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 :/

The Coach's Prayer

Dear God,

If you are omnipresent and read all that is going on in the Blogosphere (forgive the spelling Im new to this) then you will no doubt cast your eyes over this post.

As you know we are an up and coming running group designed to spread a bit of sunshine into the lives of people in Chester who fancy having a go at running without the drag of 'chasing pavements' and puffing and panting round the city. As a Coach my intentions are purely honourable, it isnt an ego-trip on my part, I just want to impart some knowledge and have some fun with my Sunday.

Then why oh why oh why (I know spells YOYO) do you insist on sending these dollops of snow our way? Ive read the Bible, Ive heard the sermons and I understand that life is supposed to be a test, but come on Holy One give us a break? I have cancelled countless sessions for that other oddity 'elf and safety' that has been imposed upon us from those that have stripped us of common sense decision making and apparently know better. Yet again I find myself in the position, of wondering whether tomorrows sessions will end up the same?

If you can find it in your heart to give us a break, I will be most greatful and I promise to keep doing my good work until I get most of Chester running in some shape of form :)

Coach Hallas

Hills, Thrills and Chocolate :)

Another sunny day in Deva as we headed over the bridge to the Racecourse. No-one there at first, but great to see 'The Seal' rock up in his co-ordinated gear, complete with trainers. Over his injury now, he was ready to give CRR another shot. Second in line was the imposing outline and tremendous grin of 'SB' (nickname to follow, this will take some thinking). He shook my hand, with confidence and chocolate !? and was a definate shot in the arm to the group. How fickle do I sound, being bribed by sat fat. Another new lady 'M' arrived today, who had heard tell of our exploits from Up and Running , so that was really good news. Finally, last but definately not least was my 'second in command' regular and reliable as. I was very pleased to see her, as it had been a while, what with the bad weather 'n' all. Good to see she hadnt lost any of her form or razor wit.

A slow jog into town followed by a trot into Grosvenor Park (narrowly avoided being knocked over before we got there). Then a quick walk/jog/run interval session ,as I got into full sergeant major routine trying to organise everyone. Lets just say SB came into his own, he is a lethal combination with SIC, but I enjoy being part of people having fun. Very wicked and very funny. Anyway, hills! a few hill repeaters up and down Castle Drive. Managing to avoid knocking dogs and pensioners over, we put in a good slog. Then a quick form drill session on the car park, narrowly avoiding the bacon butties in the cafe. And No ! SIC you definately did not look like a knob from where I was standing lol. Cool down by the roodee and back to the racecourse. By SB's watch it was 2.47 miles for all you distance fans, but I saw sweat and smiles people, so that isnt a bad combination.

M and The Seal were proper leaping up the hills. Whilst SB, SIC and I were chuckling, running and werent far behind you. Look out next week for more of the same :)

Can I give you one of our cards..

The cards arrived today..500 of Vistaprints finest babies !! Much trepidation as I unpacked the box, but there was no way I was going to count to check they were all present and correct. As long as one was spelt correctly that will do for me. Although, it does mean another trip trawling round town, but I dont mind if it means spreading the CRR love :)

In other news, work is moving v quickly on the run route/run in the park in our soon to be revealed secret location in Chester. Daresnt say 'P**k r*n' for fear I get hammered by some virtual law suit from those lovely people with their bar codes and excellent website. It would be great to have a green light for Summer. But all I can say is there are some very driven people behind this who are working to make it happen soon.

Watch this space everyone..run/walk/jog/ round Chester is here to stay !!

Walk/Run Rain :)

Driving across the border into Engerland I thought' "oh no"..not at the prospect of leaving home in Wales but at the weather as it tipped down. I thought that it was bound to put people off, again the nagging thought of a dry weather option popped up. Note to self. I waited outside the Chester Racecourse and numbers were depleted but it was good to see returners and a new face. Todays session was a 5,4,3,2,1(min) interval with 1 min walk breaks which I am proud to say the ladies smashed. It was great to see improvement in the returners in just a week. A few form drills in the park were a giggle but a real test of co-ordination, it will be interesting to see how form develops with those over the weeks. Wish I had my smart phone for a bit of technique analysis in practice..A slow jog down to the Castle Drive Cool Down Zone and we were done. A great mornings work, just hope the ladies remember their homework ;)  I do enjoy being a coach :)