VEGAN RUNNERS UK NEWSLETTER

TO END OF APRIL 2006

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Date: 21ST JANUARY 2006
Event: VETERAN'S AC XC CHAMPS
Location: WIMBLEDON COMMON, LONDON
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

There is a series of cross country events on Wimbledon Common with this one chosen as the champs for members of the Veteran's AC. Free to choose which club you enter under I obviously ran for Vegan Runners UK. My third visit to this venue in as many years, the course was familiar. The numbers although 61 was still the highest of the series. With the start downhill I went off at a fast pace but soon appeared to pay for it when many competitors wearing an age category number on their back over took me. Although I am in the over 45 category other competitors in the over 50, 55 & 60 soon overtook me on the 3-lap course. After slipping back I nevertheless kept up a fair pace and like most of the field found the long hill up to the end of each lap quite tough. Finished in a fair time of 40 mins 7 secs and 30th or halfway. This was followed by the mile and a half walk / run back to the clubhouse of Belgrave Harriers, one of the top clubs in the UK.

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Date: 28TH JANUARY 2006
Event: SOUTH OF ENGLAND SENIOR MEN'S XC CHAMPS (15K)
Location: BICTON COLLEGE, NEAR SIDMOUTH / EXETER
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

The Regional Champs are normally held on Hampstead Heath in London but given that the English National Champs are being held there on 25 Feb, Bicton College turned out to be the alternative as 3 years ago. The National Champs alternate between the 3 English regions. It meant a long journey to compete in the regional champs although once entered you are automatically entered for the national champs. Staying in Exeter I planned to cycle thinking it would take 45 minutes but including navigational problems it took an hour longer but leaving with plenty of time (Senior Men's the last) still had time to view the course and see a couple of events. Managed to bump into vegan Kibor Kemp who was running for his London club. All runners had to run for their first claim club which meant I was wearing the VC&AC vest with entry back in early December and Vegan Runners UK not affiliated. It turned out to be a windy day but with little rain in the preceding days, we did not have to consider any mud only difficult terrain with a very winding course at the top level to make up the distance. With four laps instead of the 3 at London, the backmarkers were soon lapped and that included me before I had completed 2 laps hence the feeling that I was a lot slower this time which was not true. There were 3 challenging climbs on each lap but despite lots of runners lapping we continue to run our own race. My time in the end, rather academic was 1 hour 13 mins with Kibor Kemp 1 hour 9 mins. That was not the end of the exercise for the day with the return cycle journey to Exeter. For the first few miles I was struggling into a head wind. As it soon became darker I was struggling uphill and forced to walk from halfway. Luckily I was wearing a visible tabard and panniers as my front light then failed and felt vulnerable to the oncoming traffic on a busy road. Despite seeing Exeter downhill in the distance, there were still several miles to go. The next problem was missing my turning along an unlit narrow road avoiding crossing the junction with the M5 motorway and taking a longish detour. The ride back took another 2 hours but given the cold conditions the exercise kept me warm for the rest of the evening.

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Date: 4TH FEBRUARY 2006
Event: SOUTH OF ENGLAND VETERANS XC CHAMPS (10K)
Location: MAD BESS WOOD, RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

As normal with this event there were 3 races, one for over 50 men, another for veteran women (over-35) and a final one for men 40-49. As usual the field was fairly small but the quality of entrant high as it is not open to unattached runners. I was once again running for the VC&AC. The course was narrow and typical cross country with challenging terrain and uphill stretches. It was a 3-lap course with again the second half proving to be easier. Despite finishing towards the rear (position unknown) I was pleased with my performance and time of 42.16.

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Date: 12TH FEBRUARY 2006
Event: WELLINGBOROUGH MULTI-TERRAIN SERIES ROUND 1
Location: IRCHESTER COUNTRY PARK (5K/10K/15K)
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

With no direct public transport route, certainly not in time for a 10am start, a 20 mile cycle ride was originally the only option but luckily this year managed to arrange a lift with training partners of VC&AC members Michelle & Marcus and avoided the rain until we arrived. Like 2005 chose the 10K, 2 laps of the undulating course with the worst of the mud and climbing in the first half of each lap. The benefits of 3 successive weekend off-road races helped along with the field spread over three events. Finished less than a minute faster than 2005 in 42.45 for 16th. Fortunately I had my legs covered given there were no shower facilities and was not returning home until the evening with a campaigners meeting to follow in Cambridge.

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Date: 19TH FEBRUARY 2006
Event: BRAMLEY 10/20 MILES
Location: NEAR BASINGSTOKE
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

A welcome break from the off-road races and a very special event with the Vegan Fitness group targeting this event and other members of Vegan Runners UK encouraged to come along to make a real impact. I will leave many of the details to John Morgan who opened his house for members to meet up in advance and obtain cheap accommodation. An event that has grown in popularity as part of the build-up for the London Marathon. For part of the day, the local school and village was taken over by the event. Personally I chose the 10 mile event and started confidently but at a modest pace. The climbs were only modest and helped as I passed many runners in the second half. I was rather over dressed at the start given that there was a significant wind chill and so it proved later but did not hold me back from achieving a good personal time of 1.09.51, finishing at a fast pace to match my best over the past few years. With Matt Woodman, Emile Kuijvenhoven and John Morgan a long way ahead I was certainly in the second team!

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Date: 19TH FEBRUARY 2006
Event: BRAMLEY 10/20 MILES
Location: NEAR BASINGSTOKE
Report by: JULLE (GUILIANO)

The nice and well-organized race started from the picturesque village Bramley in Hampshire, south of London. The race was developed on an almost-flat track and surrounded by a wonderful nature, conducive to achieving numerous PBs, despite a not really being a comfortable temperature (6 °C). One runner did the 20 miles race (32 km) and 5 of them the 10 miles (16 km). Inonie (who came by train from Paris), ran a bit under her possibilities for a tendonite, finishing the race in 1:19:23. Shazza did the double distance, running 20 miles in 3h and 5m. First vegan on the finish line was Tarz, who completed the race on the 7th position, in 58:11. Runner (Emile), from Netherlands, broke his old PB by 8 minutes, stopping the clock after 01:04:02 and Skinny Whippet (John) improved his PB too, running in 1:05:37. Peter, the founder of the Vegan Runners UK, finished easily the race in 1:09:51. A LOT of happy supporters made the whole meet-up unforgettable: JP, Rochelle, Billy, Fruitbat, Bronco, LGB, Tom Duke; and even for Julle (that made a lot of nice pictures) and Eliox, (Alessandro) who had caught a bad flu some days before, forcing them to skip the race. The vegan crew had the opportunity to visit the local fitness centre, (and did some exercises!). Some hours after the race they spent the last time together in a vegetarian restaurant (Café Iguana in Reading), eating fantastic food, and looking forward to the next meet-up. To Skinny Whippet, who had his home invaded by a dozen people and has been an example in hosting, organizing for the gym, and making a lot of tasty food, goes the bigger THANK YOU from all of us! Everybody is looking forward to the next vegan meet-up! Results: http://www.readingroadrunners.org/bramley.htm

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Date: 25TH FEBRUARY 2006
Event: ENGLISH NATIONAL SENIOR XC CHAMPS (12K)
Location: PARLIAMENT HILL, HAMPSTEAD HEATH, LONDON
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

The last time the national champs were held here I was unfortunately injured so did not start. No such problems this time. Unlike the South of England Champs that are normally held here, the course was only 12K instead of 15K, making it feel easier. The course consisted of two large laps once we reached the top of Parliament Hill. The timetable of events followed the normal pattern with all of the separate junior races for male and female followed by one each for the senior men and women. It was especially cold due to the wind but the ground was soft with swampy stretches despite the drought. As usual I seemed to struggle up the tough climbs and was concentrating on staying upright in the worst of the conditions. The second half of each lap seemed to be easier with firmer ground and I was picking up places but well back as normal in the field. My personal time was 1.00.25 fractionally over the hour and finished well. Getting cleaned up in cold showers greeted the slower runners in the Lido changing area.

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Date: 12TH MARCH 2006
Event: MILTON KEYNES HALF MARATHON
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

Back to the roads after the short cross country season and only a short trip to my local half marathon from the Open University. Promoted heavily, there was a turnout around 1800. There were threats of heavy snow that disrupted other events around the UK but it remained dry but cold and windy in places. Confident of a good personal time I started off at 7-minute miling with my performance at Bramley in mind and reached 10 miles in about 70 minutes but soon after I began to slow and quite markedly to 8 minutes a mile for the last few. I also dropped a lot of places to 371st; however, it was my best for 3-4 years.

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Date: 19TH MARCH 2006
Event: CLAPHAM COMMON MULTI-TERRAIN SERIES 10K
Location: LONDON
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

Having failed to get a place in the Eastleigh 10K in Hampshire I was lucky to enter this event at short notice. We were still in the grip of winter and with the exposed course the chill factor was especially noticeable despite the sunshine with a 10am start not helping. There were also no changing facilities. The course was 3 laps with many twists and turns but given the dry conditions the surface was hard. Made the mistake of wearing off-road shoes and thought calf strains were going to result after the early discomfort. Despite these problems, the mainly flat course helped to achieve a faster personal time of 41.25. Maurice Regan came along to support me and as we arranged found a local cafe before going on to a Chinese Vegan Buffet in north London.

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Date: SUNDAY 19TH MARCH 2006
Event: BATH HALF MARATHON
Report by: MATTHEW COLE

This was only my second ever half marathon, and my first as a vegan, so I was looking for a big improvement on my personal best, especially as last time (Bristol 2004). I had creaky achy knees from about 3 miles, and could have grimaced for England by the end! I'd had a walk round the course a couple of days before, so was feeling confident as it's nice and flat, and even more so on the day when the cold weather slightly lifted and we had some very heartening bright sunshine. The race itself turned out to be thoroughly enjoyable, and I felt I got a real boost from racing for the first time in my vegan runners vest, and I was pleasantly surprised to get some encouraging pro-vegan shouts around the course (well, about 3, but that was impressive I thought!). On reflection I probably started a little too slowly, being a bit cautious after my previous painful experience, as I managed to gradually accelerate through almost the entire course, and when I finished in 2:02:05 (a 24 minute improvement over my previous time!) I wanted to keep going! I'll certainly be aiming to get under 2 hours next time, and I'll certainly hope to be racing in Bath again next year

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Date: 26TH MARCH 2006
Event: STOWMARKET 10 MILES
Location: SUFFOLK
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

It was once again rather windy but mild conditions now prevailing it felt very pleasant in just a vest and shorts. The course turned out to be more undulating than I expected but with recent encouraging performances behind a further improvement was possible. The wind did slow us down for short stretches otherwise may have in fact been more beneficial. The field was small following previous years indicating the rural nature of the region. Once into the last third of the race I pushed on with no problem except possibly a small reaction in the left calf. Picking up some place I managed to sprint to the line but immediately on stopping felt a calf injury. The following days confirmed the injury which brought hopefully a temporary end to improving performances.

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Date: 7TH APRIL 2006
Event: NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME 7 MILES
Report by: PETER BENYON

Peter informs us that Suzanne won the Newcastle-under-Lyme 7 miles and that a photo of her appeared in the Athletics Weekly magazine. Peter himself is now a vegan.

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Date: GOOD FRIDAY, 14TH APRIL 2006
Event: FOLKESTONE 10 MILES
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

The course remained much the same following the major change in 2005 when the course was reversed with the start in Hythe instead of Folkestone. The day started sunny but with rain forecast and a brisk wind from the west, behind us for most of the outward 5 miles hence the comfortable run. At about 4 miles the rain started and we were soon quite wet especially when we turned back with the rain in our face. It was not long before I felt a little pain in my left calf so eased my pace a little. I was concerned that I had over 4 miles still to go but as the miles passed the pain did not worsen. Started to get confident with less than 2 miles to go and increased my pace but I soon felt more intense pain in my right calf. I slowed again and lost some places but that was only a minor issue. Fortunately there were no hills to climb and I still managed to increase my pace as I approached the line to finish in 1.14.22, about 3-4 minutes slower than in 2005.

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Date: 23rd APRIL 2006
Event: 26TH FLORA LONDON MARATHON
Report by: PETER SIMPSON

(Vegan Runners & VC & AC members) It was a further high class performance by Fiona Oakes from the elite women's start. I followed Fiona around the course (not pacing of course - impossible to keep up!) from the start where she was clearly visible and near the front then near the Cutty Sark at 6 miles, at Canary Wharf and the Embankment where I remained for a while to see the leading and fast club men. A report by Fiona's partner Martin is given below to remind us that she was also running for her charity, Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary based in Essex. Our runners wearing the Vegan Runners vest apart from Fiona included: Dave Arnold (based near Portsmouth) and Sharon Davidson (High Wycombe and our Runner's Secretary). This was Sharon's third successive London and Dave has done many more. I was taken by surprise when Dave turned up at the meeting point obviously having just finished after only 10 days earlier informing us that he was injured and not running. Dave was looking none the worse and using his vast experience to get round. Vegan Runners in other vests included Colin Braybrooke (St. Albans), a vastly experienced marathoner who may have achieved his best ever time and led us home in 2 hours 46 mins. Colin appeared to have his best build-up to a marathon. Angela Frost was running for local hospice charity in Herefordshire. Our top three men representing the Vegetarian Cycling & AC were close together with John Morris from Shrewsbury competing in his third consecutive marathon crossing the line first followed by Marcus Whelband (Newport Pagnell) & Graham Tracey (Manchester) who were both allocated a place through the Club. All three achieved personal bests with Marcus & Graham making substantial improvements. Jenny Green from County Durham was also allocated the third Club place. My apologies if you could not find me at the Club meeting point, many did with lots of photos taken that will be available later. Congratulations to all of the following VC&AC & Vegan Runners UK members for completing the marathon and hope you recover well:

Colin Braybrooke 2.46.22 (Vegan)
Fiona Oakes 2.51.38 (Vegan)
John Morris 3.07.04 PB
Marcus Whelband 3.08.03 PB
Graham Tracey 3.08.51 PB
Dave Arnold 3.16.55 (Vegan)
David Palmer 3.41.28
Gert Cowling 4.03.17
Sid Molyneux 4.27.13 (Vegan)
Sharon Davidson 4.30.03 (Vegan)
Jenny Green 4.33.17
Trevor Chanter 4.41.10
Angela Frost 5.11.11 (Vegan)

Former VC&AC member of 9 years, Richard Jordan finished in 2.42.39 and when at his best ran 2.29+ several years ago

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Date: 23rd APRIL 2006
Event: 26TH FLORA LONDON MARATHON
Report by: MARTIN MORGAN

Just to let you know that Fiona finished the race in 22nd place – her highest placing in this event yet! If you watch the highlights on TV you can see her at the start of the women’s elite race - look on the left hand side of the screen, she is wearing her Vegan Runners green & black top. At the end of the race, (thanks to some perfect timing by Fiona!) you can see her finishing just in front of the winning men. The camera tracks them at the Finish & the female runner you can see 'in shot' is Fiona! Big thanks to all who have sponsored Fiona for the race - if anyone still would like to please visit the website for further details. All best wishes, Martin, on behalf of Fiona & the gangwww.towerhillstables.com

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Date: 23rd APRIL 2006
Event: 26TH FLORA LONDON MARATHON
Report by: DAVE ARNOLD

[Dave’s birthday!] Although it had been doubtful that I'd run at all due to various injuries and hence no training I opted to at least have a go at it. Once in the start pen hearing the theme music ringing out I felt that I was actually in the right place doing the right thing. At worst I'd drop out, at best I'd finish. Either way I'd have a great day! Needless to say a minor mishap with scissors the day before meant that my race number wasn't supporting either Flora or Addidas! (Rebel to the end huh!) Although it was my slowest ever straight marathon (3:16:55) it was, in ways, possibly one of my best, given the circumstances. Fearful of my hamstrings and glutes playing up I ran at what I thought to be a 'safe' pace. At about 5 miles I ran into a triathlete from Fulham making her debut at marathon and we were together for the rest of the race. It did us both good to have someone to run with, particularly in the closing 3 miles when the onset of fatigue was matched only by my desire to push on for as stronger finish as I could manage and to keep up with my new found running buddy! I got a number of 'Vegan' related shouts, even a brief chat with a fellow VRunner in another vest who passed me quite early on! At about 13 miles I was delighted to see Fiona Oakes steaming back the other way at about 22 miles. A truly great advert for Veganism! It was also great to meet up with others at the finish, so thanks to you all one and all! The hardest thing about the day was the painful walk from the finish to the meet up point at the chosen tree. Next year we really must get Peter Simpson to choose a tree a little earlier in the alphabet!! A great day. And even had happy birthday sung by vegans in an all-vegan buffet shop … how cool!! Thanks to all who helped make the day so good, and I hope you are all recovering well by now! PS – Even managed a short triathlon the week after so I'm hopefully heading back in the right direction!

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Date: 23rd APRIL 2006
Event: 26TH FLORA LONDON MARATHON
Report by: ANGELA FROST

Despite being nervous beforehand I really enjoyed the Marathon and managed to see Richard (hubby) just after Cutty Sark and again at about 22 miles, which gave me a boost. The weather was ideal for me as I'm not good running when it's hot. The crowds were great especially as I had my name on my shirt so they kept cheering me on. The one disappointment was the start. There didn't appear to be much going on. Having run the Great North Run 5 times the atmosphere at the start is great with all sorts going on, I just felt that side was a little flat. Having said that, once I lined up and started talking to other runners, it was fine. Having never run a Marathon before, although I completed the Rhayader Round the Lakes 20, I was unsure as to how I would feel and whether I would 'hit the wall'. I took the advice of some of my running friends at my local running club to not worry about time and enjoy the day. I kept to a steady pace and was so pleased that I did not walk at all, and what's more I really enjoyed it. The added bonus is that I have raised over £1600 for my local Hospice. I am also doing the Great North Run again this year and may do the Swansea 10k.

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NEW MEMBERS

Vegan Runners would like to welcome new members Ray Barnes, Karen Pollard and David (Daf) Davies.

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RECENT PHOTOS OF VEGAN RUNNERS IN ACTION

As well as SportCam (http://www.sportcam.net/site3/public/index.php), who covered the Bramley event in February, ProSport Photos also attend a variety of events and most recently have covered the Hairy Legs Challenge Duathlon: John Morgan’s number was 135, Daf Davies 173, Sharon Davidson 125 and Nick, another vegan, 175.http://www.prosportphotos.com/tri athlon/2006/hairy-legs-challenge/index.htm Hairy Legs reports to follow next time!