Man cannot run on cake alone……he also needs Gin!

A week in the life of.....Captain Dan... Thursday I was moping around the house, so Vicky suggested I go for a run, then it started raining! Another hour passed and I made it to the bedroom to change! Eventually I brought enough enthusiasm to the party to get out the door and drove to Long Marston to recce a potential new 10k route. It was a super flat run with some great straight roads and a touch of towpath to break it up. I can see a pb or two going on this one, what a great route but I felt tired following on from the exploits of Snowdonia last weekend. On my return I scrubbed the dinner and cooked the children before I was reminded that it was my turn to lead the Thursday improvers session which this week was caterpillars, where we run gently along in a line and when the whistle blows the last person runs flat out to the front and this carries on for 30 minutes or so. I love Thursday sessions, they really make a huge difference to your fitness (even if they are tough) but it doesn’t matter what level you’re at, you can still partake. I return home to peace, as the children are in bed, ready to consume cake whilst I post about what an awesome bunch of runners turned up this week to Improvers, a reminder for tomorrow’s daytime run and to message all our scarers/run leaders to ensure they are all well and truly sorted for the Halloween invite night. Friday Up and on the school run before heading down to the Globe (if not a touch late, I’m sure it wasn’t really Vicky’s fault!) to meet the daytime runners. Wow what a turnout, last year when I did the same route it was just me. We took on the Halloween Night run and marked out points in the woods with red/white tape to ensure our run leaders couldn’t get lost (It’s rare that I’m allowed out, so I cannot afford to lose valuable pub time finding runners in Rushmere!). The outlaws arrived to take on babysitting duty so Vicky and I could run down to the Globe for the Invite night. What an amazing event this always is, over 50 turned up to run the 3 or 5m routes around the woods where our very own amazing stalkers / scarers were hidden. Now I thought they were outrageous last year, but this time I was totally lost for words, Felix hanging in a tree, witches everywhere as for the nun’s, words deceive me! This is where the week went a little wrong and the Kebab incident occurred, we stopped en route home to pick up a lamb kebab and set off again on a gentle jog, within 100m I was limping and had a pain on the front of my left shin. Turns out it is the Anterior Facilitus Tendon that hurts. F&£k it!!! It was a cracking kebab though and perfectly washed down with the latest efforts from the Gin Club. My rucksack ended up covered in Garlic sauce, a small price to pay compared to the injury! A couple of thank you posts later I was in bed. Saturday Woke up and limped around the house, last night’s Kebab injury does actually exist and wasn’t an awful dream! I wish I had drunk more or added extra chilli sauce, maybe then the pain would be less!!! Anyway, it’s all go in the Green house, Children to be dressed and fed. Bear ears and teddies are waiting by the front door so that we can be at Rushmere Parkrun by 8.45am as it’s their 3rd Birthday, Dave Ayers 100th and James Parkers 50th. As club Captain I get great pleasure from attending and being part of such events and seeing all your achievements. Vicky and Ana charge off around Rushmere whilst Bear in the buggy and I limp around, pleased with a 32 minute result and now for one of Max’s great cakes. The Afternoon brings a 3m walk around Whipsnade Zoo with the family, the children still need exercising and Vicky and I prefer to be outside. The children and I are cheeky this year and spend the evening watching Brooklands Fireworks from the bedroom window as Vicky is out for the second night running, this time in the Black Lion!!!! Before bed I get my kit ready for XC and ensure I pack a box of pens, spare club top, a basic First Aid pouch and safety pins, there’s always someone who needs something. Sunday Up at the crack of dawn, taped up my leg, quick breakfast and ensure the children have snacks, drinks, hats, gloves etc packed as we won’t be back until early afternoon and off we go to Junior Parkrun to help Vicky setup this week’s event. A few hello’s and running banter with parents before all is underway, then I shoot off to collect Steve and head for Dunstable for the first XC race of the season. Firstly, it’s the best turnout I’ve seen in the five years I’ve been a member of LFR and certainly the best results by a country mile. I always try to be there to shout words of encouragement and try to motivate you all before races, however tough it maybe personally at present, “Let’s go do this LFR”. The Men came in 7th but the ladies managed 6th!!!!! WE NAILED IT GUYS, WHAT A TEAM PERFORMANCE, WHAT A CLUB. Next up is Wellingborough on 25th. Finally home for a late lunch and cakes whilst icing my leg again and posting thanks and congratulations to all who’ve been racing this weekend. The weekend is completed with a cruise up to MK to see the fireworks in Campbell Park (Ana loved it as did the Bear but he did fall asleep in my arms during the finale! Home for a G&T in front of a Murder Mystery (whilst adding this weeks’ post of club runs) in our PJ’s! Monday Woke up with a rather achy leg and remembered that I hadn’t collected all the red/white marker tape from the Halloween night, so went for a gentle recovery 4.3m limp to do this. Quite a lot had vanished already, so I thank those people who collected it on their travels over the weekend. More ice, elevation, compression and rest for the poorly leg. Tuesday I remember that Max still has my Clubhouse keys from last week’s Cake night, so I go for a gentle leg stretch up to her house to collect them. Dinner to cook, children to clean and then the matter of club night. I arrive just after 7pm and realise that there is football AGAIN and wonder how bad the parking will actually be!!!! Whilst awaiting everyone to arrive, I sit and make notes on what I must remember to say. Then I try to get around as many people as possible welcoming them, finding out about their weekend and running and being introduced to potential new members, it’s never difficult to sell the benefits of LFR to them. It’s great to hear so many different stories and achievements each week, one of the best points of LFR is the community feel of the club. So we head out on the “Ouch & Back” route up and down a plethora of hills, as with all Out and Back and 5k runs, I act as Tail runner, ensuring everyone gets back safely. I always set off after everyone that way I can encourage / chat to everyone I pass. That really hurt though, managed 7m with Andy, James and Martin and my shin was a touch sore, home to ice it and eat Apple Crumble with Ice cream! Wednesday Still broken, the shin hurts, Lisa Charley appointment is booked and I’m resting up, icing and elevating. The fitness is definitely there but I need to ensure, however frustrating it is to just sit here, that I am injury free for 17Th Nov Dirt Half! I’ve only run one half this year, the Isle of Wight with about 1800ft of climbs, so I really want a quick one in the bag, hopefully under 90 minutes this time round. Fingers crossed! Maybe I should go for a swim…………… Running is fantastic fun and there is no better place in the world to do it than with LFR, where you will find a club run or a local event peppered with members almost every day of almost every week. Don’t forget if you’re going for a run and want company, just post about it, if you’re in need of coaching advice, just ask our experts Neil and Matt, if you want to see something different on a club run, just share your ideas with me. By the way, at the time of posting this, Lisa has fixed me, Bring it on! GO LFR – YOU GUYS ROCK

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This is the week that was…

…oh…so…quiet…. We had Captain Dan’s hilly out and back to start the club runs off this week.   Kevin took control of the Fartlek Fun Whistle on Wednesday putting Graham and Tom to the test.  Andrew was leading the Improvers for some Soulbury Road Hill Reps and took what is definitely the picture of the week.  You’ve got some competition, Doyley.  And VC Alice was out leading the super Friday morning runners in the sun! On parkrun day we had runners at Rushmere, Luton Wardown, Milton Keynes, Cannon Hill, Henley-on-Thames, Linford Wood, Houghton Hall, Aylesbury, Thetford and Queen Elizabeth. Where will we all be next week? At home in Rushmere, we had a brand new RD who just so happens to be an LFR…..current Runner of the Month, Mr Paul Doyle! Excellent first time RD.  On the running side, Tom came in 2nd (although he came though Unknown – don’t forget your barcode, Tom!), with Andrew close behind in 3rd and Kevin and Jim taking their places at 9th and 10th.  It was a quiet weekend for events.  Just the one LFR collecting bling: Emma was out marathoning at the Remembrance Day Marathon, this time as a guide runner.  What an incredible thing to do! Glyn was back Wainwright bagging over the weekend, getting in High Raise, Rest Dodd and the Nab.  We had lots of LFRs out on their training runs and rides.  The stand out run was from the long distance lovers who managed to fit in a photo shoot during their 20 mile jaunt around Ashridge.  Always a fun bunch! A very quiet week this week. Next week is certain to be busier with plenty of LFRs taking on the Dirt Half on Saturday.  If you’re not running the half, why not get out and support the runners along the route.  The event starts at Cedars School, following the canal to Stoke Hammond before going up the mountain to Great Brickhill.  From there the route heads through Rushmere following the Greensand Ridge Walk back to the canal, returning to Cedars.  Plenty of places to spot some runners - if you wait around at The Globe, you'll see them twice! Have a great week, LFR!  Don't forget to let us know what you've been up to.  And send in your pics!

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This is the week that was…

....Halloween!  We began with a Halloween themed cake night.  So many of you provided so many wonderful bakes....just look at this selection....Of course there could only be one winner.  Congratulations to Will on his Day of the Dead themed skull cake.  Truly terrifying! Kevin took the lead for the Frightening Fartlek on Halloween on Wednesday with Captain Dan leading the Creepy Caterpillars on Hallowmas on Thursday.   Out doing some midweek racing on Halloween were Gill, Chris, Kelly and Laura at the Cattle Creepy 10K - very spooky running at night, but showing off their hi-viz in style. Friday saw Captain Dan take out the Freaky Friday runners before the big event on Friday evening - the LFR Halloween Run!  What an incredible night we had!  A lot of spooks, scares and of course fun.  A huge thank you to everyone involved: the runners; the scarers; the organisers; and everyone who came along to have some Halloween fun with the club.  Another big, scary success - roll on next year!  To see some of the pictures from the event, you can see view these on our website together with some of our previous invite nights: LFR Invite Nights The weekend came and on parkrun day we had LFRs at Milton Keynes, Southport, Linford Wood, Colney Lane, Houghton Hall, Aylesbury, Beeston (first time tourist Ali heading there), Rushmere, Richmond Olympic and furthest afield with my new favourite parkrun name: parkrun du Bois de Boulogne - thanks to Mark and Ruby for heading to Paris for that one!   At home at Rushmere, they were celebrating their third birthday with a wonderful teddy bear theme!  Favourite costume has to be TC who dressed as a dragon and carried round a toy Tigger - an interesting take on the bear theme!  We had a massive 39 LFRs at Rushmere with their bear friends, and some PBs too from David and Elle!Also celebrating at Rushmere was David Ayers who was running his 100th parkrun!And mini LFR James Parker was running his 50th parkrun.  On his birthday.  Getting a PB.  And celebrating with an amazing Rushmere parkrun themed cake.  Just look at this:  It wouldn't be the weekend without some racing going on.  Gill was in all the LFR gear getting another medal at the Rockingham 5K and a 20 second PB and coming 2nd in her age category!  Team Turner were half marathoning this time at the Enigma Fireworks Half Marathon running a superb time of 2.12 - almost back to their PB pace.  And Sally completing the wonderful Marlow Half - plenty of hills on a pretty course with fab marshals and cheering crowds.  Well done, Ladies! And finally it was Race One of the Three Counties Cross Country League at Dunstable on Sunday.  We had a MASSIVE turnout of LFRs for our cross country team...the LFR Men came in 7th and the LFR Ladies came in 8th...superb results for LFR!  Well done everyone!   The second race is at Wellingborough on Sunday 25th November.  It's not too late to sign up for the cross country team.  If you want to take part in any of the races, please email our Cross Country Secretary Jane with your email address and date of birth. There are four races remaining this season which you can view on the club's event page.  Information about each race will be emailed out in the week before each race.  There is no cost as LFR pay the fees for you.  Get involved! That's all for this week.  See you next time, LFR!

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This is the week that was…

The week began with our group night - big thanks as always to our run leaders Matt, Kevin, David, Stephen, Michelle and Captain Dan.  On Wednesday we had "four fearsome fartlekkers frolicking with our four legged friend Floss" - great words, Paul (I may be out of a job). Thursday had Matt leading the Improvers for 1K loops - they weren't event distracted by the pub.  And Friday Chris was back leading the Friday morning run - a chilly start, but Alan was on hand to bring the sunshine at the end. On parkrun day we had LFRs at Poole, Linford Wood, Houghton Hall, Aylesbury, Wendover Woods, Workington, Gadebridge, Rushmere and the tourist mad bunch taking on Wimpole Estate, running away from cows!  At home in Rushmere, Andrew just made the top 10 and Jamie bagged himself a PB coming in 12th. Our wonderful home parkrun is celebrating it's 3rd birthday on Saturday - why not come along for a Bears in the Woods themed celebration!  Come dressed as a bear or bring your favourite bear with you.  It will also be parkrun #100 for Mr David Ayres - come celebrate with him.  There may well be cake! The weekend came and there was of course racing aplenty.  Team LFR smashed it at the Poppy Run Milton Keynes with some very snazzy medals and tshirts.  James, who is on top form right now, ran another amazing PB at the Leicestershire 10K - 41.09.  What's next, James?! And Elle was at the Edlesborough 5K coming in 3rd overall and was 1st lady!  Superb running! This weekend was also the brutal Snowdonia Marathon where Team LFR were out in force again and we had some brilliant runs from everyone.   A huge well done to Mark, Captain Dan, Paul L, Nic, Dawn, Paul T and Jen who took on and conquered the mountain roads.  And a massive thank you to Wes and James who, even though they were injured and couldn't take part, still supported all our runners coming home.   A shout out to wonderful Helen who took a tumble and ripped open her knee not long from the start of the marathon - many many stitches required.  Great work from the race organisers who saw her in minutes, and Wes for jumping in and taking her to the hospital.  And a huge thank you to Wes's friends from North Herts Road Runners who stayed with her until she was seen to.  This may not be the story she wanted, but she made it on TV! You're famous now. Another fantastic week from LFR.  See you next time!

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This is the week that was…

…full of personal bests! The week began with an out and back on Tuesday and Captain Dan testing the darkness for the Halloween Run.  Janice took on her…

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This is the week that was…

…all about the London Marathon Ballot.  On Monday we had a flurry of members confirming they’re in the London Marathon!   This continued all week, and with our good for…

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This is the week that was…

We had our club runs as usual with the out and back to The Star on Tuesday, Claire leading the Fartlek Fun on Wednesday, James taking the Improvers for…

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This is the week that was…

We had a new start to this week, putting on a chilli night on our Tuesday club run.  Same LFR, same 5K route, chilli to finish instead of cake! …

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This is the week that was…

      The week started with our Tuesday night hilly out n back route. Why? why? many of you said as you ran up Knaves Hill…

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This is the week that was…

It’s the first week of the month which means we had cake night on Tuesday!  Another amazing selection of cakes – thanks for the…

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