Training cancelled, roads too icy to run on, even XC was cancelled.
I decided to switch my training up a bit because of it. Instead of a morning run I did some strength work. By strength work I mean that I watched Die Hard. Alone. All in one go. With no interruptions.
It is not a Xmas movie. It is THE Xmas movie. End of conversation.
Taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
Elijah Cushley 22:23, Stephen Murphy 24:41, Coach Sinead O’Hare 25:39, Marie McBrien 28:51, Cathy Ryan 29:08, Joanne Milne 32:42, Sharon Dunn 32:43, Roisin Brooks 33:02
Waterworks parkrun:
Robbie Gould 20:17, Rab Gould 21:28, Lord Ian Brennan 23:44, Maeve Kennedy 24:28, Owen Fulton 32:18
Antrim parkrun:
Tom Fleming 16:57PB and first finisher, Elaine Kennedy 29:54
Carrick parkrun:
Alan Kerr 24:43, Lauren Penman 32:42
Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Coach Sinead O’Hare 9:10 and second finisher, Joseph Eager 11:27, Matthew Hawkins 11:27, Andrea Bradley 17:21
Given that we lost the latest XC league meeting to the weather, there was no other racing this cold and icy week.
So, given this is the last report before the holidays, can I wish both my readers a very merry Xmas.
Here’s a lovely Xmas tune for you. Yes, I have used it before and, yes, it’s from Die Hard. Ho Ho Ho.
And a word of thanks to all the Harriers who took part in the takeover of this week’s event – organising, on volunteering duties, teas and coffees (and biscuits) and handling any unexpected medical emergencies. And a huge thanks to those (Harrier and otherwise) who contributed to the local foodbank appeal. All a credit to the club.
Just shows what can be achieved when Alex doesn’t make a speech.
Waterworks parkrun:
Suzanne Brennan 23:23, Maeve Kennedy 24:53
Hillsborough Forest parkrun:
Elijah Cushley 23:15
Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Leo McAuley 8:03PB and third finisher, Eloise McAuley 8:39, Coach Sinead O’Hare 9:00, Calum Murphy 10:39, Emily Murphy 10:41, Joseph Eager 12:47, Matthew Hawkins 13:37
And congratulations to Sinead and Emily on their well co-ordinated 50th junior parkruns.
Our vest from the West, Aidy Hughes, was back in 5k action again yesterday.(I know, shocker). He was in action at the latest Sperrin Harriers Winter Trail event at Lough Fea. Aidy completed the 5k trail course in 27:29.
Also out west yesterday were our hardy mudsucking men’s XC team. The results say it was the latest league event at MUSA, Cookstown. Their reports suggest it may have been Mordor.
Men’s 4 mile race:
Prof Alan Ladd 26:11, David Graham 26:34, Robbie Gould 28:18, Kevin Donnelly 28:19, Sean Doherty 30:52, Rab “the one shoe wonder” Gould 30:55, John McBride 33:00
Being based in Mallusk, it’s hard to come up with decent tune about ice and cold every week for at least 50 weeks of the year. And yet I do. So this week’s song is for everyone who braved the cold – at training, Cookstown, Lough Fea, Woodburn or wherever.
Christmas. The season of goodwill, mince pies, egg nog (whatever that is), Xmas parties and, evidently, leather trousers. Did I miss that meeting?
Martin Luther King Jr, Winston Churchill, Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama.
All legendary public speakers. But move over boys, we’ve a new name for the list.
Those in attendance last night will forever remember the date, the atmosphere, the tension in the room. And that was only to see if Karen could handle the PowerPoint.
Anyhow, we had a great turnout for the Harrier Xmas party last night. The Wee Bistro were excellent hosts, even having the good sense to lock the doors when Alex started speaking.
A special non-sarcastic shout out to Sean Doherty who organised the festivities. Better watch yourself Sean. We’ll have you organising everything now it was that good.
And well done to all our winners on the night. But just remember, we’re all winners really. Even those of you who couldn’t even win the raffle.
Special proper mention to Janet Grew and Sean Doherty who were presented with their prizes for winning the female and men Club Championships.
Firstly, a few late results off the Vidiprinter.
We had a couple of Harriers at the latest Born 2 Run event last weekend at Gosford.
Coach Sinead O’Hare completed the 5k in 27:48 and Obviously Dermot Boyd completed the 10k in 1:11:31.
Taking on the parkruns this week were:
Valley parkrun:
ADav 20:57 and third finisher, Elijah Cushley 21:41, Eloise McAuley 24:45 and second female finisher, Aidy Hughes 26:29, Claire McCann 48:41, John Teer 1:00:42, Martin McCready 1:00:43
Waterworks parkrun:
Robbie Gould 20:55, Rab Gould 21:48, Coach Sinead O’Hare 23:55PB, Neil McCready 24:46, Jim Hewitt 25:30, Cathy Ryan 27:08, Suzanne Brennan 27:12, Lord Ian “London baby!” Brennan 27:13
Victoria parkrun:
Owen Fulton 34:35
Citypark Craigavon parkrun:
Stephen Semple 23:41PB, Maeve Kennedy 24:00PB
Antrim parkrun (sponsored by Murphys):
Emily Murphy 21:32 and first female finisher, Calum Murphy 28:55, Carrie Murphy 34:28, Stephen Murphy 34:29
Carrickfergus parkrun:
Alan Kerr 25:18
Jordanstown junior parkrun:
Coach Sinead O’Hare 8:51 and second finisher, Andrea Bradley 13:31, Matthew Hawkins 13:39
Yesterday saw the Seeley Cup finish off the road racing season for 2022 and there were some great efforts from the Harriers:
Mark Smith 34:46, Kevin Donnelly 37:53, Paddy Shields 38:52, David Graham 41:14, Stevo Armour 41:34, Ramunas Stanevicius 44:06, Johnny Carey 44:53, Craig Goodall 45:10
Our international team was in action again with a couple of Harriers swapping sunny Mallusk for cloudy Lanzarote. Ken McAuley completed the half marathon in 1:49:12 and Stevie Smyth completed the full marathon in a huge PB time of 3:06:44.
Despite medical advice to the contrary in some cases, several Harriers appeared at the Valley today for the NI Hospice Jingle Team Run:
1k Reindeer Dash:
Matthew Gallagher first place!
5k
David Graham 19:38 and second place overall, Aidy Hughes 27:00, Bernard McKeaveney 33:24, Cathy McLoughlin 37:20, Clare Gallagher 37:33PB, Calla Crossan 46:05PB
10k
Sean Doherty 43:45, Alan Stewart 50:30, John Teer 1:14:35PB, Clare Teer 1:14:37
Apologies to anyone I’ve missed as club name is not recorded in the results. And the eyesight today is not what it should be to review photos.
Also today, Tom Fleming was representing the club yet again, this time at the All Ireland Uneven Age Group XC event in Cork. Tom finished 14th in a field of 129 in a time of 17:11. He was also part of an Ulster team that placed second overall. A real credit to the vest.
I just wanted to finish with one photo that our esteemed Chairman seemed to omit last night.
You’re welcome.
So this week’s tune is for our master of ceremonies, our silver tongued, wordsmith. The man, the legend. ADav.
