Hello,
Today is certainly more reminiscent of the wet Octobers I recall! However, don’t let the damp deter you from training! Favorable race conditions are never guaranteed and within reason training in all conditions can give you an edge when it comes to racing – whether it’s wind & rain or a slog through mud and puddles.

Talking of mud & puddles the New Forest adventure trail run is definitely happening! 10 – 14km of easy paced cross country running – cake afterwards is guaranteed! Head over to the app/web training info for event info. if you’re keen to join in the fun or chat with me at one of our sessions. I’d love to lead a monthly trail run somewhere different monthly, so if you’re keen to join but can’t make November 19th then please let me know.

November will see a few changes to the training schedule. TrackTuesday at 6.30am and 1.30pm remain unchanged. SocialFriday remains unchanged at 7am from Broadway Coffee Roasters. HillsSaturday will be at 7.15am starting from near the Churchillian pub carpark for an hour – so park runners can use this as a bit of a warmup! StrengthThursday has moved from the morning to the evening, starting at 5.30pm by the Rose Garden / promenade. I’m really look forward to seeing you at one of these sessions – winter really is the time to build strength & resilience whilst having some fun out on the trails – anyone fancy a night trail run?

You may have heard about the FoodBank run? This fab initiative was started by a Fareham runner and now also supported by RunR. The idea is to gather support for running clubs to collect food suitable for their local foodbank and then in February to run with the food to their local Foodbank. Personally, I believe foodbanks should be supported pre-Christmas as well as post-Christmas and thus, if you are able, please bring a small food donation suitable for the local foodbank to the start of the SocialFriday run. I’ll collate all the items and we can then organise a run to the Portsmouth Foodbank – I’ll share a separate message about the type of food that they need. Ideally, I’d like to hold a foodbank run once a month in November, December, January, February and March.

I’m starting to plan a high-altitude triathlon training camp for May or June of 2023 in Switzerland. It will be a week, maybe with the option of a second week, of predominantly running and cycling. Accommodation will be hostel styled – comfortable and practical. Limited swimming will be available, but the focus will be on running and road riding! This will be an ideal training opportunity if you are racing standard or long-distance triathlon during the summer. If this excites you, please let me know.

Finally, a massive congratulations to Daniel Del Piccolo for completing the 100-mile track run – the Cockbain Track 100 – over the weekend! His 1st lap was completed in 2:22, his 100th lap in 2:22, his 200th in 2:32, his 300th lap in 2:36, his 400th lap in 2:59 and his 403rd lap in 2:03!!!! #consistencyiskey! He ran a total of 100.161 miles (161.2 km) he was 8th overall and completed the distance in 19 hours 54 minutes & 44 seconds. What an incredible accomplishment from a physical and mental perspective. Congratulations Dan.

Have a safe and fun week of training

Cheers Steve
Grasshopper Coaching