May 2019 Spring
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Monthly Newsletter May 2019 NEWSLETTER Spring May 2019 PAGE Monthly Newsletter Contents May 2019 Cover photo: Girls just want to have fun! Julia Roiz de Sa, Hayley Sparshott, Fiona Tomlinson, Anna Clodfelter. Gillian Dowling, Tonia Morrell & Gillian Thomas waiting prettily for the Alton 10 mile race to start. CONTENTS 4 - Editor’s note 5 & 6– Chairman’s Thoughts: Geoff O’Flanagan 7 - Review of Gosport Road Runners Club Constitution: Eileen Cowling 8 & 9 - Butser Challenge: Dave Kirby 10 & 11 - Southampton Marathon: Simon Rowe 12 to 15 - Question Corner: Ben Jarvis 16 & 17 - Gosport Road Runners on Tour in New York: Liz Elshaw 18 to 20 - Women Can Marathon: Julia Roiz de Sa 21 - Bognor 10km : Steve Wood 22 & 23– Coach’s Corner: Kim Carter 24 - HRRL : next events 25 to 27– GRR Memorial Run 28 to 49 : Results section 50- GRR Vests around the World 51- Any other business PAGE 02 Monthly Newsletter Hello May! May 2019 PAGE 03 Monthly Newsletter A note from the Editor May 2019 May had wheels on and somewhere along the path of life a couple of wheels came off. Therefore, by the time you read this, June is firmly with us. It’s a bit overwhelming when work and life responsibilities run away with time, don’t you agree? Unlike running, when it’s quite an amazing feeling when the legs work faster than they normally do, pace is flowing smoothly and running a certain distance becomes quicker. Lately I derive an almost childlike joy from a “smooth run” – it does not necessarily mean a faster time as Strava is very keen to show me; running just feels a little more comfortable than what it did a few months ago. That is mostly thanks to being part of the Beginners’ Group, which completed training in May. It definitely helped me to enjoy running again and gave me the confidence I lost somewhere in the folds of 2018. I cannot recommend the Beginners’ programme enough. The run leaders structured the training sessions to be challenging whilst retaining the fun element. Good running form and personal running fitness development were always the focus – or at least that was how I experienced it from my quiet corner. Thank you again to all the run leaders who were involved with this group, and a very big welcome to those participants who have now graduated to full Gosport Road Runner member. Let’s run together some time soon, OK! Our charismatic chairman opens the issue with his thoughts for May . As running club, we are very fortunate to have such a visionary man at the helm! Club President Eileen Cowling explains the rules under which the club operates. Please familiarise yourself with this information and contact Eileen if you have any questions about this. Forever- young regular contributor Dave Kirby reflects on the Butser Challenge. I can remember when I first joined the club, my impression was that this was one of those “must do” races reserved for only the hardcore club members. Simon Rowe runs us through the Southampton Marathon with a well-structured race review. Looking at his result, he had a very good race. Liz and Neil Elshaw ticked off a bucket list run in New York. She takes us through the streets of the Big Apple with some great photos thrown in. Julia Roiz de Sa has always showed that women CAN run, and she brings us an informative race review of the Women Can marathon. Steve Wood shares his write up on the Bognor 10km with us. In my opinion, the team photo perfectly depicts the joy of running in a GRR vest! Ben Jarvis helps us getting to know another extraordinary club member a little better, whilst coach Carter has tips which are aimed at improving our running technique. Steve Wood brings us a bumper Results section. There were so many fantastic achievements! Sometimes the words “well done” don’t seem enough and only a very sincere “WOW!” will do. That’s all from me this time. Till the next issue– happy running! Miranda PAGE 04 Chairman’s Thoughts: Monthly Newsletter May 2019 Geoff O’Flanagan June is upon us and, as the Summer Season gets in to full swing, I am reminded why I like this time of year; the light nights, warm evenings and, of course the return of both the Dell of Doom and regular S&C sessions. The LiRF Mentor Training Programme has commenced, and, over the coming weeks, you will see our Mentees working alongside the LiRF team as they are put through their paces. It was always my intention to increase the LiRF community and, upon completion of the programme the Mentees will be invited to attend the UK Athletics course following which they will return to the club ready to support you through a number of training sessions. The development of the LiRF Team represents a substantial investment on behalf of the club and I am delighted to see members rising to the challenge. We have a new Vice Chair and I am looking forward to working alongside Sue over the coming weeks and years; the role forms a vital part within the GRR Committee and I am sure she will quickly make her mark. I have asked Sue to lead on a number of projects with a view to enhancing the outputs of the Committee and the club in general; my intention is to maintain the forward movement towards a more inclusive and welcoming club and there is no one better to achieve this than our new VC; she is also the custodian of the Club Constitution and can be called upon to clarify issues as required. The Club Survey Monkey closed at the end of April and your Committee has had a chance to digest the responses. I would, once again, like to thank those who took the time to respond; it does make a difference and I can assure you every answer is considered. Sadly, only 51 members managed to respond and, whilst I am grateful, I would have liked to see a higher level of feedback. The Committee will, over the coming months, be making a number of changes to club procedures in light of the feedback we have received; there are also one or two “quick wins” rolling out over the next few weeks. I really do hope these changes make a difference and further enhance your experience within the Club. The most recent change is the creation of a Social Secretary position and I am particularly excited about this role as I feel there is much to be done in this area. I really do feel the time is right to start focusing on the social element of the club and, as seen through the responses to the Survey Monkey, members also fancy letting their hair down every so often. The Social Secretary will lead on all aspects of the social calendar and, as a member of the Committee, they will have complete autonomy to create and arrange events from visits, guest speakers, functions and the odd quiz night. The post has been advertised via the Facebook page with a closing date of the 16th June; if you would like to apply for the role please drop me a line and we can have a chat. Your President, Eileen, is in the process of reviewing the Club Constitution and will be seeking your input as we progress through the year. I have asked her to consider the document in its entirety; it was last reviewed in 2009 and I feel it is now the right time to revisit the content. Please spend some time considering the Constitution and how you feel it could be enhanced; maybe join one of the working groups and help the Club prepare for the future. The Constitution forms the foundation from which all else is built upon; the amendments will be proposed at the 2020 AGM and, subject to agreement, will be in effect until its next review in 2025. PAGE 05 Chairman’s Thoughts: Monthly Newsletter May 2019 Geoff O’Flanagan Finally, for now, I’d like to wish you all another month’s worth of fine running, great supporting and the chance to appear in as many club photographs as possible. I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank our GRR Editor, Miranda, for her hard work in putting together yet another brilliant edition. There is much that goes on “behind the scenes” and I think Miranda is one of the hardest working members within Team Yellow . I am sure you will all join me as I offer up a most sincere thanks to our Editor in Chief! Regards for now, Geoff PAGE 06 Terms of Reference: Monthly Newsletter Eileen Cowling May 2019 Review of the Gosport Road Runners Constitution (As amended and accepted at the Annual General Meeting of April 2019) Aim of the Review : The Gosport Road Runners Constitution is the document that sets out the rules under which the club operates. Aside from minor amendments in 2016, the document was last reviewed ten years ago in 2009. The club has grown and evolved considerably over this ten-year period. A review is now required to update the document to reflect current practices within the club and consider any other changes the committee and the wider membership would like to make. The review will be undertaken by the club president (Eileen Cowling) with input from the committee and club members. Timeline and Output of the Review : An updated draft constitution document will be produced by the end of December 2019 and made available to the membership for their feedback.