Training information.

Training takes place on the following days:
NOTE: Summer training commences 5th May at Caedmon

Sunday: 10.00am Junior sessions - see Juniors page for details
Tuesday: 7.00pm Club Night - Loftus Cricket Club - Loftus
Thursday: 6.00pm Circuit Training - The Dome - Boulby Mine
Friday: 6.00pm Interval Training - Whitby - Winter @ Crescent Gardens, Summer @ Caedmon School

GENERAL TRAINING ADVICE

Calculating energy available from different foods download info

The new Tartan Track at Lawrence Jackson School, Guisborough marks a turning point and a marker for the future of Athletics, not only in East Cleveland, but for would-be athletes for many miles around.

I recently visited the track for the first time to meet a group of middle distance athletes from Loftus AC. My first impression was that it was spiritless, a new track set in the middle of a field. A track without a soul, very quiet and naturally without history. It was dry, but cold for anyone watching the few brave youths going through their paces on the track.

Dusk was fast approaching and the cold seemed to penetrate further into my old bones as I awaited the group returning from a warm up on the nearby roads. One by one they returned and went through their stretches and warm-up drills and strides. By this time it was nearly dark and slowly I came to realise that the flood-lighting was now on and beaming down on the track. Very slowly, distant objects were being shrouded in darkness, at the same time as the track and the small group of athletes were slowly becoming profiled and illuminated.

With the creeping advance of darkness, the track shone brighter and became almost surreal. The silhouettes of the athletes in the back straight became clearer and more defined and somehow they seemed larger and closer to me than at any time since my arrival. Anyone watching could not fail to see the efforts of the runners: legs extended, shoulders pumping their arms to inject further pace. Bodies and minds were being stretched to attain their desired goals.

It dawned on me this was their 'Field Of Dreams'. This is where dreams can turn into reality. Sebastian Coe, Steve Cram, Kelly Holmes, Paula Radcliffe -  all I feel sure had a dream to achieve. It was on a similar track at Jarrow, on the banks of the Tyne that world-record holder Steve Cram learnt how to train and shape his mind and body into that of a world class athlete, over 1500 metres and 2 miles. At the side of the track was little Jimmy Hedley, who also had a dream that he could nurture this talent to become the best in the world.

It’s vital that our youth dream that they to can aspire to greatness and achieve their greatest ambitions, be it in athletics, or any other part of life. It’s equally important that as adults, we do all we can to motivate and inspire them and 'Dare them to be Great'.

Let us all hope that this new track will be a 'Field of Dreams and Inspiration' for all those who train there.
New Marske Harriers and their sponsors - Sport England, and other contributory bodies have laid down the foundation stone for the future. Let us ensure that we continue that work by our enthusiasm, motivation and desire to make our youth great and to be the best that they can be.

My thanks again to New Marske Harriers, in particular to Graham Hall.

Peter Clifford 19/04/06

Please send any information to: loftus-ac@media-vision.co.uk