Garscube Gallop 7k Undulating Trail Run

Race two of the five day Tour of Clydeside took us to the west end of Glasgow and to Dawesholm Park for the newly amended Garscube Gallop.  Not everyone who had run on Monday made it along but a number of new runners, including some from the race organisers, Garscube Harriers.

This 'multi terrain' race was traditionally 5k long but has been changed to 7k as part of the race series overhaul.  The route looked more than somewhat confusing with two short laps, a middle cut lap and a full lap of Dawesholm Park.  The only advice that the race series organiser, Colin Shields, gave the runners was 'don't get lost'.  This may well have been the result for most of the runners, if it hadn't been for the excellent stewards, who managed to keep us on the right path and provided much needed words of encouragement, as we ran up steps, through puddles and over trees on our way around the undulating course.  Further confusion was caused by an orienteering race taking place in the park at the same time.

After last night's exertions, I was looking for no more than a solid steady run and despite the physically and psychologically challenging course, which made me work much harder than I planned, I was happy to cross the line in a time of 34:41, placing 49th out of 88, which took me to 33rd out of 61 in the Series,

Well done to all who endured the race and of course the stewards, full results here
Series results to date here.

All pics by Kenny Phillips.

Kilbarchan Klassic 8k Race

Pic by Kenny Phillips

I've been clocking up the miles this year but it's been more about training than racing, so I wasn't sure how I'd fare on this newly shortened opening race of the annual Tour of Clydeside.  Traditionally a 5.5mile, out and back route along the cycle path of the famous Renfrewshire village, the length has been shortened as part of the changes which see the four race tour become five races over consecutive nights.

The revamp, the power of social media and the Commonwealth Games may have all played a role in making the numbers participating in the race a bit higher than in recent years. Whatever the reason, it most certainly wasn't the weather as the skies opened up as runners arrived to register and collect their race numbers.  To be fair, the weather had abated before the 7:30 Start, although a heavy shower rained down on us as we headed out along the flat cycle path for 4k, around a cone and back to the Start/Finish.

Pic by Steven Hill

 I'm always appreciative of fellow runners who take the time to encourage my efforts and tonight was no different as both those ahead and those behind shouted words of encouragement.  My effort to reply was often restricted to a thumbs up although I did try a couple of times to speak and even managed to exchange a high five with Clare Barr as we passed each other.

At the half way point, I set myself a target of catching a couple of runners a good bit in front of me, before the end and I was pleased to do so before crossing the finishing line in a time of 35:37, faster than I would have predicted and placing 40 out of 81 finishers.

It was great to catch up with so many running friends and to make some new ones too, there was a decent turn out from Bellahouston Harriers, although gold went to local teenager Callum Matthews won the race by some distance, with his Club Mate, Jennifer Rooney, earning Gold in the women's race.

Post Race Pic by Iain Burke

Full results here

Queen's Baton Relay - Erica, Carol and Queens Park

I had a number of friends taking part in the Queen's Baton Relay, especially in its finishing legs through Ayrshire and in Glasgow, not least of all was Bellahouston Harriers Club President and running legend, Erica Christie.

Erica's Baton Run

Erica was scheduled to carry the Baton from stage 113 in Pollok Park, near Pollok House towards the Burrell Collection, where she handed over to Bryan Burnett.  The Club had asked if some members could make it along to cheer Erica on and, if possible, could we wear the famous club vest.  I was a bit pushed for time but I sped along to Pollok Park, using the run as part of my training session and was pleased to see that loads of other Club members had also made it along.

Loads of Bellahouston Harriers to support Erica

 Erica was just a tad emotional but she made us all proud. After she handed over to BB, I continued my run back home, where after a quick shower, I joined Maggie and hundreds of others at Queens Park, where Carol Kirkwood ran the last leg of the day.

Carol Kirkwood

Although I didn't have my camera to capture Erica's golden moment, I did manage to photograph Carol and a few of her BBC Breakfast colleagues.

Sally Nugent, Bill Turnbull and Louise Minchin

It was great to see so many nationalities coming together in Queens Park and enjoining themselves in the glorious early evening sunshine.

Queens Park

Glasgow 2014 Marathons

I took advantage of the close proximity of the Glasgow 2014 Marathon route to include much of it in my long early Saturday morning run, when the roads were nice and quiet and my Sunday morning run, when the roads were closed off completely.  It was a bizarre feeling, particularly on Sunday morning, as I ran along the final 5k of the marathon route, knowing that some of the Commonwealth's elite runners would be following in my footsteps later in the morning.  I also had one eye on looking for a decent spot for taking photos of the races and settled for below the newish M74 bridge, which could provide some shelter if the rain was to become heavy.

Michael Shelley 

It was great supporting the athletes as they completed the two lap 26.2mile course, particularly those that I know from the Scottish running community, as well as England's Aly Dixon, who ran so well for the first 15k before her body dealt her a cruel blow, although she's OK now, she had to drop out and was a DNF.  Great performances from Derek Hawkins (9th in 2:14:15) and Ross Houston (16th in 2:18:42) in the men's race, where Australia's Michael Shelley ran an almost perfect race to win in a new PB of 2:11:15.

Flomenca Daniel

In the women's race it was Kenya's Flomena Cheyech Daniel who took Gold with a time of 2:26:45, with Scotland's Susan Partridge placing 6th in 2:32:18, Hayley Haining 13th in 2:40:40 and Joasia Zakrzewski 14th in 2:45:29.

Jo enjoys her marathon

Derek

Hayley

Susan

Ross

Women's results

Men's results

My photographs are here

Collioure, Languedoc-Roussillon

I had the pleasure of spending a week in the sun in the south of France, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the French Catalan region along the Spanish border. I stayed at one of the prettiest villages in France.Collioure, and as well as joining in with the Bastille Day celebrations, enjoying the local food and drink, and running. I also took the opportunity of capturing a few photos. I hope you enjoy them. If you've never been to that part of the world, I would suggest that you give it a try, especially as you can fly direct from Scotland to Carcassonne.

My Photos are here. iangoudie.com

15,000k and my 140th parkrun

Having recently missed out on my training due to a sore back, I'm happy to be running again and returning to full fitness. I've been working hard on my endurance and building my milage up, so I planned to do around 18k for my 'long run' this weekend. I was, however, also conscious that I hadn't done a parkrun for a while, so I decided to turn the clock back to the days when I used to combine the parkruns with my long runs. A quick check on the map, indicated that Victoria parkrun was about 7.5k from my house, route sorted. I worked out that it would take me about 42mins to get there, at an easy long run pace of 5:30min/k, and set off at 8:40am.

The early sun was beating down on me and there was no shade as I made my way down through Govan, across the Clyde and along the cycle path to Victoria Park. I got there in time to have a quick chat with a few running buddies, before lining up with another 150 runners, for the 9:30 Start.

After about 800m, I found myself running along with Linda Kennedy and we ran around the three lap course chatting away, it didn't seem long before we were making our way down the final strait and crossing the line together. Although, I must admit to feeling a bit guilty when, timekeeper for the day Gavin Harvie announced that I had placed ahead of Linda. That said, we were both happy with completing the 5k in a time of 25:34 (an average pace of 5.10min/k).  

After chatting, briefly, with a few friends, I accepted the kind offer of a drink of water from, Eglinton parkrun regular, Sylvia Mulholland, who had managed a PB, on her first outing, at the much easier west end of Glasgow course.

I then headed back along the, sun kissed, cycle paths and pavements to home, over 20k in the bag and my 140^th parkrun to boot.  Thanks to all the unpaid volunteers who made today's and the previous 139 parkruns, such fun. 

Despite injuries and illness, I'd also clocked up my 15,000 kilometre since turning 50, some seven years ago. Not too shabby, I suppose.

Allan Wells - Running Legend

I had the pleasure of meeting Scottish running legend Allan Wells at the recent National Construction College Scottish Awards.  The Edinburgh born engineer, who served his apprenticeship with Brown Brothers, has long been a hero of mine for his amazing dedication and achievements on the track.  Truth be told, Scotland probably has more famous engineers than it does sprinters.

Allan who ran for Edinburgh Southern Harriers, the sponsors of the first Edinburgh Marathon in 1983,  surprised the running community when he won two Gold medals (200m, 4x100m) and a Silver (100m) at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada in 1978.

Olympic Gold

Two years later he was to participate in three finals at the Moscow Olympics, in 1980, placing 4th in the 4x100m relays, earning Silver in the 200m, with a time of 20:21; and grabbing Gold in the 100m, in a time of 10:11, both of which remain as Scottish records, even 34 years later. 


Allan and the rest of the 100m relay team, Drew McMaster; David Jenkins, and my old school class mate Cameron Sharp,  also hold the Scottish record, having set it in Edmonton.  Although some may have thought that Allan's success in Moscow may have been diluted by the absence of the athletes from the USA, who Boycotted the games.  He soon ended any such doubts by beating all the USA athletes at an invitation event held in Germany two weeks later.  Wells (10:19), Stanley Floyd (10:21), Mel Lattany (10:25) and Harvey Glance (10:31).

In 1982, in Brisbane, Australia, Allan won two more Commonwealth Golds, a wind assisted 10:02 in the 100m, the 200m, which he shared with Mike McFarlane in a dead heat, and a Bronze in the 4x100m relay. The next year, he won his third European Cup title by winning the 200m, also taking second in the 100m.  In 1983 he reached the semi finals of the 100m at the Los Angeles, USA Olympics but unfortunately due to injury, he was not selected for the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1985 but managed to beat both the 100m (Johnson) and 200m (Mahorn) Gold medal winners at Gateshead in 1986.  He also beat Linford Christie at Crystal Palace in the same year.  

Gold for Goudie

Commonwealth Games Ambassador

Having been a volunteer at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and participating in them in 1978 and 1982, Allan is one of the most deserving Ambassadors for Glasgow 2014.  It was a pleasure to spend some time in his company, to exchange running tales and to take a few photos of the great man who is Allan Wells MBE. 

Allan and the prize winning construction apprentices