All "reporting" by Murray Lambden unless otherwise stated.

[email protected]

Get the anorak out!   (30-10-03) 

The Isle of Man Veteran Athletes' Club Newsletter reports that (there was in the Boundary Stroll ) "a slightly disappointing field for the run after some good sized entries in the last couple of years"

2003 (slightly disappointing field) = 19

2002 (good sized entry) = 17

2001 (good sized entry) = 10

 and I thought you were mad to run the Road Running Grand Prix...... (30-10-03) 

Also from the vets newsletter. Maggie Watkins not only completed the Road Running Grand Prix in August but during the day she kept her cycling and swimming training up in readiness for her triathlons.

Wet weather training   (29-10-03) 

As I splashed thorough the puddles on the promenade tonight (we'd planned to run at the NSC but the roadway was waterlogged behind the grandstand) I thought back to the debate I started last year about whether athletes would be better off sitting out the worst of the weather and concentrate on quality training was the weather improved.

I've always been an all weather person myself but I'm sure I would have failed a sanity test tonight. There were a surprising number of runners on the promenade tonight and I apologise to those that I failed to acknowledge with the usual courtesies as I had a job to see where I was going in the rain.

Phl Riley adopts    (29-10-03) 

I've 'adopted' a new coach, Mike Stayman, who is regarded as one of the best jumps coaches in the north of England and who has recently been appointed head jumps coach for Leeds Met, where i train. I've not left Wilf Paish, but i'm doing conditioning and speed with him and technical work with Mike. Have been doing some great plyometric sessions of a Friday night, and also some work with springboards and trampettes to get my technique sorted. Have had a few bizarre niggles here and there but am slowly getting into a routine. My first indoor event will probably be at Sheffield in mid-November (the first at the new indoor track there) which will give me a good indicator as to how my training has been progressing.

Still very confident of 7 metres this season, to jump it indoors is probably asking a bit too much but you never know. Ideally i'd like to achieve the Commonwealth qualifying standard this forthcoming season which would give me a big boost in terms of my chances of selection.

I'll try and keep you updated when i can, the work load at uni has skyrocketed so its less beer and more work for me!!!

Holidays  (28-10-03)

It seems that there are a record number of Manx people off the Island for the half term holidays or is it just the people I mix with? There are too many to list but one person who remembered the website prior to departure was Richie Stevenson who emailed me at 5.30 am on Sunday.

I'm still here with Robbie although Marie and Ben are enjoying a three night trip to Paris leaving me free to spend some of my free time on my addictions.  Strangely, I've actually spent less time on the website than normal.

Timetable for middle distance day on Saturday confirmed   

Chris Quine reports  (27-10-03)

Preparations are virtually complete for the Saturday's Middle Distance Training Day. Here is some information for those attending:

Timetable for the day is:

•     10.30 - Introduction

•     10.50 - Planning your racing and training

•     11.30 - Training run

•     12.30 - Lunch

•     13.15- What makes a great runner? – including Seb Coe video

•     14.30 – Stretching

•     15.00 - Fitness testing

•     16.00 - Question and answer session with Colin Moore (former GB

international)

•     16.30 – Conclusion/next steps

Instructions for those attending:

Remember we based are in the Indoor Area of the NSC. We are going to be based in the Conference Room near to the café. If you go to the café area, I will ensure that you are directed to the Conference Room from there. We are aiming for a 10.30 start so please try to be prompt.

Refreshments will be available during the day from the café. If you would rather, please feel free to bring a packed lunch and/or drinks as well.

As part of the morning will be spent outdoors, I suggest that you bring some spare kit as it is likely that you will be wet or sweaty (!) depending on the weather. The training run will be split into two group depending on age and ability - and these will run for different amounts of time/distance. After lunch all activity will be based indoors.

Thanks are due in advance to Manx Sport and Recreation for help and support in promoting this initiative.

If anyone is intending to turn up but has not yet notified me, can they please do so on 670521 immediately.

Douglas Steam Saw Mill Syd Quirk Half Marathon   (27-10-03)

Setting a record for the number of finishers, amazingly 71 for each of the past three years, is still a possibility.

On Saturday the total entry level stood at 56. Entries close on Friday although late entries will be taken on the day with a £1 premium. It makes it easier for everyone if you enter in advance however so please do so today.

ENTRY FORMS - PDF   Word

PEEL TO DOUGLAS WALK DATABASE   (24-10-03)

I Friday I reported that I'd just re-started a project that Steve Taylor assisted with last year, to compile a database of finishers in the Peel to Douglas Walk.

It was first held in 1961 and I've added the remaining years from 1981.

PEEL TO DOUGLAS WALK DATABASE TO DATE

By year

By name

By fastest time

Training pictures    (26-10-03)

Last weekend Anthony Brand sent me some good pictures of the sand dune training which I published almost as soon as I received them.  There was some joking that evening at the Paul Clarke birthday party that things were going too far when we were even publishing pictures of training sessions.

Well its happened again.

Yesterday afternoon I was enjoying (?) a hard 14 mile training run with Paul Curphey, Mike Garrett and Neville Jewell. As we approached the Braaid Crossroads there was a man standing in the middle of the road with a camera. It was Graham Davies who took this picture.

Making the line up for the Flora London Marathon on 18 April 2004 has been my objective since I missed out this year through injury while Paul, whose slowest time in London is 2.48, is intending to run for the 11th year in a row.

Meanwhile Mike is planning to make his debut after two years of preparation. He has gained some experience of distances of 10 miles to half marathon and stretched this distance to 25km in the Boundary Stroll last month.  He is generally the fastest of our training group but the long runs on a Saturday afternoon and the 20 mile race in March will be the determining factors as to whether he can convert this form to the marathon. Unlike Paul and I who have entries for London via the "good for (old) age" category, Mike is currently waiting patiently to see if his entry is accepted.

Neville ran London this year as part of his triathlon preparations and he too must wait to see if his entry is accepted. With a little more specialist training, I'm expecting him to improve on his 3.18 clocking of this year.

Cross Country Venues  (26-10-03)

There seems to be some uncertainly amongst people regarding the cross country venues for the remainder of the Manx Gas League.  The second and fourth rounds were scheduled for Ramsey with the third at Nobles Park.  It has already been announced via this website (but not personally to everyone who entered the league) that the second and third rounds had been switched so Nobles Park is round two and Ramsey rounds 3 & 4.

I've now heard (unofficially) that the Western AC round (that was scheduled as round 5) will be switched to round 3 or 4 using a course at Starvey (on the back roads between Poortown and Cronk-y-Voddy).

Hopefully all will be confirmed soon.

IOM: athletics  (26-10-03)

THROWERS COURSE

In the absence of a recognised throwing coach on the Island, and the fact that we have so many good throwers both young and old the Isle of Man Athletic Association have asked for help from UK Athletics.

Consequently Bob Welfare UKA level 4 throwers coach will be coming to the Island to deliver a throwing workshop over the weekend 1^st & 2^nd November, the workshop will include both practical and theoretical elements and is open to both coaches, athletes and parents.

Saturday 1^st November

Meet at the NSC outdoor social area at 9.30 am the day should conclude around 5 p.m.

Topics covered will be Shot and Discus.

Sunday 2^nd November

Same time and venue

Topics covered will be Hammer & Javelin.

Due to costs involved there will be an attendance charge of £10 per person per day for athletes. Coaches are free.

_____________________________________

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Isle of Man Athletic Association will be held on Thursday, 20^th November 2003 at 7.30pm. Venue to be named shortly.

Graham Davies

IOM X-C CHAMPIONSHIPS

The IOM Athletic Association has postponed the Isle of Man Cross Country Championships on Sunday 25^th January 2004.

The reasons and further details of the new date will be given shortly.

Isle of Man Athletic Association

Thistledo, Ballafesson Road, Port Erin, Isle of Man

Telephone 01624 836865                  e-mail [email protected]

1995

Overall        Phil Cain

Lady          Rose Hooton

Vet            Ian Callister

1996

Paul Clarke

Brenda Walker

Phil Cain

1997

Phil Cain

Rose Hooton

Phil Cain

1998

Paul Clarke

Jackie Ashman

Phil Cain

1999

Paul Clarke

Rose Hooton

Keith Callister

2000

Tony Okell

Brenda Walker

Brian Osbourne

2001

Tony Okell

Rose Hooton

Tony Okell

2002

Tony Okell

Rose Hooton

Tony Okell

"IF YOU WANT TO GO YOU HAD BETTER LET ME KNOW SOON" WARNS CHRIS QUINE   (22-10-03)

There has been a very positive response to the forthcoming Middle Distance Training Day. A number of "new names" have shown an interest and I am particularly pleased that a number of young runners from QE2 school in Peel are hoping to be there.

I am also pleased to confirm that we will have two former international athletes - Maurice Herriott and Colin Moore - in attendance during day to pass on advice and tell us how they made it to the top of the sport.

I am still waiting to hear from a number of people to confirm whether they are attending or not. Space in the room we are using at the NSC is limited. So that we can make sure that everyone fits in comfortably it would be very helpful if all those intending to come along could let me know as soon as possible.

Thank you to those who have advised that they will be unable to attend due to the clash with the end of the half term holiday. I was aware of this when we selected the date but was restricted by fixtures, availability of the NSC and the need to organise something  sooner rather than later. There details have been noted and I will make sure that they are included in future squad events.

Please phone me on 670521 in the event of any questions.

TRAINING PARTNERS REQUIRED   (22-10-03)

Former Commonwealth Games cyclist and a useful runner in his time, Steve Porter, is looking for "moderate speed" pack runs in Douglas.

If anyone can help him, please email him at [email protected]

RICHIE STEVENSON PREVIEWS THE WALKER BROTHERS HILL LEAGUE   (21-10-03)

Glen Ruy Farm is the venue for the first of three races this coming Saturday and it will be run at a very fierce pace. I had a run over the course this afternoon ( Tuesday ) in the sleet showers and it is in fine condition. It is still firm underfoot and unless we have a couple of days of non-stop rain I can`t see this changing. The rain we have had has made the surface a little slippery in places but with modern day shoes being so grippy I can`t see this being any problem.

Isle of Man Veteran Athletes Club Newsletter  (20-10-03)

I received a copy of the above today even though I am not a member of the club (thanks guys). Under Alan Poslethwaite's editorship there is an amazing level of detail in the results page.

The most interesting couple of pages (for me) however was Sue Furner's report of her Jogle (John O'Groats to Land's End Walk) which I hadn't read elsewhere but I would love to publish online of possible.

The veterans dinner is being held at the Ascot Hotel on 8 November and the club is appealing to their members to send their booking forms to Moira Hall as soon as possible.

More from the newsletter during the week.

Don't forget that the IOMVAC have their own website which can be accessed from this site from the sidebar on most pages or click here.

Douglas Steam Saw Mill Syd Quirk Half Marathon   (19-10-03)

Mike Gelliom reports that to date the IOMVAC have received 32 entries for the run, and 13 for the walk. This compares with 49/22 last year. "With a couple of weeks to go I'm still hopeful we can beat that" said Mike last night. He added "Slower runners, i.e. those who anticipate taking more than 2hrs 15mins, are invited to start at 9.15am with the walkers - but only if they wish."

Get that entry form posted today!

ENTRY FORMS - PDF   Word

LAMBIE CONSISTENT    (19-10-03)

I've done a couple of hours work tonight on the Syd Quirk Half Marathon statistics and quite by chance I noticed some amazing consitentcy from Robbie Lambie.

During his first three years in the event he ran as follows:

He only ran once after that. In 1985 he was timed at 1.20.28 so he must have decided that after his consistent record was lost it wasn't worth competing again. Go on Robbie, have another go!

POSTMAN DELIVERS SECRETS   (19-10-03)

A few weeks ago I received an invitation for Marie and I to attend a surprise 40th birthday party for Paul Clarke. Very pleasant I thought then I asked Marie who had delivered it. "The postman of course" she said.  The significance was that Paul is actually our postman (and Andy Fox's who was also invited) which meant that Paul had delivered the invitation to his own surprise party!

I've been dying to tell that story every since but of course I couldn't until now! There will be more pictures published in the course of the next few days so, if you were there, you haven't escaped!

COURSE READY FOR HILL LEAGUE   (18-10-03)

The course has been marked out for next weeks race and anyone who wishes to go over it for a look can do so but please give James Coulson a ring at Glen Ruy Farm 862034 before you go. Many thanks to Tony Rowley for putting the flags out. The course follows more or less the same route as last year, the only difference is the route will descend a grassy field by James house at the start that is a lot smoother than the previous route. This section will also be used in reverse on the return leg. Race distance is the same at just under 3 miles. 

The above is an alternative caption to the photo with the link below:

http://www.manxathletics.info/Old%20timers%20can't%20dance.JPG

Chris Quine tells us more about the coaching day   (16-10-03)

As part of the recently unveiled Middle Distance plan, a Middle Distance training day is to be held on Saturday 1st November. We will be covering a range of topics during the day and this is an excellent chance for all prospective middle distance runners to find out a little more about what it is all about. Coaches and parents are welcome too.

The main purpose of the day is to launch the Isle of Man Middle Distance squad. I hope to use this squad as the launch pad to develop our athletes towards the Island Games in 2007. Hopefully what we cover during the day will inspire them towards wanting to be part of this effort.

Letters have been sent to a number of prospective members. However, it is impossible to cover everyone. Therefore, anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. I would appreciate it if I could be advised in advance of the day so we have an idea on numbers.

A number of coaches will be in attendance. Part of the day will be used as an opportunity to feed athletes who have no coaching support into existing training groups if they require assistance.

When I started out in athletics........

we would head to the Foresters after club runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings. We had and still do have the Beer Drinking Festival with a little bit of running on the side and of course the infamous Millennium Way relay coach trip on Boxing Day. Some might say that athletics is centred around running and you may well be right so try this test to see how you fare.

http://www.iondesign.net/drinkometer/

from Steve Taylor    (16-10-03)

Richie Stevenson would like to hear from teams for the Walker Bros Hill League

If any runners who are competing in this years league have sorted themselves into teams I would appreciate them contacting me to make the paper work a little easier and quicker next Saturday. Phone number is 629267.

World Championships:   (16-10-03)

Does anyone have a video recordings of any of the middle distance finals from this year's World Champioships in Paris. If so, I wonder if it would be possible to borrow any of them for use at the Middle Distance Training Day on 1st November. They would be returned after the event.

If anyone can help can they please contact Chris Quine on 670521 or 432546 (mobile).

RUGBY WORLD CUP (nothing to do with athletics returns to this page)    (15-10-03)

Following complaints made to the IRB about the All Blacks being allowed to  motivate themselves by performing the 'Haka' before their games, other  nations were asked to suggest pre-match rituals of their own. The IRB Rugby  World Cup 2003 Organising Committee has now agreed to the following  pre-match displays:  1. The England team will chat about the weather, wave hankies in the air and  attach bells to their ankles before moaning about how they invented the game  and gave it to the world, and how it's not fair that everyone still thinks  New Zealand are the best team in the world.  2. The Scotland team will chant "You lookin' at me Jimmy?" before smashing  an Irn Bru bottle over their opponents' heads.  3. The Ireland team will split into two, with the Southern half performing a  Riverdance, while the Northerners march the Traditional route from their dressing room to the pitch, via their opponents dressing room.  4. Argentina will unexpectedly invade a small part of opposition territory,  claim it as their own "Las In-Goals-Areas" and then be forcibly removed by  the match stewards.  5. Two members of the South African team will claim to be more important  than the other 13 whom they will imprison between the posts whilst they claim the rest of the pitch for themselves.  6. The Americans will not attend until almost full time. In future years  they will amend the records to show that they were in fact the most important team in the tournament, won it single handedly and Hollywood will  make a film called 'Saving No.8 Lyle'.  7. Five of the Canadian team will sing La Marseillaise and hold the rest of  the team to ransom. 8. The Italian team will arrive in Armani gear, sexually harass the female  stewards and then run away.  9. The Spanish will sneak into the other half of the pitch, mow it and then  claim that it was all in line with European "grass quotas". They will then  curl up under the posts and have a kip until half time, when their appeal  for compensation against the UK government will be heard.  10. The Japanese will attempt to strengthen their team by offering good  salaries to the key opposition players and then run around the pitch at high  speed in a highly efficient manner before buying the ground (with a subsidy  from the UK Government).  11.. The French will declare they have new scientific evidence that the  opposition are in fact all mad. They will then park lorries across the  halfway line, let sheep loose in the opposition half and burn the officials.  12. The Australians will have a barbie before negotiating lucrative singing  and TV contracts in the UK. They will then invite all their mates to come  and live with them in Earls Court.  13. Unfortunately the Committee were unable to accept the Welsh suggestion  following complaints from the RSPCA.

Middle Distance Training Day:      (15-10-03)

The IOM Athletics Association, supported by Manx Sport and Recreation, are holding a Middle Distance Training Day at the NSC on Saturday 1st November.

The day is being organised by Chris Quine and Gianni Epifani, two of the Island's leading middle distance exponents in recent years, and will be used to launch the Isle of Man Middle Distance squad. It is envisaged that this squad will form the basis for future Island Games teams. The IOM AA are now focusing their middle distance efforts on developing a team for the 2007 games in Rhodes.

The day is open to all aged 13 year and over as at 1st September and will cover a range and range of topics including a practical training session, stretching and planning your training and racing. There will also be the opportunity to meet former international athletes.

Further information from Chris Quine on 670521.

MMMO AGM

by Richie Stevenson      (15-10-03)

In any attempt to make use of many of the useful contributions submitted by Steve Partington recently, I've decided to make him the guest news page writer tonight. All the following are attributable to Steve. (14-10-03)

Diane Lawrence will be missed

Diane Lawrence is leaving the Island in the next couple of weeks - heading back to Guernsey and then onto a three month voluntary stint in Cambodia...  

Paul Jackson on his bike at Port St Mary

Paul Jackson (who sounds uncannily like PFA chairman Gordon Taylor) is out of action having stubbed his big toe on the lifeboat trailer on Ramsey Prom during last week's Ramsey Fireman's.

Any local veterans fancy a trip down under and need an excuse to go?

World Masters Non Stadia Champs, Auckland, 18-24 April 2004

The website http://www.wma2004.org has some very helpful information, but not all of it is up-to-date. In particular the days for the walks have been rearranged, and also there is some confusion over the distances. - The website still refers to a 20km Walk for Men - there is no such race being held. The correct information is: Monday 19th April.        20km Road Walk for Women; 30km Road Walk for Men Wednesday 21 April.    10km Road Walk. (Both Men &

Women)

Friday 23 April.            50km Road

Walk. (Both Men & Women)

Alas, I'm two years too young!

NO REPLY    (13-10-03)

Following even more demands on my time than ever, I've failed to respond to virtually all the emails I've received in recent weeks. Thanks for all your contributions. I will get back to you all personally - eventually!

PETER KANEEN SETS MANX VETERANS RECORD   (13-10-03)

and has learnt the art of pace judgment says Steve Taylor

There was a fine display of athletic talent of the past? in attendance for the Veterans Union Mills Garage 20km race walk held at the Bowl on Sunday. Murray Lambden and the three Steve's, Partington, Brennan and Taylor were all there but no to compete only to watch. And what they witnessed was the Islands number one Peter Kaneen see off young pretender Neil Bates with a display of sound race walking technique and metronomic pace judgement.

Settling in behind Neil for the first few laps, the pace was a little erratic with there being over 10 seconds difference between the fastest and slowest laps in the early stages so Peter took control of the race just before 5km and settled into a rhythm that took him through 10km in 49 minutes and then seemingly effortlessly taking a little over 48 minutes to complete the second half. Looking very relaxed Peter always looked as if he could up a gear as he knocked out laps of 3.51/3.52 to pull away from his nearest rival with every step. Indeed he lapped the entire field by the end of the race finishing with yet another sub 100 minutes performance this year.

His record this year is

March 1, 95.49, Steam Packet walks, Bowl

April 26, 96.50, Leamington Grand Prix,

May 8, 95.24, Manx Champs, Bowl

July 12, 103.01, Dublin Grand Prix, 3 weeks after Parish Walk October 12, 97.04, Bowl

A very consistent set of results claiming a Manx Veterans record in the process. There can be no doubt that his performance in Dublin was greatly effected by his efforts around the Islands churches which saw him come within minutes of the record set by the great Derek Harrison.

We have been critical on this site of Peters pace judgment over 50km in the past but witnessing his performance on Sunday we can only hope that he puts what he has learned and proved successful here into practice over the longer distance to good effect next year.

OOPS    (13-10-03)

I slip of the fingers resulted in my reporting a picture of Phil Motley instead of Phil Mackie. I've now corrected.  The other person in the picture was Richard Cooil, reports Phil Mackie.

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED     (13-10-03)

Graham Davies explains

RESULTS - PDF FORMAT  WORD FORMAT

SPIKES NOT REQUIRED   (13-10-03)

Steve Partington reports that Eric Kelly (under 9's XC winner) ran in his football boots and shin pads.

WHILE NEIL BATES WAS RACING IN THE ISLE OF MAN, DAD TERRY WAS BEATEN IN HIS DEBUT AS A GUERNSEYMAN

Rob Elliott reports

STEVE TAYLOR PROVIDES SOME HUMOUR   (10-10-03)

If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it, If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time, If you can overlook when people take things out on you when through no fault of yours, something goes wrong, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can face the world without lies and deceit, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without liquor or If you can sleep without the aid of drugs.

You Must Be A Dog!

MIKE GELLION ADDRESSES HIS FANS!   (10-10-03)

Just a quick note to thank all those readers of the website who have had the excellent taste and discernment to make my photo in yesterday's End to End race the most accessed.

But five minutes later I received this:

and another note from Murray:

I've just checked tonight and you are down to fourth now Mike. Another fiver please if you want to go back to the top!

Check out the pictures

END TO END 50KM TIMES WELL UP TO NATIONAL STANDARD writes Steve Taylor

 (10-10-03)

 2003 UKA championships held at the Bowl in March

1st     5.09.16         Steve Arnold

2nd     5.25.17 Mark Byrne

3rd     5.55.52 Simon Cox

2003 RWA championships held in Aug, Stockport

1st     5.00.41 Mike Smith

2nd     5.05.46 Chris Berwick

3rd     5.32.00 Steve Arnold

I think that Robbie Callister and Seam Hands can certainly be proud of there times (5.23.36, 5.26.24)which would have put them on the podium at both of these championships. I know you don't like the comparisons but the end to end is surely one of the toughest 50km courses in the country.

TEAM ISLE OF MAN FOR THE FELLS IN 2004   (10-10-03)

Richie Stevenson reports

I have just received great news from Alan Barlow of the Fell Runners Association who has been negotiating on our behalf to enter a composite team or Team Isle of Man in the British Fell Championships in 2004. Although composite teams are not allowed normally for obvious rreasons the PST  of UKA have agreed to allow us entry. The championship is run over six different races with a runners best four to count which must include a short, medium and long race. The opening round is next April in Northern Ireland.

 MANX GAS CROSS CHALLENGE

ROUND ONE: - National Cross Country Course at Port St Mary Golf Course

Date: - Sunday 12^th October 2003

TIMETABLE & AGE GROUP COURSES

All athletes are advised to look over the course before they race.

1.00 PM     Report and sign on (early as it’s the first round)

                   Course open for inspection

2.00 PM     Under 9 Boys & Girls – Run to point A, follow short lap route to finish.                   (1 lap Short course)

2.05 PM     Under 11 Boys & Girls – Run to point A, follow short lap route to finish.   (2 laps short course)

2.15 PM     Under 13Boys/Girls and under 15 Girls – 1 Large lap

2.20 PM     Under 15 Boys & under 17 Girls – 2 Large laps

                     Junior Ladies – 1 small lap & 2 Large laps

                  Under 17 Boys – 1 small lap & 2 Large Laps

2.30 PM     Short Course Race – 2 large laps

2.30 PM     Veteran Ladies & Senior Ladies – 3 Large laps

                   Veteran, Senior & Junior Men – 5 Large laps

These times are subject to change at the request of the referee.

RAMSEY FIREMANS   (06-10-03)

Would someone like to write a little piece for the website about the attractions of the above?  I've never received any pre-race publicity and although I've tried to explain the enjoyment of handicap races, it would be nice if someone could really sell the series to the first time runner. Thanks. Front page coverage guaranteed!

KEIRON MURRAY LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FRUITS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN and looks forward to the next two Island Games!   (06-10-03)

Congratulations to Chris Quine and the IoMAA for putting together the MD performance plan.

It's good to see that there's already some progress being made with the inter-club co-ordination of training in the Douglas area. Let's hope there are plenty of runners from clubs other than the Fell Runners and Harriers who take up this opportunity to do some structured training.

It would appear that the main reason for the decline in standards is that my local contemporaries (i.e. born in the 1970's) have - but for myself and Julie Harrison - largely been lost to the sport from their mid-teens onwards. The drop off in standards is down to that fact. If you haven't got competitors in their 20's, you're going to struggle. Look also at the nucleus of the past few Games teams (in particular the medal winners) and you'll see that it is made up of a disproportionate number of competitors who didn't spend their formative years here. Again I think this is a pretty important point to recognise.

The competitive environment on the island when I began racing in the mid 1980's was very parochial and has hindered athletics right through to the more recent efforts of clubs, particularly Manx Harriers to bring teenagers through into the senior ranks. As an example of the parochial atmosphere, I can still clearly remember the big fuss made by Manx AC at the 1986 IoMAA track championships when I ran first claim for Western AC despite (or in the face of) the fact) that I contested the Manx AC track league every week in the summer. The simple reason for this was that my first ever league cross-country race was at Peel and so Western got me first claim but that was how it was back then. If I recall correctly you also had to join a club (second-claim) to run a cross-country league as well.

The main reason I stuck with Western at that time was because Dave Phillips made such great efforts forging links with Sale Harriers and organising trips away. They were the races I looked forward to more than any others. Unfortunately after under 13's there was nothing in the way of off-Island competition to keep that development going. I'd be racing and getting beaten by the same runners week in week out.

13 through to 18 is the key age for development as the Plan has identified and the squad system /mentoring can get rid of the stagnation that often resulted in our best teenage runners not retaining interest.  

The Plan has also identified that the efforts need to be Island wide. This will of necessity involve shedding the parochial approach particularly as it is being driven - as is often the case with these initiatives - by someone from Manx Harriers / Manx AC.

Lets have all the clubs contributing to this and trying to make it work, so that it feels like a proper IoMAA initiative.

On a more personal level...

Training has at last resumed with a bit more seriousness after the disappointments and injuries of the summer and some recent holidays. I'll hopefully be back on the track to do some faster work for the first time in a few months this evening and I'll be contesting the long course cross-country league and Ramsey Firemen's series later this week. I'm presently training twice a week with the IoMAA / Harriers squads and learning how to really hurt myself again, so that running flat out 300m reps seems easy.

One positive point is that it's been so long since I ran really well (i.e. 2000 and 2001) that I've come round to the viewpoint that its not worth beating myself up that I'm not running as fast as I was then or even looking at my training diaries and getting depressed. I'm now measuring my performances week-by-week as I did when I first came back in 1998 and it has given me lots more enthusiasm. Here’s hopefully everything stays in one piece and that my back doesn't give me too much bother.... roll on the Shetlands and Rhodes

JASON COCHRANE DIDN'T HIT THE WALL IN BERLIN   (05-10-03)

Just returned from Berlin were I ran the marathon in a PB of 4.09.35. A great race with 35,000 runners on a flat course with lots of support all along the route. A lot easier to get going than London as it starts on wide roads & flows well all the way round. Drinks stations are a bit different with tea being available as well as banana & apple but did not try the tea. The race went well on a warm sunny day & felt OK until 22 miles when I hit the wall but managed to get a second wind & push on to the finish. The highlight of the race is that you get free German beer at the finish. I would  recommend the race to anyone who wants to do a big overseas marathon.

On another point I raced in a 10k in Kidderminster the week before & paid £8 to enter. There were no drinks stations on route & they had run out of drinks at the finish. It made me think how lucky we are with our races were we pay £4, get food afterwards & can also pick up a trophy.

PICTURE

ISLE OF MAN BANK RAMSEY TRIATHLON    (05-10-03)

Leading results from Paul Jackson - pictures later in the week

 Ladies Race

Jess Draskau-Petersson off to World Champs

Details from her Mum    (05-10-03)

jessca has just won in kenmare, Ireland ( you ca get details and pix from the web) also came 2nd in the truro half ( 2nd emale overall, first in age

group) She's now off to hawaii for the world champs iron man 

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This is what I managed to track down as featured on the front page

Half Ironman Distance Triathlon at

Kenmare on

13th September 2003

1.2mile Swim, 56 mile Cycle, 13 mile run .

RESULTS

GOOD LUCK JESS

 DO YOU REMEMBER 1998?    (03-10-03)

The year started with Keith Callister winning the New Year's Day Supercards St Johns Fell Race from Chris Quine and Phil Cain.

Andy Fox was the Lancashire Cross Country veterans champion (8th overall) with John Halligan the runner up in the under  17s.

Paul Jempson won the first of the Halifax International winter leagues with Kevin Walmsley the fastest in 46.59.

Paul Craine was the national sports personality of the year.

Andy Fox won the Island Cross Country Championships from Chris Quine while Keith Gerrard could only manage 5th in the under 13s race.

Alistair Audsley announced his retirement from the sport after rupturing his achilles tendon in his left heal in the AAA Indoor Championships. A feature on Alistair's career and his view that standards had increased dramatically in Manx sprinting was strongly refuted by Martin Bullock in the following week's papers.

Paul Freary ran the fastest ever 10km on the Island when he won the Manx Airlines 10km in February in 30.37. In those days he ran for Bolton United Harriers beating Bashir Hussain of Stockport Harriers in 30.39.

The winner of the Manx Airlines 10km walk for woman was Gillian O'Sullivan who went on to win the silver medal at this year's WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. She was just 21 at the time and I r