Running feats with trainer-less feet & strategies with style. On on the Trotters...

Figuring out a strategy can sometimes be the hardest element to running.

The physical act of putting one foot in front of the other, fortunately, and for many us, comes naturally but what often trips us up is the management of our own race; how we juggle our busy lives, summoning that extra bit of motivation to get out the door or finding the right type of training that works for us as individuals.

In the end we create our own strategies for our own styles, whether it’s lifestyles or running styles.

Sometimes though you just gotta style it out. Ask Tom Besford.

Tom was one of 10 Trotters including new members Kathryn Steemson and Andy Watson - more about him later - who made sure their strategies powered them across the finish line at the South Devon 10k on Sunday.

Organised by South Devon College in co-operation with South Devon Athletic Club the route eats up country lanes, footpaths and bridleways taking in views of the River Dart and Mill Pond at Stoke Gabriel and a fair bit of mud too.

About halfway around Tom lost one of his trainers to the sticky brown stuff. He managed to retrieve it but wasn’t able to get it back on his foot and with one sock-shod foot ran a hard race to eventually cross the line in 41st overall.

Also at the top end of the field was Jamie Barnett who led the Royal Blues home coming 12th overall in 43mins and 11secs. He was followed by Dermot Smyth 47.29 30th, Tom Besford 49.41 41st, Derek Blackford 56.04 86th, Kathryn Steemson 59.24 118th, Andy Watson 1:02.42 143rd, Katrina Zaple 1:03.40 150th, Kim Nichols 1:03.58 153rd. There were 221 finishers.

*Derek Blackford did the double with a jaunt over to East Devon for the Ottery 10k on Sunday. This mildly undulating race is organised by Honiton Running Club and meanders around country lanes and starts and finishes at the cricket club. Derek was joined by Graham Penn. Derek completed the race in 50.14 and 106th overall and Graham clocked 58.13 and 178th. There were 233 finishers.

*The lunar landscape of Cornwall’s china clay industry was the setting for the Imerys Trail half and full marathons on Sunday. The multi-terrain route took competitors off road and onto farm land alongside lagoons, picturesque tracks and trails. Both races attracted decent numbers with 290 runners in the 26.2-miler and 135 completers in the half.

Hannah Walsh posted another personal best in the half marathon clocking 1:45.45 and 74th place overall. In the marathon, Stephen Barker and Allen Taylor ran the race side by side clocking 3:57.18 for 43rd and 44th place respectively. Paul Sharples Jnr completed it in 4:01.55 56th, Derek Skinner 4:13.24 69th, Paul Sharples Snr 4:17.49 73rd, Mark ‘Wurzel’ Wotton 4:51.39 107th, Sally Ingledew 5:35.26 133rd.

*When it comes to fashioning a running strategy that works, take a look at Trotter newcomer Andy Watson. Andy has shared his story which many of us will identify with: that of motivation and taking one step at a time to make positive changes with huge benefits.

While being fairly new to running Andy very proudly donned his Trotter vest and did his first 10k race, the aforementioned South Devon 10k at the weekend.

Andy took up running after a routine health check revealed he had high blood pressure. He started with popular Coach to 5k series which helped him get into the habit of running regularly and progressed to parkruns at Parke.

Having lost loads of weight and become a regular on the park run circuit he joined the Trotters last month and now trains with the club as often as he can. His first race time at just over one hour is testament to the work he has put in and shows the strides that can be made when the strategy - however personal it may be - is the right one.

With the variety of club training sessions and running groups on offer, we are sure Andy's journey has more to come. He did a great interview with NHS Choices last year. You can read it here: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/I-took-up-C25K-running-after-developing-high-blood-pressure-hypertension.aspx

If you're new to the club or not tried a race before and fancy it, chat to any of our coaches or leaders on club nights. Alternatively come along to the next Sandygate Loop and use that as a starting point. Details are on the Sandygate Loop section of this website. You're among friends and you'll get a big cheer when you finish!

Report by Emma Pearcy

Photos kindly supplied by Lance ‘Skippy’ Mason, Graham ‘Inky’ Penn and Nigel ‘Nigella’ Barnett

Photos shows: The South Devon 10k crew, Stephen Barker and Allen Taylor at the Imerys Trail Marathon and Graham Penn at Ottery 10k.