Sad Sweet Dreamer

One look at the weather forecast for Saturday 28 May, predicting heavy rain and gale force winds, was enough for me to cancel my plans to drive to Edinburgh and run in my first ever 5000m track race. Instead I went for the easy option and decided to run my 95th 5k instead.



Going through the motions......pic by Scott.Rutherford

I joined with 336 other participants, including fellow Kilmarnock Harrier William Duffy, in a tree strewn Pollok Park. Well done to the Park Staff for managing to clear the paths in time for the event after the strong winds of last week had taken their toll. At 9:32 we were on our way heading downhill alongside the Burrell Car Park. I had warmed up and stretched well in preparation for my race, however after about 300m, I could tell it just wasn’t going to be my day. I felt shattered and legs felt tired, I actually felt like quitting and given myself a rest. However I reminded myself that it’s only a 5k and kept plodding away. I was surprised when Garmin indicated 4:16 for the first kilometre, as I felt that I was running much slower. There were one or two weel kent faces not too far in front, including Martin Myant, so I must have been doing OK. However as the race progressed the gap increased and I found myself struggling a bit.

Garmin revealed that my 3rd k had taken 4:45 and, although I know it’s inaccurate in the woods, it was enough to give me some incentive to increase the pace. Martin was a good bit in front and about nine places ahead. I set myself the target of decreasing the number of runners between us. By the time that we were hurling ourselves down the final strait, I was just one place behind him. However a youngster, Lewis Ramage, appeared from nowhere and sprinted past me at an unbelievable speed.


Martin placed 72nd with a time of 22:03, Lewis was 73rd in 22:04 and I was 74th in 22:06. Willie Duff had placed 59th in 20:21.


It was far from my worst time but I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy it. I guess we all get off days, this was definitely one of mine.  It's just one of those things that you put down to eperience.


Results

Photos

The Times They Are A-Changin'

The Land o’ Burns 10k Results have been published and they reveal the result that I was hoping for.  The race finished with runners being funnelled down beside the time keepers.  I wasn’t quite sure where the Finish line was and stopped my watch a little late.  I didn’t run the Ayr race in 43:00, as initially Blogged, but in a time of 42:59!  I ken it’s only one second less but it’s a vital second as it takes me below the 10k road race 43min barrier for only the second time ever.  The results also show that I placed a respectable 35th out of 158 finishers.

Bob Dylan who recently marked his 70^th birthday and penned The Times They Are A-Changing named Robert Burns, whose birthplace the race passes, as his biggest inspiration.  

Race Results

Photos

I Couldn't Resist Clydebank

Although I had pre-entered the Polaroid Series Clydebank 10k, I hadn’t actually decided if I would run it or not. My legs were still tired from Sunday and Wednesday and I have the Masters 5000m race on Saturday. At 6pm I had decided not to run it but at 6:15 I was heading out the door and Clydebank bound. I realised that with my racing, I hadn’t had any time for training this week. I planned to rest on Friday ahead of Saturday’s race, which meant Thursday evening would be my last chance for a training session. I might as well combine it with the Polaroid Series race, I thought.

I chose to leave my Heart Rate Monitor at home and to wear training shoes and vest, rather than my racing shoes and club vest, to keep my mind in training mode. I met up with loads of running buddies at the Playdrome before heading out for a warm up with the Motherwell Belles. After a few stretches I made my way, further back than normal, into the assembled 1,000, or so, runners. After, what seemed like an eternity, we were off and running down behind the town’s shopping centre. Well I say running, it actually took me 23 seconds to reach the Start line and even then the assembled masses were walking. We did get a wee chance to run before we turned left and into the first bottle neck, there was another one at the bollards a little further ahead and we had to wait until 0.3k before we could run unimpeded. Of course it didn’t bother me in the slightest as I was just out for a run.

Smile When You're Running

My first kilometre took me 4:46 and I was happy enough running at that pace. Unlike the night before it was a warm dry night and I took advantage of the water station to have a little drink before pouring the rest of the water over my head. I was enjoying my run and taking the time to encourage other runners and thank the marshals. The first 9k took me 42:19, an average pace of 4:42.

I decided to up the pace a bit for the final kilometre and was surprised to find myself overtaking, amongst others, Fiona Ramsay who had finished so well at Helensburgh only last week. The final kilometre took me 3:59 – that will explain why I felt so tired at the finish- giving me a Chip Time of 46:18 and a Gun Time of 46:41. I placed 334 out of 815 finishers.  This was my fifth time running this race and it wasn’t my slowest, so all and all a decent training run. I’m glad that I decided to do it.

Too Fast to Photo at the Finish !

Once again thanks to all concerned: organisers; marshals; photographers; supporters and most of all my fellow runners. It really is great to be a part of the Scottish running community.

Results

Photos by Kenny Phillips and Gerry Gallacher

The Watter Came Doon in Auld Ayr

Summer Running in Ayr

My ancestors invaded Ayrshire around the Twelfth Century, when the Vikings with their golden locks arrived. The locals soon referred to them as the ‘Goldies’, or in Scots the ‘Goudies’. In the 1840s the Irish immigrated to the County in large numbers and some fifty years ago, Glaswegians regularly invaded the Ayrshire Coast on their annual pilgrim ‘doon the watter’. However it was the good people of East Kilbride who swarmed to Auld Ayr on Wednesday 25 May, to take part in the second Land o’ Burns 10k Road Race. Some 20 runners, wearing the distinctive black and yellow stripes of Calderglen Harriers, lined up menacingly at the Start of the race. They joined with the rest of us as the bagpipes shrilled, the wind blew and the rain pelted down upon us.  Or as Rabbie penned:

The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last;
The rattling showers rose on the blast;
The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd
Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bellow'd:
That night, a child might understand,
The Deil had business on his hand.

At 7:29 the local Provost, Winifred Sloan, set us on our way, northwards along Seafield Drive. About half a kilometre along we turned left into Seafield Road and I could see that Kerry-Liam Wilson was already out on his own at the front of the race. Another left turn and we were now parallel to the Start line and running southwards, into the wind, along Church Road. The sea was on our right hand side but I didn’t even notice it as I concentrated on keeping Kilmarnock Harrier Paula Wilson in sight. I was surprised when Calderglen’s Julie Beveridge stormed ahead of both of us.

Ayr’s running legend Toni McIntosh shouted encouragement from the pavement as I completed the first kilometre in a time of 4:04. I was some 18 seconds faster than last week at Helensburgh but I knew that the Ayr course had a faster start. The second kilometre took us to the end of Church Road, up and over a pedestrian bridge and along Castle Walk. The wind was having an effect on me, my pace dropped to 4:32 and Paula was already a good bit in front. We ran around a field and onto Greenan Road as the course took us around the Doonfoot housing estate. A well wrapped up Lynsey Cooper, shouted words of encouragement as she directed us down Greenan Way, where a left turn took us onto Abbots Way. The third kilometre had taken me 4:25 and Paula was, just about, still in sight. The kilometre markers were not coinciding with my Garmin, so I decided to ignore them.

We turned down rightwards onto Earls Way and Killie’s Matt Ferguson ‘Toast’ was on my shoulder. I increased the pace a bit and managed to hold him off, before turning left onto Dunure Road. The 4th K had taken me 4:31. Another left turn and we were on Scaur o’ Doon Road and heading back towards the seafront. Yet another left, took us back onto Greenan Road, a sharp right took us onto Earls Way and another one back onto Castle Walk. The 5th K had taken 4:17, a 5k time of 21:49. However, as usual, I was confident of a negative split.

Back over the pedestrian bridge and a sharp right took us along the path beside the Doon River. A couple of sharp left turns and we were running along Cunning Park Drive, where a right turn took us onto Gearholm Road, where I managed to catch Julie Beveridge, before turning right, back onto Dunure Road. The 6th K had taken 4:22. I had a Girvan runner in my sights as we ran southwards before turning left and uphill, along Greenfield Avenue. I overtook him but he came back well. There was a big gap between him and the next runner, so I decided to sit in behind him, as we ran up along the narrow pavement. The 7th K had taken 4:36. A car went past and Lynsey, I think, shouted my name. I’m sure the Girvan runner was slowing, so I decided to make my break as we reached Burns Cottage. I passed him as we turned left onto Alloway Street but the 8th K had taken me 4:42.

I was now 53 seconds behind my Helensburgh 8k time!

I was running on my own now and decided that I would try a new tactic. I started to count 1 to 10 repeatedly and concentrated on this. A left turn took me onto Chapelpark Road. Although the 9th K took me 4:03, my fastest kilometre of the evening, I could hear footsteps behind me. I successfully negotiated the steps into the park and turned a sharp right. Race winner, Kerry-Liam Wilson, shouted me on. A sharp left turn and I looked up to see the Finish line but it wasn’t there! They had moved it since last year and I had another length of the park to run. I was tired but there was no way I was going to let anyone pass me at this stage. I was determined and, as Killie Captain Les McDerment complimented me on my effort, I gave it my all and crossed the line in a time of 43:00 (tbc), a final kilometre of 3:28!   I had made up the 53 seconds in the last 2k.

Coming Home - pics by Kenny Phillips

I must admit that I wasn't looking forward to the race but I suspected that I would be fine when it got underway.  I felt really good running along on my own for the last 2k, now if only I could keep up that pace for 10k.

With no chip timing, Ayr is a Gun Time race.  My Gun Times were: Troon 43:35; Helensburgh 43:20; Ayr 43:00?   My time last year had been 45:11.


Official Results to follow

Thanks
Huge thanks to all that turned out on such a night to make the event another success.  I felt a bit sorry for the organisers, marshals, photographers and supporters as the weather was much better for runners than spectators.

2-4-6-8-10-12-14 Motorway

I ran my 25th and strangest race of the year on Sunday, the M74 Bike ‘n’ Hike. The forecast had been for strong winds and heavy rain and it was to prove accurate as I huddled with Bellahouston Harriers and other runners in the shelter of Shields Road Underground Station. A number of us were dressed in black bin liners, in order to keep the elements at bay until the race started. We then made our way along the road and joined in with the assembled masses for the pre-race warm up, however although most people initially joined in with the disco inspired exercises, it wasn’t too long until the in climate weather had dampened their initial enthusiasm. We disrobed ourselves of our bin liners and other outer garments in preparation for the race, only to discover that we had a long, uphill, walk, along the access road to another warm up stage at the start of the motorway. Finally at 9:49am, almost 20mins late, we were set on our way, running eastwards, along the M74 Completion Route. Two doyens of the West of Scotland running scene, Super-veterans Gerry Montgomery and Robert Rogerson lined up on the Start line. I wished the two of them well and made my way back a little, taking my place amongst the thousands of other runners.

I had decided that I would treat the event as a Tempo run and wasn’t too disappointed to run the first kilometre in a time of 4:42. A little later on, I was surprised to discover that as well as K markers, the organisers had also provided 1/2K ones as well. I’m not sure that was a good idea or not. Anyway I counted the K and the 1/2K markers along the undulating route, over the Gorbals, Polmadie and Rutherglen we ran before crossing the Clyde and turning around just before the new road joined the existing M74 at Carmyle.

As soon as I turned, I could feel the energy zapping, headwind blowing into my face. However I kept to my pace and focussed on Andrew Hardman, who had stopped at the half way point to take some photographs. He’s a decent runner and as I kept him in sight, I found myself overtaking many of those that had passed me in the first half.

I found myself smiling as I approached the 9½K marker, knowing that I would normally be running flat out at this stage. My leg muscles were feeling the effect of the undulating course and the headwind but I was feeling strong and continued to overtake other runners. As we retuned to the Start line, the course got a bit busy, with walkers oblivious to the runners in the lane that they had spilled into. To be fair, there weren’t that many of us at this stage and we were well spread out. I successfully weaved my way through them and the road once again became eerily quiet as I neared the end. I increased the pace as the route headed down hill towards Scotland Street and then all of a sudden the race was finished. I couldn’t see any Finish line, or even a 14k marker. There was no-one taking a note of your running number or recording your time. However I did see people in Hi Viz vests handing out Certificates of Completion and I accepted mine slightly bemused and disappointed. A girl behind me asked “is this it?” I couldn’t see any water or bananas or anything else for that matter being handed out and decided that it would be best to get back to my car, for my post race drink and some warm dry clothes, pick up the papers and head home for a well deserved brunch.


Result
Garmin revealed that I had completed the course in a time of 1:04:30, an average pace of 4:37, and that my Heart Rate had averaged 148 but for whatever reason I was shattered, my legs muscles were aching and my body needed to sleep, so I spent much of the rest of the day in bed. Hopefully the experience will have been a worthwhile one and I’ll get the benefit at forthcoming races. I’m glad I ran it, it was a unique experience although it lacked something special at the end, or even a Finish line.

Tom Robinson 2-4-6-8 Motorway

Land o' Burns 10k 2010

I hope to be running the Land o' Burns 10k on Wednesday, here's a wee reminder of the course and how I performed last year.


Land o' Burns 10k by ian9657 at Garmin Connect - Details

proportion

proportion
Originally uploaded by Heilster Hieroglyphics

my runner's touring caravan

Glasgow parkrun. One, Two, Three!

After having ran four races last week and having the 14k M74run on Sunday morning to look forward to, followed by the Kilmarnock HarriersChampionship Race – the Land O’ Burns 10k on Wednesday and the Clydebank 10k on Thursday, I decided to run but not race the 123^rd Glasgow parkrun on Saturday morning.

I had a quick look into the assembled 366 other runners, to see if I recognised anyone who may appreciate a pacer before taking my place.  I couldn’t see anyone who fitted the bill, so instead I decided that I would start off as usual before slowing down and then speeding up for the final kilometre.

I ran the first kilometre in 4:16 and then settled down to average 4:37 for the next 3k. I increased the pace as I turned left at the Glade and completed the last kilometre in 4:09.  Richard Leyton was one of a number that I overtook as I stepped up a gear but fair play to the man behind the Glasgow parkrun, as he came back in the final strait to pip me just before the line.  However I was happy with my run and my time of 22:15.

After a warm down it was back to the Burrell for the post race coffee and chat.  My table also ‘volunteered’ to sort the 367 tokens back into numerical order.  One of the many vital activities which usually go unnoticed in the background but all help ensure that the event runs smoothly on the day and remains the success that it has undoubtedly become.

Full Results

Helensburgh 10k

After running three races at the weekend, I had a 3mile recovery run on Monday, an interval training session on Tuesday and then confined myself to my usual bike commute to and fro work on Wednesday and Thursday, replacing my training with 30mins meditation. I managed a quick nap, drank 500ml of water and headed of to Helensburgh for the first 10k race in the Polaroid Series. This is a special year for the series as it is its 25th Anniversary and as well as the individual race goody bags and medals, all of those that enter all four races receive: a 20% discount; a free pair of specially commissioned commemorative 25th Anniversary Polaroid sports sunglasses; and a moisture wicking technical performance t-shirt. Not a bad deal, costing only £36 for Scottish Athletic members, like me.

I was living in Edinburgh and playing rugby when the Polaroid Race Series commenced. However I was through in Glasgow and running in 2001, when the present four race series format was adopted and I’ve probably participated as much as anyone. In fact, my records show, that in 2000 I ran in both the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven 10ks and completed all four, in the first year of the new format, in 2001.


Polaroid Race Series
My Series times, ten years ago where as follows:

Helensburgh 48:48
Clydebank 46:16
Dumbarton 44:14
Vale of Leven 48:14


Helensburgh
My Helensburgh times over the years have been:

2001 48:48
2002 44:20
2003 47:39
2004 47:39 (consistent!)
2005 47:38
2006 I was out for over a year with Chronic Fatigue
2009 44:21


Quality and Quantity
This year’s 25th Anniversary also coincided with the Helensburgh Race being part of the Stewart’s Grand Prix and the West District Championship, these factors as well as prizes for the first ten male and female finishers, veteran and super veteran category winners and a number of spot prizes ensured a large and high quality turnout for the event.


Race Report
After much chatting and a decent warm up and stretch, I lined up with almost 1,000 (the race limit) other runners outside of Hermitage Academy. It was a breezy night and the sky was darkened by the clouds as I found a space quite far from the front. It took me 20seconds to cross the Start line, after the gun, and even then we were barely more than walking. The first kilometre was congested and not fast as we zigzagged our way along the crooked course. In the first kilometre we turned right, off of the A814 and up towards the old school, a further right took us along Kenilworth Avenue, a left up Drumfork Road and around the back of the old school. Garmin revealed that it had taken me 4:24. The route straightened out and the road widened to become Redgauntlet Road, as I passed by a group or runners, including Jim McMillan, Bobby Young and Iain Burke, around the one mile point. Soon after this Garmin revealed that I had run the second lap in 4:06. The road’s name changed to Kings Street East but the route remained straight and fairly flat for the next kilometre, which took 4:18. A bit further on, cheered by the local crowds, we turned up to our left and along Sinclair Street, for the only real hill of the course. I overtook a few runners on the hill before turning left onto West Montrose Street, I was feeling OK but Garmin revealed that my pace had slowed to 4:26. I caught up with Fusion Triathlon’s Fiona Ramsay and overtook her but she wasn’t for giving in easy and it wasn’t long until she was on my shoulder. I held her off for as long as possible but she eventually overtook me. That’s the way the race continued with us spending a good part running shoulder to shoulder or just in front or behind of each other. I was doing my usual trick of concentrating on someone in the distance, in this case Mark McGoldrick. The fifth kilometre had taken us 4:22 and my 5k time was 21:29. I usually run a negative split and knew that if I kept up my pace I would finish with a sub 43.

However as we reached the sea front and turned left, along Gareloch Road, we were met with a strong wind blowing right into our faces. Pic The sixth kilometre took us 4:22. We got some respite as we turned left onto Cairndhu Avenue and then right back onto West King Street. Kilometre seven had also taken us 4:22 and we were back on a long straight, flat section. I could still see Mark ahead, as myself and Fiona continued our game of leapfrog. The eighth kilometre had taken us 4:18 and the ninth one 4:19. The tenth kilometre took us right, down Talisman Crescent, and then left onto the path along side Cardross Road. Fiona found an extra gear and weaved though the crowd of runners in front of us as we passed the old school towards the Academy and the Finish line. I tried to catch as many runners as possible and was extremely pleased to stop my Garmin over the line and read a time of 42:59 (4:05 for kilometre 10).

Fiona, who has finished in a time of 42:49, and I exchanged mutual congratulations and thanked each other for helping the both of us get decent times. I had placed 215th chip time, 218th gun time out of 963 finishers.

Result
Although my official chip time was to be recorded as 43:00 (WAVA 73:15%) and my gun time 43:20, I had still run my third fastest ever road 10k, I had run a course best by sixty seconds and improved on my recent Troon time by 23secsonds. Furthermore my Heart Rate average of only 153, would indicate that I can still try harder.


Some Great Performances
I was only one of many who had run well on the night, with some great performances throughout the field, far too many to mention but the full results can be found here. It was great to see running legend Lachie Stewart presenting the prizes, before I headed home for a shower, sandwich and red wine just in time to watch Question Time.


Thanks
Once again thanks to the organisers, volunteers, supporters and sponsors for making the event such a great success.

Walter Ross Memorial 10k Race

Any thoughts that I may have had of not running in my second race of the day but listening to, or watching, the football instead, were quashed as soon as I turned on the car radio and discovered that my team, Kilmarnock, were being beaten by Rangers 0-3 after about eight minutes. Once the decision was made, I turned off the radio to rid myself of any negative thoughts and concentrated on getting from Strathclyde Park to Pollok Park in time to register for the Walter Ross Memorial 10k Race, which commenced at 1:30pm.

There were no problems in getting to Cartha Queens Park Rugby Club in time to register and I warmed up as I made my way along to Lochinch for the start of the race. Although the event was held in the same park as yesterday’s Dick Wedlock, the route was very different. My Gamin battery was low, so I decided to run ‘watch naked’ and enjoy the race. I lined up near the back of the 31 runners alongside Marie McChord and the organisers set us on our way back towards Cartha for the first of the two lap race. It wasn’t long until Marie had left me behind and Phyllis Hand was overtaking me. As we turned right onto Dumbreck Road, Kilmarnock’s Kate Todd passed me and Steve Cullen settled in behind me. Another right turn and we were back into the park and soon running along the route of the local parkrun. I noticed that Kate was catching up on Clydesdale’s Bobby Young, who then surprised my by stopping. However as I approached Bobby he set off again and left me behind. I was still being pushed on with Steven on my shoulder and although not running flat out, I was still working hard. As we finished the first lap, Steven upped his pace and overtook me. There was no change in position for me in the second lap, as I kept Steven in sight and couldn’t hear anyone behind me. I was tired but the supporters kept me going and it was particularly nice to get words of encouragement from race winner, Kerry-Liam Wilson, and Killie Captain, Les McDerment as they warmed down along the route.

I crossed the line in a, much slower than usual, time of 47:26 to claim 24th place and was happy with my performance. After the post race banter, we headed into the warmth of the Club House, where I rewarded myself with a pint of Guiness and the winners received their prizes. Kerry had set a new race record by finishing in an amazing time of 31:53, to win the Men’s Race, whilst Wee County’s Beryl Junnier, became the first winner of the new and impressive Women’s Race Trophy, with her time of 37:59.


It was around 3pm by the time I got home, a bit late for brunch, so I settled for a late lunch instead, before heading back to bed for a much needed rest.

Full Results

MND Four Mile Run for Christine

After some deliberation over whether to do the Dunlop 10k, the Walter Scott Memorial 10k or the MND 4 Mile Run, I decided to plump for the MND and run it on behalf of my wee sister Christine who died of Motor Neurone Disease.

I had run this race in the sweltering heat, with a hangover last year and placed seventh. So I knew that the competition wasn’t great and that there was an opportunity to win a trophy for Christine.

I got to Strathclyde Park in plenty of time to register and to pay them the 50p which someone owed them from last year. You know who you are. I got chatting with a few running buddies and Scott Hastings, who I knew from my rugby days and catch up with him at various running events. He enjoys his running and doesn’t take it anyway as serious as his rugby. After a warm up, I lined up at the front of the field.

This year the organisers had decided to have two waves for the 600 or so participants, the first one being for the runners and the second one being for walkers. There were two races being staged simultaneously: a four miler and a six miler but I didn’t know which runners were doing which.

A Winner's Trophy for Tini

I lined up at the front of the Start line, outside the Watersports Centre, and at 11:00am Scott sent us on our way. I dashed out of the traps and was leading the race, when I noticed Clair McCracken running towards me doing a training run. A quick ‘hi’ and I continued along the side of Strathclyde Loch where we joined the local parkrun route. I had run the first kilometre in 4:02 but I knew that I wouldn’t be able to keep that up at this stage of my comeback, especially after having run well at the Glasgow parkrun the day before.  I’m also not used to leading races these days, so I wasn’t too surprised or upset that my pace decreased and a couple of guys passed me after about a mile, although I did hope that both of them would be doing the Six Mile Race.

I held off the challenge of another runner, who sounded like a pressure cooker and was glad to see that when we reached the turn off point that he was doing the six mile event. What I wasn’t glad about was the fact that the second placed runner had turned right along the four mile route. I kept him in my sights and made steady progress as I chased after him along the loch and up the wee hill. I increased the pace after this and as I ran past the beach, I was confident of catching him on the road section but, just as I was making my move, he found an extra gear and started to pull away. I chased after him but he was too fast for me and he crossed the line a few seconds in front. As I finished the officials informed me that I had placed first in the veteran’s race, I collected my goody bag and we congratulated each other as we headed for the massage marquee.

I had completed the race in 26:51, 77 seconds quicker than last year’s 28:08 and my Heart Rate had averaged 156.

I chatted away with loads of other runners before the prize winners all assembled in front of the main marquee to be awarded our trophies by the local MSP. Christina McKelvie. Immediately after the award ceremony, I explained to the others that I had another race to run and headed back towards Glasgow for my second race of the day and my third of the weekend, the Walter Scott Memorial 10k.

Dick Wedlock Memorial 10k Road Race

They're Off!

 I would have liked to have run the Annual Dick Wedlock Memorial 10k
Road Race through Pollok Park on Saturday afternoon but I had already run the morning's Glasgow parkrun.  The Dick Wedlock is a relatively low key event organised by the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Sports and Athletics Club, including parkrun regular Rodger McEleney, and deserves to be supported.  However the fixture list is extremely busy at this time of the year and I had to give it a miss.  However I did lend my support by heading along to Lochinch, shouting encouragement and taking photographs.  Well done to everyone associated with the event.



My photos can be seen here.

Glasgow parkrun #122 and Birthday Cake

I ran the Glasgow parkrun #122 on Saturday. My target was to improve on last week’s time of 21:48.  I started off fairly cautiously and was just behind Erica Christie for the first kilometre or so. I overtook her on the right and increased the speed a bit before turning left into the woods and the first hill. I noticed fellow Killie fan, Stephen Jones and his wife Caroline, both adorned in their blue Maryhill Harriers vests, in front of me. I managed to narrowly beat both of them at the Marymass 10k last year, when I PB’d with 42:30. However since then I’ve noticed both their times have been improving. Stephen has run a 41:54 10k and Caroline isn’t that far behind having timed 42:11. It wasn’t that long until I had lost sight of Stephen and Caroline was but a dot in the distance.


Encouraged by the shouts of encouragement by the merry band of marshals and supporters, who help to make the parkrun such a success, I kept to my task of trying to run faster than last week. I increased the pace in the second lap, with Caroline some eight or nine places ahead and started to reel in, one by one, the runners in front of me. I always used to struggle on the hills but not so often these days and it gives me so much confidence when I overtake people on them. At the top of the last hill there were still a few people between us but by the time we reached the final 200m downhill section, I was only two places behind. I thought for a moment that I might catch her but it wasn’t to be and she finished with a time of 21:20, with me two seconds behind in 62nd place out of 400.


As we congratulated each other, Stephen appeared from the bushes. He had run a great time of 20:23 but had been rewarded with a bout of vomiting. I guess that can happen if you really push yourself. Garmin revealed that my Heart Rate had increased throughout the 5k and had averaged 155.


I was happy to have taken 26 seconds off of last week’s time.  In all of my 63 Glasgow parkruns, I’ve only completed four of them quicker than on Saturday. However there is still a lot of room for improvement.


Race Results
As far as the elites were concerned there were some great performances and PBs from both the local Bellahouston Clubs, who between them claimed 9 of the top 15 places. First over the line was Westerlands’ Niall McAlinden, with a PB of 16:39, followed by the first of the Bella’s, Road Runner Liam Conway in 17:16. Greenock’s Michael McLoone’s PB of 17:23 was rewarded with third spot.

Women's Results
In the women’s race, pride of place went to Clydeside Orienteer Jana Jurackova, who placed first in 20:12, ahead of Motherwell’s Clare Barr in 20:57, with Caroline’s time of 21:20 securing her third place in her first outing.

Full Results

Photos

Post Race Birthday Cake

The après race was even better than usual this week as we helped Suzanne McMahon celebrate her 40th birthday with coffee and various cakes.

Ignis Asset Management Women's 10k and Sailfish Bishopbriggs Sprint & Novice Triathlon

After a great night in Sammy Dow’s with The Strangers and their extremely talented and über sensual singer Andrea McNeill, I was up bright and early to support some 11,000 women, participating in this year's Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k Road Race. 

As I cycled along to the Start, the first runner I recognised was Jo Jeffries, now running for Winchester.  At the Start line I chatted with loads of the runners and their supporters before taking my place amongst the photographers.  After taking pictures of the start of the race, I jumped on the bike and led Jennifer Telford along the local roads to catch the runners further along.  Unfortunately we must have stayed too long at the start and I had to leave her behind as I cycled to my next photo location, Maxwell Park.  After the majority of club runners had passed, I then jumped on my bike again and set off to Pollok Park, where I met the runners around the 8k mark.  There were some great performances on the day and it was good to see so many familiar faces both participating in and supporting the event.  Judging by the amount of smiling faces, my support seems to have been appreciated.

Photos

Results

I headed home, stopping to pick up the Sunday papers for brunch just in time to listen to the Killie game before heading out to East Dunbartonshire, to support the Sailfish Bishopbriggs Sprint & Novice Triathlon.  There were a couple of Glasgow parkrunners participating and I said that I would pop along and give them some support.  I’ve only ever watched triathlons on the TV before and have the utmost of respect for people who can undertake such a feat.  Maybe I’ll give it a go next year.  Here’s the link to my photos. /

Results:

Novice 

Tristars & Youth

Sprint

The Age of Reason

I’m in the bad books with my brother and his family as I refused to go to my niece’s first Holy Communion. This, as I understand it, is when the Roman Catholic Church consider her to have reached the age of ‘reason’ and claim that from that point on she can understand exactly what she is doing. I’m not sure how the Catholic Church would respond if the Scottish Government and legal system adopted the same parameter. However, whilst that may be a matter of debate, what is not is how they welcome children into this new age of reason. They are given bread and wine and told that this not only represents but has become, through prayer, the body and blood of Christ!

Whilst the actual existence of a Jesus Christ in history is questionable, if there were such a person, and he believed that he was the son of some non existent god, then I am afraid that he suffered from some form of mental illness. Maybe it was his reported baptism by John which set off his illness. What is not questionable is the ability of prayer to transform bread and wine into the body and blood of anyone. It can't be done.  However let us say that we accept that it can ‘miraculously’ happen. If so would anyone of sane mind suggest that we should actually eat the body and blood of someone? What sort of sacrificial ritual is this? Are we are teaching our children that the reasoned thing to do is to be a cannibal?

I’m afraid my form of reason is somewhat different than that of the Roman Catholic Church and at the expense of upsetting friends and family, I could never endorse their form.

Glasgow parkrun #121

Saturday morning saw me return, hangover free, to Pollok Park for the Glasgow parkrun. Amongst others, I got chatting with Martin Myant, who had beating me two weeks ago but, as he pointed out, only by two seconds. It was also good to see Scott Johnston making a return, after a long period of injury. I didn’t know how I would fare today as my legs were still a bit tired and sore. I had taken some Ibuprofen pills and hoped that they would get me around the course pain free.


I had a half decent warm up and lined up with some 274 other runners just before 9:30 for the usual pre race announcements. The numbers were down significantly from the previous couple of weeks, not least of all because the Women’s 10k was being held the next day. I lined up a bit close to the front than last week and as we set off down hill, I clocked 4:19 for the first kilometre. This was a little slower than Troon but faster than the 4:31 of my last parkrun. I watched as Clare Barr disappeared into the distance and I got into a game of leapfrog with Martin. At the 2k point, Bobby Young passed both of us and I immediately responded in kind. At the top of the hill I was surprised to catch young Roisin McShea, who was obviously below par as her course PB is 20:41.


pic of me catching Roisin, with Martin on my shoulder and Bobby Young not far behind.


It wasn’t long until Bobby left both Martin and my self to race it out between us for the rest of the course. I crossed the line one place but three seconds behind Martin, in 74th place with a time of 21:48. I congratulated Martin and the other runners including Clare, who had capped a great week by running a superb course PB of 20:27, to finish second women, and a delighted Julie Gordon, who had won for the first time, with a PB of 19:21.

In the men’s event Cambuslang’s Robert Gilroy beat his club mate Stuart Gibson by four seconds to place first, with a time of 16:06.



Best of Six
I was happy enough with my run but it was only after the post race conversation over coffee and scones at the Burrell that I looked back at my running stats to discover that I had run my best Glasgow parkrun in six months! On top of that there had been a slight improvement in my work level, as my Heart Rate had averaged 153, slightly up from Troon’s 151.


Results

Photos by Jim Carson

Tired Legs and the Scottish Election

Winter Gardens
Originally uploaded by Heilster Hieroglyphics

My legs were heavy and my muscles tired from my exertions at Troon on Wednesday night and, as I struggled to do my ‘recovery’ run on Thursday, I knew that I was not up to running the third Atkins 3k race on Friday. I still popped along to provide my support and take a few snaps of the runners.... oh and one of the Winter Gardens too.


Photos



Scottish Election - my tuppence worth
Having made the decision not to run on Friday, meant that I could stay up until the wee sma’ hours watching the election coverage. As far as the Scottish Parliament election is concerned I had decided to cast my Constituency Vote for Stephen Curran of the Labour Party. A decent enough candidate, who had worked hard during the campaign and supports The Morning Star. As far as my Regional Vote is concerned, even if I had known that the Labour Party would do so badly in the constituencies, I still wouldn’t have voted for a Labour Party List topped by Hanzala Malik, who hasn’t got a socialist bone in his extremely excessive body. My options appeared to be between George Galloway and Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Green Party. I received a letter from the ‘left’ indicating why they weren’t supporting Galloway, including his support of the Roman Catholic line on a number of issues. I sent George asking him why I should vote for him rather than the Greens and got no reply. One vote lost! I tweeted Patrick asking him to confirm that he was an atheist, which he did. One vote won!

Atheist Patrick Harvie MSP

As far as the election result is concerned I was surprised as the next person at the scale of the SNP victory. A short review would appear to suggest that the Labour Party support was done slightly, the Greens up ever so slightly, the Tory vote down and the Lib Dem vote collapsed and transferred to SNP. It was clear throughout the campaign that the Lib Dem vote would crash and I don’t know why the parties didn’t target their vote more overtly.

There is a lot of talk that the political landscape in Scotland has fundamentally changed. I think not. The SNP and the Greens, for that matter, hardly mentioned Home Rule during the campaign, despite it being the raison d’etre of the SNP. A point I put to both Alex Salmond and Patrick via the STV Party Leaders Interviews with Bernard Ponsonby. The reality is that Scotland didn’t vote for independence, that will be the subject of a referendum, but the Scottish people maintained their support for left of centre, social democratic policies. Tony Blair moved Labour to the centre ground in order to win votes from middle England. Scottish Labour has failed to respond adequately to that shift and the SNP has filled the void. Whilst Labour’s Class of 99 lost their seats, the policies first espoused by the SNP’s 79 Group has steered the party to the centre left and to victory at the Scottish Elections. The good news for me is that over 87% of votes cast went to social democratic parties.  The bad news is once again there was a very low turn out, especially in Glasgow.

With regards to the AV vote, I always felt that there was little enthusiasm for a change in the electoral process from First Past the Post to a misreable little compromise.  However it was the only show in town, so I voted for change but wasn't at all surprised at the result.

May the Fourth of Clyde @ Troon

May the Fourth and all roads lead to Troon. It was a glorious sunny late early evening as I drove down the M77, listening to the Inverness CT v Celtic game on the radio, sipping my energy drink and hoping that the sun would go down by the start of the 26th Troon 10k road race.

I arrived in plenty of time but the place was already swarming with people, as Troon also holds a couple of junior races before the senior event. I collected my race number and chip, chatted with loads of running buddies, got changed into my running gear and still had time for a decent warm up and stretch before lining up for the Start. I last raced at Troon in 2009 when the conditions were horrendous: wet, wet, wet and windy, windy, windy but this evening the weather was almost perfect. The sun had gone down, as I had hoped, there was a bit of a breeze but nothing to complain about. Last year the event introduced chip timing and runners assembled in waves according to their estimated finish time. I lined up in the 40-45minute wave, just in front of Tom Keenan and was joined just before the off by Clare Barr.


Less than a Mile (Tom McMillan on my Shoulder)  pic by Kenny Phillips



As we set off along the sea front, I was amazed at the support from the locals. I had been impressed with the turnout, despite the weather two years ago, but this evening dwarfed that as half the town seemed to be cheering us along the front.

Clare and I ran along together, joined by Kilmarnock Harrier Matt ‘Toast’ Ferguson, for the first kilometre or so. Despite the wave system, the race was still busy and we had to jostle in and out of runners in front of us. I was pleasantly surprised when Garmin bleeped to inform me that the first k had taken 4:11. I knew I needed a pace of 4:13, or better, to get a PB but there had been nothing in my post injury, truncated, training from 10th April to indicate that a PB was on the cards. This was reflected in the second kilometre, which saw us turn a sharp left and head along Craigend Road, when both Clare and Toastie left me behind and my pace dropped to 4:22. I was a bit surprised and disappointed as I thought that I was maintaining a steady pace. Along the perimeter of Troon Golf Course we ran and then the route vended right along the, wonderfully named, Isle of Pin Road. I was now running behind a trio of Giffnock women who were scattered in front of me with the other runners. I recognised them all as good runners and thought that if I could hang on to them I’d be doing all right. Wrong! The third kilometre had taken 4:31! I increased the pace straight away, catching Giffnock’s Hilary Miller as I did. Sheila Lewis and Doleen Galbraith were in my target range as we joined Wilson Road but every time I got close to them, they seemed to increase their tempo. My Garmin must have lost satellite contact in the woods, as there was no beep as I passed the 4th and then the 5th k. A quick glance at the half way mark indicated a time of 21:54. As I approached the water station, I could see Clare running to the left to avoid those taking a drink. I thought about doing the same but decided to wet my mouth and pour the rest over my head to cool/refresh me a little.

As we ran along the dog leg which is Ottoline Drive, I could see Toast, Clare and Paula Wilson in front. Remembering that it was a Kilmarnock Harriers Championship Race, I decided to go for Toast. I was feeling quite pleased with myself for catching him so soon after that but this didn't last long as Springburn’s Captain Tony McGale passed me, running the race of his life.

I kept working away along Harling Drive and Golf Crescent as the locals lent their support. I kept a couple of the Giffnock girls in sight but Hilary disappeared into the distance as we made our way along Fullerton Drive. At the 8k mark we climbed over the railway bridge and turned a sharp right to rejoin Craigend Road and retrace our footsteps back to the Start. I increased the pace a bit and the penultimate kilometre took me 4:19. There were now a few more shouts for: ‘Ian’, ‘Killie’ or ‘Kilmarnock’ as I made every second a prisoner on my way back along the South Beach promenade.  I crossed the line in a chip time of 43:25, a 21:31 second half and a negative split. (Gun time 43:35).

Eyes Shut on the Final Strait - pic by Kenny Phillips

Paula had finished in 42:39 (42:44); Clare in 42:40 (42:50); Hilary 42:50 (42:57); Sheila 42:58 (43:05); Tony 42:54 (43:07); Doleen 43:06 (43:15); Tom McMillan 43:50 (44:01) and Toast in 44:12 (44:24).

I placed 175th out of 925 finishers although it would have been great to get a PB, with less than a month back training it was always going to be nigh impossible, however I had run my fastest 10k this year, my fourth fastest ever and my fastest on this course, so all and all a decent outing.  Furthermore my Heart Rate averaged only 150, so hopefully room for more effort.

Congratulations to all that took part, the organisers Troon Tortoises, their volunteers and sponsors and to all the good folk of the Burgh of Troon for making it such a great event with their fantastic support. It really is much appreciated.

Results

Photos

Last Kilometre @ Troon

DSC_7537
Originally uploaded by rleyton

Pic by Richard Leyton

The Big O, My 70th parkrun and a Govanhill Gait

After a hard week of training and a hard day avoiding that waddin' (the man o' independent mind, he looks an' laughs at a' that) I relaxed a bit too much on Friday evening when I noticed a Roy Orbison Night on BBC4.  Armed with copious amounts of pinotage wine and goats cheese, I settled down to watch the Big 'O'.  I very seldom drink on a Friday but it was the holiday weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed my little soiree.

I was to pay for it on Saturday morning when I woke up red eyed and furry tongued in time for the Glasgow parkrun.  I really wasn't fit to run and a cold shower and cup of coffee didn't really change that much.  However my training plan had me down to do a four mile tempo run and the 5k around Pollok park with a warm down would help me get it out of the way and hopefully sober me up a little.  Of course there's also the added incentive of meeting up with running buddies and enjoying coffee and chatting in the Burrell after the event, much more civilised than nursing a hangover in bed and feeling sorry for yourself!

I joined in with another 331 runners, including long time absentee Jim Buick, Norman Boyle and Clare Barr who had decided to run this week, rather than just come for the apres run.  Norman, Clare and I are about the level but there was no way that I was in a fit state to give them, or anyone else for that matter, a race.  My one and only target today was to try to get around the course without vomitting!

There was a strange atmosphere at the Glasgow event this week, as the legions from Bellahouston Harriers, who add so much to the event, were attending their annual training weekend at Glenisla.  A number of regulars were enduring the Highland Fling, whilst others no doubt were enjoying the long weekend with families and friends.

After the briefest of warm ups, I joined the assembled throng of parkrunners and we set off down the road in front of the Burrell. 

I completed the first, easiest kilometre, in a time of 4:30 but started to feel the effects of the previous night as we entered the woods and the first of the hills. I was content to stick to the far left and allow other runners to pass me. The usual runners banter was taking place but there was no way I was getting dragged into a race! I had enough problems combating the negative thoughts that were trying to convince me to walk for a bit and/or to just do one lap today. I was trying hard to concentrate on a positive mind frame but it took me until the third kilometre to convince myself. There was no going back at that stage and I managed to increase the pace and work my way through the field to cross the line in a time of 23:12. I afforded myself a dry smile, when I was handed token number 100. I exchanged congratulations with the runners around me and filled my lungs as I made my way to the finishers’ queue to hand in my barcode and token.


Although some people were disappointed with their performances, I was happy enough to finish in the top third and to complete my 70th parkrun without either stopping or vomiting. Clare, on the other hand, had did really well, continuing her recent fine form at Strathclyde and Edinburgh parkruns, she placed third woman with a course PB of 21:03. Under 14 Junior, Chloe Cowan and Super Veteran, Pam McCrossan earned Gold and Silver, with 20:26 and 20:34 respectively.

In a day of relatively few PBs, Keiran Docherty and Miles Hollinshead were among the few, as they crossed the line in second and third place with PBs of 17:07 and 17:12. (The first runner home was not recorded as he had no barcode).

Other performances worthy of a mention include: Gerry Scullion, fifth in 17:42; Bruce Carse, sixth in 17:44; Al Maclachlan, who ran his 80th parkrun, and placed 11th in 18:37; Barry Edwards, 20th with a PB of 19:38, first timer Gerry Dodds of Kilmarnock arriers who placed 79th with 22:10 and Mary Senior, who placed eighth woman, with a PB of 22:24. Congratulations to you all and to everyone else whom either ran or supported the great event.


After recovering my composure and joining in the post race chat, I headed off with Clare to do the rest of my four miles before a quick change and joining the others for coffee and chitchat.

Full Results

Photos

Volunteer



Govanhill Gait

In the afternoon I took advantage of the combination of good weather and the local Streetland festival to take some photographs in and around Govanhill, including the local pool.(Music by Adam MacNaughton)

https://picasaweb.google.com/103982290613967941991/Videos