My Race with a Marathon Running Legend

Me with a real runner......and RLS in the background

Although it was supposed to be my second week at the photography class, I had pre arranged a meeting in Auld Reekie with Julia Armstrong and had cleared my absence with the course lecturer. Of course I arranged our meeting to coincide with the Edinburgh parkrun and encouraged local runners Jennifer Telford and Jill Knowles to participate in the free 5k event.

I arrived at Cramond in plenty of time to warm up and chat with all three and others before lining up at the new start line for my second time in a month. I had checked my previous time (22:42) and set off with the intention of beating but not going flat out as I was racing in the Vets Relay on Sunday. As usual, Jill shot off into the distance to win the women's race, whilst Jenny, Julia and I settled into our individual races. The first kilometre took me 3:53 and I was surprised to see so many people overtaken me, an indication of how strong the field has become. I slowed quite a bit in the second kilometre, taking 4:18, as Jenny, followed by Julia ran ahead and Ruth Johnston caught up with me. I pulled away from Ruth and we ran around the triangular shaped part of the course. I could see Jenny well ahead and Julia in front and I thought I was working hard when Claire Houston sprinted past me and ran into the distance. The third kilometre had taken 4:08. We were now running into the icy wind and unfortunately my pace slipped to 4:16 for the penultimate kilometre. I set my sight on a young runner ahead with a ‘10 race parkrun vest’ on, unfortunately as I closed in on him, he pulled over to the left and vomited.

Ron Russell's pic captures our sprint to the line

I could hear Carnegie’s ‘Key ring’ Morgan receiving a lot of support and knew that he was right on my tail. Jenny was already finished and was supporting me as Key ring and I sprinted towards the line to finish together. I stopped my Garmin in a time of 20:45 and congratulated ‘Key ring’ on his race. However I was gutted with my time, I’ve been training really hard and was confident that I would be able to improve on the time that I had recorded on 1st January. I was close to my time but just not good enough. Perhaps I had trained too hard during the week, my training is aimed at doing the Alloa Half but I was still confident that I could improve on my previous time.

You'll have had your tea - Gary Frater

I parked my disappointment and congratulated Jill, Jenny and Julia before handing in my barcode and heading off for my warm down. Jill and Jenny headed off to complete their day’s mileage, whilst Julia and I headed towards the Cramond Gallery Bistro. We were waiting outside for Julia’s brother to arrive, when we noticed someone speeding down the brae to the foreshore, it was last week’s Edinburgh parkrun winner and fellow Killie fan, Colin McGill. After a brief chat we left him to complete his 20 mile run, including 13 at marathon pace, and we headed for our ‘hard earned’ coffee and cake.

Thanks to Gary Frater and his team of hard working volunteers for ensuring that the, ever growing, Edinburgh parkrun is such a success.

Julia ran for England in the Commonwealth Games marathon in Edinburgh 25 years ago and will mark the anniversary by competing in this year's Edinburgh Marathon.

UPDATE …..UPDATE….UPDATE…..PB

When I received my email from Edinburgh parkrun advising me that I had completed my 66th event in a time of 20:44, I checked my previous results to discover that my previous time was actually 20:45 and not 20:42!! I had in fact run a course and season PB without realising it. It’s amazing the difference that a second or three can make to a runner.

Full Results



Ron Russell's pics here

Christmas Comes But Twice a Year - My Ninth Race of 2011

Saturday, 22 Jan

There was no parkrun or other race for me on Saturday as I started my 11 week Photography Techniques SVQ Class at the City of Glasgow’s North Hanover Street Campus. There was at least one other parkrunner in the class but our absence didn’t seem to make much of an impact as some 248 runners participated in the Glasgow event; 251 at Edinburgh and 97 at Strathclyde.

I cycled home after class, had a cup of tea and headed out for a training run at around 1:30pm. A warm up, five miles fairly fast and a warm down, as prescribed by my Alloa Half Marathon training schedule. I chose to include some of Pollok Park in my run, not only because it’s a wonderful place but also because it was the venue of the Scottish Veteran Harriers Christmas Handicap Race, rescheduled for Sunday. It wasn’t long until I noticed that the road in the park adjacent to Lochinch had been skimmed, in preparation for relaying of bitumen. It was still possible to run on the uneven surface, with caution. It was the same situation on the hill outside of Pollok House and as I approached the Pollokshaws Road entrance to the park, I saw a huge yellow mechanical contraption, the type which is used for relaying roads, in front of me, surrounded by smoke and a small army of ‘boys of the blackstuff’, dressed in their obligatory luminous yellow vests. I could smell the, once familiar, dry, hot, odour of bitumen as I approached the navvies at work.

A long time ago, I had worked with various ‘Tinkers’ (In Ireland and Scotland somebody who travels from place to place as a way of life) during the non-study periods afforded to sandwich course students. Much of the work had been the laying of ‘Tarmac’ on the private driveways of farms and country houses throughout the west of Scotland. However today I was training and not doing ‘casual work’, so I turned up to my left and along a path through the woods to join Bells Road and the Haggs Road exit and onward home.
I was therefore uncertain if the rescheduled Scottish Veterans’ Christmas Handicap Race would go ahead on Sunday.


Sunday, 23 Jan

Santa Dash

I made my way down to the Broomielaw on Sunday morning to cheer on the runners and walkers participating in the rescheduled Charity Santa Dash. It’s a bizarre sight, at any time, to see a race where almost 3,000 people are dressed as Santa but it’s somehow wackier when it’s taking place on the 23rd of January, rather than the 23rd of December. The event raises cash for the new Marie Curie Hospice at Stobhill Hospital and the Marina Dalglish Appeal cancer charity. Well done to all concerned in supporting such worthwhile causes.


Scottish Veterans Christmas Handicap

The quantity of runners arriving at Cartha Queens Park Rugby Club in the early afternoon may have been much smaller at 35 but the quality was much higher as some of the country’s better veteran runners assembled for our rescheduled annual Christmas Handicap. Two unexpected participants were, fellow Kilmarnock Harriers, Liz and Leslie McDerment making their veteran race debuts.

After picking up my race number and exchanging New Year greetings with the other runners and organisers the chat turned to comparing handicaps, with the usual ribbing associated with such occasions. My handicap was 20 minutes, which meant that I was in the same pool as Annmarie McCaffrey, Kenny McVey and Henry Curran. It was a bit strange that Bobby Young, should be given a two minute start on me and Tom McChord a one minute advantage. I had been given a one minute start over Marie McChord though.

The organisers advised us of the two lap route, pointing out that we would be marshaled onto the grass at Lochinch as they were resurfacing the road. I warmed up as the less handicapped runners set off and when my time came lined up with Kenny and Henry, Annmarie was a ‘no show’ deciding to opt for her long run, rather than the race. I was scheduled to do ‘8-10 easy miles’ but decided to incorporate my ninth race of 2011 into my daily mileage.

I’ve know Kenny for a long time, when I was first thinking of joining a club, years ago, I went along to Victoria Park AC and went out training with him but he was way too fast for me, I couldn’t keep up with him and I never returned to Scotstoun. I was surprised last year when he narrowly beat me at the Vets Clydesdale 5k and even more surprised when I had beaten him at last week’s West District Cross Country Championships. I’ve never noticed Henry around me when I’ve been racing, so I was a little surprised to be setting off with him.

At the ‘off’ I sped down the road, turned right onto Haggs Road and made my way along the perimeter of Pollok Park. The first kilometer had taken me 4:10 but I must have slowed going up hill in the park. Henry overtook me, Kenny was right on my shoulder and the second kilometre took me 4:24. Kenny was making me work hard and we completed the third kilometre in 4:11. However I wasn’t feeling comfortable and decided to pull over and let Kenny pass. My 4th k took 4:22, my 5th 4:33 and my 6th 4:40! I’d overtaken two runners in the first lap but as the second lap progressed, I was able to target some more and caught a few in my 7th k, which took 4:26. Of course by now some of the runners behind were catching me but I used it as a positive to spur me on. I was concentrating on catching Liz, when Les overtook the both of us, I followed behind him and for a while there were three Kilmarnock Harriers running in succession. I worked hard for the rest of the apparently 5.4mile race, narrowing the gap on Kenny, to cross the line in a time of 37:45 (an average pace of 6:59 min/miles).

The usual post race mutual congratulations took place and I was slightly staggered to learn that Tom had taken 37:59 and Marie 37:54 to complete the course. I think that’s the first time that I’ve run a race faster than Tom and it’s a rare occurrence for me to beat Marie.

A quick drink of cold water and I was off again, running a large lap of the park, to clock up another 3.2 miles, a total distance of 9.12 miles, in line with my training schedule. A hot shower and a hot cup of soup back at the Cartha club house warmed me up, in time to catch most of the prize giving ceremony. My 14th place was enough to earn me a bottle of Valvona & Crolla Prosecco, not at all bad for a £2 entry fee and a prize donation. Les did even better, as his predicted time was the closest to his actual time (six seconds out), he took a massive shield and a tin of chocolates back to sunny Ayrshire.

The results indicated that I was 17th across the line and 16th fastest on the day.  They also reveal that Kenny and Henry's estimated times were quicker than mine but they had been grouped together with me.  Kenny finished in 37:31 and Henry in 36:42.  Les completed the course in 33:21 and Liz in 40:01.  The fastest man was Gerry Montgomery in 32:53 and the fastest woman was Leslie Chisholm in 33:18.

Full Results

Steve Smythe's Advice on Hills

I had the opportunity to seek advice from running legend Steve Smythe on how best to manage hills in a race.  There's plenty of them in the Kirkintilloch 12.5k Race and one, around the ten mile mark, at the Alloa Half.

Qu.  On an undulating course is it better to slow down up hill and speed up down hill, or to maintain a constant pace?

Ans. I would usually go for equal effort, so the pace eases back up the hill and then you let the hill take you down at a quicker pace. Any additional effort up a hill has a consequence. Those who usually attack a hill can be overtaken later. Economy of effort is vital.

Thanks Steve!

Rescheduled West District XC Championships 2010 - 16 Jan 2011

I’ve never had the pleasure of participating in this prestigious event before and I couldn’t have run it on its original date of 4 December 2010. Although I wasn’t feeling great, I did have an 8-10mile training run scheduled. A 10k cross country, a warm-up and a warm-down, could be a good alternative. The race is also part of the Kilmarnock Harriers Championships, so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to run my 8th race in 16 days.

I headed down to the first school that Edgar Allen Poe had attended and then onto Irvine Moors, where the junior races were already underway. It was a great opportunity to meet so many running buddies before the start of the senior races. I warmed up during the Women’s event and supported as many runners that I could on their way around their two lap course.




Elspeth Leads from the Front -pic by Chris Upson

  Women’s Race
Early leader Elspeth Curran was the star of the day and increased her lead significantly as the race progressed. Her young Kilbarchan compatriot, Natalie Sharp, had a much better race than she had the week before, at Edinburgh, to finish second and first U20, with Christina Rankin just behind her in third place. (Decent performances by Leanne Hamilton and Hannah Waugh ensured that the Kilbarchan AAC team took Gold). Springburn’s Danielle Brown earned fourth spot, Beth Duff of East Kilbride took fifth and Kilmarnock’s Kara Tait, continued her excellent form to place sixth, ahead of Springburn’s Michele Sandison; Garscube’s Lesley Chisholm and CoG/Victoria Park’s Claire McCracken.

Top Ten
1 322 Elspeth Curran Kilbarchan AAC Sen 00:22:57
2 320 Natalie Sharp Kilbarchan AAC U-20 00:23:50
3 323 Christina Rankin Kilbarchan AAC Sen 00:23:58
4 363 Danielle Brown Springburn Harriers Sen 00:24:13
5 283 Beth Duff East Kilbride A.C. U-20 00:24:31
6 334 Kara Tait Kilmarnock H&AC Sen 00:24:46
7 359 Michelle Sandison Springburn Harriers Sen 00:24:53
8 292 Lesley Chisholm Garscube Harriers Sen 00:25:01
9 376 Claire McCracken VP-Glasgow AC Sen 00:25:02
10 355 Debbie Cox Shettleston Harriers Sen 00:25:07

Bernie leads Nat and Annmarie towards the Finish Line 

Race within a Race
There was a real tussle taken place further down the field where Kilmarnock’s Paula Wilson was battling against Bellahouston Harriers’ Suzanne Mcmahon, Bernie O’Neil and Erica Christie, Bella road Runner Claire Wharton; Clydesdale’s Kath Scott and Marina McCallum (who arrived just as the race started); and Troon’s Natalie Fleming, who seemed to be running the race of her life. The large group exchange positions a number of times during the race and finished:

26 271 Claire Wharton Bellahouston Road Runners Vet 00:27:41
27 257 Bernadette O'Neil Bellahouston Harriers Vet 00:27:42
28 370 Natalie Fleming Troon Tortoises AC Sen 00:27:43
29 1013 Annmarie McCaffrey Kirkintilloch Olympians Sen 00:27:51
30 1014 Clare Hughes Motherwell AC Sen 00:27:52
31 1009 Neah Evans Glasgow Univ H & H Sen 00:27:58
32 312 Erica Cromar Helensburgh AAC Vet 00:28:01
33 333 Paula Wilson Kilmarnock H&AC Vet 00:28:08
34 280 Kathryn Scott Clydesdale Harriers Vet 00:28:10
35 382 Sarah Potter VP-Glasgow AC U-20 00:28:18
36 282 Marina McCallum Clydesdale Harriers Sen 00:28:18
37 261 Suzanne McMahon Bellahouston Harriers Sen 00:28:21
38 368 Clare Gemmell Springburn Harriers Vet 00:28:22
39 287 Heather McIntosh Garscube Harriers Vet 00:28:26
40 258 Erica Christie Bellahouston Harriers Vet 00:28:33

Chris Upson's pics here.

Men’s Race
An intimidating one hundred and ninety two runners, including many of the country’s finest athletes, lined up for the start of the men’s race. I shook hands with a few buddies, made my way towards the back of the field and with almost no warning, the gun sounded and we were off. The men’s race was the same course as the women’s but rather than running it twice, we had the bonus of an additional lap, making the total distance 10k.

Chasing after Keith Gibb

It wasn’t long until the field had spread out and we settled down to running our own individual races. I was pleasantly surprised when my Garmin advised me that I had run the first kilometre in 4:20 and the second one in 4:22. The third one was a bit slower, at 4:34, but I, initially, put this down to the undulating course. However I soon realised that I was tired and lacking in motivation, despite the fantastic support I was receiving around the course. The fourth kilometre took me 4:42 and the fifth 4:40. When the sixth took me 4:53, I decided that I should get a grip. Despite believing that I was working harder the next kilometre still took me 4:48. I had been overtaken by a few runners that I would normally expect to beat, or at least put up a strong fight with, but I was still having a tussle with Bellahouston RR Keith Gibb (a decent runner who has completed the Glasgow parkrun in 20:18) and Westerland’s Peter Grassl (an unknown quantity). I was even more disappointed that the next kilometre took 4:49 and the penultimate one wasn’t much better at 4:44. I did raise my game for the last kilometre, catching Keith almost straight away and gaining ground on Peter. With about 200m to go I was snapping at the heels of Peter, however he heard the crowd roaring me on and sprinted towards the line, to finish six seconds ahead of me in 44:25. I was pleasantly surprised with my time of 44:31 (169th). Keith had responded well to the challenge and finished just two seconds behind of me. Giffnock North’s Martin Myant placed 173rd with a time of 44:57.

Elite Race
Up front the elite runners had battled it out with Inverclyde’s Craig Ruddy earning Gold, ahead of Shettleston’s Paul Sorrie and Lachlan Oates (first U20). Perhaps the most improved runner on display was Stuart Gibson who placed fourth and third senior. His excellent performance was the post-race ‘talk of the steamie’*, although it should have come as no surprise to readers of this blog. With strong performances from Jethro Lennox; Tewoldeberhan Mengisteab; Michael Deason and Matthew Sullivan, there was no surprise at Shettleston winning the Team prize.

Top Ten
Pos No Name Club M/F Cat Time
1 806 Craig Ruddy Inverclyde AC Sen 00:30:38
2 922 Paul Sorrie Shettleston Harriers Sen 00:30:48
3 935 Lachlan Oates Shettleston Harriers U-20 00:30:50
4 898 Stuart Gibson Ron Hill Cambuslang Harriers Sen 00:31:02
5 916 Jethro Lennox Shettleston Harriers Sen 00:31:17
6 827 David Millar Irvine AC Vet 00:31:19
7 971 David Vernon VP-Glasgow AC U-20 00:31:28
8 921 Tewoldeberhan Mengisteab Shettleston Harriers Sen 00:31:36
9 836 Robert Quinn Kilbarchan AAC Vet 00:31:41
10 929 Michael Deason Shettleston Harriers Sen 00:31:44

Kilmarnock Harriers
Iain Connell was the first Harrier home in 33rd position, followed by Scott Martin in 67th and Connell Drummond in 78th. A strong team performance saw Richard Skillen; Murray McDonald and Harald Bartl finishing one after the other, despite Murray having to recover from a fall.  I completed the team, finishing 169th.

33 Iain Connell Vet 00:33:42
67 Scott Martin Vet 00:36:16
78 Connell Drummond Sen 00:36:55
142 Richard Skillen Sen 00:41:29
143 Murray McDonald U-20 00:41:33
144 Harald Bartl Vet 00:41:34
169 Ian Goudie Vet 00:44:31

Full Results

Pics from Kenneth Phillips

Down Memory Lane
I popped into the Smugglers Inn, Stewarton on the way home and caught up with some old pals before heading back up to Glasgow.

*The 'steamie' was the name given to the communal wash-house that was common in urban Scotland in the 1950s. The phrase has survived into contemporary Scottish speech - when something is "the talk of the steamie" it's the talk of the town, the word on the street.

Glasgow parkrun # 105 - 15/01/2011

The first weekend of my ten week training plan but I couldn’t resist a race or two………


My Saturday schedule had me down to run 6-8miles at a steady pace with a few strides but as most people know:

Saturday is parkrun,
Never again to miss ’cos
Saturday is parkrun day!


So I headed off to Pollok Park for my last parkrun prior to my 14 week Saturday morning photography class. A return to milder weather meant that the event would be held on its traditional, two-lap, undulating road course. This was the first time I had run this course since 13th November, I had managed a course PB of 20:50 then but today I wouldn’t be PB chasing. Instead, after my warm up and exchange of pre-race and New Year greetings, I lined up in the wind and rain around the middle of some 261 runners to do a 'steady run'. Once again there was an amazing turnout for the Glasgow event and with 75 at Strathclyde and 183 at Edinburgh, there was a total of 519 parkrunners participating in Scotland, with the help of an army of volunteers.

I was a bit below par, having a touch of the cold last week and wakening with a fever in Saturday morning. However I kept to my plan of a ‘steady run’ although I was worried that I might inadvertently slow down in the latter part of the race. Therefore when I spotted, fellow 50 club member, Martin Myant ahead, I decided to increase the pace to catch him and maintain it to the line. I was a bit surprised to see that John Hagemeister was in sight as I did a few strides on the downhill section approaching the Finish. I finished three places behind John and seven places ahead of Martin in 48th spot, with a time of 22:19. An extended ‘warm down’ took my mileage for the day to 5.78.

It was great to see so many runners and volunteers in the Burrell Café after the event.

Winners
Men
In only his second outing at the event, Kilbarchan AC’s Chris Devenney won in a time of 16:40, with Galloway Harrier Ross Bark placing runner-up in 17:03 and a below par Chris Upson (Westerlands) earning third.

Women
Fusion Triathlon Club’s Kelly Van Der Toorn was the first woman over the line, finishing in a time of 19:31. Bella Road Runner Claire Wharton was runner-up with 20:40 and Bella Harrier Suzanne McMahon earning third with 21:04.


Kilmarnock Harriers
Galston’s David White place 15th (second M40-44) with 19:38; I placed 48th (third M50-54) with 22:19 and Ian Logan 166th with 29:22.

I'm Seeking a New PB at Alloa, Feel Free to Join Me.

New Year Targets
Although I’ve been ticking over during the festive season and getting in a number of races, I’ve not been following a training programme and I’ve been missing out on long runs. As a result, like most people I’ve been eating and drinking too much and have put on a few pounds. To address this I’ve decided, again, to moderate my drinking and to follow a structured training plan. After consideration, I’ve decided to attempt to get a PB at the Alloa Half Marathon (HaM) on Sunday 20 March. This allows me to follow a ten week training programme and have an achievable target to aim at. I weigh 13.5 stone at the moment but reckon that my weight should be about 12:10, so that’s another target I have. I’ve also decided to up my abs exercises to 100 sit ups per day and leg lifts, so look forward to seeing a slightly trimmer version of me in a month or so.


My HaM PB, achieved at Alloa last year, is 1:36:08 but I never had a great race. I was still tired from the very hilly Haweswater Half. All my times have improved since then, so I’m confident that, if my training goes to plan, I’ll be able to reduce my HaM PB significantly.

Plan
Here's my training schedule:
12/01/2011 Intervals 4 x 1200m (or 4 x 4mins), with 3-min recoveries. Warm down
13/01/2011 6M easy
14/01/2011 Rest or 3M jog
15/01/20116-8M steady, inc a few strides
16/01/2011 Long Run 8-10M easy
17/01/2011 Recovery Run 5M easy
18/01/2011 Hill Work 7M hilly run, working hard on the hills
19/01/2011 5M easy
20/01/2011 Intervals 6-7M, inc 8 x 1 min fast, 1 min slow in the middle
21/01/2011 Rest or 3M jog
22/01/2011 Tempo Warm up, then 5M fairly fast. Warm down
23/01/2011 Long Run 8-10M easy
24/01/2011 Recovery Run 6M easy
25/01/2011 6M fairly fast, then 1M easy
26/01/2011 Intervals 4 x 5 mins, with 4-min recovery jogs
27/01/2011 5M easy
28/01/2011 Rest or 3M jog
29/01/2011 8M, inc fast bursts
30/01/2011 10-11M steady
31/01/2011 Recovery Run 6M easy
01/02/2011 Hill Work 6-7M hilly run, with hard bursts up hills
02/02/2011 6M easy
03/02/2011 Intervals 6-7M, inc 10 x 1 min fast, 1 min slow, and 6 x 30 secs fast, 30 secs slow
04/02/2011 Rest or 3M jog
05/02/2011 Fartleks 1M jog, then 6M fairly fast, then 1M jog
06/02/2011 Long Run 10-12M slow
07/02/2011 Recovery Run 6M easy off-road
08/02/2011 Intervals Warm up, then 6-7M, inc 6 x 2 mins fast, 2 mins slow
09/02/2011 6M starting slow, finishing faster
10/02/2011 Intervals Intervals: 12 x 400m, with 90-sec recoveries
11/02/2011 Rest or 3M jog
12/02/2011 Fartleks Warm up, then 5M fairly fast. Warm down
13/02/2011 Fartleks 10M steady
14/02/2011 Recovery Run 6M easy
15/02/2011 Tempo 3 x 2M at threshold pace, with 6-min recoveries
16/02/2011 6M easy
17/02/2011 Fartleks 8M fartlek on grass, inc 20 x 30 secs (approx)
18/02/2011 Rest or 3M jog
19/02/2011 5M, no pressure
20/02/2011 Race Kirki 12.5k  (not flat-out)
21/02/2011 Recovery Run 5M easy, off-road
22/02/2011 Rest
23/02/2011 Race Pace 2M jog, then 5-6M at half-marathon pace, then 1M jog
24/02/2011  5M easy, inc 8 x 200m strides
25/02/2011 Rest or 3M jog
26/02/2011 Rest
27/02/2011 Race Warm up, then race 6-10M. Warm down
28/02/2011 Recovery Run 6M easy off-road
01/03/2011 Hill Work 7-8M, inc bursts up hills
02/03/2011 6M easy
03/03/2011 Intervals 6 x 1M with 3-min recoveries
04/03/2011 3M EASY jog
05/03/2011 Trail Run 5-6M on grass
06/03/2011 Long Run 14-15M slow
07/03/2011 Recovery Run 6M easy
08/03/2011 Tempo 3 x 2M at threshold pace, with 6-min recoveries
09/03/2011 6M easy
10/03/2011 Tempo 8M fartlek on grass, inc 20 x 30 secs (approx)
11/03/2011 3M jog
12/03/2011 5M, no pressure
13/03/2011 3M warm-up, then 5-6M race (not flat-out) or 13-15M steady
14/03/2011 Recovery Run 5M easy, off-road
15/03/2011 6-8M at a comfortable pace
16/03/2011 Intervals 2 x (8 x 200m) fast, on grass, with 1-min recoveries
17/03/2011 Fartleks 6M easy, inc 1M at race pace
18/03/2011 Rest or 3M jog
19/03/2011 General 4M easy, in race kit
20/03/2011 Race

Glasgow parkrun #104 - alternative report.

The cold weather and snow returned to the west of Scotland this weekend as predicted.  My fingers were frozen as I cycled in and out of work and my running training was restricted to the treadmill.  My legs were feeling tired when I awoke on Saturday and made my way along through the snow covered streets to Pollok Park for the Glasgow parkrun.  Today’s ranks were swelled by Bellahouston Road Runners who had included the day’s event as one of their Club Championship races and 132 runners lined up for the alternative, alternative, alternative course.  This is the route on the field adjacent to the Burrell Art Gallery and Museum, which includes ten runs up the hill to the wooden gazebo.  In fact that route which has been used three times recently was slightly changed as the organisers decided that it would be better to run down the path/road rather than the trail through the woods.  Which I guess made the course the alternative, alternative, alternative, alternative one.  I had decided to wear my spikes but I wasn’t sure how they would cope with the path/road section.  I had also made up my mind that I wasn’t going to risk getting injured and would take this race easier than the other eight which I had ran recently.  

Slow Start - pic by D Glendinning

After exchanging Ne’er Day greetings with friends and running buddies, including Giffnock North’s Maureen McVey who had also won a prize at the recent Cambuslang races, I warmed up and made my way to the Start line.  I started further back in the field than usual and when we set off at 9:33am, I ascended the hill at a controlled (aka slow) pace.  By the time I had reached the gazebo, for the first time, I was already way down the pack.  I made my way along the ridge and as I started the downhill stage, I noticed Luke Traynor speeding up the hill.  Even at this stage he had a decent lead over the other elite runners.  Down the hill I ran, around Robert McEwan marshalling, and back up again receiving support from marshal Graeme Aitken on my way.  It was then past the gazebo and marshal Alan Dempster encouraged me through the woods and a quick right down the road. The spikes seemed ok, though I made an attempt to keep to the thicker snow.   A sharp right over an icy section and another right took us to the end of the first of five laps.  A pace of 5:11 was acceptable enough for me.  Warm cheers from the frozen time keepers, other volunteers and supporters encouraged us as we started lap two.  I could see that Luke had created a significant lead by this time and was pleased to negotiate lap two, in 5:03, without being lapped by him. 

I had spied Maureen ahead, running well, as I ran down the road section.  I managed to catch her on the uphill section but she caught me on the ridge and forged a gap between us on the next downhill section.  Luke lapped me just after the half way stage and I kept plodding along, completing my third lap in 5:05.  Niall McAlinden lapped me and then a bit later Greig Glendinning, quickly followed by Chris Upson.  Despite his personal battle with Chris, Greig took the time to say “Good running, Ian” as he passed me, to which I replied “Great running, Greig”.   

I couldn’t remember how many laps I had completed and was pleasantly surprised when Garmin indicated Lap 4, rather than Lap 3.  My penultimate kilometre had taken 5:10 and I increased my pace a bit for the final lap.  I was more than a little surprised when I reached the road/path section to see that Maureen was in sight.  There were a few runners in between us and I caught them as I sprinted down the hill.  I caught Maureen at the icy bend and raced across the line to finish the final lap in 4:46. I finished two seconds ahead of Maureen , with a time of  25:15.  Not a great time but a decent enough performance given that it was my ninth race in a fortnight.

Fast Finish - pic by C Upson

Winners

Luke won by over a minute, finishing in a brilliant time of 18:04, with Niall runner up in 19:12. Greig placed third in a time of 19:41, with Chris three seconds behind.

Toni McIntosh won the women's race in a time of 21:54, ahead of Bella RR's Jane Simpson (23:14) and Claire Wharton (23:41).

I then warmed down with Toni before heading to a surprisingly quiet Burrell Cafe for coffee and scone and a delightful view of Stuart McBeath doing a freedom run around the course.

Results

Lenzie Jog - First Adult!

The results are now in for the Lenzie Jogs and I'm chuffed to have finished as first adult and seventh overall in the 2.5mile race.

Once again thanks to all the hard work of the organisers and congratulations to the youngsters that beat me.

First Adult!

Full Results:
1 149 Jonathan Graham 00:15:10
2 114 Gavin Alexander 00:15:20
3 113 Callum Heirs 00:16:07
4 106 Jack McCabe 00:17:21
5 130 Aidan Kane 00:17:39
6 108 Kieran Pugh 00:17:56
7 146 Ian Goudie 00:18:05
8 124 Robert Young 00:18:31
9 148 Justin Hogg 00:18:33
10 109 Perri McCluskey 00:18:35
11 147 Elaine Hogg 00:18:40
12 104 Graeme Aitken 00:18:42
13 102 Callum Dewar 00:18:49
14 100 Cameron Mack 00:18:55
15 132 Kathleen McWhirter 00:19:54
16 110 Iain Boyce 00:19:58
17 191 Ewan McBride 00:20:11
18 123 Frank Thom 00:20:37
19 103 Billy Dick 00:21:00
20 194 Scott Mathieson 00:21:01
21 143 Robert Frame 00:21:04
22 107 Laura Keay 00:21:21
23 285 Ken MacEwen 00:21:55
24 187 Marke Cooke 00:22:06
25 159 David Sanderson 00:22:26
26 125 Cathy MacNab 00:22:29
27 126 Grant Burns 00:22:30
28 153 Gavin Gibson 00:22:30
29 365 Rose Strachan 00:23:15
30 133 Lauren Davidson 00:23:32
31 181 Katriona Weldon 00:24:25
32 172 Elizabeth Hood 00:24:44
33 267 Karen Connal 00:24:57
34 171 Jim Reid 00:25:07
35 189 Jill Hamilton 00:25:34
36 105 Gillian McCabe 00:25:34
37 127 Arlene Campbell 00:25:39
38 129 Lynn Elliott 00:25:40
39 140 Ben Street 00:25:43
40 196 Amy McBride 00:25:46
41 136 Paul Winning 00:26:04
42 160 Margaret Reid 00:26:24
43 131 Charlotte Wallce 00:26:27
44 128 Jennifer Watson 00:26:40
45 137 Linda Winning 00:26:42
46 198 Christine Pacione 00:26:51
47 294 Ann Lindsay 00:27:06
48 119 Gina Lightbody 00:27:26
49 116 Carolyn Michie 00:27:27
50 135 Sarah Ireland 00:27:27
51 142 Imran Ali 00:28:06
52 139 Andrea De Jong 00:28:10
53 141 Louise Ali 00:28:11
54 101 Mary Nicola 00:37:40

All Results and Photos

Me Run? Get on your Bike!

New Year - New Bike

I usually run, if not race six days, a week so this was my first 'rest' day of 2011.  I headed into Tiso for the sales but there was nothing there that caught my eye, so I popped around the corner to Dales Cycles, where I bumped into Chris Upson and Ellie Homewood on the hunt for a new bike for Ellie.

I've been looking for another bike for a long time now.  The one I have is ok for the short commute to work but isn't much good for longer distances.  They didn't have my initial choice in my size, so I had a look at the Specialized Sirrus Elite.  The manufacturer's blurb states:

 Fun can be serious work. The reasons you might ride will vary: could be an "easy" Saturday ride with friends, a 6:00 a.m. commute to work, even a 600-mile, week-long charity ride. Regardless of why you're throwing a leg over a bike, you need one capable, comfortable machine that covers all the bases with efficiency and ease. The Sirrus is just that: a lightweight, head's-up road ride that helps you beat car-trapped commuters home with a measure of safety on the weekdays, yet is still light and efficient enough for a long spin on the weekend. 

Independent reviews looked good and the Sale price was cheaper than anything I could find on the internet, so I bought it there and then.  I cycled 2010km last year, I don't know how many I'll cycle this year but I'm looking forward to getting out on my new bike soon.

Lenzie Jog on the Ice

I decided that as I had a planned 20min recovery run after yesterday’s race to take in the Lenzie Jog 2.5 mile course.   Although the Kirkintilloch Olympians’ web site was inaccessible I did notice that some photos had been posted on Facebook showing some of their members clearing away some of the ice on the course and presumed that the race would be on.  I looked at my trail shoes and headed out along the M80 to Lenzie and was redirected to a local church hall, which would act as this year’s race HQ.

There were three races being staged: a 2k family run; the 2.5mile run and the 5mile run, which was twice around the 2.5mile circuit.  I met up with a few of the Kirkies as well as Giuseppe and Graeme Aitken.  Both Graeme and I had plumped for the one lap event.  Race Director, Robert Rogerson gave his usual efficient pre race instructions and warned us that despite some volunteers given up fours yesterday and some more time this morning, there was still a bit of the course which was very icy and could only be traversed on the part which had been gritted.  We gave the volunteers a round of applause and set off at 11am.  I started nice and slowly and tucked in behind Christopher Craig for a short while, until he got into his race mode and left me way behind.  Around the houses we ran, avoiding the remaining patches of ice on the road.  I was quite comfortable with my pace until I noticed Graeme on my shoulder and decided to increase my speed enough to keep him at bay.

Almost There.....

Annmarie then marshalled us onto the icy path and we adopted single file.  There were a couple of youngsters in front of me and a guy enthusiastically coaching his nephew behind me.  At the end of the path, I managed to overtake the two youngsters and chased after a bald guy in front.  He seemed to know where he was going, so I was happy let him lead.  Around the new Health Centre we ran and then across a park to a road, where I could see other runners making their way towards us. For a moment I thought that these runners were in front of us and that there was a turning point ahead.  However the chap in front veered left and I followed him.  Eventually we made our way back to the icy path.  By now I was right on his tail.  Annmarie gave me a shout of encouragement and as soon as we left the path I overtook him.  There was a Kirkintilloch youngster a good bit in front and I realised that I would need to close the gap on him pretty quickly if I was to follow his lead.  I succeeded and then recognised the hills which form the last section of the course.  I ran up past Karen Craig who was taken photos and then turned right onto the main road before a sharp right took me down the side of the local hall and over the Finish line.  I had completed the course in 18:05 and my splits were: 4:22; 4:42; 4:38 and 4:23.  Given the underfoot conditions and the 100ft climb at the end, I was happy with my run, I had bagged another PB although once again my plan to take it easy was thwarted.

Superlatives aren’t enough to express my gratitude to the Kirkintilloch Olympians and the hard work that they put in to ensure that the races took place.

Unexpected PB at Beith - Report and Full Results

After running three races on Ne’er Day the thought of running another one the next day was far from appealing.  However Kilmarnock Harriers include the Beith Harriers 4.8 mile run in their Winter Championship, which I want to complete.  I ran the race five years ago and hated it. It’s on par with the Clydesdale 5k races which compete with it to be the most un-aesthetic race in the country.  Furthermore the Beith Race is not three times around an uninspiring business park but FOUR times, such a shame when there is so much outstanding beauty in the surrounding Ayrshire countryside.  The saving grace for the Clydebank races is that they are held on a flat and fast course, the same cannot be said about Beith, where the course is both rolling and testing.

I met up with a lot of friends and running buddies and warmed up as a number of Junior Races took place.   The Seniors Race commenced at 12:12 and some 50 of us set off and headed around the bland course.  My plan was to take it easy but try to maximise my championship points by beating fellow Killie Harrier Brian Darroch.  I contained my usual mad dash at the outset and instead tucked myself in behind Paula Wilson, who tends to have a more controlled start.  My legs were feeling a bit stiff and tired and I soon dropped behind Paula and into a more comfortable pace.  The first kilometre took 4:18 and as I glanced at my Garmin, Troon’s Natalie Fleming appeared on my shoulder and said “Hello, it’s me again”.  She stayed right on my shoulder as I set the pace throughout the race.  The incline slowed us slightly and the second kilometre took 4:27, however we over took Beith’s Ian Anderson and I was happy with the pace.  I felt as if we were working hard but not over doing it.   

The third kilometre took us 4:19 and we were receiving a lot of support from the onlookers as we ran around shoulder to shoulder.  The next, hillier, kilometre took 4:31 and the fifth one 4:22.  I could see Paula ahead and Eric Baxter in between us.  I was confident that our pace would be good enough to catch Eric but I was a bit surprised to catch him before we completed the third lap.  However he was not for giving in easy and I had to work hard to build a gap between us.  I had thought that my increased pace would be enough to get away from Natalie but she is becoming a bit of a bonny fechter.  However I attacked the first hill and could no longer hear her behind me. There was still a good bit to go and I concentrated in trying to close the gap on Paula ahead, rather than worrying about Natalie behind me.  I ran the next kilometre in 4:02 and completed the race in a total time of 32:17.  I was 14 seconds behind of Paula but only one second ahead of Natalie.

We then congratulated each other and cheered the other runners home before a quick warm down took me back to Garnock Rugby Club for some hot soup, sandwiches and cake.  In between post race banter with, amongst others Clare Whitehead who had won the women’s race today and the Glasgow parkrun the day before, I noticed the previous race results posted on the wall.  These revealed that I had taken 32:56 on my only previous outing in 2006.  An improvement of some 36 seconds, I have to be happy with that!

Men’s Race

Inverclyde pair, Chris Mackay and Craig Ruddy overtook Cambuslang’s Stuart Gibson in the last kilometer to place first and second consecutively with times of 22:43:and 22:49.  Stuart collected bronze with 22.55. Luke Traynor (Giffnock Harriers) placed first junior (fifth overall) in 23.51.  Kilmarnock’s Iain Connell  was first MV35+ in 24.50 with Hugh Laverty of Clydesdale Harriers first MV45+ in 31.24.

Women’s Race

In the Women’s Race Deeside’s Clare Whitehead exchanged her usual scenic hill races for the rolling hills of a North Ayrshire business park to place first in a time of 28:10.  Kilmarnock’s Kara Tait earned the runner-up prize with a time of 28:25, with Nynke Mulholland of Kilbarchan AAC placing third in 30.27.  It was good to see Paula Wilson picking up first women’s vet (35+) prize and Moira Nichol first women’s super vet (45+) prizes, with respective times of 32:03 and 36:04.

Vote of Thanks

As ever, huge thanks to everyone concerned in given up there time to organise the races, ensure that they ran smoothly and for providing an excellent post race spread. It really is much appreciated.

Photos by Kenny Phillips

Results:

Place  No                Name                             Athletics Club                       Time          Category:

1         332             Chris Mackay                     Inverclyde AC                      22.43          Senior Man 
2         345             Craig Ruddy                      Inverclyde AC                      22.49          Senior Man
3         350             Stuart Gibson                     Cambuslang Harriers            22.55          Senior Man
4         330             Mark Pollard                      Inverclyde AC                      23.47          Senior Man
5         364             Luke Traynor                     Giffnock Harriers                  23.51          Junior Man
6         328             Andrew Dearie                   Shettleston                          24.35          Junior Man
7         320             Lee Wilson                        NAAC                                 24.44          Junior Man
8         341             Iain Connell                       Kilmarnock Harriers              24.5            Male Vet 35+
9         340             Alex Allardyce                    Irvine AC                             24.52          Male Vet 35+
10       322             Andy McGhee                    Strathclyde Police AC            25.47          Senior Man
11       333             Pat Cullinane                     Irvine AC                             25.51          Senior Man
12       339             Greig Glendinning              Bellahouston RR               26.21          Senior Man

13       342             Scott Martin                       Kilmarnock Harriers              26.33          Male Vet 35+ 
14       358             Graham Evans                   Kilbarchan                          27.04          Junior Man
15       354             William Richardson             Irvine AC                             27.11          Male Vet 35+
16       353             Connell Drummond            Kilmarnock Harriers              27.13          Male Vet 35+
17       359             Steven Campbell                Greenock Glenpark               27.24          Male Vet 35+
18       327             James Wales                     Kilmarnock Harriers              27.28          Junior Man
19       317             Paul Kilby                                                                   27.35          Senior Man
20       343             Clare Whitehead                Deeside Runners                 28.1            Senior Woman
21       321             Kara Tait                           Kilmarnock Harriers              28.25          Senior Woman
22       319             Scott McKendrick                NAAC                                 29.41          Male Vet 35+
23       325             Andrew Jeske                    Jammys                             30.12          Male Vet 35+
24       331             Nynke Mulholland               Kilbarchan AAC                 30.27          Senior Woman
25       335             Emma Baxter                     Greenock Glenpark             30.58     Senior Woman

26       352             Hugh Laverty                     Clydesdale Harriers              31.24          Male Vet 45+

27       357             Kenneth Pryde                   Glenpark                             31.27          Male Vet 35+

28       351             Murray McDonald               Kilmarnock Harriers              31.44          Junior Man

29       347             Tom Gillespie                                                             31.49          Male Vet 45+

30       348             Paula Wilson                   Kilmarnock Harriers              32.03          Female Vet 35+

31       356             Ian Goudie                        Kilmarnock                          32.17          Male Vet 45+

32       338             Natalie Fleming                Troon Tortoises                    32.18          Senior Woman

33       334             Eric Baxter                                                                  32.44          Male Vet 55+

34       323             John Smith                        Jammys                             33.5            Male Vet 45+

35       349             Elizabeth McDerment        Kilmarnock                        34.07          Female Vet 35+

36       355             Brian Darroch                    Kilmarnock Harriers              34.34          Male Vet 35+

37       344             Ian Devoy                          Strathaven                          35.03          Male Vet 45+

38       326             Ken Wales                         Kilmarnock Harriers            35.05          Male Vet 35+

39       346             Andrew Scott                     Motherwell                          35.15          Male Vet 35+

40       361             Iain Anderson                    Beith                                  35.5            Male Vet 35+

41       324             Moira Nicol                        Jammys                            36.04          Female Vet 45+

42       318             George Young                    Maryhill Harriers                 36.57          Senior Man

43       336             Hazel McFarlane                Troon Tortoises                  37.06          Female Vet 35+

44       337             Anne Noble                       Troon Tortoises                   37.06          Female Vet 45+

45       363             Susan Clark                       Glenpark Harriers               40.34          Female Vet 35+

46       316             Sam Cathcart                                                             40.47          Male Vet 55+

47       362             William Drysdale                Law & Dist AAC                 47.31          Male Vet 55+

48       329             David Kerr                         Irvine AC                             50.50            Male Vet 55+

000      365             Robert Harkness                                                          DNF            Male Vet 45+

000      360             Les Hill                             Dumfries Running Club         DNF            Male Vet 45+