BRR Blog – 3 February 2025
The BRR Team at the Victoria Park Chingford League race
Hi there, Road Runners!
What a busy weekend of racing: five miles on road at the Chingford League in Victoria Park then (almost) five miles cross-country in Hockley Woods for the South Essex Cross Cross-Country League. I think my shoes were almost as muddy at the road race as they were after the XC, thanks to the finish being on grass (my poor, new, Brooks parkrun shoes, sob). But both races were good fun. Spreading a long run over two consecutive days rather than doing it all in one go can sometimes be a good idea – more info below.
Enter the…Snake!
Kung Hei Fat Choi 2025!
We have just started the year of the (Wood) Snake, the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Recent years of the Snake include 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, and 1941. According to Chinese astronomy, the Snake is a cautious, introverted observer, cool and mysterious in behaviour owing to its suspicious and insecure nature, yet its armour conceals abundant sensitivity, wisdom, and passion.
Wood years—which are all years that end in a 4 or a 5—mark periods of accelerated growth, a time for renewal, change and rebirth. The last year of the Wood Snake was 1965, which just happens to be my birth year. I will spend the rest of the year being cool and mysterious, but hopefully with some wisdom and reflection too.
Tracksmith Marathon Training
I’m finding running at Hainault brings back sad memories at the moment, so next Sunday I have decided to try one of the free Tracksmith marathon training sessions, even though I’m not running a marathon.
On Sunday 9th February the run will be heading west along the Thames Path. There are two distances on offer: 11 km (7 miles) and 24 km (15 miles), with pacers from 4:20/km (7:00/mile) to 7:25/km (12:00/mile). The run starts from the London Trackhouse (25 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PW), 9.00am meet for a 9.30am start.
For more details, sign-up and to complete the pre-run waiver check the Tracksmith website.
Congratulations
Steve Philcox collecting his trophy
Congratulations to Steve Philcox, who finally collected his first-place trophy for the men’s 2023/24 cross-country competition on Sunday. A little bird tells me he might be on the course to win the trophy again for 2024/25...
Doing the Splits
Sometimes it can be hard to fit a long run into your busy schedule, or you just don’t feel up to it. If so, an alternative option is to split your long run into a couple of chunks, either on the same day or consecutive days. But is it just as good as running your long run all in one go?
Well, not quite, especially if you are training for an endurance race like a marathon. Doing your long run in one go has the following benefits:
An extended time running forces you to learn the mental tricks you need to keep going when you’re ready to stop;
An extended time running helps you learn how to pace for a longer distance;
Longer runs teach you what kind of fuel your body can handle and what it needs to avoid hitting the wall;
Long runs are where your muscles breakdown, repair and adapt to the specific stresses of longer distances.
But there are a number of reasons why you might choose to split your long runs a couple of times during a training period:
As set out above, it can be helpful if you are pushed for time. Splitting your mileage over the course of the day or a couple of days is better than foregoing your long run altogether, and it may persuade your family you are not quite as unsociable as they thought you were.
If you run your long runs too hard, or you are prone to injury, splitting them in two can put less stress on your legs.
If the weather is bad, it can let you still get out there e.g. by shortening your time in the freezing cold.
You may be able to cover more miles, and at goal pace, than you would in one, long, run.
You will burn more calories, if that’s your goal, as you will benefit from increased metabolism after both runs.
So, though you may not want to split every long run, there are definite benefits to doing it now and then.
Greg’s Race Report
A busy weekend schedule for Barking Road Runners this week with two club races. First up was the Chingford League round 06, a 5-mile race on a busy tarmac course at Victoria Park, Hackney.
As usual the race, hosted by Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets RC, was a well-attended, fast, event with 18 BRR members competing.
First finisher for BRR was Peter Jackson (32:28) who was followed by Ayoyinka Obisesan (33:27), Joshua Ezissi (36:38), Nehal Patel (36:47), Martin Page (37:29), Adrian Davison (38:34), John George (38:40), Sunny Bulchandani (39:42), Ron Vialls (40:05), Jagbir Bassi (40:22), James Hall (41:23), Faye Spooner (42:12), Jason Li (44:34), Sian Mansley (45:30), Barry Rowell (46:30), Rob Courtier (49:03), Clodagh O’Callaghan (49:12) and Alison Fryatt (49:31).
This was followed by the South Essex Cross Country League round 05 at Hockley Woods, hosted by Rochford Running club. Fourteen BRR members competed in this almost 5-mile race, the second of the weekend for some.
First Male finisher for BRR was Steve Philcox followed by John George, Martin Page, Adrian Davison, Trevor Cooper, Ron Vialls, Jagbir Bassi, Jason Li and Dennis Spencer-Perkins. For the women the first finisher was Rosie Fforde, Cristina Cooper, Alison Fryatt, Dawn Curtis and Zahra Akram.
The BRR Team and trusty supporters at Hockley Woods (and Nabeel, who took the photo)
Also at Victoria Park this weekend were the monthly RunThrough half marathon, 10k, and 5k races on the Sunday. BRR’s Nikki Cranmer 1:45:24 and Melissa Lowndes 1:45:25 took part in the 10k run.
Melissa and Nikki with their bling
BRR parkrunners
Barking - Mark New 24:15, Chis Muthaka 28:39, Cristina Cooper 29:03, Emma Paisley 34:56, Nikki Cranmer 37:33, Les Jay 42:08 and Alan Murphy 55:35.
Harrow Lodge - Rory Burr 27:25, Doug King 29:09, Stephen Colloff 29:41, Craig Chappell 29:42, Isabel Pinedo Borobio 31:02, Louise Chappell 34:59, Rachel Sharples 38:24 and Darren Graham 56:02.
Steve Colloff and Darren Graham, who both completed their 100 parkrun milestone at Harrow Lodge
Maidstone River Park - Jonathan Furlong 38:15.
Valentines - Kevin Wotton 23:51, Ricky Narwal 29:15 and Andrew Gwilliam 51:27.
Highest BRR age gradings this week were Cristina Cooper 55.19% for the women and Kevin Wotton 65.55% 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.
7.00pm, Tuesday 4 February – Speed Session. Jim Peters Stadium, Mayesbrook Park. It’s a bit of a toughie this week, but I know you are up to it! It’s the 30-20-10 session:
5 x (30 seconds gentle, 20 seconds medium, 10 seconds fast)
2 minutes recovery
5 x (30 seconds gentle, 20 seconds medium, 10 seconds fast)
2 minutes recovery
5 x (30 seconds gentle, 20 seconds medium, 10 seconds fast)
2 minutes recovery
5 x (30 seconds gentle, 20 seconds medium, 10 seconds fast)
2 minutes recovery
The 30 seconds should be at 5/6 effort, the 20 seconds at 7/8 effort, and the 10 seconds at 9/10 effort. Each block is five minutes continuous effort, so pacing yourself will be vital.
7.00pm, Thursday 6 February – Road Run. Castle Green Centre, Gale Street, Dagenham. Usually between 4-6 miles.
8-14 February – Virtual Handicap 03.
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. Sign up at https://www.nice-work.org.uk/e/hadleigh-legacy-10k-9886
Cracker Corner
I went to the library and asked for a book on Big Foot. The librarian pointed me towards the large print section.
I got a part-time job in a dried fruit factory. I’m just waiting for some dates to come through.
My friend had a birthday cake in the shape of a snake. She asked if a wanted some and I said ‘just a slither.’
Quote of the Week
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.”
Dr Suess
Cartoonist and creator of The Cat in the Hat
And Finally
I spent the whole of the other day walking around in odd trainers without realising it. Luckily it was a work-from-home day, but I had gone out, for breakfast at the Daily Munch. Perhaps this is a sign that I have too many pairs of trainers. Or perhaps it’s a sign that I should have gone to Specsavers…
Well, they looked the same when I put them on…
Happy running
Alison
Chair, Barking Road Runners
