A Tale of Two 5ks

Scottish Athletics Track and Field Championships, 3rd June 2012

Once the high of the West Highland Way weekend wore off, it was time to get back to business. In week commencing Monday 28th May, two fast track sessions on Monday and Friday, a club run on Tuesday, High Point hill reps on Wednesday and a gentle 30 minute jog on Saturday (night off on Thursday for an after work seminar) set me up for the Scottish 5000m on the Sunday. I was attending my friend's brother's wedding reception at the Brigadoon in Ayr on the Friday, a great night with some ceildh dancing, a nice excuse to wear my kilt again. I didn't overindulge...honest. However, let's simply say I was glad the race was on Sunday.

I've a new rule on all things athletics related, everything in perspective. So as I arrived at Scotstoun and went through the formalities (number collected, pep talk with my Dad, call room reported to), I vowed to give my best on the day and take the outcome, whatever it would be. I had an idea of a performance range I would be happy with. I've been injured twice this year. A strained right tendon then pain in the left shin. One of my closest friends suffered a life threatening illness. Compare that to a little bit of discomfort. As I say, perspective is now my watch word. 

A fairly big group of Alex Hendry, Craig Ruddy, Neil Renault, Mark Pollard, David Vernon, Dermot Cummins, Lachlan Oates and Mickey Breen formed with myself and the rest just off them. I rattled off 70 second laps actually feeling I was running within myself. The furnance of Rannoch Moor must have been of benefit. I occupied a place around the middle of the field as I completed the first mile (4 laps) in a neat 4:40. Around this time, I caught and passed Ben Hukins. Those in front were forcing a relentless pace which I was struggling to hold onto, especially with a head wind against us on the home straight. They opened a gap while I had pulled away from the group behind so I found myself in no mans land with gaps in front and at my back. I went through halfway in 7:21.

My pace was slipping a bit but all my laps were still consistently around the 72-73 seconds mark. Breen and Oates had slipped off the back of the leading group and gave me something to aim at. I simply didn't have the strength to make a contest of it at the sharp end but knew I was on for a good performance if I could sustain things. Checking my splits on the clock at the finish line and from the guy at the 200m mark, I knew a sub 15 minute clocking would be tight.

Almost in one movement in the last 600m, I gained and lost a place. No sooner had I passed Lachlan Oates, Ben Hukins made a move past me. My sprint finish deserted me again as a 33 second final 200m wasn't enough to claim Hukins' scalp. However, I held off Lachlan Oates to achieve 9th place and a time of 14:59.92, my quickest 5000m for a year. I'd have bitten your hand off for that as little as 2 years ago. There's the sense of perspective I've been referring to. I know where the improvement can come. I contented myself that night reflecting on what went well. Plenty more races in the future.

Aberdeen based David Munro provided more Cambuslang interest in the race. Fresh from 5th place in the 3000m steeplechase the day before, he finished 13th in 15:59.96.

Below: race result courtesy of Power of 10.

Pos

Perf

Name

AG

Age

DOB

Coach

Club

SB

PB

1

14:29.13

Alexander Hendry

PB

U23

M

21

15.02.91

Derek Easton

Central/Forth Valley

14:29.13

14:29.13

2

14:31.25

Craig Ruddy

SEN

M

24

10.04.88

Lawrie Spence

Inverclyde/Central

14:20.95

14:20.95

3

14:36.30

David Vernon

U20

M

19

17.02.93

Graham Smith

Victoria Park City of Glasgow

14:32.41

14:32.41

4

14:38.60

Neil Renault

PB

SEN

M

Edinburgh AC

14:38.60

14:38.60

5

14:40.13

Dermot Cummins

PB

SEN

M

West Waterford/Corstorphine/Ireland

14:40.13

14:40.13

6

14:53.40

Mark Pollard

SEN

M

30

25.02.82

Mark Pollard

Belgrave/Inverclyde

14:43.09

14:38.61

7

14:55.43

Mickey Breen

PB

SEN

M

26

07.11.85

Moray Anderson

Corstorphine/Dundee Uni/Dumfries

14:55.43

14:55.43

8

14:58.54

Ben Hukins

SB

SEN

M

33

16.07.78

Terence Kerr

Unattached

14:58.54

14:45.59

9

14:59.92

Stuart Gibson

SB

SEN

M

28

15.09.83

Cambuslang/Whitemoss

14:59.92

14:57.30

10

15:15.91

Lachlan Oates

SB

U23

M

20

30.01.92

Shettleston/Glasgow Uni

15:15.91

15:04.80

11

15:48.42

Howell Craske

U23

M

19

30.10.92

Liz McColgan

Dundee Hawkhill/Dundee Uni

15:21.93

15:21.93

12

15:50.03

Iain Connell

PB

V40

M

41

26.11.70

Kilmarnock/Ayr Seaforth

15:50.03

15:50.03

13

15:59.96

David Munro

SB

SEN

M

31

21.09.80

Joyce Hogg

Cambuslang/Aberdeen

15:59.96

15:55.1

14

16:04.03

Sam Burgess

U20

M

18

07.03.94

Joyce Hogg

Aberdeen

15:38.58

15:38.58

15

16:04.37

Matthew Sutherland

PB

SEN

M

23

14.12.88

Caithness AAC/Edinburgh Uni

16:04.37

16:04.37

16

16:52.39

Sean Gaffney

SB

SEN

M

23

03.02.89

Inverclyde

16:52.39

16:40.00

17

17:10.62

Marc McColl

SEN

M

34

06.04.78

William Scally

Shettleston

17:00.64

16:41.7

Strathclyde Parkrun, 9th June 2012

My attitude to the Jubilee was really neither up nor down. On the up side, it gave me 2 extra days off work after the Scottish 5000m. Days off equal more training time. Two runs of slightly over 8 miles and 2 miles on Monday were followed by a family night out to the Doublet bar and Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow's West End for a curry and refreshments. Feeling slightly fragile after the previous night's chicken pakora and lamb madras (and okay, 4 pints), the morning run was restricted to 4 miles with a follow up in the evening at Whitelee Windfarm when I did an 8 mile circuit round Lochgoin Reservior. Completing the 8 mile circuit in 48:39 was a pleasant surprise.

A High Point hill session the next night was followed by a night off then a rather sluggish and tired 6 miles with 3 sets of 3 x 30 seconds strides with 30 seconds recoveries. On the back of all that, I decided to stretch my legs at the Strathclyde Parkrun.

Thankfully conditions were in my favour, dry and no wind if a little humid. I didn't know Kirsty had planned to attend so seeing her there was an unexpected bonus. Also there were two Roberts from the club, Anderson in recruitment mode and Rossborough volunteering.

I wasn't sure how to approach this run. On starting, I found myself with Kevin Downie (East Kilbride AC), another nominee for East Kilbride Sports Personality this year. I decided to run with him to see how I felt after the sluggishness of the previous night. 3:07 for the first kilometre and I was feeling okay so I strode out and edged ahead. That pace would improve my previous time here of 15:43. I was in a bit of experimentation mode, checking the watch more often than I normally would. 3km in 9:15 so I had quickened up. Now came the long drag back round the loch. The pace slipped in the next kilometre which took 3:10 but I decided to treat the last one as a rep, throwing everything I had left into it. 3:04 for the kilometre brought me over the finish line in a course best of 15:30. Happily I took the barcode to record the result. Kevin ran strongly to finish in 16:50, well clear in 2nd place.

I walked back out to shout on Kirsty who was 2nd lady when I saw her with 300-400m to go, a few metres down on the leader. Whether my informing her of this fact made the difference or not I don't know, all I know is she produced a sprint in the final 200m to win the ladies race and clock her fastest 5km of 2012. Well done Miss Grant.

After chats with the two Roberts and turning down the chance to buy a sports bra from Sweatshop's Gavin Harvie, I had a short warm down with Kirsty then ran a little more on my own before spending the afternoon in the library working. After successive weekends in Aberdeen, Fort William and Ayr, there came a time to knuckle down.

I find myself with no real targets for at least the next 3 months. Run for fun I guess?

Strathclyde

Stuart GIBSON

Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers

Kirsty GRANT

Ronhill Cambuslang Harriers

Above: copied and pasted from the weekly winners page on the Parkrun site, a Cambuslang double at Strathclyde on 9th June.

Cambuslang Results

1st: Stuart Gibson, 15:30
21st: Eddie Carr, 20:46
31st: David Fairweather, 21:47
40th: Kirsty Grant, 22:41- 1st lady

46th: Eamon Carr, 23:13
66th: Walter Edgar, 25:13
69th: Victoria Edgar, 25:24

Calderglen Harriers West Highland Way Weekend, 26th-27th May 2012

(Due to computer problems, I have been unable to add photographs to this post. However, links to 2 photo albums are given at the end.)

Calderglen Harriers have a number of traditions. One is an annual pilgrimage to complete the West Highland Way, a 96 miles stretch from Milngavie to Fort William, as a relay. This is not a race in the traditional sense since there are no other clubs involved but more a personal challenge for those taking part. In every year except one (details later), the mission has been accomplished. I took part in 2008 while still a member and, over a conversation in the pub after the National Road Relay this year, was persuaded there was enough room for me. I duly signed up.

The general rule is every participant is assigned their own leg but can complete as many other legs as they wish. Therefore, in theory, you could do the whole thing (to my knowledge, on this trip, no-one ever has). However, the leg is completed at the pace of whoever it is assigned to so, if someone accompanied me, they must hold back and wait. A mini bus zooms between changeovers picking up finishers and setting off starters. To get to Fort William in time for dinner, it means an early start so I was up at 3.40am for the mini bus collecting me at 4.10am. After a group photo at Milngavie, we were off.

Russell Couper was entrusted with the first 4 miles from Milngavie to Carbeth, setting off at 5.20am. He handed over to co-proprietor of the Athelite store in Hamilton, Genevieve Freeman, who had myself and David Watt for company for the 3.1 miles to Dumgoyne, my first time in Calderglen colours for 3 years. I did this leg to wake my body up with only partial success. It was already becoming very warm. On completion, I was informed that the yellow and black vertical stripes looked far better on me than “the red and white effort” I’ve been seen wearing in recent times. When I left the club, I did say “never say never.” I can’t be accused of not keeping my word.

The next few miles took in various spots in and around Loch Lomond during which I (briefly) braved a paddle in the loch, failed miserably at skimming stones and took photos of some ducks. The longest leg, 14 miles, was stone skimming specialist Kenny Leinster’s, a considerable short straw in the hot weather being experienced. As we waited for the changeover at a campsite in Inverarnan, I had a second take at waking up my body with a black coffee courtesy of Calderglen coach Alan Derrick and a third take with a can of Red Bull courtesy of the campsite shop. I also took a photo of some sheep.

Some miles later, we reached Crianlarich where, resisting the temptation of a roll and sausage at the train station café, opted to put some more miles in my legs. After all, I was using this as a training exercise. The 6 miles from Crianlarich to Tyndrum were given to Joanne McEvoy who set off with myself and Jim Holmes for company. Jim negotiated the first 2.5 miles then turned off to save himself for his own leg later while I carried on to give Joanne some encouragement plus a drink (I carried a rather luewarm Lucozade Sport with me) incase she needed it (she did). 6 hazardous miles over some very dodgy terrain later, we arrived in Tyndrum much to my relief. Here, I topped up on fluid with a litre bottle of water, slightly frustrated at being held up by a wee lady buying her weekend shopping while I and others stood behind with single items to purchase.

Next stop, Bridge of Orchy where we waited for club President Frances Maxwell to negotiate her leg in, by now, stifling heat. While others waited at the changeover, I had a paddle in the river and continued my photographing of various wildlife, capturing two wee dogs having a paddle. Fond memories of my canicross adventures! When Frances came in, Calderglen’s Grand Prix race series leader George Stewart had a little 2.5 miles stretch up and over a hill when he would hand over to me at Inveroran for my 8.7 mile leg to the Black Cottage. The bus seemed a bit empty as Alan transported me to the start. “Is anyone doing this with me?” I asked. “No” said Alan. “Is it only me?” I enquired to make sure. “Yes” came the reply. This was my leg in 2008. It is very simple. There are no left turns. Those have been the instructions every year since 2007 when Eddie Reid turned left instead of carrying on to Rannoch Moor, detouring towards Oban, signalling the only year the relay was abandoned. With those orders ringing in my ears, receiving the high five from George Stewart, off I went watched by Russell Couper and David Watt having a pint outside the Inveroran Hotel.

Joanne McEvoy kindly provided me with a Lucozade in exchange for the fluid I had provided for her earlier. I drained the bottle before I had reached halfway. The sun was high in the sky as I battled over Rannoch Moor, a wilderness with no shelter whatsoever. The first 5 miles of the leg is more or less a continuous climb then it levels off, climbs again then has a rocky descent to the Black Cottage. I fought away under the burning sun, focussing on no more than taking one step forward then another and another. No wonder no-one came with me! The water I poured over my head and shoulders at the start had evaporated. Reaching the descent was a godsend. I narrowly avoided copping a twisted ankle descending towards the changeover. Otherwise, I negotiated it safely, gratefully handing over to Scott Hill after 55 minutes 14 seconds of gruelling running. I considered just under 6:20 per mile over that course in a heat wave decent going.

Tiredness hit me and the next bit was a blur as I slept to the next changeover where all I remember is being charged £1.50 for a can of Irn Bru. I was severely dehydrated. The later stages saw Alan Derrick run 7 miles to Lundavra, Jim Holmes do 6 miles to within a mile of the finish then most of us, me included having recovered enough, do the last leg (0.8 miles) en masse to the finishing post in Fort William 13 hours 53 minutes after starting. Russell Couper was the early pacesetter. I assured my chasing pack we would get him on the tiny incline which by now passed for a hill and to surge up then run hard off the top. This worked then I, having blown a gasket, fell behind the pack. The 96 miles has been done in 12 hours before but weather conditions were extreme so the time can be excused. 18.6 miles for me over the whole day.

The next challenge was to make the 7.15pm dinner reservation at our accommodation, the Ben Nevis Hotel. I was drinking water like a fish. I and my room mate, Colin Banks, fared well in this race being among the first ready for seating. Dinner then a few refreshments in the hotel bar gave a smooth finish to a great day.

Sunday brought a more sedate pace with a trip on the ferry to Corran Beach for a couple of hours early afternoon. Various activities sprung up and I was tempted into a swimming gala in the rather cold sea. I was up against Kenny Leinster, not so fresh from his 14 miles round Loch Lomond the day before, in my heat (there were 3 heats)  with Joanne McEvoy judging. “Winner stays in” declared Alan Derrick. Despite my best efforts to finish 2^nd and exit the icy depths, to my horror and despite my protestations to the contrary, Joanne declared me the winner. I lined up for a 3 man final against David Wardrope and George Stewart during which I accidentally dunted George on the head on my way to a convincing defeat by David. Frozen, wet and having swallowed several mouthfuls of sea water, I finally staggered out.

After such hilarity, it was back on the ferry then homeward bound via an ice cream stop at Tyndrum. It had been a fantastic weekend beyond words and a pleasure to enjoy the best Scotland has to offer in great weather in the company of genuinely friendly people. The above only covers a fraction of the laughs experienced. If you were there over the weekend, thank you so much. I had a ball.

A collection of photos, with amusing captions, can be found here courtesy of Alan Derrick, Frances Maxwell and Joanne McEvoy.

My photos, with less amusing captions, can be found here. Thank you to the various roving photographers who took the time and trouble to photograph me throughout the day.

Clydebank 10k Road Race, 24th May 2012

Frustrated at having pre-entered 3 races this year- Alsager 5, West District 1500m and Scottish 5k Road Race Championships- then not actually run them, I felt I needed some more competitive action after the outing at Aberdeen so put in an entry for the Clydebank 10k. It's part of the 4 race Polaroid 10k series and is one of the 3 held on Thursday evenings. Helensburgh and Dumbarton are probably more scenic but a bit too far to get to straight from work so Clydebank it was.

I tend to avoid racing midweek since I can find it hard to get motivated and into "race mode" after a working day. With the UK also experiencing a radical heatwave, that presented another challenge. I focussed on having as stress free day as possible and staying hydrated and left the office as soon after 5pm as I could with the car temperature gauge reading 26 degrees. I know 2 key things about Clydebank- how to get there and how to get home. Amazingly, the journey from Burnside was painless and I arrived an hour and a quarter before the start.

I felt quite nervous about this race and, apart from saying hello to anyone I recognised, kept to myself trying to get into the "race mode" I mentioned earlier. On the hottest day in Scotland for 3 years, I stayed in the shade where possible and actually poured water over my head and shoulders before the start. It did Charlie Spedding no harm before the Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles in 1984. Clydebank in 2012, to me, called for something similar. I lined up on the start line wringing wet.

I was familiar with the course from previous visits and set off on the coat tails of a group comprising Tewoldeberhan Mengisteab, Amanuel Hagos, Luke Traynor and Paul Sorrie with Michael Deason, Stephen Wylie and others on my tail. The course includes 2 laps of a circuit comprising an industrial estate and the Forth and Clyde canal path. I tried not to be a slave to my stop watch, judging my performance on who was around me. Traynor was having a real go, leading out the 2 Eritreans while Sorrie (racing again after an operation) fell back to me gradually before I pulled clear between 2km and 3km. For a moment one of the Eritreans came back but had a glance back at me and worked his way towards his countryman and Traynor.

After the first circuit, I lay 4th with Mengisteab, Hagos and Traynor ahead and, judging from shouts by spectators (and confirmed by photos afterwards), Michael Deason chasing me hard. I went through 5km in 15:31. Yip, that's okay. Through the industrial estate a second time, Traynor was starting to tail off the leaders. I felt he was catchable but on such a hot night focussed on doing it gradually by maintaining pace instead of surging. On the canal, between 6km and 7km, I pulled alongside him then, with one brief turn of pace, edged ahead and glanced at the 2 Africans ahead. One problem with the course was the leading runners lap some of the field. The course became very congested resulting in a bit of weaving through and, for a spell, I lost sight of the runners I was chasing. Eventually, we turned off for the finish from which I saw Mengisteab had pulled away from Hagos. I was sweating buckets. I made a renewed effort to catch up and, while closing down Hagos, could only hold Mengisteab. I was holding off Deason and Traynor as much as chasing the 2 ahead.

I held on to finish 3rd in 31:35 (1st 5km- 15:31, 2nd 5km- 16:04), an extremely pleasing performance in difficult conditions, 33 seconds adrift of Mengisteab and 5 seconds behind Hagos. Deason finished in 31:48 and Traynor finished a brave challenge 5th in 32:12. I was summoned for a photograph by the sponsors with Mengisteab and Hagos then chatted to various folk, Stephen Wylie, Martin McLaughlin, Dave Thom and 2 old university friends, Michael Pugh and Kevin Farmer. I had won individual and team prizes but felt extremely tired and, instead of waiting for the presentation at 9pm wanted home before it got too late to eat. Prizes get posted don't they? I'd had a sausage supper on the Sunday after Aberdeen and, the following night, treated myself to a single sausage after the run with Calderglen at Chatelherault. Another sausage supper, a 3rd chippie in the same week, is probably 3 too many.

Cambuslang Results

768 finishers

3rd: Stuart Gibson, 31:35

6th: Stephen Wylie, 33:08, 1st vet over 40

9th: Martin McLaughlin, 34:16

14th: Duncan Cochrane, 35:15

29th: Dave Thom, 36:18, 1st vet over 50