CLYDE STRIDE RELAY 2013

Realising I would most definitely not be up for a full race 3 weeks after the WHW race I opted for the next best thing and with a bit of forward planning entered a relay team for this years Stride, not just any relay team though as this was a team which only had the choice of 4 runners,myself and brothers Michael and Chris with little sister Catherine. Team Craig had no reserves so any thought of withdrawal from either of my two brothers or younger sister were going to be a disaster but they had been briefed and were all up for the task. We have only ever all been at the same race on two occasions, Paisley 10k a few years ago and London Marathon 2011. Four runners from the same family and all with different clubs.

A brief description of the route with those unfamiliar with the course : Start - Partick , Finish - New Lanark .
40 miles following the River Clyde upstream along cycle paths and various degrees of trail and a little bit of road.

In the run up to the race temperature in Glasgow had been hitting mid 70's and far from ideal for us locals but surely more enjoyable than the longest cold winter which I can remember and we were next to a river after all. Kate and Chris had not ran any of the route before so a couple of recce runs did take place on their individual legs, although maybe leaving Chris's till the Thursday evening before the race was a tad last minute but most enjoyable as we relaxed outside the Toby Carvery with a few beers contemplating the race 36 hours in the future.

Leg 2 start.

Race morning and Kate was a little nervous about pacing and the temperature was rising but she ran the first leg well and we were within 25 minutes of the Sweatshop ringers at the first checkpoint. Chris was off like a bullet ( alright a bit of an exaggeration after his all inclusive 10 days in Portugal). He did make me a little nervous when he asked for his inhaler just before he set off. Not sure if it legal but lots of medal winners from the last Olympics seem to be using them so not a problem as long as we don't win.

Legal drugs!!!

Job done.

Chris made good time and and pulled back one of the Sweatshop teams who had went the wrong way somewhere although I do not think he was the only one going by reports. It is always a benefit if you are certain about a route. Michael set off from Strathclyde Park and we drove along to the next checkpoint where I was going to be taking over on the glory leg, well if you are leading it is. Mauldslie Bridge is a lovely setting and you can see the runners coming round the bend in the river and a few knackered looking faces passed by. We were in 5th place when I set off a full 24 minutes behind the leader and as I was chasing Gavin knew I would not make that up but hoped I could maybe reel in second third or fourth. Alas it was not to be and as I was on the loop round New Lanark on the way to the finish I could hear cheers and shouting, which turned out to be the race for 2nd place. I was pulling them back in but ran out of distance. I was shouted over the line by Michael who was eyeing the time and urged me on to go under 5 hours which I just managed. Our final time was 4hr 59min 44 secs , 5 minutes off of 2nd and 19 from the winning Sweatshop team.

So possibly the fastest all sibling relay team in the west and a great event to be part of.

Clan Craig Relay team.

Relay Results here : https://www.facebook.com/groups/126076014092424/610792285620792/

Another excellent race organised by Lee and one of the friendliest you will find anywhere.

WEST HIGHLAND WAY RACE 2013

Three years of thinking about it and 7 months of serious training build up and finally it loomed, race day was upon us and the weather forecast was being scrutinized every five minutes. No illnesses at all for months and suddenly in the build up week a stomach bug hits but thankfully come Friday it was almost clear and I got to the start line in as good a condition as I could be in a trip into the unknown. As 53 miles has been the furthest race I have done so far this was going to be a further 42 on top of that, and not in the most hospitable territory either. I was to be assisted by fellow Victoria Park runners Speedo, Mark and Duncan. Duncan finished the race a few years ago but has very little memory of the latter parts due to the state he got in to with hallucinating and sleeping.

Before the start and all smiles.

I registered early and went back to my dads for a cuppa and got him to drop me off about midnight to meet up with my backup crew for a brief final chat and off we went bang on 1.00am. A really bizarre feeling running through woods with a headtorch on when you really should be tucked up in bed snoozing away. Not having run before with a headtorch was not a problem and the first few miles was at a gentle pace chatting away and enjoying the pleasant evening. The rain started just after Carbeth so I stuck on my waterproof jacket which confused the crew at the Beechtree as they didn't recognize me. Grabbed a bottle of water and a gel at Drymen on the ways through and asked for a pork pie and banana to be waiting at Balmaha at the first checkpoint. Legs were feeling fine and in my mind my speed was comfortable but the descent from Conic Hill soon sorted them out and the first signs of effort were noticed. My split time here of 3:07 was bang on schedule. I put in a request here for soup and bread at Rowardennan as my body was now telling me it was breakfast time.

Balmaha checkpoint : Leg 3hr 7min 14secs

I really do not enjoy the section between Balmaha to Rowardennan but as it was at a slower pace and today it seemed to go along nicely and I swapped position with a few runners as we went along. There was a mention on the WHW facebook page regarding running on the correct path and not on the road so I made sure I was careful not to go off route on this section although I did notice a bit of road running. Arriving at Rowardennan I was glad to get that section out of the way and the crew had my soup ready and waiting for me after I had checked in/out. One wee complaint though I had forgot to mention I do not have an asbestos throat and luke warm would suffice, took us two checkpoints and a little moan to sort that one out. Needless to say I just shut up and added some cold water myself rather than mention it again, christ the wife doesn't even make me tea or coffee yet here are these guys giving up a weekend to follow me through midgie infested trails and I am complaining the soup is too warm.

Rowardennan Checkpoint : Leg 1hr 29min 59secs  Overall 4hr 37min 13secs

Midgie hell.

Left the lads here for the dreaded section along the lochside and warned them I may be a while although so would they as they had the long drive back to Balloch and up the other side to Beinglas Farm next to the Drovers Inn. A short running section and then a bit of a walk from here as it is a bit of a climb and then I ran most of the way to Inversnaid where I had a dropbag with a muller rice and a bottle of coke. These were both rattled down quickly as even standing inside the protective tent provided by the wonderful Trossachs Rescue Team we were being bitten all over. Next section is all rocks and tree roots and where I lose time due to being vertically challenged and not having long enough legs to skip over the rocks. It is always a joy to finish that bit and get to the top of the hill where Darios post is and glance back and enjoy the view although just briefly as it is a race after all. Short trail section down into Beinglas and checked in again and had another cup of soup and then annoyed Speedo again by requesting a bottle of coke which he had to run to the van and collect. My parting words were "f**k these midgies I am off"

Beinglas Checkpoint : Leg 3hr 9min 38secs  Overall 7hrs 46mins 51secs

Easiest section of the day next up to Auchtertyre where unfortunately I met up with Robert whom I had trained a bit with and expected to finish in a great time but he had hurt his foot and was being helped/comforted by his support just before Bogle Glen. We had a brief chat and he offered me his watch as did one of his crew on seeing mine was dead. I decided no watch was going to make any difference to how I would finish today so politely declined the offers and carried on up the path to the rollercoaster forest. I took it easy on the downhills here as I knew I still had a lot of damage to do to my quads later. As I crossed the A82 and heade for the checkpoint the heavens opened and soaked me through so decision made and a change of gear would be needed. I checked in here and was weighed for the first time and although I had lost weight they were happy with it. The boys ushered me to the van threw some gear at me, told me to change and poured me a coffee. I didn't know if they were telling porkies but they said the last few runners had hobbled through and I looked the freshest they had seen for a while, I now realise they were talking s***e. At this point I compared how I was feeling to how I felt about here in the Fling and was concerned as I sure was tired although it is hard to judge as in the Fling you are going to finish about 1.5 miles later.

Auchtertyre Checkpoint : Leg 2hr 3min 35secs  Overall 9hrs 50mins 26secs

On reflection and reading split times the next two sections are as bad as they felt although from Auchtertyre through Tyndrum I was still upbeat and enjoying myself. After you pass the Green Welly Shop and climb up the hill I noticed Tyndrum Cemetery and couldn't stop myself laughing as I noticed there was only one headstone in it, either no one lives there or it is the healthiest place in the world!!! I had a short pause here and said a wee prayer for my mum who passed away last September and I just had a moment thinking to myself about all the worrying she did when all her siblings were out running marathons or shorter hoping we all finished unscathed. Well today, as I had told her on my visit to the cemetery during the week this one was for her. I cruised along nicely downhill after the A82 underpass but started to struggle a bit on the uphill before Bridge of Orchy but pulled it together and jogged down to the checkpoint for some refreshment. I forgot to check in here but Tim kindly came across and took my tab and done it for me and brought it back as I had a coffee and a bite to eat. I left here knowing the next section was the one I really had to get done and out the road as I knew I could crawl from Glencoe no problem.

Bridge of Orchy Checkpoint : Leg 2hr 5min 30secs  Overall 11hrs 55mins 56secs

Up and over the hill here after collecting a jelly baby from Murdo and onwards to Rannoch Moor. Rosie Bell passed me here and we had a bit of a chat as we swapped position after stopped for food with her crew. I noticed here that she was walking faster than me on the uphill and that concerned as I just could not speed up at all. Rosie pulled away quite a bit here and went on to win the female race. I struggled to get going at all and really felt like jacking it in for a few mile but convinced myself to get to Glencoe have some food and it would all be ok. As I came in to the checkpoint Speedo was obviously concerned and sat me down in the back of the van told me to relax, have a coffee and he then handed me a packet of jaffa cakes. As I started to feel better he insisted I have some more soup and a pork pie which I duly scoffed. Next problem was I was now comfy on the seat and getting back out the van was the hard bit. Duncan had changed into running gear after checking if someone could accompany me. They said it was tight but they would allow it, rules are if you are within 4 hours of the leader you are on your own.

Glencoe Checkpoint : Leg 2hrs 35mins 52secs  Overall 14hrs 31mins 48secs

The healing power of a Jaffa cake.

We walked down the slope from Glencoe as my food was only halfway down and as I tried to run it was nearly half way up again. Crossed the road and ran past Kingshouse Hotel and on towards The Devils Staircase. I started to perk up here and we ran along chatting away and the miles started to feel easier. The climb up the staircase was as good as it can be with 75 miles in your legs and we stopped to admire the view and the height we had ascended. My legs actually started to ease off on this section and the only problem was the really steep descent into Kinlochleven where I had to walk some of the downhill although I think it was in my mind and I was saving a bit for the downhill into Fort William. I was passed by three runners on the descent here and as I arrived at the medical centre/checkpoint a bit annoyed with myself to lose places on a downhill section. Mark met us and guided us into the checkpoint where I was weighed and checked in by Julie who was as usual delightfully happy and cheerful. We only had a few words and then Julie shouted to Mark "tell us when he is leaving" to which I replied instantly "I'm leaving". I could see guys lying down and others eating food but I just told the guys "give me a bottle of coke, a can of red bull and a packet of peanuts I am off". There was only a half marathon to go and I was wanting to get it over with so no time to hang about.

Spot the runner.

Kinlochleven Checkpoint : Leg 3hr 4mins 5secs  Overall  17hrs 35mins 53secs

 Mark was ready to go and he walked along with me as I eat my salted peanuts. He is running the Devils in August so was keen to see the terrain and I warned him about the climb but even he was amazed at how long it goes on for. Once we got to the top Mark asked if I was in any state to run, well he was in for a shock as there was very little where we didn't run here and it will be interesting to see his garmin details. We had a short stop for a glass of Tizer (he only had sugar free irn-bru) with Jeff from the mountain rescue team and on we went to Lundavra and the final meeting point with Speedo and Duncan. Just before the sheep pens I stood on a rock which sent a pain right through my left leg. I must apologise now for the words I screamed but thankfully it was rather quiet up there on Saturday night. I stopped at the next stream and soaked my foot and the pain eased off thankfully. We arrived at Lundavra to theme from Rocky blasting away and it felt great to be nearing civilization again. A quick can of red bull, ditch the waterproofs and off we went. I kept glimpsing behind to see if anyone was about to steal a place from me but Mark reassured me he had not seen anyone for a while. I reached the fire road and Mark asked if I was walking or running it. I was a bit unsure but started off running and strangely kept it going all the way to the finish. I think I ran it faster than I had done in the Devils last August and did not stop until I took my timing card off and jumped on the scales. What a great feeling and a wee tear in my eyes, job done.

The Goblet.

Finish Fort William : Leg 3hrs 27mins 21 secs  Overall 21hrs 3mins 14secs   20th position

Well now to the thank you bit.

 My support crew were amazing and I hope I was polite all the time, I am sure they will soon tell me. I have already offered my support back should they wish to enter next year but awaiting a response!!!

Ian and Adrian and everyone else from the registration to the finish, what a wonderful experience it is and you should all be proud of the production. The Scottish tourist board and wee Eck could maybe use it as an advert for independence.

Linda and Andrew, sorry for being missing for quite a few weekends recently but you can have me back now (for a wee while).

SVHC WALTER ROSS 1OKM ROAD RACE

Another weekend and another race, they are like buses these things all coming at once. So over to Pollock Park on Sunday for the annual Walter Ross 10km hosted by the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club. Best bit about this is the social side as it is hosted at Cartha Rugby Club and they have a  bar which I find ideal for re-hydrating after a race. I had marshalled on Wednesday night at the vets 4.8 mile Snowball Race but felt I had recovered enough to rattle a 10k out in a reasonable time.

The line up on the start line was full of the usual suspects and it was good to see Al McLachlan had made it back from London in one piece after we had left him in the pub with several pints of Stella lined up. Rather uneventful race on a tough course of two laps with a tricky wee incline thrown in to slow you down a bit. Ran most of it on my own not being able to keep up with the leading group but paced it consistently and felt comfy all the way with miles 1 and 3 sub 6min miling and the inevitable hill bits slightly over. Finishing time of 37.44 in 8th place ahead of a few runners who normally push me.

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

Garmin activity : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/308825765

HOKA HIGHLAND FLING 2013

Another weekend another race, and so the relentless hammering of my legs continues. Hopefully some of this  training is going to pay off as I am beginning to feel it now. All week I have felt a bit sluggish after London so took it easy and just had a couple of 10km slow recovery runs. The big question was would 5 days be enough to recover in to get through the Fling in a reasonable time and also enjoy the race. Two of my training partners from Vicky Park had kindly volunteered to follow the race and offer assistance should it be required and also give them a good feel for it as they intend to run next year. I registered on Friday night to save a bit of time on Saturday and headed home to prepare my drop bags. The plan for the days was mini pork pies, tattie scones with peanut butter and coca cola, more of which to follow.

Saturday morning and we were blessed with cool dry conditions with clear blue skies as approximately 600 runners toed the line in the famous underpass at Milngavie railway station. I decided to start with a base layer with my club vest on top covered by a t-shirt till Drymen where I would discard the t-shirt and pick up my camelbak from Mark and Duncan.

Pointless hill at Balmaha.

Everything was going along smoothly and I really enjoyed the improved path up and down Conic Hill and on reaching Balmaha was surprisingly greeted by Gavin who had my drop bag ready. He had picked up an injury early on and pulled out at Drymen. I had a mini pork pie and a 200ml bottle of coke here which went down rather easily. The section to Rowardennan was more pleasant than usual as I normally do not enjoy it but it passed easily and at the next checkpoint grabbed my supplies and kept walking trying to waste as little time as possible. I had prepared a potato scone with peanut butter to try here and gave it a go but it was truly horrible and was fed to the wildlife, no worries as I had another pork pie waiting at Beinglas. I walked a little on this section on the uphill and shared some chat with Tracy Dean who was carrying an injury but was upbeat and not letting it slow her down in any way. As we moved on downhill towards Inversnaid what sounded like a coach load of tourists crept up chatting away but it was a lone runner greeting everyone and everything as he moved, Andy Johns had arrived and looked as if he was running a relay leg as bounded along. My race time splits show my time for the section from Rowardennan to Beinglas was 47th overall and that is where I felt I lost a lot of time as I struggled to negotiate the rocks and tree roots.

Photo by Dave Mooney.

Photo by Dave Mooney.

Beinglas checkpoint and another bottle of coke downed along with the last pork pie, only a half marathon to go. Plodded along here with legs starting to get heavy and once under the A82 and through the cowshit only the rollercoaster to negotiate before the sprint finish. Last year I struggled in the forest on the downhill but no such problem this year and was meet at the road junction by Duncan offering me more juice.

At this point none of the juice I was offered was appealing but another support crew offered a bottle of coke which was duly guzzled and off I headed to Tyndrum. I enjoyed the final section through Auchtertyre to Tyndrum and passed 4 or 5 runners on the way. Round the corner with the bagpipes playing and no finish line to be seen, they had moved it round the corner which threw the sprint finish a little.

Finish time of 9 hours 15 mins 46secs in 30th place. 20 minutes faster than last year and a lot less painful. Caught up with a few competitors at the finish and enjoyed a welcome cup of soup and buttered roll to refuel before starting on the beer.

A really excellent event and already on the race schedule for next year. John Duncan and a crew of about 80 folk help put this together and it is a great advert for the Scottish ultra running scene.

LONDON MARATHON

After withdrawing from last years London Marathon to save my legs for the Fling I have regretted it since as it stopped my ever present from 2003. So this year the decision was to run both in the same week principally  to get miles in the legs and get some nutrition consumption practice in. With the sad events in Boston a few days beforehand a sense of togetherness had flourished and arriving in London on Friday afternoon and hitting the expo there seemed a really special feel about the place.

Friday night myself and Michael went to our favourite restaurant for steak and chips which I washed down with a few beers as part of my carbo loading. Saturday morning was cool but sunny and we had a lovely pre breakfast run around Hyde Park with a wee stop off for photos.

Full bhuna fry up was then consumed before a short stroll round Regent Street and then search for a barber for my marathon haircut. Evening meal was early with the Team McKeown McMillan squad who were down in force fundraising for their charity.

Early rise on Sunday morning, breakfast consumed and then off to let the fun commence. The trip on the underground to London Bridge and then the train to Blackheath is always fun with a mix of nervous first timers and experienced runners all heading for different start zones. We are fortunate enough to qualify for the Fast Good for Age which is a separate section on the red start and small enough to meet up with the usual suspects.

A nervous wait for the start and we managed to lose Duncan in the muster area and have not seen him since and then a 30 second silence for the victims of the Boston attacks and we were off. The planned pace was for a  2.50 finish for Michael which I was going to pace him towards and ease off about 20 miles but after 3 miles he had disappeared behind me but I thought he wouldn't be far away. The crowds were overwhelming in places and certainly the numbers must have been greater than ever. Not many spots on the course now where there is no support. I passed through 22 miles at 2.24 and sussed 2.50 was not on so eased off a bit and just enjoyed the run in to the finish, or as much as I could as I felt a small twinge in my right calf which felt a bit like it was going to cramp. Crossed the line in 2.52 and my official time is 2.51.53 which is only 50 seconds short of a pb so happy with that although I did go faster than the plan. Michael, Mark and Al all came in between 2.56 and 2.58. Michael did tell me off for going off too fast but I pointed out to him I had paced it perfectly for him to 22 miles where he was meant to push on for the sub 2.50 but unfortunately he had not kept up.

Me and bro.

Bag hunting.

A few beers at our usual haunt Henry's next to Green Park underground and then airport and home.

Me George and Al rehydrating.

Splits

Split	Time Of Day	Time	Diff	min/km	km/h
5K	10:19:27	00:19:21	19:21	03:53	15.51
10K	10:38:44	00:38:38	19:17	03:52	15.56
15K	10:58:35	00:58:29	19:51	03:59	15.11
20K	11:18:45	01:18:39	20:10	04:03	14.87
HALF	11:23:07	01:23:01	04:22	03:59	15.10
25K	11:39:03	01:38:57	15:56	04:05	14.69
30K	11:59:32	01:59:26	20:29	04:06	14.64
35K	12:20:30	02:20:24	20:58	04:12	14.31
40K	12:42:28	02:42:22	21:58	04:24	13.66
Finish time	12:51:59	02:51:53	09:31	04:21	13.83

Garmin details here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/301805263 

A few days rest now and see if my legs recover for 53 miles of the Hoka Highland Fling on Saturday. Hoping for a sub 10 hour finish but really not bothered as I just want to get to Tyndrum feeling I could continue on and not feel totally gubbed.

TOM SCOTT MEMORIAL 10 MILER

In a bit of a tapering and recovery mode last week so made a last minute decision and entered the Tom Scott Memorial 10 mile race at Strathclyde Park. I was unsure how the legs would feel after the 50km but had been feeling fine all week with no muscle pain or injuries so thought this would be a great workout for the lungs. It is normally a bit windy at the loch but race conditions were near perfect although still a bit chilly for my liking.

Route Map 

Set off at a brisk pace hoping the legs could cope and was pleasantly surprised to hold a steady pace all the way. The splits came in at 6 minute miles average and finished in 59min 56secs having chased good pal George Taylor all the way with him worryingly glancing behind in the final mile making sure I did not catch him. A new PB for that distance into the bargain and feeling really fresh just now.

Strathclyde Loch

Garmin details : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/294477619 As usual incorrect as I forgot to switch off on the line.

Results :http://www.tomscottroadraces.co.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2013_tom_scott_10_mile_results.pdf

Now time for another taper towards the Hoka Highland Fling on the 27th April with the small matter of the London Marathon on the 21st, so interesting 2 weeks of running coming up but not really bothered about timings in these as they are both just part of WHW Race preparation.

SCOTTISH 50KM CHAMPIONSHIP 31/3/2013

Well this is a strange one to put in words but it turns out on paper I am the 2013 Scottish Athletics 50km Road Race champion. As I was waiting at the prize giving I expected to be called second for the open race but knew I had won the Vets race being the fastest old geezer but Adrian announced  I had done the double much to my surprise as I had been well beaten by Doc Andrew Murray by some 9 minutes. I asked Andrew about this shortly after feeling rather guilty about taking a prize which technically should have been his but he held his hands up and said it seems he hadn't renewed his SAL membership so was not eligible. I would be gutted so I think I know how he feels after reading his blog.

So to the race itself and my preparation has gone well with the WHW training and the Loch Katrine Marathon only 3 weeks ago. I was self supported just leaving my liquids at the side of the path although Helen Munro kindly offered help when she saw me fighting with a poly bag around about lap 15.

It was a beautiful clear morning and about -3 when I arrived in Perth and I was rather happy I was not starting earlier for the 100km when it was undoubtedly even colder. I had a warm up lap running anti clockwise encouraging a few friends along the way who were in for the long haul.

The 50k started at 10am and the sun was shining with very little wind of note so ideal running conditions although I would have preferred a few more degrees of warmth. I settled into a steady rythmn after 3 brisk laps and soon my mind turned to when I would take a drink or gel and it turns out you do not need much in 31 miles as all I consumed was 2 s-caps, 2 x 300ml water/sis mix and 1 viper gel. Strange how you think afterwards that if you had taken more would I have been faster but I really think that after finishing feeling like I had pushed the race but some energy still left I probably got it right.

With a lap race you normally know how you are standing in the race and the leader board at the start is a great reference but I know all too well it can all change in the final few laps as 2 years ago with 2 laps to go I was in 5th and finished 3rd. This year was just as interesting with 2 laps to go the only person I was certainly not catching was GB athlete Paul Fernandez as he had lapped me twice. I was expecting others along the way but none had caught me yet and with not long to go I hoped they wouldn't. As I went up the slope for the 2nd last time I caught my pal Craig Reid and offered a few words of encouragement, to which I received a mumbled response. I was now in 3rd place but no one in sight so pushed on just in case Craig wasn't done yet. I was then passed by a rather fresh looking English runner whose words were 'lets move it only 2 miles to go' and try as I could I could not hold on to him and he took a minute off me.

I finished in 4th place overall in 3hr 30min 48 secs - Chip time, averaging 6min 48secs per mile and winning the titles as noted in the first paragraph.

Garmin activity : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291354976

Results : http://run.runandbecome.com/event/self-transcendence-100k-50k-2013/

It was interesting watching the 100km runners and a really great atmosphere with all of the time keepers, support teams and many other helpers throughout the course. Many thanks to Adrian @ Run + Become and his team for hosting an excellent event and anyone else I forgot to acknowledge on Sunday.