Post by David H on Jan 12, 2010 19:31:02 GMT
Hi all, I hope you are all keeping well. Hopefully the snow and icy conditions will soon disappear and you can get back to your normal training routine. This week’s Chairchat is a bumper issue with lots to read and amuse you.
Continuing weather conditions plays havoc with fixture list.
Dartford in doubt
As you can imagine the present weather conditions has proved to be a nightmare!
Although Oxleas went ahead, Minnis Bay had to be postponed because of further snow. We are now looking at the 28th February which is a nuisance as we were planning to make cross country awards at the awards evening on the 27th February. I am sure we can sort something out.
At this moment in time I have received a message from David Behagg to consider other dates for the Dartford 10 (our first club championship) which is due to be run this Sunday (17th Jan). Conditions on the course are that there is some doubt. David is keeping in touch with Club Captains and will keep us posted. If I get a message that it has been cancelled then I and Paula will let you know. Other dates being considered are 21st March (Hastings Half) and 14th March (Lydd Half & Sevenoaks Rotary 10K). There is a tendency to possibly go for the latter. It is a very difficult decision to make when you look at the full fixture list through to May.
Here is the list received from David Behagg -
Min 6 weeks needed to apply for road closures (even if they do us a favour)
- Mar 7 - Thanet 20
- Mar 14 Lydd Half, 7 Oaks Rotary 10k
- Mar 21 Hastings Half
- Mar 28 Worthing 20
- Apr 4 Easter Weekend (and Folkstone 10 on Good Friday 2nd)
- Apr 11 Paddock Wood Half
- Apr 18 Darenth Valley 10k
- Apr 25 VLM
- May 2 (Week after VLM) FREE
- May 9 7Oaks7
- May 16 Larkfield 10k
- May 23 Canterbury Half (DRR Edinburgh trip)
- May 30th Bank Hol Weekend
I would rather not go later than this…..
What a nightmare! Anyway, let us wait and see if the week improves before Sunday – at the moment the race is still on and that is the message you will see on Dartford’s website.
An Amusing Anecdote prior to cancelling Minnis Bay
Prior to making the decision to cancel Minnis Bay last week, I was able to witness some of the amusing banter that went between the clubs questioning our toughness as runners. The following came from Steve Clark of Canterbury. You will note that the verse is a take on Shakespear’s Henry V – Act III – I think it is very good:-
Dear all,
I hope we are not going to have another namby, pamby XC cancellation just because of a silly little bit of snow! Where's the British (& Irish) stiff upper lip!? Is this how Mallory got to the top of Mount Everest!? When the hell are we going to reschedule again before the end of March!? Carry on regardless I say, with true British (& Irish) phlegm!
Once more unto the Beach dear friends, once more;
Or fill the dykes up with our English [& Scottish, etc.] dead!
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man [or woman]
As modest stillness and humulity:
But when the blast of winter blows in our ears,
Then imitate the actions of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard favoured rage!
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let it pry through the portage of the head like the brass cannon;
Let the brow o'whelm it as fearfully as does a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swilled with the wild and wasteful ocean!
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide;
Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit to his full height!
On, on you noble English[& Welsh etc.]
Whose blood is fet from fathers of hoar proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn til even raced,
And shelved their shoes for lack of argument:-
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call fathers did beget you!
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to run!
And you, good clubmen[& women],
Whose limbs were made in England,[& Scotland etc.]
Show us here the mettle of your pasture;
Let us swear that you are worth your breeding: which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,[except perhaps Bob Davison]
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes!
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start.
The game's afoot: follow yor spirit and upon this Sunday's charge
Cry- God for Rob Bright! KFL! and Minnis Bay!!
{Exeunt}
This was followed up soon afterwards by a further comment when the race was cancelled.
Well, I'm EXTREMELY disappointed! How can Minnis Bay in a bit of snow be any more 'risky' than last Sunday at Oxleas with all the beastly mud, tree roots, icy tracks and steep descents! Anyway, we would have all frozen to death on the beach at the start, long before we got anywhere near the dodgy bits!
What a missed opportunity! What tales of Derry doing [watzat? Ed] we could have told our grandchildren. And how we could have stood up (especially after a few beers at the pub) and said; 'I was there with Rob Bright at Minnis Bay on that Crispy Day!' But alas, now it will not be. No wonder the country is going to the dogs. So my mind is made up, I'm moving to Australia, where men are men (and sheep are afraid!), it's no use trying to dissuade me, my mind is made up................And what about the weekend now? I'll probably be forced to go shopping or do some of those jobs about the house I've been promising to do for the last couple of years. So thanks Rob, you've dropped me right in it, Cheers mate!
Yours,
Anon.
It will be interesting to see if we receive any more, I will keep you posted.
Awards for 2008 & Awards Evening
It’s getting near that time when we will need to make nominations for male/female runner of the year and service to the club.
Nomination slips will be available from tonight, however if you are unable to get to the club below is a voting slip. You can either copy and fill in or let Paula or myself know.
.....................................................................................................................................................
AWARDS FOR 2009 - VOTING SLIP
Each year we make awards to club members who have made an achievement during the previous calendar year. There are three awards for which you as club members can nominate someone to receive. The runner of the year (male and female) can be for either running achievement or service to the club. The Dennis Wilcox Plate is specific for service to the club. Please make your choice and do feel free to discuss with other club members or ask committee members if you want advice or information on previous winners etc.
Male runner of the year……………………………………………………………………………….
Female runner of the year…………………………………………………………………………….
Service to the Club (Dennis Wilcox Plate)………………………………………………………….
.....................................................................................................................................................
I would also like your views on what format you would like the evening to be i.e. sat down meal or a buffet. Could you let me or the social girls know.
New Members
With the increase in membership, I have the pleasure most weeks of introducing new members to the club. One of the difficulties is finding someone for them to run with as quite often they are not sure of their pace or how far they can run. It has been suggested that perhaps we could set up a group of volunteers who are prepared to take it turns to look after the new members for the first couple of weeks.
The ten who have volunteered so far are: -
Di Wright
Peter Foxall
Matt Fraser
Graham Pearson
Russell Morling
Sharon Barnett
Mathew Barnett
Rosie McMahon
Alan Probert
Sarah Brenton
If I have missed anyone off please let me know or if anyone else would like to volunteer, again please let me know. Many thanks.
I think come the beginning of this year we will have an intake of prospective new members.
Club Championship 2010
I know many of you are already planning your next year’s itinerary so it looks like the first events of the new season will be:-
17 Jan - Dartford 10 – (this is of course is now weather dependant.)
07 Feb – Ashford 10K
January/February Diary
We are still looking to arrange a winter speed-work session on Thursday evenings.
January
January 13th – Club evening – Route Cancelled
January 17th – Club Championship – Dartford 10.
January 20th – Club evening – Route ……. Prison/Lancet Lane
January 24th – Cross Country –Fowlmead, Deal.
January 27th – Club evening – Route ……. Coxheath
February
February 3rd - Club evening – Route……High St/Willington St
February 7th - Club Championship - Ashford 10K
February 10th - Club evening – Route….Queens Rd/Holland Rd
February 17th - Club evening – Route….Penenden Heath
February 21st - Cross Country – Knole Park, Sevenoaks..
February 24th - Club evening – Route….Beverley Road
February 27th – Awards evening.
February 28th – Cross Country – Minnis Bay
Wednesday’s Route
With the current state of the roads and footpaths I think we should again abandon tomorrow’s route. The club will be opened up as usual unless you hear to the contrary. If you still wish to run then I suggest a trot round South Park at the back – at least it will be on snow covered grass. Remember however you will be running as usual at your own risk.
A passing thought
I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs. ~Jesse Owens
Many thanks
Can I just say thank you to all who have sent me their best wishes following my knee op last Thursday. At the moment it is stiff and swollen but I am managing to get out for a few short walks.
To all of you, do please take care, be safe and I look forward to seeing you soon.
David
Continuing weather conditions plays havoc with fixture list.
Dartford in doubt
As you can imagine the present weather conditions has proved to be a nightmare!
Although Oxleas went ahead, Minnis Bay had to be postponed because of further snow. We are now looking at the 28th February which is a nuisance as we were planning to make cross country awards at the awards evening on the 27th February. I am sure we can sort something out.
At this moment in time I have received a message from David Behagg to consider other dates for the Dartford 10 (our first club championship) which is due to be run this Sunday (17th Jan). Conditions on the course are that there is some doubt. David is keeping in touch with Club Captains and will keep us posted. If I get a message that it has been cancelled then I and Paula will let you know. Other dates being considered are 21st March (Hastings Half) and 14th March (Lydd Half & Sevenoaks Rotary 10K). There is a tendency to possibly go for the latter. It is a very difficult decision to make when you look at the full fixture list through to May.
Here is the list received from David Behagg -
Min 6 weeks needed to apply for road closures (even if they do us a favour)
- Mar 7 - Thanet 20
- Mar 14 Lydd Half, 7 Oaks Rotary 10k
- Mar 21 Hastings Half
- Mar 28 Worthing 20
- Apr 4 Easter Weekend (and Folkstone 10 on Good Friday 2nd)
- Apr 11 Paddock Wood Half
- Apr 18 Darenth Valley 10k
- Apr 25 VLM
- May 2 (Week after VLM) FREE
- May 9 7Oaks7
- May 16 Larkfield 10k
- May 23 Canterbury Half (DRR Edinburgh trip)
- May 30th Bank Hol Weekend
I would rather not go later than this…..
What a nightmare! Anyway, let us wait and see if the week improves before Sunday – at the moment the race is still on and that is the message you will see on Dartford’s website.
An Amusing Anecdote prior to cancelling Minnis Bay
Prior to making the decision to cancel Minnis Bay last week, I was able to witness some of the amusing banter that went between the clubs questioning our toughness as runners. The following came from Steve Clark of Canterbury. You will note that the verse is a take on Shakespear’s Henry V – Act III – I think it is very good:-
Dear all,
I hope we are not going to have another namby, pamby XC cancellation just because of a silly little bit of snow! Where's the British (& Irish) stiff upper lip!? Is this how Mallory got to the top of Mount Everest!? When the hell are we going to reschedule again before the end of March!? Carry on regardless I say, with true British (& Irish) phlegm!
Once more unto the Beach dear friends, once more;
Or fill the dykes up with our English [& Scottish, etc.] dead!
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man [or woman]
As modest stillness and humulity:
But when the blast of winter blows in our ears,
Then imitate the actions of the tiger!
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard favoured rage!
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let it pry through the portage of the head like the brass cannon;
Let the brow o'whelm it as fearfully as does a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swilled with the wild and wasteful ocean!
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide;
Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit to his full height!
On, on you noble English[& Welsh etc.]
Whose blood is fet from fathers of hoar proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn til even raced,
And shelved their shoes for lack of argument:-
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call fathers did beget you!
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to run!
And you, good clubmen[& women],
Whose limbs were made in England,[& Scotland etc.]
Show us here the mettle of your pasture;
Let us swear that you are worth your breeding: which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,[except perhaps Bob Davison]
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes!
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, straining upon the start.
The game's afoot: follow yor spirit and upon this Sunday's charge
Cry- God for Rob Bright! KFL! and Minnis Bay!!
{Exeunt}
This was followed up soon afterwards by a further comment when the race was cancelled.
Well, I'm EXTREMELY disappointed! How can Minnis Bay in a bit of snow be any more 'risky' than last Sunday at Oxleas with all the beastly mud, tree roots, icy tracks and steep descents! Anyway, we would have all frozen to death on the beach at the start, long before we got anywhere near the dodgy bits!
What a missed opportunity! What tales of Derry doing [watzat? Ed] we could have told our grandchildren. And how we could have stood up (especially after a few beers at the pub) and said; 'I was there with Rob Bright at Minnis Bay on that Crispy Day!' But alas, now it will not be. No wonder the country is going to the dogs. So my mind is made up, I'm moving to Australia, where men are men (and sheep are afraid!), it's no use trying to dissuade me, my mind is made up................And what about the weekend now? I'll probably be forced to go shopping or do some of those jobs about the house I've been promising to do for the last couple of years. So thanks Rob, you've dropped me right in it, Cheers mate!
Yours,
Anon.
It will be interesting to see if we receive any more, I will keep you posted.
Awards for 2008 & Awards Evening
It’s getting near that time when we will need to make nominations for male/female runner of the year and service to the club.
Nomination slips will be available from tonight, however if you are unable to get to the club below is a voting slip. You can either copy and fill in or let Paula or myself know.
.....................................................................................................................................................
AWARDS FOR 2009 - VOTING SLIP
Each year we make awards to club members who have made an achievement during the previous calendar year. There are three awards for which you as club members can nominate someone to receive. The runner of the year (male and female) can be for either running achievement or service to the club. The Dennis Wilcox Plate is specific for service to the club. Please make your choice and do feel free to discuss with other club members or ask committee members if you want advice or information on previous winners etc.
Male runner of the year……………………………………………………………………………….
Female runner of the year…………………………………………………………………………….
Service to the Club (Dennis Wilcox Plate)………………………………………………………….
.....................................................................................................................................................
I would also like your views on what format you would like the evening to be i.e. sat down meal or a buffet. Could you let me or the social girls know.
New Members
With the increase in membership, I have the pleasure most weeks of introducing new members to the club. One of the difficulties is finding someone for them to run with as quite often they are not sure of their pace or how far they can run. It has been suggested that perhaps we could set up a group of volunteers who are prepared to take it turns to look after the new members for the first couple of weeks.
The ten who have volunteered so far are: -
Di Wright
Peter Foxall
Matt Fraser
Graham Pearson
Russell Morling
Sharon Barnett
Mathew Barnett
Rosie McMahon
Alan Probert
Sarah Brenton
If I have missed anyone off please let me know or if anyone else would like to volunteer, again please let me know. Many thanks.
I think come the beginning of this year we will have an intake of prospective new members.
Club Championship 2010
I know many of you are already planning your next year’s itinerary so it looks like the first events of the new season will be:-
17 Jan - Dartford 10 – (this is of course is now weather dependant.)
07 Feb – Ashford 10K
January/February Diary
We are still looking to arrange a winter speed-work session on Thursday evenings.
January
January 13th – Club evening – Route Cancelled
January 17th – Club Championship – Dartford 10.
January 20th – Club evening – Route ……. Prison/Lancet Lane
January 24th – Cross Country –Fowlmead, Deal.
January 27th – Club evening – Route ……. Coxheath
February
February 3rd - Club evening – Route……High St/Willington St
February 7th - Club Championship - Ashford 10K
February 10th - Club evening – Route….Queens Rd/Holland Rd
February 17th - Club evening – Route….Penenden Heath
February 21st - Cross Country – Knole Park, Sevenoaks..
February 24th - Club evening – Route….Beverley Road
February 27th – Awards evening.
February 28th – Cross Country – Minnis Bay
Wednesday’s Route
With the current state of the roads and footpaths I think we should again abandon tomorrow’s route. The club will be opened up as usual unless you hear to the contrary. If you still wish to run then I suggest a trot round South Park at the back – at least it will be on snow covered grass. Remember however you will be running as usual at your own risk.
A passing thought
I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs. ~Jesse Owens
Many thanks
Can I just say thank you to all who have sent me their best wishes following my knee op last Thursday. At the moment it is stiff and swollen but I am managing to get out for a few short walks.
To all of you, do please take care, be safe and I look forward to seeing you soon.
David