Hi DRC

Just when we thought things were getting back to normal, training nights returning and some races taking place, we have been hit with another lockdown. Hopefully this a short break and we will be back as a club soon. I see lockdown 2 as a positive, this will hopefully mean we can spend Christmas with our friends and family.

As I write this column, it was a year ago the Roundway Revenge took place, what a difference a year makes. I look back at days like the Devizes 10k and the Roundway Revenge and how the club came together to deliver fantastic events, we will get back there again. Stay positive, DRC is a great club with amazing members.

Over Lockdown it is important to look out for each other, so take advantage of being able to exercise with one person outside of your household. When doing this, please ensure you comply with government and EA guidelines.

Massive thanks to Simon Veitch for posting weekly challenges, it’s certainly bringing the competitiveness out in you. This week’s challenge is great fun, strava art! Get creating, I am sure I can rely on Mike Britton to lower the tone!!

I have really enjoyed your FB posts on your favourite places to run and race. Even though lots of locations worldwide were mentioned, there’s no place like home, many of you opting to choose local runs as your favourite places to run, We are lucky to have the scenery and amazing landscape on our doorstep.

Exciting news, I have been talking to Enhanced Recovery (England Athletics Official Recovery Drink Partner) over the last few months. I have personally been a part of a trial of their new fruit-based recovery drink and spoken directly with Enhanced Recovery. DRC are only one of a handful of clubs in England to be a part of the Club support programme and offer directly from Enhanced Recovery. DRC members will receive a 20% discount on purchases, and the club will receive a cash donation after each purchase. I have supplied details of this below.

The drink is like no other recovery drink I have tried before, no more powdery protein shakes, it is more of a fruit smoothie and it tastes great and contains protein, Omega-3 and all the important antioxidants and vitamins for us runners. I trialled it for over a month in the summer months and had some great results. I have supplied the list of results from the 1500 athletes that trialled the product, the results speak volumes.

After many conversations with Enhanced Recovery, they are willing to send us samples of the product for you to test before we purchase. If you would like a sample, please let me know, I will arrange to get some products to you.

This is a great opportunity for the club to get involved with this initiative, England Athletics and Enhanced Recovery approached DRC due to commitments we have made through the Club Run, Run And Talk Initiatives and being well represented in the England Age Group Masters. It is great to know we are a well-respected club, and it is an honour to be approached by England Athletics

Would like to say a massive THANK YOU to Ashley Stevens, Karen Underwood, Mike Britton and Emma Wilson for their wonderful efforts of organising runs, training sessions and motivations to keep all of us going during these difficult times.

As suggested, I have put together some words for DRC with some tips and my experiences. So here is a tip, or rather a TIP

T - is for team

It might seem corny but joining a running club and being part of a team was a big part of my success. So, if you are reading this then you probably have already made a big step in getting more out of your running by joining DRC, whether your ambition is to win races or to simply enjoy your sport. For me as an average school athlete joining Luton United AC was the step that helped me improve. I enjoyed group training sessions and turned out regularly for the team on the track, and over the country. Ultimately, I did my first marathon to help make up a team for LUAC in the 1973 National Championships. I had no particular ambitions, but we had 2 other good runners in the club and I thought I might make up the numbers for a 3-man team. I was back home  from College at that time so I rather surprised my parents when I came back from the race and when they asked how I had got on I said I won, and as they were not sports fans I had to explain that by the way I am going to New Zealand for the Commonwealth Games to run for England. Go team Mum and Dad, support without pressure, it worked for me.

I - is for injury

It could also be for illness. If you want to avoid these then do not do what I used to. When I was training seriously for the marathon, I did stupid mileages, typically 100 miles a week, sometimes more. And with tough track and hill interval sessions in the mix. The inevitable result: breaking down often with a cold or flu, occasionally with an injury. Having done some 30-mile training runs to make sure I could run my first marathon it was no surprise that I developed really painful shin splints 10 days before the race and could barely walk. This was probably the best thing that could happen - I had to rest, properly.  I re-learned this lesson when I ran in the Commonwealth - weeks of heavy training and then a bad cold so I did almost nothing in the final run up to the Games. I have learned over the years that over training is a recipe for injury which is also a sign that my immune system is struggling to cope with the workload. With hindsight I can see that I missed out on going to the '76 Olympics and not finishing the Moscow Olympic marathon because of minor illnesses caused by over training.  That I had fewer injuries than most during my peak years I put down to choosing to run wherever possible off road. I don't think our bodies where designed for running on tarmac. I chose work that allowed me to run in the daytime at lunch hours so I could get off road. Not always easy but I think we are lucky here in Devizes to have access to plenty of country footpaths so I urge you to take advantage of our natural assets when you can.

P - is for Patience, Persistence and Perspiration

Running is a deceptively simple sport, but to enjoy it you have to accept that it takes time to develop your physical fitness to the point where running becomes automatic. You hear people say, running is boring, but I think the problem is that they are expecting to be able to run smoothly, if not fast or far, from the start. Until running comes easily your mind will play tricks on you - so to a beginner, 5 minutes jogging will seem to take forever.  But when you are running well an hour's running can pass in a few moments.  It takes time to reach that level. Running with others in a group will help make the transition and keep you motivated. Also use a training diary to plan and then record every run and note your times and distances.  If you can look back over time and see progress it is a big encouragement - just don't do what I did too often and get obsessed with piling up the miles!

So that is my TIP - enjoy the Teamwork. Accept that Injury or Illness may knock you back but above all remember the Ps. As somebody clever once said "Patience, Persistence and Perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success."

Catherine Body

Trying to sum up my Virtual VLM experience in a couple of sentences… Running without the usual crowds, bands, hype & finish line in the most truly atrocious biblical conditions will certainly be something I remember for a long, long time. Whilst I missed the famous landmarks – no Tower Bridge or Big Ben – what I did get was a sense of the fabulous running community we are all part of. All the other runners (nutters) who laced up their trainers that morning, the ‘hear-them-before-you-see-them’ water station on Coate Road, Gemma (Richardson) popping up at the bottom of Caen Hill Locks, Andy (Maidment) appearing like a mirage at Bowerhill, Sam from ParkRun finding me on her bike in Melksham and Caroline (Palmer) and her life saving jelly babies accompanying me round the final 5K. You are all AMAZING!! Thank you!!

Craig Richardson

It’s probably an understatement to say London 2020 didn’t turn out how I expected! After the elation of getting a place (for the 3^rd time!), to the uncertainty caused by Covid in spring to finally end with running a virtual marathon around Devizes in obscene conditions, everything was all just a little bit mental.

After the original race in April was postponed, I actually enjoyed taking it easy and just enjoying running. And when the October date was announced I was in a pretty good place to build up again - in the end I was probably as well prepared as I have ever been for any of the 18 marathons I’ve done to date.

It was definitely the weirdest marathon I’ve done, and probably didn’t feel like a proper race – but as someone who does put pressure on myself in races that made it a lot more enjoyable and relaxing. It’s not often I can genuinely say I enjoyed running a marathon, and in this case a lot of that is down to the brilliant people in DRC. Despite the horrendous weather, there were still people out supporting – not just me, but the others who ran the virtual marathon. This is what makes our club so amazing. 

As for my own race I made a decision to pick an interesting, rather than an easy route (it was actually steadily uphill from about 6 miles!), so all in all I’m pretty chuffed with the time I ran.

Final word is a massive shout out to Andy & Ash (in short shorts) for joining me all the way plus everyone else who either ran or came out to cheer us on!

Louisa Butler

The Virtual London Marathon 2020 was an incredible experience. It helped me realise that I am so much stronger than I thought, both physically and more so mentally. Running marathon is definitely a ‘mind over body’ experience. Thanks again to DRC for all their support and love, something I will always remember.

Mike Britton

King George V Park not Pall Mall, an alternative Marathon Story.

04^th Oct 2020 will go down as a memory that will stay in numerous runner’s memories for a long time to come, it was the date of the Virtual London Marathon. Three intrepid runners named Sid Mike and Sarah, would run the Devizes Half followed by a short 13.1 mile run to Melksham to finish on the Melksham Park Run. It was such an inspired idea someone called Catherine thought she would do the same.

On the morning of the great expedition the worries of the potential poor weather were realised as we all woke to what can only be descripted at horrid conditions. Never mind its only rain was the thought so we made our way to the start. At 09:56 I lined up in the pen with 10 other runners wearing a face mask, things are so different in 2020

Cold and wet it can’t get any worse was the though, oh how wrong we were when we got to the lanes there was standing water which if I was honest required wellies not the running trainers I was wearing, but we are hardy souls so we battled through, after about 7 miles myself and Sid were caught by Sarah, she had started at 1016, but she is a bit speedier you see. So, the plucky trio kept each other motivated all the way to the Green where we would be handed out medals for our efforts.

So now the easy part all the way down the canal to Melksham to finish at Park Run, so Sid headed off with Suzie T and Jemma , Sid is an old man so didn’t want to stop and stiffen up, I partnered up with Melv and headed off, Sarah was nowhere to be seen but she’s quick she can catch up?

The canal path wow, there was probably less water in the canal, but it was the route of choice so off we headed. It was when we reached the bottom of Caen Hill we saw Louisa running the other way, she was doing her Marathon from Bath to Devizes a very hard challenge accompanied by an entourage of other runners, it was about here we were joined by Sarah who had yet again caught us up. It was soon after that Sarah started to struggle with the cold and Melv or as he is now known as Super Melv ably assisted Sarah to open a Gel, not all heroes wear a cape hey Melv?

So, the trio plus support crew battled the elements and made their way to King Georges V Park home of the Melksham Park run, it was now we got to see Catherine finish her virtual Marathon in an amazing time of under 4 hrs. Due to the inclement weather, have I have mentioned that previously? it was decided to just lap the tarmac of the Park run, and after what felt like an eternity it was over and we had completed a marathon, that’s 26.2 miles if you didn’t know. We were all congratulated by our supporters and we watched as another unknow to us person finished his marathon, he had a big banner saying well done to him, I did wonder where was ours?

Sarah Crittle

It all started when Mike said he had entered the virtual option of the VLM, I happened to suggest I’d keep him company. The lure of some bling was too strong when it was also opened to a wider audience. There was a bit of chat and before too long, we had Sid on board too!

To the route….as it had to be completed on the same day as the Devizes HM, Mike had an absolute genius* idea, run the half and then trundle down the canal to do the Melksham Parkrun course, perfect!

Obviously, it wasn’t going to be straightforward with different start times for the socially distanced HM, I had ten minutes to catch the boys so we could start the second half together. Planning on the Saturday went well, we had to find a mile and a bit by a trip up London Road to get on the canal, we were ready!

Sunday 4^th October was wet, very wet! I managed to see Mike and Sid start the half then huddled under a tree on the green with Robbie after his run up the canal for his alternative marathon method. Catherine soon arrived, sensibly wearing a black bin bag and it was soon our turn to start too. Robbie had done well on his run up but the hanging around to start was tough for him. I managed to keep Catherine in my sights for a fair few mile and we were able to catch the boys and Sarah B just after Allington, I’m sure there was an official DRC massive photo of us all there.

I haven’t mentioned the weather much yet. One word which I seem to keep describing for the day was horrific! It rained the whole time and the floods were ankle deep, not the most pleasant of experiences. Choice of shorts were not the greatest for me when ‘needs must’, no need for TMI but my hands did not work properly and there was a moment I didn’t think I’d get them pulled up again!

We did all manage to finish the half together but this is when, for me, things took a turn. It was lovely to chat with my parents while Sid cracked on with the next 13.1 miles, Mike waited for Sarah to finish and then headed off whilst I was struggling with my shorts in a portaloo. I ran up London Road ok but once on the canal, alone, I did suddenly fell quite cold and in need of company. I remember trying to open a little stash bag of jelly babies which took a while and going under a bridge feeling quite nervous when seeing the water so close!

No fear, it was then that the support crew came to the rescue! Not long after seeing Lou on her run up to Devizes from Bath that I caught Mike and Melv appeared from behind. Melv was super and due to my wet, cold hands kindly opened a gel for me. We then caught Sid and the additional amazing support from Jemma and Suzie. I thank them very much for keeping me going when I was questioning whether hypothermia was setting in! I joke but I think they were quite concerned.

Several puddles and floods later we arrive at Melksham park. We decided the actual Parkrun course would push us over the edge so stuck to the tarmac paths. Well done to Catherine who was just finishing as we arrived and did go for the muddy bits! I love a good bit of mud but after the trauma of the run down, it was nice just to have an easy finish.

Support at the park was brilliant! Melv escorted me on my laps with many a friendly face cheering us all on. Thank you to Karen, Sarah, Sally, Graham, Andy, Caroline and it was lovely to see ‘Parkrun Sam’ too. There was also another guy finishing his VVLM off there so certainly quite a soggy crowd. I certainly enjoyed a doughnut from Karen and her help getting me out various items of wet clothing as once finished, I shivered profusely. Without the support that day I would have been put off running ever again!

This was my second marathon distance and certainly an adventure. The Andover Trail one was a breeze in comparison but this one taught me a few lessons in fuelling in less than favourable conditions. I had everything with me as I had before to drink and graze on but for some reason just wasn’t taking enough on board, the weather played a part in my negligence I am sure.

The Virtual Virgin London Marathon…..we did it our way! Well done to everyone that took the challenge on that day. I’m certainly not put off, the next one is booked as an interim to getting to Brighton, another one of Sid’s ideas! Thank you to everyone that played a part in Team SMS’s adventure.

*genius for the Spring/Summer or a day when the weather isn’t quite so HORRIFIC!

I am not very good talking about myself but here goes!

Every year I set myself a challenge whilst raising a bit of cash for charity. My challenge for 2020 was going to be the London Classics which is made up of the London Marathon, RideLondon and Swim Serpentine. All seemed to be going to plan until we were hit with Covid-19!

Not one to shirk a challenge, I decided to change the location! 

Not being able to get to complete the events as planned, I decided to complete them in my back garden! 1787 running laps of the garden (Raising £1787) riding 100 miles on a static exercise bike (raising £800) and swimming in a pool whilst being attached to a hoist (raising £310)

We also had the virtual London Marathon in October. I decided to run from home to Devizes, then take part in the Devizes Half Marathon equating to the 26.2 mile distance in what can only be described as possibly the coldest and wettest conditions I have ever ran in! The support of people from Devizes Running Club was amazing, I salute you all! Was definitely needed in the later parts of the race!

To end the year, we have the Annual Morphman Charity Auction kicking off on Monday 16th November until Friday 20th November with 133 fantastic prizes up for grabs. If that doesn't float your boat, we end the year with our Christmas Hamper prize draw! More information on that to follow shortly.

I want to thank you all for the continued support this year in what has been a bit of a struggle for us all. An absolute pleasure to be in such a great club!

Nikki Turnnidge and I will be organising a dressing up Santa Run on December 12^th and 13^th (Covid restriction permitting) It will be done in a smaller group and with 2 optional routes, ON Road or OFF Road.

On Road will be a 5k route around town and Off Road it will be Roundway Revenge route.

More info to be follow nearer the time and after Government announcement. 

You can find out who any of your committee members are by clicking here.