Recent and Upcoming Events for RWM Athletes
In addition to numerous local club and fell races, RWM athletes have the following races and other events in their calendars:
November 2023: Wilmslow Festive 10K
December 2023: Tour De Helvellyn; Ribble Valley 10K
January 2024: Sir Titus Trot 50K Ultra
March 2024: Tyne Bridges to Boundaries Ultra
April 2024: Cow Shed Backyard Ultra; Manchester Marathon; London Marathon; Chester Ultra 100 mile
May 2024: Pennine Journey North 112 miles; Manchester Half Marathon
August 2024: Isaac’s Tea Trail Ultra; Race Across Scotland 214 miles
Events already completed in 2023 by RWM athletes include: God’s Own Backyard Ultra; Tatton Park Half Marathon; Warrington Way Ultra; Oldham Half Marathon; Langdale Half Marathon; Eryri Marathon; Yorkshire Marathon; West Coast Half Marathon; Rochdale Half Marathon and 10K; Tissington Half Marathon; Pilgrims Way 100K; The Lap Ultra; Lowther Lakeland Fell and Trail Race; Isaac’s Tea Trail Ultra; Media City 10K; Ambleside Lakeland Trails (23K); Rochdale 10K; Royton Trail; Mossley 10K; Bury Race the Train; Coniston Trail Half Marathon; Cork Marathon; Staveley Lakeland Trails (18K); Blackpool Prom 10 miles; Salford 10K; Shropshire Way Ultra
Athlete News and Monthly Highlights
November 2023
Whist many runners are now getting stuck into some winter base training, there’s still been a fair bit of racing going on. It’s always good to see a runner brave enough to target a specific race, invest all their training into it, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goal on race day. This was the case this month for J. as she achieved her goal of a half marathon PB after several months of training for it. Elsewhere saw a successful completion of the Warrington Way Ultra and a very successful backyard ultra debut for P, who completed an impressive 100KM (15 ‘yards’). Hopefully lots more yards to follow in the future! Finally, 2 runners achieved PBs in the Wilmslow Festive 10K – great results although one reported that she was a bit annoyed that she was still beaten by a gang of Christmas trees!
Local coached runners were also able to attend a RWM track session, where we focused on drills and speed builds. I’ll be running another session soon to build on this work.
October 2023
Another month packed with events – with the half marathon distance taking centre stage. A couple of athletes took on the Rochdale Half: One (pictured) achieved her PB and then went on to finish the super-tough Oldham Half in an almost identical time a couple of weeks later. For the other runner, it was her first Half Marathon so her successful completion was a massive achievement and only the start of her journey towards a marathon. Elsewhere we had runners successfully completing the Langdale Half Marathon and famous Eryri (Snowdon) Marathon. Another runner completed her first half marathon since her journey to recovery from an injury last year. Congratulations to all!
Finally, several people were involved in cross country action at the beginning of the new season, with a couple of runners dipping their toe in the water (or perhaps more appropriately, lower leg in the mud!) for the first time. Some athletes have chosen to have cross-country specific sessions within their training, so it will be good to see how the season pans out for all.
Away from running action, we had a RWM social, with around 10 of us getting together for a meal and to see if we recognised each other without running kit on. A lovely evening and chance to get to know each other better and support each other in our running journeys.
September 2023
We had a few athletes take part in the Tissington Trail half marathon this month. S. had targeted it for a PB, having spent the past few months working hard on strength and conditioning to overcome an injury which had half marathon efforts in the past. His hard work was rewarded by taking 6 minutes off his PB and finishing without a recurrence of the pain.
Elsewhere, we had 2 ultra runners in action on the same weekend. One experienced ultra runner put in a great time at the Pilgrims Way 100K. The other took part in his first official ultra at the Lap, and finished in a fantastic time – well ahead of his target – on a painfully hot day.
Well done to you all!
August 2023
August saw lots of athletes taking a well-earned week or two’s break. But the holiday season didn’t get in the way of lots of running action too.
My highlight of the month has to be seeing 2 coached athletes smash their 10K PBs at the same race: One relatively new runner and one with years of experience but both with the same goal – to break the 60 minute mark. They both did it with room to spare and it is such a privilege to see a renewed confidence and sense of achievement in them – I can’t wait to see what they both do next.
August also saw another new runner, fresh from C25K, take 3 minutes off her 5K time. Finally, 2 runners logged their furthest ever distances for a single run.
Great work team!
July 2023
Another big month for the RWM crew. 2 runners completed their first 10K races – one taking a whopping 15 minutes off her training run best time. It was great to get together with quite a few RWM runners to complete the Mossley 10K, and to enjoy some time with family and friends over lunch after. One runner finally cracked that elusive 30 minute 5km and now seems to be banging them in for fun.
Finally we had 10 athletes take part in 1 of 3 small group track sessions where we worked on form and technique with drills and strides. Really productive sessions, and more will follow once they’ve had the chance to nail what they’ve learnt already.
June 2023
June started with several coached athletes taking part in a beginner’s navigation training day – hopefully equipping them with some of the skills needed to take part in fell races or other off-road adventures.
Runners have been busy doing what they do best – 2 athletes got new 5K PBs and another achieved her best 5K time in several years. Another runner has been building up her mileage to distances she never thought she would do – and careful progression means that she’s done so injury free. A big shout out to Dawn, who braved 2 Lakeland races on one of the hottest weekends of the year. Finally, I’ve had a couple of new athletes join the team, so I only have a couple of spaces left at the moment. So get in touch soon if you’d like to explore coaching options.
I’m also delighted to have been chosen as a Greener Miles Running ambassador this month. Sustainability and care for our environment is massively important to me and so it’s great to be able to represent a company who genuinely share those values. More to come on that on a separate post, but please reach out if you’d like to find out more about Greener Miles, or check them out on greenermilesrunning.co.uk.
May 2023
May has seen a multitude of PBs at distances of 5K to 10 miles, as well as some parkrun milestones. One athlete has completed her first ever non-stop 10K and several athletes have been competing in local fell and road races.
Perhaps most encouraging for me as a coach has been to see several athletes take the plunge to enter races either for the first time, or the first time since return to sport, or to try a new distance for the first time. This new confidence in their own capabilities is a real joy and honour to see and I will relish being part of the preparation process for those races.
April 2023
April was a busy month with RWM, with several new athletes joining our ranks as well as existing ones taking on races.
One athlete battled endless mud and hills to complete the tough Shropshire Way Ultra (50mile).
An experienced club runner targeted a 10K PB and took on the challenge at the Salford 10K. He smashed his already impressive PB and followed this up shortly after by achieving a sub-20 minute 5K at COWM Reservoir Race Series.
April also saw 2 runners successfully completing Manchester Marathon.