MONKLANDS/STRATHEARN/WHW CATCH UP

There has been a lack of time recently for blogging with work and training getting in the way and also the small problem of squeezing in 5 x 7 hour classroom training days before the 8th September so I can keep hold of my class 1 HGV licence, even though I have not been out in a truck for a while.

So with 24 hours to go before I head off for the Great Glen Race a brief catch up of the last two months which included a half marathon a full marathon and 37 miles during the WHW as support for my mate Mark.

I unwisely entered the Monklands Half Marathon at the beginning of May forgetting we were having family over the day before and a few drinks would no doubt be sunk and sadly this is in fact how it turned out and I hit the start start line for what is not the flattest of halfs at the best of time somewhat worse for wear. I had jogged up for the race and should have sussed from this it was not going to be pretty and the next 1hr and 25 minutes did not improve my wellbeing. I felt as if I had ran faster but that will teach me more about race preparation. A bonus though was I actually place third vet in the West District Half Marathon championship and headed off on my homeward run with a bronze Scottish Athletics medal. So all in not to bad a result and a 19 mile workout.

Monklands Strava details

Sunday 8th June and the setting was Cultybraggan Camp just outside Comrie in Perthshire for the Strathearn Marathon. A must do for all marathon runners if you have not already, this is a wee toughy. The pre race brief warned of the 5 mile uphill start but I knew that was a little fib as I recalled running the race two years previously. In actual fact it is 9 miles uphill before the gradual descent and a further climb a couple of miles later but in the whole a great race and superb organisation. I had a fairly steady race but the earlier climbs eventually took their toll and I suffered a little in the last 2 miles but managed to finish in a respectful 3:00:51.

 Strathearn Strava details

Strathearn start

Saturday 21st June and I was supporting clubmate Mark Ashby in his first ( and he says last) West Highland Way Race. Myself, Alex Potter and Stuart Barnett (Speedo) were providing support and my plan was to get as many miles with Mark as allowed which was helped by the record breaking speed Paul Giblin ran in an incredible display. Marks race went as planned and I had 37 miles with him which although not all running were good to get in the legs. He finished in 22hrs 45 minutes and is adamant he will not be doing it again so I may have my back up runner for next year sorted.

Chasing Mark in to Beinglas farm

So off to relax now and try and get as much sleep as possible before Saturdays 1.00am race start.

HOKA HIGHLAND FLING 26TH APRIL 2014

If Carlsberg did ultras then this is the one they would claim as possibly the best one in the world. Now if you have not ran an ultra in Scotland before and you have just ran the Fling you will be thinking to yourself that you could not match a race like that again and I have to agree the atmosphere at the finish was something else and all along the route from start to finish we were treated to first class service from the Fling Race Crew which I am told numbered in excess of 100 VOLUNTEERS giving up most of their weekend so we runners could stroll along the 53 mile route at our leisure and pick up food and drink along the way. My reason in not overstating the excellence of this event is so I can draw a bit of attention to the larger Scottish ultra race scene as those of you not from these parts may not have been aware that most if not all the race directors/organisers of the races in the SUMS (Scottish Ultra Marathon Series) were present on Saturday in some capacity be it running, stewarding or general dogsbody. So many thanks to John and all you guys and keep up the great work.

All of the races in the SUMS series have the same great feel to them with the Fling having the largest cast of all.

SUMS website here :http://www.scottishultramarathonseries.org/

So briefly on to my race and I had set myself the target of breaking 9 hours, having previously ran 9:35 in 2012 and 9:15 in 2013. I was hoping that another years experience would have educated me further in pacing and also with a few more ultras completed my legs would be getting a bit more used to the rough terrain. Sadly I failed in my quest by 4 minutes and 39 seconds crossing the line in 9:04:39 in 29th place. I think that having concentrated a little too much of my training on my pacing duties at the London Marathon and not doing enough off road took its toll as I lost what I think was valuable time between Inversnaid and Beinglas although from memory I think only 2 or 3 runners passed me. Still it was a PB by more than 10 minutes and I felt fine at the finish so all good signs on the build up to the Great Glen Way Race.

I have been trying out the Hoka shoes in my training (Hoka rapa nui trail) and this was the longest distance so far in them and I can now vouch for their comfort during a race of this distance and the after results where I had no pain at all in my calfs on the Sunday morning and was even back running on Monday night with a 10km jog albeit rather sluggishly.

Race results here  : Fling Website

Strava details to here : Race up to 45 miles (watched packed in)

LONDON MARATHON 2014 - PACERS VIEW

My mission for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2014 was to run the race in 3 hour 30 minutes as a pacer for Runners World Magazine after being recruited onto the Pacer Team. Having ran 9 previous London Marathons sub 3 hours this would not seem such a difficult task but throughout the last few months of training I have been practicing long runs at 8 minute mile pace and it was proving more difficult than first thought. I am not for one minute being cocky about being able to run faster than this pace but on training runs it was taking a lot of concentration to hold the pace steady at the desired speed but with a bit of patience and quite a few extra miles of training I finally had the confidence that I could hold it steady for 26.2 miles.

The week leading up to the race was not ideal after being involved in a smash with my car which has since been written off, still at least the girl who rammed me and myself were not injured and I get a new car.

Short flight from Glasgow to London City Airport with Michael after a wee bit of BA hospitality on Friday and the simple task of collecting our numbers and my backpack from the Runners World stand at the expo.
Not so simple as it turned out as my own original good for age entry was proving to rather troublesome with the organisers who had two of me running but no obvious system in place for issuing me my Pacer number and deferring my original number.

After three visits to the help desk and onto my third number I finally had in my hand a blue number which unfortunately had the wrong pen number on it but something I thought could be sorted ( more on this later).
I collected my back which thankfully was very light in weight and we set off for our hotel and an evening meal.

Correct number wrong pen number.

Saturday morning we had our usual pre-marathon Hyde Park 10k jog in rather glorious sunshine and all was looking good for Sunday. Pre marathon fry up and haircut and relax for the rest of the day watching footie and generally not moving more than necessary.

Not healthy but bloody tasty.

Marathon morning in London is interesting as you have so many people running their first and those who are old hands at it and used to the organisation and transport. Basically just follow the runners with the red bags and you will get to the start. Train to Maze Hill and into Greenwich Park to pick up my flag and we were good to go.

In the blue start holding area I had a small sense of celebrity status with lots of runners asking my run plans and pacing tactics for the day and lots of photo taking. The issue of the wrong pen number proved how efficient the stewards are in London as when I explained to them I had the wrong number they promptly ignored my request for leniency and pointed me in the direction of the next pen refusing my request to join my fellow 3:30 pacer. No worries really as I just went in the next pen and made my way through the crowd to get as close to where I should have been.

The race started right on time and we walked forwards with the crowd which gradually picked up pace and I crossed the start line with 1.26 already on the clock so that number had to be remembered for the rest of the race. First 2 miles were really difficult to get the 8 minute miles in so a little off pace but I managed to even it out and by mile 7 around about Cutty Sark I was into the groove. Through the half way marker in 1:44:48 with the temperature rising I felt really comfortable with the pace and by now sure I could carry it through till the end. The crowds today were larger than before which I would attribute to them wanting to see Mo Farah and I was enjoying the shouts from the crowd noticing the flag and all the people following with a time to hit. Around about 23 miles another 3:30 pacer pulled alongside me and asked how my timing was and I confirmed I was going to be between 3:29 and 3:30 he queried it as he thought we were a minute slow as we had lost signal a few times in the tunnels and the satellite signal had disappeared.

Down Birdcage Walk and on to the Mall with the clock showing 3:30 I knew it was in the bag and successfully paced the route. I slowed to watch as a few runners who had been following me pushed on under the clock remembering to duck as I reached it and not wipe it out with my flag. As I was dechipped several people thanked me for getting them under 3:30 and I felt really emotional that I had been able to help them reach a goal some of us tend to take for granted.

Splits

Split	Time Of Day	Time	Diff	min/km	km/h	Place
5K	10:26:21	00:24:56	24:56	05:00	12.04	-
10K	10:51:15	00:49:50	24:54	04:59	12.05	-
15K	11:15:54	01:14:28	24:38	04:56	12.17	-
20K	11:40:50	01:39:25	24:57	05:00	12.03	-
HALF	11:46:14	01:44:48	05:23	04:55	12.21	-
25K	12:05:34	02:04:09	19:21	04:58	12.11	-
30K	12:30:27	02:29:02	24:53	04:59	12.06	-
35K	12:55:13	02:53:48	24:46	04:58	12.11	-
40K	13:19:35	03:18:09	24:21	04:53	12.32	-
Finish time	13:30:27	03:29:02	10:53	04:58	12.11	4205

Two of my VP-Glasgow clubs mates were running alongside me for a while both hoping to hit 3:30, Christine struggled a bit with a calf injury finishing in 3:57:28 and Aisling on her marathon debut ran 3:36:51 .

Where's my bag???

LOCH KATRINE MARATHON 23/03/2014

Loch Katrine

The second running of the one-off event. Well if something ain't broken don't try to fix it just carry on as before and let's all have a bit of fun at the same time. Lots of Facebook banter and a lot of returning runner's who enjoyed the running festival last year and were more than delighted to return to take part again and also help race director Audrey McIntosh's Alzheimer Scotland fund raising into the bargain.

For those of you who have not heard about the event the details can be found at Loch Katrine running Festival but in brief there are three races which include a 10km, half marathon and marathon all sharing the route which runs alongside Loch Katrine in the Scottish Trossachs about an hour's drive from Glasgow. My brother Chris was also running the marathon although he was not full of confidence due to a lack of training but he was determined to finish as he was running to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Chris showing some pre race nerves

A pleasant drive up to Loch Katrine and registered in plenty of time and decision time about how many layers to wear. I always go with the more is better policy as it can always be taken off enroute so went with long sleeves under club vest, gloves and hat. Shorts as always as legs don't get cold, do they? As Audrey gave the race brief Doc Andrew Murray asked if I fancied running a bit with him and before I answered the hooter went and we were off, and when I say off I mean he was off like a hare out of a trap, apart from when he passed me on the return after the turning point I did not get an opportunity to run anywhere near him. This is not a PB course but a fairly decent time can still be done but the constant climbing and descending do take their toll and I would liken it to the first five miles at the Loch Ness Marathon only it continues here for the full race. The pictures below will give an idea of the terrain.

Add caption

Half Marathon turn point. Photo by Billy (mountain goat) Quigley

I ran 2hrs 59min 16secs finishing in 3rd place and 10 minutes behind Andrew who took 8 minutes off the course record set by Richie Cunningham last year. Chris came in 3hrs 49mins delighted and hurting at the same time.

Photo by Fiona Rennie

Chris declined a beer and settled for water

I cannot recommend this event highly enough and would think it will sell out even quicker next year.

Many thanks to Audrey and all the stewards, cyclists and time keepers.

Link to Chris's Just giving page : Just Giving - Chris's page

Results : to follow

 My Strava details

NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY - FALKIRK - 22/02/2014

Thankfully the last cross country race of the season, a short 12km stroll around Callander Park in Falkirk.
I always see this as an indication of how the winter training has gone and gauge how I feel after the race. well today was a little different as the course was in the worst condition I have ever seen it in and the senior mens entry numbers were again up on the previous year so if you were not quick enough at the start you were going to be in one long queue of runners.

The mudhill

So inevitably I was stuck in a long line of runners on the first of three 4km laps, although not too bothered as I am naturally a slow starter anyway. Progress  was further interupted when the runner in front of me took a tumble on the descent from the mudhill, luckily I managed to stop and bodyswerve him as a couple of others tumbled over him.

A bit of an unevenful race as I picked my way through the runners feeling comfortable but really not enjoying the underfoot conditions. I knew Duncan was ahead of me as I had seen him head off in front of me but had not seen any other team mates till the final hill and I could see I was pulling Daddy Derek in. I caught him just as we come down to the finishing straight which was possibly a mistake as he is an 800mtr track specialist and as I pulled alongside him for a chat his words were " for f**ks sake, I am not having you beat me" and sprinted off like a bullet. Next time he is getting no warning and it will be a 5mtr finish.

Dereks arm I think

Finishing time of  51:11 which is well slower than last years 48:44, possibly a little to do with the underfoot conditions and congestion but I was happy with the run so no complaints.

After last years race I ran another 16 miles home but decided to ditch that plan and save it for a long Sunday run which proved sensible and I had a pleasant early morning 21 mile recovery run.

 Full results here

Strava details here

KIRKIE 12.5KM RACE 16/2/2014

1st race of the 2014 Run Kirkintilloch Series organised by Kirkintilloch Olympians.

The first test run to see how the winter training has gone and after a week in Fuerteventura all inclusive I was not starting this race with much confidence of a fast time but I did want to run it at a steady pace even though it includes 7 sharp climbs.

8:2016:4025:0033:2041:4050:0004:0005:0006:0007:0008:0009:00Pace (min/mi)Pace:07:39 min/miTime: 14:42 h:m:s

This was the first team the full Team Craig had lined up on a start line together for 6 months and only the 3rd or 4th time ever so it would be an interesting event seeing who would catch who (ha ha). Plan for me was meet Michael in Bishopbriggs and have a warm up 5 miles over to the start, race and then 6 mile run home. Michael was meant to follow the same plan but there were several doubters in the camp on the outcome of that.

The warm up run to the start lulled us into a false sense of wellbeing with a calm canal and a gentle breeze almost springlike with a welcome blue sky for a change after weeks of wind and rain. The race started promptly and a few runners blasted off along the first half km which is flat until the climbing and descending starts. The first couple of miles were fine but a stiff breeze ensued for the next two but I managed to keep the splits quite even without blowing up with the knowledge that miles 5 and 6 would be with the wind behind us with the out and back route. Mile 6 and the finishing straight were also even so I was delighted to have held them all comfortably and the only disappointment was I just did not have a finishing burst to reel in 2 guys who had been about 10 mtrs in front of me for the last 2 miles.

Splits were : Mile 1 - 5:50
                   Mile 2 - 6:23
                   Mile 3 - 6:32
                   Mile 4 - 6:34
                   Mile 5 - 6:23
                   Mile 6 - 6:23
                   Mile 7 - 6:23
                0.8 mile - 6:32     Finishing time 49.33  

Miles 3 and 4 then 7 till the finish into a stiff headwind.

Michael finished in 51:24 , Chris 56:05 and Kate 77:06 all delighted to have taken part but not particularly joyous and bursting with energy to accompany me on the recovery run.

Fellow VP-Glasgow runners were Alison Kerr 50:57 2nd lady and Andy Law 50:40 .

Michael, Chris and Ada await their coffees.

After a recovery coffee a recovery run of 6 miles took the total for the day up to 18.2 miles.

Another excellent race organised by the Olympians and many thanks to the marshalls and timekeepers standing in the cold for our enjoyment.

Strava details here

Race results here

MUD, WIND AND RAIN

After about eight weeks of consistent mileage running it was time to get a couple of races in and get the lungs opened up so I had planned a double header for the weekend. Dunbartonshire x-country on Saturday and then Scottish Veteran Harriers Club Relay on Sunday. Saturday morning at work I got soaked and there was not much of a let up as I headed for Dalmuir Golf Club for the race. One little problem I had was I had thrown away my x-country spike shoes vowing months ago not to run another so was going to have to race with my trail shoes. This would have been fine on any other course but as the golf course had decided they were not letting anyone run over their lovely grass the race had to be rejigged to a zig zag around the council park. The first 10mtrs signalled problems as my legs started moving but not much forward progress was gained, a problem I just had to endure for another 4.7miles. If there had not been trees to go round I would have been totally snookered as I grabbed on and swung myself around to head in the opposite direction. Still it was a great workout and a lesson on footwear selection.

For a laugh you can view my Strava stats here : http://www.strava.com/activities/108831786
8841

Results :  http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=100529&event=ZXC&venue=Clydebank&date=25-Jan-14

Sunday morning and the relentless wind and rain continued and I was not looking forward to the lap at Strathclyde Park which is a windy course on a calm day. I arrived in plenty of time and ran a lap to gauge how bad it was going to be and the verdict was AWFUL. Miraculously just before I set off on leg two there was a break in the weather and it certainly calmed down meaning only the first leg runners got a raw deal. I ran 22.36 for the 3.8miles and was quite pleased considering the conditions.

Strava details here :  http://www.strava.com/activities/109068841

Results here :   http://www.runbritainrankings.com/results/results.aspx?meetingid=93689&event=3.8ML&venue=Motherwell&date=26-Jan-14

I have had confirmation I am now on the Runners World Pacing Team for the London Marathon in April so if anyone is going to be on the Blue Start looking for a 3.30 finish keep a look out for me and give me a shout. If anyone wants a training run at 8 minute miles on the road let me know as I will need to give it a try out a few times to adjust as I do not want to let anyone down, the pressure is on.