Well what can I say, the month was going great I’d run 160 miles taken my year total to 530 and I was well in advance of my target of 2010 miles in MMX. I’ve run five races, including a couple of half marathons, which I did in under 1:40 and I've beaten my ten year PB by 2min 50secs. I’ve put in a few long runs and my short run times have been improving, as I closed in on my Glasgow parkrun PB. It was looking good for a great season. Then as I walked through a car park to my car, the ground was uneven and I went over on my ankle and haven’t been able to run since. The physiotherapist says I’ve no chance of running a marathon in three weeks time!
On Yer Bike!
All is not lost though as I’ve taken the opportunity to, quite literally, get on my bike and, aided by a couple of long runs, I have clocked up 171 miles in the month, a total of 254 for the year.
I squeezed in one swim session but depending on my injury this may increase significantly next month, likewise with my yoga class. Although I practice myself it’s always better if I can get along to a class.
Night at the Movies
I’ve also kept up my interest in the movies watching A Prophet; The Girl With the Dragon Tatoos; The Scouting Book for Boys and The Hurt Locker.
Next month’s activities will depend very much on how my ankle injury recovers.
As my ankle is still not up for running but my legs are, I decided to cycle this morning to Grange -mouth to support the runners at the annual Round the Houses 10k road race. I had a quick look at the race route and noticed that it went along Inchyra Road quite close to the canal at Polmont railway station, I oiled the bike and set off on a grey and windy Sunday morning, nursing a hangover. I headed down to the SECC and through the tunnel path to Finnieston, up through Kelvingrove Park, past my old flat, across Maryhill road and onto the cycle path. It wasn’t that long until I was cycling along part of the Jack Crawford 10k route, although in the opposite direction. I noticed a few dead frogs on the path, strange? Past the Bishopbriggs Leisure Centre and on to Kirkintilloch I cycled. I used to run this route as part of my training when I stayed in the flat. Since then they have done a lot of work along the canal. A new Marina, a new School, a College of Further Education and a new pedestrian bridge had all been build since the last time I was here.
The rest of the route was flat and quick, much easier than the undulating path from Glasgow to Bridge of Weir. I cycled passed another mariner and the inviting Underwood Lockhouse and through the scenic Kelvin Valley and without any notice I had arrived at the Falkirk Wheel.
I was taking an obligatory photo when I noticed a small sign indicating Edinburgh and pointing over the bridge. I found a local and asked her the way to Polmont and right enough it was over the bridge. I nearly missed the turn off !!
From the Falkirk Wheel I had to cycle uphill to join the Union Canal and then through the modern Hallglen Tunnel. It was dark inside the tunnel so I removed my sun glasses and switched on the bike lights. Then it was through open country again until I reached a narrow,long, dark and damp, from water dripping down from the ceiling, tunnel. It looked really old and I thought that it must have been a major civil engineering project when it was made. A quick bit of post exercise research uncovered the facts that it was build in 1818, is 695 metres long and runs underneath Prospect Hill.
It was constructed by blasting and digging through solid rock, and the 'dark tunnel' as it is known or Falkirk Tunnel remains a marvel even in this high technology age. After the tunnel, the path was a bit muddy but it wasn’t long until I’d reached a sign for Polmont Station. I’d only paused for a moment when a local dog walker asked if he could help. I told him I was looking for Inchyra Road and he duly informed me how to get there. It was only about another mile or so further on that I spied a policewoman
controlling the traffic and new that I had reached my destination. I disembarked my trusty bike and enjoyed a sandwich, protein bar and energy drink. I had a brief word with a couple of Shettleston’s Eritreans, who informed me that they were also injured and then a slightly longer chat with Paul Sorrie’s father. It wasn’t long until the runners appeared and I supported them as they past me just after the 7k marker.
After that it was back on the bike and heading for home. The wind was against me for a good part of the route and I had a couple of stops to take on some fuel and have a rest from cycling. I was lucky that I was close to Kelvinbridge Underground Station when the hail, quickly followed by heavy rain arrived and I had another rest and shelter before heading back through Kelvingrove Park and over the ‘squinty bridge’ and on homewards where a hot shower and a very late brunch helped to refresh and replenish me.
A total distance of 109.54Km, more than twice my recent new longest; moving time 6hr 15mins; calories used 3665.
I went over on my ankle whilst walking on Monday so no running for me, however I can still cycle so I did 10k on the bike in the gym in the morning and then cycled through Pollok Park, along the cycle path through Paisley to Bridge of Weir and back 50.36km. The furthest I've ever cycled. It took 2:39:02 and burned up 1892 calories, so not a bad replacement for a run. The main difference was that my feet were freezing, I was walking with to blocks of ice where my feet should have been and even in a hot bath they took ages to thaw out. I wonder what real cyclists do to stop their feet from freezing?
Unfortunately I went over on my ankle on Monday whilst walking, so no running for me at the moment. Went along to Dalshome Park this afternoon to support the runners at the rescheduled, gruelling, Nigel Barge 10k race.
Joe McKnight was third after 4k, with Robert Gilroy out in front, ahead of an Inverclyde runner, however at 8k Joe was well in front of Gilroy and his chaser. Loads of photos here
My first attempt at this race, although I knew some of the course after cycling some of it last year. I knew that the course was very open to the wind and was worried with the windy conditions late last week. I don’t know why but I just didn’t feel up to this race, maybe Haweswater and my long training runs were starting to take their toll. I watched Eddie Izzard Marathon Man on Saturday night and went to bed early. However I didn’t set my alarm and really only decided to go through with the race when I woke up at 6:45 on Sunday morning. Porridge and a quick cuppa and I was on my way to be picked up by my Killie club mates. I thought 7:35 was a bit early for a 10:00 start so wasn’t surprised that we were some of the very first collecting our race numbers on the day, when we arrived around 8:30.
Ninety minutes later I was lined up in the start line and ready to go. Unfortunately my Garmin was in rest mode and as I started to run I was pressing the buttons to get it going. Never mind I thought I’ll just do my best. I could see Kilmarnock’s Paula Wilson slightly ahead, as well as Giffnock’s Li Wang and Kirkintilloch’s Marie McChord, I know that all three are experienced half marathon runners with better PBs than me. Li completed the Great North Run last year in 1:35:00. So I knew that as long as I was running around with them I would be doing fine. However I was a bit surprised to overtake Ewan McDonald who has been training explicitly for this race. I think he was surprised too as he looked at his Garmin as I passed by. We ran around a loop and past the start point and the cheering crowds before heading out of town. The sun was beating down on us as we made our way up Kielarsbrae to New Sauchie. Ewan had overtaken me and I was already tiring at the three mile point when Killie’s Harald Bartl gave me words of encouragement as he caught up with me. At the water point I took a little drink and poured the rest over me to cool me down. I was feeling a bit sick but my mood lifted at the end of Fishcross as I looked down to see the long flat section ahead. Down via Devon Village we ran to Devonside and on to Tillicoultry where a left turn took us along the A91 encouraged by the cheering locals who lined the street. I had dropped back from the group but could see the tall lanky Harald ahead running alongside Paula. Thankfully the clouds covered over and the temperature dropped but there was a bit of a headwind to overcome as we made our way to Alva. Thre was a group of about six or seven shouting my name as I reached the half way point and the strange little loop that took us down a road and around a traffic cone.
As usual, I found myself working hard at the front of a group there wasn’t much respite as a diminutive lass from Ayr Seaforth overtook me but I was glad when a larger Harmeny Runner took the lead. I ran on his shoulder for as long as I could, it was hard work keeping up with him but I’d rather work hard to run fast than use my energy to run into the wind. However after a while he managed to leave me behind. I could hear someone else behind me and I hard to increase my pace a few times as she tried to overtake me. We ran shoulder to shoulder for a while and I noticed her Kinross Runners vest as we reached the village of Menstrie.
A sharp left took us over a railway bridge and down over the River Devon before climbing up a long hill at the tenth mile to the round about outside Tullibody. I was shattered now and feeling really sick as Bella Harrier Iain Burke ran passed. I decided to risk eating a jelly bean and took in a few deep breadths as I ran downhill through Tullibody. Iain was a good bit ahead and I felt dead on my feet but I then noticed that Li Wang was just ahead and I managed to catch her at the 11 mile mark. Much of the rest of the race was a bit of a blur as I just concentrated in getting to the finish without being sick.
I noticed the crowds building up and some finished runners warming down, so I knew that I was nearing the end. Up a hill and the crowds had increased, ‘C’mon Ian’ shouted Les McDermont and I gave it my all as I ran the last few hundred metres along the road, then down to my left and finally over the line. I received my medal and a kiss, someone removed my race chip and I found a seat to sit on to recover. After a moment or two, I spotted the Kinross Runner and we exchanged thanks for helping each other around the course. I collected my goodie bag, t-shirt and water before congratulating Paula, Harald, Li and Stuart McBeath and going for a warm down with the other Killie Harriers and cheering the other runners home. My Garmin read 1:36:42 and I presumed that I had actually taken 1:37+, which is what I told those that asked.
After getting home, having a shower and large brunch I headed upstairs for a well deserved siesta. It was a lovely surprise to find that my chip time was actually 1:36:08, 2mins and 50secs faster than my PB of ten years ago. I felt as if I had deserved my celebratory red wine on Sunday night.
Well done to everyone who took part, including 16 Kilmarnock Harriers and healthy turnouts from Perth Road Runners, Giffnock and Portobello too and a big thank you to everyone for their support and kind comments.
I was down to run the Alloa Half on Sunday, Mar 21 which meant that an easy three mile run was required on the Saturday. A few days before I noticed that the parkrun was still seeking a tail runner so I offered my services, which meant that for the first time in ages I could afford myself the luxury of a drink on a Friday night.
I cycled along to Pollok Park and after the usual pre race banter I joined the back of some 240 runners. “Are you running I asked a pensive looking lass”, “I was hoping to but I heard that it was people with dogs and prams these all look like serious runners too me!” I put her mind to ease and we set off down the road, where a couple of late runners caught up with us. As we reached the glade a young lass with a Cardonald College Sports Club top on was struggling and I then joined her and encouraged her to run and walk her way around the course. Her name was Annmarie Markham and she was aiming to run in this year’s Scottish Women’s 10k Race. By the time we took the sharp left and were heading for the hills, the leaders were lapping and we exchanged words of encouragement as they passed by.
We weren’t lapped by all that many by the time we started our second lap of the course and the lass managed to increase her pace slightly as we ran down the glade and then walked and ran the hills. At the top of the hill, I encouraged her to run with me all the way to the finish, which we did with her Cardonald College friends providing strong vocal support as we made it down the final strait and over the line. We had taken just under 40 minutes, she was shattered but happy and hopefully the run will help her in her 10k attempt. Whilst a few were surprised that I took a finishers token, I did as it counts as my 39th parkrun and meant that Annmarie didn’t finish last in her introduction to the parkrun.
My result: 243rd place in a time of 39:42
Rather than receiving just the one point for my run, I received 100 for volunteering which takes my total points to 837 and places me fifth in the individual men’s table.
On another note it was good to see Kirkintilloch’s Gordon MacDonald making a tentative comeback after being injured since last year’s Loch Ness Marathon. His club mate Willie Reid continues his return to form, placing 40th in 21:22, one second better than my time last week. Also making her return to the parkrun after a few weeks being away with work was Carolyn Boyd who got a new PB of 23:48 in her tenth outing. Others of note were Al Maclachan new PB of18:11, John Gilhooley new PB of 20:56 and Lynne Sim new PB of 26:31.
Following my confidence booster at Haweswater I was up for a good race at my 37th Glasgow parkrun. However I hadn’t slept well and during my warm up my legs felt heavy. Before the race I chatted with Kirkintilloch’s Marie McChord and Willie Reid, both good athletes and both better runners than me, although I have on the very rare occasion managed to beat them. Marie had recorded a time of 21:16 on her last outing four weeks ago and has a course PB of 21:12; Willie Reid has a course PB of 20:17 but neither of them are 100% at the moment, so I thought that I could maybe add a very rare occasion by beating them both.
After another lengthy pre-race diatribe from the race organiser, to be fair their were a lot of announcements to be made but I think that these get emailed to most runners anyway, we were off heading down the road. I was running behind Marie and as we turned left at the bottom, marshals on both the right and left shouted encouragement to me. As we headed out towards the ‘woodpecker’ Marie raise her right hand, indicating that she was moving right and weaved her way ahead of me. I decided that, if I was going to give the race a go, I should stick close to her and made my way through the pack. We climbed the first we hill and as we approached the glade my Garmin bleeped indicating 1k. Marie’s pace had slowed slightly and as I was feeling good I decided to overtake her, Willie Reid must have been behind us and sharing that thought, as I saw him speed past the both of us. I gave chase and using my long legs to full advantage managed to overtake him before we turned left and headed for the hills. With the Balloch to Clydebank Half being held on Sunday and the other reasons their didn’t seem to be as many weel kent faces around me as usual. I dug in deep and was confident that as I made my way through the field that I had left Willie and Marie behind.
I was tiring a bit and as I ran down the glade for the second time, Willie overtook me on my right hand side but it wasn’t to be for long as I increased my pace once again on the downward section. Sharp left and as I made it up the hills I could feel myself slowing and was overtaken a couple of times on the last hill. By the time I had reached the final downhill section there was no-one immediately in front of me but I still ran my fastest to try to take as many seconds off of my time as possible.
(Marie and Willie in white at the half way point. Pic by Gil Williamson)
I crossed the line in 56th place and stopped my Garmin to reveal a time of 21:23, just five seconds out of my PB. The next finisher (Andrew Griffiths) shook my hand and congratulated me, I didn’t recognise him and hadn’t seen him during the race. I did recognise his Garscube Harrier vest though and the broad grin on his face which came from taken 10 seconds off of his course PB to finish in 21:26. Willie Reid was 58th in 21:29 and Marie McChord placed 63rd in 21:35.
Susan Addison did great to get a new PB and place second woman in 20:17, Marie’s other half Tom also got a new PB finishing in 20:14 as did Tom Keenan with 23:19. Congratulations to each of them.
My detailed Garmin results supported my gut feeling that I had slowed as the race had progressed. I guess that my legs were still a bit tired from my exertions at Haweswater and although I was happy to get another 70+% wava, I now appreciate that I’ll need to work harder throughout the race to achieve a new PB.
There were 274 runners at Pollok Park last week as I took part in my 37th parkrun and I placed 176 with a time of 27:17 don’t panic it wasn’t due to a dip in form but rather it was an extremely well controlled pace on my behalf.
Despite encouragement from other runners and supporters alike, I ignored their calls and concentrated on my Garmin personal trainer as I made my way around the course in my Glasgow Killie t-shirt to complete my ninth race of 2010.
Pic by Richard Leyton
This was the day before my half marathon and as my training schedule had me down to run three easy miles (3m at 8:55 pace) I decided to combine it with my local parkrun. However the hilly nature of the course makes it difficult to have an ‘easy’ run and a number of times I had to slow down as Garmin advised me that my heart rate was too high. On one occasion I chatted with fellow runner Lynne Sim before reaching a flatter part of the course and increasing my pace and heart rate slightly to keep in my training zone.
Thanks to all those who shouted “well done” as I made my way towards the finish line. My solitary point won’t help me in the individual table but it does get me closer to that elusive 100 parkrun marker. Spare a thought for Robert Gilroy who crossed the line in first position but gained no points as he had forgotten his barcode.
My marathon schedule had me down to run a half marathon on Sunday, March 7 and the only one that I could find was the Haweswater HaM in the NorthLakes. I’d only ever done one race in England before, the famous Brampton to Carlisle 10 miler and I was keen to venture over the border to take in another one.
It’s a road race leaving from the pretty village of Bampton, I know it sounds like Brampton, south of Penrith. It’s quite a small race with a maximum field of just over 500 and has been on the go for nine years now. Following good reports in Runners World the race was sold out last year, so I made sure I got my entry in early and my accommodation booked for before and after the event.
The day itself was gorgeous and despite a slight detour I managed to get to the race HQ in the local Scout Hall in plenty of time. My running buddy Susan Clark from Greenock Glenpark had travelled with me and we met Helensburgh’s, Carlisle born, Michelle Hetherington there. That, unusually was the sum total of people that I knew before the race, although the local reporter told me that his family hailed from Ayrshire and that he had many fond memories of watching the famous Kilmarnock FC when he was younger.
My training has been going really well and I was hoping to do a half in about 1:35, which would be a good bit off of my PB of 1:38:53. However Michelle commented that she would be happy to get that time on this course and the locals around me concurred that that was an ambitious time for this hilly aka undulating race.
After pre race announcements warning us of the dangers of traffic, pot holes and ice on the road and stressing that runners wearing I-pods etc would be disqualified, we were off making our way slowly through the narrow streets of the picturesque hamlet in the gorgeous sunshine. I did notice one girl in a blue top who set off at a pace weaving her way through the streets lined with well wishers as we made our way past the Scout Hall and out along the narrow country roads.
I was aiming for a pace of around 4:17 m/km but Garmin revealed that the first two kms were run at 4:35 and 4:50. Any hope of recovering from the slow start, were squashed as we reached the first hill, which saw my pace drop to 4:59, 4:56 and 5.00. By now the race had opened up and I was part of quite along drawn out group, led by a guy with a white top and long black trousers and I was racing along with a Keswick AC runner. I knew that any hopes of a PB had flown and decided that I would stop and take in water at the drinks station. As I refreshed with a small drink of ice cold water the Keswick runner, who was carrying her own water past bye. However it wasn’t too long until I had caught up with her and I made some time up as I ran down hill before reaching the main hill of the course. A guy with a blue top over took me going down hill but he was taking small steps and I was confident that my long strides would be more efficient. My times were 4:41; 4:47; 4:43 and 5:22 but I had kept the group leader in sight and I had noticed that the lass in blue from the start was walking a bit at the hardest part of the hill. As we ran down towards the turn point I noticed Michelle making her way back up the hill on the other side of the road. My pace down hill was 4:23 and 4:55, as I stopped at the drinks station, through away my gloves took a couple of jelly babies, a drink of water and a few deep breaths before starting my way back up hill.
Race Profile - can you tell it's out and back?
Again the Keswick lass had past me but I was confident that I would catch her again. Slightly refreshed, the hill didn’t seem to be as challenging but my times didn’t show this as I ran up at a pace of 4:55 and 5:19. I caught the Keswick lass at the top of the hill and stepped out to the middle of the road and sped down the other side, passing Susan on my way, 4:08 much better but too little too late. I could occasionally see the guy in the white top away in front, I decided that, as my time had been blown, my best tactic would be to try to reel in as many other runners as possible and finish as close as possible to him. My first target was the lass with the fast start. We reached the next drinks station at around 10 miles and she sped straight through it closely followed by myself. We made our way up the icy road towards the Haweswater Hotel, we were now in a group of four, she having caught the two guys, including ‘blue top’ who had overtaken me in the downhill stage. (4:46 4:41 4:45) I past blue top and then as I reached the top of the hill I made my move, stepping out to the middle of the road and stretching my legs as I opened up on the way down (4:16).
The road flattened out as we appro -ached the village again and I kept catching runners, I was chasing a guy in a scarlet top and as I did we both overtook a guy in a harlequins type vest (4:31). I could see another lass in blue ahead and as I chased after her I past bye ‘scarlet top’ and a couple of others (4:30). She was finishing well though and as I turned the final corner I noticed that she had caught up with white top and black trousers, I wasn’t sure where the actual finish line was but the crowds were cheering as I made my way to the filter lane in 4:15 to finish 180th out of 517 with a time of 1:39:35 (42 seconds out of my PB).
I collected my mug, banana and had a drink of water as I chatted with the other runners as we queued up for our refreshing tea before cheering the other runners home.
Who’s who:
Michelle Hetherington - 90th in 1:31:28
Lass in blue top – Jessica Riches – 178th in 1:39:11
Guy in white top/black trousers – Dave Murray (Cleveland Tri) -179th in 1:39: 16
Scarlet vest - Andy Letheren (Trail Runners Assoc'n) - 183rd in 1:39:51
Fast starting lass in blue vest - Lindsey Berends (Preston Harriers) 186th in 1:40:08
Keswick lass - Hayley Hodgson – 189th in 1:40:14
Susan Clark - 424th in 1:59:39
Well done to the organisers managing to post the results on the Scout Hall wall page by page as the race progressed.
Review
A great ‘undulating’ race in fantastic scenery, well supported and really friendly, the only negative point would be that apart from the mug of tea, post race refreshments had to be purchased rather than free or on a ‘donation’ basis which some other clubs do.
Mar 5 2010 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard
DARVEL’S Les McDerment ran out of his skin to take 50 seconds off his personal best in a tough 10km on Saturday.
The muddy and slippy conditions at the re-scheduled Jack Crawford road race in Springburn did not stop Les from recording a super fast time of 38.04.
Les is in top form as he is in training for April’s Virgin London Marathon. His new personal best beats his previous time which he recorded almost two years ago.
Fellow Harrier Connell Drummond is in peak marathon condition too. He decided to use the race as training with no real expectations of a fast time.
Again though, he ran well and his time of 38.42 was decent and a good benchmark for the rest of his marathon preparation. Ian Goudie was the third male Kilmarnock Harrier and he crossed the line in 42.30 and won a spot prize in the process.
First female Harrier home was Paula Wilson who ran a time of 42.30 – not far off her best. This placed her ahead of the other lady members in the race – Liz McDerment and Fiona Herbertson who both fared well despite the conditions and ran the same time of 46.30.
Well done to all and especially to Les and Liz who confirmed their positions as winter champions for the year.
Recent results of the free weekly 5km race – the Park Run – held in Pollock Park have seen Harriers David Mitchell, Ian Goudie and Keith and Elizabeth Mackie all compete, with Keith and Elizabeth both taking time off their previous course bests.
NB My time was actually 44:14 but heh you don't believe every thing you read in the papers.
I continued to follow my marathon training plan during February, which resulted in me running 192 miles (133 in 2009), so I’m already about 50 miles ahead of my target to run 2010 miles in MMX. I cycled 47 miles (0 in 2009) and a visited the pool once, it’s just hard to squeeze in swimming and cycling on top of marathon training, I really don’t know how tri-athletes manage it and get sufficient rest.
I maintained my one race a week record, doing two Glasgow parkruns, the first took me 22:05, one second quicker than my January best, whilst the next one took me 21:44 a good improvement but still a bit off of my course PB of 21:18. However my points total was enough to see me occupy third place in the men’s individual points table. My best time last Feb was 23:39.
At the age of 52.5 I participated in Scotland’s blue-riband Cross Country Race and placed 400th out of 447, completing the 12k in 59:04. I placed sixth Killie Harrier (out of six!) which assisted the team in finishing in a very respectful 20th position.
I also took part in the Jack Crawford 10k, which this year was a Killie Harriers' Championship race, and managed to get a 70+% wava, by completing the race in a time of 44:18, far from the time I was hoping for but a good run considering the conditions. My time last year was 44:37.
So it’s a question of ‘some improvement’ and ‘so far so good’ but also ‘could do a bit better.’
In the non running front, I've continued to go to the GFT or other cinema once a week, I've kept my promise to cut down on the drink and I've taken up learning to play the guitar.
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