Glasgow parkrun # 171 - 28/04/2012

Craig Ruddy Leads From the Start

I'm having a week off of running, after the London Marathon, to help the old body recover from the experience.  A wee swim in the hotel on Monday and then a couple of  short cycles, to and from work, is all  that I've done.  It was back to taking action shots on Saturday and cycled along to Pollok Park to take a few snaps of the, almost 440, runners and walkers participating in the 171st Glasgow parkrun.  The numbers had been swelled with a good turnout from, the colourfuly vested, Motherwell AC who had included the race as part of their club championships.  Garscube, Clydesdale, Giffnock, Inverclyde, Irvine, Shettleston, Kirkintilloch, Law and other clubs joined with Kilmarnock's Tom Wyper and Elizabeth Mackie to make up a total of 105 Club runners.  With more than three times that number not being affiliated to any club, there remains real possibilities for clubs to continue and expand their recruitment activities.

In his first attempt at the testing 5k, Inverclyde's Craig Ruddy led from Start to Finish and crossed the line in an amazingly quick time of 15:07.  Motherwell's Chris MacDonald ran a PB but was still 101 seconds behind, just ahead of Cambuslang's Greg Hastie, who didn't have a barcode.

Jennifer Clark Sprints to Another PB

There was a much tighter contest in the women's race, where Kilbarchan teenager Gwen Gillham earned first place with a PB of 19:14, just edging out the challenge of Julie Doncaster, who also ran a PB of 19:14.  Bella Harrier, Jennifer Clark continued her remarkable improvement, taken 16 seconds off of her, recently earned PB, to place third with a time of 19:48.

Congratulations to John Softley and Derek Murison who both chalked up there century of parkruns.  Thanks for the cake Derek.

Full results:

My photos:

Panning Shot

London Marathon - My Thanks to You!

I managed to get to the Start of the London Marathon with no problems at all, thanks to Erica Christie, Iain Burke and Mark Patterson.  Sadly Iain was injured and could not race this year but he had already taken the decision to defer his place until next year.  We had carbo loaded on Saturday night at the hotel and a 7:25am taxi took the three racers to Charing Cross, where we joined the tide of runners making their way to the Start of the 2012 VLM.  We were all in the Blue Start zone and we met some other Scottish runners on the way to Blackheath, including Chris Upson.  Although 50,000 had registered for the event, only 37,542 collected their number and, I was to learn later, only 37,227 actually started the race.  I say “only” but this was actually one of the biggest ever turnouts for the London Marathon.

I met Alan Fitzsimmons in the queue for the toilet and we chatted with those around us, learning of their own particular stories before we headed for our respective start lines.  I was in pen 3 and although I looked around, I didn’t see anyone that I recognised.  This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing as I was out to run my own race and didn’t want to end up running along beside someone who had a different target.  I had trained for a sub 3:30 time but with missing some of my schedule had decided to attempt a sub 3:35, which would qualify me for the Boston Marathon.  Although I had set my Garmin to an 8:10 min/mile pace, I wasn’t going to get hung up about every mile taken that time.  I wanted to run with constant effort, rather than with constant pace. 

The weather forecast had been perfect for me: cold, overcast, light wind and showers but unfortunately the actual conditions on the day were far more conducive for spectating than for running, with blue skies and bright sunshine.

I presumed that, like it or not, the first mile would be faster than planned and I was correct as Garmin bleeped to indicate a time of 8:00 for the first mile, which had seen us run down Shooters Hill Road.  We turned left along Charlton Place Lane and I was relieved, in more ways than one, to see that the organisers had placed toilets along the second mile of the route and I joined in with the others, whose pre-race nerves etc had called for an early pit stop.  Despite this, my second mile had taken 8:22. The route had been flat and downhill though and I felt that I had managed to control my effort.  I had also run in the shaded part of the road, where possible.  The Lane changed into Ha Ha Road but I wasn’t laughing, I could hear gun fire from the local barracks and Garmin revealed that I had run mile three in 7:31.  In my defence, I felt that this stage of the course was being kind to us and presumed that I would need to work harder later on.  I crossed the 5k point in a time of 24:53.

Although I was now consciously trying to control my pace, as well as my effort, the next section, along John Wilson Road and left onto Woolwich Church Street, was downhill and I completed mile four in 7:39.  The fifth mile was also downhill, along Woolwich Road, with the home of Charlton FC on our left hand side, but I managed to slow my pace to 8:02. I resisted the temptation to run along side former club mate Emma Bryson, who was having a great race. The road name changed to Trafalgar Road and then Romney Road, where a sharp right and then left took us past the Old Royal Naval College and the Cutty Sark.  A cry of “well done” wouldn’t have been out of place here.  To be honest the support, right from the start, had been phenomenal all along the route and it was to continue to be so.  Being along the Thames, miles six and seven were flat and my splits were 8:05 and 8:03 respectively, crossing the 10k mark in a time of 49:55.

The eighth mile took us up Creek Road and I completed it in 8:03, without a paddle, but still on schedule.  I had been taking on water or Lucozade at every drinks station and had also been pouring water over myself to cool down, however my foot started to hurt and my chronic fatigue started to kick in, resulting in my pace for mile nine, along Lower Road, dropping to 8:20.  I crossed the 15k mark in a time of 1:15:51.

I struggled along Surrey Quays Road and Quebec Way, completing mile 10 in 8:39.  I shouted words of encouragement to fellow Kilmarnock Harrier Brian Darroch as, a long, long left curve, around Salter Road took me to my 11th mile, in a pace of 8:34. Jamaica Road took us into Bermondsey, where I found myself being passed by my work colleague Margot Crosbie and her Gala Harriers club mate.  The 12^th mile had taken me 8:30.  I crossed the 20k point in a time of 1:43:24.  I’ll be alright, when I get to the halfway point, I thought but the 13^th mile, which took us over Tower Bridge, had taken 9:02 and I crossed the halfway point in 1:49:03. 

Wheels Come Off

I was now officially shattered.  If only I could rest for a minute or two and get my second wind, I’d be fine I thought, but the streets were lined with enthusiastic supporters, encouraging us on our way round, and there was no place to pull over.  I kept going but it wasn’t for much longer and the next thing I knew I was getting carried into a medical tent with tears blinding my eyes.  I saw someone rip off my Race Number and I protested, explaining that I only needed a rest.  “Sorry but your race for the day is over” said one of the medical team as they started to perform a range of various tests on me before given me some glucose and clamping an oxygen mask around my face.  I saw a woman being carried in and she was receiving treatment on the floor as I started to recover.  I managed to sit up on the bed and although I was feeling dizzy, I was compos mentis.  “I’m fine now”, I declared but the boss of the medical team was having none of it.  I continued to protest and explained that I would take it easy for the rest of the race.  I had to say a few words in front of a witness, testifying that I was discharging them of their responsibilities and continuing the race at my own risk.  She actually said that if I died then it would be my own fault!  With a note of my decission written on the back of my Race Number, I pinned it back onto my vest and rejoined the masses.

I was still, more than a little, uncertain on my feet but after a few steps was able to break into a jog.  Some 22mins and 21secs had elapsed by the time I reached the 14mile point on The Highway.  I could now witness the leaders running back along the other side of the road, having completed over 23 miles.  I shouted support to Russell Whittington, just before the roads parted and I veered right, along Narrow Road on the bank of the Thames.  Perhaps surprisingly, the 15^th mile had taken me exactly 9mins.  However as the effect of the oxygen started to fade so did my time and I struggled along Westferry Road to complete the 16^th mile in a time of 9:24.  The 17th mile took me into the Isle of Dogs at a pace 9:17min/miles. A left turn, along Eastferry Road and I was having to walk/jog to the 18^th mile in a time of 10:16.  Slightly more jogging, than walking, took me to the 19^th mile spot in 9:37, where I was apparently oblivious to the support of my friend Mike Gordon shouting my name.  However there were loads of others reading my name on my number and shouting “C’mon Ian, you can do it” every time I slowed to a walk.   I made my way around Canary Wharf in 9:38, before being deafened by a crescendo of support outside the Morgan Stanley building at the 20mile point.

I had no more to give but there was still 10k to go.  I walked some more and the 21st mile in the Burgh of Poplar, once the home of proud, rebel Councillors and Guardians, took me 10:30 to complete.  I had a support team of Fetchies waiting for me at the 22mile point and this, rather than 26.2, was my immediate target.  It was getting more difficult though and more and more people were pulling up injured or collapsing with exhaustion.  Someone shouted “C’mon Kilmarnock” but it still took me another 10:37 to get to the 22mile point.  I saw a ‘Fetch on the Right’ sign and then another one saying ‘Fetch 200m’ and then below a sign saying ‘5’ was my team, providing me with support and encouragement and offering me a whole range of liquid and solid foods.  I ate some cheese and chocolates before continuing on my way, fed and watered.  Unfortunately my stomach wasn’t ready for solids and within a few hundred metres my cheese and chocolate made an unwelcome return.

I continued along The Highway to Wapping and the 23mile point but my pit stop had resulted in an 11:19min/mile.  Even at this pace, I was managing to overtake some fellow marathoners as the miles took their toll on them too.  Through Tower Hill to Lower Thames St, the next mile took me 10:01 and I arrived at a tunnel, which I had been forewarned about.  Walking became the norm as runners tried to save enough energy to have a strong finish.  “Right, Left. Right, Left” I repeated to myself but I couldn’t quite make it and had to join the walkers for some of it.  For some reason, when I crossed the 40k point, emotions got the better of me and the tears ran down my face.  The penultimate mile had taken me 12:07.  Only 2k to go but the final stretch along Victoria Embankment wasn’t to be any easier.  I saw Race Director, David Bedford, running towards me and we shook hands before we continued in our opposite directions.  The final mile took me 10:26.  A right turn into St James’s Park and a sign indicated 800m to go and then another at ‘385 yards’ .I eventually crossed the line with my Garmin indicating a distance of 26.74miles and a time of 4:18:00.  I can only assume that the extra half mile must have been added on my way to and from the medical centre. 

I had done it, my legs were aching and I had to dig deep to find the energy to keep me going through the Finish Zone and collect my medal, goody bag and personal belongings.  A quick change and I made my way along Pall Mall and St James’s St to Piccadilly and Henry’s Café Bar.   As I waddled along, person after person applauded me and offered their congratulations.  The adulation was to continue in the pub with stranger after stranger congratulating me.  Mark, Erica, Iain and others, including Hamilton’s Jim Breen and Kirkintilloch’s Gary Mitchell and Claire Morgan joined us for a well deserved liquid refreshment.  Each of them will have their own tale to tell.  Unfortunately Jim was one of 552 starters who failed to complete the course, much worse was that of Claire Squires who lost her life.

Summary

My Doctor had advised me that although running was good for me, it was unlikely that I would be able to complete a Marathon.  Well I did it, not without difficulties, but I did it.  The support along the route was quite simply amazing, my humble thanks to all of those in London for making it, if not enjoyable, still a special day.

By running the Marathon I helped to raise money for the Scottish Motor Neuron Disease charity, in memory of my little sister.  Thanks to all of those that sponsored me, it’s not too late if you would like to join them.  

NQ Photography: Studio Portraiture

Another year and another photography course, well I'll need to do something with all the free time that I'll have after the London Marathon.  This time I’m back at the City of Glasgow College and I’m doing the NQ Photography: Studio Portraiture evening class. With the course leading to an SQA certificate, it has to have a set syllabus, which includes both research and practical. Despite the course title some of our photography will be in the studio but some of it will also be ‘on location’. To gain the NQ, I’ll need to submit a workbook at the end of the term, containing about 600 words of research, five images that I’ve shot as part of the course and an evaluation of about 700 words.

It’s quite a big class, with about 20 students, most of which are semi-professional photographers aspiring to be full-time. I’m in the small minority of students who are doing it just for fun, although if you do want some photos taking………..

As well as introductions to the other students, I already know the tutor, we spent the first half of the class looking at the work of some famous portrait photographers including: Arnold Newman; David Bailey; Annie Liebovitz; Anto Corbijn; Nadar Kander and Scotland’s own Rankin and discussing how their shots were taken, with particular reference to the type of light sources used and where they were placed. The idea being that we should be able to understand how particular photographs were shot and learn the various techniques.

Light Meter



After the break we had a quick refresher on ISO and aperture and shutter speed settings as well as metering and how to use a light metre before moving on to some practical work in the studio. I was lucky enough to be the photographer and took the pics, whilst another student took the light readings and another acted as a model.

Barndoor

 We started with using a Strobe light on one side of the model’s face, then added a dark background, then changing to a Barndoor light to absorb some of the light and then added some reflection on the other side of the model’s face.

and before we knew it class was over for the night.  I wonder if the London Marathon will go so fast......

London Marathon ....Final Countown....

Final Fortnight

My sister who died of MND

The Final Fortnight of London Marathon training has gone to plan. Last Sunday’s 12.5mile run was rewarded on Monday by a rest day but on Tuesday it was back to speed work doing 1mile jog, 10x400m @5k pace and 1mile jog. I was a bit worried that my hamstring might be a problem but there was no cause for concern and I was happy with my session. I was a bit tight for time on Wednesday lunch time, so I settled for 30mins on the power plate at the gym and saved my 6mile run for the evening. Thursday was another evening run with 3miles at Half Marathon pace, sandwiched between 1mile jogs. There seemed to be a lot of runners, particularly female ones, out and about in the South Side of Glasgow, presumably in training for the forthcoming Women’s 10k race.


parkrun 104
Whilst Friday was another rest day, I still rewarded myself by having a few drinks in Sammy Dow’s in the evening. Some bad company resulted in me doing my 104th parkrun in the morning slightly worse for wear. I decided not to risk the drive to Strathclyde Park, where they were celebrating their second birthday, opting for my 89th running of the Pollok Park event instead. My 3mile easy 27mile run ended up being a 5k in 25:03 but no less enjoyable for that. I like to take the time to encourage other runners and thank the marshals for their support, when I am not running flat out.

Results

It was good to chat with some fellow London Marathoners before and after the race, to make some new running buddies and to reconnect with a few old friends too. Some strong coffee and good banter was in order at the Burrell Café before making my way home for a quiet day watching the football and rugby.

Sunday Run
A beautiful Spring Sunday morning and I made my way back to Pollok Park. Mine is usually the only car parked at the local rugby club but there was a woman’s rugby tournament taking place and I was lucky to get a parking place at all. My start was a little delayed as I chatted with Bellahouston Harrier, Ian MacLeod who had just finished his run before I dragged my second day hangover around Pollok and Bellahouston Parks. My Sunday schedule was 10 ‘steady’ miles, which my plan told me means 8:30min/miles. I enjoyed my run and, as usual, saw a few other runners too, including David Mooney and Julie Docherty who were doing a crazy 24mile run!

Just under 85mins later, I warmed down around Cartha Queens Park Rugby playing fields taking in some of the Women’s Rugby before making my way home through the large travelling Hearts support on their way to a successful Hampden Semi Final.

My foot started to hurt after about 55mins and I felt a few niggles too but nothing serious. I’m now looking forward to my London Marathon.

Final Week
Monday’s another rest day, Tuesday 1M jog then 12 x 200m at 5K speed (or 45secs) with 200m (or 1-min) jog recoveries then 1M jog; Wednesday 4M easy (approx 36 mins) with 5 marathon pace 100m strides; Thursday 3M easy (approx 27 mins) with 4 marathon pace 100m strides; Friday: Rest, Saturday 2M easy (approx 18 mins) with 3 marathon pace 100m strides and Sunday….hmm Sunday must be on the next week’s training plan..

Not long now…..I wonder what the weather will be like.


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London Marathon 2012 - Can I do it?

I thought about resting my foot on Sunday, especially after Saturday’s pain but I really needed to test it with a decent run.  I had a 15mile training run scheduled and had also pencilled in the option of doing the Tom Scott 10mile race.  However I was worried that if I attempted the Tom Scott, I might not finish it.  Instead I took an energy drink and made my way to my usual Sunday run start at Cartha QPRFC in Pollok Park.  I didn’t cover myself in Vaseline not and I didn’t take any fuel with me, not even a Jelly Baby.  I just wanted to run and see how I felt.

 As I hadn’t taken any breakfast, I was earlier than usual and the park was a bit quieter.  It was a lovely Spring morning, cool with a bit of a breeze and I set off, slowly, anti-clockwise through the park.  As I reached the 2mile point, I was glad that there was no re-occurrence of Saturday’s pain and no thoughts about quitting.  I continued around the outside of the park and back towards the car and the 3mile point. There were no thoughts about stopping, not even for a drink of water, instead I decided that I would test my foot by running 10miles and continued over the motorway and along Mosspark Boulevard.

Wobbly Runners Pack

At the 4mile point, I saw a sign for the Wobbly William 5k run and decided that it would be fun to include the route in my run.  I gave the race organiser Bryn a quick “hello” as I started the 5k about an hour before the other runners.  The route was similar to the Bellahouston Road Runners 5k and, although there were no other runners, the direction signs did make it feel a bit like a race.  Probably more like the type of race that the winners usually run, rather than those of us ‘in the pack’ who just need to follow the route taken by those quicker runners in front of us. 

I stopped for a few minutes for a chat with MichelleSandison who had just completed her 5mile training run at a “fast pace”, much, much faster than the pace that I was running, I bet.

I then completed the Wobbly Williams 5k route, lifting my arms in mock celebration as I crossed the line, with a bemused Bryn looking on from the confines of his car.  My foot had started to hurt after an hour of running but nothing like as bad as previous.  I knew that it had hurt badly once I reached the 9mile mark and wanted to see how bad it would be today.  If I continued around the outside of Bellahouston Park, I’d get back to the car with about 9.5miles in the bag.

However as I approached Pollok Park, I decided to run around the park, clockwise this time, and increase my mileage to 12.5.  Job done. Of course I had some pain, a few niggles and I was tired too but I had a huge smile on my face as I did another half mile warm down before reaching the car.  A long blether with running stalwarts Jimmy and Sandra Irvine and then I drove home for a well deserved breakfast, with my morale boosted to no end.  I’ll probably not be able to complete the London Marathon in the time that I had initially set myself but at least now I’m confident of actually running it.  The final two weeks of training is ‘tapering’ and is ‘easy’ compared to all the hard work that I’ve put in over the previous 16weeks.

I can do it!  London here I come! 

I'll make a donation to Wobbly William for using their race route. 
Many thanks to everyone who has sponsored me to date, please consider supporting MND Scotland  here

Queens Park Glasshouse

Queens Park Glasshouse, a set on Flickr.

Heilster Hieroglyphics' photostream of Reptiles; Birds and Plants

Cycling and Running a wee bit......

After learning that I had Plantar Fasciitis, I thought it best that I give running a break and hope that the fibres in my foot would start to heal.  I took six days off from running and did a bit of cycling instead.  Last Saturday morning I drove to Bishopbriggs and supported those crazy ultra-runners as they made their way along the 56miles between Glasgow and Edinburgh in the G2E Race. Seriously, I have nothing but the utmost of respect for these runners and the amount of training, which they must put in.  I took a few photos too. Photos Here

I was planning in doing a cycle in the afternoon but time seemed to slip away and I made the decision to combine a ride with a trip to St Mirren Park and support the Ayrshire Killie.  I was amazed to see some 1,113 Killie fans there, although I’m guessing that I was the only one that cycled there and back, a total of 16 miles.

On the way along Paisley Road, I noticed that there was a local Gala day taking place in Barshaw Park and I recalled that there was a MadHatters Fun Run held there at Easter.  I had received some medical advice, from a fellow runner, who is also an MD, that short distance running would be good for me, as it would help to stress my plantar, even if it was painful.  I searched the Internet and found that the 3k run was being held the following day. 

Big Kid!

Although I had a couple of pints on the Saturday night, I wasn’t really in the mood. I guess I don’t feel that I deserve a drink if I’ve not been running.

Sunday morning arrived and I decided to give it a bash. I jumped on the bike and made my way towards Paisley.  I passed a group of Glasgow parkrunners on their longer than normal run and against a strong head wind, I arrived at Barshaw Park in time to register for the my first run in over a week.

After the ‘warm up’ I lined up with a wide range of runners, joggers and walkers.  We were sheltered in the park from the wind and the morning sunshine provided ideal running conditions.  The organisers explained the route of the two-lap course and with a leading cyclist in front we set off at 11am.  I wasn’t surprised to see a host of tiny tearaways sprinting away at the start, the exuberance of youth! I knew that the majority of them would soon tire and I had illusions of placing first.  I was having mixed feelings about being the first person across the line and I was glad when another adult over took me.  It was actually a hard wee course, starting on level ground but then turning right, around part of the duck pond, a further right and we continued our slow ascent before a further right took us up a trail. A left turn and we continued to the highest point, a climb of some 20metres or so.  The trail led us back to the tarmac and downhill towards the Start Line for the first time.  I was in third place with the other adult and a youngster a good bit in front.  I caught up with the young lad in front of me on numerous occasions but every time I reached him, he dug deeper and managed to pull away.  I was impressed with his bottle, he just wasn’t for letting me pass.  I crossed the Line for the second time and Garmin revealed that the distance had been 1.96miles and my time 13:44. Spot on 7min/miles.  Not bad, all things considered. 

I congratulated the young lad and the other two and, after receiving my medal, water and Easter Egg, I cheered the other runners home before cycling back to Glasgow with the wind on my back.

Unfortunately my foot was sore after my run but I took advantage of this by having a good gym session on Monday, including some upper body, core and leg work and also some time on the Elliptical and Powerplate machines.  On Tuesday I tried a wee 30min run on the treadmill at just faster than marathon pace.  I increased the time to 45mins on Wednesday and covered 5.7mile and on Thursday reverted back to my Marathon Training Plan, 1M jog, 4M @ Marathon Pace, 1M jog.  Friday was a ‘rest day’ as well as a holiday and I settled for a walk through Queens Park and around Shawlands. 

On Saturday I made my way along to Pollok Park to complete my 88^th Glasgow parkrun.  There was another excellent turnout with some 363 taking part in the 5k, including Killie Harrier Willy Duffy and his sister.  My work colleague Ian Dysart and my old foe Graeme Aitken, who has shed a couple of stones in weight in the last few months.  A number of my running buddies enquired about my foot and if I was still running London. 

It never took me long for me to realise that my foot and leg were hurting and as I approached the cut off point at the end of the first lap, I’ve never been closer to being a ‘did not finish’.  However I decided to complete the race instead and actually increased the pace a little in the second lap.  A fast finish saw me catching a few runners and I crossed the line in 23:21in 110^th position.  Full Results

Much of the post race chat centred around the London Marathon and the enthusiasm of those other runners who are participating in the race rubbed off on me.  I should really be looking forward to the race but I’m not sure at all that my right foot is up to 26.2miles.