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

GLEN OGLE 33M ULTRA MARATHON 3/11/2012

The second running of the Glen Ogle 33 and fingers crossed for as great a day as last year. Up at 5am and showered (like to start off smelling fresh) rattled down a bowl of porage and a banana and wash it down with tea and coffee. After scraping the ice off the car windscreen my thoughts were on how many layers would be required as although cold it was so far dry but as I passed through Callander it actually started to snow, not that pretty christmassy snow it was the wet sleety stuff. As I parked at Immervoulin Campsite daylight was starting to show off the snow peaked hills surrounding us and an overcast sky.

Mark adopts the frozen look.

Met up with fellow VP-Glasgow runner Mark Ashby and handed in my safety form in return for my number from Julie, a regular marshall/helper/dogsbody at many ultra events. Placed my dropbags in the appropriate piles although they were only for emergency today as I had decided to run with my camelbak to save any stops. A swift race briefing and across the road for the new race start which unsurprisingly was at the bottom of a hill, last years start was all uphill but an extra mile had been added on and it is also uphill, oh well stops you setting off at a mad pace.

I caught up with Craig Reid and Robert Soutar with whom I have had a enjoyable year chasing and had a wee chat, Craig went on to win the race by a clear 4 minutes. The first 4 miles are just a steady uphill slog on rough forest roads before a sharp descent down onto the tarmac road at the Kings House Hotel and onto the national cycle route uphill towards Killin. I was a couple of hundred yards behind a group of 4 or 5 runners and quite happy with my pace so not too bothered not to be in a pack. Once over the road at checkpoint 2 and in to the forest the hard work begins, a couple of miles downhill then a brutal climb to the top again. This is where the hard work starts and the damage is done to the legs. For those who like their statistics from the low point in the forest at 14.11miles you are at 459ft and the climb finishes at 17.88 miles at 1179ft. From this point it is straight downhill to the checkpoint where I stopped for a can of red bull as I was starting to feel the pace and needed a wee boost.



Course profile.


I was hoping to pick up a bit of speed on the return section down the track but my legs had other plans and the races from the previous 4 weekends took their toll, no pain but just a sense of tiredness. At the last checkpoint I had another red bull and set off on what I term as the road 10k section of the race. This is a rollercoaster section to the finish and where I caught John Duffy who had passed me while I was downing the red bull at checkpoint 3. He was not really up for a chat and was hanging on in for the finish so I left him to his own demons and faced the last few climbs along the quiet country roads past Rob Roys grave. Last year on this section I had to walk one of the hills but this year I was fine and trotted along to the finish over the shoogly bridge which just about throws you over and stumbled across the finish line.

Finished in 5th place in 4hours and 27 seconds.

Results : http://www.go33ultra.com/results/results-2012

Garmin : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/239704282

Many thanks to Mike and Bill and all of their team of helpers and sponsors, a truly wonderful event.

I received a letter last week with a prize for winning the Run Kirkintilloch Road Series for 2012, which consisted of 4 races which were a 12.5k, 10k,  5k and a half marathon. The link to a newspaper article is here : http://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/sport/local-sport/tale-of-the-tape-run-kirkintilloch-races-come-to-a-triumphant-end-1-2585810

LIVERPOOL MARATHON 14/10/12

Feeling rather fit and having missed the entry for Loch Ness I noticed that the Liverpool Marathon entries were still open so online entry in all I needed was a hotel. The closest I could get was at John Lennon Airport  and this looked fine as it was a straight road in to the city centre so the plan was I would just get a bus in to start in the morning and Linda and the wee man would check out later and come along and watch the finish. We travelled down on Saturday and dumped the bags at the hotel and headed off for a recce of the city centre. On the way in it became apparent getting a car anywhere near here on Sunday when the race was on would be impossible so a rejig of the plans and I drive and leave the car in the car park and they get the bus in.

 Picked up a ticket for the shuttle bus in the morning to take me over to Birkenhead Park for the marathon start and went on a bit of sightseeing as I had not been here since 1984 and even then only saw a few football fields as we were playing a tournament.

So touristy bit over it was out for the pre race meal which as always was steak/chips/pepper sauce although I refrained on the beer front this time due to the fact I had to drive back to the hotel as mrs wife was not too happy on foreign roads.

So to marathon morning and Holiday Inn Express breakie washed down with a couple of lattes and I was good to go till I set foot outside the hotel to an welcoming temperature of 2c. Parked the car and caught the shuttle bus, all running smoothly and the sun starting to shine. Birkenhead Park was buzzing with nervous runners, singing groups and music blaring, a real happy atmosphere. Met fellow Scot and ultra nutter Ross Moreland lurking around and had a wee blether.

The race started bang on time and off we went downhill for a mile or so out of the park, although it was a bit tricky sussing out the marathon runners and Wirral 10k runners as both races started at the same time. I settled into a steady rythmn and just enjoyed the varying houses and architecture. If anyone can remember the BBC programme BREAD then yes a lot of it does look like that. The 10k cut off into a field on the front for its final 500mtrs and the marathon carried on to a turning point and then back along the seafront at New Brighton. My 10k split was 36.57 which is nearly as fast as I have ran a 10k this year so that was a sign I was going a tad too fast but did feel comfortable so kept the pace going.  Just after 11 miles we enter the Mersey (Queensway) tunnel for a 3 mile stretch. Quite warm and sticky in there and a climb of a mile but not complaining as it was downhill for a mile on the way in. The crowds grew as we exited the tunnel and run through the centre of the dock area and out towards Sefton Park. Just after mile 17 a brutal climb started but once it was out the road the rest of the route was fairly flat and after looping round the park it was back towards the docks and the Liver Building down the same hill for the last mile and a half. Crossed the line in 26th place in 2hr 53m 22 secs and 3rd Vet40.

An excellent event from start to finish and superbly organised and marshalled, easy access and great marathon route.

Results : http://www.tdl.ltd.uk/race-results.php?event=1270

Garmin Activity : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/233385802  Ok till mile 12 where it loses signal in the tunnel hence the 10 min mile, running time and mile splits correct but it shows a short distance due to no signal.