WFC Runners - Snow (almost) stopped play

This weekend was supposed to be one of the big race weekends in the running calendar, with a large number of half marathons and 10kms going on across the country. These are normally scheduled as good tune up races ahead the spring marathons that are run in April, but this was all scuppered due to the return of the “Beast from the East”.

Heavy snow began on Saturday morning and by Saturday afternoon it was clear that the weather was not going anywhere and so race organisers started to cancel. First to go was the Fleet half, closely followed by the Eastleigh 10km. Reading looked good for a while, but they succumbed on Sunday morning.

The snow did not stop everyone though. The Windsor and Eton Half marathon was on Saturday morning and, whilst cold, conditions were fine for running and so Adam and Magda rocked up at Dorney Lake for the 9am race start.

Their race report is below, but I would like to congratulate them both for their amazing times. Adam ran 1:25:23 for the half, that’s 6:28 a mile for 13.1 miles! Magda ran a very respectable 2:05:32 for her half, but that is only part of the story because Magda ran pushing a double running buggy with two toddlers in! Absolutely fantastic!! Well done both.

Windsor and Eton Half Marathon - By Adam and Magda Stachowiak

One day back in January Magda signed us up for a Windsor & Eton half marathon which was taking place on 17th of March. Magda decided to run with double buggy (her first official half marathon) and actually it was my first start in half marathon distance event too (official race😉).

After a few months of training the day finally arrived. Woke up early (5.30), had a light, runners style breakfast and coffee, all packed (always prepare race outfit night before), kids are up and ready so off we go .

Arrived at the venue without any problems and when parked went to get our bibs and chips - all very smooth. Weather wasn’t great, sadly, and the venue unfortunately didn’t offer any shelter so went back to the car so kids could have their breakfast before the start. 30 mins before start time we started our warm up (much needed as only 0’C ,windy and snowing).

After a short briefing everyone went to a start line and...we started our run.

The route led around Dorney Lake (4 Laps for half marathon distance) and elevation wasn’t more than 6m, nice, flat and one of the fastest half marathons to do in UK but most importantly for Magda, it’s buggy friendly!

During the run the strong and freezing wind was definitely our enemy but my run was steady. After few kms I joined a small group of random runners to protect myself a bit from the wind and to save some energy. A few weeks before the race I got some problems/injury with my calf and had few physiotherapy sessions, and so I took it easy at a steady pace.

I finished it in 12 place (out of 266 runners) with time of 1:25:23 and went to see how Magda was doing, she had one more lap to go. Adam Jr was sleeping for the majority of the run and Gabi was entertaining mummy. After 2:05:23 Magda and kids arrived at the finishing line as the 195th runner and everyone got medals.

We were very happy to achieve it all together and very proud of kids, they behaved so well.

As there was nowhere to stay in warm after the run we got ourselves hot tea, packed up and went home for lunch.

Quite surprised there wasn’t any goody bags that are usually a nice addition to a race however all in all it was a very good race for me and good preparation for my ultra marathon 82 km in June

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That wasn’t the only running done my the Stachowiak family though…Adam decided that a half marathon wasn’t enough and so went out again on Sunday morning for another 12.5miles, this time off road on the South Downs in the snow.

This clearly inspired some others as later in the day Sharon (One R) and Caroline decided to get over the disappointment of Reading being cancelled by banging out an excellent 10 miler around the wintery streets of Winchester. Fantastic running.

Fortunately for some there was a clear weekend between between the "Beast from the East" and the "Return of the Beast from the East" which meant that Charlotte got to run the Surrey Half Marathon. Read her race report here:

Surrey Half Marathon by Charlotte Robertson

My day started off as it always does, 10 minutes of yoga and 10 minutes of abs to blow away the cobwebs and remind myself of the great work all my muscles do. I donned my kit that I had laid out the night before and gave myself a metal pat on the back for being so organised.  Then I had some porridge then left the house at about 7 to walk to the station with the birds tweeting and the sun rising. What a time to be alive! I left in plenty of time to grab a small coffee, so took 10 minutes to sit and be present. When I got on the train, I spotted a fellow runner on the table seat, safety pins out to affix his race number to his shirt. I thought it was funny how we all have our own little rituals, and caught his eye and nodded, as if to say, ‘good luck!’ 

When I arrived at Woking train station, the atmosphere had stepped up a notch. There were Rotary members directing runners out of the station and along the road to the Leisure Park. I could feel the buzz in the air as people were walking along in their kit, in ones, pairs or in groups. I was alone, as my auntie was meant to be joining me, but had buggered up her calf the previous week. I suggested she try yoga! Anyway, it was quite nice being by myself, as the solitary solidarity is an interesting synergy of running that I have always rather liked.

I arrived at the start, and was very impressed by the guides and scouts who were manning the bag drop. They were efficient and friendly – a great way to bring different community groups together! The queues for the portaloos were already 10 deep and there was music blaring and loud commentary of the 5K race and kid’s events that took place before the half. You can’t beat the energy of anticipation mixed with that of people who have just got a new PB, or kids who have just run their first race. Magic!

The warm-up was led by an enthusiastic runner who later ran past me in a wedding dress! He made sure we got into the spirit of the race, did a thorough mobility stretch and even a Mexican wave. And then we were off! I started out strong, staying near a couple who looked a similar pace to me and my watch was saying 8.45-9.15-minute miles, which was a tad faster than I was aiming for, but I stuck with it for the first 6 miles. The sun came out at this point, I felt strong, and miles 4-7 were a straight loop, so we saw the leaders striding past. I always think they are amazing, so committed to their training and lifestyles.

By the time I got to the end of that loop, I was lagging slightly. There was a slow incline, and I kept saying to myself ‘hills give you power’ as if I was on Mario Karts! It worked though, and the next few miles were hilly and slower, but I kept going and really used the power for the flats and downhills – I had earned it after all! Around mile 10, I decided to ramp up the pace, which was good timing, as the public came out in their masses with jelly babies, banners and cheering. I dug into my hill power reserves, told myself ‘mind over matter, you earned this, run, Charlie, run!’ I found a small group of people who I stuck with for the last 20 minutes, and checked my watch a couple more times. I saw that I was heading to beat my expected time of 2.05, which spurred me on even further! Coach James was in my head all the way to the finish line and I crossed it comfortably in 2.01, even managing a sprint finish! I went through, congratulated my comrades and got my medal and banana! So worthwhile. I felt elated.

I collected my bag from the lovely girl guides, had a 10-minute sports massage, then Auntie injured calf collected me and we had a lovely family roast dinner, read the Sunday papers and basked in the glory of a half marathon PB. Bliss!

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parkrun - 17th March

In addition to the races that were going on this weekend a few of us managed to squeeze a parkrun in, with Glenna running at Winchester, with Lynn providing support by volunteering. I was at the relatively new Hogmoor Inclosure with my two girls, my sister and a number of other friends.

The Hogmoor Inclosure parkrun only started last week and so I decided to visit with Elsie in the buggy and Olivia. The run is set in Bordon, near Alton in East Hants and is a two-lap trail run. With the recent weather a large proportion of the course is muddy and I don’t think any part of the course is flat!



Running with the girls is always an experience and Saturday was no exception. Just before the run started Olivia took a tumble and scrapped her leg up so she was in tears at the start, but soon got into her stride and was running well. Part the way round the first lap ion a particularly uneven and muddy section something happened that has never happened to me before,…one of the running buggy wheels came off!! After a pit stop to reattach the offending wheel we were off and running again. Then it started snowing! It was certainly an experience running in a blizzard, and Elsie was not a fan. Not even the appearance of a couple of deer running across the route was enough to cheer her up. To add to the excitement, part way round the second lap we picked up a puncture which made it really hard going!

We finished in a little over 43 minutes. Not bad considering the conditions, but the snow was really coming down at the end so we headed straight back to the car for some warmth, and then back home for hot chocolate and hot baths.

Despite all of this, I would highly recommend a visit. If you like fun trail runs I beautiful scenery, this is the parkrun for you!



Next Week

Next week should see the last of the cold weather (but we’ve said that before), and a return to some better running conditions!

I have a tough, but highly satisfying, session planned for Thursday…please don’t forget to book in! Also, don’t forget that it is “bring a friend” week where you get a free session if you bring someone new to Fit Club.

If you have any race reports that you would like to include in future blogs, then please send them through to WFCrunners@gmail.com.