The Gate, Bryants Bottom - 15th April 2009

Run Report by Kate

On the warmest day of the year so far, 12 of us met in the car park of the Gate, ‘the pack’ included, Jerome, Jules, Chris, Amanda, Susie, Steve S, Rob, Jules W, Heather, Presso, Una (special guest appearance) and myself (not a huge ‘pack’ with some runners conspicuous by their absence). The pub didn’t seem overly pleased to see us, (probably remembered us from last year) greeting us with a request to double park in order not to use up to much of the car park, needless to say by the time we did return if was not full! Having waited for the promised ‘first season appearance’ of Brett, (who despite great expectation didn’t eventually appear), we set off down the road and almost immediately embarked on the first and only real climb of the run. A start like that seems to sort out the ‘men from the boys’ and virtually set the running pecking order for the rest of the outing. We all finally regrouped at the top, regretting we had ever left the car park!
The run itself was not that challenging in relation to hills but was quite long, spirits were fading along with light when we finally returned to the Gate, sometime later. Not a great deal happened on route, we lost Heather at the top of the first hill, she assures me she did do some walking but in reality I think she made a beeline to Jane’s house where she had a couple of glasses of white wine, and appeared hyperventilating in the bar just after our return! We also lost Presso and Jerome, not sure when or where, Jerome had already done 18 holes of golf (it’s a hard life) and Presso just needed an excuse and the promise of an early pint of Brakespears. The running was quite fluent, less stopping than last week, we all congratulated Jules, where upon he informed us, he had not needed to refer to his map, at which point we took the wrong path! However I’m sure this was a calculated error, providing us with opportunity to practise our ‘of piste’ running skills, we were soon back on track, although cries of ‘how far is it now’ were beginning to be heard. I think we arrived back after about an hour, it then took what seemed like another hour to get served behind the bar, resulting in some of us being double parked, you just couldn’t be sure how long it was going to take and we were forced to grasp all opportunities, chips were also ordered, which were ok but not brilliant. Baz and Stella survived my driving and arrived safely home. You will be pleased to hear Stella was very stiff and struggled to get out the back of my car on returning back home, I would imagine she was in good company!
Conversation was varied and very loud, I spent most of my time talking to Heather and Susie with Stella’s nose resting on my knees. Susie and Una shopping trip to the Eden the day before, Amanda’s new shoes which were really nice, why was Baz sitting next to Jono at the dinner on Friday, and should we warn him? Una left crying and missing her dog and I’m sure as a consequence will not be back next week! I can’t remember that much in all honesty, if I have missed anything major let me know, but I somehow doubt it.
Next week is from the Peacock at 7pm, see you all there, Brett will you be coming or are you going to tease us again?

Red Lion, Bradenham - 8th April 2009

Run Report by Amanda

There was a reasonable turn out last night in the car park at the Red Lion in Bradenham : me, Jules, Chris, Susie, Steve S, Steve T, John, Kate, Baz (with Stella) and Presso. Jules and Chris ran there in about 21 minutes from Radnage - in fact I think Susie and I took longer to get there in the car. Weather was perfect and must have been warmer than last week as John was not wearing his new black gloves.

The run started off well with us all heading off into the woods behind the church - a steady hill for the first 1/2 mile. I was nearly wiped out by a cyclist who I did not hear approaching as I pulled on to the road before crossing - I really must polish up on my Highway Code. Still no damage done and the cyclist politely checked that we were all ok before zooming off.

In the woods the pace was steady with quite a lot of stops. Susie was in top form as she did her very best to keep up with the front two. I am sure that she must have taken some illegal substances to improve her speed as she was not nearly that quick last week. It became clear to me very quickly that I would not be able to catch her this week and I was desperate to avoid the humiliation of coming in near the back (remember no David, Brett or Selwyn running) so I decided that the only thing that I could do was to pretend to feel ill. The question was what illness could I come up with - I was mulling over dehydration when Baz came to my rescue and he told me that he was (also) suffering from hayfever and was having trouble breathing so I was saved - thanks Baz. From now on I intend to run with a mask and carry some piriton with me - funny how the hayfever is much much worse when hills are imminent.

Presso ran very well and I persuaded him not to take a short route back - if he had been allowed to leave us then I would certainly have had to pretend to pass out as I would then have been ranked in last position. As we came out of the woods I saw another hill and was about to do my fainting impression but luckily quite a few of the others (including John who is normally up for the fittie route but he said that he had run earlier in the day in Hughenden - I think his hands might have got cold without his gloves) said that they wanted to take the more direct route back. So I had managed to escape from being seen to be acres behind Susie on the closing stretch home and with that pressure lifted, I felt like a new person and sprinted back in record time (well it was a record for me). The fitties got back a few minutes after us - I ran 4.65 miles and the fitties ran just over 5 miles.

Pub was fine but quite quiet. Quite a lot of discussion centred around a "girl power" theme. From last week's report we were all very impressed to hear that Presso had dared to be late to collect Jo 20 minutes late from the station but the reality was that he had stay up till 1am to collect her as she was so drunk that she had missed her train. The "Which Dudley is running on a Wednesday?" debate is still ongoing and we shall wait to see who comes out on top there. Steve T also told us about his "gentleman's run" - involved lots of drinking in various pubs and some running. We also had a very bizarre discussion about running socks and the contenders for best socks were narrowed done to Thorlo (Chris and I like them but Susie and Jules don't as they are too thick), Falke (goes without saying must be superior as they are manufactured in ze Fatherland) and Decathlon (manufactured in land of the garlic munching surrender monkeys - say no more ).

Next weeks run will be from The Gate with a slightly later start time of 7pm.

Have a good Easter

The Royal Oak, Bovingdon Green, 1st April 2008

Run report by Chris

(Beautiful English Name)

Yesterday a proud British tradition was once again re-born.

As folklore has it a group of youths, pure of body and mind met together to battle the elements. As the years have gone by Great Britain has flourished.... wars, world cups etc won, the Battle has evolved.
Yesterday, a gaggle of 20 somethings (poetic licence), set forth from a fine English Ale House to pit their wits and stamina against the rolling Chiltern countryside.

When I joined the group (numbering 14 strong) it was being lead by Jerome and Amanda (beautiful English Names) she’s a nurse you know! They were picking their way around a ploughed field, ploughed no doubt by a strong trustworthy British farm on a reliable British tractor. Ploughed straight and true like the hearts of those running, not like in France with their crooked ploughing and their dodgy Citroen engines (those Garlic Munching, Surrender Monkeys)

To complete the idyllic scene the runners even had a dog (Stella) Beautiful English name, padding along side.

After a cordial greeting we were off again. Young Basil Hawkins (another Beautiful British name) was soon up to another traditional country pastime (Poaching rabbits).

New Girl (Rachel) seemed to know what’s what, kept back behind the guys and only spoke to say how manly and strong we all looked! (Top Filly!)

At the Ale House, Jules (beautiful English name) set the correct tone for the ladies by ordering a SMALL glass of White wine (I’m sure she’s a nurse too!) Unfortunately the ambiance was spoilt by the odd Scrounger (sorry later comer) ordering a "Pint pot and a bottle of white wine with the top off!"

Special commendations go to Mark for telling his wife that she had to stay home and look after the kids, Presso for only drinking 3 pints and being half an hour late to pick his wife up from the station.
Susie for not invading Poland! John for wearing gloves (I think they were ladies gloves, after all we’re all ladies here!) And of course me "kitty master" (opening balance £80 closing balance £85). That’s good old British Sterling, not your "here one day gone the next", Euros.

Well done all for keeping up.

Next week we meet for a 6.45 start from the Red Lion at Bradenham.