Phew What A Scorcher - Dudley Ladies Brave London Marathon Heat Wave

Shirley Jones, Jayne Morley, Rebecca Gentle and Lucy Cox, joined over 36,000 other runners on Sunday 22^nd April in completing the 27^th London Marathon in just over 5 hours in sweltering unseasonable heat, which will go down as one of the hottest on record.....

Click here for their account of the day !

Dudley Ladies Win Team Prize

Sunday 1st April saw hordes of Dudley Ladies take part in the first staging of the Wombourne Classic 10k.

To read and see more click here !

Hail Silverstone

Sunday 18th March saw Jayne Morley and Shirley Jones (shown left proudly showing off their finishers medals and tee-shirts) brave the gale force wind, lashing rain, biting cold, freezing hail, blustering snow and glorious sunshine of the Silverstone Half Marathon as part of their preparations for the London Marathon.

Rebecca Jones who also took part reports that conditions were so horrendous that the wind blew everyone two strides back for every one stride forward but none the less everyone did well and enjoyed the experience, with the highlight of the day being the beating of Nigel Mansell.

AMAZING FEET ROC FENCING WYRE FOREST 8 - Or as Jacky Fellows calls it… Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud!!!

To find out where all the mud came from, click here !

Dudley Ladies Show Heart

More than 1000 runners braved the rain and cold weather to take part in Dudley's five-mile Action Heart Run on Sunday 25th February.

The race was again supported by hordes of Dudley Ladies rubbing shoulders along side both elite and good club runners, Click here to find out more !

Dudley Ladies Selected As Flora London Marathon Training Partner

Dudley Ladies were recently contacted by the organizers of The Flora London Marathon and were invited to join their elite group of Partnership Running Clubs.

The standards for invitation and inclusion in to this scheme are quite high but the organizers felt that our beginners programme and welcoming club environment make us ideal Flora London Marathon Running Club Partners, so we were delighted to accept and get on board.

David Bedford, the Flora London Marathon Race Director, says that this new running initiative is designed to encourage runners, especially beginners, to get support from their local running clubs in their preparation for this years Flora London Marathon.

A special website has been set up by the Flora London Marathon for people who require any help or advice in their build up for their big day, which can be found by clicking on the logo on the right.

A Good Time Was Had By All

At Dudley Ladies last official training night of the year on Tuesday 19th December.everyone dressed up in either their Santa Suit or some other decorative creation and ran around the streets of Wombourne spreading good cheer before patronising the chip shop and retiring to The Mount Pleasant Pub for much needed liquid refreshment after all their exertions.

Prizes were given to Karen Collins, Ann Kelly, Eileen Bolton and Jackie Bevan for being the best dressed (silliest) runners on the night.

Santa Run 2006

Sunday the 3rd December saw over 5000 runners take to the streets of Liverpool in a bid to become the largest gathering of Santa's' in the world.

Click here to read and see more !

The Bells The Bells 2006

Following on from last weeks Badger Bite a lot of the ladies had obviously not learnt their lesson and took on the even more demanding Bells of Pattingham run on Sunday 15th October.

The race comprised of hills, mud, ploughed fields, mud, long grass, mud, a bit of road and oh yes.......mud.

Stars of the day were again Louise Bird, Jacky Fellows, Sue Hutton, Jayne Morley, Shirley Gentle, Nikki Guest, Donna Proffitt and the rest to many to mention.

For photos of the day, click on the Bells icon on the right

Sunday 8th October saw record numbers of Dudley Ladies take their first tentative steps in to the wilds of off-road cross-country running when they took on everything that Shropshire's Badger Bite could throw at them.

Turnip fields, styles, nettles, enormous hills plus as much mud as you wanted all failed to dampen the girls spirits, with everyone performing heroically.

First home for the club was Amanda Dingley and Isobel Stavenuiter who somehow found the extra energy to try and out-sprint each other to the finishing line and Sue Hutton and Jacky Fellows, shown left, who kept each other going all the way around but the undisputed star of the day was Natalie Dellar, shown above right,  who despite pulling a hamstring early on was determined to finish and somehow struggled on regardless of how she felt. For Dudley Ladies, that is what it is all about - She showed true spirit, grit and sheer determination to finish, and all with a smile on her face. What a Star!

There were just too many other notable runners to mention but you can see some photos of them by clicking on the camera icon on the right

Calling All Fellow Masochists

Jacky Fellows wants to do the Suicide Six and the Tough Guy run in January and is looking for other masochists ......SORRY I mean runners to train her with over the hills of Baggeridge etc in order to train up for it.

If there are any other like minded people out there then please email Jacky on fizzog.theatre@virgin.net

Louise is Dudley Ladies Angel of the North

Sunday 1st October saw a number of Dudley Ladies take on the Great North Run in Newcastle in what turned out to be very hot grueling conditions.

Star of the day was undoubtedly Louise Bird pictured left with Rita who did a very creditable 2hrs.37mins.

Louise only knew that she was running in the race the week before and so with the minimum amount of training but maximum amount of enthusiasm Louise took up the challenge and did it and she did it in style with a big smile on her face and a cheery wave to everyone she saw.

Well Done Louise, you're a STAR!!!!

Farrah & Nicola Get Tied Up In The Staffordshire Knot

Without much of a hitch...Nicola and I found our way over to Cannock Chase on Wednesday evening. and as we arrived within the park land we were shocked at the amount of cars and people entering the race !!!!!

As we left the car to go and hand in our entry forms it really felt chilly and there was a rather bracing wind. We paid our entry fee and was issued with our running numbers. As we queued for a last minute, pre-race toilet stop....we were dithering with cold.

(The only bonus was going to be at least we weren't gonna be sweltering in the conditions of recent 'tropical' temperatures).

We went back to the car to drop off the belongings we weren't going to need. Then headed off to the start line.

Bit of confusion at the start as the gent who was commentating was instructing us all to stand one side of him....but none of us could actually see where he was ?!?!?! SILLY MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We all stood facing one way and we tried to stay towards the middle/back. It then turned out we were all facing the wrong direction, so we had to turn around. Which then meant we were virtually front-runners !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The horn was blown, to which I added 'Sorry guy's, knew I shouldn't have had those beans'.....(ooops, we really must learn to take our racing more seriously). We all sprinted off. To the occasional TUT and HUFF from serious runners behind us.....wasn't our fault we ended up towards the front !!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA

The course was lovely. All through Cannock Chase, but mainly on tarmac path with a few paths which were very gravelly and rocky. Including a slightly large incline at about 3.5 miles...which defeated us and we had a little walk...sssshhshsshhhhh

We kept bumping into the gentleman taking photo's on the way around. And signs which said 'View pictures on the internet tonight'...

of which we STILL haven't been able to find !?!!?? (HMMM ?????) We put our best smiley faces on too...and made sure our hair looked good......DAMN !!!!!!!

We finished the race within an hour. And were issued with our finishing memento...which was a black draw-string sports bag..

with STAFFS KNOT 5M on it.....that will come in very useful for future races or coming over to the club !!! BONUS !!!!

After a drink, we headed off home...................for a cuppa and something to eat !!!!!!!

Great race. Nice doing 5 miles as regards to the normal 10k. Highly recommended. For more info see www.staffordharriers.co.uk

HAHA....I know...we must be mad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, because of my on-going injury I had resigned myself to the fact I probably wasn't going to be fit enough to do the ToughGuy this year. But mid-week I was giving Maggie a pep-talk and all my memories of previously doing it came flooding back and I decided I HAD TO do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marie picked us both up and I got collected at 9.30am Sunday morning (the morning after my Birthday I may add...and I never had a single drink Saturday night....I know, I am a saint !!!!). We headed over to Mr. Mouse Farm, Wolverhampton for the event.

As we got nearby the signposts began to appear and the nerves and excitement started to set in. We parked up and grabbed all our belongings and headed down the field towards the changing rooms etc. When I say changing rooms....it consists of a barn, hay, straw, sheep poo the lot !!!!!!!!!! And the showers are, again, an open barn with a trickle of water coming from the ceiling.

We dumped all our stuff and went to hand our completed 'Death Warrants' in....which certify that if we died there our bodies would be buried there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) And got our numbers written on our foreheads and arms in black marker pen.....we were ready !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The front runners went off first then we followed. A grueling 8 (country) mile off-road run....with obstacles and slaloms. The slaloms were a killer. Hills were SO steep. Everyone was gasping for breath. One bloke fell and dislocated his shoulder...the first casualty of the day !!!!!

We carried on to the final part of the run...which were HUGE muddy ditches to climb in and out of....it was safe to say by that point...we were just gonna get muddier and muddier !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Around the last corner and there was the GIGANTIC A-frame, the first obstacle in the assault course (more commonly known as 'The Killing Fields').

We climbed to the top and shook with fear as we went over the top. Back on the ground we ran on to face the rest of the assault course. Wading through muddy water, jumping in pools, running through burning hay, climbing up ropes over muddy hills....ducking under logs in water, crawling through concrete tunnels and barbed wire and many many other muddy, dirty and dangerous...but HILARIOUS tasks were completed !!!!!!!!!

We all did SO well. As we faced lots of mental challenges. For me it was the 'Walking the Plank' section.

Where you balance to the end of a plank and then jump off into the water. In a previous year I had missed this but with Maggie and Maries help...I completed it...and was so proud of myself.

The camaraderie during the event is second to none. You meet so many great people along the way. And there is always an encouraging word or hand from someone.

We staggered over the line at 4 hours and the finish line was such a welcome sight, as we could barely lift our feet and legs we were SO exhausted. We were presented with our horse brass medals !!!

And cups of tea and biscuits !!!!!!!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. A little battered and bruised, we headed for the make-shift showers to get as much mud off us as possible. And then limped to the car to go home !!!

Tempted to enter the winter one next year, as that is only once around the assault course.

All monies I raised by completing the event are being donated to DebRA UK, which is the national charity working on behalf of people with the genetic skin blistering condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). For more information or if you want to get involved see www.Debra.org.uk

In true Superwoman tradition, the new club logo was unveiled when this years beginners received their Dudley Ladies Tee-shirts or caps.

After quickly dodging into the nearest telephone box and wearing her red knickers outside her blue tights, Rita emerged looking resplendent and ready to take on even the toughest of races.

So if you want to be up there with the best, pay your subs in August and this is what you'll get.

At last, the new summer clothing range has finally arrived but we have to say that they were well worth waiting for.

The new vee-necked running tops are made by Ronhill in a breathable Coolmax material and are available in a very flattering fitted ladies cut style in sizes extra-small, small and medium. Price £15.00

For the people that prefer the straighter cut, comfort fit style, then they are available in sizes medium, large and extra-large, although it has to be said that the gold side panels make even the largest amongst us look slim.

So if you don't do arms, then this is the thing to run your next race in.

For some time now we've been asked for matching shorts to go with our club vests and crop tops etc. Well, here they are and in order to give you the opportunity to mix and match we've provided them in either royal blue with gold side stripes or gold with royal blue side stripes. Price £15.00

Match the above with our latest breathable microfibre running cap and you're well set up for summer. Price £8.00

See the club clothing page for more items of kit or else ask any of the girls on the desk for details next time you're down the club.

Yes It's Yet Another Girl

Julia Key, another of Dudley Ladies founder members gave birth to 8lbs 9oz daughter Georgia on Wednesday 7th February

Husband Warren tells us that both mother and daughter are doing well and like everyone else, Julia is looking forward to getting back to running as soon as possible

Sharon's OK

Just to let you know that Sharon Hearne who took a nasty tumble on Tuesday night 27th Feb is OK.

She tripped over a kerb-stone whilst out with the group and damaged her face when she fell.

Fortunately a couple of our nurse runners where behind her and right on hand to give immediate support and assistance. She thanks everyone involved for all their help and concern.

Strike A Light

Denise Foxall has come up with a novel way of beating the dark nights with a miniature miners helmet.

Roll on the light nights!

Phil's Thursday Evening Speedwork Sessions Have Started Again

Are You Serious About Wanting To Improve and Get Better? 

Do you want to do well in races?

Do you want to stand out from the crowd?

Do you want to improve and do well?

Do you want to become one of the better runners in the club?

 If the answer to the any of the above is YES, then you have to do something other than just jog around the streets as you are doing at the moment.  

“So what have I got to do then?”

Well in theory it’s easy, you simply join Phil’s speed-work sessions on a Thursday evening.

 During these sessions, you will be taught how to educate your legs into taking bigger strides and then how to move them faster than normal. After that you will then do a number of different sessions that will condition your body to enable it to keep your legs moving at this new found speed for longer.

 “I’ve tried running faster than normal before but I can’t keep it up because it’s so hard and painful” 

Running on your own is hard at the best of times, so you need the support of the group around you to help and motivate you through, however, having said all that, the biggest problem is, is that in practice, other things come into play which for some people can’t be taught, coached, bought or learnt.

 More than anything else, you have a Positive Mental Attitude, i.e. you’ve REALLY got to want it!

 During the training sessions, you have to be able to blank out everything else and focus your mind solely on one thing and one thing only, even though your body is screaming out to stop because it’s hurting like hell.

 In any sport or walk of life, Ability Without Attitude Counts For Nothing. You really have to want to do it.

 So if you haven’t got that desire, determination or mental strength, then carry on jogging with your friends, read no further and enjoy the more social side of running, because this isn’t for you.

 “Okay, Bye Bye”

 Right, now that we’ve put the wimps off, you’ll want to know a little bit more about what’s involved and what you’re letting yourself in for.

 Well, running consists of three basic elements, Speed, Strength and Stamina.

 You get your Stamina by doing lots of long steady runs, problem is, if you do nothing but long slow steady runs as a lot of us do, then you become very good at running very slowly for a long time. So you have to do something additional to push on to the next level.

Your Speed comes from learning to pick your feet up and put them down again very quickly in the most efficient way possible. This is achieved by running faster than you would do normally for short periods and concentrating on the way you do it with balance and style. 

Strength comes from muscle ( Don’t worry, I’m talking about Arnold Schwartzeneger here, just think Paula Ratcliffe or Rita instead ) but you have to build up leg muscle density by subjecting them to a resistance/load. i.e. Running up hills. This strength will allow you to keep your new found speed going at a constant rate regardless of the terrain.

Because the sessions are relatively short, you might be lulled into thinking that they are a doddle, however in practice if you do them properly, you will find that they are anything but and are very demanding although at the same time, they are also highly satisfying and if it's any consolation, after these sessions, you will find that the races are easy.

 If you’re interested in running faster THERE IS NO QUICKER WAY TO RACE FITNESS THAN DOING THIS.

 See Phil or Rita for further details

Farrah Hunter-Coley Voted Newcomer Of The Year 2006

Farrah was presented with her "Newcomer Of The Year" award on Thursday 20th July as a reward for making the biggest "impact" on the club by a newcomer this year.

In what seems no time at all, Farrah has taken up her running with a vengeance and even though she lives one of the furthest away in Wednesbury, she comes every week, has made loads of new friends and tries to do a race whenever she can.

CHASEWATER 10K - 2nd JULY 2006 - Hot or What???

Well, think we knew it was gonna be a tough race with the weather feeling so hot, humid and sticky....and that was before we even left the house !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nikki picked me up at 9.30 and we found our way to Chasewater Country Park without a hitch !!!!! (PHEW......was rather concerned about being there on time after the shenanigans at Farnborough !!!!!)

We parked up and went to register. It was all very relaxed and organised. So once we had our numbers we had a wonder and sat on a picnic bench looking across at the huge lake....and watching the world go by. Feeling quite envious of the people who were out for a stroll with their dogs...and thinking 'What the hell are we doing ?!?! Racing around like lunatics on a day like today' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We agreed that if either of us felt like stopping or walking or dropping out then we should, as it would be silly to try and push ourselves on a day like today !!!!!!!!! Even getting a possible PB isn't worth the risk of collapsing !!!

The race started at 11.00am sharp....and we set off. The heat kicked in straight away, especially as just before the first 1k was quite a sharp incline. Nikki said she'd stop for a little walk for a while. And I carried on....but even I made sure I was at an extremely slow and steady pace. It was just SO hot.

The course was very undulating (which Phil had previously explained to me)....lots of little up and down narrow tracks. With some more open spaces as we ran closer to the lake. The open spaces were difficult as the sun then felt like it was beating down on you.

As we neared 4k, I began to wonder where the water stations were...and convinced myself there HAD TO be some before the 5k mark - SURELY !?!?!?!?!??!

As we neared 5k (which was the first lap)...it became clear that this was to be the only water station !!!!! I could not believe it !!!!!

One water station on a 10k would be bad enough, but on a day like today it was UTTERLY UTTERLY ridiculous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are Chasewater Country Park on a meter or something ?!!?!? Or is it a government plot to try and dwindle the numbers of the running population down !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

When I finally got a drink at 5k I had a walk for a while and debated carrying on or not. I decided as I had half of my own water in my water bottle left I'd attempt the second lap (if it hadn't been for that, I'd have most certainly stopped). The second lap didn't seem too bad....got chatting to a girl who had had to stop for oxygen on the first lap !!!!!???????????????????? Thought she was brave (and mad)...to be carrying on.

A few digs at the Marshals along the way about the lack of water...and before I knew it I was at 8k. The final few kilometres were hard work (especially with it being off-road).....but I stopped and drank my last few dregs in my water bottle and 'plodded' to the finish line.

Nikki was at the finish, cheering me on....she had decided to stop after the first lap, as did many many other runners.

It was just SO hot. The double lap gave that bonus...at least people could stop if they needed to.

The finish line was a VERY VERY VERY welcome sight. (It was a better feeling than if England had won yesterday !!! Oooops, maybe not).

And so was the water and squash at the end. (I was still fuming about the lack of water along the way). We collected a T-Shirt and then headed home......air-con full blast !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looked set to be a lovely day as we left my brothers house in Manchester to make our way to the city centre, but the minute we stepped our feet out of the house the rain came down .. and then it rained, it rained, rained, rained and rained some more!!! I think it stopped when we were on our way home.

Manchester was wet and cold but it didn't stop thousands of dedicated runners turn up for the event and the atmosphere was great. The run was really well organized and every runner was put into a colour group depending on how long they estimated it would take to run. Each colour started at different times so there was plenty of room and none of the jostling you find with some race starts. We all had electronic chip timers that you attach to your legs too to record your time and it didn't start till you passed the mat at the start line, so even though we were right at the back it didn't matter

It was an out and back course which took you past the Old Trafford Stadium and down by the quayside, however it was SO wet that I don't really remember thinking anything other than.. "when will I get dry!" It was nice passing down by the quays but as I turned the corner there was an even heavier downpour of rain and I concentrated on wiping the rain dripping from my nose.. . I don't think I have ever been so wet when running. I remember when doing the beginners course last year Rita said in the middle of a thunder & lightning storm " once you have ran in this - you will be a real runner" ..well Rita, I felt like a true runner on this day.

The crowd were wonderful, despite the weather there was loads of support to get you round ( all dressed very nicely in bin liners to keep them dry) It was cold and very wet and I don't think I would have fancied standing there so I thought they were stars!

I got a little bit of a boost when I came across a marker to say 6km... and I thought " oh I'm more than halfway!!!" It was fantastic as I had no idea of where I was so this motivated me a lot. The cruelest and hardest part ( which Sue and my brother agreed on so it wasn't just me!) was the ending.. it gave you the countdown in metres... 800m.................400m.....................200m.......................Finish. It just felt like it would never end...but there were plenty of wet people there to cheer us on.

The goodie bag handed out Small, Medium and Large T-shirts. After finding Sue and my brother who I had lost pretty early on, the cold started setting in and I felt myself seize up. We were desperate to find somewhere to do Phil's cool down exercises and soon held up the foil sheets to cover our modesty whilst we put the brand new t-shirts on to get warm ( who am I kidding - by this stage I couldn't care less who saw what!).. There was also a very nice ( and big!) medal to put on too!

We did it nice and steady all the way round and Sue came in at a great 1hour 9 and I did 1 hour 14. Our socks were wet, our bras were wet, our Dudley Ladies T-Shirts weighed a ton with all the water but when we crossed that finish line.. we felt so proud of ourselves and it really was an achievement.

As an aside - we trained for the 10km properly ( and in the winter!) allowing enough time to build up nice and steady and now we are doing them regularly as we are training for the Great North Run in October this year.. I'm nervous even thinking about it!

See you all soon

Bridgene & Sue

Hi All

However, I entered the Race for Life run in the Stirling University grounds on Sunday 18th June and had a rather wet, but lovely run. Got round in just under 40 mins which I was perfectly pleased with. Great atmosphere, welcome goody-bag and a 5K medal on a pink ribbon to match the new shoelaces, so I am not sitting about waiting for time to pass.

Someone from Dudley saw my Dudley Ladies running vest and came over to speak to me which was really nice - she now works in Glasgow, so we had a wee chat about Dudley.

Hope all is well, will see you when I get back at the end of June.

Cheers - Eleanor Phillips

Better Late Than Never For The Farnborough Flyer 12K

Serves us right for getting all big headed with our map reading skills last week.........we started out at 9am. Found our way to Farnborough, but then got lost around the huge park there. We drove around in circles for about 20 minutes and then started to panic slightly when the time reached 10.20...(the race started at 10.30). We saw some Marshall's and asked for directions. Then tazzed over to where the start was (we were no where near it where we had been originally heading).

By the time we reached the village I quickly jumped out (as we were having to collect our numbers on the day), and Marie drove on to park. I ran around like a headless chicken trying to find the registration...hearing over the tannoy system that there was "FIVE MINUTES before the start of the race". We had to run down to the local church hall. Where I think the woman thought we had gone a little insane, I think everyone else had registered or collected their numbers about an hour before !!!!!!!!!!

As we came out of the hall we dashed back up to where the start was only to hear the counts of 10, 9, 8, 7.....etc. We managed to tag along at the back of the rest of the runners !!!!!!!!! Talk about cutting it fine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first 3 miles seemed really easy, I think I was still running on pure adrenaline !!!!!!! hahaha

Wonderful course. Such a lovely quiet village, hardly any traffic. Very friendly locals handing out water...really chatty and encouraging.

The course took a VERY nasty steep incline at about 6k. Thank goodness I had the jelly babies to hand to keep up the energy levels !!!!

Towards the end, the race merged with some kind of motorcycle race that was on !?!?!? Which seemed a little strange !?!????

And at one point one man got knocked off his bike ?! Also at the very end I stood for a good few minutes waiting to cross the road while a convoy of motorbikes came up the road !?!??! A little annoying and good job I wasn't trying to get a record time !!! :)

Finished in 1hr 20m. Sore feet (blister). And still a bit of pain from my hamstring. BUT....got a goodie bag which including a much needed running water bottle !!!!!!!!!!! Dead chuffed. I feel like a proper runner now !!!!!!!!! hehehe

Anyone interested in taking part next year can look on the website www.idbuilder.co.uk.

I'll DEFINITELY be doing it again !!!!!

Yes It's Yet Another Girl

Jessica Stones, another of Dudley Ladies founder members gave birth to 8lbs 6oz daughter Violet Jade on Wednesday 7th June

Both mother and daughter are doing well and like everyone else, Jessica is looking forward to getting back to running as soon as possible.

Phew What A Scorcher!!! - Another Hot One For Farrah

After spending Friday and Saturday debating and cogitating whether to race on Sunday (Two Castles - Warwick to Kenilworth 10K) or not after my groin and hamstring injury in the week. (Big THANKS to the girls who walked back with me on last Thurs nights run !!!!!). I decided to take the plunge and go for it....as didn't want to let Marie down. But promised myself I'd take it extremely easy, and stop at the slightest twinge.

Not really great preparation for a race, but spent most of Saturday in the pub. Watching the England game and having a FEW beers !!!!

(Yeah, I know....bet Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Holmes done do that pre-race, but I did have Pasta for my tea, so weren't all bad) !!!

Got up at 5.50am !!!!!!!!! (to be precise)........had my shredded wheat (if it's good enough for Ian Botham, it's good enough for me)... and tried to get plenty of fluids in as a hot day had been predicted.

Marie picked me up at 7am.....and by 8am we were parked up in Warwick (not bad for two females with a map !!!!! Impressed ??????).

We sat in the sunshine in the park where the Start was, (it had been moved from recent years, where it had always been within the castle itself). As we sat relaxing and enjoying the day, we were getting more and more tempted to stay there and not race at all, as the sun was blazing down and we were in such lovely surroundings, however as the time got nearer and people slowly gathered so we made the decision to run.

The race started at at 9am. Almost immediately the heat seemed stifling. We had already agreed to take it really really easily as it was just so hot. The race took us through Warwick town and then headed out towards Kenilworth.

The scenery wasn't great to start with as the course follows the route of the dual carriageway. But a bit further on it was slightly more rural....and lots of overgrown trees created some welcome shade.

Lots of locals were out with hose-pipes and water and one house-hold had set up drinks including tea AND beer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joined by the local Vicar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOCKING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thought he'd have been there giving out HOLY WATER !!!!! hahaha

Saw lots of people collapsing along the way....not surprisingly with the heat.

The last push up the hill to Kenilworth Castle (where the finish was)....was a real grueller.....but as the finish line was in sight I managed to put a sprint on. Marie finished just in front of me....both crossing the line in just over an hour. Which we were both pleased with considering we had a really easy comfortable run, at least we weren't sprawled out on a pavement like many of the folks who had tried to push themselves too much.

Very nice medal at the end but slightly too large a queue at the ice-cream van :( DRAT !!!!!!

The race organizers then laid on coaches from there back to the start. So we all piled on a sweaty coach (although the kind driver did bang the air-con on about half-way back, to which everyone erupted into a cheer !!!!!!!!!) back to the car park at Warwick. Great day.

It was a great race. Lovely course. Would recommend it to anyone. It's just always just so flipping hot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Anyone interested can log onto www.twocastlesrun.org.uk,there are also pics and results from previous races)

NEXT WEEK: Banbury 12K.

It's Another Girl

Petrina Marsh, one of Dudley Ladies founder members finally gave birth to 9lbs 13oz daughter Megan on Saturday 20th May

Both mother and daughter are doing well and looking forward to getting back to running. Congratulations Petrina, we're all really pleased for you.

WELL..............trust me to pick the first mini-heatwave of the year to do a half-marathon.....and by the seaside too !!!!!!!!!

We headed up to Blackpool Saturday afternoon (to save getting up at the crack of dawn Sunday morning). The weather was scorching all the way; and I was concerned that Sunday would be as hot !!!!!!!! Great for walking around in shades or sunbathing on the beach...NOT for running 13 miles !!!!!!!!!!

Managed to find a decent B&B, the owners seemed dead friendly. Said they had one room left which was a disabled room. I hoped that wasn't an omen as to what I would be like after the race !!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Got an early night but was woken up by a rowdy Stag Party returning to the hotel at 4am...who then decided to set off the smoke alarm !!!

I was terrified it was a real fire.......mostly because I didn't want to be dragged out onto the street in my Asda cheque pyjama's !!!!

Turned out, however, they had been smoking in the room and activated the sensor !!!!!!!! So all was well and I returned to sleep.

Being woken at 7am by my alarm.

We got up and went for some early breakfast. And before I knew it, it was time to head down to the Tower (which is where the start had been changed to from recent years). There were hundred's of people milling around. And on the walk down I felt a few twinges from this groin injury I got at the race last week.

Mark kept telling me not to run. But I said I couldn't drop out after coming this far....but I promised I would drop out of the race if it got bad.

The start was delayed by half an hour (AGAIN).......but at 9.30 we all set off. The muggy heat kicked in almost immediately.

And by 2.5/3 miles I think everyone was feeling it. The water station at 3 miles was a very welcome site. But as I approached 4 miles my groin really started to hurt and I felt it was draining me physically.

The course is a huge loop. Turning at 3 mile to double back past the start. So I thought 'If I don't feel well at 6 miles when I am back near the tower, I'll just drop out'. But as we approached 6 miles, the course takes a sharp turn down towards the beach...and as soon as I looked across and saw the sand and sea...I felt great.....there was so much more air about. And it seemed so much cooler.

I past Mark (sitting there reading the paper TUT)....and he gave me a wave and asked how I felt. At that moment I felt great and KNEW I had to carry on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then came the water station at 6 miles....and I had a drink of water. They were also giving out bottles of Lucozade Sport. Which was like an instant shot of energy (may have been psychological, but who cares).

I clung onto the bottle with dear life and sipped it slowly over the next few miles and it really helped. It was like I had come back from the dead !!!!!!!!!!

We turned again up the coast at about 9 miles (where there SHOULD have been another water station, but wasn't)....and then started out final stretch of about 3 or 4 miles back to the finish line !!!!!!!!!!

I hadn't forgotten all those higgledy-piggledy uppy and downy bits at that last stretch back...they were as bad as ever.

Really taking it out of your legs. The few spots of rain were a welcome refreshment. As I saw the 11 mile marker...a huge grin crossed my face. And ten minutes later I could see the finish line. I was home !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At 12 miles there were more drinks and MORE Lucozade Sport......so I had another drink and then didn't want to stop again until the end. The finish line didn't seem to be getting any nearer. But a few shouts of 'Go on Dudley' kept me going.

And I crossed the line in just 2 hours.

Mark was there at the end with bottles of water and Lucozade...but I still had a full bottle that I got at 12 miles.

My legs were like jelly.....but I saw the woman handing out the medals.....and forgot about the pain !!!!! hahahaha

Last year, the event got a really bad review as there wasn't enough drinks or water stations. And although things had improved slightly, I felt they could have done more. Especially after the disaster last year of people having to pull out and collapsing etc.

And the delayed start AGAIN.....was also disappointing.

All in all though....a GREAT race. Something about running by the sea. I love running there. The atmosphere was fantastic.

Shame it was the last FULL marathon there this year (yes, some mad people who did TWO laps !!!!!!!!!!)....as I may have been tempted to do the full 26 next year.

Aching now. Groin is quite painful, and also my left knee (think I may have been compensating with the other leg). But loved every minute !!!!!!!!!!!

(Warwick to Kenilworth - Two Castles 10k Run next Sunday)

Liverpool Women's 10K

Sunday the 14th May again saw a coachload of Dudley Ladies descend upon Liverpool for the largest ladies only 10K road race in Europe, which this year attracted over 5000 runners.

The race started at 11.00am from Sefton Park and every finisher got a free medal, a T-shirt and goody bag.

The toilet facilities were again woefully inadequate but at least the surrounding bushes and foliage will not need irrigating for a weeeeeeeeeeeek or too

Star of the day was Mary Lavender who as well as being first Dudley Lady home, actually lead the race straight from the start line before the internationals took over. Mary eventually finished in a very creditable 50 minutes. Not bad for an over 50 year old.

Other people worthy of note were Kerri Pearson and Penny Tymon who finished 2nd and 3rd Dudley Ladies on the day and Amanda Dingley who was first over 35 and Jayne Morely who was over 40. Rita reluctantly accepted her bottle of bubbly for winning the over 50's prize because Phil fancied a drink and had already got the glasses out..

It was a brilliant day out, with good weather that ended with a wine tasting picnic in cracking company.

For further proof click on Mary's photo on the right for more photos of the day.

Wednesday 3rd May again saw dozens of Dudley Ladies take part in this very popular event which this year attracted around 1300 runners.

The evening was balmy, hot and sultry which made the hilly and undulating course just that little bit more testing than usual.

First home for Dudley Ladies was Melanie Hodges in 55min.16sec closely followed by Kerri Pearson and dozens of other to numerous to mention in hot pursuit.

Click on the DK logo on the right for photos of the night

Well done to Lynne Rushton and Sheena Di Franco who both successfully completed this years London Marathon in 5hrs 17mins and 5hrs 19mins respectively.

Both reported having an absolutely brilliant weekend and we really proud and delighted for them.

Not bad for a couple that were rookie beginners not so very long ago.

For a detailed report of the race, read Sheena's Diary

It's a Girl

Sarah Thomas, who lost a massive 9 stone in weight whilst running with Dudley Ladies, lost a further 6lbs 12oz when she gave birth to her first child Phoebe on the 19th February.

Both mother and daughter are doing well and looking forward to getting back to running. Congratulations Sarah, everyone is really pleased for you.

Click on Phoebe's pram for more pictures on her website

Dozens of Dudley Ladies Brave Cold Run

Dozens of Dudley Ladies braved freezing cold winds and flurries of snow to take part in the 16^th annual Action Heart five mile run at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley. 

Even the late arrival of the leading police car to escort the runners around the streets could not dampen their spirits and pulses were set racing from the start as some of the best amateur men and women runners from across the West Midlands sprinted off to try and win the coveted title. 

The course took the runners out of Russells Hall Hospital on an up-hill climb towards one of the highest points in Dudley all the way to the top of the Himley Road before the very steep but relatively short descent to Milking Bank and Lower Gornal before again starting the long grueling ascent back to the hospital. A truly testing run by any standards.

First home for Dudley Ladies were Sue Hickman and Donna Concannon who ran in together in a lung bursting 44min. 28sec..

 Following Sue and Donna where a whole host of runners headed by Clare Dolan who gave her husband Keith a good run for his money in 45:57 and Amber Martin "fresh" from the mud and undergrowth of the Wyre Forest 8  in 47:17. 

Stars of the day

Amongst the chasing pack, runners of note included overall star of the day, 62 year old Margaret Jones, who put a lot of her younger colleagues to shame in an unbelievable time of 50:03.

Maggie Lovell running out of her skin in 52:10, new-comer Louise Williams 52:40, Pat Perkins 52:50, Tara Burrows (wife of England international 5000m runner Darrius) 53:25, Wendy Flavell 53:35sec, Claire Morgan 55:06, Anita Webb and Caroline Mackie 55:57, Shirley Jones 57:40, Julie Lamb 57:54, Sue Hutton 58:05, Irene Evans 58:05, Sarah Jones and Rachel Harris 58:50, Marie Smith and Debbie Mottram 60:02, Sue Dalton and Tracey Curran 60:26, Denise Anslow 62:31 and Paulette Hayhurst 64:32. 

Congratulations to every one else not mentioned that completed this very popular but demanding run. The race packed in a record 1000 runners, raising £20,000 for the Action Heart charity and this popular race just seems to go from strength to strength through the organization and enthusiasm of Joy Brown and the rest of the Action Heart team.

For photos of the day taken by our very good friend Brian Smith click on the link on the right

Stourbridge Stagger 2006

Congratulations to Marie Sandells (1hr 51.07), Maggie Rowan (1hr 53.41) and new girl on the block Farrah Hunter-Coley (1hr 56.45) who all completed this spectacularly hilly course in fine style.

Looks like Phil's speedwork sessions are starting to pay off.

New Dudley Ladies Beginners Get Off To A Flying Start

Dudley Ladies now infamous beginners running course got off to a flying start on Tuesday 25th April 2006 at Wombourne Leisure Centre.

Every year, club founder, Rita Vanes organizes this very popular beginners running course for women who have either never run before or else haven’t run for some time and it has proven to be extremely successful.

This year, over 260 ladies turned up to take their first steps towards achieving their goal of running 3 miles within 10 weeks, with even more additional participants planning to come on the Thursday

That was on top of the existing membership of 300 plus members, so things were a bit hectic, good fun but hectic.

Rita welcomed and addressed the thronging masses which totally filled the school theatre hall and backed up out of the door 2 or 3 people deep.

Pat Powell gave an excellent witty speech full of anecdotes and dry humour about her experiences when she was a beginner, while John Murphy said a few words about sports injuries and his role in the club and Phil explained how he does everything that Rita tells him plus describing how to identify a good pair of running shoes.

After the necessary background information preliminaries, Rita explained the basics to achieving the 3 mile target and how they were going to do it before taking the crowd outside to introduce them to Phil's warm-up routine and getting them to take their very first steps on their new sport.

It was nice to see the return of a number of old faces, such as Joan Rutter, Jo Hill and many many more returning from injury. With so many hugs and kisses, Phil must have thought he'd gone to heaven.

The course which costs £20 aims to teach women everything they need to know about running safely and includes a free medal, tee-shirt and certificate to everyone who completes the course.

No one is ever turned away, so it's still not too late for people to join.

If you want any further information or would like to talk to Rita directly then you can email her on rita@dudleyladies.co.uk

Click on the torn up 'L' plate for more pictures of the night

Christmas Comes Early For Dudley Ladies

Sunday 4th December again saw hordes of Dudley Ladies descend upon Newtown in Powys in order to participate in the largest Santa Run in Europe with well in excess of 3000 Santa's taking part.

A number of the ladies were interviewed by the television, radio and newspaper media with the Sarah Jones family group making a special effort by modifying their costumes to look like cowboys to such an extent that partner Bryan won the best dressed male Santa competition.

Pam Edmunds again led the way on the celebrations front with her mulled wine freely flowing for anyone that wanted something to help the free chip butties that were given away at the end go down as shown by Marie Sandells above.

Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the day and had a real good time and it was good to see Liz Woods again who made a special effort in flying all the way back from her new home in Spain just to take part.

For photographs of the day click on the image on the right

Dudley Ladies Commit Suicide

Sunday 20th November saw some of Dudley's finest take on the hills, mud, ice, freezing water and everything else that Baggeridge Country Park could throw at them in this years Suicide Six.

This is a race not for the faint hearted, with the "highlights" being a waist deep river crossing in ice breaking freezing cold conditions followed by a 108 step Jacobs Ladder climb back to the finish. All of which follow a few hill climbs to get you warmed up and a large expanse of mud to slow you down.

None the less, everyone had great fun with newcomers, Maggie Rowan and Marie Sandells path finding the way for Anita Zammit. Jenny Fraser, Jo Ashley and Brenda Hunt, who all finished, wet and muddy but very happy.

For pictures of the day click on the icon on the right

Tracey Goes All The Way

Tuesday 1st November saw Tracey Bennett go all the way when she got herself involved with Sheena and Pammy's group and ran her first 5 miler.

As her mentors said afterwards, "it's amazing what you can do with after a little cajoling, we convinced her that she COULD do it and boy was she glad when she completed it."

Sometimes it just takes a little extra...... "go on you can do it ".... type of encouragement to push that extra mile and after a celebratory glass of red wine with the rest of the group, Tracey went home a very proud girl indeed.

Liz is doing a Shirley Valentine

Thursday 27th October saw us say goodbye to Liz Woods who is emigrating to Spain in order to run a company that lets out villas and apartments just south of Benidorm.

Liz started as a beginner a couple of years ago and together with her twin sister Louise, she has been an absolute inspiration and driving force behind motivating dozens of other ladies to follow in her footsteps.

It will be no exaggeration to say that her beaming smile and outgoing personality will be missed by everyone, not least the bar staff over the road at the Mount Pleasant Pub.

The girls are planning a club trip over to Spain to visit Liz sometime next year, when she's settled in and got everything organised, so sort out your Dudley Ladies bikini and start saving your money now.

Jan & Eleanor Take The Plunge

Sunday 23rd October saw Jan Stanton and Eleanor Phillips take part in their first race since graduating from the Dudley Ladies school of beginners.

They ran in the Cancer Research Weston Park event, where runners did a demanding single 10km lap around the famous Capability Brown parkland with its beautiful panoramic views across the Midlands towards the Wrekin.

The course was a mixture of multi-terrain that included road, grassland and forest tracks, which stretched even the most able of the 1500 plus runners that took part.

Jan and Eleanor epitomise everything that Dudley Ladies is about and we have nothing but pride and admiration for them. Well Done to both!!

Click on Jan and Eleanor's photo for more pictures of the day

Congratulations are due to Tracey Green, Sue Hickman, Donna Concannon and Michelle Woodyatt who all travelled over to Holland during the weekend of October 16th for the Amsterdam Marathon and Half Marathon.

All reported back in good spirits and spoke very highly of the trip organizers, the race and the whole experience. Put it in your diary for next year.

Congratulations To Everyone That Did The Great North Run on Sunday 18th September

Photograph shows Jo Ashley, Anita Zammit, Brenda Hunt and Jenny Fraser proudly showing off their medals and tee-shirts at the end of a very hot and demanding run but a BRILLIANT weekend.

Star of the day was undoubtedly Jo who finished in 2 hours 07minutes but special mentions must also be given to Amber Martin, Sue Freeman, Sarah Oakley, Julie Foley and Enid Brazier who all acquitted themselves and Dudley Ladies proud.

It must have been the Pasta!!!!

A Personal Account of the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon by Sheena Di Franco, Sunday  11^th September

 "I arose from my bed at 7.30am feeling a little nervous, but hungry.  Made my way to the kitchen had my porridge, orange juice and banana.  Packed my bag and I was off to pick up Gail. No problem directions in my head from Pammy (who couldn’t make the day) to Gail’s house, she said “Just go past the Black Country Museum in Dudley and I said, “Its ok I remember the rest, I’ll be ok” (famous last words). 

The Black Country museum road was blocked off, so I was diverted to Burn Tree Island and back along the Birmingham New Road.  Conscious of the time my foot inadvertently was pressed against the accelerator pedal, perhaps a little heavy, which consequently meant I was driving over 50mph.  I then viewed in my mirror, YES a police car; I had to think quickly, I was in the outside lane, what ever happens I can’t put my foot on the brake pedal as he would know I was speeding, so I put my indicator on and moved gradually and carefully over to the left, so that HE could then do 50mph and over take me!! 

At the traffic lights I turned right to get back on track to Gail’s house.  Then turned first right again in to the cul de sac OH….  This isn’t where Gail lives.  I’m lost.  I got out my mobile 8.45am and rang Pam (Never thought to have Gail’s mobile number did I).  A very sleepy voice at the end of the phone said hello. “Pam it’s me I’m lost, were does Gail live?”  She gave me instructions, with the help from Keith (well I think it was Keith… only joking) and I arrived at Gail’s for 9am.  Then we were off to collect Raj.  I said to Gail “You do know were she lives?”  She replied “Yeh I think so”.  Neither of us had Raj’s mobile, so I then had to ring my husband to get her number for us. We rang Raj and arrived at her house promptly.   

My next little venture was to Lake Vyrnwy itself.