you so much EAGLES X

Just a bit of background for those who don't know me. I started running v slowly in March 2013. Up until August 2012 I had been hugely overweight and knew something needed to change. I started dieting and walking. After losing three stone I decided to start to run. By run I mean I did couch to 5k on my own down streets I thought were quiet enough to ensure no one would see me! Eventually I ventured to parkrun and from there met Nicola Miller who introduced me to the Eagles ( though it took me another few months to get the courage to go to club run) ... However from that point it was history.

To begin with I had a wonderfully smooth ride, PB after PB and I was loving it. The last two years unfortunately have been a mixed bag for me which included four operations and I got whooping cough. My times are hugely slower than they were but I'm back! 2017 is going to be my year and even though my goals are very different from what they would have been if I had got a place two years ago, I am going to smash this marathon!

As well as running I'm a mum of four. Two of them join me at parkrun and all four of them ran Summer league for the Eagles this year making me a very proud mum! They are very excited that this year they will be coming up to VLM to support their mum running it!

I'm excited and I'm really nervous. It's huge but it's amazing. I have so much to do. My diet needs an overhaul and I need to build my strength right back up. I am so lucky to have Mark Yabsley agree to coach me and I know how much expertise we have in the club to call on....so thanks in advance!

I start on the 2nd with a rest day and then it's game on!

 

 

Andy's First Blog!

It hardly seems possible but it’s already over two weeks since our Christmas party, where a chance encounter with a Kinder Egg container has shaped the next four months of my life.  That was a wonderful night, and my incredible good fortune was enhanced by the many good wishes and congratulations I received.  Thank you.


So as 2017 gets under way, and a frenetic December social calendar gives way into a rather more sober January, I was reminded of why I got into this running business in the first place. 
The slow but steady expansion of the stomach is a plight familiar to many a man who awakens one morning to find himself progressed well into the disquieting epoch that is his mid- forties. There is the dawning realisation that no longer being in your thirties comes at a price. That price being worse hangovers, mysterious random twinges and the ever-expanding midriff.


I find all gyms tedious, and many pretentious, so I gave running a go instead.  Like so many others I started with a ‘couch to 5K’ and was a little doubtful it would be the right exercise for me.  But much to my surprise I enjoyed it and started to notice real progress fairly quickly.  Running became addictive, but a good, healthy addiction.  


Before long I discovered Parkrun and started to notice Eagle vests everywhere I ran.  I’m not sure how many times I visited the old website before I finally joined the club and apprehensively headed to the ‘Eagle bench’ one Monday evening.  But I needn’t have worried – everyone was very welcoming and friendly.


It’s now over three and half years since that couch to 5K started me off, and running is now so much more than an alternative to the gym.  It is new friends, a running community, volunteering, and the excitement of receiving race packs.


And now it’s about starting training for my second marathon.  I ran Edinburgh in 2015 and it wasn’t exactly brilliant.  An old knee injury flared up at mile 20 meaning the last six miles were painfully slow – quite literally.  I hobbled across the finish line at 4 hours 30 minutes.   


I’m hoping for a lot better in London, but injury prevention will be a very important consideration for me.  I don’t fancy another Edinburgh. 


However, I need to find something to write about in the weeks ahead, so I’ll leave details of my less than arduous relationship with the foam roller for a future blog.


For now it’s a big thank you for the opportunity, and the best of luck to my fellow ballot winners, and all other Eagles with marathons and races this year. 


No doubt I’ll see you out there…

 

This Running Blog Does Not Feature Any Running...

Week 0 - No miles

I've done a fair bit of running in the last few years but I hope 2017 is going to be a new start in more ways than one. Winning a London Marathon place in the club ballot was the best Christmas present that I could have hoped for, and it will mean the fulfillment of one of my major running goals. I think this will give me my mojo back just when I need it. When it is done, I may never run a marathon again.  This time should be enough to tell me if I can ever achieve a sub three hour or if I should just let that go. I don't feel quite so bothered about that any more, anyway. Running doesn't consume me in quite the way that it used to.

I have always considered myself to be a little on the heavy side for a long distance runner and I think I would do pretty well if there were such a thing as weight grading. I knew that in the tropics there are many viruses and bacteria that help you lose weight quickly, so while in Sri Lanka I got one of each. The weight I lost from two days of not being able to eat at all plus a few more of having very little food is the equivalent of running a fair few miles I think. Having had both a viral respiratory infection and a high fever, I have been strongly advised not to start running for another week. I will be starting my training after a month off running.

The good news, for my training at least, is that I have neither the money nor the annual leave to go away anywhere in the next four months, or even to be able to do anything vaguely exciting enough to distract me from running. I have had trouble finding the dedication to put the necessary training into a marathon, which is probably why three out of four of them have been a disaster in one way or another. It definitely wasn't a good idea training for one at the same time as doing a half marathon challenge, for example. I don't think it's a coincidence that my only good marathon - which I actually won in 3:07- was after a summer when I had done no long races.

My training this time is going to be mostly boring, so I hope that I can find enough to blog about. It's going to be mostly solo runs, mostly local because I travelled way too much for races last year, and definitely no overstretching myself. What I can say is that I'm going to be as dedicated as I can be, and I'm going to give this one my best shot by doing it the proper way this time. I feel very privileged to be running such a big race on behalf of the club so I'm going do as well as I possibly can.

Good luck to my fellow ballot winners and to everyone else that will be training for a marathon in the next few months. Thanks very much to everyone in the club for making me feel like I really lucked out joining the Ealing Eagles. If I had not joined, I wouldn’t have signed up for even one marathon.

So, no running this week. Probably not much next week as well. It means I've got somewhere to

build myself up from.

 

Harry's First Blog

When I received the confirmation email with my number, 22396, it suddenly became all the more real; barring injury, I was running the 2017 Virgin London marathon. I had lucked out with the final ‘Charlie Bucket’ Ealing Eagle ballot place, and I would get to run as an Eagle in the black and white vest, though it would mean turning my hand to blogging for the first time. I’ll first give a bit of context.

My running journey started thanks to Kelvin; I couldn’t pass up the chance to run in the first ever Ealing Half Marathon in 2012.  Shortly after that half marathon, I heard about Parkrun for the first time, andI thought it was just a brilliant concept.  I remember the last three miles of that first half as absolute agony, but was proud to have scraped in under 2 hours, and set myself the challenge to up the training and beat the time the following year. This continued year after year, and in 2015 I decided I needed the help of the running club that used to run past the end of my road as I picked up my children from beavers. After 3 months I even managed to take part in a club run. It worked, and wearing the vest for the first time in a race and getting cheered on by strangers was emotional.

Buoyed with beating my time for the 4th time at the EHM I started entering other events, the Twickenham 10 miler, the Serpie’s New Year’s Day 10k and for the first time I continued to run regularly through the winter. I got to know more Eagles and many would talk about the Welsh Castles Relay experience. I didn’t think I would fast enough to make the team, but I also thought I might never be as fit again, and it motivated me to redouble the training. I was overjoyed to make the team, and it didn’t disappoint. Not just the race, but the way the whole event leads to new friendships. The picture is me just after the end of my leg; my expression says it all. Even spending 17 hours on the Sunday very slowly making back to Ealing with a broken minibus showed what a friendly club this is.

It wasn’t that long ago that I couldn’t imagine running further than a half marathon. Before I get accused of sandbagging, back in my youth I wasn’t a bad rugby player; I wasn’t the quickest, strongest or most skilful, but I had what football pundits would call ‘a good engine’ and as a flankerI would tear about for 80 minutes trying to get to every breakdown first. But running for 3 or 4 hours is quite different, and I am now a few years older.

So what changed? Well this year at the EHM I managed to run a negative split and finish strong for the first time, high fiving children in the last mile, and in record time. I’d upped the training, and run two other half marathons either side of EHM, and despite my concerns and various aches and twinges, the body had held together. I even managed to run slightly further than 13.1 miles in a training run. With a newly acquired Garmin and Strava account, and now familiar with terms like ITB, plantar fasciitis, maranoia and shit-stop, I was finally considering myself – whisper it –  a ‘runner’. I’d enjoyed taking part in different races – relays in the summer evening in Richmond park, the mayhem of a cross country start, the world famous West Walk half marathon, – and found myself reading and listening to the marathon exploits of other eagles enviously.

I still strap my knees up, and my feet were sore at the end of my longest ever run on Monday of 26k, but no-one said it was going to be easy. If I don’t try I’ll never find out. My training plan needs to fit round family life, which means some early mornings and running up the Grand Union canal while my daughter has netball training. So far it is going well, with a new 5k and 10k PB at the Serpie’s Last Friday of the Month and the New Year’s Day race this week. I’ll keep you posted.

Feedback for the New Year

2016 has been another great year for the Eagles and we're sure 2017 will be an even better one.

Having said that, we're sure most people have an idea or suggestion that could improve the club in some way in 2017.


If you have got an idea, no matter how small, please comment below or, if you prefer, drop an e-mail to Thom at chair@ealingeagles.com. 


Our only request is that you are realistic and bear in mind the restrictions the club must work within financially and logistically - e.g. building a club house with a 400m track in Lammas Park would be great but not really viable (at the moment)!

Festive Season Training!

Please note that over the festive period (w/c 26th December and w/c 2nd January), we are not guaranteeing run leaders and tail runners for Monday and Wednesday club runs, or any coached sessions as all our leaders and coaches have Christmas commitments as you would expect!  

Therefore please keep an eye on Facebook to see who wants to run so that you can make arrangements, and if you do go to the Green at the usual times, please be aware there may well be fewer runners than usual as everyone is busy tucking into leftovers or playing with their new toys. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone on the committee!

London Marathon Ballot Winners!

And we have our winners! 

The successful Eagles taking the four club ballot places for the 2017 London Marathon were drawn out of the hat at the Christmas Party on Saturday. And the winners are.....

Catherine Mulrenan, Andy Mahony, Chris Lambert and Harry Claxton! 

The reserves are Jesal Thakker and John Barry. 

Well done to the winners and a big thank you to all the entrants for all they have done for the club over the past few months as part of their ballot entries. 

Catherine, Andy, Chris and Harry will be writing training blog diaries which will appear on the website as they come in. 

Good luck everyone! 

 

 

Juniors Volunteers Wanted!

A small but dedicated team led by Kelvin Walker, Jennifer Watt, James de Vivenot and Lisa Dumais have been running the first ever Junior Eagles sessions for the last couple of months.

It has been a huge success so far and they want that success to continue.

For that to happen they would love some more volunteers.

The 'Running Jumping Throwing' sessions run on Mondays in Elthorne Park at 7pm and an endurance running session is currently being trialled on Wednesdays in Lammas park from 6:30 (so you can still do club run!).

If you would like more information or to sign up regularly or ad-hoc please contact any of the Juniors leaders, or contact the Eagles Coaching Coordinator (Ben Cale) on Facebook or at coaching@ealingeagles.com.