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A great write-up of the London Marathon experience from a member:

I thought I’d write a few bullet points/short thoughts for those out there thinking of doing their first marathon, given it was a new experience for me and I’d be really keen to encourage others in the club to give it a go. 

*TRAINING* – whatever Ted and Adrian say in terms of training, just do it. It does work! And when it seems impossible that from doing under 10 miles you are somehow going to be able to do 20 miles later down the line, you will be pleasantly surprised. The long and steady runs are key, increasing by 2 miles each week. I only did 8 weeks of training rather than the full 12 weeks (last four weeks I had no time to run due to work) and I sort of feel that if I did the full 12 weeks (or more) with a proper taper, my time would have been closer to the 4 hours / 4 hours 15 mins (rather than 4 hours and 37 mins). So if I can do this (with little training and never having ran a race apart from a half in 2020 and a half in 2022!) anyone certainly can. 

*ANXIETY/FEAR* – I had lots! To the extent that even the week or two before the race, it froze me into paralysis and I didn’t even want to run. I sat on my sofa scared the moment I walked that I was consuming too much energy. How wrong I was. That taper is good to keep legs moving and make sure your level of fitness stays where you got it to. Even during the marathon I couldn’t settle whereas in the Big Half and on all my long training runs I was very comfortable and very settled (so my pace was consistent throughout for those). I think I was just anxious about the unknown. Never done anything like this before and just didn’t want to mess up. I knew I would finish (always visualised in my head I’d get over that finish line), but just didn’t know how it all would feel on the day and what exactly happens. Frankly, it all just worked out to be another long run (like I would do on a Sunday, but with just a few more people joining in). I think I was reassured once I started running that I am okay and that water stations were all well-stocked and as long as I stuck to my routine then it will all come together. So do not fear. Just treat it like another long run. A lot of the roads we run on come the marathon were roads we all know well as we have either run or cycled on them. That the benefit of it all being on our doorstep.

*DIET* – Make sure you get that right. I certainly didn’t, not in the sense of not eating enough carbs etc but just doing it for 3 weeks rather than 3 days before! Lots for me to still learn. I think the anxiety/fear mentioned above just made me eat and eat and eat more to the extend that I was pretty bloated. Next time I know what to do. I didn’t run out of ‘fuel’ on the course and did take my gels regularly and made sure that I took everything on board I was given at each water station / lucozade stand. However, it was pretty hot on the run and despite taking all my gels regularly and drinking plenty, I know I lost a lot of salts so I had a bit of a headache towards the end and couldn’t even shed a tear when I crossed the line! It took a day or two for the salts to come back (simply had to add more salt to my food to do it) so I need to do some research into whether there are any sort of instant salt supplements I can take whilst running, as I know I am prone to losing lots of salts on a run when I drunk nearly each of the bottles I was provided (I think the water just flushed out my salts). So listen to Ted’s and Suze’s nutrition tips.

*PEOPLE* -My favourite part of the race was when Ted and the Kent AC gang simply shouted out my name at about 20 miles. Certainly needed that! Miles 15-20 are the hardest because of the loop around Canary Wharf… just seems to take an age, your watch goes funny, and it is that middle bit you want to just be over and done with. Last 6 miles were ‘easy’ in comparison; I was just heading home/to the pub! I didn’t enjoy the finish that much – I didn’t get that runner’s high or buzz -maybe it was a bit of an anti-climax for me as it was just a relief I did it especially as I was starting a new job the next day and I wanted to turn up with no crutches!  I think by the weekend I’ll be able to have time to reflect and feel that glow. I enjoyed seeing the runners who took part for whatever reason: some elite, others in wheelchairs, others in memory of someone who had died, those trying to break  man official record on crutches etc. and when I think of them now, this is what makes me tearful in a happy way. Happy they did it. Because it certainly was London at its best showing the heart and soul of these runners. So do it for you; do it to take in the atmosphere. Enjoy it. It is a pretty special event and I now understand and appreciate why. You will get that high (just make sure you are not starting a new job the next day!!). And everyone will see you as a hero! 

*CAMARADERIE* – ah, this is what I love and this is what makes me happy. This is Kent AC. All that spirit and mutual support to help each other along this journey from all the training beforehand as well as on the day and after (on what’s app and in real life) is what made this event VERY special for me. And what makes this club SUPER. It’s even what got me to sign up to the ballot to do the marathon again in 6 months time. I’ll do it for a charity if I don’t get a ballot entry. So join us (the ‘dark side’, as Tom said to me) as anything is possible when there is support and friendship around you. When you are feeling down, there is always someone to lift you back up. And you do that in return to your fellow Kent AC mates when they are not feeling their 100% best. As you know you have been there and how much it helps. 

*BELIEVING* – half the battle is just having mental confidence in yourself you will do it (despite the anxiety/fear mentioned above). That is enough to get you to the finish line. So be strong. Physically and mentally. If I can do this, then you can too. And better. Much better.

That’s it. Hope more of you come and join the world of full marathons.

Kent AC’s Joe Appiah appeared on BBC Breakfast after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Despite dashing off on holiday, Dan had been his usual efficient self and put up a post on Saturday’s 12 and 6 stage relays. However, it’s such a special event for the club it was thought worth giving a bit more coverage of the event.

Those who made the Birmingham trip experienced a real mixed bag of April weather. There was sunshine accompanied by cold winds and briefly some hail showers. As previously reported our men achieved a highly creditable 14th place. This was several places ahead of Ken Pike’s prediction – one made in the light of several runners some way from full fitness. So, to be not too far off the top ten was certainly a pleasing result. Our B team didn’t quite have a full complement but there were some promising runs from the ten who ran and for the first time in this prestigious event Kent AC women made it into the top ten. A terrific seventh place was the reward for some excellent running.

Noah Armitage Hookes took on the pressurised first leg for the men’s A team. As usual the first leg was packed with quick runners. Noah handled the pressure really well coming in 20th – a few seconds behind Herne Hill’s Lewis Laylee who Noha had many tussells with in their junior days. Our second leg runner, Rob Sesemann, relatively new to the big events, actually gained one place, with a run that equalled our best short leg time of the day. Rob deserves praise for keeping a cool head when one of his laces came undone – something we’ve all had to face. Obviously if you spend time retying the lace you are going to lose time. Rob chose to press on and was rewarded with a good time. Our next long leg runner Jake Simmonds ran under 28 minutes which was a measure of how he’s improved over the last year. As usual Russell Bentley had made the long trip from Wales. Often our lead-off man, Russell had not been feeling at his best so unusually for him ran a short leg. He recorded exactly the same time as Rob had done on leg two.

Owen Hind and Chris Greenwood were among those who had only just got back into serious training but despite being some way off full fitness they wanted to put a shift in for the club. On leg eight, George Russell had a very encouraging run – perhaps an indication of things to come. Unsurprisingly our fastest long leg runner was John Gilbert who’s been in such good form of late. On a particularly good spectating point, from some considerable distance away, John was unmistakeable as he charged determinedly down the long hill before the last kilometre. Given his form over the last few months it wasn’t a surprise to see Chris McGurk run well on the last long leg. It was then left to

Ben Harding to bring the team home. At the sharp end the race proved very exciting. Highgate had held the lead for a substantial part of the race only to be overhauled on the last leg by Tonbridge AC. The winning margin was just 13 seconds. Bedford took third in the race.

Whilst we didn’t have quite the numbers to close a full 12, the B team nevertheless gave a very good account of themselves. It was good to see newcomer Matteo Saulnier run the B team’s fastest short leg. Given that we weren’t going to be able to close a team, our tenth leg runner was a very youthful member. He gave a glimpse of his talent and what we can look forward to in future. Suffice it to say his mum who was running in our women’s team was very proud.

Women’s 6 Stage Road Relay

New to the team, Bryony Proctor got proceedings underway for our women. Just like the men’s the opening leg is always very competitive. Bryony had been aiming for a top ten finish and while she may have just missed out on that goal, her run gave us a really good start. Victoria Buck then ran a solid leg to bring us home in fourteenth. Our third leg runner was the incredibly consistent Clare Elms. She was close to breaking nineteen minutes which is very good going on the short leg, but then of course Clare is a multiple masters record holder. She managed to take two on her run. Katie Rowland next on the long leg kept us in twelfth and handed over to Parris Williams who maintained us in twelfth. Then on the final lap Alexa Parker had a tremendous run and brought the team home in seventh. Her run turned out to be the eleventh fastest long leg of the day. The race was won in commanding fashion by Salford AC. Their first leg runner went out hard and they were never headed. Second were Highgate who had moved through and Basingstoke were third.

Undoubtedly a really positive day for our women. This performance clearly gives confidence for events later in the year.

Results

https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2022/nat1222.htm

https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2022/nat6w22.htm

As reported in Sunday’s post, as per usual Kent AC came away from the Kent County Veterans Championships with an impressive haul of medals.

The first race of the day was the male V50 race – and what a race it was.  It saw our own Will Pitt come agonisingly close to securing victory. Will had a tremendous tussle with Tonbridge’s Ben Reynolds, who many of you will know is a runner of some renown.  He has represented England many times in Masters races as well as having held various age group records during his career. For Will to run him so close was quite an achievement. Initially there was a group of around five runners who formed a leading group but it wasn’t long into the race before it was clear that Will and Ben Reynolds were going to be the main protagonists. Towards the end of the race Ben accelerated up a steep bank and forged a bit of a gap which was to prove a winning move. This was despite Will himself producing a great sprint in the closing stages. He closed rapidly but he was to miss out by the narrowest of margins. His fine second place helped us secure silver in the V50 team competition.

Our second scorer, having a very impressive run and home in 9^th , was Tom Webb. Our two other team scorers in this very big field were Jules Gevers (20^th) and Len Reilly (22^nd).  This was to be Len’s last appearance in the V50 event. Perhaps unsurprisingly he’s looking forward to being part of what potentially could be a very strong V60 team next year – that’s assuming they can all stay fit at the same time!

The V60 and V70 men’s races were again held in conjunction with the various women’s races. Pre-race several of us were tipping Roger Beardsworth to win the V60 race but Roger was down playing his chances saying he was some way off full fitness. Well, he’d take some beating if fully fit because on the day he did win the race and with something to spare. He had been in second for a while after the Paddock Wood runner who was to finish second cut out a fast early pace. Roger bided his time before pushing on and creating a very decent gap that meant that in the final quarter of the race his victory was never in doubt.

Our second finisher and relative newcomer to the club was Jim Dickson. Although a regular Parkrunner Jim had apparently never run a proper cross-country race and never donned spikes before!  Jim was up with the leaders in the initial stages and although he faded a bit his eventual tenth place finish was a terrific result. John Barron was our third scorer which meant we got third place medals. John’s been a bit out sorts lately but although some way below his best he battled round for the team. He was also involved in one of the highlights of the day. John can usually be relied on to mount a sprint finish in a race – in fact it’s a bit of a trademark. On the day, though, he hadn’t bargained for our V70 winner, Julian Spencer-Wood, coming up on his shoulder in the final three hundred meters. John turned on the burners but Julian was to respond by drawing level and gliding by in the last few meters. It was a treat for spectators – a real clash of the Titans.

Perhaps understandably the V70 field isn’t that big. However, there was still a field of sixteen and Julian was a comfortable winner. Those who know him would have thought typical Julian. He managed the sprint with John and his victory carrying an injury!

Like our men, our women have usually come away from the County Championship with a stack of medals – and this year was no exception.  Due to the way the age categories are set we always have a decision to make about how best to deploy resources. This meant on the day we had two runners, Victoria Back and Ali Farrall, running in the W35 race when they could have been in the older age group race. But team-wise it obviously made sense for them to be in the younger age group where they could join Teresa Murphy. There are three to score in this event with Teresa a fine 5^th, followed by Ali in 10^th and Victoria (13^th). 

Their placing resulted in a fine second place team finish – only seven points off the winning Tonbridge score. There were also silver medals for our W55 team, with Nicky Hayes gaining an excellent bronze medal. Opting to run in this race, the legendary Clare Elms was always going to be some way in front of the field. But then Nicky, who had such a good marathon this year, was only just over 20 seconds off the second placer, another accomplished runner from Cambridge Harriers. Making up our trio were Kate Williams (9^th) and Sarah Young (13^th). Like Nicky, Sarah had a good marathon not that long ago while Kate’s strong performance must be seen in the light of the fact that she’s only just returned to running after a long spell out injured.

The final race of the day saw our V40 men retain their title. It was a strong performance that saw the team packing well to secure victory.  Other clubs had some ‘young’ newcomers in the event at the sharp end and in the early stages Neil Phillips and Jonathan Tipper were up with them. However, as the race settled the eventual second place runner forged a lead and was pursued by the race winner from Blackheath and the Medway runner who’d previously won this race.  Neil and Jonathan Tipper settled into a rhythm a little father back. They were together for much of the race. Neil had forged a bit of gap but at the finish there were only a few seconds separating them in fifth and sixth. Then close up behind, having a fine run, overtaking several in the closing stages, was Tom Sloan (8^th). Making up the scoring four with a run full of determination was Jonathon Beatty (13^th).  Our backup 5^th scorer Richard Giles wasn’t far behind in 15^th. So, another impressive performance from Kent AC at the County Veterans Championship. And some of our medallists will also be adding to their collection as the club decided that the race would be used as the club championship for our men and women veterans. It means in the various categories; our first three runners will be awarded medals. A follow up post will confirm the details.

Teams:

MV40: 1st Kent AC, 2nd B&BHAC, 3rd Medway & Maidstone
MV50: 1st Medway & Maidstone, 2nd Kent AC, 3rd Tonbridge
MV60: 1st B&BHAC, 2nd SKH, 3rd Kent AC
WV35: 1st Tonbridge, 2nd Kent AC, 3rd Medway & Maidstone
WV45: 1st Tonbridge, 2nd Medway & Maidstone, 3rd Central Park Athletics
WV55: 1st Cambridge, 2nd Kent AC

Full results: http://kcaa.org.uk/race%20results%2021.htm

This week saw more spectacular racing as Kent AC gathered once more at Beckenham place for this year’s most consistently staged cross country fixture.

As a result of a last minute oversubscribed B race, Mandy Nio and and Jo Mott set off in a race of their own. Agreeing beforehand that they would both just ‘jog around’, the racing spirit got the better of them. Closely duelling throughout, Mandy proved too strong in the later stages and pulled away to a triumphant victory in 22.23 with Jo following in 22.44

Shortly after that race started the remainder of the B race set off. Pete Lighting set the early pace as the field jostled for position. Pete proceeded to tear away down the first major downhill before catching up with the girls ahead would prove his undoing. The chasing pack caught up with the duelling duo on the most technical part of the course. As the boys chivalrously lined up behind, Ed Mathews saw his opportunity and struck, unleashing a burst of speed down the steep descent that propelled him from last to first with room to spare, catching the others unaware. Leading the chase, Jonathan Tipper eventually reeled in Ed at the bottom of the climb at the end of the first lap and set out to try and gap the remainder of the field.

However try as he might, he could not shake the close attendance of Jonathan Beatty who having patiently bided his time, sprang into action on the last climb to pull away for victory in 15:34 with Jonathan Tipper a full 4 seconds slower up the last hill in 15:38.

Pete Lighting, paying for his early exertions, was hunted down by Callum Fraser. He used everything at his disposal to evade capture including pulling back and releasing branches in order to knock the big man off his balance. It proved a successful strategy as Pete came home 3rd in 15:47 with Callum finishing in 15:57. Ed Mathews followed home in 16:25 after his early and impressive bid for victory that sent a clear statement that we are not to put him in the C race again.

Meanwhile another battle was taking place behind as James Bowler battled his way around the course. The much talked about showdown with Sarah Hanley had sadly failed to materialise. However, Sarah attended as a spectator and rumour has it she was watching James closely with a stopwatch and scribbling furiously into a notebook. It seems only a matter of time now before this much anticipated fixture will become a reality.

The A race saw a stellar field which included a number of wild cards with a strong cross country pedigree. However, there was only one joker in the pack as Dan Pettitt toed the line in a reindeer mask. His performance however was no joke as Kent AC’s resident chat show host led from gun to tape to extend his unbeaten streak and cement his status as the man to beat, coming home in an impressive 14:54.

Behind Dan, the rest of the pack shuffled position. After some fascinating exchanges and a closely fought race, Dame Dibaba, the man who would win the national XC every year if it were 500m long came home closely behind Dan, finishing in 15.01.

Having been running at the back of the field for much of the race, George Russell showed cool head as he moved gradually through the field for 3rd in 15:04 with Neil Phillips, having at stages led the chase to Dan, showing excellent resilience to finish 4th in 15:07. Rowan Crichton, the winner of this event 2 weeks ago was last man home in a still impressive 15:15 showcasing the depth on the field this week.

The question now is who, if anyone, is going to be able to take Dan Pettitt’s crown?

Two eventful races were held on the famous Beckenham course this week. The carefully laid out route included a crossing of the muddy pond and was probably about 90 metres shorter than previous weeks.

New member Tom McGrath easily won the first race with an impressive display of powerful front running . Behind him there was a tactical battle between Alan Curtis, Paul McCrone and Simon Allen. Paul did most of the hard work but Alan Curtis ran the smartest race, powering away at the end with 17:17, Paul and Simon close behind both on 17:22. John Barron was 5th. The more John ran round the course, the less familiar he seemed to become with it. With the help of some emergency marshalling he was finally encouraged to go approximately the right way, although he didn’t seem to get his feet as wet as other runners.

Adam Paterson looked very strong smashing the (short) course record with 14:16, Jonny Tipper never quite managing to get very close to him (14:39). Kieran Fitzpatrick paced his race well with 15:33 putting a big gap into Iago Martinez. It was a surprise to see Iago steaming up the hill to finish ahead of Kieran, but it is suspected that he panicked in the notoriously confusing ‘Rowan’s tree’ area and missed out the last loop.

Same time next week for anyone who wants to run (0830, Beckenham Place Park)

Race 1
Tom McGrath
16:33
Alan Curtis
17:17
Simon Allen
17:22a
Paul McCrone
17:22
John Barron
18:15

Race 2
Adam Paterson
14:16
Jonny Tipper
14:39
Kieran Fitzpatrick
15:53
Iago Martinez
16:40

Saturday 10th October saw the first running of secret cross country after a test running of the course the previous weekend which saw Ian Ellwood bully his way to victory in an uphill sprint finish with Rowan Chriton and Pete Lighting.

The first race of the day set off across the dew filled grass with Ed Mathews setting the early pace, pursued by Sarah Hanley. Despite Sarah’s best efforts, Ed, dressed like a 1980s goalkeeper strode imperiously to victory in 16:21. As Ed basked in the morning light dreaming of the glorious battles that victory and promotion would bring him, Sarah battled home in a strong 16:54. Unbeknownst to them, behind Sarah and Ed an epic tactical battle was taking place between Paul Mccrone and the wiley Alan Curtis. Alan tactically sat off Paul, applying pressure until Paul finally cracked and, confused and disorientated by the relentless pressure, went the wrong way and relinquished 3rd place to Alan who strode home in 18:06. Paul, wounded but wiser came home in 18:20.

There was no respite from the drama as the B race participants set out into the course. What transpired was truly one of the great races as Nick Ostrowski and Adam Paterson fought tooth and nail to be first to every blade of grass. The intensity only interrupted by the occasional polite reminder from Nick to Adam to go in the right direction. This chivalry however was not reciprocated, as Adam, with wife and child watching in nervous anticipation, turned the screw on Nick, breaking his spirit on the final climbs and surging to a well earnt victory in an estimated 14:58. Nick battled home in a strong time of 15:08 satisfied but thinking what might have been if only he was inclined to use Ian Ellwood style misdirection. Behind these heroics, Lara Bromilow ran steady to hold off the stampeding Richard Giles who threw everything at her in persuit of 3rd place. Lara showed impeccable judgement, maintaining a consistent gap to come home in 15:46 with Richard following behind in 16:04. Behind Richard, another battle was taking place. James Bowler had narrowly missed a much anticipated clash with Sarah Hanley through race seeding. The question now was, could James run the course quicker than Sarah? As the clock ticked by and the Coventry City football shirt darted in and out of the trees, it became apparent that there would be no last minute escape from relegation on this occasion, with James coming home in 17:04.5.

So the scene was set for the final race of the day, which included undefeated champion Ian Ellwood, and Rowan Chriton who was hungry for revenge after a bitter defeat in controversial circumstances the previous week. From the off, it was clear that Rowan was in no mood for half measures and tore away in the early stages in a manner that demanded respect from his opponents. The race was strung into single file immediately. The chasing group could only watch in wonder as Rowan bounded through every obstacle Beckenham place park had to offer to finish in a phenomenal course record of 14:32. The only opponent who could ever consider themselves to be in the same race was Ben Hope who steadily stretched out of reach of the others as the race unfolded to come home in an impressive 14:48.

Behind Ben, Ian Ellwood, who had sat at the back in the early stages, presumably under the misapprehension that he was still close enough to Rowan to shout incorrect directions, found himself in a battle for 3rd position with Jonathan Tipper. It was a stretch too far for Jonathan, who perhaps overawed by the status of his opponent could not close the gap, finishing in 15:08 as Ian strode home in 15:04, winning that particular battle, but knowing that his air of invincibility had been shattered.

The final man home was Jake Hererra. Jake had bravely taken the fight to Rowan early on, running in 2nd place for the first kilometre, but having been drawn to his flame he found himself burnt by his efforts. Jake, running ‘to feel’ without a watch, finished strongly however, with an estimated time of 15:15.

A suitably heroic conclusion by quarter past 9 to all that short course XC racing has to offer.

Final Results:

C race
Ed Mathews 16:21
Sarah Hanley 16:54
Alan Curtis 18:06
Paul Mccrone 18:20
B race
Adam Paterson 14:58 (estimated)
Nick Ostrowski 15:08
Lara Bromilow 15:46
Richard Giles 16:04
James Bowler 17:05
A race
Rowan Chriton 14:32
Ben Hope 14:48
Ian Ellwood 15:04
Jonathan Tipper 15:08
Jake Hererra 15:20 (estimated)