Trionium’s Greensand Marathon

Trionium's Greensand Marathon (details here including a picture of me at the start)

 

'You're doing quite well – 11^th place and you're a vegan!!'

 

A tough Surrey hill marathon on a glorious autumn day – what could be nicer? Small, very friendly, good humoured (the organizer's pre-race briefing 'the third quarter is probably the toughest, though the second quarter is very tough. The final quarter is very hard. And the first quarter is… very difficult'). I even got sufficiently taken in by the atmosphere to mouth along with the second verse of Jerusalem, the race anthem. There were plenty of Union Jack shorts to be seen (though not on me).

 

The race really was lovely – the joy of a simple out and back is that you can enjoy the landscape whilst still fit to appreciate it, then struggle in your own private world of pain during the second half.

 

The downside? This being Surrey, some folk who presumably object to plastic went round taking down the waymarker tape. The one annoying consequence for me (and about ten folk right behind me) was that we missed a wee turning and careened down a very steep hill, which then had to be reclimbed – a mile of up and down just wasn't enough for us. This happened just after the 11^th place information was divulged, so I know it cost me over twenty places.

 

Though I was in good shape for a half marathon, I was simply not fit enough for the full deal. So time passed painfully one step at a time and I eventually staggered home in 28^th place and taking just over 4hr10m. Should be pleased, but I'm not. Next year…

 

The marshals were really encouraging, the rucksack, t-shirt and medals were handed out by charming kids, and fellow racers were all in great spirits. There was a lot of smiling - a good race. I even smiled for the photo!

 

 

 

 

Chloe Vincent,Dresden Marathon 18/10/09

Last Sunday i competed in the Dresden Marathon,my first marathon after about four years break from any sort of serious running, i have been slowly trying to get back into running races over the last year or so since i have been in England and specifically since i joined the Vegan Runners UK,..who have been very inspirational!! :) This marathon was more of a training inspiration to get me back into proper training discipline,rather than a great push to improve on previous times.
The weather in Dresden was cold-about 4 degrees-and rainy,there was a field of over 7000 runners for the full and half marathon and the 10 ks.A good turn out for a strictly amateur race.I was feeling really really under-trained and set myself the goal of at least completing in under 4 hours.
The first half of the marathon went well, i was steady and all my splits were exactly as i wanted them to be to come in for a 4 hour time.Despite the weather and freezing freezing cold hands, even in gloves, i really enjoyed all of about the first,...27 k's,..then it started to get a little less fun!Around that mark all of my skipped long runs,or lazy maintainance runs,became apparent, it became a real mental struggle,alot harder than physical where essentially,other than of course being tired,there were no problems.I didnt dare walk even through the aid stations but i basically allowed my body to slow and slow and slow until i was worried i wasnt even going to make under 4 hours, the horrible thing being that my mind had given up!It had allowed my body to stay slowed-down and didnt care that people kept passing me over the kilometers.I kept little chunks of distance as my inspiration to keep chugging along,at 32ks thinking just 10 more to go,then just 7, just 6,!It was such a battle of mental stamina for me,i spent the last hour of the run promising myself the minute i get back to london im going to write up a training schedule and im going to push myself so hard!I also promised myself that the next marathon i run,no matter what time i get i WILL complete half an hour faster!!(watch this space folks!? )
At about half way between the 36 and the 37ks,..i noticed coming up beside me a pace setter who had a orange balloon with 4:00 written on it!!!I think i probably looked cartoonish double taking at this guy and the small group he was dragging in his wake,..he was my last chance!And whats so telling is how easy it was for me to pick my pace up to match his,i could of kicked myself at this reaslisation,that physically the run could have been faster the whole time,and that it was mentally that i'd handicapped myself!(something i need to take into consideration next time round eh)so he was my new buddy and i ran in perfect stride with him for nearly all of the next 5 ks,around the 41k mark he took off,obviously A LOT fitter than me he effortlessly strode off to make the most of his finish leaving me to trail behind and finish in a satisfactory 3:58:09 !!
(I thanked him heartily after the race!)
Also this was my first marathon wearing the Vegan Runners shirt.About one kilometer into the race i amazingly spotted another vegan runner sporting the familiar green and black vest,so not being able to resist,and probably coming across as very weird and creepy i tapped her on the shoulder and showed her a corner of my vest that was at this stage under a jacket!Was very nice to have a 'team' member out on the course with me,even if (at this stage)i didnt know who she was.(Hello Andrea Hayn from Berlin!)I was also very pleasantly surprised by the number of fellow runners who approached me either during the race or afterwards to comment on my vegan vest and to show their support!
In light of the promise to myself about training and improving and driving forward,i went for my first run yesterday.It felt great.I have big expectations for myself for the next time,all in all this was deffinately a great run, if nothing eles because it was exactly the inspiration and motivation i was looking for to get myself back into proper running again!!Im very proud and pleased with myself :)

---

Click here View photos of singles in your area.

Worksop 1/2 marathon

Debra Confrey is running her first ½ marathon (and only her second race, having started running in Feb 09 and having completed the Llanelli 10k in June) on Sunday 25 October, in Worksop. She is registered as a Sospan Road Runner but will be wearing her VRUK vest, and is running with her non vegan sister in law Sara Confrey. Spouses have been banned from spectating so me and brother in law will be supporting the Real Ale industry in Lincoln, which is no sort of training at all for the Pembrey multi terrain 10 mile race I am to do in November, but should be a greater pleasure.

 

Neil P Confrey

Laurence at the Abingdon Marathon

At the Abingdon Marathon yesterday (18/10), unfortunately James Meldrum was injured so did not run otherwise Laurence Klein our chairperson ran and gave an improved performance / time as compared to last year, finishing in 4.53, lowering his PB by about 2 minutes. A more detaied report with photos to follow.

 

Regards

 

Peter Simpson

 

 

 

Brief Hiatus...

Your editor is off on hols for two weeks - so your reports & results may be handled in very early November instead of right away - but please do keep sending in your results, reports and photos - they'll keep safely in my inbox!
Maria x

Abingdon Marathon

Here is a nice photo of Laurence at the end...

see the rest here.

Well done Laurence, another nicely paced effort by the look of it.

Reminder of the AGM, 25 Oct, 2-6pm

Hi Members,

The Club's AGM is scheduled for Sunday, 25 October from 2-6pm, venue as previous years, Transport House (HQ of the T&GWU), 128 Theobald's Road, Holborn, London, the nearest tube is Holborn on the Central & Piccadily lines. For a map of the area click here. Note that the venue is near the junction with Southampton Row.

All paid-up members can attend so if you are available and within traveling distance, your presence is very important. Following the AGM we will be visiting the local vegan Chinese buffet in Theobald's Road.

Following the club's constitution, all members of the committee & other postholders will need to apply for re-election. A reminder that the Committee consists of the following people:

Chairperson
Club Secretary
Treasurer
Membership
Runners' Secretary

and three general committee members. Non-committee positions currently include:

Clothing Secretary
Website Editor
Press Secretary
Diary Secretary
Vegan Services Secretary
Regional / Area Contacts (no formal election process at AGM)

Currently your Club Secretary performs several roles including most notably:
Treasurer, Membership and Clothing. If you feel you have the time and necessary skills to perform any of these duties or others listed please contact me. You need not attend to be elected. Note that the role of Vegan Services Secretary is vacant and one of the general committee posts.

It is our aim to issue the AGM Agenda by 19 October and the main reports e.g. Treasurer's Report, Club Secretary, etc, early in the week.

Regards
Peter Simpson
Club Secretary

Wynning ways

We hear from Diane & Adrian Wynne, who have been doing their best to live up to the name...

Adrian and I have had a great time this year having started running again about 12 months a go following a 6 or 7 year break. Our fitness is slowly coming back and I'm looking forward to doing some longer triathlons in the future. We have both done Ironman in the past. Seems like a long way at the moment!

 

Diane Wynne

Crowle 10k  47:28  and was 3^rd lady vet

Worcester Multi-Terrain Half Marathon 1 hour 50 min and was 3^rd Lady Vet

Completed Worcester, Tewkesbury and Hardwick Sprint Triathlons.

Finished Hardwick in 1 hour 18 min and was 3^rd Lady Vet

 

Adrian Wynne

Stourport 10k 47:02

Also competed in Worcester, Tewkesbury and Hardwick Sprint Triathlons

 

We are both currently competing in cyclo-cross races which are great fun and we are also looking forward to Stroud Half Marathon on 25^th October.   

 Well done guys and good luck for Stroud!

Eat to Compete

Some of you might have seen a "vegetarian" thai curry recipe in a recent Runner's World which had fish sauce as one of the ingredients. Now we all know that fish is not a vegetable and would just leave it out, and I don't know about you but the likelihood of anyone else cooking that recipe for me is pretty slim - hey ho.
But this reminded me that you can get vegan Thai curry paste - red and green - in 400g tubs (from Tesco!) - the brand is Thai Taste. Very tasty, and it lets the fishes sleep easy ! :D

Two halves

We hear from Annette Herold who has been working hard on her half marathons... brief details

30. August 2009 - Koberstaedter Halbmarathon (in Germany)   Half marathon in 2:07:07h

11. Oct. 2009 - Royal Parks Half marathon London in 2:11:35h

Garden City 10

We hear from Colin Braybrook, who says

 
I neglected to mention I did 1:01:09 at the Garden City 10 miles last month (this would be Welwyn Garden City for the members not familiar with the "Snorbans" (St Albans) area -Ed), 3rdMV40 (not far behind Matt Woodman). http://www.sportsystems.net/GardenCity10/Downloads/ResultsGardenCity10_09All.pdf
 
It all seems a distant memory now.  My achilles is all tight and throbby now so it was a bit of an ego-boost to see those results (the draft report which you should all have got) again.   
 

Colin mentions that the "vegan engine" is powering his fine results - we wish him a happy winter of stoking it up!

Eindhoven Marathon

The above is a picture of your very happy editor, now in possession of a 4:05:11 marathon PB (down from 4:18:07 this spring). She would recommend Eindhoven as a very fast & flat course INDEED, with the pacers & music of a big-city marathon but no crowding at all. Own drink held out to you... short toilet queues... cool (it was a little warm to start but they handed out sponges every 5k, and then the heavens opened and the sponges were no longer necessary).

She would not recommend green hair gel though. Ten minutes with my head under the tap in the loos at Eindhoven airport... and it got everywhere.

Still walking down stairs backwards.

Peterborough - flat, as I remember...

We hear from Wolfgang Kunst

Here's my chip time for last Sunday's Great Eastern Run Half Marathon in Peterborough:

1:30:53


The London Royal Parks Half Marathon sold out within two days, so went up to Peterborough instead.

With a time like that, a wise move!

Popular Brighton 10K, 15 Nov

Brighton is a popular place for vegetarians and vegans so, is it a surprise that many of our members would like to enter the 10K along the seafront on 15 November. It is a popular event and the closing date for entries is 20 October.

For the entries website click here.

Tring Ridgeway 15K, 11/10/09

It has been 6 years since I last ran this local event and a photo of our 2003 team is still on the website. With an 11am start I had plenty of time to get there and should have been there with over an hour to spare but railway service had power problems leading a the cancellation. The next service was not stopping at Tring but gave me an extra challenge of a 4 miles cycle ride with only 45 minutes to go and progressively uphill and into the wind. Arrived 15 minutes before the start, passing Andy Jordan of the VC&AC in the opposite direction and about half a mile at least to the start line.

The length of the start line is about one car width with over 400 runners lining up. Arriving late it was difficult to get near the start line so once we were off within a minute or two it was difficult to get past the slower runners. Eventually managed that in spite of the mile long narrow road/path. Suddenly there was a long gap to the faster runners but soon caught them up although tired after the fast cycle ride.

Switching to off-road I relaxed a little before once again pushing on uphill and resumed overtaking especially as we descended to our lowest point, passing through some muddy stables. It was followed by an upward struggle for the next mile or so which gradually became more demanding until we reached the official Ridgeway where we could relax and return to normality. Still managed to move up the field on the hill otherwise on the Ridgeway my position was fairly stable. On the descent a mile or two further on I lost some places due to not being sure of my footing and similarly moved backwards in the field as we climbed the next short hill. Along the windiest stretch I seemed to be fairing a little better although my number and vest felt like they were going to take off.

At this point there is a marvellous view but unfortunately you are concentrating on your footing as the terrain quickly descends and the path enters the forest. Here there are all sorts of obstacles to trip up the runner as the path winds its way down the hillside, the worst being the steps which in fact slowed me up rather than risking the leaps. Suddenly near the bottom I appeared to be overtaken by some specialist fell runners who were in a different league.

Back onto the road it felt tougher for a while as we turned left onto the narrow mile long stretch, passing through the start with still half a mile or so to go, finishing on the sports fields near the pavilion. That last half a mile was tiring but still maintained my position. It was only a day later I knew my accurate time of 1.11.39 and 52nd position which was rather surprising given my late arrival and the brisk cycle ride.

Getting to my next destination was no easier with my scheduled train also cancelled.

A marathon is just over a quarter of 100 miles.

We hear from Anna, who has just got back from Leicester...

I wasn't sure it would be wise to try to run a marathon the week after my first 100 miler. But then, most people would say running 100 miles in the first place wasn't wise...

So I booked a place at the Leicester Marathon, just in case I felt like a nice long jog this weekend. Turns out I did (was it ever really in doubt?). By last Wednesday my legs felt fine and just my feet were still a bit sore. That's good enough for me.

I met a few Fetchies at the start in park and more people I knew along the way. It's a pleasant enough course, along lots of countryish lanes and through some parks by a lake and a river. We also went past the space centre, which looks like a transparent plastic inflatable building with a rocket in it. [Wot not down the Belgrave Road?!! A hungry Ed] Cool. I took it nice and easy, walking up some of the hills. My right leg felt a bit iffy at various points (my right foot is a bit dodgy, but it translated to a soreness in the ankle, calf, knee, thigh and butt cheek, kindly alternating which bit hurt throughout the run.) That's what ibuprofen's for, no?

I finished in 4 twentysomething. Under 4:24 I think [4:27:33 - Ed]. The T-shirt is women's-fit and long-sleeved which would be great if it wasn't white. The medal's nice though. Plus I didn't eat my finisher's banana, so I can have that at coffee break tomorrow. Who says I'm easily pleased? [Only people you can't run down over the course of a day.... !]

What's that coming over the hill, is it a monster?

We hear from Craig Wallace who has been sticking to dry land and avoiding Nessie...

I ran my first 10k race on Sunday.
Race was the River Ness 10k, in Inverness.

time: 45:42

I was wearing a Vegan Runners vest.
And I met another Vegan Runner at the start, which was cool.
(Ed - unfortunately the results aren't presented in a way so that we can easily find out who this mystery vegan was, so if you know, speak up!)

"I'm in the Money!"

We hear a happy & characteristically modest tale from Frances Humphries...

Well, its a long story but here goes.

Arriving home from my wonderful and extremely lazy holiday in France (I tell you this to excuse my present lack of running form) I was confronted with a huge pile of mail, OK most of it was the kind of stuff you do not want to be bothered opening (bills), and some of it was plain trash and in amongst all the dross there were one or two interesting items.

 

 And then there was a plain brown envelope - I opened it and out popped a little note from the Great Yarmouth running club thanking me for taking part in their half marathon and letting me know that I was the first lady to finish in my age group (over 55), AND enclosing my prize money of £15.00! Was I chuffed or was I chuffed? It mattered not one jot that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd lady over 60 all had faster times than me, nor that I appear to have been the only lady in my age group (these facts I will keep to myself) - all this was as nothing  compared to the Wonderfully Uplifting Experience of winning some hard cash. At last, all those hundreds of squids spent on trainers and running gear had paid off! I was on cloud nine and have framed the letter, a photocopy of the cheque and my race number for posterity!

 

More sensibly here are a few less marvellous results.

02.08.09 - Dovedale Dipper -  a truly lovely LDWA 26 mile walk - finished in 7hr 39mins

09.08.09 - Great Yarmouth Half - time of 1.57

13.09.08 - Chiltern Marathon - another LDWA favourite  26 miles in 7hrs 30mins

27.09.09 - Halstead Fun  Run - yes, it was fun!  - 5 miles in 49mins 48secs

04.10.09 - Southend on Sea 10k - 54.23

 

Well done Frances, an example to us all ! - Ed

World Vegan Day PR/Media Coverage at Rainforest 10K

Vanessa Hudson has taken the lead to organise PR / media coverage of Vegan Runners UK at the Rainforest 10K in Finsbury Park, London on World Vegan Day. It would obviously be impressive if we had a lot of vegans present whether or not runners or competing. We will keep you informed of developments and timings. The run is due to start at 11am and entries are being taken, to enter click here.

Running from home on World Vegan Day - Members

Hi Everyone,

If you are not in the London region to support one of our targeted events such as the Regent's Park 10K or the Rainforest Foundation 10K and would like an event to enter on World Vegan Day, the following events are listed on the Runner's World on-line diary:

50th Derwentwater 10 miles, Cumbria
AECC Dash Back 10 miles, Bournemouth
Centurion Grand Prix 5, Solihull
Dovedale Dash, Ashbourne
Filey 10K Beach Race, North Yorks
Guy Fawkes 10 miles, Harrogate
Illminster Lions 10K, Somerset
Marlow Half Marathon
Monsterdash 5K, St Annes-on-Sea, Lancs
Over the hills 12K, Bradford-on-Avon
Tidworth 10K, Hampshire
Shepshed 7 miles, Leics
Stevenage Half Marathon
Tewkesbury AC Guy Fawkes 5 miles

To support World Vegan Day as a VRUK member, the easiest and most environmentally friendly option is to run from home wearing a VRUK vest/top/t-shirt or other vegan campaigning top. Whatever running option you choose, let our Diary Secretary, Laurence Klein know on LaurenceDKlein@aol.com. There will be a diary entry for 'Running from Home on World Vegan Day' with the initials of members participating. Let us make it our biggest mass run of VRUK members and supporters who will be contacted separately.

After your Run from Home please confirm it with our Runner's Secretary, Maria Hamilton on maria8hamilton@googlemail.com .

Regards
Peter Simpson

Running from home on World Vegan Day - Supporters

Hi Everyone,

To support World Vegan Day as a vegan runner, the easiest and most environmentally friendly option is to run from home wearing a VRUK vest/top/t-shirt or other vegan campaigning top. Whatever running option you choose, let our Diary Secretary, Laurence Klein know on LaurenceDKlein@aol.com. There will be a diary entry for 'Running from Home on World Vegan Day' with the initials of participants. Let us make it our biggest mass run of vegans in the UK. If there is an organised general event in your area that you prefer to enter please send the details to Laurence.

After your Run from Home or event please confirm it with our Runner's Secretary, Maria Hamilton on maria8hamilton@googlemail.com .

Regards
Peter Simpson

100 miles... [Caesar's Camp 100 mile]

We hear from ... oh I'll let you guess who... a VRUK runner who has just finished the Caesar's Camp 100 miler ultra...

100 miles, 15 200 feet of ascent, 28 and a quarter hours.

So they're the vital statistics for this event. It was my first 100 miler. Only a third of the 36 starters completed the full distance. Not sure of my place but I know I wasn't last! Overall not a bad result given that I did my first ultra less than 9 months ago. I still feel like a bit of a novice at this ultra lark, but I'm starting to change my thinking now that I've done a few fairly long runs.

The 'Caesar's Camp 100 mile endurance event' takes place on MOD land near Aldershot. It's a ten lap course with a checkpoint at the start/finish area plus another at 5.6 miles. There are many hills, including some very steep and shingly ones, especially tough on the downhills as the legs get tired. It's all off road, with a mixture of surfaces of trail, often chalk tracks, sometimes grass, mud and other rootsy woodland. And one stile (that you go over ten times). Henk, the mad Dutch organiser, is very supportive in his own unique way.

There were some good views from the hilltops during the daylight hours, which seemed even better in the morning sunshine. The weather was very kind, with only an hour or so of not-too-heavy rain (with a lovely big rainbow briefly visible) and some strong headwinds on the open section for the first four laps. It wasn't sunny on the Saturday (we started at noon) but it did get very warm on Sunday.

I managed 3 laps before it started to get dark so I knew the course pretty well by then. There were glow sticks put out to mark the course overnight. There was a brilliant full moon, but it was mostly hidden in the clouds. Running with a headtorch was good, though it slowed me down as I tried to avoid all the many trip hazards underfoot. I actually only slipped over twice, both times going down the same scree slope. There were lots of cows about (with their eerie seemingly glowing eyes) and some soldiers wearing what appeared to be comedy blonde wigs, but were presumably some sort of straw camouflage. I managed to keep running (at least on the downs and flats) for the first 80 miles. I finshed the first 50 before midnight which I was pleased with. The blisters started after 80 miles, making the ninth lap very slow. Then on the tenth lap I felt very spacey like I was going to pass out. I guess I hadn't eaten enough. But how would one consume over 10 000 calories in a day? [Unless it's Christmas! Ed] Anyway, I ended up walking the whole of the last lap at a very slow pace. That was a huge test of mental strength.

I'm told this was a very tough event to choose for my first 100 miler. Hopefully the next one will seem easier then! (Unless it happens to be Lakeland of course.) It was certainly really good mental training. And therefore good training for the ten in ten (www.justgiving/annafinn10in10)

My recovery run this morning was only 1.4 miles, at 11-minute-miling pace. This week should really test out whether my hemp protein is helping with recovery as I'm planning to do the Leicester Marathon on Sunday...  (Hemp protein is my new thing to help muscles recover quickly. It can be bought from www.hempnatural.com and if you quote "Protein432' you'll get a £2 discount.)

Yes, it was Anna Finn... well guessed everyone! ... Ed

Crystal Palace 10K (inc SEAA Champs)

Ran in this stadium / Crystal Palace Park back in 1987 for an entirely different event, the Runner's World Family Fun Day 10K. It was one of my early events and recovering from serious injury playing volleyball, it was my first proper run for 10 weeks. I tried to run as normal but found it tough and hit the wall towards the end, struggling to finish in my slowest time of 50 minutes. I felt like I had run a marathon.

Last Sunday was an entirely different event, hosted by the South of England Athletic Association and incorporating their championships. Unfortunately the long postal dispute in that area held up postal deliveries for weeks and it was the first running of the event. The official title was not eye-catching for the average runner i.e. SEAA Open & Championship 10K. A more attractive title would be as given here i.e. Crystal Palace 10K (inc SEAA champs). It was held at a grand venue, one of the biggest athletics stadiums in the UK with a long and distinguished history.

Arriving there were few runners around and not many more turned up, originally I was visualizing many hundreds at least. One club from Surrey, Reigate Priory AC supported it in numbers around 15-20 and Vegan Runners UK had possibly the 2nd largest number of runners, 6 if you include non-member but fast runner Matt Woodman who wears our club vest.

When I arrived at the train station, Andrew Knight was on the same train and we soon met up with Sid Delara near registration who had travelled up from Southampton. Matt Woodman was warming up and stretching with serious intentions. I jogged a lap of the pristine track, there were no warnings to keep off any area for fear of damage so it was quite relaxing being there. We later met up with Chloe Vincent and shortly before the start Theresa Webb who had earlier rang up to say she had not received confirmation of entry due to the postal dispute but was encouraged to turn up so set off late by bus.

To deposit our baggage in a safe area we had to climb 30 or more steps to the top of the stadium on the far side to reach the press box. Lining up on the start line it felt like a track event with a small field. With mainly a quality field of runners, the start was fast which made me feel slow as we completed a lap of the track and out of the stadium for the first of 3 laps. We were soon climbing out of the sports complex and into Crystal Palace Park which took me by surprise and by that time many runners had overtaken me including Sid and Andrew, the latter was a surprise. Turning left at the top for a short respite we had a further less steep climb and at this point we could see the leaders well ahead. It took some time to recover somewhat but was breathing heavily for a long period during and after the climb. We eventually descended and the surface changed to a trail and as we approached the sports complex again we had a short sharp climb which slowed us down again and took time to recover but back up to speed as we entered the stadium.

Starting the second lap and climbing the double hill again was not so much of a shock to the body. Andrew Knight who was up to 20 metres ahead for much of the 1st lap slowed and I overtook him before the hills meanwhile Sid had stretched his lead over me but was in sight. Sid is normally a fast starter being a 5K specialist so I had a chance of reining him back. Began to pick up a few places but with a small field we were well spread out with Sid only two places ahead. Going up the first hill, runners minutes ahead were coming down and turning left onto the trail if I remember correctly.

As we climbed the hill for the 3rd and last time I could see Theresa descending on her 2nd lap. Towards the end of the 3rd lap some of the slower runners were being lapped which gave me confidence that I was not quite as slow as I thought compared to the real championship runners. I had not made up ground on Sid who had increased his lead over me and on approaching the stadium increased my pace, enjoying the run around the track despite the absence of atmosphere in the almost empty stadium. I was slightly disappointed with a time of 42.47, Sid achieving 42.10 and Matt 36.28 for another impressive 21st although he is missing from the results due to a close finish with two other runners, I guess a fast finish caught out the timekeepers.

Quickly met up with Sid and Matt who were lying on the ground recovering, I prefer to stand up unless I have hit the wall or very tired. Cheered the long striding Andrew Knight home in under 45 mins and not long after Chloe Vincent in 47 mins (in two weeks she will be running the Dresden Marathon in Germany). When Theresa entered the stadium she was not quite sure where to finish with a large gap to the runner ahead and stopped for a few seconds but managed to beat the hour.

We all met up for a photo-call but only to find my batteries needed recharging however eventually others came to the rescue and we had mobiles if necessary. As I write, await pictures to be forwarded. We decided to find a local cafe, the Spirited Palace health food shop and cafe was suggested by Theresa who new the way but unfortunately was not open yet so we found a local community cafe which turned out to be very comfortable and spacious but the menu was limited although they did have soya otherwise we could have quickly bought a litre from the nearby Sainsburys. We enjoyed a long chat over a jacket potato and salad with Sid enjoying his personal protein drink/meal, possibly one of the reasons behind his good performances for a V50? Talking about other events, we were encouraged by an official in the stadium to enter the Brighton 10K on 15 November with some forms available at the time. There was some interest amongst us although we need to focus our attentions mainly on World Vegan Day and encourage members nearer Brighton to enter their 10K on 15 Nov.

Reading Parkrun

John Morgan came 5th in today's Reading 5k park run - just over 19 mins - nice work!

Cardiff - Vyrnwy - results

In the Cardiff parkrun last weekend, 22:43 for Cedric David...

A whole host of results from Mike Green (busy busy!)
Brecon 10m, 2/8/09   1:14:08
Pos 87/251, MV50 Pos 7/28
A difficult course in hot weather, killer of a hill at about 8 miles.

Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon, 13/9/09   1:38:45
Pos 267/1242, MV50 Pos 33/98
Fantastic course and event, great atmosphere. Very flat, last mile downhill.

Shrewsbury 7 Bridges 10K,  20/9/09   44:09
Pos 47/292, MV50 Pos 3/19
Advertised as a road race, but includes 3 short flights of steps, several pedestrian chicanes with runners (and the public) going both ways, and one 180 degree turn at the end of a bridge. Definitely no chance of a PB! Nice event tho. Met John Morris there.

3 peaks article link - Andrew Knight

We hear from a very busy Andrew Knight, who says...

Still hoping to run at Crystal Palace but still not sure as chronically busy
w work and activism. If I have time will prob join on the day. Think I can
live w/o being eligible for championship - am struggling to run 10 km these
days as work has played abs havoc w my training, much to my dislike.

A quite funny story of the 3 peaks challenge has just been published in a
vet journal. Will get it online at www.vegan3peaks.info today, if you're
interested. [>here< - Ed]

Hope to see you at Crystal Palace and sorry am so busy I can't commit yet.
Have a 3rd major feature article on animal expts to try to submit to a
journal by the end of the w/e...

L2B & New Forest Mara - Anna Finn

Anna Finn has been up to the usual (!)

20th September: What a lovely trail run. And as my brother pointed out, 'London to Brighton' is the sort of route most people can picture and know where it is and roughly how far (supposed to be 56 miles, I clocked 57.8 on the Garmin).

Actually, the first 9 miles were not trail - we went through the deserted Bromley shopping precinct and followed roads to the first checkpoint. After that there was a mixture of trail and country lanes. The paths were generally good and there were some beautiful sections through woods (probably my favourite running). There were, oh, about sixty seven million stiles on the course. Maybe I exaggerate? Seemed more than strictly necessary anyway.

I met several runners I know either at the start or en route which was great, as well as meeting new people. From a few miles in I ran with a runner called Helen and we stayed together right through to the finish. We actually ran most of it, with just a bit of walking up the hills (notably the big steep hill to get over the South Downs shortly before approaching Brighton). That should have meant a reasonable finishing time, but the map reading slowed us down a lot. We didn't actually get very lost, but spent a lot of time standing around checking the map and trying to work out which of the vague tracks across the field ahead was the one we were supposed to follow. Even with the compass it was tricksy navigation.

I was looking forward to finishing on the beach in Brighton, until the reality of the pebbles confronted me on the very last weary hundred metres. It felt very good to get there though. Time? 12 hours, 36 minutes, 46 seconds.

Fast forward to this weekend: We rode down on the motorbikes straight after work on Friday and were drinking wine in the moonlight outside the tent by 8 o'clock (and saw a shooting star - cool!). On Saturday we took a stroll through the trees to Brockenhurst, where there are good cafes, shops and pubs. A leisurely day out in the sunshine. And the blackberries were ripe too. Nice.

On the Sunday morning I took the small wiggly roads to New Milton for the start of the New Forest Marathon. I met up with loads of runners I know and met still more that I didn't. There was a vegan chap from Ireland who saw the vest. I forget his name, but he was going to look us up on the VRUK website. Maybe a new member on the way? It was a beautiful course, mainly on country lanes and a few bits of trail, through forest, open grassland and small villages. It was too hot for me and I think I was still a bit tired from last week's run to the seaside, but finished fairly comfortably in 4:26:05.

Now I'm trying not to think too much about a longer run this weekend.

Longer than what? :D

Wolfgang @ Berlin Marathon

Well, if it's too hot for Haile... what is a man to do?
We hear from Wolfgang, who says...

My not so good result of the Berlin Marathon (I hit the wall after about 15 miles):

Chip Time: 3:40:30

future member - vegan awareness tshirt

We hear from Helen Jordan, who is currently with another club but keen to switch to VRUK in 2010...

I ran the Peace 5K wearing a vegan awareness t-shirt from Viva. Thought you may like to see.

    http://42run.com/?races=peacerun09&bib=2596  << link to lotsa pics

When I join the club 2010 I will proudly wear your running colours.

Manches Moor Park 10K - Steve Davies

We hear from Steve Davies who writes...
Ran the Manches Moor Park 10K yesterday, hot and hilly, my first race in a Vegan Runners vest. On seeing the vest Matt Woodman came and said hello at the start and cheered me on at the end. I am sure running in the vest and with Matt there pushed me harder !

Finished in 41m.19s  32nd / 716 (well done! Ed)

Matt came in 5th