Social & Information

First of all I would like to thanks everyone sincerely for their contributions in support of Overgate Hospice. I must say that I raised some £1500 which far exceeded my expectations, so thank you all once again.

My first marathon appears to have taken more out of me than I expected. It is taking quite a while to recover from a multitude of niggles and I haven`t been able to train nearly as much as I should. That coupled to the fact that it' always busy on the farm at this time of year with haymaking etc. is making Frank a dull boy.

NOSTELL PRIORY 5 Mile - 20/07/11

I entered this race last year as it is mid-week and runs through the magnificent grounds of Nostell Priory near Ackworth. Midweek races are always easiest for me as due to the nature of my job I cann`t always get up on a Sunday morning! However I digress, this years` race took place in totally different conditions to last year - from baking hot to cool and thundery. That should have made my quest to beat last years` time easier, but it didn`t. I returned 41:43 even though my fan-club turned up i.e. a large herd of cattle bellowing away at the fence watching a herd of mad men and women running through their field. (Actually they were very well behaved).

I was the lone Harrier taking part amongst a small field. 80% of the event is on grassy open field footpaths over undulating ground which starts off quite invitingly downhill but you quickly realise that what you go down you have to come up again. It`s a two lap course finishing in front of the Priory and cheap enough at £9 for affiliates on the day which qualifies you for, yet another, “T” shirt.

Organised by Ackworth Roadrunners, a small club, well marshalled with water station at 2.5 miles, I`ve no complaints other than an enforced warm down to the car park (and warm up for that matter) which is miles away yet still within the grounds.

A bit of a pain to get to during rush hour but I`ll probably do it again next year - niggles notwithstanding, so if anyone wants to come along with me let me know nearer the time

Regards to all

FRANK