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Many thanks to FullSteam and Windsor and Eton Brewery for a top day out last Saturday.  Great weather and a lovely run along the Thames, around Eton Dorney lake and views of Windsor Castle on the way back.  Free beer and food afterwards in the cosy brewery bar with live music too!  Altogether and top day out and one we must do again SE Fitness?!

The official photographs from our Windsor Beer Run last weekend have been released.

Our birthday girl Joyce seems to have cornered all the best ‘Action’ shots!

Grand Prix points galore for those who joined us for the Windsor Beer Run.  5 for 5K, 7 for 10K and 10 for those who finished the half marathon.  Plus claims for ‘First’ or ‘Personal Best’s at any distance.

Congratulations to Maria Smith who ran her ‘First Ever 10K’ which she will never forget.  Very nervous on the coach on the way down but very cheerful after she’d finished!

Fastest ever half marathon run for Mairi congratulations!  Fastest ever 10K for Lesley Whitehouse congratulations!

Grand Prix Standings

Women’s Competition

Way out in front now with 41 points is Mairi!  She’s entered Little Aston, Walsall, Tamworth and Windsor and got a PB at all of them.  So wonderful to see!  SE Leader Jess has snuck into 2nd place with 27 points and Kerry just behind on 24.

Men’s Competition

John McConnell is out in front with 20 points!! He’s finished Walsall 5k and Tamworth 10K (only SE man there so got max 5 points for each) then he ran the half marathon at Windsor – 10 points.  Go John!

Another Jon, this time Jon High, is in 2nd position with 17 points.  Congratulations to the Johns!

Remaining Events

Plenty of ways to pickup points in November!  Winners and prizes awarded at the Christmas Party Thursday 5th December.

• SE Fitness parkrun 16th November.  This is the date for our C25K graduation.  Share your time with me and I’ll compare to the other SE Fitness runners.  5 points for fastest, 4 for second, 3 for third and 2 for everyone else.  In addition 5 points if its a Personal Best (first time parkrunners like our C25K group automatically qualify for 5 points).  Finally there is also a bonus 5 points if you win your age category!
• Compete a DarkRun – 5 points  This could be the SE Fitness Moonlit run on Monday 11th November or any other organised dark run like: https://www.therutlandmarathon.co.uk/night-run
• Volunteer for Sutton Park parkrun any Saturday in November – 5 points
• Any Half Marathon – 10 points   If you have not already claimed your ‘Any Autumn Half Marathon’ then still plenty of time to get one done!

Good Luck Everyone!

Get in touch if you want to join our Litter Pick on Sat 9^th Nov and give something back to Sutton Park which we all love so much.

Family members welcome, something for kids to add to their school CV!

Meet by the Visitor Centre at around 10.30 (after Saturday groups).  BCC should provide litter picker sticks, black bags, hi viz jackets and health and safety training.  I estimate it will last around 1 hour.

Need an idea of numbers so get in touch by email helyn@sefitness.com or text 07788 628755 by end October to let me know number of adults and kids in your party.

Speedwork resumes on Wyndley track tomorrow evening 23 October at 7.30.

Join us for the next few weeks if you would like to improve your speed or stamina.  It’s also great for helping to manage your weight!  It’s  hard work while you are out there but nothing gets results like Speedwork.  It is also the most fantastic feeling when it’s finished!

Getting to know…Latisha

First time half marathon runner Latisha joined our training this year. She ran Birmingham Half on Sunday and said whilst it was a shame it was cut short she was so pleased to complete it and see so many SE Fitness faces on the way which was lovely! Here’s her story…

When did you start running and what got you into it?

I started running in May 2018 – I recently moved into a new job and in the first few weeks I signed up to a charity 5k run for the company. At this point I couldn’t even run 1km without stopping. Nonetheless I started going to park runs and began to work up to that distance – eventually completing the run in 32 minutes which I was pleased with! I then joined SE in January 2019 to improve my pace and confidence.

• What made you decide to go for your first half marathon?

I really wanted to set myself a challenge that would push me to create a consistent routine. I have always heard my friends talk about the runners high after completing the half and I just thought – I want that feeling too! I also recently got engaged so thought this is great chance to get fit for that dress!

• Tell us about your half marathon experience from the training through to the actual race. What were the worst bits and what were the best bits?

This has to be one of the hardest but most rewarding challenge I have ever set myself. So much of running is in your head and the worse bit for me is when I started overthinking my run or comparing myself to other runners that would cause my confidence to drop. The best bit by far has been running with SE – even the dreaded long runs always felt more achievable when running with the group- especially when there is jelly babies involved!

• Have you got anything you’d change next time?

I would like to try to improve my pace next time so either join speedwork on a Wednesday or run with a faster group. I would also invest in some actual running socks!

• What’s your advice for anyone thinking of their first half marathon?

Do it! I cannot stress enough how much I thought this was out my reach but with the right training and being kind to yourself and your body you can achieve anything. The crowd, runners and atmosphere on the day will keep you going. I would also recommend training with someone or in a group- I got my fiance to sign up and now it’s a memory we will always share.

• Any running plans for the future?!

I have absolutely got the running bug so I am sure there will be another half marathon on the horizon in 2020 – perhaps even overseas.

Last weekend was massive for Grand Prix Points with over 20 of you wonderful people claiming at least 10 points for ‘Any Autumn Half’!  Updated standings on the board and website next week.

In the top slots for the women:  Mairi holding onto top spot with 27 points, Louise has gone straight in with 20 points for her volunteering at training plus 15 points for a PB at Royal Parks Half, Ali Stewart on 18 points with Jess, Kerry and Jenny all on 17.

For the men: Gordon still clinging onto 1st place with 15 points but several men just behind him on 10 points including John, Harj and Jon who are all on the coach to Windsor in the morning.

Good Luck to everyone joining me on the Windsor Beer Run tomorrow.  Let’s hope we all have a happy, healthy run along the Thames before enjoying the post race free beers!

Remember Grand Prix points for Windsor as follows:

• Half Marathon 10 points
• 10K 7 points
• 5K 5 points

Good Luck Everyone!

Fascinating article about how fast people walk in their 40s is a sign of how much their brains, as well as their bodies, are ageing, scientists have suggested.

Using a simple test of gait speed, researchers were able to measure the ageing process.  Not only were slower walkers’ bodies ageing more quickly – their faces looked older and they had smaller brains.  The international team said the findings were an “amazing surprise”.

In the study as explained by Center for Vascular Medicine of 1000 people in New Zealand in general the slower walkers tended to show signs of “accelerated ageing” with their lungs, teeth and immune systems in worse shape than those who walked faster.

To see the full article follow this link:  BBC Health

The greatest health benefits come from moderate intensity exercise so aim for a brisk pace when you walk out.  SE Fitness walking groups always encourage you to go at a pace that will leave you feeling slightly breathless.  We always make sure we put in a few good hills too!

Congratulations to everyone who ran half marathon last weekend.

10 points for ‘Any Autumn Half’ in our Grand Prix competition plus 5 points if it was your First or you ran a Personal Best.

Yes, Birmingham does count but I don’t really think we can allow personal bests do you?!

I’ve already counted everyone on the list below, message me if I’ve missed you out!

Speedwork is currently on a short break either side of the Great Birmingham Run.  We will restart on the track on Wednesday 23rd October at 7.30.

Everyone tends to assume that speedwork is just for the elite and it’s true some of SE Fitness finest are regulars.  I think everyone feels anxious when they turn up for Speedwork for the first time but the truth is that generally we have a pretty mixed group.  All running life can be found here!

Speedworkers may not all share the same talents and goals but all are united by the common aim of giving it all that they’ve got while they are out there and supporting each other wholeheartedly.  In this way Speedwork is actually one of our most inclusive sessions.

Here are some good reasons to give Speedwork a try during the winter season:

• Mix it up – If you’ve been mainly focused on long distance runs then you may have found your pace has dropped so it’s time to mix it up with some shorter, faster sessions.
• Manage the weight – Interval training like Speedwork is much better for helping to keep the weight off – crucial during the run up to Christmas!
• Its flat – The track is a quantifiable distance on a perfectly flat surface.  If you are trying to nail a specific pace or want to give interval sessions a try then there really is no better place to work on it.
• It’s manageable – For the next few weeks we don’t have a specific event in mind so our goal is to maintain general condition and to keep the body used to running at speed.  The sessions are not as long as they are during the run up to half marathon for example so it’s a good time to come and give it a try.