LOCH KATRINE MARATHON 10/3/2013

Possibly a one off event organised as a fundraiser by Audrey McIntosh for her Antarctic Odyssey Challenge ( http://antarcticodyssey.co.uk/ ) in support of Alzheimers Scotland this could prove to be something she has created which could grow and grow. Stunning scenery and a marvellous route, what else could you ask for? Well maybe a couple of degrees warmer for those poor marshalls and timekeepers. At least us runners can keep warm by exerting more energy but how I felt for those guys manning the water stations yesterday, thanks guys that was above and beyond.

The history bit about Loch Katrine is basically it is the main source of water for Glasgow and is collected here and travels many miles by gravity with no pumps involved to Mugdock reservoir at Milngavie to be filtered for us weejies to keep us clean and healthy.

I was running the marathon as part of the training for the WHW race but there was also a half marathon and a 10k taking place. The route was an out and back to Stronachlachar along the tarmac lochside road and my plan was an even paced 3 hour marathon, simple 1.30 out and 1.30 back. That would normally be ok but as this route was undulating to say the least it was more a case of 1.30 out and see what happens on the way back. Minus 5 when I left home but it had warmed to about zero with not much of a wind for the 9.00am start and off we went.



Photos courtesy of Charles Gordon.

I was in a group of 4 or 5 runners for the first mile which took 6min 48 secs and felt quite comfy and started to settle into a steady pace although nobody initially came with me and this left me leading the race until about 5 miles when Richie Cunningham pulled along side me.


It was a bit daunting sharing the race lead with someone of his stature but I took it as a great opportunity to pick his brains for any helpful info I could get for the upcoming West Highland Way Race. My nutrition for the day was 1 gel and 2 succeed salt tablets which proved to be fine with only a cup of orange juice at the 18 mile water station in addition. We got to half way and the turn around point in 1.29.40 and headed back the way we had come acknowledging the other runners as we went. I lost a bit of ground as I slowed to take my gel and tablets and that proved crucial in the race as I just could not close the gap again. The return half was certainly harder than the way out with the climbs steeper than on the outward section but I still manged to keep an even pace and felt strong on the final miles although every time I glimpsed Richie he was still the same distance away.




Scenic finishing straight.

I finished in 2nd place in 3hr and 41secs so not quite a negative split but as near as I have ever got. Legs were starting to feel heavy so signs that maybe a little more juice would have helped but no cramp or stomach issues and niggle free. That was the easy week in the training schedule so back to the grind now and a few long mileage weeks now.



Thanking the lead cyclist.

Many thanks to Audrey and her team at this race as it was truly baltic and they must have taken hours to defrost after all of the runners had finished.

Results here : http://antarcticodyssey.co.uk/loch-katrine-running-festival/ 

My garmin details : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/282754746  Only good to halfway as I hit the wrong button to record my split and did not actually swim any section of the race.

WHW TRAINING UPDATE

So we are now 3 months in to the West Highland Way Race training and I am now starting to feel the benefits of the back 2 back weekend longer runs, although I don't think Mrs wife is too impressed with the working Saturday AM and running home but not getting in till 6.30pm. I have promised that after June 22 I will have a rest and spend some quality family time with her and the little guy and make up for the 7 months of absent fatherhood. She has told me she will not be coming along to witness my suffering which I can totally understand but she has demanded constant updates so support crew beware and be careful what you report.

On the support side I am now well equipped and I think with the lads I have with me I am the least qualified in running quality. Speedo the driver is faster than a fast guy, Mark is gunning for his 15th sub 3 hour in a row London Marathon in a few weeks and Duncan has completed the WHW race a few years back although his memory is not too clear after Glencoe and a bit patchy with race tips. Nearly forgot to add Gavin in there and those of you who shop at Sweatshop Glasgow will be aware I am in for a serious lot of conversation should I call on him as support runner on the latter sections of the race. Anyways the guest house is booked and if all else fails I can stop for a breakie before the finish as it is just before the the finish line of the DOTH.

I have been averaging 50-70 miles a week for the last 12 weeks and I am happy with that in the time constraints but I do want to rattle in 2 or 3 90 mile weeks before May. I was planning the first ultra to be the D33 but I cannot get away that Saturday from work but as I had an inkling this was going to happen I entered the Loch Katrine Marathon the week before. So I will give that a real good gut burst but as I have only ran a 12k on it before am totally unsure how hard it will be but sure it will be a toughy. My main focus is the Scottish 50km Championship which is part of the Anglo Celtic Plate event and I am hoping to better my previous best on the course of 3hr 37mins. After that I am running the London Marathon as pacemaker for a friend and then the Highland Fling with the main objective to get to Tyndrum feeling human and having a feeling that I could continue further.

This weekend has been a tester as I decided a few weeks ago to run the National X-Country and then run home from Falkirk on tired legs to get used to the pain and suffering. So a one lap warm up Callander Park which was 2.5 miles and then the race itself of 3 laps x 2.5 miles gave me 10 miles.

Having a ball at the national. Photo by Auntie Karen.

 Only small technical problem was after running at what I perceive as about 90 per cent and clocking 48m 44 secs which was not far off PB for the national I had cooled down a bit by the time Duncan dropped me off at the Falkirk Wheel for the 16 mile return trip.

Thankfully Norrie McNeill had messaged me and said he would meet me around about Banknock and run to Croy with me for a bit of company and this was great till he suggested we take a short cut over a hill which misses out a bit of the canal towards Auchinstarry Basin and would save me a bit of time. Yes it may well have saved a minute but it was more of a mountain to me at that stage of the day than him. Said my farewells to Norrie as he set off back up the hill we had just conquered and shuffled the last 7 miles home, uphill I may add. 26 miles with a 12km race to start with is a WORKOUT, maybe not the most intelligent but still a WORKOUT.

Recovery run today was 14 miles which was very pleasant and rattled in 1hr 43mins on a hilly route and no painat all in the legs so good signs I hope.

Next up Loch Katrine, bring it on.

SVHC ROAD RELAYS 27/01/2013

Two months into the training now for the West Highland Way Race and I have had eight weeks of 50-60 miles per week, so it was time for a wee burst of speed to open the lungs up. I cut the Saturday run to 12 easy miles and the plan was to run from home down to Strathclyde Park do my lap and then run home but as it was howling wind and rain I just drove down and had a couple of warm up laps in preparation for the sprint.

I was on leg 2 and with about 70 teams entered it was a bit busy waiting on the handover for my lap from Ralph. I was off and running with one clear target ahead which unfortunately for my younger brother Chris was him, he had headed off just over a minute ahead of me and he knew what was coming but how long he could stretch it out being the question. 2 miles was the point and I refrained from skelping his arse as he is a wee bit touchy but I am sure all the comments were of support!!! 

I ran my 3.64 mile leg in 22min 16 secs although official time is 22 min 11 secs. I ran at almost the same average mile pace all the way and felt great all the way not even noticing the inclines on the third mile so the training must be reaping rewards. Team position was 11th overall one place behind our V50 team who were second in the over 50 competition. Overall the event was won by Ronhill cambuslang with some rather fast individual times.

Garmin details here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/266451361

Another excellent Scottish Veteran Harriers Club event. Thanks to the timekeepers and marshalls for all the support.

Results here : http://scottishmastersathletics.webnode.com/results/a2013/ 

So another week ticked off on the grand plan and now time to up the distance on the weekend back to back runs. This coming weekend is 15 miles steady flattish on Saturday afternoon to be followed up early Sunday morning with 30 miles on the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Conic Hill and back, with a trial of the pork pie nutrition strategy.

LENZIE JOG 2/01/2013

A little fun run for me but I am sure this was one of the most important days of my wee boys athletics career and the start of his 2024 Olympic dream. A damp morning did not even put him off and as soon as he saw me putting on my running gear he was searching his cupboard for his trainers and the juice cupboard for his lucozade for after the run. So over to Lenzie and stand in line to register for the 2k run, a really reasonable entry fee of £1 for me and 50p for the little guy, heck if only all races were so generously priced!!!! Number 325 for me and 326 for Andrew, question is what order would they finish.

Nerves were not apparent as he stripped of his jacket and handed it to mum along with his hat, I think he meant business. The race started along with the 9k and 4.5k and we headed off from the back with dozens of other family teams, a real treat to see so many youngsters out enjoying themselves and mums and dads trailing along in their wake as they pursued the leaders. I had my garmin on to record his first race and I made the mistake of telling him he was only half way round as I was set for miles. On the wee climb to the finishing straight I promised him he was nearly there and he hared off and left me as can be seen in the next photo.

He was not for a joint finish or any of that nonsense he just wanted to beat dad and finished with great delight. Not seen any results but they don't matter as this was just about having fun with the family. An excellent event supported by about 270 finishers over the 3 races.

Andrew's garmin details here :  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/257013637
On Thursday morning as I was slipping my trainers on for an early run the wee man came bounding down the stairs and the cry was  'can I come with you on your run this morning dad?' . I think mummy is going to have more running gear to clean in the future.

2012 REVIEW

Well I have left it to the last minute for the review of the year, and as I have had such a varied year with events I do not know exactly where to begin.  The month of December has been great with the Marcothon taking up more time than Mrs Wife appreciates.

So up until tonight 30 days have been completed and as long as I am fit and healthy tomorrow the full challenge will be completed. I have managed one race this month which nearly ended the rest of the months running but it was only a bit of sliding and bumping and a great race in to the bargain, the Pentland 7reservoirs half was a truly excellent event and I thoroughly recommend it for next year.

Strathclyde Park

I ended the year with a small challenge of taking part in a Saturday morning Parkrun, not much of a challenge for a lot of folk but as I work Saturdays and need to negotiate one off they are normally taken up with marathons or ultras. So as this one was the first and only spare in the 2 years since I registered I was down to Strathclyde Park (10 mins from my house) and finally registered on the finish list. It was not pretty and it was most definitely a great workout, a 4th place finish in 18min 32 secs. Only my third ever 5k and a total gutbuster after a week of beer and food but I really enjoyed it and I shall be back whenever I can make it.

Below is the list from the Power of 10 website of all the events they have captured me at this year, although I wonder who entered an event in my name with my SA number as I was not at that event and did not even enter it as MHFS 10k is not mine.

2012 V40 Victoria Park City of Glasgow
Event	Perf				Pos				Venue	Meeting	Date
5.8ML	34:54				27	L6			Livingstone	Scottish Relays Championships	31 Mar 12
12.5K	47:42				4			3	Kirkintilloch	Kirkintilloch 12.5K	12 Feb 12
33MMT	3:55:01				5			2	Aberdeen	D33 Ultra	17 Mar 12
33MMT	4:00:27				5				Strathyre	Glen Ogle 33	3 Nov 12
40MMT	5:31:30				6				Glasgow	Clyde Stride Ultra Marathon 40	21 Jul 12
43MMT	6:33:02				5			4	Fort William	Devil O The Highlands 43	4 Aug 12
53MMT	9:35:35				37			16	Milngavie	HOKA Highland Fling 53	28 Apr 12
10000	37:24.0				12				Coatbridge	SVHC 10,000m Championships	21 Oct 12
5K	18:35				14			4	Cumbernauld	ToC Broadwood 5K	16 Aug 12
4.8M	29:10				9			3	Coatbridge	SVHC Snowball Race 4.8	2 May 12
10K	36:56				10			3	Glasgow	SVHC Open Masters 10K	19 Aug 12
10K	37:07				11			5	Glasgow	SVHC Walter Ross 10K	6 May 12
10K	48:14			47:43	667			81	Glasgow	MHFS 10K	17 Jun 12
10KMT	37:12				7			2	Kirkintilloch	Kirkintilloch Olympians 10K	14 Jun 12
HM	80:45				26			15	Kirkintilloch	Neil McCover Memorial Half Marathon (Inc BMAF Champs)	7 Oct 12
HM	80:50				14			3	Dumfries	Dumfries Half Marathon	23 Sep 12
HM	83:06			83:03	6			1	Coatbridge	Monklands Half Marathon	13 May 12
HM	87:14				8			3	Perth	Heaven & Hell Half Marathon	8 Apr 12
Mar	2:53:24			2:53:22	26			3	Liverpool	RunLiverpool Marathon	14 Oct 12
Mar	2:59:55				5			4	Comrie	Strathearn Marathon	10 Jun 12
ZRDL	19:29				22				Glasgow	McAndrew Relays	6 Oct 12
ZXC	35:04				78			32	Kilmarnock	Scottish National Masters' Championships	4 Feb 12
ZXC	50:13				211				Falkirk	Scottish National Championships	18 Feb 12
ZXCL	11:59				8	L4			Dumbarton	Dunbartonshire County Relay Championships	20 Oct 12
ZXCL	15:59				64	L2			Cumbernauld	Scottish National Relay Championships	27 Oct 12

So best wishes to all you runners out there and heres to a really enjoyable 2013.

YAKTRAX TEST

With no sign of the packed ice on the pavements shifting I bit the bullet and decided that after Sundays falling down session I would finally give in and add a bit of traction to my shoes. I have ordered a pair of  "Ice Runner" grippers online but will not be here for a few days so a quick call to my mate Gav @ Sweatshop Glasgow and a pair of Yaktrax were on my feet ready for a christening along my Tuesday evening run from Anniesland to Bishopbriggs. This would allow me to stay upright and enjoy all the Christmas decor along Bilsland Drive, which most Glasgow residents know is always the street to go along to see the first tree of the season and normally an indication Easter has passed.

The Yaktrax were easy to fit and after the initial mile or two I did actually stop and check to see if they were still there as I could not feel them on my shoes. The only time I noticed them was when the ice ran out and I was on tarmac but even then they were fine for running on. I actually added a few sharp left and right hand corners to give them an extra test and they passed with flying colours. Seven miles on mostly packed ice and no slips at all, excelent product and it does what it says on the box. The ice runners are going to have to go some to beat these but time will tell and so shall I.

7 RESERVOIRS HALF MARATHON

There was a limit of 100 entries for this race and luckily I secured one as soon as the entries opened as it was full within hours. Never having set foot in the Pentland Hills before it was to be an new adventure. Minus 4C when I set off from home along the M8 but a beautiful crisp clear day. Managed to find Threipmuir Farm for registration where the first indication of what lay ahead was in the signing of a disclaimer absolving the race organisers of any liability to injuries caused while running the route. The word was there was some ice on the course, how much was still to be discovered.

Race Route.

Footwear was going to be key to survival today so a tricky decision had to be made. The last 3 Decembers have thrown some treacherous icy conditions at us and I have stuck with my road shoes and thankfully they have kept me upright but as this was more trail and fell running I went with my new bright orange Adidas trail shoes. The race start was moved onto the grass verge along the first reservoir as the path was like a skating rink. You soon realise this is a serious race when the runners vests all have a mention of 'HILL' in the club name. So off we went sliding away for a few miles and after my second fall I admitted to myself I was a twat and 'yes' I had made the wrong shoe choice. There were 6 runners ahead and I could not hear anyone close behind so the target was the man ahead and hope he is going the correct way. The paths were just all ice so bounding across the grass and heather and anything resembling green stuff was the only option. Once I reached the tarmac path at the next reservoir I was back on terra firma but still had to be cautious. I had lost a bit of ground while performing like a newly born calf trying to stand for the first time. Bambi did come to mind but I think he got the hang of it quicker than me.

A kind steward pointed me up a hill as he mentioned that we were at halfway and although I could not see the top of the hill at least it was grass and not ice. As I got higher a layer of icy snow was reached and a few miles on this was bliss, it was really great running and I started pulling in the runner in front.



Picture courtesy of Bob Marshall.

The view over Edinburgh and most of central Scotland was spectacular just before the descent and I wished I had brought my camera but in hindsight probably just as well I hadn't as it would have been in bits by now. I passed the runner in front of me around about the last reservoir and with 3 miles to go tried pushing on a bit but a long icy uphill path put paid to that although there was a short stretch of forest to the left of the path which I jooked through. Downhill now and onto the final straight to the finish, across a small bridge and through a gap in a wall and 'wallop' , I was now staring at a clear blue sky. I don't believe it, 100mtrs to go and I land flat on my back with a bit of a somersault into the bargain.

A mere flesh wound.

The steward on hand kindly asked if I was ok and as I hobbled up the grass verge I proclaimed I would be once I finished. So hobbled to the line finishing in 1hr 38mins 5secs in 6th place and was handed the 1st vets prize so a good day out in the hills. The medic on hand cleared the muck out of my leg and I refueled with a mug of tea and a couple of slices of fruit cake (how appropriate).

This was a belter of an event and superbly organised by Harmeny Pentland Runners, many congratulations guys this race will be very popular next year.

Results : http://www.pentland7reservoirs.org.uk/Results2012Final.pdf
Garmin details : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/248564919