Friday 25 November 2011

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
EventPerfPosVenueMeetingDate
12.5K48:34:0010KirkintillochKirkintilloch Olympians 12.5K20-Feb-11
33MMT03:54:0010StrathyreGlen Ogle 3305-Nov-11
40MMT05:39:557PartickClyde Stride 4016-Jul-11
43MMT06:51:0410TyndrumDevil O The Highlands 4306-Aug-11
SHORT5K16:1311BroadwoodBroadwood 5K (Short)18-Aug-11
10K36:55:0027JamestownVale of Leven 10K12-Jun-11
10K37:17:009GlasgowSVHC Open Veterans 10K14-Aug-11
HM80:23:0034Loch LomondBalloch to Clydebank Half Marathon13-Mar-11
HM80:41:0084GlasgowBank Of Scotland Great Scottish Run Half Marathon04-Sep-11
HM82:28:006CoatbridgeMonklands Half Marathon15-May-11
HM84:18:0024KirkintillochNeil Mccover Memorial Half Marathon09-Oct-11
Mar02:52:2413InvernessBaxters Loch Ness Marathon02-Oct-11
Mar02:58:25860LondonVirgin London Marathon17-Apr-11
50K03:37:373PerthScottish 50K Championships27-Mar-11
ZXC37:29:0089IrvineScottish West District Championships16-Jan-11
ZXC49:03:00172FalkirkScottish National Championships19-Feb-11
ZXCL15:01GlasgowScottish West District Relay Championships08-Oct-11
ZXCL15:386HelensburghDunbartonshire AAA Relay Championships15-Oct-11
ZXCL16:1058CumbernauldScottish National Relay Championships22-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!!
                                                            

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