It’s a month since I last reviewed the week…
Time and tide wait for no man and busy weekends have prevented it being completed.
A lot has happened in that time so I’ll try and catch up quickly…
(and hopefully won’t miss anything out!)
As per usual we’ve done our usual plethora of parkruns! Here there and everywhere. parkrun celebrated it’s 15th birthday!! We’ve had milestones. We’ve had extreme tourism. We’ve had lots remaining local to enjoy the comfort of their home runs. We’ve heard the stories and we’ve seen the pictures. We’ve had some who followed major events to support and snook off to add an extra one to their parkrun totals. The obsession continues and grows!
We’ve seen consistent training numbers despite variable and deteriorating weather. We’ve not been deterred from getting the miles in. Zeroes became heroes and continue to become legends. We are all filled with pride as we observe and nurture their journeys while developing our own.
We’ve had races by the bucketload covering a multitude of distances.
Cross country season has kicked off and great numbers have attended the first fixtures placing the club well for a good season of racing.
We’ve had ultras with a particularly popular one drawing several west to complete once again. The addition of other distances attracted others to join in the “fun”. All came back with great stories to tell.
Of note, we’ve had marathons aplenty with a trip north crossing two borders for some to follow the banks of a loch steeped in myth and legend. A monster may hide under the surface but that didn’t deter our intrepid runners from completing the tough miles to the finish in the ancient cathedral city. The miles were completed far away but the Phoenix spirit transcends distance and carried far from everyone at home to wish them well. Another northern destination drew one in for a picturesque setting around a remote lake. A walled city on the River Dee was the destination for two others covering the 26.2 miles.
Multi-loop courses were circumnavigated by many once again! A number of distances covered and all with great commitment and determination.
A half in North Wales was completed by one on the same day that the second biggest half marathon in the UK came to the Welsh capital. It’s a race in which we’re always represented in significant numbers with this year being no exception. 116 made their way around the course while many joined them for the journey. Caerdydd never disappoints. An amazing atmosphere draws the Phoenix out every year. Not only running but volunteering also. Cameraderie and support on the route. Nerves turning to excitement and through hard work to elation on the finish line.
Some headed to warmer climes to tackle two distances alongside some of our neighbouring clubs on their annual tours and came back full of great stories of running under the sun – something we all miss at this time of year!
One plodded around Ponty. Others tackled hilly events to clock up their event tally with impressive results. Margam saw one tackle a 10k and a memorial half was completed elsewhere by another. An undulating route – as named – was completed with a significant placing by the one who took it on.
Across the Severn, a 10k in Bristol was the target for two family members running together whilst another 10k in National Botanical Gardens was the destination for two others.
We’ve won and collected significant national awards. Two for their individual contribution to our development as a club and as athletes and one significant award from our national governing body recognising the significant hard work we have done to move the club forward as a whole. An incredibly proud moment for the club and an accolade the Phoenix Spirit that courses through our veins.
46 runners and a heap of supporters made the annual pilgrimage north to tackle the might of Eryri. A marathon that always strikes fear into those who take on the challenges it poses. Tales of endeavour filled the air on Saturday. Every single one cheered home by the ever present supporters around the course and at Phoenix Corner. An amazing weekend away for all who made the journey!
Halloween found it’s way into training and some took on events with a ghoulish theme to mark the occasion as well.
This weekend was no exception for racing and 47 Phoenix went down to Cwmavon to tackle a notoriously hilly 10k named after a world famous actor who was born and grew up in the village. A challenging route that tested the legs of those who took it on, as it always does.
Lots going on.
Lots to be proud of.
Running, supporting and volunteering.
It’s been a very busy time of late and time is precious. Fitting in running and all that the club brings is tricky at times. It’s a case of juggling. Spirits are always lifted by sharing good times with fellow Phoenix and observing antics through stories, results and pictures when it’s not possible to be there.
Sparing a thought for those in our midst who are injured. We’ve seen a lot of them at our walking groups during sessions as well as supporting and volunteering at events. It’s imperative we keep them involved and making sure they remain part of the Phoenix Family. If you know someone who is injured, reach out and make sure they are OK. Look out for each other.
Keep doing what you’re doing guys because it’s working.
A very proud time for us all, but not resting on our laurels it’s time to knuckle down, making sure we continue to thrive as we are and that the Phoenix continues to soar.
On that note I’ll bid you good night and look forward to seeing what the week ahead brings…
As always
#lovethisclub
#loveourclub