Neither London nor Boston but internet solecisms.
I have been meaning to put this piece on the website for some time. Regular or occasional attendees at the hill and road rep sessions will have noticed that they have dropped off the scene. The unfortunate reason for this is time and injury. Those that know me reasonably well are aware that injury problems have caused me grief since early February after tearing my left calf. This has caused a bit of a ripple effect, leading to the current condition, Achilles Tendonitis in both tendons. Whilst I’m sidelined I need to train in other disciplines and strike a balance between work life and Open University Study, inevitably leading to time constraints. Many apologies for the disruption in service.
However, with the cross-country season just over the horizon, my thoughts are turning towards the ever popular hill reps, conducted on the hilly side-streets of lakeside. As my OU studies culminate in an October exam, the plan is to restart the hill sessions from Monday 4th October, irrespective of injury (keep your eyes on the website for details closer to the time). In the meantime, may I suggest that to get those endorphins charging around your veins, you try the track on a Monday or Tuesday evening? Asking around the club will reveal a host of sessions currently on offer.
Happy running.
Posted by Simon at 01:54 PM
It’s a great shame that our weekend festival of training clashes with a potential weekend festival of racing. So to put people in the picture and help undecided members make up their minds, here is the state of play with the Pembrokeshire weekend. We are up to our allocation of 20 places at the TYF centre in St Davids, and a non-refundable deposit has been paid. We also have another 3 people booked in B&B accommodation on TYF’s doorstep. If you are still keen, we can try other B&B’s or camping is available at Caerfai campsite, 5 mins from the centre.
So there you go, 2 great options for a weekend ’down west’. Which other club offers that??? I’d also like to re-iterate Mick’s comments and thank Liz for her kind ’Race the train’ offer.
Posted by Simon at 02:14 PM
Well why not? Last month Huw Lobb won 25,000 pounds for winning the "Man versus Horse". And whilst the organisers at Bro Dysynni can’t offer that kind of prize money, they do provide a course of great beauty and a very interesting personal challenge.
The event takes place on Saturday 21st August at Tywyn, which forms part of a beautiful coastline in north-west Wales. There are two races, a 10 km. in the morning and a 14 mile in the afternoon. Sue Neal and Julie Scholey have entry forms. And Liz Clarke, our Friend in the North, has kindly offered accommodation for up to 17 visitors. If demand exceeds this number, there are camping facilities nearby. Many, many thanks to Liz for this incredibly generous offer - she can be contacted on (01654) 767295 or "Strumble", Penrhos, Aberdyfi, Gwynedd. LL35 0NT.
Posted by Mick at 01:23 PM
Cycling terminology. Can’t claim to be a cyclist myself, but having just watched Lance Armstrong for the last three weeks, it’s difficult NOT to be inspired.
So what’s the "Race of Truth?" In simple terms, it means a time trial. Runner again stopwatch. Don’t worry, you won’t be asked to run up Alp d’Huez. You certainly won’t have thousands of fans trying to pour water over you and you won’t see "Allez Flash" painted on the road. Our race route, a five kilometre loop round the National Sports Centre is flat and fast. And it’s certainly different. No hiding in packs. But the pain is over quickly.
Race Date: Thursday 19th August. This event has proved very popular in the few years it’s been run. We often get 60+ runners. And to add spice, Jeff Aston will be using his ever-reliable form guide to divide runners into teams of three, with the objective for giving each team an equal opportunity to win. And the cost: ONE POUND ONLY - with a free meal. I call that value for money. But to take part in the team competition, you need to enter by Thursday 5th August (to Jeff Aston).
Of course, there’s no obligation to run, but for those of you who choose not to, it would assist us greatly if you marshall, timekeep or generally support those who do. You know how inclusive we are - just come and be a part of it.
Posted by Mick at 01:07 PM
Guess what? John Griffin, Les Croupiers’ ever-popular temporary chairman (a post he has held for 10 years) will be 65 on Saturday 7th August.
"I don’t believe it" - I hear you say. It’s true, honest. And to celebrate, he’s having a 65th birthday bash at Llandaff Rugby Club (where else?) that evening. And you’re invited. In fact, eveyone’s invited. So what’s the surprise?
Simple. The surprise is .... there’s no surprise.
Posted by Mick at 12:43 PM
Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, Maxims and Arrows, 44The formula of my happiness: a Yes, a No, a straight line, a goal.
Does triathlon make a good background training regime? Pictured left is a 16-year-old triathlete, built, like many serious swimmers, with a lot more upper body bulk than long-distance runners or skinny climbing cyclists. Sixteen years ago, Triathlon was neither an Olympic nor a professional sport, so he went into cycling.
Can a lad from a single-parent family in Austin, Texas cope in the gladiatorial world of European professional cycling? He represented his country in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, rode four Tours but only finished one, and only won one stage.
And then he got cancer. What did not destroy him, made him stronger. The year he was ill, 1996, was the year that Miguel Indurain failed to win his sixth consecutive Tour de France—the victory going to Bjarne Riis (this year’s manager of CSC, whose Ivan Basso finished 3rd overall). Get yourself into racing shape, spending five or six hours on the bike every day until your legs are zeppelins of muscle, and there are only microscopic traces of fat anywhere on your frame. Then try to lose a stone.
What happened to our American is that he found he could not only finish the Tour de France, but being significantly lighter, he could climb like almost no-one else.
He doesn’t give triathlon advice. As a Times interviewer found out:
" …. here I am, thinking that I’d be getting hours of top-quality insight for my triathlon training, and, instead, it’s like I am back in my old job, …."
Well, any journalist known to show up to a press conference when in that old job, sporting a baseball cap bearing the legend "Media Scum" shouldn’t expect an easy ride.
Perhaps he’s famous for winning Le Tour every year since 1999. Perhaps he’s only famous for surviving cancer. Perhaps it’s his new girlfriend (left). I didn’t recognise “Mork from Ork” giving “6” signs to the Eurosport cameras at the finish. Maybe he’s the secret. Or Will Smith is. Whatever, the tributes pour in, starting with the man who, as Governor of Armstrong’s home state of Texas, feted him in the Capitol building after his first win in 1999. (The Texan Capitol is a lot like the White House, but being in Texas, bigger, and—whisper it! with the FMA and everything—pink.) The New York Post says Champ Lance’s Passion is an Altruistic Fashion. Even Jolanda Ceplak wore a "Live Strong" wristband at the Norwich Union International yesterday.
I doubt that an early start in triathlon will turn you into the greastest athlete on the planet. But it’s something to aim for.
Posted by Dave at 01:32 PM
The Lake District was a blast. Wonderful weather, stunning scenery, great running and unbeatable company. It had to be done again. So here it is, the sequel (Lake District part 2 — Return of the runners). Except some of the names have changed and this time we’re off to Pembrokeshire.
So what do we have in store this time? Well Pembrokeshire is home to Britain’s only truly coastal national park. A spectacular landscape of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, wooded estuaries and wild inland hills, perfect for a weekend of running, walking, swimming or chilling out.
Our base will be the fantastic Twr-Y-Felyn outdoor pursuits centre and hotel “an 18th century, converted windmill full of laid back charm”, on the outskirts of beautiful St Davids, Britain’s smallest city. Leaving on Saturday the 21st August, the following itinerary has been prepared.
Places at the centre are very limited, and with 18 confirmed bookings so far, you’ll need to move quickly. If we exceed the available space in the centre, we may be able to arrange some alternative accommodation in the locality, but Pembrokeshire does fill up during August.
So if you’d like to feel the freedom of the coastpath, liberate those road shoes and give me a call.
Posted by Simon at 04:39 PM
What’s the secret, "Top Man?" Members may recall that two weeks ago Gary completed his first 100km., clocking 10:16:36 and placing 19th in the Anglo Celtic Plate at Bute Park. You’d think he’d need a rest? Think again!
Last Sunday was the Welsh Masters Track and Field Champs. at Leckwith. Gary took gold in the 100 metres (M55), gold in the 400 metres, and silver in the 200 metres. What next?
Another newcomer to the world of track and field is Gary John. He also had a busy day, securing gold in the 800 metres (M50), silver in the 1500 metres and silver in the 5000 metres. A very difficult combination.
Great to see Rob Evans return to the fray. One of the club’s founder members, Rob improved his season’s best by 12 seconds to take gold in the M50 1500 metres.
The day after his 45th birthday, Nigel Webb front ran the 800 metres, eventually taking silver, whilst Mick McGeoch also took silver in the M45 1500 metres. Well done everyone!! Let’s see more of the same for the remainder of the track season.
Posted by Mick at 12:01 PM
Bud Baldaro will be attending Les Croupiers club night on Thursday week (22nd July). As many of you will know, Bud has twice before come to the club to give us the benefit of his coaching expertise. Always interesting, sometimes controversial and certainly never dull.
Bud’s brief will be advisory - Mel has invited him in his capacity of Cardiff Marathon Race Director. So inevitably much of the discussion will be focused on the marathon - though this should not dissuade others from attending to discuss any issues they wish to raise. Rest assured - Bud has an answer for everything!
On a personal note - we were all shocked to hear of Bud’s recent illness and look forward to receiving evidence that he has made a complete recovery.
All non-members and visitors welcome - the more the merrier!
Approx times: Run at 7.00PM; Discussion at 9.00PM.
Posted by Mick at 11:48 AM
Enjoy the sensation of clinging lycra? Secretly desire to thrash around in the water with lots of people in bathing costumes? Then it sounds like you need a good course of therapy or a Les Croupiers Triathletes membership card.
Our fledgling triathlon section has continued to grow and we are welcoming new members on a weekly basis. So it’s time for a little reminder about some of our current developments.....
Club kit is now available from Phil. A very tasteful collection of Fleeces, Hooded sweatshirts and polo shirts are available at very reasonable rates. Perfect for the apres-race pasta party. Shortly we will receive our first consignment of racing kit, closely resembling a Victorian wrestlers costume (minus the stripes). Phil and I will model them for suitable amounts of cash.
With the race season in full swing, why not try your hand at a short distance tri or a duathlon? If you’re really keen, there’s also the club championship to consider;
Sunday 2nd May - Cardiff Try-at-tri
Weds 26th May - SSAFA 5k
Weds 2nd June - Castle Coombe Duathlon - 3.2k run,16k bike, 3.2krun
Sat 26th June - Pembrokeshire Triathlon - 1500m/40k/10k or 400m/12k/5k
Sun 11th July - Bath Triathlon - 1500m/40k/10k or 750m/20k/5k
Tues 13 July - Rose Inn 4 mile
Weds 4th August - Castle Coombe Duathlon - 3.2k run,16k bike, 3.2krun
Sunday 5th Sept - Great Wales Tri - 750m/20k/5k or 1500m/40k/10k
Sunday 3rd October - Swansea bay 10k
Details of other races can be obtained from Phil.
If there are any ladies out there looking for a pair of suitable cycling shoes, Andrew Sedgmond is selling a very classy pair of size 4 Look cycling shoes (with cleats) for 15 quid. For a strapping 6 footer, he certainly has small feet (Or perhaps they belong to his wife – must pay more attention in club). See Andrew or myself for details.
A triathlon meeting will take place on Thursday the 8th July after Mick’s announcements. Why not drop in and see what all the fuss is about? This is your opportunity to put questions, suggestions and requests to the triathlon committee, and our opportunity to bob, weave and dodge (I am of course kidding, our aim is to be as inclusive and progressive as possible).
And all this for a fiver!
Posted by Simon at 03:09 PM
Last updated 22 September 2006
^Top | Sitemap | About this site | Contact us | Les Croupiers Running Club Home
© Dave Weeden 2000–10.
Feel free to contact me with suggestions, complaints, or praise — or if you spot any errors of fact, grammar, sense, or coding.
