1987. LEEDS GRAND PRIX WINNER....AT LAST!

A huge upsurge in the sale of gels etc this week. 
Yes, it's GREAT NORTH RUN weekend once more.  55000 taking part!!
I'm still amazed by the number of those coming in who will be tackling the 13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields who have not exceeded 10 miles in their training and the number for whom the event will be their first race.
 It just makes more sense to me to build up the racing distance rather than starting with a half marathon or marathon.  I would still prefer to see new runners become comfortable running several 10Ks, bringing down their times as they get stronger than struggling around 13.31 miles or 26.2.
 But so many don't seem to regard the shorter events as a real challenge; as if there's no real kudos attached to running say sub 40 for a 10K than saying they've completed a marathon even if large sections have been walked.
Many justify not having at least covered the distance in training by saying "the schedule didn't tell me to" OR 
"Oh, I won't be racing; I'm just  raising money for charity"
I defy anyone not to react to the racing pace of those they are rubbing shoulders with; particularly a young man when an old wrinkly passing by!
 I had hoped to see MO FARAH competing but we are now being told that he  
"will be among five London 2012 gold medallists to perform the role of starter at the Bupa Great North Run.  Up to 55,000 people are expected to take part in the famous half marathon on 16 September.  Farah had been due to compete for the first time but has withdrawn as he has not had  time to train for the distance"  
 I think we would have all accepted that 13.1 miles was not the distance he had been focussing on and as such not been critical if he had been beaten by say a marathon trained specialist. 
             Shame. It would have been interesting to watch.

 THIS WEEK 25 YEARS AGO........I WAS HAVING A RACE BREAK!
 September 6th saw a final end to the LEEDS LEISURE SERVICES GRAND PRIX which had begun way back on March 29. It had been a real test fortitude, resolve .....and the ability to stay clear of injury throughout the spring and summer months.
 Fortunately I managed to stay injury free, unlike my young "rival" Mr. Convery who missed the last 2 events.  His absence at that last event, the KIRKSTALL 10K, gave me the maximum 200 grand Prix points and confirmed me the Grand Prix winner.  Can't recall what the prize was but it didn't necessitate hiring an armed guard for a trip to the bank the next day!
 I was pleased to have won having completed all 9 events but it had been quite a commitment and meant that I'd not been able to run several other "traditional" races I would normally have run in. 
 With no race this weekend in 1987 the mileage was back up to 76 miles.  12 runs in the week including the customary Tuesday and Thursday track sessions.
 6 x 800 on the Tuesday (2.32  2.33  2.31  2.32  2.32 2.31......how that for consistency!)
 16 x 200 on the Thursday ( averaging 33 secs)   My first visit to the Keighley track which has been recently refurbished.
 This week in 2012 I'll cover less than half that distance. 
                          Perhaps that's where I'm going wrong?

New technology from Mizuno

 Shoe designers are rarely heard to be saying,  "If it's not broken, don't mend it!"   After all if all they did was change the colours on new season's shoes they wouldn't have much too do, would they?No, even, if a new shoe bears the same name chances are it features new technology to improve one or more aspect of the model.
 MIZUNO a company which has been at the forefront of the Japanese sports industry since 1906, is a prime example of a company not content to rest on its laurels.  Their continuing commitment to product development sees new technology featured in 3 new shoes recently delievered for Spring/ Summer 2011.

                                                                                                   

 

The ever popular NEXUS 5 continues to offer well cushioned, moderate support with MizunoWave  but now features AP+, their new midsole polymer. Better feel, more durability.

(See below)

  Combine that with their SmoothRide system, a highly breathable AIRmesh upper and a very durable outersole incorporating X10 carbon rubber and loyal buyers of the NEXUS model are guaranteed satisfaction for yet another season. 

 

Many MIZUNO  afficianados requiring a supportive shoe have been "trading up" to the WAVE INSPIRE 7.  This latest version offers the AP+ , SmoothRide, AIRmesh as the NEXUS but goes that bit further with Dynamotion Fit (see below) VS1 shock absorbing compound in the forefoot and a Premium Insock removable insole for enhanced comfort,cushioning and durability. Both the Nexus 5 and the Inspire 7 are designed to offer support for the arch with over correction.  So support rather than motion control.

For the higher arched runner requiring little or no support  cushioning becomes all important. Mizuno offer cushioning a plenty with the new
      WAVE RIDER 14
Naturally it includes AP+ as a main  feature but that's only part of the story.  Add SMOOTHRIDE, VS1, the new DYNAMOTION FIT system, the breathable AIRmesh upper,  X10 incorporated in the outersole and the Premium Insock and there is little doubt the WAVE RIDER will retain its position in the cushion running shoe sector.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 All the staff at Complete Runner and Fastrax hope you have a happy, healthy and successful New Year!

Thanks for all your custom.

Pat and Terry Lonergan

SNEAK PREVIEW......40% OFF SUNWISE SUNGLASSES SOON!

Having very sensitive eyes my Sunwise Rush sunglasses are an essential on my kit list.   Coming with a set of 3 interchangeable, lightweight, shatterproof lenses they are kept handy throughout the year.  The yellow lens lifts the spirit on dullish, grey  days when the sunlight is quite weak.  The orange lens provides glare protection in medium light conditions and the smoke mirror lenses are fitted on the very brightest of days.  Very easily changed from one to another.

 

Useful obviously also for keeping flying insects out of the eyes. Quite a nuisance, particularly at the start of a run.    Essential wear at this time of year if you get caught in a blizzard.  Snow tends to sting the eyes, doesn't it!   Besides the Rush and Odyssey  interchangeables  they have a great range of single lens models including the Sunwise Marathon

which I'm keen to try out as it's said to be the lightest pair sunglasses around. Developed for the London 2012 Olympics. the shiny red  frames will match the band on my Sale vest! Check others out below. 

Full details on THE COMPLETE RUNNER website very shortly! 
I've lost expensive sunglasses in the past.  I've had expensive sunglasses which misted up within minutes!   I think the SUNWISE range, with high quality optical lenses  providing  100% ultraviolet protection,  offer such great value for money,  we stock them exclusively in both shops.
                             But as with shoes colourways change and so 
              LOOK OUT FOR A LIMITED QUANTITY
                           FOR A LIMITED PERIOD ONLY 
                                     AT 40% OFF 

SUNWISE TITAN IN CRYSTAL GREY

 

SUNWISE BREAKOUT IN BLACK/ YELLOW

ASICS. Healthy mind, healthy body.....healthy business!

 Aficianado....defined as "enthusiastic fan of something or someone".   Running shoes being no exception.

Most of the top brands can claim to have thousands of devoted "followers" ,including non-runners, who buy their shoes religiously to the exclusion of others.   Fellrunners who  have worn WALSH for decades and refuse to try anything else,  retro shoe buyers looking for another blast from the past from NEW BALANCE or ADIDAS. Holiday makers who wouldn't dream of stepping on that plane without a brand new pair of Reeboks on their feet.  

 Perfect business of course is having a large part of the "retro" market  for street wear plus thousands of runners eagerly awaiting brand new product.  ASICS  are in that position.  Founded in 1949 in Kobe, Japan

as ONITSUKA CO.LTD,  it was 1977 that the acronym was chosen based on the Latin  " Anima Sano In Corpore Sano (A sound mind in a healthy body) and they have gone from strength to strength ever since.

 First company out of the blocks with their 2011 shoes, the new GEL KAYANO 17   (white/onyx/red)

and new GT-2160  (white/black/royal)

had no sooner been unpacked when the customers were asking for them in the shop and over the phone.

 The KAYANO 17 is the lightest version with several tweeks to make a great product even better.  Improved ride, improved lacing system, better memory foam to the heel collar,  better sockliner.

 The GT-2160 similarly sees several enhancements.  New memory foam really "locking down" the heel, tested improvements to the forefoot overlays and better flexibility in the midsole.

  This version will maintain the top flight standing of ASICS via their 2000 series.    A top flight position which I would suggest became established when ASICS was "chosen" as the shoe of the London  Marathon.

Whilst established runners were well aware of the brand, it was this partnership which really made ASICS a running shoe brand which everybody knew.  Work done, it could be suggested they were then clever enough to pull out and save expenditure.  So many will think of ASICS as a new kid on the block compared with say adidas, Puma or even reebok.

But it was really their shoes,  alongside Reebok offroad,  which  we raced and trained in in the 1970s  albeit 

under  the ONITSUKA TIGER label; now  recreated to meet the demand from aficianados for vintage product  branded as the originals.

 Today's minimalists would heap praise on the ONITSUKA TIGER MARUP.  In the early 1970s we were all training and racing in them.  I recall going into
a sports shop in Manchester with  my £6.50......and buying 2 pairs!
  In America, the Japanese brand was retailed sold by Blue Ribbon Sports,under Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight,who went on to establish NIKE.  This picture shows the ONITSUKA TIGER shoe alongside their
NIKE MARATHON SHOE.  Almost identical.


The Japanese company could be guilty of having helped NIKE get started!  Big mistake?

By 1976, the company had merged with 2 others to expand into sports apparel and ASICS was formed.   The shoes were branded ASICS TIGER but later the Tiger aspect was dropped.   I started buying their shoes from UK distributor Starcraft in London in 1979.   Modest advertising from them in those days including this half page mono in Athletics Weekly,  December 22 1979.

 For me a major landmark in the history of ASICS is the  indelible image of double Olympic champion, flying Finn LASSE VIREN pictured after his
victory and holding aloft his ASICS Tiger shoes.
  This was despite having fallen after 12 laps on the Munich track.
  Was this a deliberate marketing ploy or just relief for feet having completed 25 laps of the track?
  Whatever the truth of the matter it was a gesture
which was guaranteed to bring the Japanese to the attention of the world.  


ASICS....healthy mind, healthy body....healthy business

COMPLETE RUNNER CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR

SENIOR MEN START THEIR CROSS COUNTRY SEASON OFF IN NUNROYD PARK

 Whilst numerous other events in the north were being postponed or cancelled altogether, due to the snow, the last of 4 COMPLETE RUNNER cross country league fixtures went ahead at Wakefield on December 5th, albeit with some adjustments.  In fact the number of mens finishers exceeded the number at the 3rd Bramley Falls event.

 There were many excellent overall performances but for me the abiding memory of this season will be the manner in which Leeds City dominated the Senior mens races.  As if 6 in 12 was not good enough at the first Nunroyd Park event they put 9 in 12 at Fartown, Huddersfield in the second race; continuing their form with 8 in 13 at Bramley Falls and finished with 6 in 12 on the snowy fields of Thornes Park, Wakefield.  Let's hope the club can maintain this show of strength through to the Yorkshire, Northern and Nationals.

 Individually, ANDREW PEARSON (Longwood) shown here

was the class act winning races 2,3 and 4 but being MV35 the mens individual title went to SIMON DEAKIN (Leeds City) who also missed the first race but was first open in each of the remaining events.

 KATIE WALSHAW (Holmfirth) pictured here showed excellent form in winning races 1,2,3 and must have been disappointed that JULIE BRISCOE (Wakefield) turned out on her home turf to deny her of a clean sweep; but not her Holmfirth team who were undefeated throughout.
 The Holmfirth club won all of the youngest age groups as well.
U/11, boys and girls, U/13, boys and girls. So with the senior ladies the club  won 5 of the 10 age groups overall.   The winning clubs  being U/15s City Of York and Wharfedale;  under 17s Skyrac girls, including COMPLETE RUNNER's DAISY AGAR, and Wakefield.
 Individually, STELLA CROSS (Wetherby) dominated the U/11 with a clean sweep of 4 wins.  CHARLIE  LOWRIE (Wharfedale)   missed the last race but it didn't matter; he'd been first in the first 3.
Not so easy for ELLA EADON (City of York) (U/13 girls,who needed to win the last event and did so to complete a trio of victories.  LEWIS BYRON (Holmfirth) , U/13 boys, was an excellent champion also with three wins and a second.  In the U/15 girls, ANNABELLE MASON (Wakefield) ) had a slender one point overall win with early two victores and a second.  U/15 boys champion MAX WHARTON (Halifax) went the other way coming through  to win the last 2 races after a 2nd and a 3rd.
The under 17s were the relatively weak events with only 13 girls and 23 boys scoring in 3 races;  CAROLINE LAMBERT (Wetherby) overall champion with a 2nd, 3rd and 1st.  MAX KAYE (Holmfirth) won no races but showed best overall form with a 4th and 2 seconds.
  But the least supported category of all, not surprisingly, were the juniors.  Of only 7 who scored in the junior girls, CARLY ROBERTSON (Bingley) had a win and 2 seconds; with MICHAEL WOOD (Leeds City)  overall junior boys champion with two wins and a second.
  Once again, GORDON AGAR,  MIKE SHERMAN, BOB JACKSON and their great team of officials have to be applauded for putting together yet another highly successful season and one we are very proud to be associated with through the efforts of ALISTAIR DAVY, our Marketing manager,  in conjunction with 1000 mile.
 Particularly as the league was my first involvement with Yorkshire athletics when i came over from Lancashire way back in 1969 when I started studies at Trinity & All Saints Colleges in Horsforth.