38th Berlin Marathon in Support of Concern Universal

38th Berlin Marathon in Support of Concern Universal

Haven ran a few 10Ks and half marathons, the next logical step for a newbie runner like me was to run a marathon. I was convinced by a running buddy at London Heathside that Berlin Marathon is the easiest in Europe.

Well, I don’t know about the race itself being easy but registering was certainly much easier than trying to get a place in the London Marathon with is silly rejection slips, ballots for a place etc with Berlin Marathon, just pay your 60 Euro and you have a place.

The Concern Universal Link
After securing a place in Berlin Marathon, I decided it will be a fantastic idea to use the event to raise money for a good cause, I choose Concern Universal, a local charity which many Wye Valley Runner members have raised money for in the past. Well, this is the part of this post where I ask you to help my fund raising efforts by donating to Concern Universal via my Just Giving page which can be found here.

The Race
Well, the race was fun for the first 18-20 miles, after that, each mile felt like 3 miles, I kept stopping at every water station not because I needed a drink just an excuse to rest my knackered legs, I cross the finish line in 4.02.

Winter XC Fixture List 2011-12

 The first cross country of the season will now be held on Sunday 23rd Oct at Castlemorton Common and will be hosted by Malvern Joggers. This replaces the Moor Park fixture. Other dates are 13th Nov: Croft Castle; 4th Dec: Hundred House; 8th Jan: Monkhall Farm; and 5th Feb: Presteigne. More details can be found in the attachment.

**Please be aware that lady runners  will be running the same distance as the men at Castlemorton Common, Hundred House and Monkhall Farm**

Updated CROSS_COUNTRY_FIXTURES_2011-_2012[1]

Paul Bouston Cross Country Captain

Swansea Bay 10k Club Results

Many thanks to all the club members who once again turned out in force to support our annual pilgrimage to the Swansea Bay 10k. The weather was  again very kind to us making it an enjoyable day for runners and spectators alike.  We had another excellent meal at the Bar Gallois in Port Talbot and it was also a  pleasure to be transported by our excellent coach driver  Terry who contributed to a great day out. 

Club results can be found by opening the attachment. Copy of Swansea-Bay-2011-Results

Mike

Swansea Bay 10k Photos

WVR Lakeland Stories & Poems

To Survivors of the Lakes Adventure

Thanks for being there and thank you all for my lovely picture..it looks fab on my living room wall and its amazing..seems to come alive and change with different light.

I am putting together a collection of stories and poems for the official weekend report and would like some help please.  See below the  stories and poems received to-date and would greatly appreciate any additional contributions.

 Also the photos on the website would be great for a caption competition and I’m sure there are lots more photos out there! 

 Thanks again my friends, love you all

Jan Edwards

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WYE_VALLEY_RUNNERS_AND_THE_ESKDALE_RAILWAY_ADVENTURE[1]

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Poem :  Just 20 Minutes

We are on the slopes of Scafell Pike,

The cloud covered Peak is out of sight,

Rain is seeping  into my underpants and streaming out of my hoody,,

 Chippy still wearing shorts and a green muddy woody,

Ken & Bousty long since gone in their race against the clock,,

A hiker brings good news just 20 min’s to the top.

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Spirits  up lifted as  Harry broadcasts the ‘just a minute’ news,

 Colin you must push on,  Les thinks its only a bruise,

Jan speaks sternly it seems we’ve lost the trail,

Connie breaks into tears we won’t live to tell the tale,

Barry looks forlornly at his map & compass,

Another 20 mins will surely cause a rumpus.

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This day all seemed so different in my imagination,,

Looking at Lakeland scenery with exhilaration,

Camera in hand admiring all those panoramic views,

A big assortment of photos from which was can all choose,

This rugged path  with overflowing Becks was not part of my plan,

It’s still 20 minutes, where in the world  is Simon’s van.

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It was back in May when Colin did call,

Said it was a nice easy walk in the early fall, 

We’ll stay at Strand Inn Nether Wasdale it seemed like a wheeze,

Barry will park his  caravan under the trees,

‘How far now?’ we asked a passer by,

‘Only 20 mins ‘came the cheery reply.

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The Group begins to doubt the information,

All the effort and perspiration,

It seems were making  no progress but must keep going,

A bit like John Holdroyd’s impressive Ergo rowing,

Dave & Sue guide our feet down a perilous rocky crag face,

Just 20 minutes to go so we must keep up the pace.

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It was just yesterday we navigated Hard Knott Pass,

Felicity & Ralph followed on a narrow steep road shimmering like glass,

We enjoyed the walk to Wastwater and Wasdale Head,

Had a  few home brewed beers before going to bed,

This morning a full cooked breakfast was  on the menu,

Looks like it will take 20 mins to get to our start venue.

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My legs are feeling weary now as the wind blows from all sides,

A vortex blows up  Ian’s shorts  launching him like  Saturn FIVE,

We finally reach the peak of the mountain,

Hailstones lashing our faces like a crystal fountain,

No one stayed long in the gathering gloom 

20 min’s to go became our theme tune.

Mike (Wordsworth) Shaw

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