Week ending Saturday 5th December
It’s beginning to look like Christmas
The Christmas street lights are switched on in towns and villages, some homes are putting up their trees and decorations, we’ve had the Late Late Show Toy Show, so despite how Covid-19 has ravaged 2020, we know Christmas is coming! The long awaited announcement by the Taoiseach last Friday evening confirmed that the tough six week level 5 Covid-19 restrictions come to an end this week when we move to level 3 (with exceptions), meaning some rules will be relaxed in the coming days and more will follow nearer to Christmas. This is great news for households, businesses and retail outlets and injects a bit of hope that we’ll all get to enjoy Christmas, even if in a somewhat more subdued fashion and certainly not in the same way as in the past. There’s actually very little change for Club activities though and the only change is that our adult members can train together again at the Club grounds in social-distanced “pods” of 15 from this week, but outdoor events are still prohibited, so there is no likelihood of a return to competition any time soon, as that would require a move to level 2 allowing 200 to gather for outdoor competitions.
That said, Athletics Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to doing all it can to hold National cross country events in the New Year, provisionally pencilling in dates in February, meaning the Leinster cross country fixtures would take place in mid to late January, everything being subject of course to Covid-19 restrictions at the time allowing it. It is very possible, even likely, that relaxing the rules for Christmas will lead to increased infections in the New Year and a return to tighter controls, which would clearly scupper any plans for cross country events in January, but maybe things will just push out to February and March? We continue to live in hope and training continues at the Club during the week and in Belvedere at the week-ends to make sure our athletes are in the best possible shape when we get the green light for a return to competition.
What was in the news this time last year?
This time last year we were eagerly anticipating the European Cross Country Championships in Lisbon, especially as Mullingar had four of its best athletes competing on Irish teams, the highest number from the Club ever to compete at a Major Championship in a single day. Competing in the u/20 men was Jamie Battle, in the u/23 women was Claire Fagan, and in the u/23 men were Cormac Dalton and Jack O’Leary. Jamie and Jack had run in the European Cross Country in The Netherlands the previous year and Claire had run in the u/23 T&F in Sweden the previous summer, so were able to draw on that valuable experience, but for Cormac this was his first time competing at a Major Championship but being part of a large Irish team of over thirty men and women surrounded him with huge experience to draw on for support, encouragement and inspiration.
It’s hard to think that the AIT Baseline Indoor T&F Meeting was just around the corner this time last year, giving an opportunity for our senior and older juvenile T&F athletes to chart how their training was progressing for the indoor season. What wouldn’t they give to have such an event to look forward to this year?
Dressing for the cold
Now that December is here, we can expect the weather to turn even colder at training, so it’s a good time to remind everyone that they should wear appropriate running gear for the cold weather. Warm clothing is essential and that includes going to and from training. A pair of lightweight gloves, a woolen hat and a few layers of warm clothing is all it takes. Having a warm sweat shirt, fleece or jacket for after training is especially important. Parents of younger juveniles should insist that they wear the proper clothing. Also, lightweight running tights or leggings are recommended and will give much needed protection against the cold. Athletes not properly dressed for the cold weather will not perform to their best.
For the latest news, results and details of fixtures check the Club’s Facebook page or the website at www.mullingarharriers.com.
PRO
