Vegan Runners UK

London Training Session(s)

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Simpson) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:44:00 +0000

Many of you will be aware that the idea of starting up a London training session is not new. At the moment we do not have a London member who is prepared to organise the sessions but as I am not too far from London (based in Milton Keynes), a monthly visit for a training session will hopefully get it started and possibly someone more local will co-ordinate it in future.

The first session will be held in Hyde Park on Sunday, 17 January and we try other parks in subsequent sessions depending on feedback. The start time will be 11am and the meeting point will be the Bandstand near Hyde Park Corner tube station. Obviously we will keep a close watch on the weather forecast and in the case of severe weather will reschedule it for the following week. From April we will probably start the sessions earlier at 10am.

We will plan the session to make it suitable for most abilities indeas include:

1. Start off with a slow group run
2. Handicap session where the slowest runners set off first and the fastest last
3. Interval session with say 1 minute at your faster pace, one minute slow jog (to re-group) and repeat.
4. Finish off with a brisk long walk to a cafe

The session will last a minimum of an hour and subject to interest could last longer for those runners in training for a marathon or long distance event.

If you are interested in attending it would be useful to e-mail the organiser, Peter Simpson on veganrunners@talktalk.net. The contact phone number on the day is 07967 589663 otherwise the landline is 01908 503919. Look forward to seeing many of you on 17 January.

How Green is the (Elan) Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:31:00 +0000

Sorry Mike, I know it's the world's worst pun.... we hear from Mike Green, who reports from the Republic of Wales (national motto: "Not Always Raining")

Elan Valley 10M (Rhayader, Powys), 21/11/09 1:16:45
Pos 42/131, MV50 Pos 8/29
A hilly course, and this year the worst weather I think I've ever run in - strong winds and driving rain throughout, parts of the course under a few inches of water. Even the winner took just over the hour, which says everything (the winning time in 2008 was 57:08). Saw Dianne and Adrian Wynne there too.

Aberystwyth 10K, 13/12/09 41:25
Pos 55/300, MV50 Pos 6/21
Fantastic weather again this year (see "not always raining"! - Ed), nice flat course thru the town and along the sea front. My best time at this distance for many years.
Congratulations Mike !

And thank you for grassing up Dianne & Adrian, who finished Elan Valley in 1:25:23 and 1:28:19 respectively.

Entry forms arrive for English XC Champs, 27 Feb

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Simpson) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:18:00 +0000

Entry forms arrived quite quickly when considering the Christmas post delays.

If you are interested in the championships held at Roundhay Park, Leeds on 27 February 2010, entry is only via the Club Secretary, the same for all registered clubs with England Athletics. To qualify for entry, you must also be registered with England Athletics i.e. have a registration number, a list that I can access of VRUK members if confirmation is needed.

The English Cross Country Association (ECCA) meeting is open to all registered members of clubs i.e. there is no qualifying time or other race that you must have entered. There are separate events for the under-20 age groups otherwise the senior women's (8K) event starts at 2.15pm and the senior men's (12K) event 3pm. All entrants must wear a club vest or running top (t-shirts, etc can be worn underneath). Off-road shoes are advised.

Entry is £5, cheques should be made payable to 'ECCA' and sent to

P.Simpson,
13 Peers Lane,
Shenley Church End,
Milton Keynes MK5 6BG

Given that the closing date for entries to arrive at the ECCA is Monday, 11 January, I will be sending your entries on Wednesday, 6 January.

Regards
Peter Simpson
Club Secretary

Wear your Vegan Runners top with pride!

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:52:00 +0000

We hear from Frances Humphries, who has "a few" results for us...

World Vegan Day - 1.11.09 - and what a wet and windy day it was - braved the elements and wore my Vegan Runners top with pride to complete the Billericay Striders 10k in 57mins and 50 secs.

22.11.09 - Hadleigh 10 - 1hr 35mins

29.11.09 - Walked the LDWA'S Gatliff Marathon for I think the 13th time - as usual it was a great day out - got round in 9hrs 11mins after several stops for tea, and some splashing about in mud and puddles. Didn't see Anna - imagine she was way ahead of me and my old man. [After finding I had put Anna's results in the ultra section under Gatliff 50k - yes, she was about an hour ahead of you guys - Ed]

Thats it for now really, apart from a Santa Fun Run on the 6.12.09 - but it does not count as a proper run since nobody stuck to the course - it was however filled with fun and jollity - not the least of which was had in trying to find the venue! Arrived at 9.59 for a 10.00 start and proceeded with much laughter and huffing and puffing to squeeze into our Santa Suits and run off to the start - then waited half an hour for the 'Celebrity' who was to start the race. All in a good cause tho.

Luton Marathon Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:15:00 +0000

Hallam

English XC Champs, Leeds 27 Feb

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:53:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

VRUK is currently trying to obtain forms for this event which was held in
London last winter. If you are registered with England Athletics via VRUK
and based within England, you are eligible to enter the championships. Entry
must be via the Club Secretary or appointed team manager. As normal there
are separate events for male and female and age groups under 20. The venue
is at Roundhay Park, Leeds and the timetable for the day can be viewed at

http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
id=51&Itemid=59

If you are interested please contact me by the end of the month as the
club's entry needs to arrive by 11 January at the latest.

Regards
Peter Simpson
Club Secretary

FW: Great Horth Run 2010 Success!

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:30:00 +0000

-----Original Message-----
From: Amanda Baker [mailto:amandab@vegansociety.com]
Sent: 16 December 2009 15:51
To: Amanda Baker
Cc: veganrunners@talktalk.net
Subject: GNR 2010 Success!

Greetings,

This is Amanda Baker from The Vegan Society. We trust that all
is well with you and yours?

We've delighted to report that we've won 15 places for the Great
North Run in September 2010!

Thank you very much for your support thusfar - only by knowing
there are so many runners keen to support The Vegan Society were we able
to get to this stage.

As you know, the GNR is taking place on Sunday 19 September in
2010. I know this seems a long time away. However, the next stage
from our perspective is that we have to pay up-front for your places (64
pounds each) by February.

We do not wish to exclude anyone on their ability to pay.
However, if you are able to firmly commit and pay at this stage, it will
ease the strain on our finances.

We will also look at working with confirmed participants, to
support you if you wish to do any fundraising or PR work in the run-up
to the race. We will have a media campaign, and would welcome input,
support and appropriate partners for that.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions at any stage.

Once again, thank you for your support.

Best wishes, and seasons greetings,

Amanda

--
Media Relations - Mobile: 07847 664 793 Tel: 0121 523 1737
Email: media@vegansociety.com - Request your FREE vegan starter pack!
Web: www.vegansociety.com Address: The Vegan Society, Donald Watson
House,
21 Hylton St, Hockley, Birmingham B18 6HJ UK
Reg. Charity No 279228 Company Reg. No 1468880 VAT Reg. No 448 5973 95

Wonderful wintry running

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:22:00 +0000

You may have thought that the UK racing calendar had run out of marathons, and that we would not be hearing from Anna until 2010 (now no longer an adaptation of an Arthur C. Clarke sequel but a year coming to your neighbourhood in a few weeks).
If so, you were wrong...

brrrr! It's getting a bit chilly out.
It wasn't too cold out on Sunday for a nice run though:
The 'Winter in Wheathampstead' on Sunday was my first 100-club-only marathon (I was allowed to enter as a 'wannabe' member, having done over 50 marathons). It was great as I knew lots of the other people there, having met them at other marathons over the past few years. It was a very pleasant countryside course of three different loops back to the village hall checkpoint, with some pretty woods and not too many stiles nor too much mud. I did manage to get stung by an electric fence though. Ouch. A slow one (5:21) but a most enjoyable day out. I like wintry weekends.
Hope you're enjoying the crisp fresh air
-finishes Anna, as the rest of us huddle under as many blankets/duvets/dogs we can muster....

Stockport 10 miles, 13/12/09

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Simpson) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:15:00 +0000

Emile from Spain was making a special visit to meet-up with James Meldrum at this event and be part of a vegan runners team. Unfortunately it appears from the results that Emile was the only vegan runner but still ran a brilliant time of 59:41 for 22nd.

Bedford Half Marathon, 13/12/09

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Simpson) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Colin Braybrook was telling us that he should not be running or at least racing so, Colin eased round in 1.26.39 (98th, 12th MV45.) and if you like influenced another veggie (bordering on vegan) round to a PB of 1.27.11.

By chance back in the hall I met Dave Hopkins, one of our vegan contacts who last ran an event and the same one 5 years ago. Dave was pleased with 2:04.

Overweight, undertrained, and hibernating... Andy Reading 10k

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:07:00 +0000

53 minutes and change - shocking really - my mate Vince from Security may even have done a faster time! Or the same. The chips will tell.
Oh and I went off too fast - should know better by now!
It's still a nice race though, however rubbish you're feeling. All the usual faces finishing off the roadrunning year. Very social (as they all pass you LOL).

Have a picture. I thought it looked quite funny.

You know it was only the desire not to disgrace the club vest that kept me from walking.

So there we go. Done for the year... off to give blood on Tuesday... then start training for London.

Have a Kool Yool everyone - Ed (maria)

Another parkrun 5k result plops into my inbox... Edinburgh..

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Alison Davie did an enviable 22:08 today - nice work Alison

mablethorpe marathon 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:49:00 +0000

For those of you thinking of running your first marathon, this is an easy course,[well as easy as a marathon can be] and is at the coast so you can have a weekend break by the sea while you are at it.
After me having an epileptic siezure in my last race[worksop half] I decided that I was going to pack in running, BUT seeing as this race is going to be back on next year I think I may just change my mind lol

http://www.mablethorpe.info/marathon/

cheers
morg

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Friends!, Romans!, Countryfile!

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:20:00 +0000

But enough of the telly.
Anna has been interviewed in episode 2 (Dec 09) of a new podcast series, called 'Running and Life', available either from iTunes, or from http://runningandlife.co.uk, or you could just click on the direct link here
http://media.podcastingmanager.com/2/6/3/2/1/222571-212362/Media/Final%20version%2002%20December%2009.mp3
so if you want to hear her dulcet tones talking about the prospect of doing the Brathay Challenge (aka the 10 in 10) next year, and trying to get the record for the youngest woman to do 100 marathons (which requires firstly that she carries on doing marathons at the current rate, more or less, and secondly that she not age more than a year and a bit by next May :D).

Luvverly Luton!

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:44:00 +0000

Evidence that Helen, at least, definitely finished smiling ...

Lovely Luton (?!)

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:42:00 +0000

Report in from Anna... a self confessed lover of Luton (!)

On Sunday I went to Luton for the marathon. For some reason I really like this one. It's 3 laps near Luton, usually very windy and often raining too. (Last year it was canceled due to ice so I didn't mind too much what the weather did as long as the race went ahead.) But somehow it's a great event. Possibly it's the smooth organisation and enthusiastic marshals that do it.

I decided to go by train as there was heavy rain and strong wind in the morning, making riding Haku [her motorbike] an unappealing transport option. There was a bus as rail replacement service, so I was surprised to arrive earlier than originally planned. Not sure how that happened. Anyway, I'd had a dodgy leg all week (I hardly ran at all, which is very unusual for me) so went for a pre-race sports massage which felt fantastic. I think I might treat myself to a massage more often. Mmmmm.

There were loads of familiar faces there so it was all very sociable. There were 3 other Vegan Runners UK runners, all proudly wearing the vest, including Helen and Cedric in the full marathon, who did both did really well and finished smiling. My leg was sore for the first 7 miles but then the pain eased off and I really enjoyed the run. My final time was 4:32:59 - not nearly as slow as I had anticipated. We got a cotton goody bag and a medal, both rather nice.

And that's number 81 done now, so the 100 by May is still looking like a good target.
"only" 19 to go then? Easypeasy ;)

Dave Arnold retains his press-ups title

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Simpson) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:25:00 +0000

At the Animal Aid Christmas Fayre in Kensington Town Hall, London there was a good presence of VRUK members: Vanessa Hudson, James Millington, Chloe Vincent, Theresa Web, Jane Gant, Peter Simpson, Dave Arnold and some other supporters. The last scheduled activity in the Small Hall is normally the press-ups competition run by the Vegan Bodybuilders group with separate prizes for male & female. There was a large audience present taking it as a bit of fun except for possibly Dave. As normal Dave was wearing his VRUK vest. The best so far for a male was about 58 which was achieved quite impressively. When Dave started it was difficult to count them as he was completing them so fast and soon passed the leading total with ease and continued to over 100. The final total was reduced to 91 for incomplete press-ups, an issue that similarly affected other competitors' totals.

After the prize giving we retired to a local pub to continue discussing running issues and other matters until the middle of the evening.

And at the shorter end of the scale... Reading ParkRun 5k

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:04:00 +0000

John Morgan dipped below 18 minutes (by one second!) this Saturday & came 10th - a new PB is that John? On behalf of all of us who would rather run all day than run fast, give that man a round of applause!

Results in from the Luton 3...

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Helen Watkinson says...
Well, we both [she means herself and CD... I think we all realise it's not Anna's first marathon! - Ed] survived our first marathon. It was pretty tough with a few more hills than we expected!

Here are our results:

Luton Marathon, 6th December 2009
Place    Time    Name                    Team
469    4:54:23    Helen Watkinson    Vegan Runners
389    4:25:41    Cedric David           Vegan Runners
408    4:32:59    Anna Finn            Vegan Runners

Good stuff guys and... looking forward to next year now?

Luton Marathon- risky time of the year

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Simpson) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:46:00 +0000

In the entry list we had a women's team: Fiona Oakes, Anna Finn and Helen Watkinson. As most of you know Fiona is responsible for the Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary and fits in running around her duties. Despite the 400 or so animals to feed and care she manages to train to elite level in the marathon even with a missing knee-cap. She has to race sparingly and cannot be certain of making it on the day due to the needs of the animals. Year 2009 has been a difficult year and Luton was the last chance of registering a result. Alas it was not to be as her partner, Martin points out:

"..... Fiona is flat on her back with suspected Swine Flu. She has been really ill and is absolutely gutted she cannot run tomorrow as she was flying. She has got herself into really good shape, lost a lot of weight, put in so many miles and sessions of speed and really tried hard for Luton and now this. She is not best pleased to say the least! .....".

Cedric David running his first Marathon heard the news and writes:

"Thanks for passing on the message about Fiona. We all missed Fiona yesterday, it would have been great to have our leading lady to boost our moral!

The results are out: Anna 4.32.59, Helen 4.54.23 and myself 4.25.41.

Apart from some strong wind it was a surprisingly nice and partly sunny day. I had a good race up to that famous hill on lap 3 you told me about at the AGM. After that I was struggling to actually keep running even on the flat bits! My pacing was a disaster. My first two laps were both within 1.20, I lost all on the final 6 miles. I guess it's all a learning exercise.

Helen had a much more even race and could more or less keep up with her garmin pacer , she just lost a couple of minutes on her last lap. We met Anna that day for the first time, which was very nice. She started the race with a bad leg but fought it through. Very inspirational!

In the relay race we spotted a VRUK vest, I don't know how it was, but he took some pictures of us when we passed the finish area after our second lap. In case you find out let us know how it was."

The relay results are not published yet due to the complex recording of results and verification required.

London Marathon Club Places

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Simpson) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:05:00 +0000

The committee has decided to allocate our two club places to Cedric David and Chloe Vincent. Cedric is in fact running his first marathon at Luton this Sunday, 7 December with Helen Watkinson (her first), Chloe ran the Dresden Marathon in October and I hear is continuing to run well.

Should either of them get injured in the next two months or for some reason cannot run, there is a runner replacement option but only available until 12 February when the form must be received at the marathon office.

Peter Simpson
Club Secretary

Muddy mud with a side serving of mud

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:07:00 +0000

I am sure you are all thinking, "It's Tuesday and yet we have not had a marathon (plus?) race report from Anna yet! Is she well?!". Fear not my trusty hummus-eaters...

I thought I'd met all the varieties of mud that the UK has to offer. But it turns out I hadn't. On Sunday I was introduced to even more types of the brown stuff (as well as thigh-deep, cold floodwater (also new territory) and the many stiles I've come to expect on an LDWA event) at the Gatliff 50K in Kent.

We were fortunate with the weather, in that while it was extremely soggy underfoot, it didn't actually rain too much, nor was it excessively windy while we were out (for over 8 hours! Who'd have thought a head torch would be necessary for a mere 31 miles?). Saw a beautiful big rainbow.

Nice day out all in all: lots of familiar faces at the start and finish and I had the pleasure of Heather's company (fellow 'Fetchie')- many laughs throughout the day. Plus it was a bit of celebration as it was my first 50K, my last ultra of the year, [I suspect there is an unmet need for a Xmas Day / Boxing Day ultra - Ed] my 80th 'marathon' and the day before my birthday. We had bubbly at the finish...

Hayling Island 10mile Sun Nov 29th

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Hello, The Hayling Island 10 mile is a flat course with PB potential on a nice day. Unfortunately on this occassion
it was wind and more wind, rain and more rain, puddles and more puddles.
  Dave Arnold and myself were wearing the Vegan Vest. We set off in tandem for the first couple of miles, then came the trail section along what was formerly a railway line, running against a strong head wind , Dave able to cope with it and sustain his pace, but it got the better of me. Back on to the road it was a long out and back along the windy seafront, with constant rain.
Missing previous mile markers, the 8 mile mark was on the wrong side of the road and although facing the other way as i went past , it was see through so confusing me as to how far actually left, causing me to slow my pace a bit when there was in reality less than a mile to go. But as only my second 10 mile run realitively satisfying performance. Probably just an average run for Dave. It was a day when there was a lot of competition in the male vet age groups.

44th Dave Arnold  1hour 7mins 11secs V40-50 15th.
70th Sid DeLara    1hour 10mins 25secs V50-60 14th.
418 runners completed the course.

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Will the mystery vegan please identify themselves

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:33:00 +0000

Maria sez:
Who is the lady vegan in "Photo Finish" (23rd Nov)?
And secondly - please continue to post photos, race reports etc... with your names pleeeeeez :D

Toon Moorathon

noreply@blogger.com (Vegan Runners UK News & Results) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:38:00 +0000

And here we have Anna's race report, which starts....
Have you been out running in the wind recently? It's knackering! [I agree, which is why I stayed indoors on the treadmill for the speedwork... Ed]

I just had a lovely weekend staying with my parents (who live near Newcastle). Which was very handy for the Newcastle Town Moor Marathon. It was a 5 lap course with some sections into a nasty headwind, but other places where the tailwind was pleasantly helpful. Mostly flat too and there was a fantastic big rainbow for a while. I took it nice and steady and finished in 4:16:13. My parents saw me finish and while I think they don't 'get' my running, they got more of an idea of what it is I like to do each weekend.

[Why anyone would think it's odd to round round and round in circles in one's underwear in a howling gale I have no idea - perfectly normal surely! - Ed]