Good Evening Storm Plymouth!! I missed last months update due to how busy everything was towards the end of the month and moving into October so I thought I’d write one up for both months instead 😀 Brace yourselves. 📚

First of all can I just say what a month or so we have just had/still having!! The autumn running events are coming thick and fast and we have had huuuge numbers at each event we have participated in. The Warhorse 10K and Ladies 10k mini away day’s went down a treat at the end of September and really got the ball rolling well. We had some outstanding results including our very own Charlene winning the Warhorse10k and our one and only lifetime member Gill winning her age category in Newton Abbott. The ladies continued a long running support that we have with Teignbridge Trotters Ladies 10K and we hope to have bigger numbers attend again next year. Warhorse in the cute little village of Iddlesleigh was quite the challenge. From all those hills to the Giant Asian Hornet stings (I’m sticking to that 🐝) it was a real challenge and one that everyone rose to.

The following week as we moved into October we headed up on the fun bus to Cardiff for one of the largest half marathons in Europe. Those words didn’t mean much until the moment we arrived in race HQ and realised the scale of the event!! Team Pics went out of the window and the race before the race was on to get to baggage, toilets and start pens. It was every man and woman for themselves at this point and I’m still levelling the blame at the driver for a, turning up late, b, stopping in maccy d’s and c, not dropping us off as we drove by and waved at race hq in the morning 😂🚌
Still, we all got away on time through the crowds and passed the famous castle. The race itself was a fantastic spectacle with loads going on en route but results wise we had a bit of a split day. We had plenty of runners hitting PB’s or were really happy with their times and a fair few of those that had a bit of a struggle. Some people also chose to run with and support friends which is always great to see. It was a very warm and muggy day and I’m certain this was taking its toll. Also perhaps 3.5 hours sat down before a race could be a bit much. One to learn from maybe. The away day was finished off with a good old giggle on the way home. Driver redeemed himself the moment he offered me the mic 🎤 and off we went with two little ducks etc 🦆🦆. Thanks again to all of those that offered up prizes to make the games worthwhile 👏🏻
Next years away day is already being planned and we hope to be sharing some info with you soon. 🚌💜🙌🏻

This weekend just gone saw a big home town event return for its second coming. The Tamar 10k got off to a great start in 2019 but was then postponed/cancelled due to bridge repair work and the pandemic.
48 of our affiliated runners and a few newer stormies turned up on Sunday morning to run this very challenging 10k (who put Vicky Rd in twice!? Why?! And that finish!?). A handful of the team also volunteered as marshals and a crowd of you turned out to support us which was much appreciated by all the runners! I don’t think we ever had so many photos!! Yet again we had lots of great results and created an incredible atmosphere for our runners who were finishing as the race went on. One of my proudest moments as Chairman of the club so far is looking back up the street and seeing every single one of you there cheering and chanting for our last few runners. That support is fundamentally what we do as a club and what we have always showcased at these events.
Plenty carried on the party up at the Tamar after the race for our post race social and I believe someone had a birthday although this was kept fairly quiet 😉😂🎂🍻

Another event that happened this Sunday just gone was the start of the cross country season down at Newnham Park. Dan Baugh, our club advocate for this discipline finished in a very impressive time with Jack Arundel just minutes behind in a very competitive field at the front. These events aren’t just for the speedies among us. They are all inclusive and anyone can have a go and enjoy cross country. They travel around a bit now as the season goes on but if you are interested please speak with Dan.

Two main events to go really for the season and then they become few and far between although there are a few of you who love to keep steaming through the events. Plymouth Harriers and Tavy 7 bring our race season to a close and we hope to have as many of you as possible at each race. Remember also that these are both qualifying Armada Grand Prix events.💜🏁🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️⚡️

As we are on the subject of events can I just give a big shout out and Thank You to our Club Captains Paula and Chris. 👏🏻👏🏻👨🏻‍✈️🧑🏻‍✈️The two of you have taken everything that the previous captains had done and raised the bar this year. The supportive nature and help you gave anyone that needed it has been second to none and we all appreciate what you have both done for us. I can’t quite believe it’s been a year already but what a year you both had. You will certainly be a tough act to follow that’s for sure.
On that note as you will all no doubt know voting is open for the male captain this year and we have three great candidates for you to select from. Please ensure you all get your votes in.
I have had a few questions about the female captain vote and all I’m going to say about that is to watch this space as we head towards October’s ROM.

Quick reminder that the club London Marathon ballot draw will take place at ROM on 29th November. Please make sure to check out the news item with the rules on the app and get yourself entered if you qualify.

We are seeing more and more of Storm Strollers as the walking side merges into the club and it was fantastic to have some of the crew at our ROM evening at woodland fort last month. We are really excited by the strollers getting involved in all things storm and would like to be in a situation soon where we operate under one umbrella as Storm Plymouth with a running and strollers aspect. This gives great opportunity for the likes of you with injuries or just not feeling the love for running to still find a way to enjoy our club. Feel free to join any of the walks on the app.
Additionally the Strollers have organised an event for a great charity raising money for “Give A Child A Chance”. It’s a 5k walk on the 5th November and it’s just £10 entry. All finishers will receive a medal and a goody bag. For more info find the walk on our “events” page on the app…

Last months community effort was yet again another great success. We raised £300 for Gables Cats and Dogs home and it was greatly received by them. This month we are looking at running a litter picking morning up at derriford hospital. This will be on the 21st October in a Saturday morning. Please let Bianca or Katie know if you can attend to help out.

As well as this we are looking at the return of our fabulous Remembrance Run in November. The run is being organised by the lovely Shelly who had done such a great job in previous years we decided to invite her to carry it on. Our run will take place on 12th November on Remembrance Sunday and will begin at Broadway car park in plymstock. All details are on the events page on the app. Reminder that if you are quick you can still get the storm red poppy t shirts from kit world!

The social team have asked me to put in a word also for the awards night this year. Our biggest night of the year is on February 17th 2024 and we want every single one of you to be there to celebrate the club’s successes from the past 12 months. You have until Halloween this month to secure the early bird price of £39.50 per person. You are welcome to pay a deposit if needed to book your tickets.

Payments have been flooding in since the reminder we sent out recently and we as a committee want to say thank you for listening and backing the reasoning behind the change. It’s definitely making a difference already and we do appreciate it.

I’m nearing the end I promise. Moving on to our club Leaders. I just wanted to acknowledge the struggles some of you are going through right now. We have an unprecedented amount of niggles/injuries through our leaders crew and are fighting each week to get club nights on. Thanks so much to all those who are manning the fort so to speak and I wish everyone else a speedy recovery. Take as long as you need and do not rush back. We will cope.
A final word on this to the runners would be to just ask for patience and support from you all. Please if you find yourself in a mixed ability group help the leader plus those that are usually in a lower group and keep the loop backs flowing. It’s a hard task for leaders to control mixed ability groups so anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.

Last up (we got there) we now head in to a period of darker evenings and colder/wetter weather. Please continue to do all you can to make yourselves seen, look out for one another on runs and help the group stay as one. Please also remember that skin is waterproof and in the cold you can layer up so no excuses for easing up on the training 😀

Thanks to the two of you who reached this far, for reading September and Octobers edition of war and peace. To all those that are running on Sunday I want to wish you good luck and to everyone else I hope you have a fantastic weekend!! 💜⚡️😀

Regards
David McCarthy
Storm Chair 👨🏻‍💼💜⚡️