Bristol Running Resource

Lots of races in July

2012-05-26T14:12:36Z

July races are now updated and available here. This year there seem to be a few more to choose from, although given the opportunity to watch other people slogging it out on TV, I’m not sure how well attended they’ll be!

And another womens' group!

2012-05-04T20:24:18Z

Frenchay Runners has been going for over a year now and they have gone from strength to strength. They are already well known, and that has to be because of the enthusiasm and care of their leaders.

They’ve now decided to set up another womens’ running club on a Saturday morning in Brislington, and they’ve already got a good looking website set up, which says someting about how serious they are.

They will meet at 8am at Arnos Manor Hotel, on the Bath Rd. The first session is on 12th May 2012.

There will be different routes every week with a 2 mile, 3 mile, and 4 mile group. All abilities are welcome.

Each group will have a run leader so everybody should get the support they need.

Running is certainly thriving in Bristol. Groups that I know have grown hugely in the past couple of years are Southville Runners, Frenchay Runners, and the Bristol & West AC recreational runners group (coached by the man who coached the UK’s fastest woman in the recent London Marathon). All of these groups are known for the fantastic support they give to new runners, and there certainly seem to be plenty of those around!

At the same time, I note that that the Towpath 10k Series used to be fully booked at the start of the season, but now it is not. It’s a really good route. Why should that be?

June races now listed!

2012-05-02T17:53:15Z

There are loads of races small and large flat and hilly to choose from in June and the list is here. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything.

Book review: Running Free

2012-04-26T10:45:45Z

Running Free: Breaking Out From locked-in Syndrome By Kate Allatt

I couldn’t put this book down and read the entire book in about a week. Believe me that’s quick for me as I never seem to get the time or solitude to read a book apart from in the bath. So I had lots of long baths when I read this.

The author writes her own story about from being a busy self-employed mother of three young children, who loves running across the Yorkshire Moors with her running buddies to someone trapped in her own body. At the young age of just 39 she has a stroke, leaving her struggling with locked-in syndrome.

Completely paralysed, her prognosis for survival is low, yet the doctors are unaware that she can hear and see everything going on around her. Finally after several weeks of pain and frustration her running friend realises she can communicate through blinking.

This is the first of many milestones in the author’s recovery. Simply an amazing story of determination, self-belief & strength. Against all the odds she learns to speak, eat, and walk again and with the help of her friends tries to run again.

Find it here

It was her thoughts and memories of running free through the countryside and the love of her friends and family that helped pull her through her ordeal. Simply an amazing story. The author has just published a follow-up of her story entitled Gonna Fly Now!

Alert - all runners called Jack or Jill

2012-04-26T10:09:30Z

Want to run up a hill and break a world record? I have just received the following press release:

PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION FROM SOMER ATHLETIC CLUB

RUNNING EVENT AIMS TO BREAK WORLD RECORD UP A HILL

Runners from across Somerset and beyond are being asked to be a part of world record breaking attempt as part of the Jack and Jill Challenge on Sunday 13 May.

The running event, comprising a 10k off-road running race and a shorter fun run, is in its second year and organisers Somer Athletic Club believe that it will be the best yet.

“We’re hoping to attract a great mix of runners of all ages and abilities to the event and in particular, we want to encourage entries from anyone called Jack or Jill”, says Somer AC Chairman Adrian Holborn.

“We’re unlikely to break any truly athletic records so we thought we’d try and break the world record for people called Jack and Jill up a hill.

The organisers are in contact with the Guinness World Records team to clarify the existing record, thought to be a mix of 117 Jacks and Jills.

The Jack and Jill Challenge covers around six miles of stunning countryside including rolling fields, hidden valleys, footpaths and woodland tracks, over styles and even the odd river or two including an ascent of the famous Jack n Jill Hill.

Adrian adds: “This is a great challenge for all runners, especially those that love to get off the roads in a search for some mud. If we can attract lots of Jacks and lots of Jills, maybe we can set the world record but if not, I’m confident we’ll have a great race that goes up hills and in search of water.”

The race starts and finishes from Haydon Que Club in Radstock. The main 10k race starts at 11.00am while the shorter fun run starts from the same place at 11.10am. Entry fees are £8.00 for affiliated runners or £10 for unattached runners (£2 extra on the day) and just £3.00 for those taking part in the Mini Jack fun run. Runners called Jack or Jill will be able to compete for the coveted Jack or Jill award.

The event helps to raise money for Above + Beyond, the Bristol-based charity that supports all of the city’s nine central hospitals, investing in projects that provide gold-standard care. The Jack and Jill Challenge is sponsored by specialist running retailer Moti.

More information and entry forms can be found at www.somerac.org.uk/jack_jill

ENDS

Running events in May

2012-03-24T08:46:41Z

The full list of running races in may is now listed. Take a look and see what you fancy.

There are loads of events to choose from, including the Bristol 10k.

Arnos Vale Community Run

2012-03-21T21:22:40Z

I don’t normally go out of my way to promote individual runs. It doesn’t seem fair, and there are too many to cover them all.

But Arnos Vale is an amazing place, and they’ve been abley assisted by Keith Brackstone of Bristol & West AC in putting together the Arnos Vale Community Run.

I think this will be a great run, for the setting, for the terrain, for the cause, for its organisation and, with all of that combined, what promises to be a great atmosphere.

Thanks to the unique mix of history, architecture, ramshackle homeliness, nature and urban invaders, it’s a place that brings the best out of people.

I may even give it a go myself …

Arnos Vale Cemetery is full of surprises!

April races online

2012-03-15T05:30:51Z

Finally, all Bristol’s running races in April.

Bath Skyline 10k report

2012-02-26T21:24:47Z

Firstly a huge apology for my lack of contributions recently to this great running forum. Sorry Mike. But after running a fabulous 10k today in Bath, I knew I just had to let everyone know about it and get posting again. Organised by Relish Running Races, the Bath Skyline 10k was one of a series of organised off-road runs. Lots of hills, mud, narrow paths and great views. Loads of fun. Certainly an event I would like to do again. Race options included a 10k, a 10k relay, a 5k fun run and a 300m fun run. With just under 200 runners, the event had a fun, relaxed atmosphere and finishers were rewarded with a bag of goodies and a platter of jelly beans! Speaking with Tom Room of Relish Running Races he mentioned that they would be organising another Dyrham Park 10k in the summer and a new route around Cheddar gorge. Possibly a half marathon or even a marathon. Sounds like it is going to be a challenging course, but then again us runners like challenges don’t we?

Cross roads

2012-02-26T17:10:49Z

We all know that safely negotiating the roads is step one for successful urban running. Some drivers are less likely to spot a runner than a cyclist. For runners, traffic awareness is vital.

But what’s your approach to negotiating the roads safely? In particular, what’s your junction etiquette? This is a recurrent source of disagreement between me and my partner.

When I’m on a run and I see a car on the main road signalling to turn at the time I’ll be arriving at the turning then, if necessary, I give way. I slow down/stop so they can turn, as you would if you were walking. The alternative is for the car to brake late, stop on the main road and wave you across. That often happens, even when I have clearly stopped to allow the driver to turn.

When that happens it drives me nuts. I know the driver is being considerate. But there is a risk that the drivers behind assume that the lead car is just braking to turn. Braking to a near halt on the main road, for something that the cars behind may not have spotted, seems to me to be risky. On a number of occasions I’ve watched the lead car almost get rear-ended.

My partner thinks there’s no problem. It’s right that the drivers should let runners cross. But then she’s not a driver and has never had to study the Highway Code. Although, to be honest, studying the Highway Code wouldn’t be a great help because it has nothing to say about runners.

It’s not clear to me what the right approach to this is. How do you deal with it?