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Bedford Race for Life 5K - Sunday, 20 July

As always, a very large crowd to support a wonderful charity run held annually in Bedford. Nice cool weather conditions. Someone ran as Scooby Doo, she must have been very warm at the end of the run.

Kally Akhtar 22.15

BUPA Great Captial 10K - Sunday, 20 July

Well, after all the previous 10k races had there problems (Silverstone, Whipsnade and Milton Keynes) I finally managed to get a PB for a 10km!

I took on board and actioned all the advise I had been given from the recent problems I've had and it paid off. I have to say, the weather done its bit as well, plus it was a flat course which helped! But focusing on the run, I managed to get a more comfortable start from the beginning (not the usual "leg it" mode) and this time managed to get to 5km in just over 20mins, but I knew I had to keep up the speed if I wanted to get a good result, its always easier said than done though.

From 5k onwards I decided not to look at my watch, the last thing I wanted was a panic if it wasn't good. I knew in my head I was running well, so If this wasn't a good time, then I've got a lot of work to do for the future.

Usually after hitting 6 to 7km, the "Wall" sets in and I slow up, this time, I managed to continue and at 8km gave it that little bit extra, 9k came and then I soon saw myself hitting the 900 metres to go, 600 metres to go etc. I could see the finishing line, I then blanked the race, fixed my mind on the race track at Redbourne and basically pushed it that little bit more, where the energy came from I don't know, I knew that if my time was bad, I would say "you could have pushed it a little bit more at the end" so instead I just went for it.

I eventually passed the finishing line, stopped my watch and realised I had achieved my goal! I was absolutely knackered, worn out and felt awful, but I was soooooo happy to get this PB.

Leigh Pilgrim: 41 min, 32 sec, PB

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 17 July

Nice to see a few more Flyers taking to two wheels, there are still four more evenings left before the end of the series. Insurance is covered so if anyone else would like to come and join the fun - fruit cake last night was excellent - then come and join us!

More of Mad max:-  Couple of big pb mentions for Unners, Hayton and Juggler (yeah 3 so I cannot count, big deal, planet sized brain for spotting that one), congrats.  Otherwise a spattering of fast and not so fast times on a strangely windy but neutral evening.  Cool and humid some found it good others just plain evil.  A strange one.  Bath, food, laptop sorting, bed, sleep, dreams, morning and happiness regained (as if).  Max, well gone.

Stevenage Race for Life 5K - Sunday, 13 July

My daughter Ashleigh-Louise and I ran the 5K race for life at Stevenage on Sunday 13th July, she ran it in 26 mins I did it in 37 mins, I astounded myself!!!. I would just like to say a big thank you to Annie for all her advice in the nice and easies and Stephen for all his advice with my shin splints, In fact a big thank you to all members for their support and encouragement.

Jacqueline North

The Long Swim 3.9K Box End, Bedford -  13th July 2008

I had no intention of doing this race until an hour before the race start,but only went to spectate and support 2 mates, but as it was a perfect beautiful morning with ideal race conditions, i could not resist having a go, luckily i had my B.T.F race licence on me and wet in the van.

I was going to use the race as training session as i missed my long session on saturday due to work commitments.

This race was always going to be tough not only for the distance but it was a pure swimmers race and attracted some serious swimmers from far and wide.

The course was a simple 3 laps with large markers at every turn, the secret as always on endurance events is pacing which i settled into quite quickly, the only other point to focus on is keep sighting the markers as it is very easy to zig zag thus increasing your distance, not easy when in a large lake with little visual references unlike lanes in a pool.

I exited the lake at the finish in a time of 1.07.13 and 29th overall pleased with the mornings workout.

This was my fist visit to this venue and i must say i was rather impressed with the lake and the facilities with lots of water sports and a posh restaurant and bar etc on offer, might pop along for watersking.

Martin Beare

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 10 July

More of Mad max:  -  10 July 2008 of your uncommonly pointless existence on this silly oblate spheroid (have I used that before, do I care, can you read)?

Later than usual, smellier than ever, dirtier than last time and about as useless as a stats guru can be amongst innumerate filth.

Another excellent turnout (54) on a cool windy evening that was fairly neutral, good out, evil back (well that's my excuse).

As so often the case need all things horizontal, but I'll make do with sleep.  Night and all that stuff.  Gone.

Etape du Tour - 6th July 2008

This has been something of a thorn in my side for the last two years. Each year the Tour de France chooses a stage (etape) to open to the public. This year the stage is from Pau to Hautecam - it will be stage 10 on Monday 14th July. My last two attempts at the Etape du Tour have both ended with being picked up by the broom wagon (too slow!).

This years stage has been described as easier but still formidable!

It is 105 miles long and consisted of two small (category 3) climbs, two out of category climbs and just over 10 hours to do it! So after 60 miles and a visit to Lourdes we arrive at the Col de Tourmalet, a beast of a mountain - 2115m meters high - the highest Col in the Pyrenees. The climb was 17.2k long with an average gradient of 7.4% - steep and long! Also shrouded in cloud so cold, wet and windy - a very bleak place to be.

There was then the descent from 2115m down to 465m - over 5000ft downhill on closed roads over 20 miles - excellent! However we were brought back down to earth with the mountain top finish and another 14k slog up a 7+% climb to the ski station at Hautacam. This climb unlike the last climb seemed to play with you, changing gradient so you couldn¹t get a good rhythm. The sign that said 10% for the next kilometer was a real killer, it also contained one of the steepest sections at over 13%!

This event would have been ideal if it wasn¹t raining for the first hour or so, that the cloud cover didn¹t started at 500m, that you could see the outstanding views and if I had taken my overshoes! On the plus side it was much better than the 30+ degrees that met us at registration.

Near to 8000 riders set out from Pau to conquer this ride and as usual around 2000 didn¹t make it and for once it wasn¹t me! Stuart Brown and Mike Petty made up the team of three riders ably helped and assisted by Julie Brown and Karen Hollingsworth who drove us everywhere and gave us great support, as well as getting chatted up by various Frenchman!

Felt to a degree as if this has been put to be bed now, had ridden every hill and mountain, enjoyed the challenge, thrilled to the long descent weaving down the mountain side and had suffered both physically and mentally on the climbs. Very, very pleased to have finished but nowhere near the elation at having finished the Etape de Legende or climbing Mont Ventoux.

Not sure what¹s next but forever there will be a tingle down my spine of cresting a Col, the vista opening up before you, the bike tipping forward, the speed increasing, your legs resting as your reach for the drops and cover your brakes, eyes and brain calculating your velocity and position as you negotiate the first of many hairpins!

Perspective - winner did it in 5.38 and next weeks Tour will probably do it even quicker!

Princes Risborough 10K - Sunday 6th July

Another Sunday, another race!! "Fresh" from the Humber half marathon and Steve James's Tuesday training "jog" but in slightly adverse conditions - heavy showers and a bit of a breeze - I managed a new personal worst [at least whilst I've been a Flyer]. However, I really quite enjoyed this pleasant, rural and undulating course which started and finished in semi-picturesque Risborough market square. Around 350 

runners braved the elements and dodged the puddles, cheered on by the amazingly numerous crowds and lots of marshals. Much more rain and we'd have been swimming!!!

Jim Dodds 44.13

Cowman Half Ironman, Emberton Park - Sunday 6 July

Well it was 2 weeks ago i raced in the Dambuster Triathlon and it rained the whole race, so i was hoping for a dry day for this tough race, but oh no the height of British summer did its usual thing and rained most of the day (i have cleaned that bit up)

The first of 4 wave starts gathered on the bank ready for the 7.00am start, i nervously made my final adjustments to my goggles and wet suit and took the opportunity to shake the hands of my team mates from Boxfit Tri and Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers and wish them all good luck. Phill Holland was in a relay team for Only Multisport doing the run leg.

Pete Bird, Ricky Jennings, Stephen Warne from AFF like me taking on the whole distance.

I decided on a relaxed start on the swim and let the mayhem fight it out, once i found clear water i turned my twin turbos on and soon found myself picking off the swimmers one by one, i maintained a good race pace with a good split time.

Into transition 1 and onto the bike for the 92k 3 lap course. The conditions wet and windy, the weather was not much better ha ha. I found myself in a pack that was being monitored by a B.T.F referee on a motor bike as there was a lot of drafting going on (not allowed) i decided to push on and not get involved, i was pleased with my progress and felt good and strong despite head winds and loosing my drinks holder and bottles off the bike.

Coming back into transition my bike split was 3.01.50 some 13 minutes ahead of my coach and Boxfit team mate, now it was on to the half Marathon, a 4 lap semi off road course.

On my 2nd lap i was passed by young Phill, he was like a gazelle on heat and words of encouragement was exchanged.

I was delighted to hold my coach Dave off until the last lap and with 5k to go he passed me. I Finished 3 minutes behind him with an overall time of 5.28.49 At the start i could have only dreamed of a 5.30.00 finish so well chuffed to get what i did.

This was a real hard race as the name suggests but it was made easier with the support from the likes of Ady Wadsworth, the Boxfit possie, Niki Holland and the hundreds of supporters that lined the route.

The boys Pete Bird, Ricky Jennings, and Stephen Warne all finished and with respectable times, well done lads.

Phil Holland and his relay team not only came 1st but over half an hour ahead of the nearest rival. (nice one son)

Mark Booth the Event organiser from Big Cow Events yet again staged an excellent event which attracted competitors from across the country.

So its head down for me and some hard training before next months big one The London Triathlon.

Martin Beare

Ampthill Gala Day – Sunday, 6th July

On a drizzly and wet day in July we battled against the elements and the ice cream vendors, put up our gazebo and marked out our territory for the greatest test of athletic ability Ampthill has ever seen.

It was great to see that the local community were not dispirited by the torrential rain and a procession of children, adults, dalmations, pirates, bands and various other creatures came straight by us at approx 1pm giving us maximum exposure and very good publicity for the club.

A bleep test was set up over a 20 metre track whereby the participant does shuttle runs from one end to the next whilst aiming to meet the turning point within the beeps. A total of 20 levels were available and boys and girls of all ages gave their best to compete in their category, despite the poor weather conditions we had 35 entrants (even one in wellies) all receiving encouragement, a sense of achievement, free Gatorade and sweets of their choice.

The overall winners which each received a £5.00 kick off voucher were as follows;

Joshia Herbert Male aged 13 Level 8,  Ethan Clarke Male aged 9 Level 8,  Ernie Mayne Senior Male Level 7 & Clare Wilkie Female aged 11 Level 5

Great thanks goes to: Paul Lydon (chief megaphone operator, singer, bleeper, stall erector etc; etc;), Robbie Craig (chief track tester, checker, motivator, stall erector etc; etc;), Martin Beare (logistics and warehouse manager), Steve Hartley (for buying the beers as well as other very important duties), Helen & Jim Dodds (IT support, refreshment relief and disassembling the stand), Stuart & Julie Brown (for lending of vital equipment) & George Arbuckle (refreshments)

I hope I haven’t missed anyone and huge heartfelt thanks guys for contributing to an overall successful day which will hopefully raise awareness of the club in the community, encourage activity within the youth of today and maybe even help create the next Paula Radcliffe of Ampthill & Flitwick.

Happy 20th Anniversary to Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers, be sure not to miss the final events of the year;

Rebecca Fleckney

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 3 July

A dry, warm evening which should bring out some quick times. There¹s rain in the air and some breeze. Consistency here but would to get a bit faster, maybe next week? Stuart bags another PB - obviously on a roll!

A new arrival ...They come like buses

My best result of the year:  Ruth and I had a beautiful baby daughter in the early hours of yesterday morning (6th). 8ld 6oz. Both are very well. Name TBC.  

Cheers, Rich Pillinger

Amy, Nobby & Christian Farr are pleased to welcome Lily May who was born at Bedford hospital on 1 July at 00:04.  Lily weighs in at 7lb - all are doing well.

Congratulations from us all!

Humber Half Marathon - Sunday 29th June

Although disappointingly missing out on the Greensands Relay through visiting friends in Hull, a form of salvation appeared in the shape of the Humber Half marathon. A reasonably large field of just under 1500 runners - including lots of fancy dressers and a group [or is it platoon or something?] of Army Cadets who route-marched around in full gear and packs - set out on an unexpectedly bright and sunny morning across the Humber Bridge, a circuit around Barton and back across the bridge to the finish. The views from the bridge were quite amazing and as it's around 2.25k across you get plenty to opportunity to have a look around before being brought back to reality by the first climb up into Barton. Encouraging crowds and Marshals were in plentiful supply as we swept downhill again through the town and underneath the bridge and then into an extremely long climb back up at 9 miles to access the main road and over the Humber again. I guess the weather made this as it would have been unpleasant going across the bridge in any kind of wind/rain, but this was an excellent race experience, Helen even said that she and our friends enjoyed watching it too!!

Jim Dodds 1.40.09

Greensand Ridge Relay - Saturday, 28 June The main problem with a group of fogies is that memory gets to be a bit of a problem as the years move on. So Andy forgot that it was a bad idea to do a last recce of his part of the route in the gloom and rain on Thursday and turned his ankle (oops, sorry – Andy) . We now had no runner for the 8-mile leg of the relay and no time for anyone else to learn the route. Lots of frantic calling round on Friday and we ended up with two options – Robbie would run a leg for Dave’s team and then switch teams and run the third leg for us otherwise we’d shuffle our pack and Mike Petty would switch from the shortest (leg 2) to the longest (leg 3) and Keith Morgan would run leg 1 as planned and then carry on and run leg 2 as well. I just couldn’t quite feel sure that Robbie would be in the right place at the right time, so decided to take up Keith’s offer as a more straightforward option. Unfortunately he had also forgotten that running the Luton 5-miler the night before was going to leave him pretty knackered on Saturday. So, all a bit fraught – and we hadn’t even started the race yet! Keith was always going to struggle with over nine miles to complete after a 5-miler the night before. However, he hit his main objective – he finished the first leg in front of Ady. A fair bit of pre-race needle had gone into that competition. It seems that some duff navigation cost Ady that particular battle (I’m going to gloss over the details of relative pace and so on and Keith can have his moment of glory). Keith was pretty much running on empty for the next leg, so by the time he handed over to Mike Petty the team were a good way off the handicap times but fair play to Keith, he kept the team in the event with his efforts. Despite not running the route apart from on Saturday morning runs Mike did a sterling job to keep on track and pull a minute back on the time. Jeremy Lewis took the leg that runs through Ampthill and got a bit lost, in Ampthill Park! He wasn’t feeling great and didn’t do as well as he’d hoped for (just one of those days when it doesn’t ‘click’) so on to Phil Clarke for leg 5. Phil was mistakenly told that Jeremy Lewis has overtaken some other flyers and should have been at the changeover point already, but it was just a case of accumulating time behind schedule. It was tempting to assume some calamity and just set off, fortunately he didn’t get too frustrated and waited until Jeremy showed up and then he was off. He pulled back a couple of minutes over his handicap time. Meanwhile at the last changeover point I was getting wound up by all and sundry and struggling to see the funny side. However, once I was off the tension went and I managed a moral-boosting overtake of another team as well as the 3 Flyers solo lads on the way to the finish. A beer and a burger were very welcome at the pub next to the finish. This was my first time doing this event and I’d really recommend it. If you haven’t tried it then get a group together for next year and give it a go. Jeremy B.

As predicted, GRW lived up to expectations. Great atmosphere, nice weather, good organisation and a nice beer/bar-b-cue at the end. Richard Jones, George Arbuckle and myself decided to have a go at the whole distance with one other madman - I mean dedicated ultra runner - also doing so. We knew at the start our rival was game for a race as he asked us if we had trained for it and what were our marathon times! We told him we hadnt and didn't know it was a little under 34 miles or so, just to annoy him. As he sped off at 7 min miling, he fell into our trap. We had decided to let him win before we had even started and thought he could feel the pain and we would enjoy it! I did for the first 27 miles or so. It was a little strange setting off at the start with the 7 or so spectators cheering on our rival, whom we kept pace with for about 10 or 12 metres. The first leg takes you out of Leighton Buzzard along the canal and up into Stockgrove Park and leg two into Woburn, near to Tom Pearsall place. Its hard to get lost on those legs, although our esteemed chairman did his best! Perhaps the section should be named Wadsworth's woe next year? Mike Petty was there early on looking to steal a march on his rivals. We were well shaded for a long way through the woods and thanks to the sterling efforts of Just Jones, had water stops all along the way - along with rice pudding (twice), peaches(once) bananas(lost count) and mars bars(ditto). We knew we would be caught, which we were for the first time at the handover at the end of leg three. Still, nice to see Dave Olney (and another much prettier Flyer whose name I dont know- sorry Dave ) at that point with welcome words of encouragement and subsequently all the other flyers at the other handovers. That was the longest leg and it was good to do it early on. The fourth leg took us through the familiar territory of Ampthill Park, across to Maulden Woods and up to Deadmans Hill. There were quite a few people at that point, including a worried Phil Clarke who thought he might not be able to catch us. He didn't! The smell of the bacon butties form the fast food wagon almost made me stop.Up through Clophill and past Pillinger corner - the only place where it really is impossible to get lost (eh Richard) - took you across an open field to the last handover point and then homeward bound for Northill. Saw Sedgers on the way, in the distance with a cup of water. When we got there, he wouldn't give us any and said he was saving it for someone who was making an effort!! The last leg was for me quite hard, with Just Jones and Greensands George doing their best to take my mind off things. Lads, at 32 miles I aint going to talk to Oprah Winfrey, let alone you two. And the finish. Boy was it good to get there. Bit surprised to beat two teams, which was an unexpected bonus. Star flyer of the day? Robbie Craig, who walked around from the pub with a tray of beer and crisps, which meant I didn't have to move more than 10 feet from the end for at least twenty mins. When we did, the crowd outside the pub was jovial and good natured. Very nice touch for Robbie to organise medals for the Flyers at the end, although personally I think my blister deserved one all of its own. This really is a good, fun relay event that attracts all abilities. The Flyers had by far the biggest presence and I hope next year there are even more. It certainly helped us to see so many friendly faces and the mickey taking is all part of the fun. Only another 12 months to go Ady. As for times, the 3 Amigos did it in 6 hours 14 mins. We would have been half hour quicker, if it wasn't for the three course meal stops. Next stop, London to Brighton in October. Only 56 miles ......... Oh dear , got to go. Need to start training for that one right away!! Pablo the Taff Owen

Extract from Luton AC Report 28th June

Middle Distance athlete Tim Harris had a busy afternoon. He began with a runaway victory in his main event, the 800m, in 1m 56.8s. Tim then ran a Personal Best 51.2s in the 400m, and filled in the B string 200m, finishing 3rd in 24.5s. He showed his versatility in running a leg in the 4 x 100m and had the fastest leg of the 4 x 400m relay.

Peter Benedickter junior returned to competition following sickness to get 2nd place in the B string 1500m, with 4m 21.0s. Peter will be running 3000m the English Schools Championships at Gateshead on the 11th and 12th of July. Dad Peter ran a Seasons Best 59.3s in the 400m Hurdles. Peter senior then ran the final leg of the 4 x 400m relay, despite an ongoing injury to his leg, which restricts his training. The Benedickter family have struggled all week, suffering from the E-Coli outbreak, recently given a lot of media coverage.

Gerry Gough Acting Southern Men's League Manager. 29/06/2008

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 26 June

A wonderful day until we arrive at the club house, when a faint drizzle appears - great start!

Not helped by finding a puncture when taking the bike out of the garage!

Also found a piece of sharp stone embedded in the front tyre which left a rather large hole when taken out - new tyres needed!

By 7.17 (our start time) the drizzle had moved onto a spotty type of rain driven by the ever increasing wind! This wasn¹t going to be a good night.

However Karen was obviously feeling keen after walking her leg of the Greensands Ridge (and beyond) and my legs were positively eager after a 85 mile bike ride the day before which seemed to consist of battling into a headwind most of the time!

Anyway we had a good start and rode the first half quite quick and then getting the benefit of the wind as we turned west. Coming off the last hill the rain decided to really pick up just as we came across several other racers. We overtook 16 (our minute man) then 15 and 7 and 5! We were flying and looking good for a pb, however we were brought down to earth when number

23 came past (he started 6 minutes behind us and we still had two or three miles to go!

We made the best time we could as we turned into the head wind at Cople and finished just 3 seconds down - a good ride for the conditions though.

Thoroughly thrashed by the winner coming in 7 minutes ahead!

AXLR8 - Wellington College Triathlon - Sunday, 22 June

After 5 years away form the Triathlon scene 10kg heavier and now a vet I joined the Flyers. I have been participating in the sessions since Easter and found the improvement in my fitness very encouraging. I am still carrying too many kilos but have gone from staggering around the Flitwick 10k in just under 43 minutes to winning my first Triathlon in the Vet Category and coming 5th overall. 

I was also fortunate enough to be in the winning team for the Relay event at the weekend – a really enjoyable event.  A big thanks to the club for the organised sessions and getting me motivated again.

Sprint Triathlon 3, Emberton Sprint Distance (6-Jul) - 750m / 20km / 5km 1:14:02

Steve Morales

The DAMBUSTER Triathlon 2008, Rutland Water - Saturday, 21st June

The Dambuster Triathlon is commonly regarded as one of the best but one of the toughest Triathlons in the calender with a hilly and technical bike course to nagotiate, and also famous for its "Rutland Ripple" a set of 3 hills.

The Dambuster Triathlon is set to the backdrop of Britain,s largest man made lake and the beauty and tranquility of the Rutland countryside, This tough event sees the race cut a swathe through the serenity of Rutland.

Base camp, race HQ, transition 1&2 and race start and finsh focussed around Anglian Waters Whitwell site.

Myself my coach and 1 other member of my Tri club decided to go up the day before the race due to the location and the 5.00 am Transition set up on race day, thus meaning not being able to do the job of lead bike on the AFF Marston Vale 5K (thanks Ricky Jennings for doing the job for me)

At 7.00 am 4 sepatate wave starts formed, making 500 competitors in total.

The race kicked off with a 1,500 meter lake swim with markers and marshalls in boats leading the way towards the Dam on an out and back course.

I paced my self well on the swim and tried to hold back and save some for the bike and run to come. i was pleased with my slit swim time of 28.38 chip timed, then running to transition 1 while taking off a wet suite (not easy) also trying to identify your bike amongst 500 other bikes (not easy) then on with bike shoes, numberbelt, helmet and glasses (timed) exit transition and on to the 42k bike course,

I was so angry and frustrated to find that my tinkering with my gear set the night before had not done me any favours (the old adage if ant broke dont fix it, ringing in my eares) my chain came of 3 times in the early stages and wipped away my good start. I pushed hard in the driving heavy rain and was pleased with the remainder of the bike. 1.22.37

Leaving the bike back at T2 it was then on to the 10k run which i was looking forward to as my aim was to pick up some places, but as i soon found out my lower back went into spasm which lasted the whole 10k, i was forced to stop 6 times in agony, but i made it to the finish with a run split of 44.58

Dispite my problems i enjoyed the event and as ever the organisers (Pace Setter Events) did a brill job in staging this famous UK ranking race, and the hundreds of spectators made for a great atmosphere.

As ever my coach acquitted himself well and made it look like a walk in the park and i suppose it was after his recent ironman in Lanzarote, My other team mate paul did very well, not only was it his fist olympic distance but it was his fist ever triathlon.

We will all return next year eger to improve our times and close sporting rivalry.

Martin Beare:  1,500 Open swim 28.38,  24k Bike 1.22.37,  10K Run 44.58,  Total chip time including transitions 2.38.50

Marston Forest 5K - Friday, 20 June

As the Deputy, Assistant, Executive, DogsB to our exalted Race Director Ms Val von Arx, it was both an illuminating and rewarding experience to be at the centre of arrangements for this year’s Marston Forest 5k. Like many a Flyer I have been involved in many races both as a competitor, and as a helper so to be at the ‘centre’ of arrangements was quite an experience.

The most rewarding element of the whole process was the way in which so many Flyers gave so willingly of their time, their knowledge and their experience which resulted in this years Marston 5k being I am advised the most successful yet.

With the race entries closed a couple of days before the event, it was good to know so many people had viewed this race as being one worth running in, especially as the tracks and the paths (well most of them) around Marston had been radically improved since last year. As a result course records being set in both the Mens and Ladies races was testimony to the great nature of the course itself and the preparation that went into making it so.

Val and her team are to be complimented in the professional way the race was conducted. I received several plaudits from competitors post race to say what a great evening it had been.

So where should such plaudits be directed? First and foremost to Val especially as this was her first bash at being Race Director. The Chief Marshal Ann de Winter superbly marshalled her respective teams including the Start team under the direction of Chris Jennart, the Finish Team ably marshalled by Tony Cole, Race Secretary Rebecca Fleckney, Race HQ Director Robbie Craig, and not forgetting Gandalf himself Mr Phil Bierton who worked his usual magic in producing the results, and earlier in the week measuring out the course (a special note of commendation to Alex Maldar the results runner, who by the end of the evening looked as if he had run the race five times).

Of course none of this would have been possible without the efforts expended in constructing the course. On a day when rain seemed to be an ever present possibility the combined resources and physical effort supplied by many people went a long way to making this such a successful event This ranged from Mr Stuart Brown and the loan of his Magic Van, (I can feel a new career as a White Van Man approaching), the tools and storage facilities he also provided, Club Chairman Mr Stephen Hartley and former Dear Leader Mr Ady Wadsworth (who has now made it up with Chief Ranger Alexis), Gandalf Bierton, Mr Sedgley and Nicki Cronin who with club hammer, big boy strimmer and reams of blue, red/white tape and poles made the course the magical place it became. For Val and I who looked, listened and learned it was a formative experience.

A special vote of thanks must go to the Marston Forest authorities for their very kind permission in allowing us to stage this event on such a magnificent site. We must pay special regard our new best friend Alexis Pym the Marston Forest Chief Ranger, who healthily and safely co-ordinated the car parking, catering and much of the signage used during the event.

So from the time that Val and I first arrived at the site at 1000 on the day of the race to the time we left at 2200 (after the best bottle of Magners I have ever tasted), the whole day was an illuminating, and rewarding experience.

Well done Flyers. You did us proud.

Goldi

Well what a race, I had been training on this course for weeks and each time I was running at 21mins (which was last years time), no matter what I did, I could not get under 21mins, my aim was to get under 20 mins on the day, which at the time, was not looking good. I kept telling myself this is a 5k run not 10K.

The day itself, the weather was great, arrived nice and early and met up with one of the coaches, I mentioned that I was there early to warm up and he basically gave me clear instructions on what to do. I went along to one of the pathways and warmed up for around 30 mins, maybe more. I got to the start point and for the first time, no nerves and no adrenaline, that was not good, that's what usually makes me go like the clappers.

As soon as I heard "3, 2, 1", the adrenaline suddenly "kicked in" and found myself literally launched in the air, I got a great start, had to really push it at the beginning. I hit the first Km at 3.50min and knew if I continued I could do it, easier said than done though!

I kept up with the speed and realised I was doing really well, and then it happened, I hit 3km and felt rubbish, my legs were tired and I was slowing up. After a bit of positive thought (get your butt in gear!) I just gave it everything I had. I got to 4km and realised that I was about to shock myself by knowing that staying at this speed, I was going to hit the 19mins marker. The final few hundred metres I could see the clock and knew amazingly I had achieved my goal. I was evening more pleased to hear the coaches cheering everyone on at the finish.

Once again, I finished a race "high as a kite", shocked that I had done my aim, and also, so very, very pleased with myself

Leigh Pilgrim

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 19 June

The event through the words of Max O'Driscoll:

Evening receivers of wisdom, expiaters of guilt and other less principled immoral standard bearers.  I bring...well...something, results probably.

Bloody windy, fractionally unhelpful on the way out and almost neutral on way back, railway bridge to Bunny Lane, diabolical. Temperature up on last week which was pleasant but the gusting slapped any chance of really good times for the skinny types amongst us.

The fast boys went fast, the up and comings shaved a few more seconds off their pbs.  The rest of us just about did what we usually did.  Enough. I smell therefore I reek, hence bathwards is my preferred destination plus some warm water for a change.

That's it for tonight... until we meet again for another gripping chapter of failure nailed I bid you adieu.  Max, leaving building and often found hunting down wild Ginger Beer in the forests of Tesco.

Kirton 5 Mile (Suffolk) - Friday, 13 June

Did this on the last day of our hols in Suffolk (keen eh?). It was very pretty, very flat, apart from 1 hill (as you would expect in Suffolk) and very pleasant. I didn't go all out as I reasoned I was on holiday so had a right to be nice to myself but still got a good time (for me) - 42.45 which is a P.B. I think.  [I have you down for 41:52 at Cranfield in 2006  PhilB]

Laura Johnston

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 12 June

Another night of fast pedaling!

Five flyers took to the roads of North Bedfordshire on a slightly windy, slightly cool evening. Julie Brown was first flyer away at number 5 on her first try, followed by Steve, Stuart and Karen & I on the tandem. Paula James and four of our children giving support around the course and at the finish.

Karen & I were last after I had pushed everyone off (as in up the road as opposed to into the hedge!) whilst Karen was taking finish numbers.

Steve set a new pb after complaining of not feeling too good! Surprisingly Karen and I were only 11 seconds off a pb, I say surprisingly as Karen had only had an operation two weeks ago and was only hanging on with one arm with the handlebars upside down. She did say she was pedaling fast to get it over with quicker (I think she runs that way too!).

Rick

Bedford Sprint Triathlon race 2 - Sunday 8th June

This local sprint triathlon was race 2 of a 3 race series staged by Galeforce events, the day started with great sunshine from dawn and i arrived at 6.00am in good time to have the pick of the bunch in transition, my aim was to use the race as a training session so did not put much pressure on myself,

It was good to see young Ampthill & Flitwick Flyer Leigh Pilgrim have ago at his first triathlon which he has wanted to do for some time.

I was hoping for an uninterrupted trouble free race as one does, The swim was average followed by a slick transition then heading out of bedford the only set of traffic lights turnrd red with a B,T,A referee viewing, (going through a red is instant disqualification) i must have lost 2 mims in total including stopping and getting back up to race speed. at this point i shouted some loud words and it was not oh dam then realised that those words alone could have got me disqualified. I tried to make up time but it was always going to hurt my result.

However i came in 37th overall and 3rd in class so must not grumble. I was so pleased for young flyer leigh who completed his first triathlon in 138th overall and with a massive smile which was worth the visit itself well done mate. there was a 3rd flyer stephen something but had trouble identifying his result.

The James family played there part in the day too as steve, paula and even the kids where marshalling and shouting words of encouragement as we did the 3 lap 5k run around bedford park.

All done and dusted and sun bathing in the garden at 11.00 am, good job done.

Martin Beare

After a number of "do I don’t I" I decided that this is what I have been training for, for the last 3/4 years. I had everything planned to the last detail, even had a foot pump for my tires incase they deflated!

The actual race itself was to me the highlight of my athletics career, ever since I started swimming, then seeing Tim Don race in the London triathlon, "That’s what I want to do". At that point, I couldn’t run or bike, I was only good at the swim section, great start!! However after a lot of help from my Dad (got a dodgy bike), then got into running, I found myself getting closer to that goal.

The day itself, well after thinking of all the things that could have gone wrong, it all went as clockwork, the swim part was outstanding and the bike was funny, after 3km I was out of breath and loads of people overtaking! But I did not care, for me I just wanted to complete the race.

I kept going and eventually made it back to the pool, got to the transition area, quick change, then onto the 5km run, I felt brilliant, I just basically jogged it round (Don’t tell the boss!)

I looked at my watch for the final time to see an excellent running time!

Thoroughly enjoyable, recommend it to anyone interested in triathlons..........if I can do it, anyone can!!

I would like to thank Martin Beare (who raced as well!) and also Steve James for their support

Leigh Pilgrim

Mont Ventoux - Saturday, 7 June

This was to be another challenge that Karen & I were to attempt on our tandem. Life unfortunately through itself in the way and Karen wasn¹t able to join me. So with hotels, channel crossings and event booked just Stuart and I flew the flag.

Mont Ventoux is a large mountain that juts out from the Alps into Provence. It is big - 1912 meters tall. We arrived the day before and drove up. This was to get a feel for the gradient, get some idea of landmarks and to note the 15 degree temperature drop (5 degrees at the summit) and that the last four miles was inside a cloud with visibility down to twenty feet!

So nervously we lined up on Saturday 7th June in the market square at Beaumes de Venise with a lot of very confident looking French riders and the odd splattering of English. Three different distances where on offer and we had gone for the middle one - 102 kilometers.

The initial ride of 17k and a climb of 190 meters found us at Bedoin, the official start of the climb, a 21.4 kilometer climb of 1609 meters. In other words mostly bottom gear for the next two and a bit hours!

A wonderful climb, very tough and very surreal once we hit the cloud. The biggest problem was yet to come! The descent - a half marathon down hill! We were so cold on the descent, partly the temperature, partly being wet inside the clouds, partly not generating any heat as we descended and also a 90k wind!!

Several cyclists had stopped and were running up and down to warm themselves! We both suffered from shivering so bad that the bikes started wobbling. Fingers so cold that they became numb and braking was very difficult.

Once down we still had another 40k to go to the finish over some fairly lumpy terrain followed by a 10k downhill sweeping finish - guaranteed a smiling finish!

Excellent, excellent organisation. Chipped timed, motorbike outriders, ambulances, very well marshaled, traffic stopped at junctions, excellent feed stops, goody bag including bottle of wine, three course pasta meal and wine at finish - cost 32 Euro¹s!

A truly memorable event and one that WILL be repeated on the tandem.

Stuart (Gold Standard) - 5 hours 14 minutes

Rick (Silver Standard) - 5 hours 21 minutes (must let go of the brakes!)

Dorney Dash 10K - Saturday, 7 June

Conditions were pretty good for this circuit around the 2012 Olympic rowing lake near Windsor. Bright sunshine combined with a light breeze and a virtually flat course greeted the 880 runners for the 25th running of the "Dash".

Despite the breeze the leaders set quite a fast early pace and I quickly lost sight of Richard Wilson who was looking to improve his pb [yet again]. The first circuit of the lake was reasonably uneventful but things became slightly tougher on lap 2 going back into the breeze. When I got to 6.5k I was able to see how the leaders were doing - they were coming back the other way at 8.5k, the winner managing a fantastic time of 31.55. Didn't see Richard again until the end, but needless to say he'd produced another great performance to knock around 30 seconds of his previous best. I came in a little bit later....... I noticed from the results that Jason Goodman [Bedford Harriers], who I believe runs with AFF on Tuesday/Thursday came in just behind Richard.

Jim

Teide Challenge ...

This is just a quick note to inform you all that I was able to successfully complete the first challenge of three. The 50 kilometre cycle ride from the costal area of Puerto Santiago to the cable car at 2200 metres located in the crater of mount Teide (the highest point in Spain navigable by road) took just over 4 hours. Conditions were favourable and cool for the first 2 hours, after punching through the cloud line at 1000 metres the sun soon began blistering down but did not hindered the successful completion of the challenge.

Thanks to Mike Broadwith my companion for the entire assent and his patience – as a an extremely strong cyclist the temptation to fly on ahead must have been enormous - and to my good friend and former colleague Sean Coffey who demonstrated real determination to complete the 3 hour section from Chio to the summit on the back of very limited training. Thanks to my parents that provided the support vehicle, video footage and most importantly encouragement. And finally thanks to all those that have collaborated with this event and a reminder that this is just one of three.

We are still looking to increase the number of sponsors so please encourage any contacts that you may have to become involved. I have attached a fund raising update for perusal and link to our website www.watfordgrammarschoolforgirls.org.uk.

Stephen Morales

Whipsnade 10K - Sunday, 1 June

The Club Championships and an excellent turn out of Club Runners (but where was the Beare!). This 3 lap course around the grounds of Whipsnade Zoo, I felt was a good choice. A reasonably fast course and excellent for spectators with the added bonus of being able to stay in the zoo afterwards. It's strange, but when your concentrating on your running you don't seem to notice the animals/birds in the zoo - although I do remember some squawking flamingos around the 4K point! My first 2K was slightly quicker than I anticipated (8.15) but I felt reasonably good at that stage. Through 3K (12.34) and I passed Jeremy Bell only for him to re-pass me within the next K. Through 5K in 21.19 and a sub 43 was surely on the cards. However, the climb back up to start the final lap saw the brain willing but the legs feeling their age and I slowed! My K splits were suddenly against me but I did manage to pass Jeremy again with 1500m to go and finished in a tired 43.36 - just 4 seconds slower than Flitwick. Well done to Dunstable Road Runners for a well organised event. Dave Stanley First report here for me so I will try and keep it short so you don't fall asleep! Great race, the weather was perfect and the course itself is excellent, no hills and a lot of downhill slopes! As this was not chip timing, I made the decision to go near the front (after a bit of advice) to enable a good start. This paid off straight away as I started the race as soon as the clock started rather than losing 20 or more seconds being at back of the queue. I was going really well, although unsure of my first lap time (so busy concentrating I forgot to look!) I felt good and knew I was in good form. However this was not going to continue. For the first time ever during a race, my shoe laces became undone. I had no choice but to stop and sort them out, this cost me around 10 secs maybe more. I carried on and picked up the pace again. On the last lap, although the usual pain started to kick in I still managed to keep to a reasonable pace, however when I saw the "400m to go" sign, my energy levels boosted and I went for it. When I crossed the line, I looked at my watch and realised I was seven seconds away from getting a new PB. If I did not have the earlier stop, I would have done it, but that's what its all about and as they say, there’s always a next time!. I still got a fantastic time which I’m really pleased with. Any complaints? No free t-shirt!! Leigh Pilgrim

Club 10K Champions Men Ladies Champion Stephen Hartley 34:34 V-40 Dave Olney 38:03 V-50 Dave Stanley 43:38 Champion Jo Clarke 46:19 V-35 Philippa Jamieson 51:58 V-45 Annette Turner 54:06

TRI FEST 2008 1000 Metre Open Swim - Saturday 31 May.

Tri Fest 08 is a series of races organised and run by Big Cow Events and spread over 2 days, races include an Aquathlon, Open water swim, 10K run and a sprint Triathlon.

A few day prior i decided to do the 1000 meter lake swim as part of my training schedule and to familiarise myself with the lake as I am to do a half ironman race there is several weeks time.

I started the day at 7.00am with my normal 3000 metre training swim with my tri club and was joined by Darren Farr for the 2nd time that week, Darren was also to join me later that afternoon for the race at Emberton Country park. Darren had also brought along the very very pregnant wife Amy and we joked about her waters breaking as she watched us race.

All age groupers and genders were to start off the same gun time, these start can be difficult as everyone is fighting for space and clear water and arms and legs can fly and its not uncommon for people to swim over the top of you, its always a good idea to sprint of the start to get clear water and miss the mayhem before the race settles down or to hold back, i decided to to crack on from the off but still found myself fighting for space, i can assure you there was no (no after you sir) it was more like (take that) it was hard to get into any rhythm in the early stages as we headed for the 1st boy on the course.

As i turned the boy it had thinned out a bit and i was a lot more happy and could get my teeth into the race and turn the twin turbos on, before i knew it i had turned the 5th and last boy and the exit ramp was in sight which we had to climb up and a short run to the finish gantry and our chip time displayed, to be honest i would have preferred a longer race as i was just getting into the race when it was over.

As well as darren there were 5 members of my tri club Boxfit taking part all of which did well.

Our Darren had a cracker and beat last years time. Full results on Big cow events.

Martin Beare

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 22 May

More of Max:  Evening rabid stats lovers, number swallower's and those of Garmin inserted persuasion.  I bring forth digits, placings and times for your sadly alienated lives on this wretched planet.  Enjoy in a dark little corner but don't complain to me when your friend is ahead in the rankings.

Another reasonbable evenings entertainment, a light breeze against leading up to Hillfoot and helping most definitely on the way back. Cool but not cold. Some exceptional times again and a lot of pbs.

Interesting that the quicks were a little slower than week 1 (couple of notable exceptions) whereas the slugs in general knocked chunks off their 1st time outings.  Perhaps mollusc is the way to go.

Rick

Bedford 6 - Wednesday, 21 May

It was a nice evening for the Bedford 6, although feeling sluggish after sitting in a course all day. A short walk to the start in Mowesbury Park, the runners all looking very fast. Well it was the Grand Prix series! Only saw one other flyer Karen Roberts. We all set off at 7.45 to run past Mark Rutherford school, where the headquarters was. All was going fine till I got to about 3 miles, when there was a big hill that seemed never ending! Although on the downhill i did manage to pick up a bit of speed. On the last stretch around the park, I went off course, (maybe the story of my life!) not seeing any marshalls or markers, so lost a bit of time, I could have done without. Eventually called back on the course, also the finish was not very clear, and slowed down too soon.

Pat

Wheathampstead 10K - Sunday, 18 May

Another attempt at regaining some post-marathon form found me lining up on a very pleasant morning with 702 strangers - including a guy pushing his child in a buggy who was anticipating a sub 45 minute time - on a revised, and surprisingly almost completely dry, off-road 10k course in rural Hertfordshire. The very scenic route partly uses a disused railway track, but there were quite a few inclines, steps and gates thrown in and plenty of walkers, horses and cyclists coming the other way ensuring that runners couldn't admire the scenery too much. This event is charity based so attracted a lot of unattached entrants and is very well organised with encouraging marshalling and quite a large crowd at the end. Didn't see any other Flyers - even Martin Beare was absent!! Beat the bloke with the buggy though!!!

Jim Dodds 43.35

The Archer - Sunday, 18 May

Another Sunday, another event. This week a 75m (my computer said 78miles) or 105 mile ride up and down the Chilterns starting near Amersham. This event is based on a professional race that usually takes place over much of the same terrain.

Just Stuart and I this week and I needed to get back so elected for the shorter route.  Some hairy descents down some very minor roads, not helped by a stiff breeze. A small event made smaller by two route options. A good day out and personally well pleased, my best time on a bike for years!

Moon Walk – 26.2 miles - Saturday/Sunday 17/18 May

After enjoying myself rather too much at the club anniversary ball on the Friday night, I was collected by my walking partners (Stephen and Jackie Mullens) at 6:30pm on the Saturday for the Moon Walk in London. We arrived at Hyde Park at around 8:15pm for a 11:30pm start – rather keen you may think, but that was stipulated in the instructions. The evening was very cold and later on it started to drizzle – not ideal conditions for walking in a bra (even a furry one is not that warm)! There were somewhere between 15,000 and 17,000 people taking part in this event and we started in 4 groups at staggered intervals of 10 minutes – rather crowded. At about 3 miles there was a bottle neck getting out of Hyde Park with a Pedestrian crossing where we had to wait for the second change of lights to get across and throughout the route there were many road crossings where we had to wait for the lights. The route was good – up one side of the river and then back on the other side with some good views including the Tower of London, London Bridge (which we crossed) and the London Eye – although the wind was brisk off the river! At around 8 miles I had an altercation with a metal bollard – I didn’t see it as we were so tightly packed together – the knee has a colourful bruise, but otherwise no damage fortunately. We managed to lose the crowds after about half way when the half mooners (13 miles) went to their finish and the going was much better. The support from passers by (on foot and in cars), supporters and crowds spilling out of nightclubs was fantastic – it has to be said that Stephen got lots of attention from a variety of passers by (mainly men).

Overall we were very pleased to finish within our target time of 6 ½ hours – we beat it by all of 2 mins 30 seconds!

Annette Bell

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 15 May

Here is the evenings proceedings through the eyes of Max (a Bedford Tractor)

Evening miscreants, miserables and missing inaction (intentionally no space you dibble brained walloon).  Another (well the second at least) evening of joy and delight on the uneven, cold, damp, raining, breezy roads of North Bedfordshire.  An appreciably good turnout of 60 (go on quibble, 59 you pedant peasant) and some highly unremarkable times almost all the way through the field.  Already in the cumulatives times I can see a few battles raging between incestuous groups of overwhelming underachievers. Keep up the shoddy work.  If I was impressionable I'd be impressed, as it is I'm just fairly flat, tired and a little dull witted so bed (late again).  Hmm, think a large bowl of porridge before kippage. Yup that's a plan (ish).

Quickest 26.28, slowest 45.04

Rick

Grant & Stone Marlow - Sunday, 11 May

With temperatures soaring up in the mid 20's, even with an early 9:30am start, an amazingly large field of 1,599 runners lined up at a very narrow start for the thankfully almost completely flat 5 mile jaunt around the streets of Marlow. Organisation was pretty good with most of the roads closed to traffic, making it a bit easier to dodge everyone else, and there was very good support from the local's - especially the ones with hoses nearer the end!!! The one water station at 2.5 miles was unfortunately completely overloaded, with a big queue forming when the bulk of the runners came round, but otherwise it was a slick event with a good medal, T-shirt and goodie bag at the end. I think most people were just glad to get around given the conditions [I know I was].

Jim Dodds

Beds AAA T&F Champs - Sunday, 11 May

A cor blimey hot day saw the fearless ones amongst us attempt the delights of the county track and field champs at Bedford.

Tim Harris, Chairman Steve and Ady represented the club on a day when hot weather wasn't particularly welcome. Steve kicked off with a 3000m jaunt, missing his target by about 20 seconds, undoubtedly a reflection of the heat but nevertheless managed to bag a silver medal.

Whilst Steve was basking in the glory Ady had opted to partake of the triple jump, having spent some 24 years preparing for this day. Early concerns about not actually reaching the sandpit were very quickly dispelled as the opening jump crept in to the sand by some 8 inches. Job done, no more jumps as the opposition was somewhat absent and hence the victory was secured, albeit a touch hollow.

A similar format prevailed for the long jump, second victory of the day for the veteran.

Tim's efforts in the 800m were somewhat old fashioned as he actually had some competition, little difference that it made. He comfortably led the race from start to finish and retained the county title he first gained last year (only 1 second outside his PB).

Treating the day as something of a decathlon, Wadsworth then lined up for the 5000m, not relishing the heat that came with a 2.30pm start. Things did not go to plan with a poor time, which, masked by the lack of competition, still resulted in a silver medal.

Tim's turn again and he cranked out a fantastic 400m to give himself a new PB and a silver medal.

Tireless veteran and grand-dad, Ady, rounded off the day by once again donning his spikes to run the 1500m which, as with the 5000m earlier in the day, produced a shocker of a time. Oh well, next year.

The results will shortly be available but suffice to say between the three of us we produced seven medals, gained with differing levels of difficulty.

It was a shame not to see more Flyers as some of the events are there for the taking. A comeback for next year perhaps?

Ady

Betty Willett 10K, Stockwood Park, Luton - Sunday, 11 May

Having not run a 10K for a year I thought I’d get some practice before the club champs at Whipsnade, so chose the Betty Willett 10K as a local run. I arrived early at 9:30 for a 10:30 start and it was already very hot down by the start on the athletics track. Plenty of water and sun lotion was the order of the day and then hang around before a warm-up in the shade so as not to overheat too much. The race starts and finishes with a lap of the running track so as usual I set off much too fast and had to rein myself back and calm down as we headed out of the track. The first 5K went well in 21 minutes but for a reason that I can’t exactly find (most likely a combination of starting too fast, lack of endurance and the scorching heat) I just ground to a halt in the next 5K. At 7K I grabbed some water but it went down the wrong way and I had to stop to get my breath back which was frustrating. I had a little bit left to make up a place at the finish after I’d almost been taken out by a wayward football from the centre of the track.

So no other Flyers to measure against, but I’ll be putting in a few extra miles before Whipsnade to get some more endurance and see if I can do better next time.

Jeremy Bell  46:09  

Tewkesbury Half Marathon - Sunday, 11 May

Took the opportunity for a lovely motorcycle ride into deepest Gloucestershire, to give no.2 son (Joe Brown) a bit of support on his first half marathon.  The course was flat and fast and on this day extremely hot.  Joe ran well within himself to record 1hr 41 mins and was placed 208th overall out of a field of approx 1500.  Not bad.  - Proud dad

Stu Brown

Halstead Marathon - Sunday, 11 May

The race literature described this race as undulating through the country lanes of Essex. What it should have said was it was a roller-coaster course that would climb and drop all the way. Quite simply, this was one of the hardest marathons I have run. A mixture of scorching temperatures constantly I suspect around the 29 degree mark and what seemed non stop climbs led to my slowest ever marathon time of 4;17;31, although even that placed me 207th out of 428 finishers with 547 entries. I went through halfway in around 2 hours which was also my slowest ever half and in truth I struggled the rest of the way. However, rather surprisingly I would actually recommend this race. Having run a number of off road and non flat marathons , I know from experience you will add 20 mins plus just due to the terrain. Lose another 15 plus minutes to the  heat and you forget about times and you just dig as deep as you can and do it, no matter what the time. At that point, the whole marathon challenge changes and offers something else than a fast flat course could. As long as you know that, you can relax to some degree and be comfortable with a lot slower time.

 It was very well marshaled and well supported for a country course. The climbs stared after half a mile and you knew where you stood really within the first 3 miles with 4 separate hills. After around 5 miles you started lap 1 of part of a two lap loop, that allowed friends and family to settle down on the roadside with a nice picnic and wait for you to loop around, although I turned up without any supporters or family. Billy no mates sprang to  mind! However on the line a fellow Flyer appeared which was a welcome surprise, although rather surprisingly I didn't know him! Still a club member is always a welcome sight. There were 5 water stations which due to the loop meant 10, with lots of water and a facility for your own drink to be delivered to the station which was a nice touch. A really nice medal, a very friendly atmosphere and overall the beauty of the Essex countryside - even with the hills and valleys - led this to be a painful but rewarding race. It clearly would have been easier without the heat and obviously the race has no control over that.

Would I do it again? No. Am I glad I did it? Yes. Can I run run a lot quicker? Yes. Does it bother me? Err....., no....honest...........

Paul Owen        4.17.31

St Albans 10K - Sunday, 11 May

After my first 10K of the year at Flitwick, I thought I'd give St Albans a go. Slightly more undulating that our 10K, but I did have a decent run their last year. It's a nice rural course but I do wish they could sort out the start - next to the main road on a very narrow path that gets even tighter after 400 yards before leading you out into the country. Sunday was not the day for fast racing and with the sun beating down as I passed through 2K and climbing up towards the Hollybush Pub (yes I was tempted to stay for a pint and join the runners on the way back!), I knew this year it was going to be a struggle!

A nice down hill at 3-4K (4.07 my fastest of the day) was followed by a long slog up past the Rose Gardens to 5K (22.14). Sadly, I couldn't improve on this and a desperate 4.59 at 7K, as we made our way back up the hill to the Hollybush meant I was on course for another PW! The final 3k was tough (4.35 and 4.31) and with two short sharp climbs through the final K (4.25), I finished in 45.15. The final results did reflect the weather had taken its toll on runners and overall I shouldn't be too disappointed finishing 89th and 7th in my age group. The only other Flyer I saw in the results was Patricia Godfrey - 370th in 1.04.00

Dave Stanley

Raid O'Bivwak - Sat/Sun, 10/11 May

Here is result of Raid O'Bivwak, a two day orinteering event, with ovenight camp, on the Plateau de Retord, in the Jura mountains, France.

This was a fabulous area of forest & flower rich meadows, and we had lovely sunny weather the whole weekend.

But I'm gutted as we made a silly error wrongly plotting 2 early controls on Sunday, which cost us about 45 mins and second place!

Beds Road Cycling Club, Evening League - Thursday, 8 May

A fourteen week time trial league. Club has a special licence for a come and try – so why not!

Alternating between a 10 and a 11.2 mile course starting/finishing in Cardington. Last Thursday was the first event and a warm evening brought the riders out in droves – 70 odd anyway, as well as a local professional road racer. Simon Gaywood turned in an impressive 22.17 and records are being checked to see if it’s a course record. More human times are:

Fastest 22.11, slowest 40.37

Rick

Silverstone 10K - Tuesday, 6 May

It was a hot, sunny day……….yeah whatever.

Anyway, when will race organizers start being clear about what they are doing? Yet again, we have another saga whereby the race is advertised as chip timed but no-one bothers to tell you that it won’t be chipped from the start.

The reason for my whinge and Phils (and I suspect Robbie) is that this little fact robbed us of key milestones.

My watch timed me at 39:57 but the race logged me at 40:03. Phil’s watch was 41:57 and he was logged at 42:03. Robbie I think may have missed his PB because of this also.

So now you see the reason for the whinge…..sooooooooooooo close!  Superb, flat course (as most of you know), great run and a PB of almost 2 minutes in the cold light of day I am extremely pleased with. A negative split of 20:25 / 19:37 was also good but perhaps I could have gone quicker in the first half in hindsight…..

Anyway lots of positives for us. Heyho……..

Rob Bed (George)

Flitton 'flits' - Monday, 5 May

On Bank Holiday and in glorious sunshine, the fourth Flitton 'flits' took place with over 200 people taking part.

Late registration and number collection were in the Church Hall and by 10.00h the whole area was buzzing with cars parked almost all the way to the MUGA site one way and to Flitton Hill the other. An art exhibition of local work depicting scenes of the Moors was a real bonus as people waited to move down to the start line. Plus a display of the 2007 run, in the pouring rain also attracted some looks of sympathy in the hot morning sunshine!

At 11.00h, race starter Dave Sedgley blew the hooter and 139 people set off around Flitwick Moor and Flitton Moor for the 5k race. First back were 3 Ampthill a& Flitwick Flyers in amazingly fast times, but there were also some very good local performances, especially coming from the 2 Pub teams in a well fought contest. The White Hart won the day, but the Jolly Coopers, again fund raising this year, put in a brave show.

The children's races were also very well supported and there were medals for all junior competitors this year courtesy of our sponsor Glenn Todd from Wardhedges, to whom we owe a huge thanks. Prizes were donated by many local companies and individuals and these made for an exciting array of trophies and goodies - thanks to everyone who contributed.

The prize giving and after party was held in the White Hart with a pig roast and perfect weather with 100's of people enjoying a relaxed Bank Holiday afternoon, after a fun morning's exercise.

The event raised over £1000 for the Flitwick and District Heritage Group, involved over 200 runners, about 100 marshals and helpers plus families and supporters, placing it firmly on the Flitton calendar as a popular and successful local event - put May day Monday in your diaries for 2009 now!

All results can be found on the Flyers Website and a selection of photos courtesy of David Bailey

Dave's neighbour, Phil Hallman (ex St Albans Striders), has lots of pictures which he's willing to email to anyone who gets in touch with him at PhilipJasHallman@AOL.com

Debbie Lawson, Dave Sedgley and Sally Smith

Forest of Dean Sportive - Monday, 5 May

85 miles of hilliness!

Another Sunday another bike ride. As we prepare for our exploits in France we continue the training over some of our more lumpy events. Previous week had 5000ft of climbing, this weeks had 8000ft and being so close to Wales had rain too! This has fourteen named climbs with the top two having gradients of 25%. All of us (apart from sensible Mike) went camping which on the whole was ok, but cold on the first night and a thunderstorm on the morning of the event was down heartening! Personally pleased to finish but not helped by missing a turn! Congratulations to Mike for a really good time in his first Sportive.

Fastest – 4.17, slowest – 8.53

Rick

Kings Lynn 10K - Sunday, 4 May

As I was up in the area for the weekend decided to run Bespak GEAR 10K in Kings Lynn. Basically trying for a PB - needed to break that 40 minute barrier for the 10K, prior to the club champs in June (Whipsindae). As this was a flat fast Town Centre race, big field, chipped time, the pressure was on - well it wasn't really - this is why I did this run - no other Flyers in sight (although 2 Bedford Harriers were seen). I decided to line up in the sub 38 minute area (the sub 40 minute was full up!) 10.30 prompt and off we went round the historic town centre of Kings Lynn - the words of Ady Wadsworth ringing in my ears form Thursday's run - " I want a good 38 minutes from you"..... anyway first mile out running 5'45 pace - too fast me thinks, mustn't go off too fast the training manuals tell me. However next miles in and out of shopping centre streets, nice big crowd cheering and clapping - settled down and early pace slowed slightly - 5k up in PB time things looking OK at only water station - onto 6k round the park - going into park as front runners are coming out on 7k, picking off runners in front of me through the park, back out onto the streets and into the shopping area again, through the market square and onto 9k - starting to tire - but once more back down by the river and over the bridge - my watch clock's 6 miles, only the 0.2 to go and the finish line in sight with 37'20 mins on the watch - right pick up the pace and run for that finish line - even the announcer notices the late burst giving the Ampthill & Flitwick flyers a mention - sprint to the line pays off - stopped watch on 37'47 (Chip time 37'50) - great over 3 mins off the PB! Ady's technique of a few pints the night before must have paid off! Despite the niggling injuries all turned out well on the day - long way to go for just the race but if it coincides with a trip to the North Norfolk beeches - well worth a shot at your PB

Dave Olney       37.50

Bedford sprint triathlon race series - Sunday, 4 May

Going against my coaches advise not to do this race as it too short for my future triathlons, that include 2 half ironman and 3 olympic distance triathlons.

However after months of hard base training i was itching to race, and days before could not resist doing this local race. I was seeded as one of the fastest swimmers so started at the back as is normal on triathlons, my swim is my strongest discipline so was looking to do the damage and get ahead from the start.

I was so keen the water was bubbling but then after 100 meters i went anerobic and had great difficulty breathing and was forced to stop in the middle of the lane, yes the kid in the sweet shop syndrome had struck again, i was furious with myself as i should have known better given my experience, i had thrown away my ace card, i recovered and finished the swim surprisingly 3rd fastest in my cat. the bike was average and the run was ok.

I finished 56th overall but could have done a lot better and a valuable lesson learnt.

One other competitor was not as lucky as he ended up in hospital after hitting a parked car at 25 mph and going through the rear windscreen, in clapham village, its easily done on fast straights tucked with arms on tri bars.

Although these races are well run and good fun, i do prefer the bigger and longer events across the country.

my (A) race this season is the London Triathlon the biggest in the world and it televised.

Martin Beare

LDWA Henley 20 & 40 Walk/Run - Saturday, 3 May

3 Ladies, A Man and a Dog

Occasionally I have a rush of blood to the head and such was the case when I suggested to Twinkletoes that we entered the LDWA Henley 20. Quite why I do these things is unknown but I put it down to the drugs and age.

So Saturday 3rd May so myself ferrying Twinkletoes, Lisa Bassett, Leslee-Anne Dawe and my new best friend L-A’s good dog Leo down to Henley. An entertaining trip down the M1/M25/M40 etc was enlivened by an intimate discussion on male penile lengths. I took no part in this discussion and just sat there with my legs crossed (difficult admittedly when one is driving).

The Henley 20 for the uninitiated is not a race but one of many long distance walks/runs organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association (a clue there in their name). These are beautifully organised and managed events which encompass walks/runs across some of the most beautiful countryside this country has to offer. So it was on this particular walk.

Our original intention was to run as much of the route as possible, but given my fragile state of health (runners excuse no.1), and L-A’s current injury we jogged and ran the first 5 miles and then strolled (sorry stepped out manfully, womanly and dogfully) the rest of the route (except Carole and Lisa who ran the last 4 miles and who were found happily ensconced in a Henley boozer!!).

The route over the Oxfordshire countryside was magnificent, and epitomised a green and verdant landscape. The Route Description is beautifully detailed and as we found, if you followed the instructions explicitly (thank you Twinkletoes who could always find a job as a human sat-nav if all else fails) you couldn’t go wrong (isn’t that true Sedgers??). Some of the abbreviations contained in the Route Description gave an initial pause for thought e.g. B=Bear (wot? Grizzly or brown) and K/G=Kissing Gate (sorry this was a serious event so no time for nonsense like this).

So on a beautiful early summer’s morn we plodded up hill and down dale, with suitable AAHHH! pauses from the ladies when we came across Lambses, Calfses, Bunnieses, and God help me a herd of bison. All I could think was that they were all fattening up nicely. Oh and bluebells. And more bluebells. And yet more bluebells – arghh!

One of the beauties of these events is the catering at the three on-route checkpoints. Home made cake, butties, jelly babies, tea, coffee and squash were very welcome refreshments on route, and we made full use of them (particularly the good dog Leo).

A quick note about Leo. Apart from towing me up several steep inclines, almost being washed away in the Thames when he went for a refreshing dip, he did magnificently. He never stopped, and put the vegetarian dog we met to shame. (I kid you not. How do we know? Cos his owners called him a naughty dog for not eating his carrots. Nothing to do with the cake I was stuffing down it when the owners back was turned).

As I said the scenery was wonderful and although some of the paths were a trifle muddy and sticky we 5 ploughed on in manfully, womanly and dogly fashion. This despite my being attacked by a vicious branch which inflicted a near mortal graze upon my right shin (runners excuse no.2). If I really squeezed the wound a spot of blood appeared. I appealed to our resident medical expert for assistance (Twinkletoes) but she took one look and told me to ‘Hop it’. Hum.

We bumped into a couple of Flyers on route namely Sedgers and Robbie Craig who not content with the official route were adding their own diversions to the days running. Whether this was intentional or not depends on who you talked to!!

Steve (Weasel) Smith also came thundering past us at one stage doing the grown up version of the event, namely the 40 mile route. 20 was quite enough for us thank you!

Other highlights of the day. Huge red kites (feathered variety) which circled the valleys as if waiting for the likes of moi, to collapse so that they could fly down and pick my bones. Stonor House. Possibly the most magnificent privately owned country pad I have ever seen. L-A providing me with enough ‘Quotes of the Month’ during her comfort breaks. The overpowering smell of money emanating from a fleet of gin palaces moored along the banks of the Thames (why spend megabucks to poodle along at 4 mph) and Twinkle and Lisa sat outside a boozer in Henley grinning like 2 naughty school girls.

So, would we do it again? Most certainly and I thoroughly recommend any similar events to fellow Flyers.

Goldi (whose life threatening leg wound is now well on the road to recovery. Thank you for asking)

Last Updated: Tuesday, 22 July 2008 20:37