Week ending Saturday 9th December 2017
Winter break for youngest Club members
This week we’ll say goodbye to our 8 and 9 year old members as they finish up until the end of February. This is due to the unavailability of the inside grass track due to the winter weather and the dark and cold nights. As the inside grass track becomes out of bounds more and more due to bad weather, the numbers training on the outside all-weather trail will increase and become too crowded and dangerous, especially for the younger boys and girls. The few 9 years olds who are competing in the All Ireland cross country in Waterford will continue training at 6.30pm until the end of December.
In the New Year, training groups will be arranged strictly by age and 9 and 10 year olds will train at 6.30pm to 7.15pm and those older than 10 years of age will train at 7pm. Groups will be assigned to specific coaches and there will be no free moving between groups. This decision has been made by the Executive Committee to accommodate all athletes due to limited space and limited availability of coaches and is in accordance with child welfare guidelines and the safety of the children. Your support in this matter is appreciated.
Children competing in 2018 U10 and U11 will train at 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Children competing in 2018 U12 and U13 will train at 7pm.
This decision has been made by MHAC committee to accommodate all athletes due limited space and coach availability and in accordance with health and safety and child welfare guidelines.
We appreciate your continued support on this matter
All-Ireland cross country team results completed
The u/18 and junior team results from the All-Ireland cross country finals in Abbotstown were re-checked and published by AAI during the week and confirmed that the u/18 women (Aoife Darby, Andrea Brady, Laura Shaw, Catriona Kennedy and Elysia Greene) finished sixth Club, and with Lisa Gavin (Athlone IT) finished sixth County. Adding Claire Fagan, the junior team finished fifth Club and fifth County. In the men’s event, the u/18 men (Jamie Battle, Jack Moran, Conor McHugh, John Whitelaw and Brian Martin) finished fourth Club, and adding Cormac Dalton, Aidan Daly and Ciaran Nolan, the junior team also finished fourth Club, and they finished fifth County. These are excellent results in a tough All-Ireland contest.
Focus on Waterford
The focus in training is firmly on Waterford in two weeks time when Mullingar will have over seventy athletes competing on underage teams, and will have a Novice men team too. In addition to representing Mullingar and Westmeath, twenty of our underage athletes will also be on Leinster teams, which is a big representation from a single Club. The teams for Waterford are on the notice board in the Clubhouse and on our Facebook page but if for any reason you can’t compete, please let Club officials know as soon as possible.
Travelling to Waterford
Many competing in Waterford have decided to stay over in or near Waterford the night before. Some plan to travel on the Sunday and if they need a lift, please let Club officials know this week.
Thoughts turning to the Indoor Season
The “AIT Baseline Indoor T&F Meet” takes place next Wednesday evening and will provide an ideal opportunity for our adult and older juvenile T&F athletes not involved in cross country to chart how their training is progressing for the coming indoor season. This is an ideal opportunity for athletes to test themselves in a range of events. Electronic timing will be used. Entry is on-line through the Athletics Ireland website and athletes must be at least 16 years of age to compete.
Road safety/reflective clothing
Everyone running from the Club house on the roads is reminded to take road safety seriously and wear reflective clothing. If involved in an accident, your insurance might not be valid if you’re not wearing reflective clothing. No reflective bib, no running on the road at night. There are spare bibs available in the Clubhouse to borrow if you forget to bring your own.
Dressing for the cold
We’re getting a real taste lately of how cold it can get at training, so it’s a good time to remind all athletes that they should wear appropriate running gear for the cold weather. Warm clothing is essential and that includes going to and from training and competition. 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.
Training continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm and at Belvedere on Saturday or Sunday mornings at 11am if not at competition. For the latest results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures check the Club’s website at www.mullingarharriers.com.
PRO
