NO PARKING PLEASE- With well over 650 members in the club now, the Leisure Centre have received a number of complaints from their regular users and house owners nearby about the difficulty they have in parking on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Please be considerate and do not do anything to jeopardize what is a fantastic venue for all of us.

Good News – Your Dudley Ladies Yearly Subs Are Now Due

Yes it's that time of year again when with broad smiles and gritted teeth, we all happily renew our club subs for the coming 2006 - 2007 year.

And the good news is, it’s still only £30.

Joint memberships are available for mother and daughter which costs £45 and Juniors need only pay £15.

When you pay your subs this year, you will be given the choice of having either a free long sleeve white top, a royal blue tee-shirt or a royal blue cap all printed with the new logo on..

Numbers and sizes are limited, so don't miss out, get in early !!!!!

Our resident horticulturist Lynda Brettell invites you to a Christmas Extravaganza at her Haven Nurseries in Crab Lane Bobbington.

They are having a Christmas Decoration and Gift Party with free wine and mince pies. There will be candles by "Wind Lights" of Ludlow plus a Grand Christmas Raffle with all the proceeds going to Compton Hospice.

The event takes place on Saturday 18th & 25th November & 9th December from 11.00am.

Check out her www.havennurseries.co.uk website and get yourself down there for all your Christmas plants/wreaths and things and if you whisper Dudley Ladies to her or one of her assistants then she will be happy to give you 10% Discount.

Hi Girlies (& Phil)

We've just left Peru and had the red-tape 'fun' of crossing the border into Bolivia yesterday. Today has been raining so we've ended up in an internet cafe. Mike from the Inca Trek just stuck his had through the door - we keep bumping into the same people as we're all traveling the same well-trodden path!

We booked our campervan for New Zealand today! We couldn't get availability from Auckland in our budget range so we've had to book an extra flight to Christchurch and pick-up from there. We're really looking forward to just being free to do as we please after the rigid planning we've had to stick to in South America.

Keep me posted on home life - good and bad!

Love Ali x

www.ourworldtrip.co.uk

Callum says..."We need your help!"

I was born on the 30^th November 2003 and unfortunately I was eight weeks premature. Within the last year doctors have confirmed I have Cerebral Palsy and need to attend hospital appointments to monitor my progress. On Tuesdays I go to Ridge Hill for physio which will enable me to walk and I see a speech therapist as I cannot talk yet. I also attend a special needs nursery twice a week called The Phoenix Centre, where I have one to one play and learn sessions.

I need to be walking within the next twelve months, before I will be considered to undergo an operation on the back of my heels to loosen some muscles but like all operations, if things don't work out, it could mean that I will never be able to walk at all.

Family and friends are organising fundraising events through out next year reaching a grand finale in September when my nanny, Brenda Chapman, with some off her friends from "The Dudley Ladies Running Club" will run the Lake Vyrnwy half marathon. They are aiming to raise as much money as possible for both “Ridge Hill” and “The Phoenix Centre” which will enable them to buy new equipment to help many children including myself, with their individual development.

For information about all the events taking place, to make a donation and to monitor my progress over the coming months, please  click on my picture on the right

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

Please Support Bring A Bra To Work

Beacon Radio together with the Express & Star are helping sponsor a  Bring A Bra To Work campaign in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

If you want to help make a difference to someone's life, all you have to do is stick a 50p coin into each cup of an old bra and give it to Karen Collins (shown left) or drop it into her shop which is Harwayes Lingerie, Unit 12, The Ryemarket Centre, in Stourbridge, Tel. 01384 440404

All the money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, which helps improve the lives of people affected by cancer

If you need a new sports bra, then Karen's shop stocks a wide selection of bras in sizes A to J cup and are currently offering a 20% discount from 16th October for three weeks.

The Bells The Bells

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!!!!

This years Santa Run will take place at Liverpool on the 3rd December

The "Race" distance is 5k and the entry fee is £12.50 which includes your free Santa Suit plus a commemorative medal for every finisher.

For the under 12's, there is also a Mini-Santa Dash, which is a short loop of approximately 0.5miles which takes place shortly after the completion of the main race. Entry fee for this race is £7.50 due to the cost of the Santa Suit etc.

We have booked a 49 Seat executive coach with toilet etc which will Depart Wombourne Leisure Centre @ 7.00am and start back from Liverpool no later than 2.00pm 

Cost is £10 per person 

This is always a popular trip so pay up early to be sure of a seat. 

If you have not yet entered the race then you can do so on line via  

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/viewevent.asp?sp=&v=1&EN=33090 or pick up an entry form off Rita. 

If you can only do one run in the year make sure it’s this one. 

It’s only 3 miles and it’s the biggest laugh you’ll ever have in running.

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

Our very good friends Robin and Sharon Greenwell would like to invite you to the newly named but well established Badger Run. This is a four mile cross country run set in the beautiful if undulating countryside around the village of Badger and is the perfect introduction to people wanting to take their first steps off-road.

For more information about it visit their website via the link below,

http://www.badgerbite.moonfruit.com/

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.

Farrah Hunter-Coley Voted Newcomer Of The Year

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.

Carol Knowles is Dudley Ladies Beginner Of The Year. Presentation Evening 2006 Hailed as Best Ever

Friday 14^th July 2006 saw around 140 Dudley Ladies put on their glad rags to receive the adulation and recognition for their past efforts at the clubs annual presentation evening that was this year held at Linden House in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.

Proceedings began at 7.30pm when Rita welcomed everyone to the event and got them to do their now customary hip gyrations before starting the evening off with a loud explosion of 140 party poppers and sitting down to a 3 Course meal of either Minestrone Soup or Iced Melon with Ginger for starters, Chicken Chasseur or Roast Topside of Beef or Feta Cheese & Broccoli Bake for main course, with Profiteroles in Hot Bailey’s Sauce or Strawberries & Cream for dessert

Following the meal, which everyone said was pretty good, as a rare treat, Rita allowed Phil to speak and he promptly grabbed the opportunity to relate a number of funny anecdotes and experiences from this years course as well as urge and inspire everyone to continue in the steps of Paula Ratcliffe, that would have inspired even the weakest of wills.

The awards ceremony  was begun by Rita recognizing the contributions made to the club by all the children present and called them all up on to the stage individually to be presented with a tiara and gift of their choice.

This was a complete surprise to the children and something that the children weren't expecting and to see their excitement on being called up to the stage and be applauded by everyone in the room was truly uplifting.

The children and youngsters called up were, Samantha Beese, Ben Cox and Holly Cox, Hannah Green and Charlotte Green, Roman Hadley and Brandon Hadley, Jasmine Sakendar, Jessica Lavender, Ryan Cartwright, Alex Glover and Zac Glover, Sarah Leigh Stokes, Jade Newton, Bethany Adams and Trudi Higgs

Then came the awards ceremony proper, with around 120 beginners each receiving their medal, certificate and tee-shirt for running a minimum of 3 miles during their recent 10 week beginners course before having their photograph taken by Jan Cook and Donna Proffitt

That done the evening then moved on to the individual award winners and as Phil explained, this year was more difficult than ever, with around 300 beginners plus the established runners in the club and everyone with a good case to put, just where do you start???

First to be recognized for their outstanding achievement this year were the established runners, with Amanda Dingley leading the way. Amanda has made tremendous improvement this year through sheer persistence and dedication.

Amanda was followed by Isobel Stavenuiter who did her first ever race this year and is unrecognizable from the lady that first came down the club three years ago.

Kerri Pearson was next up and received her award not just for being a very good runner in her own right but for all the help and support she has given to the other members in the club. This culminated with Kerri doing 20 mile and over marathon training runs every Sunday morning just to keep the others company even though she wasn't running the marathon herself.

Newcomer Jackie Fellows was honoured for the rapid progress that she has made since joining the group during the cold dark nights of February as an absolute beginner.

Karen Perry received her Outstanding Achievement Award for all the help, support and leadership that she gives to all the groups that she takes out.

And finally Rachel Harris and Sarah Jones were called up together. They always run together and have progressed together to enable them to even race together.

For the beginners awards, Rita and Phil explained that the criteria used to recognize achievement award winners was based upon "Value Added", in as much that their ability was accessed from when they joined the club to what they can do now, taking in to account other influencing factors such as returning from injury, having just had a baby, age or losing weight etc etc.

On that basis, Sarah Allman and Louise Smith - were two ladies that couldn't be split. They started as absolute beginners 10 weeks ago but now they always run together and have improved to such an extent that they could now easily go out with the established ladies and will be a real asset to the club.

Karen Collins - was next up, after everyone was told how her skill as a bra fitter helped Rita "Point all the beginners in the right direction". Karen then went on to become one of the courses most consistent runners.

Joanne Green - when people join Dudley Ladies even if they become pregnant, or injured or ill or for whatever reason they can’t make it down the club for sometime, they never really leave and this particular lady is an absolute classic example of that. Joanne first came down  the club a couple of years ago but due to various problems of one sort or another, she had to take a break but she came back and even though she had to start again from absolute scratch again and overcome a few even bigger obstacles and problems along the way, SHE DID IT !!!! and we're all really proud of her.

Ann Kelly and Eileen Bolton, are two ladies that couldn't be split, they always run together and whilst coming to the club as beginners 10 weeks ago, they have improved to such an extent that they have surprised even themselves. They turn up every week, they are a joy to be with and will be a real asset to the club.

Jade Newton – when Jade first came to the club she was worried sick, she felt self conscious and didn't think that she would ever run 3 miles. Well what a transformation!! There is now no comparison to that lady that first came down and she is now a very confident and proficient runner.

Simerjit Bal - This is another lady who doesn’t fit the normal runner’s profile. This lady started from day one and couldn’t run for a bus, let alone run around the football pitch but now through sheer guts and determination she’s done it and thoroughly deserves being recognized for what she’s achieved.

Bal Bassra - Like Simerjit Bal is not a nutural runner but between them they have done it and deserve all the recognition that they get.

Lauren Groves - This lady’s has got a wonderful personality. She’s always has a smile on her face and always leaves you feeling better for being with her. She’s not a natural runner and so for her to run 3 miles is absolutely fantastic. It’s not been easy for her but with the support of her friends, she was determined to do it so we’re really pleased that she got this award.

Karen Round - This lady doesn’t fit the normally expected runner profile but we were impressed by her sheer determination to do it and the way she conducted herself. Karen worked out what worked for her and stuck at it with bags of enthusiasm and commitment.

Beginner of the Year - Carol Knowles

This lady’s has got a wonderful personality. She’s always has a smile on her face and always leaves you feeling better for being with her. She’s not a natural runner and so for her to run 3 miles is absolutely fantastic. It’s not been easy for her but she was so determined and everyone is really pleased for her because she’s a real inspiration to everybody.  

She worked out what worked for her and stuck at it with bags of enthusiasm and commitment.  And the look on her face when she ran the 3 miles for the first time was great………Her little face beamed.

Nobody but Nobody would disagree that Carol is by far and away THE Beginner of the Year.

Other trophies presented included Sheena Di Franco's London Marathon achievements as well as:-

Star of The Year - Caroline Glover – This is a very special lady. She is an absolutely tireless worker, if she’s not doing her full time job then she’s helping out her family or supporting and working for the club and is one of those people who is always there with encouragement, advice and help for everyone even when she could do with it herself.

Club Woman Of The Year - Brenda Chapman – This lady is an inspiration to us all. She has a busy full time job, and a new impending addition to the family to care for. She is a very caring person and never ceases to amaze us with her never ending enthusiasm. Every week she is at the club, working, advising and supporting everyone that runs with her. Everybody loves her and she is the epitome of everything that Dudley Ladies is about.

Runner of The Year - Mary Lavender – For this lady, there are no barriers. Not only is she an outstanding runner in her own right but she is also the best Mrs Motivator in the Midland.She is a truly amazing lady who shows great determination and courage.  She is an inspiration to us all at Dudley Ladies and the club would certainly not be the same without her.

Finally people that no one ever notices but without whom the club couldn't function were also brought up on the stage to be recognized, they included :-

George Kosteczko - who was presented with a cut glass tankard

The evening was finished off with a number of girls slightly the worse for wear but happy that they'd done their bit to increase the profits of Bank's Brewery

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening, with some even saying that it should be made compulsory as it's just too good to miss.

For further photographs of the night, click on the icon on the right

SUMO WRESTLERS WANTED

WOMEN!

ARE YOU STRONG, PROUD AND DETERMINED?

The BRITISH SUMO FEDERATION is looking for big women to train to compete in the Sumo WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in JAPAN this Autumn  

No experience required!  

The project will be filmed as part of a Channel 4 Documentary 

To find out more, call 020 7751 7372  

Or email: Sumo@rdfmedia.com

Hi my name is Becky Maynard and I am the researcher for a Channel 4 documentary in association with the British Sumo Federation.  We are helping the Sumo Federation to find ladies to form a team to represent Great Britain in the sumo World Championships.  The British Sumo Wrestling Federation will be training the first ever British team of female Sumo Wrestlers. In October, that team will then go on to represent Great Britain at the Women’s Sumo World Championships in Japan.  At the moment, Britain has only one competitive female sumo wrestler, called Jackie Bates (shown above) – a 20 stone lady who is a true inspiration.  The British Sumo Federation are looking for other strong women to get involved in sumo wrestling, to form Britain’s first all woman sumo wrestling team and represent Great Britain in Japan.   The training and the Championships will be filmed as part of a one hour, one off Channel 4 documentary.  All the training will be conducted by the British Sumo Wrestling Federation in Derby  

The link below should take you to a newspaper article that will give you a bit more information on Jackie and the sport. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2006/02/02/sosumo02.xml

At the moment we are busy looking to find strong, determined women who might be interested in putting themselves forward for team selection.  We are looking for women who are approximately 90kg and over; for motivated larger ladies who will rise to the challenge of competing.  Do you know anyone who would be interested in taking part?  Would anyone from Dudley Ladies be interested in getting more information?

If you can think of anyone, I’d be grateful if you could email me back or you can call me on: 0207 013 4598.

Kind regards, 

Becky Maynard

“What happens at the end of the Beginners Course?”

 A number of people have been asking:-

"What happens at the end of the Beginners Course"

Well, just to reassure you, the answer to your question is; NOTHING HAPPENS. 

The Formal Beginners Course may officially end in a few weeks time but in practice NOTHING CHANGES.

The group will just continue to run as normal.

Rita will still continue to be there to look after you.

All the support and everything else will still be there for you to continue your running as normal.

New people are joining the group every week, so you’ll never be last or on your own.

The subs you paid will see you through until August-September.

After that, we hope that you will join again and be a Full Dudley Lady and not a beginner anymore.

If you’ve got any problems, then just give Rita a call and she'll do whatever she can to help you.

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