Everything you ever wanted to know....

....about running and Striders, but were afraid to ask!! 

Thursday saw the first ‘Essentials’ session at the King Harry pub and offered a chance to marvel at Mike's incredible knowledge of all things run-related. In a fantastically comprehensive session, fuelled only by assorted bar snacks and a drink or two, we learnt all about Striders and how to go about improving our running performance, including: 

• The different seasons in the running year 
• How Striders’ runs and training sessions fit into a training programme 
• How you can help Striders and get involved in the club 
• How a training diary (and blogging) helps 
• What it takes to win the club championships (or at least be in contention) 
• Why it helps to have a running buddy on a long run (to pass the talk test) 
• And why men shouldn’t run in boxer shorts...... 

And what did I take away? Finding out that I might be just 12 months into what could be at least five years of continued improvement if I put in the training was really encouraging. I suspect that actually winning the club championships is a very remote prospect for me, so I’ll be focusing my efforts on identifying some A, B and C races, building Striders’ sessions into a training plan and seriously considering a cross country race or two (I still bear mental and physical scars from school races). 

While it might take some time to stop consulting my Garmin at regular points through a 5K parkrun, I am reassured that it will take a spectacular shopping spree to come close to becoming St Albans’ equivalent of the Imelda Marcos of running shoes! 

The next session is scheduled for 18 October, at the end of the current Get Started course. For anyone looking to learn more about getting to grips with their training, achieving their goals and understanding how Striders can help (and how you can help Striders), it's not to be missed. 

Kate Webb

Strider in the spotlight – Emma Halldearn

With the third Get Started programme about to get underway, we check back with one of the ‘graduates’ of the first course to see how they are getting on.....let's hear from Emma

1. How long have you been running and when did you join Striders? 

I joined Striders through the first Get Started programme organised by Becky and Helen in September 2011. I have always done a little bit of jogging here and there, but never really been sporty. At that point my weekend long runs had got to 3 miles, and that felt like an extremely long way at the time! 

I thought about joining the Striders on numerous occasions but after seeing what I assumed were Striders ‘bouncing’ cheerfully around Verulamium Park, I couldn't pluck up the courage to just turn up on a Tuesday / Thursday session. 

I saw the Get Started course advertised on the Striders website and registered myself straight away before I could wimp out. From day one everyone at the club was extremely friendly, supportive, organised, and lots of fun. It’s been onwards and upwards since then! 

Emma in the Striders spring handicap

2. What’s been your best moment as a Strider? 

My first real goal was the St Albans half marathon in June this year. I had never imagined I could run 13 miles so I was pretty nervous before the race. I wasn’t actually sure I’d get to the end! 

Running a race in your home town, wearing your race vest, is just the best feeling. I couldn’t count how many times someone shouted ‘GO STRIDERS!’ and every bit of support puts an extra stride in your step. I remember at one point feeling more popular than the two men dressed as bananas behind me! 

To cross the finish line, in a time more than 10 minutes better than I expected, and hear over the tannoy ‘…and yet another Strider crosses the finish line’ – was simply brilliant! 

3. What’s your pre-race ritual? 

Mmm, probably a million trips to the loo along with every other runner before a race! I’m not sure I’ve developed a ritual yet, but eating breakfast and not having a hangover is definitely a good start! 

4. What’s the most useful piece of running advice you've been given? 

I’m not sure who told me this - Gladstone or Jack - but the one piece of advice I use on a regular basis is: ‘Pain is only temporary’. I can’t tell you how many hills that has got me up, or how many last miles it’s got me through. 

5. Who is your sporting hero? 

Like the rest of the world I've recently been Olympic mad, so Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah at the moment. I was lucky enough to see them win gold at the stadium. So inspiring! 

Emma (r) with Lucy, and a couple of race medals

6. Where do you keep your race medals? 

I have only collected about 6 so far, at the moment they are hanging in my dinning room. I’m trying to collect enough to decorate the Christmas tree this year (although I think I’ve got a fair few races to get that far!). 

7. What’s your favourite local running route? 

I love the country routes in and around St Albans, I try to keep it varied and Thursday night group runs explore so many different routes around the town. I sometimes think I have to keep up or I’ll never find my way back home! 

8. What’s your next target? 

I’m currently training for my first marathon – Amsterdam on the 21 October this year. I’m up to 18 miles at the moment and only a few weeks until tapering begins. After that, I’ll probably relax a little on the distance training front and bounce cheerfully around Verulamium Park! 

Jack's marathons - August 2012

Northumberland Coast Trail Marathon: 19th August 2012: (Marathon No 296): Unlike most marathons, the start time for this one is determined by the tides as there are several long stretches along beaches. The race starts on the beach at Alnmouth and proceeds north mainly following the Northumberland Coastal path until the turnaround point at Long Nanny Bridge, just south of Beadnell Bay. There are spectacular views along the whole course and the route goes through Boulmer (where Linda Powell advises that she was carousing in the Fishing Boat Inn, not knowing that a marathon was about to go past the pub entrance) and Craster and then past Dunstanburgh Castle. The sea is rarely out of sight. 

It was very hot for the first half of the race, but as we turned the sea breeze picked up and the going became easier. Alison Campbell and her family were manning one of the drink stations and her brother Mike (who occasionally trains with the Striders) was well ahead of me. It was good to see some familiar faces. I thoroughly enjoyed the race and was also pleased with my time of 4:40:58 given the nature of some of the terrain. My performance was good enough to earn me the first male vet 60-64 trophy. The train to Edinburgh stops at Alnmouth, and the race start and several B&Bs are only just over a mile away from the station so this is a race, which is easy to get to by public transport. The race director is seeing if he can get a permit for larger numbers next year. If you like trail marathons this is one that I can highly recommend. 

Thames Meander Trail Marathon: 25th August 2012: (Marathon No 297): A number of us take turns in guiding a blind runner, Paul Watts, around marathons. I have previously taken him round three road marathons, but I was apprehensive about taking him round this trail marathon. The Thames Meander starts in Kingston Upon Thames, runs through Richmond Park, follows the Thames towpath to the turnaround point at Putney Bridge and then returns along the same route. When I ran the race last year I thought that the paths were in fairly good condition, but when you are responsible for someone who can’t see anything in front of them you become much more aware of every stone, root and obstacle in your path. Fortunately we managed to avoid any major trip hazards, but one thing we couldn’t avoid was the torrential rain, which thoroughly drenched us on the return part of the race. The hot meal waiting for us when we finished in 5:33:27 was extremely welcome.

Jack Brooks