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Ladies Captain Summer Report July 14th 2001
 

Well, here we are almost halfway through the year already.  Barry is after me for the summer report and its raining outside - have we had our Summer or what?

The Ladies have been extremely busy since The London and Paris way back in April and May. There have been so many events and all of them have been well supported by the ladies who, I have to say, continue to turn up for training each Tuesday and Thursday in force and eager to go. It must be Tony's charm and wit as he marches us up hill and down dale!  Incidentally - A belated welcome to Brenda who joined us at the beginning of the year and to Linda who joined us recently.

Everyone made a fantastic effort in the London and Paris - special mention to Wendy on her PB of 3Hours 05 - and all the first timers; a big well done to you all.  A week after the London Jenny Peppiatt completed the Richmond Half Marathon in 1:51:59 and despite the heat too.  Well Done Jen!

The 20th of May saw me running up in the 'Pool' doing my 4th consecutive Liverpool Women's 10k, a very friendly and well organised race with a free T-shirt to boot!   However, this did not help my awful time of 56 mins!   May also had us pounding those hills and tracks competing in Wendy's 3-Day Event.  Thanks again Wendy for a brilliantly organised 3 days - looking forward to next years already!

Our WVR 10k on May 27th attracted loads of people - so many we now have to use tallies to ensure correct times.   The first of the Woodland Five took off on the 30th May bringing May to a close - no ladies in this one as we were all too exhausted after Wendy's 3 day event-!

Moving swiftly into June and the heat - remember the sunshine?  But not on the 1st Yateley 10k. Wednesday 6th June was quite chilly -just right for me to knock a few minutes of my time!  Myself, Chris Peppiatt and Kerry represented the ladies with a few more of the men doing this one.

The Race For Life took off on a damp and dull Sunday 17th - with lots of WVR ladies out in force and twice as enthusiastic!  It was good to see so many women together running and walking for a fun morning with a serious side to it - to raise lots of money for breast cancer research; so many lives are celebrated and remembered on that day too.

The Forest Five was the first run in serious heat!  Yet despite this the ladies did very well with Julie Smith storming home closely followed by Chris, Marie, Mary and last again-but improving-- myself'

Saturday 23rd June, again a hot day, The Datchet Dash took off at 11am. Gluttons for punishment and raring to go Chris, Jenny P (Mike - Jens boyfriend and his first 10k) and myself begin the hot run!  Also running for WVR's were Woody and Fred .   Jen and Mike came in at 48 mins, Chris at 49 and myself an improving 52.30 !! Well done to  Woody ever fast at 41 mins and Fred who came in just behind me.  Sir Steve Redgrave's wife also ran-- behind me!  Congrats to Jenny again, she got 1st  under 20's lady - no prize though- under 20's male beat her to it.

And so to July and the 2nd Yateley 10k on the 4th.  What a contrast to the 1st absolutely boiling !! Chris & Kerrie doing a good time again, Ginnie suffering from a dodgy knee and too much Sangria took it easy and enjoyed the run - and myself?  Still improving just under 52mins this time!!

Just have to mention Kerrie who is running so consistently well in all her runs.  Congrats on the Dysart Dash and good luck for the Elmbridge 10k Kerrie - two of the Surrey Road League races.  All club runners who enter certain runs gain points towards a position in the league - perhaps this is something the ladies would like to pursue next year?  Please let myself or Tony know.

Our Relay Marathon last Saturday got off to a very warm and muggy start.  Wendy and Jenny Peppiatt setting the standard for the ladies in the 1st and 2nd leg with excellent times of sub 18 mins.  Congratulations to all the ladies who ran in the race and who managed some very good times (see Barry's report).  The weather turned halfway through the race with some rain and thunder - very welcome.  The afternoon ran very smoothly (no accidents!) with Sandhurst Joggers coming 1st.  Many thanks to Barry and co. for organising the timekeeping so well, to all the people who took time to marshal and to Pete for doing a great job collecting and dropping them off (his first time)

Warning!  A BIG Moan follows.  Despite having over 100 members in the club why is it always the same people who help out and compete in this event?  It took a lot of organising, but with so few volunteers it meant people were stuck out on the roads for a couple of hours or more.  If more people could marshal it would lighten the load and the length of time out there.  So PLEASE  remember next year offer to marshal-- even if you cannot run and even if it's for half an hour we really do NEED YOU! Moan over

Wendy travelled up to Brummie land to compete in the Rubery Half Marathon the day after the relay - Wendy came in 1st lady - great stuff Wendy.  However, she did not enjoy it as it was a twice round a course consisting of 2 x 2 mile hills! at one point- No PB this time Wendy!  Also only 180 entrants!  Wendy did the Rubery Half with Amanda, 4th Lady, as this is her hometown now.  Congrats to you all.  One race for next year Wendy does recommend is the Wargrave 10k a must for us all ladies OK?

So what do we have to look forward to?  The last Woodland Five on the 25th July then the last Yateley 10k on the 4th August and of course our Rounders match with Hart Runners at the end of this Month (See Barry for this date). The WVR B- B- Q at Phil Morley's place on the 11th August also a celebration of Mr. Richards 40th too – should be good!

 As winter approaches we will have lots more races to choose from, if anyone out there would like to write a report on their runs please feel very free either e- mail to Barry or give to myself  -- anytime!  Don’t forget our annual AGM on 13th September details to follow.  Please any more ladies wanting to join us on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday just come along you are always welcome. If you can’t make it on those nights try calling myself or Tony we may be able to arrange a run at other times during the day or week – ok?

Enjoy the rest of the summer ---- That’s all Folks!!

Pam B.