Bring Me Sunshine

Thanks to John and Lynda Proffit, we spent a terriific weekend in Morecombe and Lancaster last week. The trip included members from Clowne, Tickhill, Rotherham Harriers and Maltby.

As usual we found a pretty good watering hole which also included live music. The weather was excellent (apart from Friday night) and as usual we all had a bit of a laugh. That was of course until we had to run the half marathon on Sunday.

Maltby Runners came home in bright sunshine in the following order:-

• Brian Lowndes - 1 hour :40 minutes: 01 second(1st Vet 60)
• Barbara Rusling - 1 :47:18 (1st FV 50)
• Chris Flintham - 1 :48:18 (estimated)
• me - 1 :49:52 (knackered at the end)
• Ray Matthews - 2:21:03(2nd Vet 70)

Also mentioned in dispatches are Maltby second claim members, who ran in their first claim colours of Clowne:-

• Simon Sleney - 1:21:47 (21st overall)
• Paul Sadler -1:29:06 (must have been the speed session the week before the race Paul)
• Roger Fokinther 1:39:52 (welcome to the club Roger)

All in all a splendid , well organised weekend.

Cheers John and Lynda

Next blog is the Bobscars -my special awards to members

Tony Martins

Not the usual banter I am afraid. Some of you are aware that we lost a good friend recently. We first met Tony Martins, when he and Dominique (pictured with him) looked after us on our first trip to St Quentin, France in 2008. Tony was an extremely friendly person and our club soon became enamoured with his smile and mannerisms. He was an excellent ambassador for both his club and country and we enjoyed his company and humour on subsequent visits.

Jim, Judith, Sheila and I met with Tony in May this year and it was plain that he was suffering. However, his smile was still there and we all hoped that he would pull through from the cancer that plagued him.

It was not to be and our thoughts go to his wife, family and all at ACPI.

Bob

Retirement, summertime and the running

Don't worry. All that retirement time and additional training has not lead to me turning into the Adonis to the left. more like adenoid I hear you say!

Anyway the additional time during the day has lead to a little more runs but there's still along way to go both physically and metaphorically before I start turning the clock back. The photo incidentally was taken in Funchal last September and is obviously a physique to aim for. mind you I bet he wasn't tempted by John Smith's and chip butties.

As I said in my last post, we have had a very busy summer and are now preparing for a busy autumn. We have the Bawtry Forest Trail Run, which requires all hands to the deck, a Half marathon in Lancaster to contend with and preparation for Christmas.

Further ahead lays the Berlin Big 25 event in May, that we are attending.

That's all for now folks

Bob

Bonjour, och aye the noo and sausage swapping in the dales

Well what a couple of months its been for Maltby Running Club members.

First of all there was the trip to France that Jim, Judith, Sheila and I undertook. Purely business, you understand, as we helped out at an event held in St Quentin, where we were welcomed by our friends at ACPI.

Next it was a trip to Scotland where some of us took part in the Edinburgh half marathon. Raymondo Sahara did the full marathon just to rub sand in our wounds, but there again couldn't spot a Premier Inn to save his life (only joking Ray). Jim did us proud on that race, quickly followed by Sarah Attwood (Osborne).

A quick rest for the Memorial Run and then onto Skye where Sarah took the shortcake this time by finishing in 1.46 with Jimbo and Bobbo coming soon after. What a weekend! Mrs H and I went onto Harris. What a fantastic place (see photo opposite) whilst young Jim, Sarah and Hubby Chris decided to climb Ben Nevis (that girl shows promise).

As if that wasn't enough we then went to the Yorkshire Dales and completed the 3 peaks (see photo of the 3 of us on Ingleborough) in 10 hours and 51 minutes.

Many thanks to our friends at Clowne who organised a fantastic event - Andy (x2) Jed, Les, Brian, Judy, you did us proud!

Breakfast had been ordered the night before, en block as some of us took an early night. You should have seen the sausage swapping at breakfast (among other things). Everyone eventually got what they wanted.

Finally the Abey Dash took place on Wednesday when 113 turned up. Many thanks to the marshals, raffle prize providers, and food makers.

I think that's it. oh, one last thing. I retired on 30th June, just in case I hadn't mentioned it before.

Bob

Hard Rockin' in Lisboa

Yes its the "Symbolics" grooving away in Lisbon's Hard Rock Cafe on the recent half marathon bash. You can make your own mind up about who's Sym and who are the, well anyway, moving on we had a fantastic time in a fantastic city. Oh and we ran ran a race as well, which was rather hot. There are stacks of pics on the website that give you a flavour of the race and the weather. The race itself was quite boring as, apart from the first 4 kilometres on the bridge , took place on one road. OK it was flat, but there was very little variation. Plenty of drink stations though, thank goodness. Once again, MASSIVE respect to the supporters who once again played a fantastic role in cheering us all on and, well, BEING there. There's upcoming trips to Edinburgh and one with Clowne in November, but that will probably be it in terms of trips for this year, unless of course someone has different ideas. Keep on Running Bob

Mash Full Pie Signs

Bloatin' in the wind (an ode to OFS)

How many roads must a man run down

before you can call him a man?

How many pints should a runner knock back

before they go down the pan?

yes, n' how many chips should he eat till he knows

that too many spuds have been fried?

The answer my friend is bloatin' in the wind

The answer is bloatin' in the wind

How many times must a runner look down

before he can see his feet?

How many pies must that runner have

before he's had too much to eat?

Yes, n' how many breaths will take till he knows

that too many pounds have arrived?

The answer, my friend, is lyin' round the waist

The answer is lyin' round the waist

How many puds will that runner consume

before it starts to show?

How many chins will that runner have

before he starts to get slow?

Yes, n' how many times can he turn his head

till nobody else is behind?

The answer my friend is prayin' on the mind

The answer is prayin' on the mind

AGM -A Good Meeting

Well it was the annual bear baiting session again, er I mean the Maltby Running Club Annual General Meeting and Presentation Night and it went well -meaning the committee got out alive (not that you'd notice the difference).

In all seriousness it was really well attended and, given that we proposed a couple of rule changes, went without much controversy at all. It was great to see some new (and young) faces there as well and it really helps the club keep going when we can add new blood. The young'uns have brought the average age of the club down dramatically to seventy two (It's a joke Ray) and I think that all looks well.

Lisbon is looming on the horizon and we are all looking forward to a bit of FADO (Portugese folk music). OK I am looking forward top a bit of FADO and will try and find a bar that plays it. Obviously Tony R can't wait to come along as well because he loves the music that I listen to.

As I mentioned previously, the last few months have been hard for some members of the club, what with injury and illness. However, one thing really hits home and that is that whenever anyone of us is not quite right the others chip in with their support and well wishes. Its good to be part of a set up that cares.

Bob