Good evening all and Happy Easter! It’s been a while since the last chair update at Christmas so I thought I’d get an update out. This was due a couple of weeks ago but I came down with a serious bout of man flu and didn’t have the energy to be honest.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞!! 💜🎉
Main reason for this update is to welcome all the new starters we have had over the past few months. You’ve all seemed to fit in well with the club and I hope you are enjoying Storm and all the lovey people here. It’s great to see a steady stream of new faces turning up to club nights. If I haven’t met you yet, I look forward to catching up in the near future.

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐬 📆
Now that the lighter evenings are here it’s so much more enticing to get out for a run. Our leaders have so many more options when choosing their routes and it just becomes an all round better and safer experience for all. The weather seems to be improving slowly too which helps. I’m looking forward to a strong summer of running with you all.

𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭🏆💜⚡️🎉🕺🏻💃🏻
A couple months back we held our annual awards night and I want to say another huge thank you to our social committee for hosting such a great evening. Big up to the committee too for all your efforts on the night and to all the presenters, winners and those just there to party - what a night we had. Same again next year!?

𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 🏁🏃🏻‍♂️‍➡️🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️
Races have been a little scarce this side of Christmas but most notably we held our own version of the old Jan jaunt in February (photo). It was well attended and we debuted the new team flags and banner. We’ve had some fantastic results late, too many to mention individually but a huge well done to all who have achieved their goals. Storm has been all over the sports pages and prize winner pages! Looe 10 was a particular highlight in recent months as we had a fantastic presence at the event.
In the coming months there are races galore and I’m sure everyone is deep into training plans right now. I’d like to wish you all the very best of luck for whatever you are pursuing. Finally, one top tip from me would be to take the pressure off yourselves, don’t worry too much about your time, and you’ll have a much better experience. Chances are a good time will come anyway!! Don’t forget when at races to carry the purple flag, do what our club does better than any other by supporting, encouraging, motivating and inspiring every other club member and the wider running community. Remember Storm is more than just a running club!!

𝐑𝐎𝐌/𝐀𝐆𝐌 🏆💜
Thank you to all who stuck around for the AGM at last months ROM. We know these things can be tedious so we really appreciate the support as it’s something all clubs and committees have to do each year.
ROM is our monthly gathering at the fort and it’s so good to see all the different runners recognised each month. Remember to continue getting your nominations in each month. There will always be people deserving of recognition at storm!

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 💜⚡️
As you would have already seen with Clare’s post, club membership is now due. The affiliation fee has risen to £23 with England Athletics again choosing to raise it. We have no say in this unfortunately, but appreciate the rise will be slightly frustrating. As a club we are continuing our pay as you run with us scheme rather than adopting an overarching membership fee as most clubs do. This gives you the power to use storm as and when you please. Affiliation to EA gets you discounts in races and some high street brands but also classes you as a member of Storm and the chance to vote on club matters.

𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝟓𝐤’𝐬 🏁
This Wednesday brings the return of the Armada 5k series in Saltram. These are held once a month and act as a great yardstick to measure your own performance through the summer months. It’s always nice to see good numbers of Stormies at these events. Follow the Armada Network page for more info. FYI we are July’s hosts so I will be asking for volunteers nearer to the time

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐀𝐩𝐩 📲
As Becki mentioned recently at ROM, we are trying to get everyone using the app with their notifications on. We have acknowledged the reason for switching them off before due to getting notifications every time we entered a “fixture” but we have learned to turn these notifications off and will only be adding notifications when there is an important news item going forward. The App “News” section is the first point of call for all club business. The FB network runs alongside.

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 📋
Our coach prospects are well into their course now and last week saw them tackle another full on Saturday of learning. It’s already clear to see how much they’ve learned and they are looking forward to getting the course finished and bringing new sessions to the club. I would like to thank them for the time they are putting into it all and wish them good luck for the remainder of the course.

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 🚌💜⚡️
Our away day for this year has now become another away weekend with accommodation being sourced by our mate Gary Tapp through his company who sponsor the event. We are looking forward to turning up en masse to Bridgewater in September for the half and 10k. I am currently taking stock of all requirements, coach costs and the whole signing everyone up in one go thing so please bear with me until I have a finalised list. If I have spare places available at the digs, I will advertise them soon on a first come first served basis. We are at the very least 80% full I know this off the top of my head. It looks set to be another cracking weekend away - Gordano services on standby 🫣🎉🍻

𝟏𝟏 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬! 💜
Wednesday this week marks the end of an unforgettable year in which we celebrated a decade of our wonderful club. We turn 11 this week and I for one can’t believe how quick the past year has gone.

That’s it really, not much more to report other than thank you to all of you for your continued support of myself and our very strong committee. In particular, in my recent absence, thank you for the well wishes and well done to the committee and Keith for holding the fort. 👏🏻

Off for a little break with the family now so I’ll see you all soon 😎✈️🏖️🇨🇾

Keep doing what you’re all doing as you’re all blinking brilliant!! 🙌🏻💪🏻

Enjoy the Easter break everyone 💜🍫🐣

Kind Regards
Dave Mac
Storm Chair👨🏻‍💼💜⚡️