Harpenden Arrows Team Page

As Ladies' and Men's Captains we see our role as trying to inspire everyone at the club to join in with local events to improve their running, promote the club and have some fun in the process.  We'd like to see more red and white vests and the Arrows name recognised at local events.  As an example, the cross country has been great to see how a team environment has developed, with some competitive successes and many new friends having been made in the process.

To this end, we have identified a number of key races throughout the year at which we would like to see the biggest possible turnout.  To encourage attendance, we're proposing that we have a club championship.  This means that attendance, not just performance, will count for points. With help from Richard Bruce, we'll put out our ideas for the Club Championship very soon.

Key events for 2011 could include (as an example and soon to be confirmed)

Jan    Fred Huges 10m, XC 2011/12 #4
Feb   XC 2011/12 #5
Mar
Apr   St Albans 10k
May  Wheathampstead 10k, Whipsnade 10k
Jun   St Albans Half, Luton Series
Jul    Luton Series x2
Aug
Sep   Dunstable Downs
Oct   Herts 10k, XC
Nov   Watford Challenge 5m, XC
Dec   Bedford Half, XC

Given the name change etc we'll be even more eagle eyed to make sure that everyone enters under the correct name of Harpenden Arrows and that all County boxes, etc are ticked for us to be eligible for team prizes, etc.

Ladies Captain for 2012:  Louise Crosby

I have been running on and off for most of my life with varying degrees of commitment, but only recently began to take it seriously and discovered just how enjoyable it is to be in a club with the support, motivation and challenges it brings.

As Ladies’ Captain, I want to encourage you to keep on running when life gets in the way, and to try things that may be outside your comfort zone. I have learnt that running races that are ‘not my distance’; trying to keep up with the faster runners on club nights; mixing up my training and running regularly brings lovely rewards and keeps me enthusiastic and motivated. I also found that even mud and hills can be fun when you are part of a team.
We run for different reasons and at different levels, and I want us to celebrate personal achievements, whether it is your first 10k without stopping, a marathon PB or losing 10kg. We also have a lot of potential to do well as a club in individual and team events, so Simon and I will try and coordinate teams to ensure we are represented in key local races, and we hope you will support us and join in.

Please speak to me any time or contact me on crosby@globalnet.co.uk if you have any ideas on how we can do things better; if there are races or training sessions you think look interesting; if you need advice (I’ll try my best to point you in the right direction) or just want some support in achieving your goals.

Men's Captain for 2012:  Simon Speirs (or Speirsy)

As Men’s Captain I want to help everyone to enjoy running for running’s sake, rather than for whatever the reason that got you started in the 1st place.  I enjoy just putting my shoes on and going off for a trot anywhere or anytime and I’d like people to feel the same.  But so often running is such an individual sport - battling against the clock, yourself, a hill or just that next step.  Being part of a club and a team helps to keep my enthusiasm for running alive.

Personally, I like trying lots of different distances, running on the trails rather than on roads, mixing up my training and using a head-torch to keep off the roads during the long winter months.  I know that this is not for everyone - but hopefully no-one will mind me trying to encourage others to give it a go. 

I hope whether you have a competitive spirit, run just for keep-fit or are here just for the social, that you will join and support me and Louise in the local team races and Cross Country.  Run for fun should be the motto and hopefully we’ll win some events on the way too.

If you have any ideas for races, events or suggestions to get more participation from within the club or the wider community - please drag me aside at any time or send me an email at simon_speirs@hotmail.com.  Looks like I am in the hot seat for the XC so hope to get your support for the end of this season and 2012/13