2011 RACE ROUNDUP

A wonderful thing the athletics site The Power of 10. I had a look to see what records they had for me this year and it brought back a few painful memories I had forgotten about.

2011 V40 Victoria Park City of Glasgow
Event	Perf	Pos	Venue	Meeting	Date
12.5K	48:34:00	10	Kirkintilloch	Kirkintilloch Olympians 12.5K	20-Feb-11
33MMT	03:54:00	10	Strathyre	Glen Ogle 33	05-Nov-11
40MMT	05:39:55	7	Partick	Clyde Stride 40	16-Jul-11
43MMT	06:51:04	10	Tyndrum	Devil O The Highlands 43	06-Aug-11
SHORT5K	16:13	11	Broadwood	Broadwood 5K (Short)	18-Aug-11
10K	36:55:00	27	Jamestown	Vale of Leven 10K	12-Jun-11
10K	37:17:00	9	Glasgow	SVHC Open Veterans 10K	14-Aug-11
HM	80:23:00	34	Loch Lomond	Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon	13-Mar-11
HM	80:41:00	84	Glasgow	Bank Of Scotland Great Scottish Run Half Marathon	04-Sep-11
HM	82:28:00	6	Coatbridge	Monklands Half Marathon	15-May-11
HM	84:18:00	24	Kirkintilloch	Neil Mccover Memorial Half Marathon	09-Oct-11
Mar	02:52:24	13	Inverness	Baxters Loch Ness Marathon	02-Oct-11
Mar	02:58:25	860	London	Virgin London Marathon	17-Apr-11
50K	03:37:37	3	Perth	Scottish 50K Championships	27-Mar-11
ZXC	37:29:00	89	Irvine	Scottish West District Championships	16-Jan-11
ZXC	49:03:00	172	Falkirk	Scottish National Championships	19-Feb-11
ZXCL	15:01		Glasgow	Scottish West District Relay Championships	08-Oct-11
ZXCL	15:38	6	Helensburgh	Dunbartonshire AAA Relay Championships	15-Oct-11
ZXCL	16:10	58	Cumbernauld	Scottish National Relay Championships	22-Oct-11

I have ran most distances this year but the two races which I have enjoyed most are the Devil O the Highlands and the Scottish 50k road race championship. Setting a new PB for the 50k was the aim for the year and I was delighted to do this in March and then move on to longer distances for the rest of the year with a view to possibly attempting the West Highland Way race in 2013. I am fully aware the severity of that challenge and in no rush to sicken myself before I think I am fully prepared.



SCOTTISH 50K PERTH IN MARCH 3RD PLACE


The step up to ultras has been gradual over the last couple of years, firstly moving onto 50k on the road has broken me in gently and now onto multi terrain longer distances. The first ultra this year was the Clyde Stride. a local race for me but on a route which I had not discovered. A great race organised by Lee Maclean and and already on next years list.

Next up was the Devils O the Highlands and maybe in hindsight the stride 4 weeks previous was maybe a little too soon but I thoroughly enjoyed this although suffered badly on the final stretch between Kinlochleven and Fort William. (see August posts for full report)  It is on longer races like this where a support team is required and my two brothers, Michael and Chris, helped out and encouraged me all the way and although both runners I don't think they will be following my lead and entering ultras just yet and I may have my work cut out persuading them to support me on the WHW.

The Loch Ness Marathon was the next long race and I ran my fastest time here in 4 attempts so the long running is obviously paying dividends. (October posts for report)
Glen Ogle 33 to finish off the years ultra running and another great race and day out. (November posts for report)

So to summarise a really enjoyable year where I have met a great group of runners, race organisers,marshalls and support teams with encouragement all the way. Thank you all.

 Now time to think about next years goals. I am entered for the Highland Fling and am going to concentrate on that so will defer my entry to the London Marathon which will stop my nine in a row attempt at eight. Still waiting for a date for the 50k road championship and that will definetely be on the list and another which I am going for is the Glenmore 24 as long as I secure an entry. This one might sound a bit strange but I reckon it will be a great challenge to try and keep going for so long and it is laps of about 4 miles on trail so support on hand regularly and another step towards the WHW race. Just need to sort a support team for this now.

December brings the Marcothon and the challenge of running 3 miles or 25 minutes every day for the month. Should be accomplished although Christmas day could be the tricky one with the little 6 year old dude expressing his opinion now and wanting dad on hand for present building. Maybe I will stick  a pair of asics runners on his santa list!!
                                                            

GLEN OGLE 33 ULTRA MARATHON

 

 The inaugural GO33 and what a race it is. Stunning Scottish scenery and glorious sunshine into the bargain what more could we ask for.

A bit of a shocker early on Saturday morning as I had to scrape the ice from the car windows but this meant no wind and no rain and sunshine on the way.

Picked up Anne Marie and then Chris who were both stewarding at the event and off to Strathyre via Callander through thick fog. Just as we were leaving Callander I had to swerve to avoid a deer lying in the middle of the road, poor guy obviously wasn't expecting a convoy of runners cars coming through that early on a Saturday morning.

Car parked and race number collected from race registration the next decision would be what to wear and how many layers would be required. Easy decision really as gloves and hat could easily be disposed of as there were checkpoints about every 6 miles.

The location of start of the race had been changed due to the unexpected high number of entries for the race and I think this was a harder route than the original as it involved a couple of miles of uphill straight from the off. 

                                         

Straight from the start a lead group pulled away containing 5 or 6 runners and I settled into a steady rythmn with the next group unsure of what lay ahead in terms of up and downhills. After a couple of miles a steep descent down past the Kings House Hotel and through checkpoint 1 onto the cycle path and on uphill. This stretch was a constant climb to 10 miles through some stunning scenery.

After checkpoint 2 we crossed the road and a short tarmac section before starting a loop of the forest which thankfully was downhill for a few miles, but  that joy was to be a short relief as the climb back up was a belter.

Climb in forest back up from Killin



At the top of this climb a bit of confusion as there was no sign but a discussion with  a few other runners and a right turn taken. Thankfully the correct route and this was mostly downhill back to the checkpoint and head back to Strathyre. Back down the old railway line for a few miles to the final checkpoint and as the early morning mist was clearing some stunning views which we couldn't see on the way up.



At the last checkpoint I ditched my camelbak thinking I had drank enough juice to see me to the finish, big mistake. The last section is about 6 miles on winding country roads and every turn seemed to bring another climb and I could feel a few twinges in my hamstring, a sure sign I needed water, but dafty had jettisoned it.

A few more great views and the end was in sight although the wobbly bridge just before the finish line

just about finished me off. 

Finishing time was 3hrs 54mins in 10th position.

Garmin details here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/126585979 

Fellow VP-Glasgow runner Mark Ashby had also had a great run and finished in 4 hrs 17 mins.

 Off to the Inn for a bowl of soup and a couple of beers to rehydrate where a happy group of runners were sharing tales about a great race.

Congratulations to Mike and Bill and their group of helpers this is a superb race which will definetely be on the list to do next year.