Steph Twell - Personal bests

Event	Time	Venue	Date
400metres	0:58:19	Bedford, England	6 June 2006
800metres	2:05:59	Watford, England	12 June 2010
1500metres	4:02:54	Zurich, Switzerland	19 August 2010
One mile	4:28:16	Brussels, Belgium	14 September 2007
3000metres	8:50:89	Stuttgart, Germany	14 September 2008
5000metres	14:54:08	Brussels, Belgium	27 August 2010
9k Road Race	29:03:00	Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire	2 January 2014

Fast First Footing at Pollok Park

Concentration! - pic by Christopher Quinn

The first day of 2014 and I made my way along to run Glasgow parkrun for the 108th time. I had hoped to get in a decent warm up but I spent most of the time exchanging New Year greetings with numerous running buddies. When I did get round to doing some running, I realised just how slippy the road and with a temperature of just 2C, I wasn't surprised to learn that yet another alternate route had been devised by the team of great volunteers involved in providing the weekly, free, 5k event.

I lined up with 248 other runners, including seven Bellahouston Harriers and four Kilmarnock Harriers, on the soft grass facing up towards the Burrell, as the Race Director explained the amended course and warned us of the tricky conditions before wishing us a Happy New Year and sending us on our merry way.

I started a little further up the field than usual and set off at a relatively good pace. After only 70 metres we turned a sharp right, where a further 220metres up hill took us through the woods, where joined the usual route at the start of the squinty hill section. The Race Director had forewarned us that we would have the pleasure of ascending the hills three times today, rather than the usual two. The race was a bit congested at this point and with a number of kids running around me, I had to take my time as we joined the paved section. It wasn't long though until I was able to increase the pace and set out to escape the congestion. I found myself passing Erica Christie, who had beat me by 9secs in my last outing on Christmas Day. I decided just to run through the puddles and to try to stick as close to Rodger MCELENEY as possible. Rodger's in the same age category as me and should really be a target, that said there's no doubt that he's faster than me and seems to get faster as the race progresses. I noticed Mary Senior over taking me but there was little I could do, I know that she's been having a great race season. I was feeling a little bit worse for wear, due to the Hogmanay excesses which continued into the wee sma' hours and my legs were sore from my recent running, however my legs also felt fast and I was confident of having a good race. I managed to catch Mary and I also held off a strong challenge from Giffnock North's Hilary MILLAR before catching Henry MERRIWEATHER as we approached the hills for the third and final time.

Pic by Iain Burke

I couldn't break him though and he left me behind as he sprinted down the final hill but I was delighted with my performance and I crossed the line just two places behind Rodger, in 54th spot.

I was even more delighted to discover that I had completed the difficult course in a time of 22:02. I had worked hard, very hard and was almost sick as I made my way to the bar code scanners. Although the course was different, this was 38 seconds off of my Christmas Day time, which I had been more than happy with. This was my fastest Glasgow parkrun time since November 2012 and my highest wava since May 2011.

After recovering, and a quick change out of my wet vest, I exchanged more season's greetings and post run anecdotes with running buddies as we tucked into a splendid selection of cakes and mince pies, washed down with hot coffee. Many thanks to all of those volunteers that gave up their time to ensure that we had a New Year's Day parkrun and of course, to those that provide the post race refreshments.

An excellent start to 2014 and parkrun 132 in the bag!

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!