Another week of fantastic Croft running has come to an end. And, as per usual, we’re here to tell you all about it! So, grab your favourite blanket and cosy up on the sofa. It’s time delve into the world of Croft!
Tori is kicking us off this week with a little update on Monday night’s Junior Session:
“On Monday night the juniors worked hard on pace and recovery. After warming up they split into smaller groups to do a single file drill – they all worked brilliantly in their mini teams to set a pace that everyone could practice the combination of acceleration and recovery this exercise needs. This was followed by a set of six 10 second sprints. Then the main session was a pyramid style combination of running with effort and recovery – they did 400/300/200 laps. Just time for a cool down.”
Tuesday’s Senior training session was a little bit different this week, with our members taking to High Vinnalls for some Parkrun Pacer practice. This is because on Saturday 23rd May, we, as a running club, will be providing pacers for that Saturday’s Ludlow Parkrun. Thank you to Jamie for putting CARC forward for this, we cannot wait to don the infamous Sky Blue, albiet slightly different to ours, pacer bibs!
Back to training, and Thursday’s session took place at Wigmore School, where Kelly put our runners through some tempo intervals.
Now for some Wednesday mid-week races!
First up was the second race in the Hereford Couriers 5k Series at Hereford racecourse. We had Crofties returning after Race 1, joined by some fresh faces for this weeks proceedings. 3 of our runners took on Wave 1, with the remainder running in Wave 2. Sam J was first Croft runner across the line in 2nd place, setting a new 5k PB in 14:55. Eric wasn’t far behind in 4th, with a time of 15:40. Saffi ran a 19:02, finishing 1st FU14. Top 3 age catgeory finishes in Wave 2 went to Jo T, Liza Tom and Tori. Full CARC results:
Sam Juson – 14:55 – 2nd Overall & 1st SM – Wave 1
Eric Apperley – 15:40 – 4th Overall & 2nd SM – Wave 1
Saffi Reid – 19:02 – 3rd Female Overall & 1st FU14 – Wave 1
Jo Tilby – 21:33 – 3rd FV40 – Wave 2
Craig Price – 22:32 – Wave 2
Liza Austin – 23:42 – 2nd FV60 – Wave 2
Tom Powell – 24:28 – 3rd FV50 – Wave 2
Tori Dickinson – 26:07 – 3rd FV60 – Wave 2
Louise Phillips – 27:11 – Wave 2
Nick Paviour – 27:26 – Wave 2
Lisa Gray – 27:45 – Wave 2
Bronwyn Preece – 27:59 – Wave 2
Emma Jones – 32:48 – Wave 2
Dawn Hargadon – 33:24 – Wave 2
Christina La Monica – 34:57 – Wave 2
A bit further away from Hereford, in the gorgeous Elan Valley, Reachel and Gary were running in the new Rhayader 5k Downhill Race. Reachel said: “Bit wild/wet/windy but loved it. Shuttle bus to start or a 20mins walk but we took the bus, well organised.. Great place to run” Their results:
Reachel Kenny – 28:11 – 2nd in Age
Gary Gunner – 28:28 – 1st in Age
Saturday was another crazy Parkrun day with Croft members running at Parkrun events near and far. Staying closer to home, 15+ Crofties ran at Ludlow. Steve and Casper were our leading members this week, finishing 3rd and 4th overall. Their times were 21:19 and 22:32. Tom was our 1st female and 2nd female overall, recording a new PB of 26:04. Adrian and Peter H also set new PBs. Crofties receiving volunteering credits this week are Karen, Angus, Neil, Seb, Paul L, Sue J (F), Rob and Jamie. 5 Sky Blues took to the trails of Queenswood Country Park this week. Oliver M, running the route for the first time was first Croftie home. His time was 24:23. Our remaining runners all went on to set new PBs – Mike B: 25:00, Steph K: 26:46, Mike H: 31:53 and Christina: 38:38. Kath marshalled. Next up is Hereford with another 5 Croft runners taking part. Sam J finished in 2nd this week, just ahead of Mark L who set a new PB. Their times were 16:41 and 16:42. Joe L, Rob W and Sue W also took part. Touristing this week was Jo M at Ashton Court Parkrun in Bristol. Her time was 25:05. She said: “A gorgeous location albeit a tough little route out and back. 2.5km to the top of the hill & down again. 25.05 min first FV55. Now I’ve done the ‘A’ in the Parkrun alphabet challenge I may have to carry on.” Tori was also touristing, this time in Hampstead Heath. Her time was 29:00.
Anna B: “Ali and I ran the Runningmonk BC 50k Ultra today (Saturday). We ran at our usual ‘no panic’ pace and finished in pretty much bang on 9 hours – and we weren’t last, not even close. The route started and finished in Bishops Castle with a lovely undulating route taking in parts of the Offas Dyke, Kerry Ridgeway and Shropshire Way paths. Plenty of elevation and some really stunning views. The aid stations were well stocked and even though it was self navigated event, there were helpful signs in some places to keep us on track. It had a really fun and friendly feel and I’d fully recommend anyone to try it next year! Runningmonk events have no cut-offs and this one had a real range of people taking part.”
Up in North Wales, Sam M took part in UTS 100k in Snowdonia. He finished in 15:36:14, 13th overall and 4th in age.
Rounding out Saturday is Saffi who race at the BMC Race C in Somerset. She ran a seasons best of 02:25 in the 800m.
Onto Sunday, with lots of action taking place.
First up is Storm the Castle. Unfortunatley, finding results is like finding a needle in a haystack. They’re not available as of yet. Well done to the Crofties – Senior and Juniors, who took part. I cannot name you all because I’m currently unsure who took part and for some reason, the posts on our members page are showing as unavailable for me to see! Stay tuned to our social media because I’ll try and get results out on our public page at some point this week!
Over at the Suckley Quarter Marathon, Saffi took part in the 2.3k Junior Run which saw runners aged 12-15years race. She finished 1st overall, the only runner hitting a sub-8!
Liza headed up to Chester to run in the Chester Half Marathon. She said: “Chester Half 1.56 course not as flat and easy as I had hoped and arrived at hotel with one Hoka road race shoe and one off road. Luckily I took a spare training pair! Was 7/70 in FV60.”
Martin ran at Worcester Marathon on Sunday. He said: “My first worcester marathon 4hr 16 mins 39 seconds really chuffed I made it!”
That’s all we have for this week. If you have been doing something that you would like included in the weekly roundup please let Bronwyn, Huw, Sam H or Tori know before 6pm on a Sunday.
We are always on the lookout for race reports to go on the website too. They do not need to be huge, or even go into too much detail, but let us know where you went and how it went for you together with a couple of photos and make our website current and up to date.
Enjoy your week of running everyone!