It's back to normal after Christmas for the weekends now that we are all back to school, work and our usual weekday progress. Welcome back, you've been missed from the office admin !
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| Things have warmed up about 15 degC since the snow last weekend at the Denbies 10 |
This weekend saw the madness that is having two Brutal runs, separated from each other by a single chromosome. Meanwhile at St.Albans was the Fred Hughes 10, which was the perfect training distance for those looking towards half marathons and Marathons in the March time. (and thankfully it had all warmed up a little from last weekend - I bet you had already forgotten the snow ?!)
All these galleries are live on the interweb for you now - just click on the links in the table below.
Talking of which - this is the last call for using the (January only) SSP20 discount code to get your place at the 2XU
Surrey Half Marathon on March 13th - just use it when you enter here:
http://bit.ly/Surrey-Half-Marathon-entry
Now you've had your paypackets for January, get yourself entered with the spare change ! (plus it's a pretty good race - great route and closed roads are a bit of a rarity outside of the big cities).
Race Galleries
Galleries and Links are below from the last few weekends events - and also links to future races - as you can see - we're straight into Half Marathon Season in February - here's hoping the conditions hold steady and get your entries in for these great races:
A quick thanks to Nina of
Feel Hot Yoga sponsors of the Fred Hughes 10 who took a picture of me in the office on Sunday, and for the fun chat about business and all things work. It started to get busy at 58 minutes for the 10 mile finish, so this is where it ended and I had to start concentrating hard and keep my eyes on the work. Check out their website here if you're a Watford or St.Albans based person
http://bit.ly/Feel-Hot-Yoga and have a niggle that needs a stretch or two.
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| I'm watching you ! Photo: Nina - Feel Hot Yoga |
So, apart from it being a bit wet, (OK very wet up north) the cold snap has passed us by. Will it come back with a vengeance next month, no - it will probably wait until March and then freeze the country to it's core. You heard it here first.
So you forgot what one inch of snow was like ? Here's the crop of images from the last few events:
First up - Denbies 10 organised by Events to Live, another great race in tricky conditions organised by Nicky and the team based at the Denbies wine estate.
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| He knew he was being chased |
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| Good work on the junior fun run |
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| Easy does it into the finish |
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| Comfortable double thumbs up |
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| Slightly happier double thumbs up |
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| Totally ecstatic with gloves |
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| Too Cold double thumbs up |
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| Legal High |
The Fred Hughes 10
Organised by St.Albans Striders - always sells out and had 737 finishers this year. Perfect conditions for fast running, which apart from the two hills makes for a nice flat course.
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| Flying up the first hill at 2miles |
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| I think I surprised him |
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| The meaning of life |
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| All going well half way up the hill |
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| Good lead bike work - got everyone around the course safely |
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| Great team support at the finish |
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| Trace gave no quarter into the finish |
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| The race tents and support area with results |
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| The view back over to the west down the hill |
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| Strong running down the hill |
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| clearly enjoying it too much |
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| running well with team mates |
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| Attacking the final climb back in at 9 miles |
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| Double Double thumbs up ! |
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| The Tortoise makes it. (I think he should get a Hare hat for someone to run with him.) |
Firstly on Saturday of the two Brutal races we had the Womens only, and then we had the Mens Only on the Sunday. I'm going to mix the two up here. Yet again a great race that everyone seemed to enjoy, without any broken legs like last year... and still a bit of ice for that extra shin-tingling experience.
Just remember - the women broke up and removed most of the Ice for the men...
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| Getting that Brutal Feeling going |
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| Downed by the Dog. Again. |
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| Even Captain America can't put a number on properly |
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| This gets in just for the warning sign |
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| Tough Mudder Finisher brings his experience to the Brutal yard. Finds shortcomings. |
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| Dogs are not stupid. |
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| Would you try to keep ahead of this back marker ? |
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| Full leash power. |
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| I'm told he feels the cold more these days |
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| Dr. Evil I presume ? |
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| The Dog asked for walkies to the pub and ended up here |
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| Taking in the experience |
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| Good to see the new Brutal Staff getting their initiation |
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| All was going ok, however not yet reached any mud or water. |
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| The smart dogs always go around the rim of the waters edge |
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| Cue the Dawn French Sketch |
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| Sympathy from your friends is all you really want sometimes |
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| mind *that* step. Which step? that, oh, sorry did I distract you. |
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| No need for packed lunches ! Toms Diner on hand. Try the currywurst next time. |
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| Yes, they are thinking the same thing. |
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| Try not to relax too early into the race. |
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| Warm up boogies at registration |
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| It's the new craze at dinner parties apparently. |
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| yes, it's their fault. |
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| Regeneration complete. I am now bigger than you and will tell you what to do. |
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| Go on, get in the puddle and see if you like it... |
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| Desperate attempts to claw back a place near the finish |
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| You could tell it was all going to kick off from the very start |
So that's it for this week, it's the south of england cross country championships next saturday at Parliament Hill. I note that there is a 90minute cut off for the Senior Mens 15km race this year. Theoretically that means everyone should finish before sunset !
Don't forget that the SSP20 discount code (runs out at the end of January) to get your place at the 2XU
Surrey Half Marathon on March 13th - just use it when you enter here:
http://bit.ly/Surrey-Half-Marathon-entry
Enjoy the galleries, and don't forget to order yours before they get archived.
Until next time, keep warm and dry and enjoy your training
Anthony
