Because running isn’t a spectator sport.
This is a digest from Simon of the points we voted on. Please comment as you see fit. Some things need volunteers or further work.
1st Thursday of every month is to be ‘Beginners Night.’ Four ‘mentors’ who will wear different colour bibs will be available to run around with new members at 10, 9, 8 and 7 minute-miling. (New members are, of course, welcome any week.) A 5k loop around Sophia Gardens is to be introduced during summer months (because it’s not street lit; and there are hazards such as speed bumps and bollards on the route). One volunteer per week will guide this run. A “New Members” info pack will be prepared.
There will be two start times, 6:40pm and 7pm. Slower runners and runners doing the 2 start times, 6:40 and 7pm. Slower runners and runners doing the 10 to leave at 6:40. All runners stick together until the flyover (during winter) and Llandaff bridge 10 to leave at 6:40. All runners stick together until the flyover (during winter) and Llandaff bridge (during summer) to foster club spirit. Routes stay the same.
Greater emphasis to be placed on Club Championship races (page to be updated v soon); reduced emphasis on other races. New award to be introduced — ‘Young runner of the year (under 30).’
People interested in either becoming a coach or obtaining information about coaching should consult Derek. Simon will complete his coaching qualification shortly, which will add him to the acknowledged coaches — Mel and Derek (this was mentioned as an aside as hills cropped up). On the first Thursday of each month, a Q&A stylecoaching forum will be held in upstairs room.
A delegation from the running club committee to meet with Llandaff RFC to put forward our views and ask for suggestions from them for improving the showers. Richie has offered a final contribution towards the electric showers if need-be. The issue of changing venue was put to bed. Simon said that if anybody would like to come forward with a suggestion that has previously been assessed for parking, numbers of showers (male and female), accessibility, central location, summer and winter routes (preferably offroad), access to a bar, food etc. etc. The committee would be daft not to look at it. Nobody has yet come forward or given any indication that they will.
Richard Bullen has pointed out that nothing was said about Mick’ speeches. All refererences to the Barry 40 are now prohibited. He says “For people going home to eat (given the standard of grub at Club) this is too late. Should we standardize at 8:30 p.m. or 8:45? It is important that people know when this information slot will be.”
This should keep Tim busy for a while.
Posted by Dave at 01:35 PM | Comments (8)
Results to follow, whenever.
Posted by Dave at 05:35 PM | Comments (1)
A quick reminder about an upcoming 5 Km in March. Lynne Toogood was hugely instrumental in this getting started.
The Cardiff Fair Trade 5K is on Sunday 13th March and will be in Bute Park.
There's a 1 Km at 11.00 AM (Cost £2) and a 5 Km at 11.30 AM (Cost £6).
John Griffin and Derek Williams are co-ordinating our organisational efforts.
Please support them.
Want to know more: www.fairtrade5k.org.uk or E Mail: snap@crockertons.co.uk
Posted by Mick at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)
So how can the best (8 out of 10 cats said their owners preferred us) get better?
After some very healthy debate both on the website and within the club, the committee has organised an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) on Tuesday the 22nd February at 8pm. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss some of the excellent ideas and opportunities that have been suggested for recruiting/retaining new members and providing a structure that will encourage developing athletes to improve. We will sort out the regular committee meeting stuff in the preceding week, allowing us to focus on the issues in hand.
Andy Cleves has very kindly offered to tidy up the suggestions from the website into a manageable list under logical headings. If you wish to provide further constructive input please e-mail him directly;
andrew_cleves@hotmail.co.uk
The committee would like to extend a warm invitation to any member that feels that he or she can offer a positive contribution.
Posted by Simon at 11:26 AM | Comments (2)
Gwent League …This Sunday, Singleton park. Names to Sue and myself. It’s looking increasingly unlikely that I will make it on Sunday due to study commitments in London, but ever-present vice-captain and reliable right hand man Mr Phil Cook will be. Please be there at least 1 hour before the start time to see your respective team managers. Let’s nail some of those age-group categories.
Yorkshire Dales … Places going like the proverbial off the digging implement. There are now 4 places left, so book now to avoid disappointment. This trip will be catering for walkers to flyers with everybody in between.
Hill sessions … Going from strength to strength. An excellent training group now meets on a Tuesday to give those Lakeside hills some stick. Next session 6.15pm, next Tuesday, meet outside Cardiff High (see details below).
Triathlon-Dinner-no-dance … We’re far too shy for the whole dancing thing, so the dinner-no-dance will be held at the fantastic Crokertons cafe/restaurant in Mid-March. Exact date TBA shortly. Gongs will be awarded, fantastic acceptance speeches will be given and posh organic ales will be quaffed. This is not restricted to Triathletes! All you need is a few hours, a social tendency and an empty belly.
All that above and we still want to offer more! Your opportunity to disscuss it will arise at the committee meeting on Tuesday 22nd Feb. Gather your thoughts, talk about it with others and join us at 8:30pm.
Posted by Simon at 12:23 PM | Comments (5)
Hill rep schedule for the remainder of Feb is as follows …
8th February, Lady Mary Road. 6:15pm for warm—up, 6:30pm for session
15th February, Llandennis Avenue — meet at Cardiff High. 6:15pm for warm—up, 6:30pm for session
22nd February, Waterloo Road — meet at Lady Mary Road. 6:15pm for jog over. 6:30pm for session.
If you haven’t been before, come along and find out what it’s all about — like minded runners, doing a good tough session in company and participating at your own level. See you on the hills.
Posted by Simon at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)
I can’t remember who brought this up; but we seemed to be agreed that someone should do something about new members. So from now on, every week someone is expected to volunteer to show beginners the route. As we formally start at 7pm, that means that the starter group will have to wait until then.
I think that the reason that the start time has drifted forwards as dramatically as it has is that the showers get cold too quickly, and the changing room fills up too much around 8pm. One way to avoid this is not to use the club house on the same night as the rugby boys, and it was suggested in the pub that we consider moving the club night to Wednesday.
John Griffin noted that we have a problem with retention of newer members, especially young women. Very few come in for a drink afterwards. Whether this is down to the cuisine the club offers or because of the shortage of presentable men (and with the exception of yours truly, you're all ugly bastards), no one is sure. We could do more in the way of being social and even friendly to newer members. Simon’s trips (see his Yorkshire Dales Update) aren’t limited to old hands.
I’m sure this will start an argument.
Posted by Dave at 05:12 PM | Comments (51)
Matt Townsend sent me this. Paula Radcliffe Bathroom Scales. It is that Paula Radcliffe too. “Each model has the Paula Radcliffe signature” The cheapest one is £24:97, and it’s clever: “The contemporary design and silver finish ensure that the MS7706 compliments most bathrooms” and “Includes Lithioum battery.”
(You may call that intellectual snobbery; I say that good spelling is important.)
As it happens, I bought a pair of scales from Asda yesterday. They were £21:63 cheaper than these. I’d taken to weighing myself on the machine in the Welsh Institute of Sport, but it kept saying that I was 11½ stone. (My racing weight was 10–10½.) They must be cheap rubbish though as they say I’m 12 stone. When Socrates said “Know thyself,” he lived in an age without these silly mod cons.
Posted by Dave at 04:18 PM | Comments (2)
Last updated 22 September 2006
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