Seven Go Running In Argentan

During the first week of October a small band of Wargrave Runners travelled to France on the club's first 'foreign tour' since the 1996 Bordeaux Marathon. The purpose in going was to tackle the Argentan Half Marathon, last contested by the club in 1993. The Argentan race is known as a well-organized and friendly event and this year was no exception - from the Pasta Party on the Friday night through to the 'Nuit du Jogger' which went on until the early hours of Sunday morning. Thirteen club members made the trip and seven ran the race including two half-marathon virgins - Mandy and Keith; Doris was given the honour of starting the race and getting us on our way.

Here follows the various reports from the event.......

Argentan 2001

Everyone relaxed after the race and looking forward to Le Nuit du Jogger

Argentan 2001 was the club's first 'foreign' tour for 5 years and, although all 13 members of the party got together for the various marathon related events (Pasta Party, Race, Le Nuit du Jogger), we all 'did our own thing' either side of these. The Hassells and the Sacketts took off on the Thursday and had a leisurely drive down, taking in various sights on the way, and did the same on the way back finishing with a 3 hour 'sit' outside Dover harbour on the Monday. The Dowards and the Moseleys 'did' the tunnel on the Friday although Dave and Janet took a more leisurely approach to getting to Argentan, arriving just in time to turn around and go to the Pasta Party. Doris, Mike and Lesley went across on the Thursday night and spent the weekend at Du Lion Verd and John and Ros paid a 'flying 24 hour visit' arriving for breakfast on Saturday and leaving before breakfast on Sunday.

The 7 who were due to compete (all complaining of some sort of injury) did so and their official finishing positions and times were as follows:

So, everyone beat Dave and here are a few views of le week-end …..

Band of Brothers (and Sisters)

Ros and I were the second wave of the Normandy invasion, crossing by night on a huge ship courtesy of P&O, in the relative luxury of a cabin (certainly relative to what they used to be, this was comfortable, quiet, en-suite facilities were modern and clean, and there was even an electric power socket so that hardened travellers like us could make a cup of tea using our mini-kettle). The troops on board looked as if they could inflict some damage on any opposition they might find. A large hen party (i.e. mostly pretty large hens) were making the most of the on-board entertainment (disco, casino, etc.) and their hostage had been apparently set up in complete ignorance of the impending cross channel trip. She seemed happy enough, however, providing that the lifejacket she was wearing was for decoration rather than nervousness about the ship's safety. As helium balloons and an "L" plate were attached to it, and graffiti decorated most of the visible surface, it seemed likely.

Our landing point was Le Havre, a little further from Argentan than Caen, and I suspect the stated distance for the latter of 80 km was an underestimate. Having had no sniff of breakfast, we were anxious not to miss it at the hotel, so we set off into darkest Normandy. An enormous feeling of deja vu came over both of us. A few years ago, we part-owned a house in Normandy, about 45 km south of Cherbourg on the Cotentin peninsula, and on many occasions we arrived hungry at the crack of dawn in France, looking out for a boulangerie and wondering if it would rain all the time we would be staying. Nevertheless the lush beauty of the countryside was a pleasantly familiar sight, and we started to really enjoy the adventure, even though the road we wanted was closed, and it was 9 am by the time we found the hotel.

Le Petit Déjeuner

To our huge relief we found that the hotel had provided a room with a large table for our group for breakfast, and it was due to be served at 9.30. We were able to unpack in our room and then join the rest of the team for an excellent petit dejeuner.

Finally and belatedly my mind started to turn to the excuse, sorry reason, for our being there, i.e. a 21.1 km race in which I was supposed to be participating. A 2.00 pm start meant that breakfast would have 4 hours to be digested and absorbed, but I should have stuck to my usual pre-race diet of two slices of toast, and not carried on with the ham, followed by some more of the delicious jam and mugs of coffee. Finally we dragged ourselves away from the table, and decided a good pre-race warm-up would be to hit Intermarché and stock up on booze. One thousand Francs or so of trolley-filling later, I presented my credit card at the check out. The cashier held it, looked me in the eye and uttered de Gaulle's favourite word when addressing the British, "Non!". When I had recovered my jaw from the counter, she expanded with "la machine est en panne". I thought I would monosyllabise too, so in my best French I said, "Oh". After this fluent exchange Ros and I were eventually escorted to a cash machine at the entrance to the shop, and escaped with our stock of alcohol.

We were in time at the town square to meet Doris, Mike and Lesley and to see the marathon start, which Doris studied intently as she had the honour of starting the half marathon 45 minutes later. By this time I was feeling good, if still aware of breakfast, and rashly started thinking my target time of sub 90 minutes might even be conservative. We lined up, Doris fired the gun, and off we set across the square then out of the town. I was aiming to run about 4min 15sec splits, and, as ever, found the first km had gone by too fast, in 3.59. The course was gently rolling, with long gradual climbs and descents, and although the breeze was quite strong, it was in our faces in the first half and on our backs thereafter. Three of the faster women provided some visual interest for a while, as the landscape was rather open and unremarkable. The most striking sights were the prison that we ran past, to cheers (I think) from some inmates, and a "glamour" magazine carefully left open at one of the more interesting pages and laid by the side of the road. I do not intend to try to use this as an excuse - no, I did not stop to study it, although my finishing time might suggest otherwise!

The real reason that the clock managed to tick past 92 minutes before I crossed the line was, quite clearly, the km markers were spaced further and further apart after km 14, and we actually ran at least 2000m further than we should have done. What is more, I am quite sure I passed an 18 km marker twice. Whatever the reason, I was completely shattered as the excellent support of Ros, Carole, Janet, Wendy, Doris and Mike lifted me for the last kilometre, and I made some effort to look like a runner in the last 200m.

The weather had been warm and mostly dry for the duration of both events, and we cheered in the rest of our team in the sunshine, including Dave, who was going to walk the course then found "new legs" on the way round. However, within 15 minutes of retreating into the large hall to recover the skies opened and a terrific deluge deafened us as it hammered on the roof.

It's a Long Way to Tipperary

Once the painful part was over, we could look forward to some partying. We gathered in "our" dining room at the hotel, and Des lined up a selection of beers, ranging from Carlsberg ordinary to a Belgian 8.5% strong ale (Ed: Chimay Bleu), which we worked our way through. A piano in the corner was commandeered, and Ros banged out songs that we all knew - which turned out to be the likes of "Long way to Tipperary" and other wartime classics. I hope there was no German family staying in the hotel, or they might have started looking out for Spitfires. A minibus arrived to take us to the party, where we found a wonderful buffet laid out in the centre of the hall, and about 50? tables, each with twenty or thirty runners, plus a stage set up for a band. We all had a great time, and after some lubrication were able to dance as if we had been resting all day, not running a half marathon. A great trip - in spite of having to leave at 6am the next morning to catch the 8.30 ferry. Thanks ever so much for organising it, Dave, and especially for paying for our hotel room. (Sorry about that - should have sorted it the night before). I think we might go again, although I would want to be able to stay a day or two more next time. We hit our bed at 10.00 pm on Sunday night and went out like lights - I am not sure whether sleep or leg recovery took longer the next week. I might find out if I run Henley next weekend (Ed: He did and, obviously, was not fully recovered).

John Bagshaw

The Argentan Half Marathon - by the person that was last for most of the race

On the morning of the race I knew from the aches in my hips that I would be unable to run the Half Marathon but, having come all that distance, I thought I might as well attempt to walk it. So that's what I did, armed with a sketch map of the route that Janet had marked with the cut-offs in case I felt unable to complete the distance.

What an experience! After 300 metres the sweep up ambulance came alongside and asked if I was OK. I indicated that I was by putting my thumb up but as the ambulance disappeared into the distance to catch up with the last runner I wondered whether I had been wise to wave it on. Janet and Ros were there to shout encouragement at about 500/600 metres but after that I was I was on my own. I even had to ask whether I was on the right road on two occasions before I left the built up area!

I started to get into my stride. After 3 or 4 kilometres I began to believe that I could finish and calculated that if I maintained 8 minutes per kilometre pace it would take between 2 hours 45 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes.

At the same time I reflected that when I had run my marathon PB in Paris all those years ago I ran the first twenty miles at a steady 4 minutes per kilometre. How times have changed! Now my only goal was to complete the course.

But I felt good. I was enjoying it. You see so much more of the countryside when you walk and you have time to think. Not much roadside support but what there was very encouraging - albeit in French. I could see the last runner but he remained a frustrating 300 metres or so ahead. I remained last, and by myself, for just over an hour until the first of the full marathon runners came by on their second lap.

After completing the first 10K in 81 minutes and 15 seconds, slightly behind schedule, I caught the last runner. He was another "Brit" - Jim from Essex. We stayed together for the next 5K. He ran; I walked. We did it in 39 minutes and 15 seconds.

Jim was despondent at running so slowly. I did my best to cheer him up but I wasn't helping his morale by walking faster than he was running. I threatened to talk about my injury problems for half an hour but I was unable to get him to run faster and at just after 15K I decided I would try running and left him.

To my surprise I felt fine. No pain. After two hours of hard walking I had warmed up sufficiently and was able to run the whole of the remaining 6K, even overtaking some stragglers and finished in 2 hours 29 minutes and 30 seconds. The other 6 runners from Wargrave, including Keith and Mandy who were doing their first half marathon, all beat me. I finished 9th from last, but what the hell, it was more fun than most races that I've done!

Having been plagued with a calf muscle injury since September 8th, followed by a strained joint in my back two weeks later, then lower-back pains which developed into a severe pain down the outside of my right leg whenever I attempted to run, I had a sense of achievement from completing the course. Literally, the night before I had been unable to run across the road outside the hotel even with cars approaching at 70 mph.

Argentan was the only half marathon where I have finished feeling better than I started and this left me in excellent shape for the party afterwards. I trust that someone else will have written about this. You've heard of "Dances with Wolves"; think "Dances with Penguins".

PS. Have you heard that the Bagshaws "did a runner" in the early hours of the Sunday after the race leaving someone else (me, actually) to pay their hotel bill?

Dave Moseley

How my style was cramped

Unlike John and Ros who made a short and swift strike into Northern France we, by contrast, took a more leisurely approach to the incursion, setting off some 2 days prior to the skirmish at which Dave Moseley was beaten by every one of Wargrave's representatives.

Just for Tony....

Setting off from Wargrave at 5:30am on the Thursday morning we travelled to France with Des and Wendy via Seacat from Dover. After making some distance on the autoroute we came off north east of Rouen and visited the pretty little town of Lyons la Forêt. It was here that we were reminded of Tony when we spotted the first signs for moules frites. After the customary biere and Camembert butty we then drove down to Giverny where we spent a couple of hours walking around Monets garden and house. After spending the night in Vernon we resumed our trek on Friday and, after another leisurely day, arrived at Le Faison Doré at around 4:30pm. Mandy and Keith were already there and out visiting the hypermarket but Dave and Janet, who had travelled over at the same time as the Dowards, were nowhere to be seen. After a long wait they eventually arrived about an hour before the first 'event', the Pasta Party.

I won't write about the non-race events, as I'm sure others will do proper justice to the Pasta Party and Le Nuit du Jogger.

So, the race…

The last time I had raced a half-marathon seriously was in December '91 (Wokingham) during my last 'purple patch' and before the injury of May '92, which I didn't get diagnosed until June 2000. Being out of race practice and with not the best training behind me I wasn't sure how to approach the event. Even though I was unsure I was capable of it I decided, after some thought, to set myself the target of the time I set in my very first half-marathon some 19 years ago - a smidgen under 1hr 35mins.

I figured this entailed an even pace of 4min 30sec kilometres.

Conditions on the day were, more or less, ideal and at the prescribed time Doris fired the gun, which set the 800+ half-marathoners on their way. Having lousy pace judgment I was unsure of the speed I was running over the first few hundred metres but went at a pace with which I felt comfortable. After half a mile or so I caught sight of Lesley and went through the first kilometre just behind her in a time of 4mins 18sec. So, I knew I was ahead of time and feeling comfortable.

Exchanging pleasantries with Lesley as I passed, I carried on at what I believed was an even pace. I had been expecting to see markers every kilometre but it wasn't until about 15K that I realised these were on the road surface and not posted at eye level. I wasn't, therefore, able to monitor my pace on a regular basis but was happy to find myself going through 5K in 22mins 10sec - still up on schedule and feeling fine.

Around 4 - 5K

The race continued around quite country lanes with very minor changes in altitude (it's a pretty flat course in other words!) and I found myself locked in to position - I was passing no one and no one was passing me. I next checked my time at 10K - under 45 mins (just - 44:59!) - still running to schedule. At this point I was confident of hitting my target because I felt strong in myself and capable of picking up the pace if I needed to over the last 5K.

At around the 15K point I decided to stride

1K to go - feeling good but complaining about cramp

out a little quicker and - my right calf cramped! It did not stop me but it tightened momentarily, causing me to hobble for a couple of steps. I thought about stopping to stretch it out but couldn't bring myself to a halt for fear of losing time. I tried everything in terms of varying the stride pattern etc but every time I tried to increase speed the calf cramped and I hobbled a step or two. This carried on all the way to the end with people passing me constantly over the last 6K. I had been looking forward to the finish, a gentle downhill stretch of around 150 metres, which invited you to sprint for the line. In the event I was unable to change in to a higher gear and finished around 4 mins short of my target feeling relatively fresh.

Although I was frustrated to have got the cramp I was pleased with the way I'd felt during the race - the speed is not there but the stamina/endurance certainly is - must be the R.O.B.O.T. rides. Feeling so good I vowed to enter the following weeks Henley Half and run a faster time.

After returning to the deserted hotel for drinks and a singsong, described by John earlier, we all went back to downtown Argentan to dance the night away at Le Nuit du Jogger. I hobbled out of this particular event with an extremely sore hip and fell into bed sometime after 2:00am.

After a very late breakfast the next day those of us left (John and Ros had departed the hotel at 5:00am) said our goodbyes and began our separate journeys back to Blighty. Not much to say about the journey back except --- we spent a most enjoyable 3 hours on the ferry sitting outside the docks at Dover (lots of people making use of paper bags) finally arriving home at 1:30 in the morning!

All in all a great weekend. Where to next year?

Dennis Sackett

The worst day of my life was the day that I beat Dave Moseley

The worst day in my life started in the usual sort of way, breakfast in a French Hotel accompanied by the Wargrave Runners in France 2001 crew. Normal sort of Saturday really.

Breakfast was boiled eggs with a slice of ham and lashings of dark strong coffee, just the right thing to take the edge off the slight hangover I was suffering from the strangely alcoholic pasta that they served at the party the night before.

After breakfast the strange psyching up exercises of the Wargrave runners was to be witnessed. Des and Dave were out walking up and down the main road whilst Dennis went and ran a half marathon to warm up!!! (well that's what he said!). I, meanwhile, decided to conserve my energy so sat down in a comfy chair and read a magazine. Whilst I was reading my magazine both Dave and Des had come back limping and thus had decided to walk the marathon instead of running it. I knew there was a good reason to loaf; I after all didn't want to peak too early.

So then to the run, or in my case crawl. It was horrible, I cannot describe in words the pain and suffering it caused me. Running through the streets of France being pelted with oranges and water, why do the French do that?

It may have been the worst day of his life but he was fully recovered for the evening!

Des, who had decided to walk, didn't! He had soon caught me up and then left me to eat dirt as he chuckled his way past. Was it really too much pasta or had he been continually filling my glass with wine?

That was my last contact with a friendly if somewhat sinister face; from that moment on it was pure hell. I kept looking at the kilometre marks, praying for the 21st. Then it occurred to me that perhaps the race was 22 or even 23K; yes I had become insane.

At last 20K had come and gone and the cries of familiar voices were heard shouting me home. Then I realised they were warning me to avoid the body on the ground, the one that had collapsed and had heart monitors on. Encouraged by this I turned the corner into the home straight and sprinted to the line, barging some 70-year-old woman out of the way. Its 'dog eat dog' out there.

Having finished I was.

That was the worst day of my life, THE DAY I BEAT DAVE MOSELEY.

Keith Doward

My First Half Marathon

Earlier this year the committee decided that it would be a great idea to return to Argentan for the half marathon hosted there every year. I decided that I would like to train to do this and thought that I'd probably got plenty of time to get up to distance. At this stage I was not running at all - a long way to go!

Well, life being as it is the Wargrave 10k arrived and I had only managed about 1 mile before stopping! On the evening of the 10k I mentioned that I didn't think I would now have enough time to get ready for the Argentan Half in September given that I was finding it physically very hard to run at all. Now, at this time I was more than 2 stone overweight and Des, in the nicest possible way, suggested that I would find it easier if I lost some weight (He didn't I hear you cry - He did!). I knew that Des was absolutely right and 3 days later (June 13th) I signed on with Weight Watchers (or Fat Club, as I prefer to call it) and started going out running more regularly, well walking-running anyway.

It was a very slow start to training - having to stop after a mile, but gradually I built the distance up. I got up to 10.5 miles and I even managed to run the first 5.5 miles before the walk-run mode took over. I was averaging 11-minute miles and felt content with that. Surely another 2.5 miles couldn't be that much harder!?

Race Day! Little did I know that it would turn out to be the day I beat Dave Moseley! We had a 9:30am breakfast

1K to go and encouragement from Doris

and then hung around at the hotel until about 12:15pm. The nerves set in and I found myself pacing, thinking about what a long way 13 miles is and would there be anyone else as slow as me?

We set off for the race start. The Marathon started first. I watched the marathon start and then went to join the queue for the Ladies - my first experience of a French loo that had been visited by many runners before me! Not a pleasant experience - I won't go into details, but I'll just mention that someone had broken the flusher mechanism!!??

We lined up for the start of the Half and then we were off. I had positioned myself safely at the back of the field. In fact within a hundred yards there were only four or five people behind me (better than no-one behind me!). For most of the race I had the ambulance behind me - most off putting. When the ambulance dropped back the motor biking "Medecin" kept passing me saying "Cava?". The first few miles were fine, running out of the town and into the countryside, passed a prison full of cheering inmates, through tiny villages with flags out and music playing and villagers shouting "Allez, Allez!".

I had been assured that Argentan was a flat course, but what do I see at 8K? Yes, a hill, but I don't do hills. I had promised myself I would run the first 10K before my first walk so I had to exercise great will power to keep going up the hill. I made it; in fact I managed to keep running for the first 10.5K. From then on it was walk, run, walk, run. I somehow ended up behind a very smelly French man at about 10 miles, but I couldn't run fast enough to get past him! By 11 miles my joints were hurting and that extra 2.5 miles that couldn't be much harder, seemed a long way. With 1K to go I saw Carole and Co. and managed an enthusiastic wave - nearly there. At last the finish line came into sight. Just as I was starting to wind down Dennis appears by my side telling me to "Sprint - Race Them!!". I don't know how, but I managed a sprint. As I passed through the funnel I was handed a rose - how nice. My muscles and joints were hurting, but when I saw the state that Keith was in I felt great. My target had been to run the first 10k and finish in 2.5 hours. I ran the first 10.5k and finished in 2hrs 23. I was happy.

I would like to thank Des for inspiring me to take action and fulfill one of my long-standing objectives. As well as completing my first half marathon I am now 26lb lighter (and 3 clothes sizes smaller!!) than I was at the Wargrave 10k and still running!

Mandy Doward

The day I beat Dave Moseley

Returning to Argentan to run the half marathon after a gap of eight years turned out to be a very pleasant experience. Where else would the organisers provide a free taxi service to and from the post race party! What race in UK has a post-race party? I don't know Normandy very well but I am beginning to become a fan. I was the driver with Wendy navigating. Fortunately Dennis and Carole were in the back with a map to offer alternative suggestions to some of my dear wife's well-intentioned suggestions (after all she did gain the Girl Guides map reading badge).

We set off on Thursday to have a leisurely journey via the Dover-Calais crossing. We spent a delightful afternoon at the former home and gardens of Claude Monet at Giverny. Highly recommended I'd say if you are in the region and haven't previously been there. Dennis demonstrated his prowess with the digital camera by taking some great shots of the water lily pond.

This is what Calvados does to you!

We arrived for our two nights in an Argentan Logis on Friday late afternoon as planned. I decided a short jog would be in order to loosen up the limbs after the fairly long drive. Ten paces into it I realised I couldn't run because of a severe pain in the bum. Probably caused by the time in the car. So I walked a couple of miles anyway. We met up with Keith and Mandy and Dave and Janet and had a pleasant enough evening at the pasta party. After we found it that is.

It had changed venue from eight years ago and had actually started at the scheduled time. Very strange. Even though we were late we were well looked after and returned to the hotel quite relaxed after a few glasses of wine. The hotel bar was open and we decided to try the local hooch, Calvados. It was sometime shortly after that I remember feeling fantastic, with no pain in the bum whatsoever. It was at this point that I decided to do Harry Worth impressions with the full-length mirror in the bar. This was definitely already a good trip. But it was to get better.

The management had thoughtfully given us a private room for breakfast. Not that they had anyone else staying. It allowed them to lock up the rest of the hotel so they could put up the Fermé sign and go off for the rest of the day. But not before serving us a splendid petit déjeuner complete with the most delightful thickly sliced ham. It was mid-way through this feast that John and Ros arrived after their overnight ferry. Later I tried a 100m jog and was still not sure I would make the start line four hours hence. Unperturbed I decided to prepare as usual and make a final decision whether to run at the last possible moment.

I had foolishly set race objectives and announced them to the group:

1. To finish
2. To finish without walking
3. To finish in under 2 hours
4. To beat Keith Doward

I started at the back with Keith. This was his first half marathon and I had given him strict advice not to go ahead of me. This he managed for about 100m. I saw Keith again at 7k and ran with him for a few minutes. But all of a sudden he wasn't there anymore. Was this objective four in the bag already? Well, yes it was. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole race passing other competitors throughout. Oh yes, I beat Dave Moseley and achieved all my objectives. Now the serious business of entertainment could really get underway.

Knowing the hotel bar was shut we picked up a few beers and wines at the local supermarket and had a most splendid early evening sing-song with music supplied exquisitely by Ros on the piano that just happened to reside in the breakfast room. Already well oiled we were taken to the post-race party in the aforementioned taxi. A great buffet followed by a live band had as rocking until the small hours. Good place France. How about the Bordeaux Marathon next year Dave?

Des Hassell

Race Reports

Andy Macaskill has, as usual, been racing prolifically so there is one race report from me and six from him!!

Henley Half-Marathon

Well, as I said in my Argentan report, I felt I had to have a go at Henley because of the disappointment brought about by the cramp in France.

Unlike Dave Moseley I had only run Henley once (back in 1986) but it still remains my second fastest half. The time I ran then is, of course, way out of reach these days and my rather modest target, despite Fawley Hill, was to go quicker than I did in Argentan a week before.

I duly got up bright and early and arrived at Henley Rugby Club to 'sign on' at 8:45 with John. We sat down and had a cup of tea and, gradually, the rest of the Wargrave contingent arrived including 'never missed a Henley or Reading' Dave Moseley who, this week, was going to attempt to run a race. The race began on time, with the first 300 metres being run on soggy, long grass with tight awkward turns, before going out on to the Marlow road. Within the first half mile or so we had passed 3 Wargrave supporters, Sandy, Janet and Richard and I had settled in to a comfortable rhythm although I had no firm plans as regards pacing. My thought was, I'll look at the time for the first mile and if I feel comfortable I'll try and stick with that pace. The first mile went past in 7:05 and I knew that if I kept it going, even allowing for the inevitable loss on Fawley Hill, I should go faster than Argentan.

Everything was fine until we came to run across the field at the bottom of Aston Lane. This is when my right hip, which had been giving me problems for a few weeks, began to ache. It gradually got worse going along the relatively rough path alongside the river, to the extent that I resigned myself to pulling out at around the halfway mark outside the rugby club ground (I thought Fawley Hill would only exacerbate matters).

As I ran across the bridge back in town somebody shouted that I was in 82nd place. I then passed Sandy, Janet and Richard at the bottom of Friday Street who clearly saw that I was limping (so they said afterwards) yet urged me to carry on to the finish!

So, I dragged myself past the rugby ground and in to Fawley Court where I had my first drink in preparation for the long drag up Fawley Hill. I paced myself up the hill, consciously not pushing too hard, and from the 8-mile point to the finish I kept everyone else behind me and even made up a number of places. The worst part of the hill was not the going-up but the going-down. Back in 1986 I was able to let myself go and freewheel down with little ill effect but this time I couldn't help but hold back and feel the strain in the quads, especially on the steepest part in the last 50 yards or so. In the event it was not too bad when I got back on the flat and the legs recovered quite quickly. I had a minor scare at around 10 miles when I briefly felt my right calf and thought it was about to cramp again but, luckily, the feeling quickly subsided.

The last few miles were a bit of a drag and I could not get comfortable on the camber along the road through Assendon and found myself venturing out to the middle on several occasions.

A couple of hundred yards from the finish I passed Janet and Richard again before going through the tape at 1:37:43, exactly 1 minute faster than the week before. I had beaten my target and, given the differences in the courses I reckon the Henley run was worth 3 - 4 mins better than Argentan. That's my view and I'm sticking to it.

Wargrave Runners were well represented and their performances, according to the Henley Standard (who don't recognize seconds), were as follows:

Having given my account of the race and mentioned the support of Sandy, Janet and Richard I've just realised I failed to mention the other Janet (Moseley). She was more mobile than the others and, sporting her white crash helmet (with bike), popped up at various points around the course shouting encouragement. I certainly saw her at 2, 5 and 12 miles where, at each point, she was vigorously exercising her vocal chords.

One final sobering thought. Standards have obviously fallen in this race over the years; my time from 1986 would have placed me 6th this year and I was beaten by 3 other Wargrave Runners 15 years ago!!

BTW Dave Moseley was one who beat me that year.

Dennis Sackett

Burnham Beeches Half Marathon

This was to be my first race for quite a while and following an endless run of mediocre performances I was hopeful of an improved showing after a more regular running routine. I was quietly pleased to see a forecast of wet weather for race day as I enjoy running in the rain, finding it more forgiving than the sun.

The announcement of areas of flooding meant for an interesting race but I found the splashing about quite fun, enjoyed the well known 'up and down' course, and reached halfway in an optimistic 41:40. The 2nd lap went well until 9/10 miles when I blew up slightly (same stage as last year) and just about got my sixth wind by the finish with the clock showing 1:24:22. Thanks to Alan for the water and Liz for the medal.

I was really encouraged by my first half-decent effort for a while and showed I could regain something of the form of last year.

I might have a crack at a few more now.

Andy Mac

The Beast at Corfe Castle

With resistance weakened by alcohol a mate of mine and I decided some months before to run in the Man vs. Horse race in Wales. Due to foot and mouth this was postponed until October, giving us a bit of time to gain some training relevant to such a race.

The Beast 14 mile run was described as multi-terrain and hilly and would be the perfect intermediate distance training effort for the 22-mile run to come in Wales. So, off to Dorset it was to join the other 400 lunatics on the start line, where we became introduced to the unusual bunch that are called 'fell runners.

The course very soon became hilly and was certainly multi-terrain and with approximately 7 miles of trudging through mud, woodland and farmyards we made it to the coast and halfway. After a stretch of coastal track into a biting gale we turned inland for the homeward run. With more mud and hurdling stone walls we had Corfe castle back in our sights, meaning we had another climb to deal with before the finish.

A certain amount of gritted teeth was required but we made it and completed the tough course in 1:49:40. No world record but the main thing was to get the experience without killing ourselves. Once we'd finished we looked back and agreed how much we'd enjoyed it and were rewarded with a particularly striking t-shirt.

Well worth a trip for any Wargrave Runner up for the challenge and who fancies a duel with the masses of Burnham Joggers and Reading Road Runners.

Andy Mac

Newbury 10

Considering my heavy-legged/lack lustre (I believe they're popular descriptions) attempt at the Staggered Mile on the Friday evening I went into this race with much less deluded confidence than usual.

However, this seemed to reinforce my casual pre-race routine and led to surprising results, as I later found that I had started at what I thought was a steady pace only to discover my split for the first half, arguably the harder half, was quicker than last year at 30:59.

Having struggled then regrouped a couple of times between 5 and 7 miles I decided not to look at my watch anymore and just run. With a mile or so to go I felt pretty good considering and picked up again for the final stretch. As I rounded the last corner and saw the finish clock I was amazed at what it showed - 60:57 - meaning a 2nd half of 29:58.

I was greeted by my faithful support crew, saw Nicky striding majestically towards the finish and more silverware, went home and thought no more about it.

That is, until a few days ago when the postman delivered a silver medal for being 2nd in the Berkshire Championship along with the usual demands for money. Must have been a record low turnout!

Here are my splits, 6:04, 5:57, 6:05, 6:11, 6:45, 5:55, 6:08, 5:52, 6:12, 5:41, showing slight yo-yoing from mile 4 onwards.

Andy Mac

Cabbage Patch 10

From my run here last year I knew that the Cabbage Patch was a pretty flat run because of its proximity to the river and might even enable me to run an even pace for the first time, possibly leading to an OK clocking.

Before the start I'd set myself the target of 60 minutes and perhaps it was this that forced me to go off like a lunatic or, was that first mile steeply downhill? Anyway, I had to slow and, looking at my splits along the way I seemed to pace myself more sensibly the further I went. I got to halfway in, a very much in front of intended, 29:20.

Although I had 40 seconds 'in the bank' I knew it would be incredibly hard to maintain that pace in the 2nd half but it gave me something to hang on to. I slowed for the next 2 - 3 miles, but not too drastically, and on approaching Richmond Bridge I remembered how far there was to go and began thinking about a 'push'. I got to 9 miles and had to assess things. My watch showed 54:12 so I'd lost my 'lead' and was behind schedule for the first time. It was going to be close and I mustered a final effort three times before a sprint finish helped me across the line in 59:59.

What a difference a second makes. Another PB. I've done it now so I never have to do that again.

We'll see.

What's next? Man vs. Horse, perhaps Abingdon and even a Wargrave team for the Marlow Half might be suggested to anyone that'll listen.

Here's the splits, 5:36, 5:48, 5:54, 5:54, 6:06, 6:05, 6:18, 6:15, 6:13, 5:17

Andy Mac

Man vs. Horse

What a weekend this was - eventful to say the least!

The journey to Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys on the Friday evening was chaotic at best, mainly due to the decision to 'go cross-country' in order to save £5 crossing the Severn Bridge. So, with breaks at the metropolis of Ross-on-Wye and a village called Kington, we drove without seeing another car, through the mist and fog, to reach our Youth Hostel at about 9:30pm. The Pasta Party finished at 9:00pm so we took refuge in the pub until the early hours before passing out to bed.

The race was started at 11:00am the next morning by the Welsh bird that won the ITV show 'Survivor'. That's about as good as it gets in the world of minor celebrities and I assume that Jet from Gladiators was unavailable.

The pre-race info warned us in no uncertain terms of the challenging nature of the run and, with our complete lack of any endurance based training, we set out in the traditional, slow and getting slower, fashion. Bearing that in mind the course was still ridiculous in places and, after a while, became amusing. There was mile after mile of wading through shin high mud, traipsing through streams and sliding down hillsides. Oh, what fun we had!

What I have so far not mentioned is the hills we went up. Now, as a general rule, I don't mind hills but walking was commonplace, and acceptable, for runners of all standards. At one point we were climbing quite sharply for 20 minutes solid and reached such a height on the hills that the visibility was down to about 10 yards in the fog.

Despite this it was highly enjoyable and as Mike and I waded on we chatted away and, without really thinking too much, we'd passed the second checkpoint for those running the 3 person relay team. The last third of the race was very hard going; we were, inevitably, getting tired and the jumping about to avoid the worst of the terrain must've added miles on to the overall distance.

Horses flew past us most of the way round but we were still in front of a few by the end including one particular 'knackers yard bound' animal who I beat in a sprint finish.

Just prior to the finish we were encouraged by a marshal saying there was 400 yards to go, only for us to turn the corner to find a river crossing (about waist deep) between us and the end. Just what you need after 22 miles.

Anyway, we made it home in 3 hours 42 minutes, timing it perfectly to make it to the pub for the Wales/Ireland rugby match on TV. A shower and 14 pints of Worthingtons later I was very satisfied indeed.

Andy Mac

Abingdon Marathon

Eight days on and ready for a marathon is what I'd fooled myself to think. This is a race I wanted to do in celebration of last year's effort but, realistically, I probably should not have run. After the previous weeks run I felt pretty good fairly quickly and even managed an hour run on the Tuesday so I made up my mind to have a go. Before the Man vs. Horse my only long run for 12 months had been at London but I was quietly confident of being able to get round in a time of 3:15ish. Seemed realistic and would've been nice - the idea was 'not too quick until 16 - 18 miles and see'.

I started off in pretty comfortable fashion and after about 5 - 6 miles I'd settled into an OK pace but was slightly concerned when seeing my splits. From 8 to about 18 miles I ran in a fairly large group, which helped keep us on a pretty steady pace. In this group I was carried through halfway in 1:28:40, which with my pre-race plan in mind was slightly worrying. Nonetheless, I found it quite refreshing running along with no worries at all about a time and I was able to just run and enjoy it. As expected I began to struggle at 17 - 18 miles and slowed up quite quickly but even then, I felt quite happy as I jogged along.

18 - 22 miles was a real trot and I stopped twice at drinks stations for some digestives and a stretch before heading off again. The last 4 miles were slow but OK, considering, and I finished in 3:12:52 to be met by Dad, Nicky and Tony.

I found out a day or two later that my considerably slower time than last year was good enough for me to be the first home in the Senior Men's Berkshire Championship - I really should do some training.

Andy Mac

Charity Presentation

This years 10K Road Race Charity Evening took place at the Hannen Room on Friday 19th October at 8:00pm.

A record sum of £2477 was raised by this year race and a total of £2,500 was donated to various charities/organisations as follows:

This time around we decided to put some emphasis on support of the local community, hence the contributions to the Scouts and the Doctors Fund. The Scouts have a project underway to extend/improve their premises and we have always relied on their good services throughout the life of the race. Lady Ann Redgrave started this year's event and, again, we thought it appropriate to contribute something to the Sir Steve Redgrave Charitable Trust.

The sum of £2,500 beats our previous best from 1999 and since we adopted the policy 8 years ago of running the race as a charitable event we have now raised and donated a total of £11,400. There was a lower than normal turnout of club members and the representative from Cancer Research was unable to attend. Nevertheless, as usual, a good evening was had by all.

Hilary and her colleague from Breakthrough Breast Cancer attended and accepted a cheque on behalf of the organization and Doris was presented with the donation for the Sarah Matheson Trust. The other organisations received their donations by mail with an accompanying letter from Dave Moseley.

Measured Mile

This year's Measured Mile took place on Friday 7th September at 7:30pm. The weather was kind, although the skies darkened quickly after the event, and we had a very good entry of 23 runners. Competitors were set off in the usual, staggered, fashion, some as little as 1 sec apart and the handicapper then raced (on bike) to the finish in order to record the result!

Doris was first away and, perhaps because she is not used to such a short distance event, probably set off a bit too enthusiastically - I honestly thought I'd made an error in the handicapping and wouldn't get to the finish before her! In the event Liz (second away) overhauled Doris and made the line in first place, beating her handicap by 27 secs. Fastest on the road was Dave Quiqley with a time of 4min 54secs. Chris Moseley also broke the 5 min barrier with Chris Belton running 5mins dead (although I believe he recorded 4mins 59secs on his own watch).

The following table shows the results on the road. Nine people beat their handicap, as shown by the green figures under 'Diff'.

The second table is sorted by the closeness of the runner's actual time to the target time set by the handicapper.

Sarah (Miss Pace Judgment) wasn't competing this year and it was Dave Moseley who came closest to his target time.

Tony surpassed himself in the last Staggered Jog and maintained the momentum here by beating the handicapper by 8 secs. William was the best of the youngsters, running a time of 7mins 34secs and beating Des to the line by a single second.

As stated earlier, conditions were good but heavy cloud meant that the day darkened quickly after the finish - perhaps we'll start at 7:00pm next year. Nevertheless, in the time-honoured fashion, most people repaired to the cricket pavilion for the 'social' aspect of the event - conversation, food and drink.

Staggered Jog

The latest Staggered Jog took place in warm, but moist, conditions on the day after the 10K Charity Presentation, having been postponed from the previous week to allow all our entrants to be in peak condition for the Henley Half.

It was another small (minimum) turnout but Des arrived with a determination to go out and claim his second jog win, which he duly did, beating his handicap by 2 secs. Everyone else was slower than normal and John came back asking if anyone had seen Robert because he hadn't but he'd got back before him. Turns out that John passed him at Holly Cross when Robert was a little way up the cart track reexamining his meal from the previous night!

Facts and Figures

This month, statistics from the Staggered Jog….

The first Staggered Jog was run on 8th August 1984. It was won in a dead heat by 'yours truly' and Joe Haynes - this remains the closest ever finish.

The biggest field has been 16 on two occasions, 10th June 1989 and 14th July 1990. The first was won by Barry Bennett in an actual time, believe it or not, of sub 30 mins.

Both Dave Moseley and Tony Evans have contested 60 of the 80 runs. John Bagshaw is the next most active competitor with 49 starts (and finishes).

With only 5 runs under his belt to date Chris Belton has the fastest average pace after Tony Linturn (6'10" per mile against 5'40" - based on a 4.5 mile distance).

Longest sequence of runs is 17 by Tony Evans - would have been 24 but for 1 miss on 11th July 1994. Fastest recorded time is 24'32" by Tony Linturn on 2nd May 1987. Slowest is 52'59" by Ellen Lindsay on 10th June 1989 (sorry Ellen).

Dave Moseley has run the same time (30'00") on 3 occasions - no one else has run the course more than twice in the same time - fascinating eh?????

Lochaber 2001

The Scottish 6-Days Championships

Going to a challenging and picturesque area always adds to the excitement of any event and with no O-ing since February due to foot and mouth disease, Berkshire Orienteering (BKO) members looked forward to the start of Lochaber 01. This bi-annual event is held in the first week in August. This year it attracted over 3000 runners with a large contingent from Scandinavian countries.

The location of day 1 at Ardlieu was centred at the Outward Bound School overlooking Loch Eil, competitors being bussed from the Event Centre in Fort William. The orienteering was challenging, especially if you can't count streams.

Berkshire Orienteers helped as a club with the organisation at Strathmassie on day 2 at registration, starts and finish. It highlighted the effort and demands on manpower for many of the smaller Scottish clubs during the 6 days. The weather was perfect, which was fortunate for those helping. Day 3 involved the longest drive to Archattan Priory near Oban. Based on a farm, strict Foot and Mouth precautions were in force. If your skin came into contact with the compulsory disinfectant, it stained yellow. There has been one reported case where a competitor returned home to have his yellow coloured foot treated for 'bruising' by his GP! HHHhhhMMMmmmmm!!???? Wonder who????? (Mike: Please remember to tell Dr Tsoi that I'm OK won't you!)

Wednesday, the rest day, found BKO members searching for sea eagles in Mull, reviving childhood memories on the Island of Eigg, munro collecting in Kinloch Hourn and exploring waterfalls in Glen Nevis.

Thursday was back at Strathmassie using the western side of the map.

Arisaig was the location for day 5, a new area for Scottish O-ing. The terrain was typically Scandinavian in character, open countryside with mainly rock features. The walk to the start tested most runners since it involved about a 45 minutes climb up a steep footpath ascending over 1000 feet in 2.2 km. Even the old blokes like me as well as the M/W70 and 75 had to do this. But as it said in the runner's instructions "never mind the climb just look at the views". From the top you could look out over a superb view of the Isle of Skye as well as the isles Mull and Eigg. This area was a real test of navigation for orienteers. If a runner could not read contours you could navigate by marshes. There were plenty of these and they could be revealed by the simple test of trying to run through them. Runners very soon learned to run round them! Richard Rae of Berkshire Orienteers gave an outstanding performance finishing second out of 99 competitors in his class. Afterwards most folk explored the silver sandy beaches of Morar or had a meal in Mallaig.

The rain dampened the final day at Fersit at the head of Loch Treig. The promised view of 15 munros on the way to the start was not possible with thick mist covering the surrounding hills. O-ing was mostly over open hillside and was physically demanding.

Overall it was great and popular event and good to be back participating after such a long forced absence due to F&M. The areas were mostly new and the scenery breathtaking in places. Results of the Wargrave Runners were Chris Moseley 19th in the large and competitive M21 class, Alan Yeadon 39th out of 54 runners in M65 class and Liz Turbin 10th in W55 class. Full results on web site:

www.scottish-orienteering.org

And the wee white flies this year were few in numbers. Thankfully!!!

Roll on Moray 2003.

Alan Yeadon