Latest Striding Report - Penny Lane Striders

THE STRIDING REPORT | Issue 102 2
Membership News
by Mike Roxburgh
Beware the membership fairy: he can turn you into a Strider!
As I write this article I’m looking out through my office
window at the city centre streets below, bathed in spring
sunshine with runners out on their lunchtime breaks
darting around shoppers as they follow their various
training programmes.
Many of these guys will no doubt be training for
forthcoming events such as the next 10k or big city
events such as local or international marathons many of
which will have taken place by the time this newsletter
reaches you.
Watching these people go by makes me think what a
great sport running is, the challenges, the sacrifices and
the commitment people make to establish a level of
fitness, to maintain a level of fitness then push on and
constantly look to develop that fitness further in order
to achieve their goals, it is inspirational and something
admirable and to be respected by all.
Take the London Marathon of just a few days ago for a
good example of this courage and spirit. Penny Lane had
half a dozen entrants in this event but the members who
finished first and last for the club are perfect role models
for us all.
Martin Swensson absolutely stormed it coming home in
a new club record time of 2:36:59, a fantastic
achievement that was just reward for all the efforts and
sacrifice he has made over recent months, a truly
inspirational achievement we should all be proud of.
At the other end of the scale we have Graeme Hind,
running in his first marathon but with an equal desire to
do well, achieve his goals and dedicated to his training
just as much as any of his speedier club mates. In
Graeme’s case things didn’t go quite as smooth as
Martin’s, in fact a couple of blackouts caused by
sunstroke, a split toe that needed medical attention at
mile 23 and a hard slog to finish in 5:12:23 is an effort
every bit as epic as Martin’s and one that deserves the
same respect for the sheer guts and determination Grae
showed to press on and finish the race.
of the despicable act that was carried out at the finish
line of the Boston Marathon.
Marathons are about normal people like Martin and
Graham. They are about courage, friendship &
determination to keep on going when times get tough,
so too see ordinary men, women and children being cut
down by faceless individuals who know nothing of these
qualities made this act to me as a runner feel far more
personal than other such atrocities that sadly take place
on a daily basis around the world.
Running is about joy, freedom, hope and achievement,
qualities that won’t fade at the press of a mobile phone
button and a pressure cooker filled with shrapnel.
We will continue to run for all that’s good about the
human spirit, for ourselves, for the survivors, for those
families bereaved and for an 8 year old boy called Martin
who died waiting for his dad to cross a finish line, Lu
Lingzu, Krystle Campbell & Martin Richard we won’t
forget you.
pennylanestriders@btinternet.com
Follow the club on Facebook and Twitter:
@TeamPLS1985
That runners in general seem to manage all this whilst
developing and being part of a self supporting friendly
community only enhanced therefore the sense of
sadness I felt when the news started to break last week