Arrived in Singapore on Thursday about 5pm after 20 hours of travelling and was promptly ushered off for a tempo run around Bukit Brown Cemetary, quite appropriate place for the way I felt at the end of the 2 loop 6km session.
Friday morning was a 10.5km loop of MacRitchie Reservoir and evening run a 5pm stroll around the boardwalk at the reservoir. Saturday morning and as Michael was out cycling I
I was on my own so went around the reservoir again, although slightly slower than Friday as it was Linda's birthday on Friday and we had ventured out to Holland Village for beer and cocktails. Another tea time 5km on Saturday followed by a beautiful meal and tiger beer. Common theme developing her with the alcohol, but hey what the hell I am on holiday.
Due to the heat and humidity here it is best to run in the dark before the sun comes up so Sunday morning long run starts at 6.30am. Not a problem normally but an enormous thunder storm had kept us awake from 1 till 4am and when my alarm went at 5.45am I struggled to move.
Jogged over to meet Mark, JJ and a few others and off we went, 13 miles 90C and 90% humidity, what else can you do but sweat. At the end of this session we meet at the reservoir cafe and rehydrate with tea, the milk being replaced by cream, and a couple of sugars. Squeezed in another 5pm before dinner after a trip along the Singapore river on a Duck tour amphibious contraption with my wee boy (wife refused as she gets seasick going from Weymms Bay to Rothesay).
So far a great start to the warm weather training, shall keep you updated after the trip this week to Phuket. Great place to run but hilly as hell and also another few degrees warmer.
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Monday, 26 December 2011
BOXING DAY CURER
After a few mulled wines yesterday I foolishly agreed to a long run with Michael today out to the Falkirk Wheel. So that morning after feeling was about to be sweated out. Unseasonably warm but dam windy and fortunately blowing us towards Falkirk.
We agreed to meet at the canal at Twechar which is strangely equidistant from both our starting points although my route was hilly and his was pancake flat. No problems enroute except from Michaels rumbling tummy, least mentioned the better although it would have been a belter of a photo.
Arrived at the wheel in 2hrs and 5mins , rather brisk but it was rather windy.
Run details here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/136461005
We agreed to meet at the canal at Twechar which is strangely equidistant from both our starting points although my route was hilly and his was pancake flat. No problems enroute except from Michaels rumbling tummy, least mentioned the better although it would have been a belter of a photo.
Arrived at the wheel in 2hrs and 5mins , rather brisk but it was rather windy.
Friday, 23 December 2011
PRE CHRISTMAS PIG OUT RUN
In preparation for a massive amount of eating and drinking over the next few days a long run was needed to burn off a few calories and create a wee space. So Milngavie to Balmaha was chosen as the route, about 20 miles and a good workout with a few climbs involved.
Early start at Milngavie with Michael and a lovely cool dry winters morning. Only a few dog walkers on the way out to Carbeth, maybe all the runners were suffering from Christmas nights out. The route was remarkably dry after last weeks snow and rain and the sun was peeking through the clouds.
Out past Carbeth and down towards the Beechtree with the sound of gunfire in the distance, either grouse catching or turkey culling we couldn't decide.
Too early for a beer at the Beechtree so on towards Drymen we go. Don't know if anyone has noticed this but there is a whole field full of black sheep, how unlucky are that family?
When we got to the road at Drymen a warning sign was posted on the gate saying the forest was blocked due to fallen trees and a map showed the detour to go through Buchanan Smithy along the road to Balmaha as the detour. Yeh right, how could a few fallen trees be an obstacle. Well at first it was fine as they had all been cleared by those nice guys at the forestry but nearing Connich Hill got a bit tricky and it took us about 20 minutes to cover half a mile.
Those of you who know the old guy I was running with will understand how long this process took for a guy who cannot even touch his knees never mind his toes.
Anyhow we soon decided which tree to take with us.
Hurricane BAWBAG has certainly blown through this forest. Finally we exited this scene of destruction and descended towards the hill, which Michael had been fearing for the previous 16 miles.
As we climbed up the hill I was focusing on my footing and not watching too far in front but luckily at one point I did or I could have been in danger of being bounced over the side. The things you see up a mountain!!
I waited for Michael at the top and he mentioned he would catch me at the carpark as descending was not a skill he had a degree in, I shouldn't have laughed so much as I promptly slid and landed on my back.
Out past Carbeth and down towards the Beechtree with the sound of gunfire in the distance, either grouse catching or turkey culling we couldn't decide.
Too early for a beer at the Beechtree so on towards Drymen we go. Don't know if anyone has noticed this but there is a whole field full of black sheep, how unlucky are that family?
When we got to the road at Drymen a warning sign was posted on the gate saying the forest was blocked due to fallen trees and a map showed the detour to go through Buchanan Smithy along the road to Balmaha as the detour. Yeh right, how could a few fallen trees be an obstacle. Well at first it was fine as they had all been cleared by those nice guys at the forestry but nearing Connich Hill got a bit tricky and it took us about 20 minutes to cover half a mile.
Those of you who know the old guy I was running with will understand how long this process took for a guy who cannot even touch his knees never mind his toes.
Anyhow we soon decided which tree to take with us.
Hurricane BAWBAG has certainly blown through this forest. Finally we exited this scene of destruction and descended towards the hill, which Michael had been fearing for the previous 16 miles.
As we climbed up the hill I was focusing on my footing and not watching too far in front but luckily at one point I did or I could have been in danger of being bounced over the side. The things you see up a mountain!!
 |
| Burger |
I waited for Michael at the top and he mentioned he would catch me at the carpark as descending was not a skill he had a degree in, I shouldn't have laughed so much as I promptly slid and landed on my back.
 |
| Loch Lomond |
 |
| Michael seconds before his tumble. |
Quite a quick descent into Balmaha off the hillside and down a few stairs into the carpark. The toilet block has been bulldozed and a sign says the pub are happy for you to use their toilets so off we went to change and refresh. Great morning out and amazing December weather.
Details of run: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/135985605
Sunday, 18 December 2011
SUNDAY SLIPFEST
As my brother has arrived from warmer climbs for the festive season our what now seems annual slidey long runs have begun. So this mornings run begun in sub zero temparature. It was -4C to be exact but clear blue skies and sunshine breaking through. I was feeling cold so I cannot begin to feel how much Michael was suffering as he was running in 35C on Friday evening and had not been back in the UK since the summer.
Down through the golf course and over to the back of Balmore before a bit of climbing up towards Mugdock reservoir. In the sunshine it was great but the shaded valleys were bitterly cold and damp.
Running on the compacted snow is fine with trail shoes but on the country roads a lot of ice is forming with the water running off the fields and the madman from Singapore only brought road shoes.
As we went around the Mugdock reservoir we met a few lads from my club so we did a loop with them adding an extra couple of miles.
We said our goodbyes and set off toward home along Auchenhowie Road and the underfoot conditions were hard packed snow. This sort of running seems to give you an all over workout as you are constantly pushing through snow and trying to maintain balance. We only had one obstacle left now, the dodgy bridge at the golf course with the closed sign at it which everyone is obviously disregarding. We slowly negotiated this, some slower than others.
Great morning run in crisp conditions. 13.41 miles done and no broken bones.
Run details here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/135155796
Down through the golf course and over to the back of Balmore before a bit of climbing up towards Mugdock reservoir. In the sunshine it was great but the shaded valleys were bitterly cold and damp.
 |
| Michael slowly making his way up the High Caves road. |
Running on the compacted snow is fine with trail shoes but on the country roads a lot of ice is forming with the water running off the fields and the madman from Singapore only brought road shoes.
As we went around the Mugdock reservoir we met a few lads from my club so we did a loop with them adding an extra couple of miles.
 |
Old Kenny, Me, Alex, Old Drew. |
Great morning run in crisp conditions. 13.41 miles done and no broken bones.
Run details here : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/135155796
Friday, 2 December 2011
MOMENT OF MADNESS
Well I have gone and done it now, madness has been confirmed. Entry in and I am on the start list for the Glenmore 24 hr trail race on the 1st September 2012.
Race website here : http://glenmore24.com/
Anyone with helpful training tips on anything relating to this challenge please feel free share with me. Going to be an interesting few months of training ahead.
Anyone with helpful training tips on anything relating to this challenge please feel free share with me. Going to be an interesting few months of training ahead.
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.
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.
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!!
| 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.
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!!
Sunday, 6 November 2011
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.
 |
| 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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)