Eddy Cooper's latest blog for RunSouthend.com - August '14

Hello again readers! 

With track season, for me, now over I think it's about time that I reflected on what has been an enjoyable and brilliant 2014 so far for me! and yes I did include track in that enjoyable sense... I can't believe it either! So, picking up where I last left off... I'd just run a new PB cutting down my official time by 15 seconds in the 1500m to reach a time of 4:46:50s... Just shy of my target time set at the start of the season. Moving on from the 1500m, and after that great run I was due to run a 3000m at Woodford Green AC's open meeting on the 8th of July. The conditions weren't great, but a PB run nonetheless! Again, running from start to finish almost completely on my own I ran to a new PB of 10:12:16 which was 7seconds quicker than my first 3000m at the start of the season and a 3second PB :) Although it was a good run, a sub 10minute 3000m looked a long way off, but I was training well and my coach still believed that I had it in me!  
The next race was my last ever EYAL (Eastern Young Athletes' League) and I was so sad (:D - did I say sad? :')... anyways... I was down to run in the 1500m at Watford and attempting to beat 4:46:50 and potentially run under 4:45 (my target)... I ran a really good race and for once I wasn't on my own! I kept with the bunch for the whole race and finished in a time that was 4:46:15! Showing consistency, but disappointingly close to 4:45! Buuuutt... A PB is a PB! :D 

Temporarily taking a break from the track and over to a brilliantly well organised race, by the club that I run for (BRC) and specifically this year a man called Karl Cadman and the rest of his committee, called the Kirste 5. For those that don't know the Kirste 5 is a memorial race named after a lady that sadly died battling cancer whilst at BRC and she raised a lot of money for Cancer charity support groups such as MacMillan. The proceeds of this race go to charities that Kirste supported and there is always a great turn out in the past few years that it has been going. Before I ran in the 5 mile race, I had to "hare" (which I'm sure Adam has had to many a time!) - its basically a lead runner and you show the other runners the way - for the mile race. After this I had to dash back to the start line for the main event. The conditions weren't at all great and as mud lined the route (and my trainers) I finished in a very credible time of 32:36 for an off-road 5 miler! Very pleased! Usually positions don't matter to me except in cross country events, and in this one I was immensely surprised to have finished 4th! It was a great run and I thoroughly enjoyed it! With immense support and atmosphere almost the whole way along I didn't feel any pain until the last :D 

In action at the Kirste 5

Taking a break from athletics quickly I managed to pass my CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) for a 50cc mosquito on wheels... I mean moped! This was a 16th birthday present from wonderful parents that have helped me (a lot) to get me to where I am today... which still doesn't stop me from forgetting to clean my room! Sorry! :')

On the back of some great performances my last track race was scheduled to be the last Woodford meet of the season. Having enjoyed a PB every race there I was looking forward to see how I would perform in this final sub 10 minute 3000m attempt! With doubt thrown right to the back of my mind the race was nearing... My friend and training partner, who has suffered with injury and illness this track season, James Hiscock ran in the race before me and had a decent race. I was up next with his sister, a phenomenal runner who is also in (my coach) Ian Pike's group at BRC, Victoria Hiscock. Vicky, with a previous PB of 10:15, was attempting to run a sub 10minute 3000m as well so I was hoping that I wouldn't be alone this time! I ran an almost perfect race with a fast first lap of 74s I kept going, with Vicky right behind, at an 80/82s per lap pace, and as I approached the bell I saw the clock reach 8:41... with an 80s last lap that would give me 10:01! I wasn't having that! The last 400m was a blur of pain and excitement and I jumped for the line and crossed it in a time of... 9:58! A PB of 14 seconds and  possibly the World Record for the biggest smile on a runner's face :D 

Post 1500m PB photo!

   

After an enjoyable season I began to become increasingly nervous until... the 21st of August arrived - Results day! I entered alone, after telling my parents to stay hidden in the car, and opened the envelope to reveal... 3A*s, 3As and 3Bs as well as 3 unmentionable grades in science :') anyways it was enough to get me into my 6th form of choice: Southend High School For Girls. So I'm very much looking forward to starting a new chapter in my book at an all girls school. And when I turn up in a few weeks at the front gates with everybody already staring... I am expected to be told that "this is the girls school? Southend Boys is over the other side of Southend, year 7!"

Hope any soon-to-be-year12s reading this have had good results and if not then good luck in your A levels! :D

Keep running and reading guys! 

Eddy    

Southend Athletics Club Open Athletics Meeting - Bank Holiday Monday 25th August 2014

THE SOUTHEND-0N-SEA ATHLETIC CLUB

TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS & OPEN 2014

Bank Holiday Monday August 25th – Garon Park

First event : 10.30am

Entry on the day - £4 per event/3 events for £10

All age groups catered for and wheelchair anchors for Discus/Hammer

 Supported by The Rotary Club of Leigh-on-Sea

View the timetable HERE

Eddy Cooper's blog - July 2014

Hello again readers, although a little late, it is time for my next blog entry!

As you've probably gathered from my previous entries, track season is not my favourite time of the year... (the least said on that, the better!) but I'm approaching my 16th birthday (24 days and counting!) and this means that I am at the higher end of the U17 men's age group. This means that I am against athletes that are supposedly less well built than I am, and this, supposedly, gives me an advantage. Have you seen me? I'm small and undeveloped and so the fact that I am older than those tanks in the years below me, is of no significance whatsoever! (I really should make a claim to the IAAF, or whoever, to change the way that races are run; instead of ages it should be done on height!) Anyways... 
Track season has been going very well, including a couple of PBs in a new event for me, the 3000m and also my old "buddy" the 1500m. This year has also allowed me to experience the wonder of Woodford AC's open meetings and I have also had the misfortune  (did I say misfortune? I meant fortune...) of some really tough track training, cheers Ian! (my coach).

A tough workout on the track!

So the season kicked off at Chelmsford for the Essex Champs and I was about to compete in my first ever 3000m track race. It was tough going and I had to run it on my own (as everyone else was miles quicker!), but I finished in a time of 10:17. I was very happy with that, but I had set myself a goal of sub 10minutes by the end of the season and so this was just a starting block!

Next up was Woodford Green AC's open meeting where they have a great system of putting you up against people of all ages and the races are segregated into different speeds. If that's not clear, then let me give you an example: the 1500m was divided into 4 races. The first race included people of 5:30 and over and the last of the four races was those wanting to achieve a sub 5minute time. The 3000m was done as just the one race as there were not enough to divide into races and there was no need in reality. I finished in a time of 10:12, just outside the 80second 400m splits I was planning on, to reach the 10 minute goal. Nonetheless, it was a PB by 5 seconds and I was very pleased with that! Although, was running on my own again and I knew that if I could just get dragged round for a little, then  maybe I could bring myself closer, or under, that 10 minute barrier! Unfortunately, my assault on the 3000m would have to wait as at the next track meeting, at Chelmsford again, I was going to be running the 1500m.

Eddy after his 3000m PB

The day came and nerves were in the air (and in my stomach and head!) as I prepared to run the 1500m. Why was I doing the 1500m instead of the 3000m? Because this would enable me to pick up some speed and get my body used to running at a sub 10 minute 3000m pace. I was running in a quick race and I set off at a comfortable, yet fast pace. I was running towards the back with an athlete from Braintree and as we entered the 800m mark I was feeling strong and I went through it in a time of 2:31. This put me a second out of where I wanted to be - at 4:45 pace. I finished strongly with a brisk last lap, overtaking 3/4 people to finish in a time of 4:46 in 5th place. I was ecstatic because I knew that I had stuck to my plan and had had a good run, especially my last 400m (in 67 seconds).

Overall, these past few months have been hard, but strong in my running and as I wait anxiously for results day (21st of August) and the grades to the future, I shall be training hard and running fast, hopefully! 

Keep running and reading, guys and girls!
Eddy

P.S on a non-running note, I would just like to mention how I achieved the Graham Palmer Memorial Shield (the referee of the year award) after running the line at Roots Hall (Southend United's football ground) in a youth cup final. This is an award dedicated to a good referee and one that is sorely missed from the refereeing community.

Graham Palmer memorial shield

Eddy Cooper's latest blog for RunSouthend.com May 2014

Part 1 (Pre Bluebell 5 race) 10/05/2014

Hi readers! 

Apologies for the absence - GCSEs are looming (I took my first exam yesterday!) and because of this running has had to take a back seat. I do still train throughout the week as I feel that it allows me to release some stress (I feel sorry for the roads and trails when I run, pounding my feet along them..!), but the amount of racing I do has had to have been cut down. Tomorrow I have the Bluebell 5 - a cross country road race that winds through Little Havens Country Park near The Deanes School. I did the race last year and came 11th in a time of 31:52 which I was pleased with and I was second Benfleet man home, but this year I have set myself some new goals: 1. To beat my time from last year 2. To be first Benfleet home and finally 3. To come in the top 10 finishers. I shall update you on my progress after the race. 
Besides the race tomorrow it is track season as most of you will know and I have been training hard this Summer to attempt to beat my nerves and poor times on the track (poor in my opinion!). I would like to improve my 800m from 2:27 --> 2:22; my 1500m from 4:52 --> 4:45 and I have also set a goal to run a sub-10minute 3k. Me and my team mates will be going all out to attempt to beat the goal of sub-10minutes for that distance so watch this space to see who breaks it first! 
Just before we entered the beginning of track season, I ran a ParkRun and as most of you guys will know I have been aiming to do a sub-18minute 5k. I achieved this in March when I ran 17:41 at the Southend ParkRun although I still feel as though I can do better! I'm hoping to run around 17:30 in my next one which, I should imagine, isn't going to be for a while yet. Also running in that race were most of the runners from Fittology (my mum's running group) including my dad (seen in one of the photos blowing out of his backside :') love you really Dad!). Well done to you all(times ranged from around 25 minutes to 40 minutes), a great effort - it's notable that some of these guys only started running around 10/11 weeks prior to that race and some are competing in the Bluebell tomorrow with plans to run in the Southend 10k/Half later on this year! Amazing! :D   
This track season I'm looking forward to conquering my past fears of nervousness and anxiety on the track and I'd like to become a lot quicker and stronger over this season to help me in the autumn/winter when I attempt some 10ks. 
On the subject of my GCSEs, I'm attempting to get A-A*s in Art (my teacher thinks I'll get it now) , PE (I should do after a score of 118/120 in my practical - 60% of the final grade), Maths, Economics and product design, Geography, French, English and I'm going to try not to do too badly in my sciences... I'm not very good at those... If that all goes well then I'll get into Southend High School for Girls' sixth form.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed my blog entry!
keep reading and running everyone :)   

Eddy's dad in action!

Part 2 - Post Bluebell 5 - 11/05/2014

The day of the Bluebell 5, I felt good and I was, admittedly, a little nervous - but it's good to have a little bit of nerves! I started the race well and I didn't go off too fast - the first mile was in around 6:30 pace so if anything I was a little slow. I took that mile a little easy so that I didn't get sucked into the front runners going at 5 minute mile pace... (ie, Crispian Bloomfield) I was running really well until about 4.4 miles into the 5 mile race when I felt a familiar stabbing sensation in my stomach - I can only imagine that I pulled/strained one of my stomach muscles... I was in 8th place, catching 7th and 6th, and about to smash my PB when the pain in my stomach attacked... I went on to finish in around 15th place in a time of around 33minutes so although I'm disappointed I know that I have to look forward and take note of the things that went well, ie. I was running strong. 
Now it's back to focus on my GCSEs and track season - watch this space!

Eddy 

Eddy Cooper's latest blog for RunSouthend.com

Hello readers,

I've had a manic January! The three races I was meant to have run have, with delays, finally been run, as of the 8th of February. I had been training well and was looking forward to the upcoming races at the beginning of January. The first race: Essex champs, Colchester. The distance: 5.3k. It was a horrible day- cold, wet and to top it all off I'd just been sick (not the best time for that, before a race!). To say I wasn't looking forward to it would be something of an understatement... It was a flat course, quite muddy and it was too short. So the race didn't suit me. Apart from that though, everything was just dandy... Being a runner though I had to put my head down and grit my teeth! (as I'm sure you all know that us runners we, kind of perversely, enjoy pain? Why else would we put ourselves through it?!)I finished the race a place behind my team mate in around 15th (however I can't be sure, no place tokens were given out- what's up with that?) with a poor run... our team came 5th... out of 5. So lets move on. Quickly. 
 
 The next race was at apex, 6.4k - you only have to look at the photos to see the conditions! It was horrendous! This was the penultimate Essex league race and if all went well we would be in with a shout at the team trophy! Neither Basildon, nor Chelmsford had a full team out (they were first and third in the overall league table)! We would go top! I twisted my knee and finished as fourth scorer, directly behind my team mates in 17th to record our best team placing a yet! 14-17th!

A slightly muddy course at Apex!

 The third and final race that I was supposed to be competing in was, to my dismay, cancelled for those that finished in the latter qualifying positions (5-8). The original race, the race to qualify for the borough team, was run at Blenheim park and I finished 8th with a slight calf strain (as mentioned in a previous blog entry). because of the recent bout of torrential weather it was called off several times until eventually, due to the little time left before the next round, they decided to only run with 1st up to 4th from each borough. Which meant that I wasn't included, neither was my team-mate... :( We continued to train though, because, although we were disappointed, we had the final race of the Essex league to come and we were in pole position...

 The day came, 8th of Feb, at Epping forest. The photos of me at Apex don't even compare with the conditions at Epping. It was ridiculous... We were two team members, usually one of those two is our fourth scorer, short and I still hadn't recovered from my knee injury... It didn't bode well... We started the 6.2km race in cloudy conditions and, after falling over, trudging through mud and falling over again, I crossed the line in 13th (after being sprinted past on the line), the fourth scorer behind Ryan (5th), Adam (10th) and James (11th). The presentation was a while after and I was freezing and bloody (from my fall)! It wasn't much fine... until we were presented with the trophy which now presides on my bedside table :D (for the next week or so anyways...) 

U17 Men Essex Cross Country Champions: Benfleet RC!

 Soon it's track season... not my favourite time of the year at all, but I'll be hoping to do a few PBs and improve for the 10k season which I'm looking forward to... The next few tests for me include Park run, Crown 2 Crown and my GCSE exams...


Keep running and reading!

Eddy

Bloomfield takes title at St Luke's Hospice Dunton Test Track 10mile

 Billericay Strider's Crispian Bloomfield took the victory at the 4th Dunton Test Track 10 mile road race in aid of St. Luke's Hospice, Basildon on Sunday 23rd February in a time of 56:48. Second place overall went to Richard Heath in 57:18, with Patrick Brown taking the third spot in 57:37. Local runner Neil Spicer of Leigh on Sea Striders proved he is in good form as he prepares for this year's Virgin London Marathon as he finished 4th in 58:04

 The first female position went to Christine Howson in 1:01:20 which was good for 7th position overall! Second place went to Carrine Jay in 1:08:33, with Benfleet Running Club's Tarnya Parker taking the 3rd spot in 1:10:33.

 Well done to the 300 runners that took part in Sunday's run, full results can be viewed here.

St Luke's Hospices Dunton Test Track 10 mile run

Weekend Round-Up 8th/9th February

SOUTHEND AC'S MEN WIN ESSEX XC LEAGUE TITLE!

Congratulations to the Senior Men's team from Southend Athletics Club who won the overall Senior Mens Essex League title for the first time since the 1970s on Sunday. 

The last round was by far the most challenging as runners of all ages came from across the County to compete in Epping Forest, Chingford.

Results can be viewed here.

Southend High School For Girl's Poppy jumps into 5th at British Champs!

Poppy Lake set a personal best of 1m81 to finish a superb 5th position in her first Senior British Championships at the British Athletics Indoor Championships in Sheffield.

Other local athletes competing included Basildon AC's Gemma Kersey who ran well to finish 6th in the 3000m. Chelmsford's Sophie Riches finished 12th in the Senior Women's 1500m in 4m35.24. Chelmsford's Hayley Mclean was 4th in her Senior Women's 400m heat in 55.25sec.

Full results can be viewed here.

Weekend Round Up 25th/26th January 2014

Almost 300 complete Hadleigh Legacy 10k

A total of 296 runners took part in Sunday's Hadleigh Legacy 10k at the London 2012 Olympic Mountain bike course, organised by Nice Work in partnership with Essex County Council and local running club Castle Point Joggers.

Top three males:

1st: 40:22 Joe Hazell (Bishops Stortford)
2nd: 40:48 Spencer Hempsted (Ilford)
3rd: 41:25 Crispian Bloomfield (Billericay)

Top three females:

1st: 51:41 Audrey Morris (Benfleet RC)
2nd: 53:35 Vicky Cooper (Barking)
3rd: 54:51 Charlotte Hogson


Well done to everyone that took part, full results can be viewed here