Behaving badly in Wells!

This was the weekend when a group of the Club’s finest converged on the unsuspecting Norfolk resort of Wells-next-the-Sea. Loosely billed as a ‘training weekend’ our group, which included the brothers Chapman, Andy Orme, Chris Gunstone, Tony Phillips & Pauline Cooper, under the watchful eye of Steve Fowler and Wendy arrived safe & sound on the Friday afternoon to take advantage, not of an early run, but of Wells finest fish restaurant. Saturday saw our heroes keen to get on with business by entering the Sheringham Parkrun. Made very welcome by the locals, without the need of an interpreter, our squad were well to the fore over a very challenging course with Shane first back in 5^th place in 20.17, Paul next in 9^th & 21.17, followed by Andy in 21.51 for 12th, Chris in 15^th in 22.12, Steve in 29^th in 25.15, Tony one place behind in 25.13 & Pauline completing the finishers in 101^st in 37mins. Like all true runners, whose times were slightly down on the norm, they compared Garmins and decided the course was long, 3.21 miles.
After their morning warm up a 10 mile beach run was scheduled for the afternoon. 6 made the start line & set out for the first 5 miles across golden sands in glorious weather conditions.   It wasn’t long before serial shirt removers Andy & Shane were setting the tone and the locals were treated to the sight of 6 topless runners of varying shades of white. The return home was through a scenic pine forest and despite some dropping off the pace all made it back for a well deserved afternoon relaxing on the beach. It was here that real silliness took over with a macho challenge between Andy & Tony over who could lie in the sea longer. Suffice to say Tony did well to last 2 minutes but Andy, not feeling a lot of pain, lasted a full 10 minutes. It was only a group of local youths who thought he was a surf board who brought his record attempt to an end. Another fine meal in a local restaurant & a few beers provided a fitting conclusion to an excellent day. All were up bright an early on Sunday morning for a relaxing long run before sparing the locals any more disruption and getting everything together for a late afternoon departure after a brilliant weekend.