There is a change to the Thursday and Friday evening runs this week.

Thursday sees the first Hatfield House 5 mile Summer Series Race starting at 7:30 pm at Hatfield House.

http://www.racesonline.uk/events/midsummer-hatfield-house-5-and-fun-run/

Entries are still available and this replaces our Hatfield Thursday session – WGC session at Monks Walk at 7 pm will go ahead as normal.

Fridays group run has been replaced with a Greek Style Marathon Celebration evening – sometimes you just have to party!

Normal service from Saturday morning with Ellenbrook Fields parkrun at 9 am, volunteers still required! ellenbrookfieldshelpers@parkrun.com.

Sunday group run at 9 am from Hatfield Station.

Tonight’s 6:30 session with Paula is cancelled due to unsafe travelling conditions and flood alerts.  Take care out there!

Dear Oh! Athlete,

As the rain trashes down, it is with tongue in cheek that I publish the summer training schedule and wish you a happy summer of training towards your chosen goal.

There are a few small changes to the session plan so please take a look at times and locations on the attached ‘pocket sized’ schedule, perhaps even print one off for the fridge!  The Oh! website will be updated to reflect this plan within the next 7 days. Please  take a look at what is on offer and make the most of your membership.

There is a flurry of activity with streaks and 100 mile challenges a plenty this month.  Well done to all taking part, it really is inspirational stuff!  Almost made me wish I had done one myself!

Our summer plan includes a free family fun day on July 23rd, a members evening event with guest speaker, summer track & brunch mornings as well as all our leader runs, a beginner course, half marathon training, early morning fun club, social runs, intervals, hills and so much more!  Also to look forward to are the Marathon celebration meal, Bournemouth Running Festival weekend away and an evening event in our own backyard!  http://www.racesonline.uk/events/midsummer-hatfield-house-5-and-fun-run/

There are two more Josie Yoga sessions this month at 69 The Ryde – all are welcome, pop down at 7:45 and give it a try on Weds 22nd June or Weds 29th June with www.yogawithjosie.co.uk. 

We are also in the process of planning First Aid training courses for our leaders and Committee Members so we are in the very best position to look after you!  If you would like a place on the course please get in touch as we may have a few spare spaces. 

Thanks to Maxine for collating our results, if you would like to see your name on the table please be sure to include your club (Old Hatfield Ladies)  on your race entries as this makes it possible to search your results.  Thinking ahead to our awards evening – you have to be in it to win it!

And finally…. this may well be your first and your last Oh! newsletter!  Enjoy it while you can!  We are moving into the new technological2016 Summer Session plan interweb age and will be focusing efforts on our website as the main communication tool. With this in mind I am pleased to say that we will be introducing a blog to the Oh! website and keeping you up to date with all our news via that medium. Now blogs don’t write themselves so we will also be looking for interesting content so if you fancy yourself as a blogger please feel free to send in some content to share with the club.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Thank you for your support of the Oh! Ladies – you really are amazing!

Run happy,

Carrie

Hello!  So its May already!

I have failed in my mission to get two newsletters out in April, it was an ambitious but well meant plan.  But you know what, failure is ok, mistakes will be made and no-one is perfect. Everyone’s bottom has a crack in it.  Onwards and upwards with plenty of marathon madness to celebrate!

Huge congratulations to all our marathon runners over the last few weeks, Dawn, Paula, Donna, Melanie, Annemarie and Natalie have all completed the awesome task inspiring us all.  There is yet to come the Moonwalk Marathon where we will see yet more marathoners created.

I am delighted to see how many have already entered the London Marathon ballot on opening day!  REMEMBER to be considered for the club place in London and Brighton marathons you must be a paid up member and have entered the ballot for London, forwarding your confirmation email to oh@ohladies.co.uk.  In October those Oh ladies who have been unsuccessful in the ballot will have a second chance in the club place lucky draw.  You MUST have entered the main ballot by this Friday to be considered for the club draw – don’t miss your opportunity!

https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/how-to-enter/

Date for the diary – Marathon Celebration Evening July 8th, St Albans- ALL are welcome!!!

It is that time of year again, membership renewals are once again due and I would like to invite you to re-join our merry tribe.  The annual membership fee is £27, £15 of which goes straight to UK Athletics.

Please pay direct into the club account before the end of May marking the payment as ‘subs’ if you are able to.  If any of your details have changed please complete the form here https://ohladies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/OhLadies_MembershipApplicationForm.pdf.

If no details have changed simply transfer £27 to Barclays Bank Sort Code: 20-92-54 Account No: 43553817.

An Oh Invitation:

As an Oh Lady you are invited to the ‘test’ run of the new Ellenbrook Field parkrun on May 14th!  The test will take most of the morning as it is a practice ‘run’ so it won’t be exactly like a ‘real’ parkrun until the following week, May 21st when we have our inaugural run.  If you would like to volunteer please enter your details here  http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ellenbrookfields/, if you would like to run please arrive from 9:30 am om the 14th, with a view to start the run at 10 am.  Although you will get a time, the run won’t count towards your parkrun total as it is a test event.  All details are at: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ellenbrookfields/

Sunday Brunch Club is on this Sunday, May 8th at 8 am at Gosling Running track, followed by Brunch at Bill’s!  Everyone is welcome and the session is suitable for everyone.  Training on the track is a great way to increase your endurance in a fun, safe, sociable environment.   Please make the most of the opportunity!  It is a free session!

Last call for Bournemouth running festival!  Get your deposits paid up!

October 1st and 2nd Bournemouth Festival of Running Oh! weekend away!

Pay with instant bank transfer to – Barclays Bank Sort Code: 20-92-54   Account No: 43553817

£70 per person for 2 nights stay, 2 breakfasts and a 3 course dinner Saturday night including entertainment at https://www.newwestcliffhotel.co.uk/the-hotel/relax

We will be staying over Friday September 31st and Saturday October 1st.   Please ask if you have any questions, and be assured you are very welcome!!

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST EVENTS and fingers crossed you will be able to read all about our 401 marathon Challenge with Ben Smith in the WHTimes this week.  Thanks to all who came out to support, inspiring stuff!

Finally as the weather warms up this week, sip sip sip, think about sunscreen and I hope you find yourself ‘drenched in the energy of life’.

Run happy, safe and confidently,

October 1st and 2nd Bournemouth Festival of Running Oh! weekend away!  http://www.run-bmf.com/

Pay with instant bank transfer to – Barclays Bank Sort Code: 20-92-54   Account No: 43553817

ohladies.co.uk/timetable/bourne-to-run-weekend-ohway

£70 per person for 2 nights stay, 2 breakfasts and a 3 course dinner Saturday night including entertainment at https://www.newwestcliffhotel.co.uk/the-hotel/relax

We will be staying over Friday September 31st and Saturday October 1st.   Please ask if you have any questions, and be assured you are very welcome!!!

That is all for now, as its late and remember there will be another update very soon including exciting news such as… a new parkrun, membership renewals, some recent PBs, welcome to new members, our summer training sessions and a whole heap of local events to include into your spring/summer running diary! 

Steady there, be careful on the edge of that seat!  Oh! and…. its time to get the sunscreen out baby!!!

Wishing you happy spring running!

C xo

Hi all!

Happy Sunday evening!  I hope you are feeling suitably worn out but proud and happy!

It has been a brilliant week of running including races, volunteering, long training walks and runs, new to running runners heading out on their own and some familiar faces returning to Sunday 8 am sessions.

I realise the February newsletter is somewhat late so please accept my aplogies for this, I shall keep it to the point and not ramble (too much) (I know I am already) as there is lots to pack in!

Important dates coming up:

Tuesday March 8th – Oh Ladies Running Club is nomiated as ‘Club of the Year’ in the prestigous (okay, I might have made the prestigous bit up) Welwyn Hatfield Sports Awards.  Stand by for news from the red carpet from 7:30 pm.

Friday March 18th – Phab fundraising evening at The Wrestlers Pub in Hatfield to support our Phab marathon runners in reaching their fundraising target.  All welcome, please come along and join in the fun.  Bring cash!

parkrun GRADUATION FOR OUR LATEST NEW TO RUNNING GROUP will be on Saturday March 19th at Panshanger park at 9 am, meet at 8:45 am. 

If you are a new runner, register for free here http://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/ and print out your barcode to bring with you on the 19th to http://www.parkrun.org.uk/panshanger/ at 8:45 am.  Lets get as many Oh ladies there as we can to support our new runners.

In other parkrun news a brand new Hatfield parkrun sponsored in part by Oh Ladies has been given approval with a launch date of May 21st at Ellenbrook Fields.  If you are inetrested in being on the volunteer register for this event please reply to Carriehudson@ntlworld.com, your friendly Event Director( I know!!!!Get me!!)

Sunday March 20th – clocks spring ahead 1 hour AND its the Welwyn half Marathon!!! We have lots of runners taking part and also the opportunity to earn some cash for cheers (if that doesn’t sound too scandelous!)

James at ActiveTrainingWorld is looking for people to help at the Welwyn Half Marathon on March 20th. You would be needed from 8:30 until midday at the latest. The race starts and finishes at Gosling Sports Centre. In return ATW are offering a £25 cash incentive plus a free ATW running race entry or alternatively a free ATW triathlon race entry. ATW will also provide you with food and drink on the morning of the race.  Contact james@activetrainingworld.co.uk to register your availability to help.

Turn Good Friday into Great Friday, March 25th – our marathon runners will be tackling their longest training distance on this day of 23 miles.  Please help them by cheering, running with, supplying drinks and jelly babies and meeting them at the end with open arms.  Its a huge distance and support from you will make it feel much easier.  More details regards route and timings will follow soon so please keep an eye out. Take part in the virtual Oh! Phab race https://www.facebook.com/events/1016913275033175/

Sunday April 17th – Dawn Andrews will be running at Brighton Marathon – big cheers please!

Sunday April 24th – London Marathon Day – Melanie, Paula, Donna and Natalie will take to the capitals streets for the best day ever! A cheer squad will be heading up in support!

Friday April 29th – Oh Ladies are hosting Ben from http://www.the401challenge.co.uk/ on his 242nd marathon – more details to follow on you can be involved.

Sunday May 8th – Oh track session followed by Bills brunch, all welcome to head down to the track for some ‘speed’ (all speeds are welcome) work in a safe comfortable(?!?) friendly environment

Saturday May 14th – Moonwalk Marathon

Saturday May 21st – Inaugural Hatfield parkrun sponsored (in part) by Oh Ladies Running Club

Looking slightly further ahead – A local team event to plan for:

The Relay Run is taking place at Hartham Common in Hertford on Sunday 12^th June and here’s a little bit of details about what it is:

Run, jog or walk a total of 4 or 8laps between your team of 2,3 or 4 people. Each lap is 4km which includes 3 special cheer zones before running back to “Ignition Party Island” and your friends to pass your baton on! “what we start together, we finish together”

Visit the website to find out a bit more about The Relay Run and to see a video of last year’s event in action. I’ve attached a few photo’s too. http://therelayrun.com/

October 1st and 2nd Bournemouth Festival of Running Oh! weekend away!  http://www.run-bmf.com/

Be sure to book your place very soon if you plan on coming as rooms are going fast!  Pay your £20 deposit into the club account to book your place!

Pay with instant bank transfer to – Barclays Bank Sort Code: 20-92-54   Account No: 43553817

https://ohladies.co.uk/timetable/bourne-to-run-weekend-ohway/
*UPDATE* on transport – The club had originally planned to fund the cost of transport but with the trip proving so popular and lots of ladies wishing to travel at different times we have instead decided to subsidise the cost of the trip so the price has in fact gone down to £70 per person for 2 nights stay, 2 breakfasts and a 3 course dinner Saturday night including entertainment at https://www.newwestcliffhotel.co.uk/the-hotel/relax

We will be staying over Friday September 31st and Saturday October 1st.

Did I ramble too much???

Have yourself a great week and hopefully see you soon!

Carrie xoxo

Hello all you lovely running ladies!

I hope you are well and recovering from your dry January!  Welcome to our New members who have joined our new to running group, you are all doing fab!

Its been a brilliant week for the fantastic Oh! ladies running club and we celebrated in style at our Awards evening at Mill Green Golf Club.  It was fabulous to see so many of us out and wearing something other than trainers and active wear.  I’m pretty sure there were some sore feet on the dance floor wishing they had trainers on by the time the lights came up!  Congratulations to all the nominees, the winners and of course all the helpers behind the scenes, all of whom we appreciate enormously.

If you weren’t there…. drum roll please…. the winners are….

Best Newcomer: Kerry Colyer

Perseverance Award: Melanie Lynch

Most Improved: Louise Sopp

Runner of the Year: Maria Blythe with Gemma Rafferty as runner up
For the first time, the more swift-footed among us were also recognised for their efforts.
Fastest 5k: Melissa Mileham

Fastest 10k: Angela Spicer

Fastest half marathon: Victoria Tidd

A raffle on the night organised by Paula Mummery and Donna Staughton O’Toole, made £260 for their charity Phab Kids!

The Phab runners’ next fundraiser is being held at The Wrestlers Pub in Hatfield on March 18, so save the date.

They are also holding a virtual race, ‘Oh so Phab’, to coincide with their 20-mile training run on Good Friday, March 25 which all club members and non members are invited to join in. Entry is £10 with all profits going to Phab Kids! All you have to do is choose how far you want to run and then submit proof of completing the distance, e.g. a photo of your Garmin or running app. All finishers receive a fantastic medal.

For more information go to http://www.activetrainingworld.com/events/2016/03/25/oh_so_phab_virtual_race or email ohsophab2016@gmail.com

Also revealed at the Awards were details of our first official Weekend Ohway!!!

Allison Skeggs and Maxine have been busy securing a great deal at The New Westcliffe Hotel in Bournemouth for the weekend of the Bournemouth Running Festival October 1st and 2nd 2016.

https://www.newwestcliffhotel.co.uk/the-hotel/relax

The cost of the trip will be £80 including two nights B & B and 3 course dinner and entertainment on Saturday Oct 1st, return transport from Hatfield to The New Westcliffe Hotel and a limited edition Oh! Bourne to Run hoodie or running top.  The cost of transport and a contribution towards the cost of a hoodie or running top will be funded by the club.

Currently the trip is only open to Oh members.

The coach will leave on the evening of Friday Sept 30th and we will stay Friday and Saturday nights, leaving Sunday afternoon after the marathon.

Space is limited so secure your place on our very first Ohway weekend by paying a £20 deposit into the Oh account marking your payment as ‘Bournemouth’ if possible.  The balance will be payable in August.

Pay with instant bank transfer to – Barclays Bank Sort Code: 20-92-54   Account No: 43553817

Then of course you will need to sign up to a race as a runner or a supporter at http://www.run-bmf.com/?bm_festival There is everything from 5 km to full marathon to choose from, something for everyone. (Please be aware the Saturday night meal may clash with the timing of the 5 km race)

What are you waiting for?  Get booking!!!!  Places are limited!!!

And finally the awards aren’t over yet… we have been nominated in the ‘Club of the Year’ category at the Welwyn Hatfield Sports awards which will be announced on March 8th at a presentation evening.

If you available to attend from 7 pm on March 8th as a representative of the club please get in touch to request a ticket.  If demand exceeds our ticket allocation a draw will be made at random.    Good luck!!!  Thank you for those who voted for our club, your support is much appreciated.

http://www.welhat.gov.uk/sportsawards2016

Congratulations to all who braved the snow at the Winter run and those who braved the hills at the Fred Hughes 10 miler.  What a fabulous January it turned out to be!

Run happy!