The waffle is quickly becoming bi-weekly as Sunday’s become busy – but after a couple of weeks like we’ve had that means reviewing a lot more activity!
We’ve had a wide range of training sessions… We’ve taken runners onto the beach for a very important strength and conditioning session as well as stretching the legs along one of our favourite bits of coastline from Ogmore to Southerndown and back. Downhill sessions on the dunes for trail mean lots of sand over the last couple of weeks. All of this as well as the regular tempo and track sessions.
Our heroes continued their journeys and are homing in on their graduation as they move forward through the programme and wow us with their amazing efforts to achieve their goals!
In two weeks…
We’ve parkrunned. A lot.
Home is Porthcawl and Maesteg and at both locations we’ve turned up in our droves for our free 5k Saturday morning constitutional. But many, and not just the usual suspects, jumped in a car well before 9am and headed off to add a new parkrun location to their ever expanding list. We’ve had milestones. We’ve seen PB’s. Most important – we’ve seen big numbers. parkrun is something different to everyone. It is whatever you want it to be. Some weeks we go for it. Some weeks we help someone else to a time or to get round. Sometimes we just purely run for fun. Sometimes, when injured, we walk it. Staying connected. Sharing the experience even if we can’t push it. So important. Maintaining sanity.
We’ve raced. A lot.
Last weekend one sacrificed a parkrun to chase The Bore along the banks of the Severn. For the uninitiated The Bore is a tidal wave that happens once a year and travels up the Severn River. While he didn’t quite beat it, it was close and he enjoyed the experience.
A huge contingent made their way to the Welsh capital to cover a flat 6.2 mile route around the streets and parks of the city. It wasn’t just running though. Some gave up their time to support the event by volunteering and handed out medals to reward the many thousands who were running. 75 club members tackled the distance. Great effort and spirit was shown by all with fantastic performances and tales of endeavour! It’s always a good excuse for a bit of a social afterwards too! A great day and one that will leave lasting memories.
Two headed over the border to tackle a 10 mile route around an “old” English town and came back to tell the tale!
A few headed even further afield to tackle a half marathon event organised by a company that suggested it would be a “tough” event. It tested them but they all made it to the end recording decent times for their effort!
Midweek races are slowing now that the nights are drawing in but the final race in our local league encouraged another record breaking turnout for this particular feature which involves two loops around a course on the beach while the tide is out. Cementing our strong second position in the league there were incredible performances and valiant efforts from all those who ran. As the sun slowly set on the beach, on what proved to be a stunning evening, every single runner dug deep to proudly deliver another amazing Phoenix result.
Leading into this weekend we saw one solitary runner tackle a 12 hour event on a tough looped course, recording another amazing result. Significant positioning in the event and an incredible distance covered resulted in extra spoils for the hard work! Inspiring stuff!
A trio headed north to tackle the biggest half marathon in the UK on a day where the sun beat down and record spectators turned out to support. A great experience for all with stories to tell on their return!
A collection of members headed up the valley to our spiritual home to an event supporting a charity that is working towards a world where people understand and talk openly about depression. Some volunteered and some ran. A tough trail route tested the legs but they all completed it admirably. A very worthwhile day for many reasons.
Others headed down West to tackle various distances over a looped course in pleasant surroundings. A well stocked checkpoint replenished fuel lost through running. All picked up their medals as reward for their endeavour.
A group took on another charity challenge that followed a route from one castle to another. A very worthy cause drew them there but the challenge itself wasn’t enough for some who opted to make the return journey on foot clocking up significant mileage in preparation for longer distances on the calendar in the future.
Two weeks done and they’ve been busy.
Lots of training. Lots of running.
Lots of Phoenix spirit on display.
There were a lot of stories. All special in their own right. Some were of long distance, some were of fast times. But just as important are the ones of simply lacing up the trainers and heading out of the door. Equally important are the ones of those who, unable or not wishing to run, gave up their precious time so others could. We had stories of mutual support – the Phoenix way. Supporting each other – often leading to discovery of abilities that some never even thought they possessed. Being pushed out of their comfort zone. Reminds us of those three words… Dream. Believe. Achieve.
Our ears are filled with pride of everyones endeavour.
Just keep on doing what you’ve been doing.
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