Sunday 29th September - Macc Half Marathon

Today saw the 12th running of the Macclesfield Half Marathon and 2nd running of the 5K.

We were once again lucky with the weather - a bright and slightly breezy day saw 581 finishers in the half marathon and 97 in the 5k - sadly numbers were down on last year despite increased publicity (this also means that the charitable donation will be lower this year).

The Run England team played a MASSIVE part in the event through helping with entries, course marshaling, results spotting, catering, baking and participating. A BIG thank you to all of you that helped in any way!

Jane (2h18m00s) and Karen (2h30m18s) ran the half marathon (both chip times).

Sarah (30m44s), Leah (29m48s) and Jordan (24m06s) ran the 5k (all gun times).

The feedback via email and FACEBOOK has been good so far so I think we put on a good race!

Once again, thank you,

Neil

Jane beating David Rutley MP ...

Karen looking good at the finish

The AMAZING catering team

'Spotters' feeding info to the commentator

James Noakes - first winner from Macc Harriers

Mad Marshals (their name not mine)

Wasp magnet....

Jane at the finish

Karen at the finish

Saturday 28th September - Bollin Valley Cat & Mouse

The start

Today was a lovely sunny day and the group split into two for a game of 'Cat and Mouse'. Neil ran with the 'cats' and Gemma ran with the 'mice' - the incentive of a game brought out the best in everybody with some excellent hard work.

The cats especially enjoyed the extra 2 hill reps at the end!

Now time to help at the Macc Half Marathon....

Neil & Gemma

Cats on the first deviation ...

Top of the second hill

Can the cats catch Heather?

A mix of cats and mice

Go mice, go!

Mel & Wendy

Post run stretch

Post run ...

The end ... a good session (where is Louise?)

Sunday 22nd September - Winsford 10K - Multi-Terrain

Today there is a multi-terrain 10k at Winsford.

Check out www.runwinsford.com for details. Standard entry is £18. There is a £2 discount if you are a Macc Harrier. Teams of three enter for £50. The goody bag looks good.

Good luck if anybody decides to do it!

Neil

Saturday 21st September - Bollin Valley

The Start

A good turnout for a session with 'Dangerous Dave' Jackson from Macc Harriers. 

Today's session was a lollipop run with a different twist, we lost the pop off the stick. We ran to the wooden bridge which forms the lollipop then turned back to do a circle route on Barrie's Hill with a slow and fast group running around for 5 mins I think.  Then we regrouped to see who had done the most circuits.  We also did some donkey runs in the fast and slow group too.   We finished the run passing under the railway and through the woods.

Great weather no rain and muddy under foot.

Cheryl

The briefing...

Hill Circuits

Sunday 15th September - Gawsworth 10k

The annual Gawsworth 10k (and 5k) will be held on Sunday 15th September 2013 at 10.30am. This is a multi-terrain race (road, canal towpath, footpaths) and is slightly longer than 10k!

There is a great village atmosphere to the event - go on, you know you want to!

Click HERE for details.

Neil

Saturday 14th September - Middlewood and hill reps

The start (or finish)

It was lovely to see a team of 12 runners turn out for the Saturday morning run.  The weather was kind to us too.  We completed a 5k route (some did more with loop backs), running from Clough Bank along the Middlewood Way into Kerridge and along Grimshaw Lane back to our start point. Some speed work was completed along the Midlewood Way, alternating fast and recovery runs between lamp posts.  Our other challenge was 'Neil's Hill', we completed 10, 20 and 30 second sprints up this hill.

Well done to you all, it was great to meet the new runners and catch up with the regular team too. 

Keep on running ............

Cheryl

Hill Reps - Jo & Leah

Team Run England

The hills ARE my friends

Su setting the pace

Running ... and walking?

The hills are alive .....

Running a race in new shoes

The image above is a lesson in what happens when you run a race in new shoes. The golden rule is NEVER run a race in new shoes or new clothes. Never eat or drink something that you have not eaten or drunk before. Talk to Karen if you don't believe me!

Monday 9th September - Middlewood circuit

The Monday evening run was a good turnout despite the poor weather that we were experiencing at around 5pm.  The rain clouds passed over and a lovely autumn sunset was seen at various points of our run.  We ran approximately 4 - 5 miles, with a split for those that wanted some extra mileage.  Our run started from the River Bollin Car Park heading out to Bollington via the Middlewood Way returning back via Manchester Road.

Thank you for joining me on the join and working as a team.

Safety for night runs

Most of you are aware now the dark nights are closing in and so we need to remember our safety.  Could I ask that you wear High Viz Clothing and if you have a head torch or a small torch that could be switched on a put in your jacket pocket or worn however you choose.  Macclesfield Harriers will soon have some High Viz Vests for us to use too which will be helpful.  I need to be able to see you and keep you safe during your run.

Keep on running ..........................

Cheryl

Saturday 7th September - Bollin Valley plus hill technique training

Barry (Bolt) Blyth

A fantastic turnout today with 20 people (and a number of new members as well) coming along to hear Barry Blyth (over 65 English Fell Champion) give hints and tips about uphill and downhill running. We had a steady run along the Bollin Valley to Shirley's Bridge and then back to the first 'training' hill.


Barry gave us some really useful hints about shoe choice, route choice and how to run up, and down, hills. We then ran back on the other side of the railway to a longer and steeper hill to practice 'fast descent'. Hopefully these ideas will help us to improve our confidence about running on tricky terrain safely!


After the session a few people went along to the Tytherington Club for a coffee.

Neil & Alison

Bollin Valley in the sun

Striding out ...

Jordan with Barry

Sally

Mel & Leah...

Sunshine...

Jane & Kate...

A full squad out today

Heather & Nina...

We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep

Jordan & Mel

Loop-Back

Preparing for hill-work

Sunshine!

Mid-run stretch

Barry explaining techniques

1st training hill

Advanced hill  ;-)