It's an interesting challenge. My own goal is/ was similar - a PB at any rate, 5 seconds would be enough for me. Paris 2006 was where I set my best of 3:52. That was my last road/ City marathon. I too wonder what the years have done, apart from attach a lard-based safety girdle around my middle. My hope was all that road work in training would help me sustain my efforts for longer, stave off the debilitating pain of shot-to-bits knees and gear-grinding hips. It's going to be fun (!) finding out.
You have a track record of pulling some amazing runs out of the bag Sweder. (I have a track record of dressing up in silly clothes.) This is not just a bit of cheerleading - unless something goes really wrong either on the day or in the next few weeks (injury, illness, poor weather, etc) I truly expect to see you with a new PB.
No pressure there then ; )
Thanks. Sunday will tell me quite a bit. I'm aiming for a rapid Snake - 13 odd hilly miles in as close to 110 minutes as possible. A soupcon of pressure including an opening 3 miles on the pavement to add a dash of raceday authenticity. I'm actually quite excited.
It needs to be quick, too. I need to be in Newport Pagnell for 2pm. Lewes Lades (the Rookettes) have advanced a league fixture v MK Dons to alleviate cup congestion at the end of March. A win would see LLFC reach closest rivals Enfield maximum possible total. With a goal difference advantage of +54 over Enfield (they have 4 matches left including one at the Pan) this could effectively seal the league title. I simply have to be there. Football: bloody hell.
What sort of crowds do the ladies get?
As they are playing MK Dons, I take it the ladies are playing higher in the pyramid than the chaps? (Albeit it's a smaller pyramid.)
BTW, I've realised where Lewes are going wrong - they need to sign a few internationals. Incredibly, Maidenhead's
Manny Williams has just received his first cap for Sierra Leone - although I see they are too ashamed to list the English Conference South team for which he plays. See team sheet at the bottom of the article.
Naomi Cole (Rookettes defender) was named MvP for England U23 v USA on Tuesday. England won 2-1, though USA won the tournament (so, in my book, England are really top). Just signed two more on the cusp of National duty; Katie McIntyre and Katie 'Freddie' Baker. Both impressed on debut in the recent 8-0 Sussex Cup Semi-Final win away to Eastbourne. Lewes Ladies face Brighton & Hove Albion Ladies in the final (Lancing, 15th March).
Crowds are sparse. We got about 100 at the Pan for the last home match (counting me and the announcer). The club are getting behind the team though, opening the Rook Inn & the cafe on Sundays and even knocking out a
couple of posters for recent matches. Apparently the 100% record league season has never been achieved in tiers 1-9 in either the men's or the women's game. Having stated that I have of course ensured it won't happen this time, but it won't be for the want of trying.
Lewes Ladies are currently in the third tier of women's football, highly likely to enter the heady realm of Tier 2 next season.
Fantastic posters. You clearly have a talented graphic designer close to the club.
(03-03-2012, 06:29 PM)marathondan Wrote: [ -> ]Fantastic posters. You clearly have a talented graphic designer close to the club.
I second that - they're bloody marvellous!
They are pretty cool. The chap who does them is a local web/ graphic designer working with Proworx.
There must've been a prescient flutter in the firmament the other day. The foretold end of the 100% record duly arrived today on a pudding of a pitch at Newport Pagnell. It's said that poor conditions are a great leveller. I'll say. We beat MK Dons 8-0 at ours a couple of months back but with 90 minutes up and rain/ sleet lashing in the Rookettes were 2-1 down. Our star player lay flattened in the centre circle. Battered, covered in mud she teetered gingerly to her feet, clearly dazed and confused. The manager signalled for her to come off but she shook her head and stumbled on, waving the notion of quitting away. 30 seconds later she rose above the Dons back line to power home the equaliser. Cue delerium.
Mortal then, but still invincible. The 240 mile round-trip, never mind the numb fingers and soaked togs, was worth it for that moment alone.