2013 in Review -My Long Road Back to Fitness

Some of my running medals

After missing almost six months of running due to my Chronic Fatigue, I was more than a little surprised to see that I've actually ran 29 races during 2013. My aim was to run a 10k and, if at all possible, to get a Half Marathon under my belt. I'm pleased to say that I achieved both but it was a long, long road back to fitness, with a couple of false dawns and for much of the first five months of the year. When I was feeling up to it, I'd do a wee bit of yoga and then a little walking before progressing to a 1km slow run, which I steadily increased over the weeks and months. In March I managed to run a total of 7miles.

My comeback race was the inaugural Tollcross parkrun, held on 4 May. I managed around the undulating 5k in a time of 25:18, which was quicker than I had expected. Two weeks later, I couldn't resist commemorating the early death of my sister, by running in the MND Scotland 6mile event at Strathclyde Park. Again I was happy with my performance, which saw me completing the run in a time of 47:10.

After a gap of six months, I returned to the Glasgow parkrun in Pollok Park on 1^st June and completed the testing 5k in a time of 24:25. The next week, I ran Strathclyde parkrun in 23:07 and on 12^th June I ran the Bonnet Guild 5k in my 'home town' of Stewarton in 24:13.

Bella Pacers at the 10k

I had agreed to pace 55 mins at the Men's Health 10k, which gave my training focus, and I completed my first 10k of the year in 54:16 on 16th June. On 6 July it was back down to Ayrshire for two races, my first attempt at Eglinton parkrun on 6 July (24:34) and Kilmaurs Gala 5k on 31^st July (23:35). Although I was enjoying being back racing, I was far short of where I used to be but I took positives from every race and kept on increasing my training. My mileage had increased steadily from 43 in April, to 57 in May, 66 in June and 94 in July.

Post Perth 10k

August saw the Tour of Clydeside series of four races in a week, I settled for two: the Kilbarchan Klassic 5.5mile race on the 5^th, where I placed second last in 41:17 and the Bella Belter 10k on the 9^th, where I placed further up the field in 47:33. The next day, I took my time and completed the Glasgow parkrun in 26:35. I returned the following week and took 60seconds off of my time. The 25^th August saw me trying a new race for me, the Perth 10k and my best performance of the season was spoiled by the course being short (9.67k), I finished in 46:20 and had clocked up 122 miles in the month.

Great Scottish Pacers

On 8^th September I ran, with a small field, in the inaugural Bothwell Scarecrow 10k completing the course in 47:44. I was now training to pace 2hours at the Great Scottish Half Marathon and the only other race of the month was a return to the 3k on the Green on 27^th September, where I was happy enough to complete the course in my slowest ever time of 12:52. My total mileage for the month being 106.

I planed to complete the Half Marathon on 6^th October in 1:58:00 and settled for being a little fast at 1:57:07. The next Saturday was the inaugural Victoria parkrun and I completed the flat 5k in 22:39. A fortnight later (26^th October) and it was back to Pollok Park, where I completed the undulating Glasgow parkrun in 23:52. I ran a total of 138 miles in October, the most that I had ever run during that month.

By now I was training six days a week and had found a new training partner in Adele Walker. My Club Training sessions being curtailed due to my Photography Club meeting on Tuesdays and my concern that I might have a relapse or get injured if I was to push myself too much at the Thursday Track Sessions. In November I did a wee tour of parkruns, doing Victoria in 22:24; Strathclyde in 22:43; Tollcross in 23:14; and Eglinton in 22:42 before heading off to the sunnier climes of Thailand. I ran 132 miles in November, which was another record for me.

Although the 20km Road Race, that I was planning in doing, was postponed due to protests in Bangkok, I did manage to complete a couple of Hash Runs and an 8.3k Race for the King's Birthday, in which I placed second. Although the 32C temperatures and busy roads made it difficult, I kept running six days a week, although my mileage was down.

After my travels, I returned fit, healthy and confident to Bellahouston Harriers training sessions.  My training was starting to show results and I was finish the year on a high as I completed a windy Tollcross parkrun on 21^st December in 23:20; the Glasgow parkrun on Christmas Day in 22:39 and, to top it all off, the Ayr Turkey Trot 10k on Boxing Day, which was to be my best performance in 30 months. I completed the course in 44:42 with a wava of 72.16%. My December mileage was125, which takes my total for the year to 914, not too bad given my start to the year. That's a total of 8485 miles that I've run since reaching 50 years of age. If I have a good year in 2014, I might just reach 10,000 miles!

Finishing on a high at Ayr Turkey Trot

Hopefully, my training and recent performances will set me up well for a good 2014 but, to be honest, I'm just happy to be back running.

I hope that you've had a good 2013 and that it's finished on a high, many friends and running buddies have giving me support over the months which, believe me, is much appreciated.

Here's looking forward to 2014 and all it brings. May all your miles be happy ones! 

Christmas and Boxing Day Pics

Some of photos of me post Christmas Day Glasgow parkrun and participating in the Turkey Trot at Ayr on Boxing Day.  Many thanks to the photographers.

Pic by Christopher Quinn

Pic by Darren Ridout

Pic by Kenny Phillips

Great Day at Ayr Races!

After having a decent run on Christmas Day, I wasn't sure if I was going to race on Boxing Day. It would be good to close the year on a high and I had a slightly dodgy stomach but I remembered last year, when I was confined to my bed and decided that a bad run would be better than no run and I headed down the A77 to the town of my birth.

Parking was a bit of a nightmare, which was the first indication that a record turnout would be participating in the annual Ayr Turkey Trot 10k and 5k races. I had been reminded recently that I had done both races in 2011 but this year I was hoping for a decent 10k to end 2013.

After exchanging seasonal greetings with loads of running buddies, some of which I haven't seen for a long time, I headed out to the promenade, where a fresh wind welcomed me as I took part in my pre race warm up, stopping for a wee while to hand out some photography tips to a friend. It was then a dash to the Start line, where I joined another 350 other runners for the mid day race.

Tucked in a Group in the First Kilometre

The first kilometre was quite packed and I was happy to be running along in a group, although the pace was probably a bit fast for me and I must have then slowed as I started to get caught by a few familiar faces, including Motherwell's Clare Barr and Kirkintilloch's Ada Stewart. I knew there was little chance of beating either but thought that it would be good if I could keep them in sight for most of the race, although I realised that doing so would be far from easy.

Whilst, by her standards, Clare has had a difficult season, she recently completed the Victoria parkrun in 21:26, whilst my best time there is 22:24. Ada, on the other hand, is in great form and she beat me at Strathclyde parkrun on 9^th November, finishing in 21:34 to my 22:43.

I watched the two of them increasing their gap on me over the next three kilometres, where just after watching the leading runners on their way back, we turned left into Auchendoon Crescent and I lost sight of them, until I noticed out of the corner of my left eye Clare had pulled over off the road. I know that she has been suffering with stitches during her runs and hoped that she would rejoin the race. My only task now was to try to get Ada back in sight and to close the gap on her but I know that she's an Ultra runner and there would be no chance of her slowing in the second half. The only option was for me to run a faster second 5k.

I caught sight of her again on Doonfoot Road and started to overtake the runners between us, by the 8k mark, I was thinking that it would be possible to catch her but it wouldn't be easy and I'd need to keep on slowly digging into her lead, with the hope that I could out sprint her. 

Strong Running in the Final Kilometre

With support from the sidelines, I found some extra pace with about 500metres to go and managed to cross the line in a time of 44:42 and placed 127/351.  I was shattered and took a few seconds to fill my lungs before thanking Ada, who finished in a time of 44:48 in 129th place, for pulling me round and congratulating her and other running buddies, including Clare who had overcome her stitch to complete the race in 45:26 and my training partner, who had taken a leaf out of my book and had ran the 5k and 10k races.

Back in the hall, a quick change of clothes and we were rewarded with an excellent selection of sandwiches and home baking. Despite the record numbers, which saw the organisers running out of t-shirts, there was plenty of food and hot drinks to go round.

My training log, indicates that the performance was my best in 30months, with a wava of 72:16%, it sees me ending the year on a high and hopefully sets me up for a good 2014.

Many thanks to everyone involved in organising, supporting and participating in this great event.

Results  here

Photos by Kenny Phillips

Ho Ho! Best of the Year at Christmas parkrun!

100% - Toni, Jim and me.

It's five years now since the inaugural Glasgow parkrun Christmas event.  In 2009 the 5k had to be run on an alternate, out and back route through the snow, ice and slush. Thirty hardy souls braved the winter weather and Luke Traynor and Toni McIntosh won the races, with times of 17:49 and 19:15 respectively, Toni placed second overall and Jim Buick placed third, in a time of 19:43. All three maintained their 100% record at the Glasgow Christmas parkrun by competing in 2013. I hadn't realised that only four of us have raced in every Glasgow parkrun held on the 25^th December.

Numbers have swelled over the last five years and we four were joined by an amazing 262 other runners who turned up this year, many of them dressed in Christmas related outfits.

After exchanging Christmas Greetings with a large number of running buddies, I lined up for the 9:30am Start. The weather was a lot better than in 2009 but there were a number of large puddles to make the course even more tricky than usual and it wasn't long before we reached the first one.

I started of running alongside and chatting with Toni but she dropped off the pace and I found myself running with ex club mates, Claire Thompson and Robert McEwan, trust me that doesn't happen too often as they are usually well in front of me! Although Claire's been injured and Robert, I think, was pacing another runner, I decided to use them to help me around some of the race. That, the support from the marshals, and the usual race against some of my contemporaries resulted in me ditching Plan A, which was to jog round, and adopt Plan B, of having a good run but keeping some in the tank for the next day's Turkey Trot.

Although I had been out on Christmas Eve, I've been training hard, and my legs were feeling strong and fast. I was also feeling mentally strong and was confident of reeling in a few runners in the second half. As the race progressed, I caught sight of Club President Erica Christie, away in the distance, and went about trying to close the gap on her as much as possible. I crossed the line three places behind her in 66^th place (Thai for 66 is Ho Ho!), with a time of 22:39, my fastest in Pollok Park since November 2012.

I was delighted with my run and I exchanged Festive Greetings and mutual congratulations with various running buddies as I made my way back through the puddles to hand in my barcode. There was a wide and varied selection of cakes, mince pies, chocolates and assorted home baking accompanied by hot coffee and all tea provided by volunteers and runners alike, which added to the community spirit of the day. It all made for a great start to Christmas Day 2013. My thanks to everyone involved: runners; organisers; volunteers; photographers and supporters. Merry Christmas one and all!

Giffnock North take Gold

Five in a row for Luke

Men's Race

Giffnock North's Luke Traynor maintained his 100% Christmas record, winning the event in a time of 15:36, with Bellahouston Harriers Alastair Scott and Stuart MacDougall, earning Silver and Bronze, in times of 16:38 and 17:36, respectively.

Women's Race

Giffnock North's Ruth Joss won the women's event, placing 15^th overall, completing the 5k in 19:08. Allie Chong was runner up and 29^th overall, in 20:08 with Michelle Hetherington, seeing off the threat of her two daughters, placing third, 32^nd overall, in 20:19.

Full results here

Merry Christmas !

Wishing all my readers, friends, family and running buddies a very Merry Christmas!

parkrun 130 bagged at Tollcross

Back Club Training

With the camera club closed for the Christmas Holidays I made my return to training with Bellahouston Harriers, it was good to be back. The session was three times around the Sherbrook Hills, a session that I've been doing on my own most Thursday nights, although I tend to do them at constant pace, rather than this session, which was fast up the hills and then jog recoveries. I was pleased with my performance and the kind words from my running buddies about my level of fitness and loss of weight. An 'easy' run around Queens Park on Wednesday and I was back at the Club again on Thursday. This time it was around Bellahouston Park, for an extended warm up, followed by 8x 220 interval reps along Fleurs Ave. It was cold, dark and wet and ice was starting to form on the road, which meant that underfoot conditions were a little hazardous. I had another good outing and was running alongside others who would have normally been well ahead of me. A rest day on Friday, should have seen me race fresh for Saturday but my legs were still a bit tired from my exertions on Thursday.

Tollcross parkrun #34

After a 1k warm up,  I lined up with 45 others, including my training partner Adele Walker and another four Belahouston Harriers. Myself and many others marked the occasion by donning Santa hats or other festive attire. It was a bit cold and there was a slight breeze as we lined up for the 9:30am Start. With no Dave Thom or Shaun Butler, it looked as if it would be an easy win for Cambuslang's Shaz Hazeem who sprinted away from the off as did Adele in the women's race. I wasn't out to break any records and settled into my own race. After the first kilometre, I found myself just behind a tall Athetite Tri Club runner, Derek Boyd, but managed to catch him on the uphill alongside Muiryfauld Drive. I think I'm quite good at running downhill, so I was a bit surprised to hear footsteps catching me as I raced down, from the side of my eye I noticed that it wasn't the Tri Athlite but a runner in a blue top, as he overtook me, I realised that it was fella Bella Ian Anscombe, who's had a great Season. I would have been happy just to sit in behind Ian but he seemed to slow and I stepped out and ran passed him. He caught me again at the 2k point but I pressed ahead and started to focus on those ahead of me, including Adele. The weather was worsening, the wind was getting up and the rain was coming down. I used all my experience to keep positive and managed to catch the three runners between myself and Adele, finishing strongly to place 15^th just one spot behind her. I was disappointed with my time of 23:20 but it wasn't a day for P.Bs. Ian placed16^th in 23:35.

Results

As predicted Shaz had stormed to victory, crossing the line in a time of 19:02, Martin McNellis earned Silver in his first attempt and a non barcode runner placed third. In her second race at Tollcross, Lisa Noble maintained her 100% record, winning the woman's race in an excellent time of 21:17, placing 9^th overall. Adele placed second woman, 14^th overall, with a great time of 22:58, with Bellahouston Harrier, Katy Smith, continuing her fine form, to place 3^rd, 21^st overall, with a time of 24:30.

Other Bellahouston Harrier times: Angela Campbell, 4^th woman, 22^nd overall, in 24:46 and Robbie Smith 30^th in 26:42.

Post Run

With the weather turning even nastier, I joined the other runners hurdled under the Bandstand for some cake and tablet before heading home in the driving rain. Once again it was great to spend my Saturday morning with running buddies and a special vote of thanks to the volunteers who braved the conditions to allow the event to take place.

Parkrun 130 in the bag!

Full Results

Photos

Photos, Races, Raffles and Clutha Fundraising

I awoke in the early hours of last Friday morning screaming with pain from cramp in both of my calf muscles. The tightness in my muscles put paid to any chance I had of racing over the weekend but I was able to run and I'm pleased to say that the pain has now gone. However I still played a small part in supporting the Scottish running community by cheering and taking photos at the Tollcross parkrun on Saturday morning and the Scottish Veteran Harriers Association's handicap race, at Pollok Park, on the Sunday afternoon. As usual it was good to spend some time with my running buddies.

They're Off at Tollcross parkrun

Tollcross photos here

Craig Brown runs to victory at the SVHA handicap race.

SVHA photos here

Trunk Monkey in Sammy Dow's

Clutha Fundraiser

In between supporting the runners, and walkers, I also played a small part in a fundraising night in support of those affected by the Clutha Vaults tragedy, hosted by Trunk Monkey and held in Sammy Dow's.

The band kindly donated their fee to the fund, as did Perfect Remedy who had performed on the Friday night, numerous other guest musicians and singer on the night. Sammy's staff also organised a raffle and a collection and to date some £925 has been collected for the extremely worthwhile cause. Thanks to everyone for their support.  

Lucky Raffles

As it happens, I was quite lucky with the raffle at Sammy's and the one after the SVHA race on the Sunday, winning an Akito Cobra biker's jacket on the Saturday and a bottle of wine on the Sunday.

Farewell Comrade Mandela

Nelson Mandela

As an active trade unionist and in particular a TASS member the struggle against the apartheid regime in South Africa was close to my heart.  Every year we would organise a Christmas Card campaign and send thousands of cards to the South African authorities demanding the release of our colleague (Ian) David Kitson and ANC member Nelson Mandela.

David Kitson in London, mid-1980s (Source: Rob Scott http://www.robscottphotography.com)

 David studied mechanical engineering in Durban in the 1940s.  Upon graduation, he served as a sapper in the South African army, thereby learning to apply his training as an engineer in ways that would later benefit the anti-apartheid struggle.  At the end of WWII, David moved to London, where his father had been born.  There he worked as a draughtsman for de Havilland Aircraft.  He played an active role in the engineering union TASS which would sponsor him to study at Ruskin College, Oxford for two years.

When almost the entire leadership of MK was arrested at Rivonia in July 1963, David was propelled into the four-strong replacement High Command of the organisation.  He served a little more than four months in this role before he too was arrested.  At his subsequent trial he was jailed for twenty years for sabotage and membership of the Communist Party.  Despite our union's campaign, he served almost the full-term; eventually being released in May 1984.  Mandela was to remain behind bars until 1990.

In 1990, following Mandela's release, I received an unexpected letter from the ANC thanking me for supporting them through the years and enclosing a photo of Nelson Mandela, which I still have.

Almost unnoticed, Dave Kitson died in South Africa on 9 November 2010, his old comrade Mandela died on 6th December 2013, between them they had served almost 50 years in prison.  We owe them both a dept of gratitude for making the world a better place.

Amandla!

Jungle Hashing in Pattaya

Bellahouston Hash Harrier

With the Race in Bangkok being postponed due to the political unrest, I decided to stay on in Pattaya and to join with one of the local Hash House Clubs for their Sunday Run. As it happens the pick up point was only a 10 minute walk from my hotel and I met up with them at 3pm to be bused out into the countryside for the Hash.  The event took place here and the actual course, apparently was this:

Hash Route and Profile

They're Off!

Having run a Hash in Pattaya with the Monday Group two years ago I knew what the format was and was happy to join in and play my part at helping navigate our way around the testing course.  It was damn hot, mighty hilly and dangerous underfoot, add the 6' plus grass at sections and the lack of proper marking at points. This all led to a stop/start event which is apparently meant to allow the faster and slower runners to regroup every so often.  Although in there were 72 participants, I significant number of these either walked , a short part of the course, or just went to the small bar.

I started cautiously and worked my way up the field settling in near the front of the runners, I say runners but everyone would have had to walk/climb there way along at least part of the 8.2k route.  Although I've ran every day of my holidays, this was the furthest and the hottest!

A record number of Jungle Hash Newbies

After the race we were fed and provided with ample amounts of beer as the organisers went through the usual Hash rituals of ordering people to drop their pants and sit on blocks of ice, or in an ice bucket, whilst receiving verbal abuse but being rewarded with a beer for their troubles.

Grin and Bare It

It's not really my thing but as it's held out in the middle of a jungle with no alternative transport back to civilization, then I was prepared to grin a and bare it, so to speak, in order to get a race of some sort under my belt and of course to make some new running buddies.

Report

Photos