Well what can I say, the month was going great I’d run 160 miles taken my year total to 530 and I was well in advance of my target of 2010 miles in MMX. I’ve run five races, including a couple of half marathons, which I did in under 1:40 and I've beaten my ten year PB by 2min 50secs. I’ve put in a few long runs and my short run times have been improving, as I closed in on my Glasgow parkrun PB. It was looking good for a great season. Then as I walked through a car park to my car, the ground was uneven and I went over on my ankle and haven’t been able to run since. The physiotherapist says I’ve no chance of running a marathon in three weeks time!
On Yer Bike!
All is not lost though as I’ve taken the opportunity to, quite literally, get on my bike and, aided by a couple of long runs, I have clocked up 171 miles in the month, a total of 254 for the year.
I squeezed in one swim session but depending on my injury this may increase significantly next month, likewise with my yoga class. Although I practice myself it’s always better if I can get along to a class.
Night at the Movies
I’ve also kept up my interest in the movies watching A Prophet; The Girl With the Dragon Tatoos; The Scouting Book for Boys and The Hurt Locker.
Next month’s activities will depend very much on how my ankle injury recovers.
As my ankle is still not up for running but my legs are, I decided to cycle this morning to Grange -mouth to support the runners at the annual Round the Houses 10k road race. I had a quick look at the race route and noticed that it went along Inchyra Road quite close to the canal at Polmont railway station, I oiled the bike and set off on a grey and windy Sunday morning, nursing a hangover. I headed down to the SECC and through the tunnel path to Finnieston, up through Kelvingrove Park, past my old flat, across Maryhill road and onto the cycle path. It wasn’t that long until I was cycling along part of the Jack Crawford 10k route, although in the opposite direction. I noticed a few dead frogs on the path, strange? Past the Bishopbriggs Leisure Centre and on to Kirkintilloch I cycled. I used to run this route as part of my training when I stayed in the flat. Since then they have done a lot of work along the canal. A new Marina, a new School, a College of Further Education and a new pedestrian bridge had all been build since the last time I was here.
The rest of the route was flat and quick, much easier than the undulating path from Glasgow to Bridge of Weir. I cycled passed another mariner and the inviting Underwood Lockhouse and through the scenic Kelvin Valley and without any notice I had arrived at the Falkirk Wheel.
I was taking an obligatory photo when I noticed a small sign indicating Edinburgh and pointing over the bridge. I found a local and asked her the way to Polmont and right enough it was over the bridge. I nearly missed the turn off !!
From the Falkirk Wheel I had to cycle uphill to join the Union Canal and then through the modern Hallglen Tunnel. It was dark inside the tunnel so I removed my sun glasses and switched on the bike lights. Then it was through open country again until I reached a narrow,long, dark and damp, from water dripping down from the ceiling, tunnel. It looked really old and I thought that it must have been a major civil engineering project when it was made. A quick bit of post exercise research uncovered the facts that it was build in 1818, is 695 metres long and runs underneath Prospect Hill.
It was constructed by blasting and digging through solid rock, and the 'dark tunnel' as it is known or Falkirk Tunnel remains a marvel even in this high technology age. After the tunnel, the path was a bit muddy but it wasn’t long until I’d reached a sign for Polmont Station. I’d only paused for a moment when a local dog walker asked if he could help. I told him I was looking for Inchyra Road and he duly informed me how to get there. It was only about another mile or so further on that I spied a policewoman
controlling the traffic and new that I had reached my destination. I disembarked my trusty bike and enjoyed a sandwich, protein bar and energy drink. I had a brief word with a couple of Shettleston’s Eritreans, who informed me that they were also injured and then a slightly longer chat with Paul Sorrie’s father. It wasn’t long until the runners appeared and I supported them as they past me just after the 7k marker.
After that it was back on the bike and heading for home. The wind was against me for a good part of the route and I had a couple of stops to take on some fuel and have a rest from cycling. I was lucky that I was close to Kelvinbridge Underground Station when the hail, quickly followed by heavy rain arrived and I had another rest and shelter before heading back through Kelvingrove Park and over the ‘squinty bridge’ and on homewards where a hot shower and a very late brunch helped to refresh and replenish me.
A total distance of 109.54Km, more than twice my recent new longest; moving time 6hr 15mins; calories used 3665.
I went over on my ankle whilst walking on Monday so no running for me, however I can still cycle so I did 10k on the bike in the gym in the morning and then cycled through Pollok Park, along the cycle path through Paisley to Bridge of Weir and back 50.36km. The furthest I've ever cycled. It took 2:39:02 and burned up 1892 calories, so not a bad replacement for a run. The main difference was that my feet were freezing, I was walking with to blocks of ice where my feet should have been and even in a hot bath they took ages to thaw out. I wonder what real cyclists do to stop their feet from freezing?
Unfortunately I went over on my ankle on Monday whilst walking, so no running for me at the moment. Went along to Dalshome Park this afternoon to support the runners at the rescheduled, gruelling, Nigel Barge 10k race.
Joe McKnight was third after 4k, with Robert Gilroy out in front, ahead of an Inverclyde runner, however at 8k Joe was well in front of Gilroy and his chaser. Loads of photos here
My first attempt at this race, although I knew some of the course after cycling some of it last year. I knew that the course was very open to the wind and was worried with the windy conditions late last week. I don’t know why but I just didn’t feel up to this race, maybe Haweswater and my long training runs were starting to take their toll. I watched Eddie Izzard Marathon Man on Saturday night and went to bed early. However I didn’t set my alarm and really only decided to go through with the race when I woke up at 6:45 on Sunday morning. Porridge and a quick cuppa and I was on my way to be picked up by my Killie club mates. I thought 7:35 was a bit early for a 10:00 start so wasn’t surprised that we were some of the very first collecting our race numbers on the day, when we arrived around 8:30.
Ninety minutes later I was lined up in the start line and ready to go. Unfortunately my Garmin was in rest mode and as I started to run I was pressing the buttons to get it going. Never mind I thought I’ll just do my best. I could see Kilmarnock’s Paula Wilson slightly ahead, as well as Giffnock’s Li Wang and Kirkintilloch’s Marie McChord, I know that all three are experienced half marathon runners with better PBs than me. Li completed the Great North Run last year in 1:35:00. So I knew that as long as I was running around with them I would be doing fine. However I was a bit surprised to overtake Ewan McDonald who has been training explicitly for this race. I think he was surprised too as he looked at his Garmin as I passed by. We ran around a loop and past the start point and the cheering crowds before heading out of town. The sun was beating down on us as we made our way up Kielarsbrae to New Sauchie. Ewan had overtaken me and I was already tiring at the three mile point when Killie’s Harald Bartl gave me words of encouragement as he caught up with me. At the water point I took a little drink and poured the rest over me to cool me down. I was feeling a bit sick but my mood lifted at the end of Fishcross as I looked down to see the long flat section ahead. Down via Devon Village we ran to Devonside and on to Tillicoultry where a left turn took us along the A91 encouraged by the cheering locals who lined the street. I had dropped back from the group but could see the tall lanky Harald ahead running alongside Paula. Thankfully the clouds covered over and the temperature dropped but there was a bit of a headwind to overcome as we made our way to Alva. Thre was a group of about six or seven shouting my name as I reached the half way point and the strange little loop that took us down a road and around a traffic cone.
As usual, I found myself working hard at the front of a group there wasn’t much respite as a diminutive lass from Ayr Seaforth overtook me but I was glad when a larger Harmeny Runner took the lead. I ran on his shoulder for as long as I could, it was hard work keeping up with him but I’d rather work hard to run fast than use my energy to run into the wind. However after a while he managed to leave me behind. I could hear someone else behind me and I hard to increase my pace a few times as she tried to overtake me. We ran shoulder to shoulder for a while and I noticed her Kinross Runners vest as we reached the village of Menstrie.
A sharp left took us over a railway bridge and down over the River Devon before climbing up a long hill at the tenth mile to the round about outside Tullibody. I was shattered now and feeling really sick as Bella Harrier Iain Burke ran passed. I decided to risk eating a jelly bean and took in a few deep breadths as I ran downhill through Tullibody. Iain was a good bit ahead and I felt dead on my feet but I then noticed that Li Wang was just ahead and I managed to catch her at the 11 mile mark. Much of the rest of the race was a bit of a blur as I just concentrated in getting to the finish without being sick.
I noticed the crowds building up and some finished runners warming down, so I knew that I was nearing the end. Up a hill and the crowds had increased, ‘C’mon Ian’ shouted Les McDermont and I gave it my all as I ran the last few hundred metres along the road, then down to my left and finally over the line. I received my medal and a kiss, someone removed my race chip and I found a seat to sit on to recover. After a moment or two, I spotted the Kinross Runner and we exchanged thanks for helping each other around the course. I collected my goodie bag, t-shirt and water before congratulating Paula, Harald, Li and Stuart McBeath and going for a warm down with the other Killie Harriers and cheering the other runners home. My Garmin read 1:36:42 and I presumed that I had actually taken 1:37+, which is what I told those that asked.
After getting home, having a shower and large brunch I headed upstairs for a well deserved siesta. It was a lovely surprise to find that my chip time was actually 1:36:08, 2mins and 50secs faster than my PB of ten years ago. I felt as if I had deserved my celebratory red wine on Sunday night.
Well done to everyone who took part, including 16 Kilmarnock Harriers and healthy turnouts from Perth Road Runners, Giffnock and Portobello too and a big thank you to everyone for their support and kind comments.
I was down to run the Alloa Half on Sunday, Mar 21 which meant that an easy three mile run was required on the Saturday. A few days before I noticed that the parkrun was still seeking a tail runner so I offered my services, which meant that for the first time in ages I could afford myself the luxury of a drink on a Friday night.
I cycled along to Pollok Park and after the usual pre race banter I joined the back of some 240 runners. “Are you running I asked a pensive looking lass”, “I was hoping to but I heard that it was people with dogs and prams these all look like serious runners too me!” I put her mind to ease and we set off down the road, where a couple of late runners caught up with us. As we reached the glade a young lass with a Cardonald College Sports Club top on was struggling and I then joined her and encouraged her to run and walk her way around the course. Her name was Annmarie Markham and she was aiming to run in this year’s Scottish Women’s 10k Race. By the time we took the sharp left and were heading for the hills, the leaders were lapping and we exchanged words of encouragement as they passed by.
We weren’t lapped by all that many by the time we started our second lap of the course and the lass managed to increase her pace slightly as we ran down the glade and then walked and ran the hills. At the top of the hill, I encouraged her to run with me all the way to the finish, which we did with her Cardonald College friends providing strong vocal support as we made it down the final strait and over the line. We had taken just under 40 minutes, she was shattered but happy and hopefully the run will help her in her 10k attempt. Whilst a few were surprised that I took a finishers token, I did as it counts as my 39th parkrun and meant that Annmarie didn’t finish last in her introduction to the parkrun.
My result: 243rd place in a time of 39:42
Rather than receiving just the one point for my run, I received 100 for volunteering which takes my total points to 837 and places me fifth in the individual men’s table.
On another note it was good to see Kirkintilloch’s Gordon MacDonald making a tentative comeback after being injured since last year’s Loch Ness Marathon. His club mate Willie Reid continues his return to form, placing 40th in 21:22, one second better than my time last week. Also making her return to the parkrun after a few weeks being away with work was Carolyn Boyd who got a new PB of 23:48 in her tenth outing. Others of note were Al Maclachan new PB of18:11, John Gilhooley new PB of 20:56 and Lynne Sim new PB of 26:31.
