As we draw to the close of another year, it’s usually a time of reflection. I like to look back and think through what i’ve achieved in the year and think through things that maybe I could have done differently, I always take these moments year on year. This year i’m doing the same, even though in reality….. is there much to reflect on?
As national lockdowns were enforced in March because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, it changed the shape of how everyone would have to go about their daily life.
I asked some of our runners a few questions about the year gone by, here’s what Peter Gough, Liam Mellon, Andrew Nurney, new member Bill Allwood and me (Andy Sykes) had to say.
Pre Covid, what races did you enter? Any good performances?
Peter Gough: I started 2020 with an IT band problem in my left leg that meant I couldn’t run as much as I wanted to, I did the Safari 10K in Knowsely in March as the 50 minute Pacer for the Running Bee.
Liam Mellon: I paced 1 hour 45 minutes in the Fylde Coast Runners Central Lancs New Years Half Marathon in January. After that I went to Australia with my family where I made sure I kept on running by doing the local park runs. I did manage 3 X 3rd place finishes at the park runs in 30degrees+ heat.
Andrew Nurney: I’ve only ran in one event this year and that was as a pacer in the Knowsley 10k pacing 75 mins and crossing the line with a chip time of 74:59
Bill Allwood: I had 2 races. The first was a 10k at Tatton Park on January 12th and the second was the High Leigh 10k on March 8th. Both were good races but the weather was horrendous at each. At High Leigh I got close to my PB which was a surprise.
Andy Sykes: I paced 45 minutes at the Fylde Coast Runners Stanley Park 10k. I also ran the Trafford 10k in March. My performance at Trafford wasn’t great, I didn’t stick to my race plan and it was pretty windy too, I could only manage 43:01 on the day.
When the news started to break about races being rescheduled or cancelled, how did you feel?
PG: I must admit, I’m not really a racer and I am not quick by any stretch of the imagination. I like social runs and chatting with pals. In Lockdown 1.0, we found a way to link 4 people on a WhatsApp group call which meant we were all running and chatting, albeit not together. I can’t say I have really missed races other than the camaraderie and seeing a swathe of Daddies in luminous yellow.
AN: I felt really sad as I enjoy the banter on the group app and the buzz of the events sometimes more than the running.
BA: To be honest I was partly expecting cancellations, so I was sort of prepared. The only cancellations that really annoyed me was that of the Tour Of Tameside and the Oldham Half. I had several other races booked but I thought they might be deferred so I left it at that.
LM: It made me feel sad, I was looking forward to a good spring and summer of events.
AS: I might be the only one who was kind of ok with it, I was marathon training but because it had been quite stormy in February and early March, I hadn’t been out too much and was way off plan.
How did you find the first lockdown for being able to get out there and run? What was different?
PG: Same as above really. Adapted to it and enjoyed some social runs using WhatsApp. The weather was better, and some mornings were gorgeous. On those WhatsApp runs, we all ended up running past each other which was quite funny waving to someone across the street who you were talking to at the same time on WhatsApp.
LM: With being off work on furlough there wasn’t much else to do but go out and run. I was on the WhatsApp’s with Pete and sometimes Wilf and Frankie so it made it like I wasn’t out there alone.
BA: In the first lockdown I had one 5-day stint where I couldn’t leave the house through self isolation. I struggled but I managed to do at least 2 x 3 mile runs up and down the garden. Otherwise I managed to run every day. At first, I noticed a lot more runners and dog walkers out and about. Plus quite a few less than polite comments from passers by that I was out running!!
AS: With us shielding initially, I was unable to go out. I did 2k in the garden one day and it took me 18 minutes. I couldn’t face that again. As time progressed I did go out, early doors mostly and running up to Hartshead Pike and back where I knew it was going to be quiet. I did a lot of running with my dog Willow, she was great company and in fairness, was always pushing me hard.
Pete and Liam, In July you took on a monstrous challenge of doing 72 10’ks during the month, can you tell me a bit more about that?
LM: This challenge wasn’t for the faint hearted, just ask Andy Sykes. Only joking. The challenge came about for charity really, the NHS turned 72 in July and we all know how important they have been this year. Charities themselves have seen a drop in fundraising income with there being lockdowns and restrictions in place. So Andy came up with the idea of doing the 72 for 72 after speaking to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital charity. The first few days were good, but as the days progressed and miles ticked over, I found the real challenge was fitting it in around the rest of normal life. Pete was amazing and really helped me when I felt like I had no motivation.
PG: This nearly didn’t happen! I’d bought some new Brooks trainers to do the 72 x 10K’s. On run 3 of 72 using them, I limped home with a sore knee at the IT band insertion point. I managed to get some heat gel on it and some ultrasound and stepped out cautiously on day four to find I could run on it. It was a bit of a war of attrition, but I always knew I could do it as I never really quit on anything and I’ve finished every event I’ve ever started. Liam and I always said we would finish it on a high, not a whimper, so we opted to take on Apple Street for the final one, finishing on Werneth Low with a radio interview and photographer, accompanied by a swarm of biting insects that chomped on my legs. Lesson also learnt stick to ASICS GT’s.
When some races started back up again after the first lockdown, did you enter any and how did you find organization, safety, mindset & fitness?
PG: I did the virtual Tour of Tameside during the lockdown but chose to do it in one day: all four events! That was a tough one as I recall. The Longendale Trail Half was a real slog and the euphoria of finishing outside the town hall at Hyde was sadly missing as that’s my favourite finish of any event (including Las Vegas Marathon on The Strip). As event organisers started to read the script, it became apparent that the only events that would take place this year were those that started and finished in big fields to keep everyone apart. The ones organized by RunThrough were great. I did one of the Tatton 10K series and I also did a half at Capethorne Hall. I was unfit(ter than usual) and didn’t enjoy the last three miles at all.
BA: The only race I’ve done since the first lockdown was the Tatton Run to The Sun 10k in August with Pete and Liam. It was well organised and everything went smoothly. The safety marshals did a great job with socially distancing runners and the rolling start was well organised. It gave me confidence that other events would be possible. I’m always nervous at events so my mindset was quite ‘fidgety’. Fitness wise, as I’d been running daily, I felt good. Very pleased as I got a PB.
AS: I entered the Run Through East Cheshire Half as a last minute thing in September, I hadn’t ran anything more than 10k since June but decided this was ok as a challenge after being very stop start during the lockdowns and beyond. I wasn’t too concerned about how it was going to be organised, I just went and thought as long as I keep myself to myself then there shouldn’t be any issue. The organisation was excellent and the start waves worked really well.
LM: I entered the same Run Through event as Bill, I think the way it was organised was spot on and there was nothing to complain about. I really enjoyed getting back out there and feeling the buzz and energy of being at an actual event.
AN: Unfortunately for me, injury meant I wasn’t ready for entering any events.
Which event have you missed the most this year?
LM: The London Marathon and the Tour of Tameside
BA: Tour Of Tameside. Tour of Tameside. Tour of Tameside. Oh, and the Tour Of Tameside.
PG: Simple one for me, The Tour of Tameside.
AS: I missed the Manchester marathon and The Wilmslow Festive 10K. Those 2 events for me have the best atmosphere’s.
AN: The race I’ve missed the most the Tour of Tameside. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy this event, and again more so the buzz around it and because it’s over four days the groups WhatsApp is going none stop.
Liam, I hear you and a few of the others decided to take a different career path this year and try your hand at modelling, how did that come about?
As we like to help a lot with the local charities, the opportunity came up for us to get involved with modelling the new tech tops available from The Running Bee Foundation. As a group we like to help The Running Bee so would never say no to giving our time over. They had brought out a new range of tech race t-shirts and vests for both men and women. We met at the start of the Hell on a Fell stage of the Tour of Tameside with some other models that aren’t from the group and took some action poses and still shots. It was great stuff really. I’ll be the first to admit that I wouldn’t normally do this kind of thing but it was handled very professionally and the pictures turned out great. If you are looking for some new running apparel this January then do visit them and check them out, the money they raise goes back into local communities and this is why we never have any hesitation when they ask us to get involved.
Bill, as a new person to the group, joining in July, how have you found it?
BA: I found the group to be nothing short of brilliant. It’s been great to get out and ‘chat cod’ with everyone. I’ve picked up pointers for running gear and advice on better running techniques. I’ve been a Lonely Goat RC member through British Athletics for a couple of years, so it’s been nice to join a group for runs
For those who have ran a lot during lockdown and furlough, how many pairs of shoes have you got through?
BA: 4 pairs. Nike Zoom Flys, Altra Paradigms, New Balance FuelCell PPropes and New Balance Fresh Foam 1080s
PG: I’ve got through 3 (well, two if you don’t include the Brooks ones that I only did 18 miles on). I tend to wear out a pair then get some new ones. I know we have a few ‘Imelda Marcos’s’ in the group though who will have bought loads!
AS: Well, As I haven’t ran as much as everyone else, I haven’t got ‘through’ many. However, I can go on record and say I am an addict and I have a trainer addiction problem. I have bought too many pairs this year, running and non running, and I think I need help!
LM: I bought some Orange Asics, don’t know the model and i’ve ran some pink Nike Pegasus on the streets of Tameside. I just have trainers to run in, don’t really pay attention to makes and models as such.
Have you found anything else to occupy your time in lockdown? Have you tried anything new?
AS: I got my bike back out and went for some really long bike rides. I realised how much I had missed cycling and it made me commit more time to the sadal. At home we have also started to cook more dishes from scratch which we have never really done before. I also started to take Zac, my 10 year old son, out on 5km runs ether just me and him or with his friend, Owen. We have managed to get Zac a very respectable 5k time of 28:27 so far.
BA: I’ve walked a bit more but that’s it really. I’ve tried varying routes a bit but to be honest just getting out has made me happy. Done quite a few virtual races which I wouldn’t have normally done that have passed the time. I’ve been trying different makes of shoes as until this year I used Nike Pegasus mostly.
PG: Yes, I learned to realise that I should forget learning to play a guitar. I just can’t dedicate the time to it that it needs but inside me, I know there is a yearning to be able to play just a few chords and sound, if only for 30 seconds, like David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd for all the younger ones!)
AN: Lock down hasn’t really changed for me as I’ve worked as normal, but with all the businesses having to close it meant we had to change our habits as a family and as such have enjoyed walking and talking more and also getting out and cycling as a family.
LM: I bought a bike but I haven’t been out on yet, next year though. Spending more time at home was a highlight as I work a lot so I was able to help out around the home and I did turn into a delivery driver during the first lockdown for vulnerable family members and also to drop off Andy Sykes’ weekly beer order from Tesco.
Hopes for 2021?
PG: I just hope that we share more group runs, social runs, charity runs and such. I know we are not Salford Harriers or Hyde Striders / Belle Vue Racers but we really do have something other clubs don’t. I can’t nail down what that is, but I feel comfortable with you guys. We have some amazing talent in the group who actually win stuff but they’re still humble enough to get involved with the small charity events like those from Frankies in the evening. I’d like us to run at 7pm on a Tuesday and a Thursday, EVERY week so people know when it is. We can have a beginner, improvers and elites group with different people volunteering as the lead runner each week.
AN: My hopes for 2021 is to recover from my injuries and start training for a marathon. I also really want us to be back to the life we know and of course and complete the Tour of Tameside.
BA: The Tour Of Tameside 2021. I already have the time booked off from the dreaded work. I do always like Tatton so fancy a few more of those. I’m not into races with huge numbers of runners so maybe a smaller entrant marathon. To get out on more early doors Denton runs next year. And to continue trawling Ebay for shoes especially in January.
AS: My hopes outside of Covid disappearing and normal life returning will be to just stay fit and healthy. I know my family rely on me a lot as the kids and I also rely on Katie so I need to stay in good health to help support all at home.With that said a lot more cycling next year to go alongside running. Like Pete has said, I also want to help the group gather a bit of momentum and branch out to help other runners reach their goals. Race wise, I booked the Bolton marathon recently and I really want to go to that event and give it my all.
LM: In terms of running I want to clock up 2500 miles next year. Go big or go home they say. I also want to get the group set up like Pete has said, regular runs that are open to all on regular dates and times each week. Daddies has always been about being inclusive and we want to grow and help people in the local area and beyond by either getting fitter, socialising or improving if they already run.
Thanks to the guys for answering some questions there. It has indeed been a year unlike any other. We may be missing running events but we are all aware of how important it is to follow the guidance and that there will be some people out there dealing with more than just missing out on running events. Everything is relative and these questions were in no way to say we feel hard done by, more to share how we have managed to stay active and keep the social side of it going without being able to interact physically.
We hope all our readers are safe, well and healthy and that you continue to be.
From January (hopefully dependant on tiering and lockdowns), in line with the latest guidance from the government, we will be hoping to set up regular run dates and times as alluded to by the guys above. If you are hoping to start some sort of physical activity from January, you want to get fit you want to try and shift a few pounds, you want to make new friends, you want a new hobby or you want to try something new, then please look out on our social media pages and this very blog site for updates on when we will start the regular runs.
Cheers everyone and Merry Christmas to all.
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