Weekend Round Up 17th 18th February
Whilst the race calendar is still picking up, that hasn’t stopped Tuffs from getting out and about – including a scheduled visit to Goodwood motor circuit for one of their cycle days. Whilst the weather deterred several, these monthly circuit rides continue on March 17th. Other activities included:-
RNLI STATION RUN
Many of us will be aware that Leah Simms continues to build her training for the London Marathon where she is fund raising for the RNLI, a cause close to her heart. Leah has kindly submitted the story of her latest adventure below. If anyone would like to help Leah towards her fund raising target; the link is here
“A friend of mine is also running London Marathon and fundraising for the RNLI. She is an ultra runner and back in July she set herself a personal challenge to run to every RNLI lifeboat station across the Southeast Coast. She started in Teddington and will end up at the RNLI HQ in Poole. This challenge will cover 38 stations and 350 miles”.
“As I am also raising monies for the RNLI, I joined her for for a small part of it on Sunday. We started at RNLI Newhaven and followed the coastal path. It was muddy and very slippery, the weather was not too kind either as we were quite exposed to the elements but carried on through the heavy rain and strong winds”.
“Our next stop was RNLI Brighton, a quick pit stop to meet some of the volunteers at the station, we didn’t get to meet the crew as were they were all still out doing their weekly training session. The rain had stopped and the skies were clearing”.
“We set off again and headed onto our final stop at RNLI Shoreham. We finally got the blue skies. We received a very warm welcome, some of the crew showed us around their dry kit room, explaining what all their different kit was used for. Next up we saw their D Class boat, the smaller of the two they have and the one that can be launched quicker. Finally we got to see their big lifeboat! This was amazing, the crew showed us around the whole boat explaining what everything was for, what responsibilities each crew member did and answered all of our questions. The boat was huge, all 3 levels of it, it was like the ‘Tardis’. You can see how much pride they have for their station and their boat but ultimately, the respect they have for one another”.
“All the lifeboat crew and shore helpers at Shoreham (apart from the full-time coxswain mechanic), are volunteers and are on call 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. Well, all I can say is that this is so far my favourite ‘training’ run, all 16 miles of it.”
Leah
REIGATE 10K
The setting of Gatton Park in Reigate saw the return of 5 & 10k races around the picturesque estate – a scenic course with some significant undulations around a Park created by Capability Brown. This year there was just one Tuff participant – Sue Neilson who, with Digby, entered the 10k cani-cross as Sue explains :-
“Having injured my knee training for the Majorca 312 last April, my running has been slightly limited over the last 10 months, but after 2 steroid injections and quite a lot of physio I am slowly getting back on it!”
“I’ve entered a couple of canicross events with my youngest lab Digby including the Darklink in December, however listening to the pouring rain on Sunday morning I would have gladly stayed in bed rather than get my kit on and head up to Reigate!”
“As it turned out the sun came out for an 830 start, and despite an extremely wet and slippy course, I had a great run with Digby who pulled me round for a finish time of 58 minutes, average pace 9.14 min per mile; so happy with that!! The course was stunning and the event well organised and marshalled – I would definitely recommend!
Sue
PARKRUN ROUND UP
We start the Round Up at Littlehampton parkrun where Adrian & Jenny Oliver had been out and about beforehand affixing notices around Mewsbrook Park and along the Prom to advertise the Frosty which also served to warn dog walkers that the event is just two weeks away!. Both Adrian and Jenny were recovering from colds as the rain came down and with the parkrun RD introducing Adrian a mix of his words and Team Tuff present handing out leaflets, potentially we have some more Frosty sign ups and equally encouraging some potential new members.
Onto the 5k run and once again Colin Simpson was in good form scoring a 72.5% age grading first Tuff across the line. Clive Harvey & Adrian Oliver were next across the line. Janet Shepherd was also flying the Tuff flag running well and then Sue Simpson on her 217th parkrun. Chris Evans completed the Tuff six. Kudos to James Brock who came along despite both his calf muscles causing him concern. He completed the first lap but then decided to be sensible and sit out the second lap. However Jimbo was not idle as he worked tirelessly with his bundle of leaflets encouraging people of the merits of Tuff Fitty.
Alistair Evans was running at Bognor parkrun and he was also accompanied by a bundle of Frosty flyers as well. Whilst Littlehampton is Al’s home parkrun, this was his 22nd time running at Bognor and he absolutely smashed his PB by 36 seconds, a time that had stood since the beginning of 2020 – congratulations.
There was a terrific result across at Itchen Valley Country parkrun where James Mapley crossed the line second overall in just 21:01. That might have been sufficient for most but as this is James we are talking about he ran there and back for a total of 8.5 miles.
The Tuff reach continued up at Maidenhead parkrun as Trevor Harvey took part. Trevor was up on the Sunday as well earning two volunteer credits at Junior parkrun.
Back down on the coast at Worthing parkrun , Steve Fryer’s long marathon training isn’t affecting his short speed as he was first Tuff home in a swift 20:02. Edward Lay was our next runner, Paul Howie was also running well. VIcki Hedger was next followed by Elaine Rousseau and Karly Martin. Sue Pinky completed our seven runners along the prom.
This still left space across at Lancing Green parkrun where a strong run from Sheila Bailey saw her gain a new PB shaving 18 seconds off her previous best. Kate Evans was also running on her 61st parkrun.
Well done to all twenty present.
