Not one of my better runs...

Went out on Tuesday evening to do the Calverley - Rodley - Rawdon hills run. 7.5 miles of 3 hills which is usually a good workout and a chance to listen to a few tunes on the mp3.

Raining when I set off - not a problem I thought - done this plenty before

Got heavier - driving rain into face just as I hit the first hill.

Can't get any worse I thought...then I ran into some dogshit covered by leaves

...which then stuck to my trainer

...then my mp3 player battery ran out

Still, mustn't grumble!

Thanks

Just wanted to say a big thankyou to everyone who came up to me today at the club and thanked me for what I had done

...and I'm still thinking...what HAD I done?

I will continue to write this blog as a club runner - thanks to those people who came up to me and said they liked reading it - you can post a comment if you want to and you don't have to leave a name!

It felt right today just heading out with a group and running and chatting at the finish

Now training for the Guy Fawkes 10 Miler at Ripley on 1st Nov and for the Abbey Dash at the end of November

Running feels good again!

Russ

Standing down as coach / head coach

A decision not taken lightly, but here goes as to an explanation...

Filling the shoes of someone like John Radigan was never going to be an easy job for anyone in the club. Bev did a good job when he left, but then her own personal pressures forced her to hand over to me.

At the time this happened, I was seriously considering whether or not to continue as a coach. I felt that the social running structure at the club did not really "fit" with the notion of traditional coaching - where a group turn up for a regular session and have a structured workout.

But I tried! I published a marathon training program and ran some sessions on Saturdays involving hill and fartlek training, but did not seem to inspire people to join me.

I would really like to see a juniors section at the club, and if this happens, you may see me back coaching them.

Thanks to anyone who gave me support and encouragement, and keep on running!

Russ

Getting Better All The Time

Horsforth 10k was a great run - felt strong all the way round but did not see John Bradbury coming down the home straight like an express train!

Good strong runs also by Alejandro Pinto and Helen Bradbury

49mins on my watch on a hilly course, so feel strong now for the Abbey Dash in November

Plenty of speed training over the next 2 months and a 45min 10k might be within reach

Back to being a happy runner!