Forth Valley College - Falkirk Campus

Engineering

I had the pleasure of a tour of Forth Valley College's Falkirk Campus and in particular their science and engineering departments, which, not surprisingly, reflect much of the local petro-chemical industries although there are some modern additions, engineers of all ages will recognise much of the traditional equipment.  My thanks go to all the staff and students concerned for providing me the opportunity.

Science Lab

Petro-chemical rig

Female Engineering Modern Apprentice

Electro magnetic coils

MA Filing

Work Bench and Files

Getting wired in

Play Me, I'm Yours Glasgow

Tom Urie

Part of the internationally touring artwork (since 2008) devised by British Artist Luke Jerram. Play Me, I'm Yours has now reached over 3 million people worldwide, more than 1000 pianos have been installed in over 38 cities including; New York, London, Paris, Boston, Belfast, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Santiago, Melbourne and Glasgow, where some 12 to 15 Street pianos will be placed in and around the City streets, parks, public spaces, Museums & Galleries during the summer festivals in June and the build up to the Commonwealth Games.

I went along to the latest PMIY event, which also coupled as a fund raiser for Govanhill Baths, entry being by voluntary donations of course. Although the piano, at times, sounded as if it was being played under water, there were some great pianists and singers to entertain us: Louise Cairns; Aislin Quinn; Tom Urie and Dave Anderson.

Dave Anderson

Many thanks to them and the volunteers on the night: Liam Jackson, Bruce Downie, Alan Walsh, Alan Dempster, Fatima Uygun, Jim Monaghan and Walter Littlejohn and Thom Binns from PMIY who made it all happen.

 

Louise Cairns

Of course I took the opportunity to take a few photos.

Enjoying the tunes

Ainslie Quinn

Magic Massage

In the old heart of what was once Strathbungo Village there is a somewhat unique shop, offering a range of witch related services, including psychic readings and magical consultations and selling 'spell kits'. On what is now Pollockshaws Road, Bewitching Beauty is a Beauty & Holistic Salon which as well as offering witchery also sells natural skin care products and offers a range of natural therapies.

Shop owner Pauline Reid, who hails from Ayrshire, is a skilled aestheticienne with over 17 years experience in the industry and she is fully qualified in an extensive range of therapies.

Having previously researched into Isabella Goudie, perhaps the most famous witch to have lived in Scotland, I am well aware of the bad press and lack of understanding that people have with regards to witchcraft.

What I hadn't realised through that hidden between the Cosmic Cleanse and Preistess Package in the range of Holistic & Alternative Therapies on offer was Therapeutic Massage a deep invigorating massage which helps to ease aches and pains, sore muscles and can help increase joint mobility. Just what a runner needs!

There were no spells or potions asked for, or received, but there was a magic massage. Although the therapy room is warm and tranquil, with candles and soft music, there was no chance of me falling asleep as Pauline went to work, using her hands and elbows to deep massage my aching muscles and stiff neck, relieving the tense knots and getting into the stiff spots behind my shoulder blades, deep into my thighs and calf muscles too.

An hour later and my body was feeling the benefits of her hard work. I'd highly recommend to any runners looking for a decent massage, I'll be back!

Bewitching Beauty, 670A Pollokshaws Road, Strathbungo, Glasgow G41 2QE

Tel: 0141 422 1333

Renfrewshire AAA Championship Race

Every Second Counts - pic by Kenny Phillips

I wasn't really looking forward to the Renfrewshire AAA Championship Race held at Battery Park, Greenock, as I'd ran the race a couple of times before and boh times the weather had been terrible. This year was no different, I was also a bit worried that my performance would be below par as I had a hard week of training. However I didn't want to let the Club down and headed down the M8 to Inverclyde.

There was a good turn out from most Renfrewshire Clubs, which includes Bellahouston Harriers, Bellahouston Harriers, Greenock Glenpark, Inverclyde and Kilbarchan, there were also a few 'open' runners from Clubs outwith the County. As well as quantity, there was also quality, not least with the participation of the Hawkins' brothers who are both set to race for Scotland in the forthcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Calum in the 5000m and Derek in the Marathon and their fellow Kilbarchan Club member Elspeth Curran, who was odds on favourite to win the women's race.

By the time the Senior Races set off at 1:45pm, the rain had abated but the cutting, cold wind seemed to have intensified, as we set off southwards into it. I was just about to settle into a pace, when I heard someone shout my name and I immediately appreciated that I was in a race and increased my work rate to catch the group in front of me, which included Road Runners Pauline Wright and Keith Gibb. The first kilometre which took me 4:14, I was a bit disappointed that but it was a reflection of the head wind. Over the next kilometre, I found myself slightly hemmed in by the group and tried to break away on a number of occasions, only to find myself playing leapfrog with a number of the runners, especially Pauline. Around the 2k point, I made another break and as well as catching Pauline, I also caught Keith. I worked hard to create some kind of gap and started to focus on some of the runners in front of me, including Bernie O'Neil, Mary Senior and Tom McMillan. Tom had beaten me by some 139 seconds at the Ayr Turkey Trot on Boxing Day last year.

We had the pleasure of seeing the leaders running towards us around the 3k point and it wasn't that long until we had also reached the turn point. I had received shouts of encouragement from a number of my fellow runners, both ahead and behind me, as well as a number of supporters around the course, all of which were much appreciated and helped me overcome any negative thoughts.

I was pleased to keep all of the above mentioned runners in sight after the half way point and although I was focused on hanging onto them, I was sure that Pauline and Keith would have me in their sights.

We were running back into the energy sapping wind and I hard to work hard to keep my position. The wind was even worse when we left the esplanade and rejoined the A770 and didn't subside as we were marshaled back into Battery Park and continued heading south. A lap and a half of the park remained and it was taking me all my effort to maintain my pace, however I was sure that I was cutting the gap on Tom in particular and although I realised that I wouldn't be able to catch him, I was determined to cut the gap as much as possible. Every second became a prisoner as I sprinted the last few hundred metres of the 5 miles to cross the line in a time of 35:06.

Mary Senior - pic by Kenny Phillips

Although this was my slowest time for this race, it was also my fastest time and best race since 2^nd January 2011 and saw me once again achieving a 70%+ wava (72.98%). Tom had finished only 24 seconds ahead of me and Bernie had placed first Bellahouston Harrier Female in 34:42. However in my band of runners, the performance of the day had been Mary Senior who had placed 11^th women, in a time of 34:26! Pauline had finished 25 seconds behind me and Keith 45 seconds.

Hawkins Brothers - pic by Kenny Phillips

Winners

Up front Calum Hawkins had held off his brother to win in an amazing time of 23:58, six seconds ahead of Derek, with Inverclyde's Andrew Douglas earning Bronze, in 24:32. Whilst in the Women's Race, Elspeth had won in a time of 28:20, Inverness Harrier, Jay Bannerman had placed second, in 29:55 and Bella Road Runner, Carla Molinaro in third spot, with a time of 30:44.

Elspeth - pic by Kenny Phillips

There were some excellent performances by some of the other Bellahouston Harriers, who helped the Men's Team place 5^th and the Women's Team 3^rd.

Handicap

It was good to see my handicap reduce from 11 to 10.4 as a result of my performance.

Once again huge thanks to all my running buddies and the organisers for making it yet another great day in the Scottish Running Community.

Full Results

Strathclyde parkrun #198

The sun was low and so was the temperature as I headed to Strathclyde parkrun Event number 198 on 1st February 2014 to help marshal and grab a few photos of the runners too.

Dressed for the weather

Some 162 runners assembled on the icy path, some more suitably dressed for the weather than others. Order of the day seamed to have been sun glasses, hats and gloves.

Pacer Jack Ralston

This being the first Saturday of the month, the pacers were on hand to assist those attempting to run the 5k in a specific time but the icy conditions and the cold wind, especially in the second half, didn't auger well for those seeking PBs.

Richard Mannering

Men's event:

Alan HUME (SM35-39) of Central AC, led from the Start but couldn't hold on to maintain his record of 4 wins in 4 outings, as Richard MANNERING (SM30-34) (Unattached) managed to overtake him and secure his fiirst win in 31 appearances. Richard crossing the line in 17:55 just one second in front of Alan. Andrew BUCHANAN (VM40-44) of Motherwell AC, placed third in 18:34.

Susan McRitchie

In the Women's event, far traveled Susan Mary MCRITCHIE (VW35-39) of Forres Harriers, made a successful return to Lanarkshire, placing first, for the first time, (22nd overall) in a time of 21:47.

Previous winner Barbara SLOSS (VW60-64) of, the cutely named, Captain Archie's Hound Runners, had to settle for runners up spot, placing second (24th overall) with a time of 21:52.

Lynsay MACKAY (VW35-39) of jogscotland, was third (47th overall) over the line in 24:12.

Tail runner -Iain Macaulay

As the tail runner crossed the line, the skies opened up and a cross between hail and rain showered down upon the runners as they enjoyed the post run home-baking, before making their way homewards or to the warmth of the award winning Waterside Cafe with its views over the Loch, freshly made Café Carrera coffee, fruit and herbal teas and of course hot breakfast rolls.

Thumbs Up for Strathclyde parkrun

A huge vote of thanks to the core team and band of volunteers who ensure that the event takes place every week, no matter what the weather is, and always welcome parkrunners, old and new, with a warm welcome.

My photos here