Happy Christmas & The Max Factor

Max Verstraeten This week we salute young Max Verstraeten, winner of this year's Junior Cross Country Most Improved Male Award who is now living in Germany. There is the penultimate look at our various age groups and their respective coaching ethos. This week it is the turn of the Vets T&F group. There are a few photos to remind us of that despite the current restrictions, many continue to run and train where possible and in a Covid secure environment. Finally, this time of the year will be a difficult time for many, coming on top of the most difficult of years that most, if not all of us, have faced in our lifetime. As Nikki Hillard, the club's Welfare Officer states at the start of the final item in this week's newsletter. "As a club, SUAAC considers the wellbeing of our members to be a cornerstone of the way we do things. We also pride ourselves on the level of support we give each other especially when things get difficult and can appear to be overwhelming" To this end there are a list of organisations who may be of help if any of you, your children, family, friends or anyone you know are struggling to cope. A Very Happy Christmas to one and all. Take Care David Jones The Max Factor Max Verstraeten won this year's Junior Cross Country Most Improved Male Award. Unfortunately he wasn't able to collect his award last week because he and his family have relocated to Germany. I understand that it was a condition of him relocating that there would be a track close by. He is a fantastic runner who is improving all the time. In lieu of him not being able to pick up his award, this photo collage was put together by Nikki Hillard and sent to him. Max was 12 on Tuesday. Happy Birthday ! Come back and visit us sometime Max and enjoy your new life in Germany. We will miss you. A recent pic of club members David Wilson, Elaine Ledden, David Jones, Brian Gravelsons, Paula Williams and Paul Hawkins representing Midlands Masters at Lee Valley earlier this year. In the latest of the articles about each of the various age groups and disciplines within the club and the coaching ethos of these groups, it is the turn of a group of athletes that are very close to my heart. Vet"s T&F Group Paula Williams. Vets? So you all work with animals? No! In athletics, a “Vet” or “master” is a competitor 35 or over. We are a core group of about 8 and we train at the track twice a week: Monday 6-8pm and Thursday 7-8. Our group focus mainly on sprints, throws and jumps. Most of us do other things for fitness as well: Pilates, endurance running, cycling, circuits, strength and conditioning at the gym, tennis, the list goes on. Some of us are members who just want to train and others compete all year round…