APRIL 2007 Why unlucky Lucy was left to rue the clocks going forward TICKED OFF! OR Lucy Simmons, the Cranleigh 21 was regarded as one of her key races in Blasts from the past the build-up to the London Marathon. But the popular Surrey race turned into some- F thing of a disaster for the Stubbington runner thanks to British Summer Time. Lucy didn’t turn up to the race start by the Band Room in Cranleigh until half an hour after the field of 661 runners had set off into the countryside for both the 15-mile and 21-mile races. “I didn’t know about the clocks going forward until I heard about it on the radio when leaving Fareham at 8.20am for a 9am start,” admitted Lucy afterwards. Gamely, Lucy managed to catch up with the backmarkers as the route took runners on a loop around the Surrey village. She had to get her skates on because runners wishing to continue for the 21 miles, had to get to the 21- mile mark by 11.45am – 2hrs 45mins after the start. This Lucy managed to do, and she finished officially in a time of 3hrs 25min 26sec for 405th overall. However, her unofficial time allowing for the late start was a very creditable 2:57.13. Lucy added: “I was very happy with my time, and quite pleased that in the end I was only half an hour late starting.” Lucy is one of a large number of Stubbies who are taking part in the Flora London Marathon on April 22nd – probably more than in most years. They will be joining the 30,000 other runners for the annual carnival around the streets of the capital. The very best of luck to DELVING through the Stubby archives the other everyone taking part. day, we stumbled upon this cobwebbed photo. And if you’re interested – the clocks go back an hour on Sun- day, October 28th – the same day as the BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth. You have been warned!! What a motley crew they make, but can you READY for London? Penny Forse gives identify who’s who? Answers on page 2. you her guide to the perfect taper for the marathon. Also, read inside about the If you have any old Stubbington photographs final cross country races, including a which would be worth giving a public airing round-up of the Today’s Runner stand- then please send them to Dave King ings, and a look ahead to the end of the Hampshire Road Race League at Totton. 2 Results Spring is in the air EASTBOURNE HALF MARATHON WHERE: Princes Park, Eastbourne, East Sussex. WHEN: Sunday, February 25th. THE RACE: Scenic route along the seafront towards Beachy Head and back. RUNNERS: 879 runners. FIRST MAN: James Baker (Chichester Runners) 1hr 11min 24sec. FIRST LADY: Laura Burton (Brighton & Hove AC) 1:27.50 (35th overall). STUBBIES: 5 Ross Lamport 1:16.36. MAD MARCH 20 (HRRL) WHERE: Christchurch, Dorset. WHEN: Sunday, March 4th. PRING IS in the air…..a time of daffodils, unrequited love, THE RACE: Wet, wet, wet. Flash floods lighter evenings – and the Stubbington Spring Handicap, along narrow country lanes! RUNNERS: 378 runners. writes Mike Clarke (he didn’t really write that poetic intro, but FIRST MAN: Dominic Croft you should have seen the dross the chairman sent through in (Woodstock Harriers) 1hr 55min 46sec. S the first place!) FIRST LADY: Karen Rushton Yes, this popular race where watches and compasses are strictly forbidden takes place (Southampton Running Club) 2:14.32 on Sunday, May 6th and the route is centred around Warsash. (37th overall). Apologies for taking so long to sort this run out, but the rules are the same as previous STUBBIES: 126 Jon Leigh 2:37.38 (Vet years - no watches, start when you want, and the winner is the 40, 43rd), 144 Nick Kimber 2:39.36 (Vet person who finishes closest to 11.30am. 40, 49th), 157 Marcus Lee 2:42.16 The route starts outside the Rising Sun pub in Warsash (Senior Men, 59th), 185 Sean Jones (pictured left). Head out along the tow path towards the School of 2:48.35 (Vet 40, 60th), 199 Simon Navigation, turn right at the wooden rails, head out to the shore Holford 2:51.28 (SM, 67th) 274 Kay line, turn left and head towards Solent Breezes. Sadler 3:07.08 (Senior Lady, 28th), 302 Turn left and go up the side of the caravan park, then turn Lauren Coates 3:13.22 (SL, 37th), 342 right. Tracy Jarvis 3:26.38 (SL, 45th), 343 At the end, turn right, follow the path round to the Chilling Kathy McKain 3:26.38 (Vet 40 58th) Field. Go along the top of the field, continue to run around the field and back to where you came in. Stubbington Men: 7th. Head back to Solent Breezes and at the corner turn right over the chain past the white Stubbington Women: 4th house. At the end of the road, cross over into the School of Navigation field. There, follow the path along, go through the second gate, then turn left at the Hook with Warsash sign. Follow the path through the trees, go through the gate, head down the path, take the first right and at the end turn left. At the road turn right, at the School of Navigation turn right and head down the footpath. At the shore line, turn right and head back towards Warsash. The finish line will be at the pink Hamble ferry building. There will be bottles of wine to the winning male and female runner plus points for the prestigious Stubbington Points League. If you’ve not run the handicap before, then give it a go – it’s a lot of fun, but best to check out the route beforehand! Where’s the Stubby? Photos from a golden age! SO how did you get on with the golden oldies’ picture on the front page? Anyone you recognise from today’s crop of Stubbies? Pictured at the back is Ron Winter and the bearded fella is Doug Roberts. In the middle row are George Childs, Richard Foster, Pat Wood- ward, and a lady called Janet, though no-one can remember her surname. And in the front row are Heather Brown, Beverley Hards (nee Brown) and Dennis Woodward. So what about this photo to the left then? It’s from the Gosport Half Marathon, taken not soon after Phidippides had run 26 miles to Athens to tell the Athenians that their navy had defeated the Per- sians - that’s why the photograph is black and white! The fella wearing the Stubbington vest on the left of the photo with number 730 is George Childs. Move your eye to the right slightly, and just next to the Ports- mouth Jogger is Richard Foster, and then go to the far right and number 618 where you can see Steve Marshall. 3 It’s the final countdown! THE Flora London Marathon is just weeks away. The climax of many months of hard training for runners at the showpiece road running event. More than half a dozen Stubbies will be will be running through the streets of London on Sunday, April 22nd - some with club places, others who have got in through the official ballot, others with charity place, and in one, nameless but shameful case, through nagging the organisers! But in the final weeks, what should and shouldn't you be doing? Here’s a final checklist from our very own PENNY FORSE... APERING your training is essential in the last two weeks before a marathon. Even if you’ve missed a lot of sessions don’t even think about piling in the training – T as LESS is better than MORE at this stage. A 30 to 50% reduction in mileage, no cross-training, weight training or climbing the Cairngorms, and you will maintain your fitness while resting up for the big day. Any niggles are given the chance to heal and the im- mune system revives. Moderate training at your normal pace means you won’t put on weight and will minimize the anxiety or depression often felt when one’s running is much reduced. A few short runs of three to four miles at marathon pace will suffice. As far as diet is concerned, you should be carbo load- ing from the Thursday – pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals, fruit, vegetables and grains. Don’t go overboard with the pasta and rice as you’ll be burning fewer calories till Sunday. Meat should be lean. Keep well hydrated. Mentally visualise the race in a positive way eg: counting off the I’m all right jack! The finish to the London Marathon along The Mall mile markers For the last few days: If you are running the London Marathon Thursday: easy two to three miles at race pace this month, then please let us know how Friday: rest. Get a good night’s sleep as you’ll be nervous on Saturday you get on and your stories of the race. night and may have an early start on Sunday. Email Dave King at [email protected] or badger him at running on a Monday night. Saturday: rest or 2 miles easy including a few 100 metre to 150 metre strides at race pace (no faster!), with a walk or jog back in between. Race day: fuel up on your usual pre-race breakfast three to four hours before the race.