UKRunChat was founded by Joe Williams and Jeff Weigh in 2013, aiming to bring runners together in a community that supported one another to achieve their goals. Since then, the Twitter account has snowballed followers and the hash tag has more interaction than ParkRun, whilst the cycle, swim and tri chat branches have also started racing from strength to strength and the whole family is now teamed under the UKSportsChat brand. This weekend was the inaugural UKRunChat training weekend in Anglesey and it was the first time that many regular ‘Tweeters’ who have been following, supporting and interacting with one another for so many months and even years finally got to put faces to @ symbols! The weekend was held at Outdoor Alternative, a group accommodation venue in Rhoscolyn, and was organised on behalf of UKRunChat by Howard Chambers, a coach with Saddleworth Runners. Howard is one of the most community-orientated and inclusive runners I’ve met on my jaunts round the races of the North West and it is absolutely a credit to his organisational skills that I’ve got home with enough energy and enthusiasm left to even contemplate writing this now! Kudos should also go to the fantastic Mrs C, who has basically spent her weekend being ‘Runner’s Mummy’, feeding and watering a hungry host of starving joggers!
| We arrived at the venue on Friday night, and having seen the weather forecast for the rest of the weekend I was keen to enjoy the last of the evening sun. A few of us bobbed off on a little 5k out to a local lighthouse and lookout point in just enough time to watch the sun set over the Irish Sea. I may not have cognitively forgotten how invigorating it can be running across a field or over a coastal path but after so much city-centre based running, even where canals and parks do afford one a little bit of green, it was good to remind myself physically just how refreshing it can be. That was pretty much that for Friday; much of the gang then went off for dinner at the local pub, but being tricky to feed I’d opted to stay back and make use of the excellent self-catering facilities at ‘Base Camp’ before treating myself to an early night in one to the very comfortable and ready made-up bunks! |  With Christine at the Lookout (Sorry Erica, I stole your pic!) |
On Saturday morning, most of us (who’d not over-indulged or become otherwise less than 100% in the pub!) Set off on a 6 mile trail run. Led by Witham Runners’ ‘Drill Sergeant Dan’, we snuck in a few Fartleks before heading up off the country paths and along a coastal trail. It was windy. I mean, I know the whole of the UK has had a bit of a breeze going on these last few days but this was really windy. Feathered by tufts of the sea foam that was being whipped up and over the cliff edges like angel’s dandruff (blimey, running makes you poetic, huh!?) it was a genuine struggle at times to stay running in a straight line and one or two parts near the edge made me feel distinctly uneasy when I couldn’t tell which direction the gusts would propel me next. As such, and with some slippery paths too, I reluctantly made the decision to forego my community-running intentions and somewhat selfishly pounded off to just get back as fast as I could for some breakfast! Thankfully I wasn’t totally alone and didn’t have to feel too guilty as I was joined by Scott and Helen who kept me company as we all tried not to run into each other! We got back in one piece, thankfully, and damn that was one fine shower!
 Let the Bake Off judging commence! | Of course I’m not the only runner obsessed with all things cakey and so it was that we returned for a post-brunch Bake Off! I was almost as impressed that one of the judges managed to correctly guess the secret ingredient to Glittermousie’s Power Balls (avocado!) as I was that the winning entry was the only other vegan confection! This means I actually got to eat some! YUM to the peanut butter and coconut bars! Actually, they were made by Erica’s husband, who wasn’t with us, but since they were plant based and delicious I am certainly not complaining!  The Winning Entry! |
| If that wasn’t treat enough, I was then fortunate to play very willing patient to Howard’s new sports massage skills. Now, I’d been mildly concerned that a bit of tightness in my right iliotibial band had turned in to some mild knee pain and I’d mentioned to Howard my fear (maranoia!?) that this could be about to flare up into an injury. He concentrated on this area for me and whilst I’m not sure exactly what he did beyond ironing out a couple of bobbly bits, as sure as runners eat bananas he did the trick and I jogged back down to the remainder of the Bake Off feast with barely a twinge. I was certainly right as rain to make the most of the Pilates and yoga sessions that we were treated to by visiting instructor Jay, and couldn’t feel a thing during the barefoot running technique session delivered to us on the local beach. I think I’ve been very lucky to get that in before he becomes therapist to Olympic athletes and starts charging a bomb! On Saturday evening, we benefited from talks by Dr Juliet McGrattan, a running-sympathetic GP who writes for Women’s Running magazine (possibly a bit too much detail on bodily fluids and various swellings for some but we all learned a bit, I’m sure!) and some running theory from Drill Sgt. Dan, who talked about correct running form and efficiency to achieve running goals and stay injury free. |  Some Angle-Scenery!  The setting of the barefoot running workshop... |
 The Sunday Runday Route Map to South Stack! | Sunday is traditionally the ‘Long Slow Run’ (or LSR) day and Howard had planned a route for us that took us along the coast (all roads this time!) to a lighthouse at South Stack Cliffs. With some less sure they wanted to do the full distance, there was an option to be picked up by the van at the visitor Centre, 8 miles from base. Quite a few people decided, having got thoroughly soaked on the way there, to make the most of that option, but stubborn as ever I took the bipedal route back and was very glad I did as the rain dried up, the sun came out and the hedgerows chirped into life with spring chaffinches and blue tits. Upon making it back to camp, I had time to shower and pack before a final well timed and perfectly runner-focused yoga session to stretch out the legs before hopping on the minibus to be deposited less than 10 minutes form my front door. Now that’s what I call service! |
It’s impossible to pick out a single highlight of what has been a very enjoyable (if occasionally soggy!) weekend away. I’ve tried to pick out some of the main features of the trip but could easily have said so much more and I’ve met so many friends that I couldn’t list them all. I think the best thing to end on is a reiteration of my gratitude to Howard for organising it, UKRunChat for having the vision that made the whole thing happen in the first place and of course, all the running chatters without whom the community wouldn’t even exist. I can, without a shadow of a doubt, highly recommend anyone who enjoys a bit of a run at any level to check out the next one; a weekend away in Eastbourne from the 5th to the 7th of June. And yes, before you ask, you will see me there!
