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Last updated 09 June 2009

General

And Clare Lodwig is now Mrs Smeaton...

An update on Past President Graham Botley

18 May 2009

As I write this Graham is en route to Bromley with Sue and Vic. He sounds good, as usual upbeat and according to Ruth has been discharged with, and I quote: " that the boss nurse said to Graham what a good patient he'd been, how well everything had gone, how they had enjoyed having him in the unit. Bet they don't say that to everyone!

are we surprised?

More anon

Mary

Mary Smith mary@ipec.co.uk

Subject: Bulletin 2 - 9 May 2009

Hello again,

Well I had the great pleasure of seeing himself for myself on Thursday, but it very nearly didn't happen.

Graham text (is there a past tense?) about 10pm on Wednesday evening to say that he had been moved to another ward was in isolation and visiting was going to be off but he was OK. He didn't know that I had booked my train ticket and Ruth was to pick me up the next day, we thought we would keep it as a surprise. 20 mins. later Sue (his sister) rang me and said I think we have a problem, he has an infection and will be in isolation for a few days.

Well to cut a long story short, Sue rang again the next morning to say she had spoken to the ward and there was a window when I would be able to visit so off I went.

He has an infection normally found in small children that is similar to croup. So he has been having treatment for that over the past three days. I was with him for 4 hours and during that time was able to encourage him to eat a yoghurt and drink lucazade type high calorie drinks. Initially he was very sleepy and kept dropping off, however he gradually woke up, and we managed to do the crossword and have a few laughs.

He has now finished this treatment and managed to walk to the day room with his brother today which I believe is a great improvement from yesterday.

If you are planning to visit it would be best to check first either with Ruth or Sue, and please be completely bug free, you have our permission to bully him into eating a little and drinking a lot.

I left him with a printout of all your kind messages, he loves hearing from you please do keep it up.

Mary

PS His nurse reports that his sense of humour has returned I think it went missing on Friday, this will be a relief to all concerned.

Subject: Graham Botley - 4 May 2009

Hi Everyone, At last I have managed to set up an emailing list to keep you informed of Graham's progress. Apologies to those who may have already got the latest or who may know more than I do. This is just to pass on any news that I may get either directly from the man himself or indirectly through the grapevine.

To begin at the beginning. He was admitted 8 days later than expected, it is difficult for staff to anticipate exactly when a bed will be available. Graham coped with this disappointment with remarkable courage, and remained upbeat although it must have been hard. However last Tuesday things began to move and by Friday he had had all the cells replaced through a line in his arm.

He has been feeling understandably, tired and a bit nauseous and is being fed anti-sickness pills which help. Through all he retains his sense of humour.

Local friends are visiting and being well monitored but if you would like to drop him a note or card I know that would be most welcome. I believe even if you put a 1st class stamp on, it still takes several days to reach him!

Graham Botley Ward E3A Queen Elizabeth Hospital Edgbaston B15 2TH

I will update you all as and when I get any more news,

Best wishes
Mary

Banter & Bonding Hike Across the Common - now you know what B&BHAC stands for!

Join us on a walk from the HQ at Hayes across the common to Keston, via the bluebells in Well Wood (hopefully!). We'll stop at the Greyhound for a drink (or two) and then take a different way back to the Clubhouse for a Ploughman's lunch. The bar will be open. We welcome all B&B members, their family and friends. Meet in the Club Car Park for a 10.30am set off. Distance:- 5miles approx. Please contact P.P. Mike Peel on 0208 650 6261 or President Ali Brand on 0208 777 0127 to reserve a lunch.

We hope that this will be the first of many different walks throughout the year and the days of the week will vary, so there should be something for everyone. All you have to do is turn-up!!!  But please let us know if you want lunch by the 9 May latest.

Another note from Mike Salmon

4 April 2009

Yes it is warm all the time - although we have had quite a few storms and rain recently.

Give my regards to the farts and all who know me. Can you please also advertise on the website my "60 at 60" 8mile reservoir run at Alton Water near Tattingstone in Suffolk which I intend to invite club members to on the weekend of 10th/11th October 2009.

I ran in the Ras Al Kaimir (one of the 7 Emirates) half marathon in February 2009 in a time of 1hr 45m (not too fast but OK in the heat).

If anyone is planning a visit please ask them to let me know and we can meet up.

Kind Regards,

Mike

Michael Salmon,FCIOB.,MCIArb
Chief Commercial Officer
Drake & Scull International PJSC
P. O. Box 65794, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel +971 4 8112300 ext 383
Fax +971 4 8112301
Mobile +971 50 5512657
e-mail michael.salmon@drake-scull.ae
web www.drakescull.com

A note from Mike Salmon

12 October 2008

Hi fellow farts,

I have moved to Dubai and am hoping to make contact with Dubai road Runners next week.

Kind Regards,

Mike

Michael Salmon

Chief Commercial Officer

Drake & Scull International LLC

P. O. Box 65794, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tel +971 4 8112300 ext 383

Fax +971 4 8112301

Mobile +971 50 5512657

e-mail michael.salmon@drake-scull.ae 

web www.drakescull.com

A note from Gary Plank - Gary is moving away from the area...

Past President Jim Day

Chris Day would like to thank all of the members who gave so generously to the British Heart Foundation following the untimely death of her husband Past President Jim Day. The total raised was £875. 17-09-07   Jim Day died suddenly on Sunday morning (1 July 2007). Jim would have been 74 in August and next year would have achieved 50 years membership of Blackheath & Bromley HAC. 2-07-07

THE RUNNERS YEAR - EXPLAINED by Ian Wilson PP 9-11-04

Most people when they hear the word “athletics” think of the Olympics or the London Marathon, or may be their school sports day. Most have no idea what happens for the whole year. If you are reading this you should be a paid up member of Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC and will know already that there are many other events in the world of athletics.

You may not be clear which races are important and which are not. Also, you may not be certain how best to prepare for those races that you want to do well in. The purpose of this article is to inform those of you who are relatively new to athletics and, perhaps cause some members of longer standing to review their objectives. It may even stimulate debate and improve performance!

First of all athletics’ is above all else an individual sport, it is a very personal sport. Team performances are secondary as they are the result of a collection of individual performances. However, there is no doubt that an enthusiastic team will help individuals to perform well. You may consider your local 3.75k road race with 50 runners important, someone else may consider their local 6.5 k cross country race important, while others may consider only County, Area or National championships as being important. If every one does their own thing it is unlikely that the Club team will do well. The Club will benefit from good performances from both individuals and teams.

Different preparation (training) is require for different events. Your body is not like an F1 car that can be rebuilt after each race ready for the next. To improve you must train your body to do what you want it to. This requires stress, recovery and more stress. Then different stress, recovery and more stress. Sound familiar? There are many ways to train but not all will suit you. To some extent training and racing is an art form not an exact science. The problem is that you have to find out what works best for you and you only get one chance! If you are a runner then following the traditional British athletics calendar is a good way to start.

What is the traditional British calendar? Well, it has been developed over some 140 years to suit both our climate and the human body. It was developed long before television dictated that athletes perform at the highest level continuously throughout the year.

Let’s start the year in September, after you have returned from your summer holiday or the summer break from school or university. The track and field season has finished and this is the Road Relay season. Runners can do individual road races and road or cross country relays. Most of these need not be too serious; more an opportunity to race fast over relatively short distances and begin to build fitness for the rest of the year. There is an opportunity for track and field athletes to run against the “distance” runners.

In the Autumn there are “short” championship road relays. These are important to the Club and allow individuals to race against the best in the Area or Country. Incidentally there are three areas in England, North, South and Midlands. B&BHAC is in the South of England.

These relays are “short” in respect of the number of runners in the team and not distance raced. All the areas have a 6 leg men’s road relay and 4 leg women’s road relay. These take about 2 hours and 1 hour respectively to run. At present the Southern event is held at the Rushmoor Areana in Aldershot at the end of September and the National event is held at the end of October in Sutton Park at Sutton Coldfield.

This Road Relay season runs in to October and over laps the start of the cross country season which runs, officially, from 1st October to the 31st March. To confuse matters even more, road racing has no fixed season, races being held throughout the year, whenever the organiser thinks is the best time for his event. Hence, the mass participation Great North Run half marathon race is usually held in September or October.

So from October through to March is the cross country running season. This comprises local league races, we do the Kent League, inter club races and championship races. The climax of the season being the World cross Country Championships which are held each year.

Basically, before Christmas the races are about 5 miles long for senior men and 3 miles for senior women. These are low key races which runners may take in the stride without easing down their training. After Christmas the Championship season happens in about eight weeks.

In the past, on the first weekend in January have been the County Championships. But from 2004 they will be in the middle of January. This is by an individual entry and all may run provided you have a County qualification. This is either by birth or nine months residence. Having once competed in a county championship you can not move to another county without missing a year. Many, but not all, of our members are qualified for Kent. As B&BHAC is affiliated to Kent we may enter teams in the Kent championship. There are races for all age groups and both sexes. For senior men the distance is 7.5 miles and for senior women about 4miles. The distances are shorter for the younger age groups.

At the end of January the Area cross country championships are held. The Club enters names and teams for these and as far as I am aware there is no restriction on who may run provided they are representing their First Claim Club. B&BHAC run in the Southern Championship. There are races for all age groups and both sexes. The race distances are the same as for the county championships except that the senior men run 9 miles.

Until 2004 the Inter Counties Championships were held In mid February. But from 2004 on they are held on the first Saturday in March. Counties usually select their team from performances in the County Championships. For seniors up to 15 names may be entered, 9 may run with 6 to score. If you aspire to represent your county, all you have to do is to run well in the County championship and make sure the County Team Manager knows that you are keen to run. For the last few years the Inter counties championship has included the UK Athletics Trial for the British Team to run in the World Cross Country Championships at the end of March. Also, it is currently held in Wollaton Park, Nottingham. if you are not selected for your county team it worth going to watch, as it is usually the highest quality domestic event in the season.

The English National Championships are held at the end of February and the venue moves round to each of the three areas. The 2003 version was hosted by the South at Parliament Hill Fields which is famous as, arguably, the “best” course in the country. The Club enters names and teams for this and there is no restriction on who may run provided they are representing their First Claim Club and that club has entered the Area Championship. There are races for all age groups and both sexes. The race distances are the same as for the county championships except that the senior women run 8k.

For most of us “The National” ends the cross country season. If you are very, very fast you could make your national team for the World Cross Country Championship which is held towards the end of March. You just need to finish in the top 4 places in the Inter counties!! This year’s World Championship was in Brussels and a next year it is in the South of France. Again, if you fancy a weekend away, watching the best runners in the world, why not go on one of PP Graham Botley’s tours to the world cross? I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Of course during the winter there are many road races. If you are interest in my view, I do not recommend too many winter road races. I consider that, if you are free on Saturdays, you are better doing cross country in the winter than road running. Cross country running will make you stronger, is less stressful on the body, more relaxing and the variety should leave you refreshed for the road and / or track races in the summer.

In April there are more road relays. These are the “long” relays typically for men there are 12 legs, 6 long about 5.5 miles and 6 short about 3 miles. The race starts with a long leg, the short and so on finishing with a short leg. The women run 6 short legs, usually over the same course as the men which makes for interesting comparisons within the club!

The Area, Southern Championship, is held at the beginning of April and the National Championship at the end of April. The Southern at the Open University at Milton Keynes on a Sunday and the National at Sutton Park, Birmingham. The courses for the National event are a little longer than those used in the Autumn road relay. These races take about 4.5 hours for the senior men and just about 2 hours for the senior women. Also, there are relay races for young athletes in Sutton Park on the Sunday following the senior races.

Of course there is a major mass participation race in April called the London Marathon. If this is your aim cross country is ideal preparation.

Also in April the track and field season begins. Track and field lasts through to September. The Club takes enters teams in the National and in the Southern Leagues, as well as the Young Athletes Leagues. There is also a Southern Vets T&F League.

Track & Field gives scope for all to take part; you do not have to be a runner. There are five basic types of T&F event; these are track i.e. sprint and middle distance and field i.e. vertical jumps, horizontal jumps and throws. There is something for every one there. The Club could do with more field event and sprint people. Do you know any footballers or rugby players who want (need) to keep (get) fit during the summer. If so bring them along for an introduction to track & field.

There are many shorter road races in the summer. 5k and 10k being ideal distances for improving marathon and half marathon times.

If you want variety then there is always Fell Running. This is very hilly cross country across fells. These, I think, are held throughout the year.

After all this you will be ready for your summer holiday and to rest ready for the next year. You may have decided which events you are best at and / or enjoy the most. You may have decided which events you would most like to set more personal bests at. If so, how to have the best chance of achieving personal bests could be the subject of another article. Racing should be special!

Enjoy your running year!

Ian Wilson

ADVICE TO UK ATHLETES ON THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTS – VERSION 2
The Club has received a position statement from UK Sport and the British Olympic Association on the use of all supplements. The opening paragraph states: “UK athletes are strongly advised to be extremely cautious about the use of any supplements. No guarantee can be given that any particular supplement, including vitamins and minerals, ergogenic aids, and herbal remedies, is free from prohibited substances as these products are not licensed and are not subject to the same strict manufacturing and labelling requirements as licensed medicines.” There is much more detailed information in the leaflet, but it does show that licensed medicines will carry a product license number, eg. PL0242/0028. Further information can be obtained from: UK Sport, Drug-Free Sport Directorate, 40 Bernard Street, London, WC1N 1ST. Email: drug-free@uksport.gov.uk  Website: www.uksport.gov.uk/did  To check all prescribed medicines use the above website, UK Sport Helpline 0800 5280004 or call David Herbert, Anti-Doping Co-ordinator at UK Athletics on 0870 998 6732. New Supplement Advice Sheet (PDF 219k) has recently been published - if you take any form of supplement you need to read it. 30-06-04

Don't say you didn't know... read the official UKA document on Doping and it's regulation.  Also includes a list of all banned substances. 21-02-03