The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

admin · Last edited by admin on Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:52 pm; edited 3 times in total

ESSEX WAY RELAY
Sunday 2nd September 2007

STAGE DIRECTIONS!!

Five years ago we carried out a project – assisted by several other clubs - to write each Essex Way Stage in narrative trail running format. The improvement in navigation for runners on stages since has been impressive! These are to help runners reccy their Stage and could also be carried as back up on the day.

THEY ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR RECCYING A STAGE – THEY ARE AN AID

We have nine people/clubs who have ‘volunteered’ to look after stages: Stage 1 – myself, Stage 2 – me again, standing in for Ken Parry who is not yet 100% fit, Stage 3 – Kevin Wright (Springfield Striders), Stage 4 – Dave Game (Mid Essex Casuals), Stage 5 – Howard Jardine (Grange Farm Trotters), Stage 6 – Clive Hopkins (Benfleet R C), Stage 7 - Clive Hopkins & Keith Pickles (Tiptree Runners), Stage 8 – Vic Pridmore (Billericay Striders), Stage 9 – *Jonathan Burls (Harwich Runners) & Stage 10 - John Gibson (Harwich Runners).

The general idea is that they will check out their stage in early July against the narrative stage descriptions to see if any changes are needed before runners start learning their stages. Then in the first half of August, by mid August at the latest, to check their stage for problems, such as crop obstruction, so I can chase up Chelmsford and Area Public Rights of Way Officers to get something done about them before the Relay. The County Rights of Way officers have normally been fairly responsive given adequate notice.

Cheers

Robert Teer (Route Co-ordinator)

* = subject to confirmation

Coach · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Daws Heath

I have put a list on the club notice board for runners to put their names on if they want to run in this years race. Hopefully we should have enough for 3 Men's teams and 2 Ladies teams so either put your name on the list at club or reply here, or to me by e-mail at IAN.PIKE@BARCAP.COM and I will put you into a team. If you have a preference for a particular leg then let me know and I will accommodate you as much as possible.

The sooner I can get the teams sorted out the quicker you can get out there and practice your leg !!

Graham · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 227

I suggest Cap reccies his leg twice.

Mooooooooo.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 887 Location: Hockley

Don't worry Graham I will give him some of my advice.........
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Lee O · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 294 Location: Canvey Island

And a 2007 Benfleet 15 Number!!! blackeye

_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

Steve Des · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 46

Thanks 4 the suggestion twinkle.
Ok so i am ugly, Benfleet 15 can take it in my stride but reccy the leg twice is probably not near enough for my Nat Sat (brain)to take it in. Will jog round with someone who knows the way. After all it's the taking part that matters. Anyway u can talk, u took me on the reccy last year & we got lost, wot chance did I have. at least I know legs 8 & 9 as well.
colors

Coach · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Daws Heath

Less than 4 weeks to go now and recruiting has gone pretty well but I still have spaces in the Men's teams on legs 6, 7, 8 and 10 and in the Ladies teams on legs 3, 5, 6 and 7. If you're able to run please let me know asap so I can finalise all the teams and sort out anyone who wants to recce their leg.

A rallying call to the troops Captain ? salute

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1538 Location: Rayleigh

Hi All,

Progress report on ground conditions:

Pretty good overall and improving all the time - but don't forget it is the countryside, not the M1, and runners need to take appropriate care. There's growth problems in a few places but most of these are in hand and should be cleared shortly. Most problematic is, as usual, near Coggeshall Quarry but a contractor is scheduled to clear that and Braintree Area are chasing them to see why it hasn't been done yet. The last little bit before the Witham Road crossing just before Cressing (Stage 4) is impassable - I'm chasing the area (Braintree) to get that cleared but until then I don't see why we can't exit by the farm drive as it's the nearest unobstructed exit on the same property.

Apparently High Tide around Harwich is 3:45pm on the day of the Relay so runners must expect muddy feet on Stage 9 which starts at 5:15pm.

As always, I repeat my exhortation for people checking stages to take garden gloves and seccateurs - Nettles pull up easily (or can be beaten down with a stick) and intruding brambles cut back. Clear around waymarkers as well. Yes, I walk the walk as well as talking the talk but it helps if a few others contribute as well.

Regards

Robert

mikemoreton · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 500 Location: Hockley, GORC.

Ok, Who is Robert?

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1538 Location: Rayleigh

one of the organisers!

Coach · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Daws Heath

All things being equal I should be down at club tonight with the confirmed teams so far with just a few spaces left to fill. So if you still want to run a leg come and see me tonight while you still have the chance !!

Lee O · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 294 Location: Canvey Island

Ian spoke last night,,,Im in Last Leg please....
_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

Coach · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Daws Heath

Thanks Lee, you're in on the last leg. Don't expect any fish and chips to be left though when you get to the end, but if you like we'll save the paper for you so you can smell how tasty they were.......

I now have sufficent runners for all legs in both the male and female teams. I will post the teams on the board next Tuesday but if you are still interested in running please let me know as illness and injury could still strike one of the team members down in the next two weeks so reserves may be required.

If you can let me know asap what your travel plans are on the day then that will help me. If you need a lift to and from your leg that can be sorted for you as well, being the kind club we are.....

Lee O · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 294 Location: Canvey Island

Me, Will Need a Lift...And a Map. Err follow the rest i think...Sod Chips, leave me a Pint!!
_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

Coach · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Daws Heath

We have 49 out of the 50 runners needed for our 5 teams for the race on Sunday but I have one male slot going on leg 7 between West Bergholt and Dedham starting at 2.40pm. If you are able to run please give me a call and let me know on 07790 796574. If you are in need of a lift that can be arranged as well.

Thanks in advance salute

Graham · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 227

Well coach how did we get on? I know Stef 'Sawyer' Cohen didn't finish as high as he should. How the rest go? No doubt the girls kicked butt. For me it was an enjoyable day. OK I had to contend with the United Colours of Greg Deacon, he's now thoroughly kicked my arse in a Castle Point, a Basildon and a Springfield Strider's vest. But I'm not bitter. I followed a far stronger runner who didn't have a clue where he was going and had to hold back for instructions. If he'd reccied the course he would have blown me away. But as it happened I found myself at the end in horrible sprint finish across a field with him and another guy and all Ian & Kev's track sessions finally paid off. That and the fact that the other stonger, faster guy admitted he just couldn't run at pace on uneven grassy ground. Sounds like somone else I run with eh Cap'n. Tee hee.

Steve Des · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 46

Well I had better get my excuses in b4 it becomes common knowledge.
I was really looking forward to my leg this year as I had reckied the course & had been training on grass so that i could run a decent pace on uneven ground. I had given some of my team mates (the ones i had numbers for) words of encouragement in the morning. So I set off on the A12 ready to give 100% in the glorious Benfleet vest when after junc 24 bang, tailbacks due to a 3 car pile up at junc 25. I sat there for a hour & by the time i came off the A12 the race had started 10 mins earlier.
So disillusioned by this sorry tale rather than follow the team to the finish i decided to head back home & take out my frustration on the missus, no not really i drank myself into a stupor, no I didn't do that either I just ran 19 miles instead. I'm so reckless not.
I think this event is not meant to be as that is 3 times in succession either I have lost my way & now this.
But there is a silver lining comrades ...
All the runners who did not run up to expectation can relax over the next few days because the focus will be on your captain who will take all the abuse & banter that will be rightly given over the forum & down at the club with open arms & a smiley face because that is my just reward.
In fact the more abuse i get the better as it would demonstrate what a caring club we really are.
Don't let me down like i do you.
Capt blackeye

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 887 Location: Hockley

Steve, this is truly a caring club. I do not anticipate any invective or piss taking. Life is cruel...
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

mikey · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:32 am Post subject:

That right

I too sympathise … Was caught up in the same grid lock myself

You know its bad when not only are everyone’s engines turned off, but some people are actually out of their cars going for a stretch.

I ended up, next to a little chef, and saw a few people popping in. They probably were just using the facilities, but to be honest they could have ordered an all day breakfast, and topped it off with apple pie and ice cream, and still got away with it!

Better luck next year

By the way …

Managed to make my leg, as I’d planned ahead, arranging to join the race 3 legs before my own, so even with the delay still had plenty of time.

Looking forward to your pre-run chat tomorrow

Mikey

Graham · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 227

Dessie Dessie Dessie. I'm sitting here with an extremely sore rectus femoris tendon. It was hurting whilst I ran yesterday, the finish just about tore it in half. The same injury cost me the wrong side of £150 in treatment at Nigels last year. All would have been worth it if we'd performed to the best of our ability....

Between you & Stef I am sorely disappointed. My reference to a character in "Lost" in my previous post was probably a bit too subtle for someone of your limited intellect to pick up on. Still, at least he finished.

Myself, Bobby, Sharon & Graeme M all got to the start of our leg with well over an hour to spare and spent the time sunbathing and discussing race tactics, s'pose given your track record you didn't consider leaving that little bit early and maybe doing the same. No...?

Well done to all runners who turned up and donned their colours with pride. Dessie, I'm not even surprised anymore. I wont be down the club to hear your lame excuses. Me & my sore leg will be limping into Southend to see Stef play at the Minerva on Tuesday. If you want to redeem yourself come down after and give us a lift home and well try not to vomit in your car. Haha!

Steve Des · Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 46

Booty, Beauty Beautiful thats all i can say. I do agree with a few of your points except I need to highlight a few others;
Never watched the prog Lost.
Stef, u committed a cardinal sin yesterday & i think it's my duty to expose u as a fair weather runner, being a runner means u run in all weathers so next time u turn up to reccy a course & the weather turns a bit overcast don't go home without doing the course first. That was no example to set the very young & impressionable Steve Dear. What must he think !
Shameful !
Graham re your £150 down Nigels, not sure if he is overcharging u perhaps u should negotiate a discount next time u go for some treatment.
But thanks for raising the issue.
Have never heard of a runner when he runs who is niggle free & 100%, it's that built in mechanism that when we don't perform as well, the tales of our injuries flow freely not that i'm suggesting that of course as u normally give your all on race day.
Is the Minerva under cover as not sure that Stef will fancy it in the dark love5

Coach · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Daws Heath

Dessie, fortunately your non appearance didn't effect the way our girls ran and the good news I can reveal is that we won the Ladies team prize. cheers

I'm not sure how our other teams got on just yet but I will get them posted on the website as soon as they are made public.

Thanks very much to everyone who ran yesterday, you were all magnificent, apart from some guy whose name escapes me scratch

Hopefully the resulys will be out in time for them to be announced at club tomorrow night.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 887 Location: Hockley

It seems that I need to impart some of my legendary navigational skills...
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Lee O · Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 294 Location: Canvey Island

Well Done Girls, and all who ran yesterday. Though not very good starting last leg at Pub and seeing all those having a pint!
_________________
My mind says I am still 19 and in My Prime......Body Suggests Otherwise!!!!!!

erasedcitizen · Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Benfleet

Yeah that was not fun, watching my Dad sipping a pint whilst I was warming up....harsh! Well done everyone, see you all Tuesday!

Steffan · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 537 Location: Basildon

Aw come on.........

A 200 mtr wrong turn does not count as being lost!
I seem to remember someone last year in a red and white vest thinking they were starring in a remake of the Blair witch project.

I have no excuses. It seems that all the other clubs involved had decided to put their whippets in my relay leg, I questioned why the hell I was on that start line. Hare and tortoise but with a different ending.
I let my clubmates down, I have to live with that forever and I am not worthy of wearing the Benfleet colours. From now on, I run in black to signify the cloud of shame that hangs over me.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 887 Location: Hockley

Steff, that makes 2 of us running in black!

rgds

Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.