Snow tastic

No amount of The Coach's Prayer last night could stop the adverse weather today, but hey it wasnt sticking so game on !!

Proper coaching today and attendance was an all time high despite having 2 men down. Great to see a couple of new faces, particular younger ones. No offence to anyone over 18, but I do have a direction for this club and the more whole family-orientated/community club we can make it the better. :)

It doesnt matter how much you plan with timings, no one can account for talking ( mostly me) and dogs stealing your cones. However, as everyone lined up for drills, I had a warm sense of satisfaction as I can remember a time when it was just me and Second In Command trotting around the Racecourse. Although, I hoped I never showed it, I did wonder from time to time if the club would ever work :( Persistence really does pay off. Thanks to Dreckly Runners, Ware Joggers and Consett Run England for your support

Back to today, quick mobility and warm up and then a game of domes and dishes. It never fails to entertain me how much the adults 'get into' the running games. Well, all bah one of us tut tut tut!! 10/10 for innovation though S.I.C :) A quick trot out to Handbridge and then back to WP in what seemed like a scene from Rocky for some hardcore stretching.

Well done everyone for turning up on what was a freezing cold day...you will reap, what you sow

L x

Meeting, Bleating and The Way Forward

This coaching lark is a funny thing, I can remember a time, not so long ago, when I was afraid of my own shadow and would never of envisaged coaching in my own club. I couldnt possibly 'tell people what to do' and now look at me? The coaching part is one bit, the club organiser is another. I am beginning to realise that I wear many hats in Chester Road Runners.

Today, I am meeting and bleating with some of the Friends of Wezzy Park and Sport Cheshire. WP is a veritable playground for the would be exerciser and we want to play. But me being the ever -pleaser, I want to make sure that before our army of day-glo and trainers move in, that we dont upset the dog walkers.

All works our well with the WP keen to know our future plans and how many numbers we envisage having. As many as social networking and word of mouth can produce I guess?? The future is bright for Chester Road Runners at WP that is for sure.

Time Trial

The sun was shining and today was the first session in our new soon to be official home of 'Wezzy Park'. If you arent a local then let me explain, Westminster Park is yet another plot of land on the monopoly board that is Chester, that is owned by our very own Duke of Westminster. As a coach from Wales, its great for me to be able to use this park as the difference in funding is amazing. In a word simply put its like this (North) Wales = naff all, Chester = loads, I feel spoiled. Anyway I digress.

Today I decided to utilise the already laid out running track and do a 5k time trial. To give runners (and me) an idea of where they are up to in their training. The session today saw another new face to lift my heart and make all this worthwhile. With greater number I am finding that I am planning more, whilst it does seem that I am glued to a notepad thru'out the session I would rather it be that way. I dont want to ever be in the 'relay situation' again, but I gues with reflection is how you learn and develop.

After the usual warm up and drills, I slipped in a running game to lighten the mood before the time trial. It involved 5 laps of the park which I was concerned would cause an element of boredom, but at least on the surface this didnt show. All went to plan, although I am not convinced that the measurements of the track are accurate. Thanks N for your GPS.

Different plan for a cool down saw us using the steps but I was a little put off when I noticed a big lump of (pardon the vernacular) gob!? on one of the steps. if you didnt know it was there, you will know it now. I dont think any of you stood in it though :/