Up The Poly‪!‬ Mark Smith

Johnny and Sue have had more setbacks than most when it comes to finally knocking off a much longed for marathon finish. Listeners may remember John's previous episode where he talks openly about his heart issues and the fact that being fit arguably saved his life. The long road back, not helped by covid and injury, is certainly worthy of dusting off the microphone and bringing the podcast temporarily back. Thanks to the Hills for their hospitality and openness, and my apologies for the quietness of the recording.

Stuart is a relatively new member of the Poly but has wasted no time contributing to the cause through coaching and his work on the club's website. Having joined at the start of the pandemic, Stuart might not be a familiar face to many, given how we're only just getting back into the swing of things. Stuart's story into running and coaching stems from a lifetime of brain related conditions and surgeries, including various cysts and tumours, as well as the horror of meningitis. A chance glimpse of the New York Marathon on TV from his hospital bed as youngster planted an ambition that was 20 years in the realising, with a lot to contend with in between. His message is one of self determination and resilience, as well some interesting dietary advice when he needed to bulk up from major weight loss when he was sick as a child... Thanks Stuart (and blimey, well done!)

A chat with six splendid volunteers who are the core of the Whitley Bay JPR team. Fresh from a wet and windy event, Rachel, Dawn, Donna, Johnny, Francine and Sally gathered to eat warm sandwiches, drink tea and talk about this event that is fast becoming a northeast institution. Also featured is a clip from Dawn's inimitable warm up for this morning's JPR, with some wet and windswept kids (and a whining dog) joining in for good measure. 

Karen is the current holder of the club's Tommy Moody award, given for exceptional courage and fortitude. Just about all of us associate March 2020 with the beginning of lockdown and the Covid pandemic. For Karen, this was also when she was struck by the auto-immune condition aggressive psoriatic arthritis. A nightmare for anyone, and runner certainly, this meant going from being an active runner to barely being able to manage the stairs. Trial and error with potent drugs and lots of uncertainty followed, until she managed to find a way back to running and back to her beloved group within Phil Rees' sessions. Karen's tale also includes some classic runner's tropes, including that old classic of coming back too soon, but after such a lay-off, you can't really blame her :) Massive thanks to Karen and a shout out to husband Rob for his obviously incredible support. 

10 people, 2 plates of biscuits and a whole bunch of marathon related stories, tips and plans for the future. A lovely conversation about the 26.2, some stuff about chaffing, gels, guts, sadistic coaches and disobedient runners. We even shoehorned some ironman and ultra running in there. My thanks to Gregory, Greg, Graham, Simon, Roger, Michelle, Natasha, Steve and Alison for helping to make this podcast such fun.

Visions on the pier, illicit swimming, dealing with the system, random white vans and turning ideas into glorious, award winning action. This is likely to be the final podcast so thanks for listening folks.