Windswept and Interesting

The course was certainly windswept this week with a strong Easterly helping participants up the never ending hill from 3km to 4km. Interesting, as the mover and shakers from LRC were out in force, Club Chair Kirsty, Club Secretary Jude/Judith/Judy (*more on this later), Club Coach Owen, Club Mens Captain James, Club Volunteer Coordinator (and enforcer for JT) Fraser and at least three Social Run Leaders. It seems that Auldcathie Parkrun was the place to be. We had a full range of members from original club members, Sandy, Clifford, Phillip, to those who have joined recently.

This week I have used a number of new formula in the spreadsheet table to make the organisation much easier to manage, including a Xlookup function. I have used this to match names and times from the weekly Parkrun results.

*If your name on the TeamApp is different from your Parkrun name your result may have been missed so please check, I have edited the handicap list where I noticed an obvious difference. We have a number of people who go by several names such as Mick/Michael, Jude/Judith/Judy, Jen/Jennifer, Debbie/Deborah etc.

With 61 entrants having completed a run at Auldcathie in April the results are now organised in the Leagues. Top of the elite Olympic League is James who impressively found 84 seconds on his best 2024 time. In fact the top 4 in this League have all gone faster than their best 2024 time, with Owen only 4 seconds slower than his best 204 time today. Hard to see anyone piping Harris and Lana this month in the World League. Under normal circumstances Jen would be getting abuse for finding over 2 minutes on her 2024 best time however a certain JR has found nearly 3 minutes to go top of the European League. Well done to Gregor for his 56 sec improvement since joining the club. In the Commonwealth League only three have gone quicker than their handicap time Mags B, Mags T and Thomas. Mags B looks certain to top this table with a two-and-a-half-minute improvement on her 2024 injury affected year.

Just a reminder, I may have a sympathetic/empathetic face when you tell me your training/injury/health woes however the spreadsheet does not have feelings! For example, today I heard about a bad back x2, an inability to sweat, sore knees x2, cold wind x10. So whilst I do have sympathy it will not affect your handicap.

I counted 11 Course PBs for LRC this morning, including a massive 2mins 49 secs improvement for Stephanie

Only one more week at Auldcathie before the handicaps are adjusted and the LRC Blue Train rolls onto the undulating Polkemmet Country ParkRun.