MHFS 10k - my first 10k in 10 months!

Bellahouston Harriers Pacers

I joined in with my fellow Bellahouston Harriers team mates to assist in the Men’s health 10k on Sunday 16^th June.  I’d agreed to help out as a pacer again this year and had used the race date as an incentive in my journey back to fitness.  By the time the race arrived, I was confident of being able to complete the 10k in my allotted time of 55mins.  However I didn’t appreciate that the last 10k that I had run was the Bella Belter, some 10 months ago!  

As usual with these events, there’s a lot of hanging around before the race itself gets underway and I was glad that the weather was a bit kinder to us than on the Saturday morning, which could best be described as ‘dreich’.  This afforded us with plenty of time to warm up and to chat with many of the other volunteers and racers in Bellahouston Park prior to the Race.

The organisers had taken the positive step of providing pacers with, not only, the usual bright t-shirts with our times on the back of them but also with short poles also displaying our pacing time.  We assembled at our muster points and marched our runners around to the Start Line. This meant that we were in front of those seeking a 55 minute pace, rather than being somewhere in their ranks.  On the downside, it meant that we would have to run around the 10k course carrying poles!

At 10:03 I set off with Derek Shand and led our group south and then west, as we made our way out of the park and along Bellahouston Drive.  We passed the 1k mark in 5.5mins and continued, slightly uphill, to Mosspark Boulevard, where we turned left and ran past the 2k marker on our way towards Dumbreck Road.  

Follow the Yellow Vest and Pole

With friends and running buddies shouting words of encouragement to me, one of the runners commented that I knew everyone.  I told him to treat every call as a personal shout of encourage for him.   

It was quite a humid morning and I took on some water at the drinks station and encouraged others to do likewise, as we turned into Pollok Park at the Titwood Road entrance.  Once in the wood, a number of over enthusiastic runners had reverted, at least temporarily, to walking pace.   I’ve raced this part of the course, more than 100 times, as it forms part of the Glasgow parkrun, but managed to keep my pace in check and we reached the 4k marker in 22:00.

We made our way past Pollok House and the Burrell Collection before running past the Woodpecker and exiting the Park onto Haggs Road.  Again I encouraged the runners to take some water at the drinks station and we could now see the tail end of the race making their way towards Pollok Park.

We recognised that we were a bit ahead of schedule, at this point, but knew that this was much better than being behind and having to ask our runners to pick up the pace for the last 2k.  

We ran along Dumbreck Road, this time to the Nithsdale Road entrance and turned left, back into Bellahouston Park.  With the crowds cheering, we ran downhill and turned right, before another right and a short climb took us towards the Finish line.  At this stage we pulled over to the side and encouraged our Group to give it their all for the last 100m or so.  

After we crossed the Line we were marshaled into the Goody Bag and Medal collection area, where we were surrounded by race finishers, wishing to pat us on the back and shake our hands, to thank us for supporting them around the course in under their 55 minute targets. 

Although I was shattered after my run, it was a great to once again be part of the Scottish Running Community, whilst raising awareness of Scottish men's dreadful physical and mental health record.

Stewarton 5k Brings Back Happy Memories for Me but Leaves Keith in Stitches

It was a bit of a mad rush on Wednesday, as I tried to get to Stewarton for the 6:30 cut off for the local Bonnet Guild Festival’s 5k fun run.  An oil spill on the M77 had caused major disruption and at 6:15, I had only reached the Silverburn/Pollok junction, I did think about turning off but decided to continue on my journey, imagining getting there after the race had started and setting off on my own.  I wasn’t too fussed though, as I had had a good race on Saturday and was saving myself to pace at the forthcoming Men’s Health 10k, I wouldn’t be chasing a time but I did want to race again in Stewarton, after a 40 year gap.

I arrived at David Dale Ave to find one side of the street nose to tail with parked cars. I quickly grabbed the last spot and dashed into the woods. I ran down to the registration area with my entry form and £2 in my hand and was pleasantly surprised to see a long queue of runners waiting to register.  The 6:45 Start was delayed for 10miins and I even managed a wee warm up before assembling with the others.  There was a decent turnout from Jog Stewarton and the Killie Striders, as well as a few Kilmarnock Harriers too, there were also a lot of fun runners and children but most of these were doing the associated 3k run. 

Ready for the Start

The 5k racers set off at 6.55 and headed east, briefly, before turning left, up into the woods.  Another left and a right and we were climbing up through the Lainshaw Woods and across David Dale Ave and onto the Lainshaw Farm road.

I had been brought up in this neck of the woods....  and knew it well.  I used to work at the Lainshaw Farm Eggs buildings that we past on our left hand site, which is where the name Jimmi Henshite comes from.  I also remember that there was once a cross country race held in the field adjacent to the hen huts but I can’t remember if I ran in it, although much of my running as a lad was through these woods and fields.  I used to run across the fields at 4am, herding the cattle to the farm for milking, before going to school.  The Farm looked a lot less busy these days as we ran through it, there were no signs of any livestock to be seen, heard or smelled.  Lainshaw Farm was 1.2k into the race and about 100m from my childhood home at 96 Lothian Road.  

Off We Go!

 Apart from David Dale Ave, which is named after the famous Stewarton born textile merchant and philanthropist, most of the other street names reflect the fact that Lainshaw had been an Army Camp during the World Wars and are named after military vehicles, as well as Lothian Road, there is Crusader Crescent and Morton Road.

Past the Farm and we turned left onto Kilwinning Road, this used to be part of the popular ‘Around Chapetltoun Race’ which I used to race some 40 years ago.  There are no pavements on the road but a small part of the road was cordoned off and we ran, downhill, along this before reaching Mid Kilbride farm and re-entering the woods. 

 I used to play ‘soldiers’ and ‘cowboys and Indians’ and have many happy memories of the area.  The path in the wood is narrow but there wasn’t much overtaking taking place as the initial hill had helped to spread the field out.  We ran west towards the old Robert Burn’s cottage, Uncle of the Great Poet.  A sharp left and slightly down hill and, at 2.4k, we were climbing up another hill to the highest point of the course at 112m. 

Final Sprint

 I was hot and tired but knew that that the hardest part of the course was now behind me.  Downhill towards the Wendy woods I ran and approaching Montgomerie Drive, which was the site of the old Firing Range when I was last there, we were directed down some steps towards the Annick Water.

I was surprised to see parents helping their kids down the steps, until I realised that I had caught up with the 3k fun run, which was aimed at under 16 year olds.  The River Annick was on my right hand side, as I made my way through the 3k runners and walkers on the narrow path.  A young woman caught up with me and I asked those in front to let us pass.  I used my experience to out sprint her and crossed the line in a time of 24:13.

I congratulated her and then noticed the only women to have overtaken me, Gill Irvine, finish her race too.  She explained that she had taken a wrong turn, which meant that ‘the young woman’ Shona Oldham (27) had won Gold.  

I then looked around to see, race favourite, Keith Haining, with his head bandaged up!   Taking a page out of my book of running in Chaing Mai, he had run into a branch and cut his head.  He had still won the race and the first aiders had attended him before I crossed the line.  I congratulated Keith and then suggested that he visit the local A&E.  Killie Striders’ Coach, Gavin Hogarth placed second and a young local lad, of 10 years of age, placed third, he could have a great future in front of him.    That could have been me 46 years ago.......

It was great not only to meet up with so many running buddies and old school friends, including Sandra Hunter and Brian McGaw, but also some other weel kent faces now active in the Bonnet Guild, not least of all this year’s President John Elliot and David Hewitt, my old barber.

1st Woman, Shona Oldam with John Elliot

1st Man, Keith Haining

Watch/Listen to this: Sweet Annick Water Music Video by John Conning


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Glasgow parkrun 15 June 2013

Glasgow parkrun 15 June 2013, a set on Flickr.

Photos of most of the runners at the Glasgow parkrun on 15 June 2013. As you may guess, it was a Garscube Harriers' Championship Race and, despite the weather, they turned out in force. Well done to them and to all the runners and volunteers.

100,000 thanks!

Wow! Thanks to all my fantastic readers and those of you who stumbled on my blog by error, together you have combined to provide the Jimmi Henshite Experiences with over ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND HITS.  That's an awful lot of page views, I feel humbled and honoured.  Thank you one and all.

My 120th parkrun

My midweek run was slow and sluggish and I guessed that an easy week was due, so I had no intention of racing at all this weekend, with the Men's Health and the Brian Goodwin 10k races on the horizon.  However just as I was ready to go for an easy run in the early morning sunshine, I decided to make the trip to Strathclyde park to get the last race of my 55th year. I know, I know... but, to be honest, I hadn't expected to be still running at this age, especially as my two elder brothers had died at 49 years old.

A short drive to Motherwell and I was greeted with loads of "welcome back" messages from various running buddies and friends.  It was a pleasant surprise to see that Clare Barr and Claire Thompson had both also decided to make a rare outing at Strathclyde parkrun.  Some 183 runners had been attracted to the scenic, loch side, race in the morning sun, including Elspeth Curran from Kilbarchan and a sprinkling of youngsters from Inverclyde AC.  

120 not out! Post Race Pic by Claire Thompson

I hadn't realised that it had been so long since I had ran this race but my records reveal that it was way back in March 2012, when the event was celebrating its centenary.  As it happens this was my 120th parkrun and my 12th at Strathclyde.  You would have thought that with such experience I would know how to race but I started with youthful exuberance before common sense kicked in and I slowed down a bit.  My 1st kilometre was completed in 4:12, which would have been OK, if I was fully fit.  My target today was to get under 24mins. Last week's time at Pollok Park being 24:25 and the previous Tollcross one being 25:18.  I quickly worked out that if I could keep every kilometre below the 5min mark, I should be able to achieve my target.

Even with my slowed down pace, I was able to overtake runners as the blazing hot sunshine took its toll on then.  It also took its toll on me and I had to work hard, both physically and mentally as I completed the 5k.  The last k, in particular seemed as if it would never end but I managed a wee sprint over the line to finish with a highly satisfactory 23:05 on my watch (official time 23:07).  I placed 56 out of 183.

I congratulated the runner behind me and took a few minutes after handing in my token to recover my breadth before joining the other runners for post race chatting and a warm down.

I was well chuffed with my time, sure I had worked hard and it wasn't a great time but it was well within my goal and it meant that I could rest and enjoy the sunshine for the rest of the day before going out in the evening for birthday celebrations.

Race results

Golden Girl - Claire Thompson

The race was blown away with a fantastic performance by 13year old Ryan Gray of Inverclyde,  Kirkintilloch's Howard Elliot had ran a PB of 16:49 but this wasn't good enough to catch the youngster who timed 16:47.  Early leader Elspeth Curran, placed first woman and third overall but hadn't brought her barcode, which allowed Robert Souter to claim 3rd, with a PB of 7:05.  First women was awarded to Claire Thompsom, who achieved her target of a sub 20min run, finishing in 19:57.  Continuing her comeback, Clare Barr won Silver, with her time of  21:26 being almost one minute quicker than her previous outing, three weeks ago.  Penny Mitchell took an impressive 75seconds off of her PB to place 3rd female, also on 21:26.

Full results

Thanks to everyone for all your lovely birthday wishes :-)

women into construction

women into construction_0023, a photo by Heilster on Flickr.

Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, speaking to school girls at the recent Women into Construction event, held at the Forth Road Bridge, as part of Scottish Apprentice Week.

Girls Build a New Forth Bridge

Construction Ambassador Kelsey Whyte (Joiner)

NAWIC Lend their Support

Supported by SDS, the CITB, the SBATC, NAWIC and others.

I Didn't Stop or Look Around, Just Ran My 119th parkrun

 

Five months to the day, I returned to Pollok Park to participate in the Glasgow parkrun. It's been a long hard road back to some degree of fitness, and although I'm still far from race fit, I decided to give it it a go. I joined in with an impressive 434 others, including loads of friends and running buddies, in the Scottish sunshine.

Although I started quite well back from the front, I was still in among regular club runners. I didn't hear the 'off' but we started at 9:30am. There was a fair bit of congestion and we had to revert to walking for a few steps but the field soon opened up and I was running my 119th parkrun.

My approach to the race was one of caution and I watched a number of my contemporaries race ahead of me. Last month's time at Tollcross parkrun had been 25:18, so I had in my mind that I wanted to run under 25mins. I was a little disappointed when my Garmin indicated 5:04 for the first kilometre. Although I traditionally run a negative split, I did worry that I might fade in the latter stages of my comeback race. To be honest, I was already feeling tired and knew that I would need to work harder as the race progressed. The second kilometre was slighter faster, at 5:00. I was a bit surprised to see some of my running buddies not that far ahead but I decided to run my own race. The GPS reception isn't very good within the wooded part of the park and I was concentrating on my run, so I just ignored my Garmin bleeping at the 3^rd and 4^th k. However I did notice a friend passing me as we turned off the glade for the second and last time. I stuck in behind him and he helped me up and over the last hill in the course. I could see a club mate ahead and concentrated in decreasing the gap between us and I upped the work rate and finished strongly.

Garmin revealed that I had achieved my aim of sub 25mins and I was extremely happy with my time of 24:25, in 167^th place. I congratulated those around me before handing in my finisher's token. For some reason, I then decided to do a 5k 'warm down', which afforded me the opportunity to say 'hi' to some of those that were well in front of me in the race.

I rewarded myself with a, post run, coffee and scone in the packed Burrell Cafe, where many of my friends welcomed me back into the Scottish running community.Then it was home and back to bed.

A major step in my recovery achieved, although there's still a long way to go.Thanks to all the volunteers, my fellow runners and the Burrell staff who made it such a great morning.

Results

Stuart MacDougal's PB of 16:54, breaking the 17min barrier at the 101st attempt, wasn't good enough to win Gold today as Kilbarchan's Robert Quinn and Shettleston's Kenny Richmond, placed first and second, with times of 15:33 and 15:55, respectively.

In the Women's Race, Clydesdale's Marina Mccallum, achieved her target of dipping under 21mins and earned Gold into the bargain, with a time of 20:55.  Bellahouston Harriers, Super Vet, Erica Christie, placed second in 21:33 with Giffnock North's Hilary Millar, some eleven seconds, behind claiming third spot in 21:44.

Full Results