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May 14th, 2012, Monday

Strollers Get Ready For The Pier To Pier

Pier to Pier

This Sunday is the Pier to Pier race (as if you didn’t know)! Since this is hosted by us (along with South Shields Harriers), if you are not running in it then you are expected to ‘volunteer’ your services. It is always good fun so please do help if you can. If you haven’t been allocated a role so far then just pitch up at The Sunderland Marine Activities Centre, a little after 9:00 am and you will be given one by Phil, Dicka, John Wilson, Ian Maxwell or any of the other P2P stalwarts, sometimes all at the same time. Like I said, terrific fun.

There have been some questions about late entry fizzing around on Facebook. Entries on the day will be accepted, please get to the start early enough, certainly before 09:30 but earlier if you can, at South Shields, so that you can be processed. EOD fee is £17. Cash or cheques only.

For those of you that are running and have never run the race before, a quick tip: The fastest route is NOT along the cliff top path. And don’t forget you are not allowed to use the pavement alongside the road.

Dicka also has this very important message:

“”A group of 10 runners from a Dutch club called "Sixpack Runners" are coming for the Pier to Pier next weekend. They sound like Stroller type club as you can tell from their name that they like a drink!

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sixpackrunners.nl%2Fsite%2F&act=url

They've been planning the trip for months. I've told them where the Strollers will be after the race and they might turn up for a quick drink or a meal before rushing back to North Shields for the ferry home. Can the Strollers keep a lookout for them and give them a big cheer during the race and have a chat with them in the pub afterwards as I tend to be late getting to the pub after doing the results. Dicka.””

Fostering good relations with other running clubs is phenomenally important, especially if they’re European and from the Netherlands – it’s a great place to run and drink, as our Amsterdam trip last year proved. If anybody doesn’t know where we meet after the P2P has run, then it is the Harbour View, where they do a great Sunday Roast. And some fine Ales.

Mark Ricketts

Many of you will already know that Mark Ricketts was admitted to hospital last Monday evening, a few hours after the club run. For those of you that don’t know Mark, he is a quiet but determined runner who is showing the same resolute spirit in overcoming this fateful episode. Mario Jaconelli has been in contact with both Mark and his wife Cheryl and passes on this message “”I popped in to see Mark today. He is in Sunderland Royal Hospital ward E58 and is making a steady recovery. Visiting times are 2-4 and 6-8. He has thanked all Strollers for their good wishes. Cheers  Mario””

Ashbrooke 125th Anniversary

So, another reminder as the anniversary of Ashbrooke approaches. The Quiz Team and the It’s A Knockout teams have filled up very quickly, however, we are still looking for candidates for the Talent Competition. So far we have Jim Lindsey, Emma Robson and John Cosgrove. Any more would be a bonus, especially if they could hold a note!

Also we need some volunteers for the weekend on the 7th and 8th July. Just for a couple of hours. You can volunteer for more but 2 hours seems fair.

Ashbrooke Summer Ball.

As part of the Ashbrooke celebrations there is the chance to dress up in your finery on at least two occasions. Friday 6th July, in the evening, is the Sportman’s Dinner whilst Saturday 7th July sees the Summer Ball in a Marquee at Ashbrooke. Tickets for either event will be £30 but the club will subsidise that. Phil is hoping we can fill at least one table at each.

Sporting Dinner

The Rainton Meadows Arena Sporting Dinner will be held on the 17th May (next Thurday). This is in aid of the Sunderland Sports Fund. Guest speakers are Howard Webb, top footballing referee and Brendan Healey, after dinner comedian. Tickets are again £30 quid and we almost always get at least one table for this. Phil would like to see this happen again.

Strollers Party and Winter Handicap

Last Saturday we had the Winter Handicap presentation party at the Holy Rosary Church on Durham Road. Well done to all the winners, both individuals and teams.

Individuals:  1st Sam Shotton, 2nd Anna Lumsden 3rd Susan Lemon

Teams:  1st Team Spirit (Tony Allen, Paul Lumsden, Rebecca Hartnack), 2nd Tiger On Vaseline (Anne, Jonathan and Bill Kirk), 3rd Joe’s Thinking About It (Joe Glancy, Cath Mordecai, Paul Jackson).

There were also prizes in the fancy dress, 1st Vicky Booth for a splendid pirate costume and 2nd to Jackie Wilson, who does a suspiciously accurate portrayal of a Catholic Priest.

There was also some karaoke, but probably the less said about that the better. All-in-all it was a fabulous event, well organised by Karen, Joy and Vicky.  I would like to thank everyone who provided food (and there was more than enough for everyone, including Dicka and Anth) and a special thank you to the Lumsdens for bringing amazing sausages! To the Strollers that brought the Banoffee Pie, my waist line would like to sing your praises too!

Strollers Weekend Away

Also another reminder that Ray Maynard has one of his legendary weekends away planned.

“”Hawse End June 2012.

We are having another weekend at Hawse End – on the shores of Derwentwater from Fri 1st – Mon 4th June (3 nights). This is the weekend of the Queens jubilee. The format may be slightly different to previous weekends. Cost yet to be decided.

If you would like to go let me know on raym29@yahoo.co.uk.

Please note that places are limited. Ray.””

Club Championship Races

The next club championship race is to be the Mile Time Trial in the 23rd May.

Up-coming Races

As always I have some races that I have been asked to mention. Anyone thinking of doing an overseas marathon this Summer might like to consider the Stockholm Marathon. It is the Centenary running of the Olympic course from 1912 and you have a choice of two distances – the current standard of 42.195 km or the Olympic course distance from that time of 40.070 km. I wonder if the shortened course would be accepted by Malcolm as an “Any Marathon” course?! The only downside is that entries close this Wednesday as the Marathon runs on the 14th July. Details here; http://www.jubileemarathon.se/Start/index.cfm?Lan_ID=3

Prudhoe is hosting a Run Northumberland event – the Prudhoe Miners Run, a 5 mile road race. Given the nature of Prudhoe XC I expect this to be hilly! Details here; http://www.trackandfieldsports.com/run-northumberland-prudhoe-miners-run-15th-july-2012-811-p.asp

And an Autumn marathon – Leicester Marathon 14 October. And details…here; http://regonline.activeeurope.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1060610

Training

This Wednesday, 16th May, will be one of my favourites – 3 x 10 minute, Tunstall Hills. If this session is unchanged from previously then the entire club starts from the same point and runs out for 5.5 mins and back for 4.5, trying to get back to the start before the time is up. You have a choice of hills from lung-busting stupid too much more sedentary. Everyone is capable of this session.

Friday

- 18:05 Barnes moderate(ish) 8-9 miles with a 7 mile cut off

-18:05 Barnes slow(ish) 5-7 miles

-17:45 Premier Road/Silksworth Lane Underpass (opposite Homebase) 3-4 miles (10-11 minute mile pace)

Sunday

- 09:00 Barnes 9-12 miles or more if you're marathon training.

- 09:30 (or 10am – just join the back as the runners pass by Morrison’s again). Morrison's run in Seaburn. Slow 6-8 miles or more if you're marathon training. Meet on the grass (beach side of the road) opposite the main entrance to the shop.

Monday

- 18:15 Premier Road/Silksworth Lane underpass 3.75 or 4.5 miles tempo run (little or no re-grouping)

- 18:15 Off-road and hills. Possibly three packs. Unsociables if you want a hard core effort.

Jon

Sunderland Strollers