BRR Blog – 10 February 2025
Always a winner to us - Micky Ball
Hi there, Road Runners,
10 February will be a tough day for Barking Road Runners, with Micky Ball’s funeral taking place in the afternoon. I know a lot of members plan to be present. It will be very sad to say goodbye, though I am hoping we can also begin to celebrate the life of a very dear friend and running buddy. So, I am trying to make this week’s blog ‘business as usual’, bad jokes and all. It’s hard, but let’s keep our spirits up.
London Marathon Water Station 2025
Our new London Marathon water station spot. The What3Words location is ///term.model.asks
If you have volunteered on the BRR water station at the London Marathon before, you may have received an email inviting you to volunteer for this year’s race on 27 April. We have more names on the database than we have volunteer places, so please don’t delay letting us know if you plan to help so you don’t miss out.
We are expected to wear the kit that we were issued last year, so I hope you have hung onto your t-shirt, jacket, and cap issued then; we will only have new kit for first-timers.
We are being relocated to Mile 15, in Westferry Road (nearest station Westferry on the DLR) and, as well as giving out water, we will have a water bottle refill station, so there will be something new for us all to learn.
Tracksmith 100 Days to London
Me and my group for the Tracksmith run/
I had my first experience of a Tracksmith training session on Sunday, as part of their training programme leading up to the London Marathon. As I am training for the Brentwood Half rather than a marathon, I joined the half-distance, 7-mile 12-minute/mile group rather than the full 14-mile run.
Before the run, the Tracksmith shop was packed with cool, young people in subdued-coloured, expensive-looking, kit. I was glad to see a few familiar faces there, including our very own Nehal, who was pacing one of the faster groups, Debra, and Calli. I also spotted a few other ‘mature’ people, so I felt less out of place.
Water and coffee were available before the run, plus you could change and leave bags at the shop. We started with a gentle jog from the store in Chiltern Street (the turning opposite Baker Street tube station) for a warm-up in Portland Square, then began our run in earnest, with the faster-paced groups starting first and the slower groups bringing up the rear. A stagged start was necessary as there were well in excess of 100 people.
Our route took us past Marble Arch and through Hyde Park, before going through Chelsea to cross Albert Bridge, then along the edge of Battersea Park and back across Battersea Park to wend our way home. It was fantastic to have a change of scenery from my usual Sunday run (and get in some window-shopping along Sloane Street and the Kings Road). More coffee, flavoured water, and bananas were available at the shop. Not bad for a free event.
If you are forgoing next weekend’s Nuclear XC Race at the Wild Forest due to following your marathon training plan, the Tracksmith session on offer will be a marathon-paced workout, with options of 13 km (8 miles) and 26 km (16 miles), both 9.00am for a 9.30am start. For more details and sign-up see https://ti.to/tracksmith/100-days-to-london-2025
Iced Fingers
A blue/purple cold finger.
The winter isn’t over yet, if the weather at the weekend was anything to go by. Do your hands turn ice cold in even the slightest chill, or change to white, blue or purple? If so, you might be among the five percent of the population that suffers from Raynaud’s disease or syndrome. The syndrome is characterized by episodes of decreased blood flow to the extremities –most often fingers but sometimes toes too. Usually, it is nothing serious to worry about, but it can be a symptom of something more serious, so do get checked out to make sure there is no underlying health condition.
Raynaud’s is most common among women, people living in colder climates (surprise, surprise) and individuals with a family history of the condition. The most noticeable sign is the dramatic change in skin colour, often accompanied by numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and fingers. You can usually spot the runner with Raynaud’s in a group – they will be the one wearing gloves when everyone else thinks it’s warm!
Tips for surviving winter
If you are a bit chilly when you start running, you can quickly get colder still. Try and warm up before you leave the house for a training run, so you hit the road running.
Mittens are recommended as being more effective than gloves you’re your fingers can warm each other, but are not very convenient. Get the best of both worlds by wearing gloves with a mitten flap.
If mittens aren’t your thing, layer up a pair of thin gloves with a pair of chunkier gloves. If you get warm on your run, you can stash one pair but keep the others on to provide some warmth.
Take a change of warm clothing on runs, including a spare hat, gloves and shoes and socks – damp, sweaty clothes can get very chilly when you stop running.
Take a hot shower or bath as soon as you get home, to eliminate the chill. It’s probably not the time for that ice bath!
What Should You Eat During Marathon Training?
It used to be common to hear of runners ‘hitting the wall’ during a marathon. Bonking, as it’s also called, is sudden exhaustion and an inability to continue running. The physical symptoms can range from mild dizziness and disorientation to full-blown collapse. It is caused by depleted glycogen stores in the body, which can happen if a runner does not take on enough carbohydrates during a long run.
These days, there is a much better understanding of the important part that a proper fuelling strategy – during training as well as on race day - can play in preventing bonking. And it’s not just marathon runners that can benefit from taking in the right nutrition.
Here are some fuelling tips for your training period:
At least one hour before all of your workouts, eat small pre-run snack made up of simple carbohydrates to top up your glycogen stores and provide the necessary energy to perform. It could be toast and jam, or a granola bar. Or just a banana is great.
A tip from my Tracksmith pacer - he takes a gel after every 5k of whatever run he does. That way he always maintains his energy levels, plus his body is accustomed to the gel for when it really matters - race day.
After all your workouts, ideally within the first half an hour, consume a protein-dense meal or shake for recovery. It is important what you choose to consume also contains carbohydrates. It can be something quite small if your body can’t tolerate much food immediately after a run. Practice to see what works for you.
Greg’s Race Report
Greg couldn’t find any BRR folk participating in weekend races. If you do race, please remember to let Greg know, or post details on WhatsApp, to save Greg from doing detective work. However, he found all the parkrun details, for those registered as BRR on the parkrun website.
Alexandra - Mark Odeku 22:55.
Barking - Joshua Ezissi 23:23, Belinda Riches 23:42, Jonathan Furlong 24:03, Rosie Fforde 24:30, Adrian Davison 25:17, Stuart Burr 25:40, Faye Spooner 29:30, Joyce Golder 30:14, Jason Li 34:48, Julie Gillender 37:07, Les Jay 37:58, Alan Murphy 53:39 and Darrren Graham 58:07.
Dulwich - Mark New 24:25.
Erddig - Sian Mansley 32:05.
Harrow Lodge - Ron Vialls 26:46, Rory Burr 27:11, Doug King 28:21 and Rachel Sharples 38:58.
Steve C and Rory at Harrow Lodge - where are the others?
Holkham - Owen Wainhouse 21:54.
Lloyd - Nikki Cranmer 39:00, Rob Courtier 39:18 and Dawn Curtis 43:50.
Dawn, Alan and Nikki plus friends at Harrow Lodge.
Pymmes - Louise Chappell 30:16 and Craig Chappell 30:17.
Storey’s Field - Sunny Bulchandani 24:57.
Valentines - Paul Withyman 20:09, Kevin Wotton 24:04 and Andrew Gwilliam 48:42.
Worcester Pitchcroft - Stuart Mackay 20:14 and Jess Collett 22:50.
Highest BRR age grading this week Belinda Riches 73.49% for the women and
Stuart McKay 72.32 for the men.
BRR Diary – February
To see the full diary of BRR events on the TeamUp app. Just download the TeamUp app onto your phone, then enter the calendar key: ks67p21gt8p5gzdo66 when asked. If you don’t want another app on your phone, you can also find it under the ‘events’ tab on the Barking Road Runners website: https://www.barkingroadrunners.org.uk/calendar.
8-14 February – Virtual Handicap 03. Yes, it’s already the third week of the virtual competition. Remember to post your evidence on WhatsApp before Midnight on Friday.
7.00pm, Tuesday 11 February – Speed Session. Jim Peters Stadium, Mayesbrook Park. Jess will be taking the session this week:
4min run, 4min rec.
3min run, 3min rec
2min run, 2min rec
1min run, 1min rec
3min run, 3min rec
2min run, 2min rec
1min run, 1min rec
7.00pm, Thursday 13 February – Road Run. Castle Green Centre, Gale Street, Dagenham. Usually between 4-6 miles.
10.00am, Sunday 16 February – Wild Forest (SECCL05). Wild Forest Outdoor Activity Centre, Ongar Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 OLA. The race that was rescheduled from January due to bad weather, and the last race in this year’s SECCL competition. Sadly, I think we will be going down to the Third Division, but let’s field a good team and go out with a bang!
22-28 February – Virtual Handicap 04.
10.30am, Sunday 23 February – Hadleigh Legacy 10k. Hadleigh Country Park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh, Essex. In partnership with Essex County Council and organised by Nice Work on behalf of Castle Point Joggers, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Bespoke medal for all finishers. There is still time to sign up at https://www.nice-work.org.uk/e/hadleigh-legacy-10k-9886
Heads up – the Chingford League relays take place on Saturday 8 March, at Wanstead Flats. We will be looking for male and female teams of four people, each to run a two-mile leg. It’s always a great way to end the Chingford League season, so do try and take part if you can. Last year some of us went for pie and mash afterwards, which was fun too. You will be issued with a new race number, so you don’t need to hang onto the one you have had for the rest of the competition.
Cracker Corner
Have you ever been accused of being born in a barn? If so, come and talk to me – my door is always open.
A fairground lorry has shed its load of dodgem cars on the A13. Police say it’s bumper to bumper.
Chris has been painting our hallway but is having trouble with the bits around the door. That’s where I come in.
Quote of the Week
“Some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's style. It's doing something better than everyone else. It's being creative.”
Steve Prefontaine
US long-distance record breaker in the 1970s
And Finally
This Friday is Valentine’s Day. If you are still looking for love, hooking up with another runner might be the best idea so they are willing to tolerate your annoying running habit. Here are some chat up lines to try. Believe it or not, I’ve only included the best/least offensive ones.
I’m not sure if it’s this workout, or if you just took my breath away.
You can stop running after your dreams — I’m right here.
Roses are red, violets are blue, do you mind if I run next to you?
Hold on for a second, I need to tie my laces. I don’t want to fall for anyone except you.
When it comes to love, I’m in it for the long run.
I might be a jogger, but if you date me, I’ll never run away from you.
Hey, are you tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.
Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I do another lap of the track?
So apart from being a running gear model, what else do you do?
Your pace or mine?
I take no responsibility if you try one of these lines and it ends with a slap around the face…
Happy running
Alison
Chair, Barking Road Runners
