News
The only racing we had this week was Caroline T at Hell Runner Down South, a 10 mile off road run. The website describes it as "A heady mixture of hills, water features and sand-sapping ascents"! Congratulations Caroline!! Look out for the full write-up next week!
This week we had 13 runners at 3 parkruns - 10 at Winchester, Myself and Olivia at Upton House and Lynn at Navan in Ireland. The standout performance was from Lynn who not only broke her PB but was also first lady across the line! Congratulations Lynn and to everyone who ran!! I would also like to say how great it is to see Elise's name back in the results after a very long injury lay off. Can't wait to have you back on Thursdays!
This week's Thursday session saw the runners working on their pacing with out and back sprint drills. On a freezing cold evening we got the blood pumping by running hard out for 45 seconds, turning and running hard back for 45 seconds with a short rest afterwards. This was repeated 8 times in total.
In classic Fit Club style after the run we polished off a sumptuous chocolate cake baked for Wendy's birthday.
Read all about it here: https://wfcrunners.blogspot.com/2018/11/wfc-runners-22nd-november.html
Runner Profile - Ben Howett
Why did you start running?
At school, I was the kid making up excuses to get out of cross country but somewhat resentfully I started running while I was at Uni and trying to stay fit. It was a slow burn - for the first couple of years I would sporadically go out and run the same short loop, never with any intention of racing and never considering myself a 'runner'. I finally caught the bug at the end of 2014 when I somehow found myself entered in my first race - The Great Scottish Run Half Marathon.
What do like most about running?
Regardless of how much I think I don't want to go running I would find it hard to think of a time that I've ever regretted it once I've pulled my shoes on and dragged myself out the door. Regardless of the weather, I will always feel better after a run, and even better still when I'm sitting in the warm with some baked goods checking over the Garmin log. I'm somewhat sceptical that a run not recorded is a run that happened at all...
What aspect of running do you dislike?
Consistency. Or rather: how simply running consistently is important to getting stronger and faster. My natural routine involves getting excited and training hard for a race before burning out and not running at all for weeks or months. It's a habit that I'm working to fix and my objective for 2018 was not to race, and not to run more... but simply to not run less often. So far so good! WFC has been a huge help with that!
Favourite race or training run?
The run that always sticks in my mind was an 'easy' 14km with Shelley around Tentsmuir Forest near St Andrews as we were beginning to get ready for a half marathon a month or two later. The plan went out the window as we quickly got distracted by running down interesting looking trails, along the beach and around old ruins. By the time we got back to the car (and after a quick lap of the carpark to seal the deal... because strava) we had accidentally run the full 21km.
Running moment you are most proud of?
The first 10km I ran. At the time I had a 5km loop near my flat which I would go out and run once or twice a week, and never further. On a whim one day nearing the end of the lap I just decided to do it again. It wasn't the smartest idea, but it sticks in my mind as one of those moments where I realised that I was capable of more than id thought just an hour earlier. I think that first race followed not long after...
Favourite Cake…
Chocolate Fudge. With Cream.
Other notices
The Naomi House Santa Fun Run is being held this Sunday! Last year we had a huge turn out from Fit Club and it looks like it'll be the same this year so get booked on early! https://www.naomihouse.org.uk/events/448-santa-fun-run
There are a number of 2019 races now open for entry:
Stubbington 10km is now FULL!!
Romsey 5 is now FULL!!
Winchester 10km: It is being held on the 24th February 2019 and you can enter here: http://offbeat-events.com/event/winchester-10km-road-race/
Eastleigh 10km: It is being held on the 24th March 2019 and you can enter here: https://www.fullonsport.com/event/hendy-eastleigh-10k-2019/profile
There is a new YouTube channel called The Running Channel which has videos covering all manner of running related items. They are short videos which are clear and concise and easy for follow. I would recommend taking a look. It can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7dV4OPDSutwMUauSD5AAA/featured
Other Fit Club Dates
December 2nd - Santa Fun Run
December 2nd - Christmas Jumper Social - Slug and Lettuce, 2pm
December 7th - Fit Club Christmas Party - The Willow Tree 6:30pm
Race Write-ups
Gosport Half by Rachel Mills
On Sunday 18thNovember I woke up early for the Gosport Half. I had been quite apprehensive having had a few niggles with my left hip and knee for a couple of weeks. I was due to be picked up by Anne and her husband Pete (as well as Patch the dog!), along with Philippa G and Alf. I was almost ready to go in my black fit club top when I got a message from Philippa saying both her and Anne were wearing their pink tops! After a speed change into my pink top in order to be matching, I was finally ready!
We arrived in Gosport in good time after a quick pit stop for coffee and tea. We parked and then headed to collect our numbers from race HQ at Bay House School. It was a really chilly morning, despite the sunshine and I suddenly felt very underdressed in shorts and t-shirt! After yet another speed change to put an underlayer on I was finally race ready!
I knew very little about the course other than it was two laps and considerably flatter than Winchester Half! In hindsight, I wish I had prepared a little better. The race started at 10am. I set off a little too quickly based on my slightly dodgy hip. It was lovely to see Catherine & Allen Westoby cheering Fit Clubbers on; more so because Catherine had planned to run Gosport but had withdrawn a few days prior, due to a hip injury. By mile 3 I had settled into a comfortable pace. It was around that point I got chatting to another runner (Tim) who also was aiming for just under 2 hours, so we decided to run together. We ran pretty consistently for the next 6 miles. I was clearly tired by mile 11 and my pace slowed until mile 12. I realised I was going to have to up my game a little in order to get a sub 2-hour half marathon. The Mills determination kicked in and I sped up, which resulted in a finish time (and PB) of 1:59:39! Hooray!
I was greeted by Simon and Will who had cheered me across the finish line and then I collected my medal and goodie bag filled with all sorts of edible goods (including cake!). However, I have since learned I was slightly short changed as there was not a chocolate bar in mine as there was in other runner’s bags! Gosport Half owe me a Snickers!
It was a lovely race along the coast – though breezy at points, however I definitely preferred the atmosphere (and dare I say it – the hills) of Winchester Half. It was mentally quite hard running 2 laps. I am now contemplating the Reading Half in 2019…no promises though!
Gosport Half by Philippa Gammie
Gosport Half Marathon, what a beautiful day!
Couldn’t think of better conditions to set us on our way!
A very flat run along Lee beach in the sun,
Two laps of the course; I didn’t think would be fun.
But the fear of a ‘lapped’ course soon disappeared,
With support from the Westoby’s and a drum band to cheer!
A well organised event by Gosport Road Runners,
I would recommend without doubt . . . a fast course for starters.
The Road Runners themselves marshall the event,
There wasn’t a dull moment from the start to the end.
The famous homemade cake handed out at the finish,
Made a welcome breakfast treat next morning when still famished!
A PB achieved and a morning out with friends,
It was a great way to spend part of the weekend!!
Fulham 10km by Simon Holman
The Fulham 10k was the fourth and final instalment in the series of Adidas City Runs each around the closed roads of the capital; the others being the 1 hour challenge around the streets near St Paul’s Cathedral, Clapham 10k and Shoreditch 10k.
Fulham started at Ell Brook Common with the race getting underway by the official starter Alistair Brownlee.
Fulham was a nice flat race where it was possible to go for PB if you fancied it or just take in the views of the New Kings Road, Fulham Road and for any football fans a loop around the home of Chelsea FC Stamford Bridge.
On completion of the race there was a yoga zone or massage area to relive any achy muscles in the well run Event village,also anyone completing all 4 races got a special Gold City Run medal.
General Announcements
Winchester Fit Club Runners is set-up as a club with parkrun. If you go into your profile (there is a link to it on the parkrun results email and newsletter email) you can select your club. Change yours to Winchester Fit Club Runners and you will appear in the consolidated club report that we get each week.
WFC Runners WhatsApp Group
There is a WFC Runners WhatsApp chat group where we generally just wang on about running, races and cake. If you are not already part of this then please get in contact with Coach James or Coach Mike who will add you.
WFC Runners Strava Club
Booking onto sessions
Here is an updated race calendar. If you have any others that you wish to add, please let me know!
Resolution Run (6 hour challenge, 4.4 miles laps) – 6th Jan 2019
Stubbington 10km - 13th January 2019
Romsey 5 - 27th January 2019:
Winchester 10km - 24th Feb 2019
Wokingham Half - 24th Feb 2019
Eastleigh 10K - 17th March 2019
Hampton Court Palace Half - 17th March 2019
Wickham 20 – 31st March 2019
Manchester Marathon - 7th April 2019
Brighton Marathon - 14th April 2019
Goodwood Marathon, Half, 10km and 5km - 14th April 2019
https://www.runninggrandprix.com/event/goodwood-half-marathon/
London Marathon - 28th April 2019
May the Forth (6 hour challenge, 3.3 miles laps) – 4th May
Revenge of the Fifth (6 hour challenge, 3.3 miles laps) – 5th May
Southampton Marathon, Half and 10km – 5th May
Alton 10 - 12th May 2019
Netley 10K - 19th May 2019
Hook 10K - 19th May 2019
Alresford 10K - 16th June 2019
Liverpool Rock and Roll - 25th May 2019
Endure 24 - 14th-16th June 2019
As ever, if you have any submissions for the next blog then please send them through to WFCrunners@gmail.com
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Kit pictures and prices
This week saw the runners head back to more familiar stomping ground of Barfield close for a windy pyramid session. Despite the inclement weather there was a good turnout of 22 runners, probably lured in with the promise of drink and cake! 
This week was a classic pyramid session where intervals got progressively longer and then progressively shorter. It was structured as follows:
After the run we headed over to Number 5 Bridge Street for a drink. We also had cakes that we could purchase, the funds from which went towards Anne’s London Marathon charity, Leonard Cheshire. 
