Week ending Saturday 7th November

It’s odd the things you miss during lockdown

We’ve had a few cold and wet nights at training recently, and can expect more as we get further into winter, so not being able to shelter in the hall at the Club is being sorely felt, but last week – in what should have been the calm between days one and two of the Leinster cross country – a real loss was not being able to go into the hall and have hot chocolate after training, which has become something of a tradition at Mullingar Harriers during the cross country season. Fingers crossed we can get to carry on the tradition in the not too distant future.

This time last year we were celebrating Claire Fagan’s victory in the novice women race on day one of the Leinster cross country in Gowran, Co. Kilkenny, leading the women team of Sinead Whitelaw, Michelle Bohan, Anna Broderick, Amy Mahony and Alanna Bate to second Club and second County, and the junior men and junior women placing second Club in their respective events. Of course, there was also a big medal haul by our juvenile athletes, namely fifteen top-twelve finish places and Club team medals in five of the eight underage races on the day, giving Mullingar a commanding lead on the medal table and looking forward to day two in Ferbane, Co. Offaly and equally good performances in the hope of retaining the title of best juvenile Club in cross country in Leinster for the nineteenth year in a row.

Group training continues for underage members

Thanks to the exception allowed for juvenile members and their coaches to travel beyond the 5km travel limit of level 5 for organised training sessions, underage training continues, helping them to retain some semblance of routine and normality. As we move further into November and the weather continues to get colder and wetter, the sessions in Belvedere will move more and more away from the outdoor cross country course to the shelter of the woodland trails. As always, strict adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines at all training sessions is essential, especially social distancing, not only among the athletes and coaches but among the parents too dropping and collecting their children at training.

Dress for the cold

We’re getting a good taste of cold weather at training lately, so everyone 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 train to their best.

Road safety and reflective clothing

It’s getting dark earlier and earlier every evening, so everyone running on the road at night must wear reflective clothing. If you do not wear reflective clothing, how can you expect drivers to see you? It is very simple, if you are not wearing a reflective bib, you should not be running on the road at night.

For the latest news, results and details of fixtures check the Club’s Facebook page or the website at www.mullingarharriers.com.

PRO