West District Cross Country Championships, 7th December 2013

My report on this race (and indeed any blog update) has been delayed for various reasons but here we go. Little did I know at the time that the West District Cross Country would be my last race of 2013. I decided to do my usual weekly hill session on Boxing Day instead of racing at Ayr and no other races caught my eye.

This year, the event was hosted by Kilmarnock Harriers on a course next to the new Ayrshire Athletics Arena. Not a long journey either on road to the venue nor on foot to the course, the start being about 100m from the sports centre and, at first glance,  a decent course. All in stark contrast to the unaussprechlich  of Inverkip 12 months ago.

The biggest challenge looked to be a 20-30m patch of ground, which could be kindly described as a swamp, just after passing under a bridge. Negotiate that while retaining your footwear and you were on to a winner. Nevertheless, even the firmest of courses will adversely suffer when 8 races have been run on it before you and so it proved.

As the field of just over 200 were set off, I felt I had a point to prove to myself and started with a bit of aggression, moving into 3rd behind Shettleston duo Tewoldeberhan Mengisteab and Lachlan Oates. After a short lap of some playing fields, we faced 3 larger laps, described quite accurately elsewhere as a more agricultural setting. While there were no hills to speak of apart from a few muddy mounds to hurdle, the ground had been softened considerably by several hundred earlier runners. David Vernon (VP City of Glasgow) and Luke Traynor (Giffnock North) had slipped past me before the first of 3 visits to the swamp.

Inverkip, all is forgiven. Being tracked by Matthew Sullivan (Shettleston), who later overtook me, through the East Ayrshire Everglades.

Normally by this point in the winter, I would have had some relay races and 2 months of training in October and November. Since I was tapering off for most of October leading up to Dublin and found walking a challenge in November, let alone running, I had not built up the same fitness base. It told when during the second lap, I slipped to 11th place. 3 of my clubmates, Iain MacCorquodale, Robert Gilroy and Ben Hukins were among those overtaking. As I headed into the final lap, I got a shout from David Cooney that we had the team gold "in the bag" and I was well clear in my position. This helped and gave me a second wind to hold on to the position I had established. With only the first 6 finishers from a club taking the medals, there is a lot to lose from falling out that half dozen. Despite feeling dejected at the defeats I was suffering from other runners and the gaps they had opened on me, I dug in to see the race through, taking 11th place in a time of 37:45 for a course measured by a few at 10.5km. Our 5th and 6th counters, Kerry-Liam Wilson and Stewart Orr came in immediately after me in 12th and 13th to secure us the team gold ahead of Shettleston who, by that point, had only 3 runners over the line. The importance of packing in team races clearly illustrated. A round up of all Cambuslang's West successes is here. The results are here.

A few of our 20+ strong senior men team, left to right- Andrew Coulter, Stewart Orr, Gordon Robertson, Kerry-Liam Wilson, Iain MacCorquodale, Jamie Reid, Robert Gilroy, Ben Hukins and a grumpy me.

In the heat of the moment, I was thoroughly dejected despite numerous assertions I had no cause to be. I know now I simply needed to train though at that time I couldn't see the woods for the trees. Straight after crossing the finishing line, an offer to run the Inter District Cross Country on 11th January wasn't something I wanted to hear but I'm grateful for it now. After a 10 mile crawl in horrific wind and rain the next day, I had 2 complete days off. On the Monday, I watched a Queen's Park reserve team match with a friend and, the following night, had a meeting to attend with Whitemoss Athletics Club. It's encouraging that, as I watched the football match, I actually felt like training again. I've kicked on from the Wednesday onwards (11th December) and, in terms of recovery from sessions, the Christmas break has been wonderful. Due to the organiser's personal circumstances, my annual year curtain raiser at Beith is not taking place so 2014 is beginning with a 3000m at the Emirates indoor track. Hopefully I start as I mean to go on.

Touch wood, after a couple of false dawns, I'm now back!





Lanarkshire Cross Country Championships, 30th November 2013

By the time this race came round, I finally felt I was shaking off the shackles of the marathon. I'd had 2 weeks of 55 and 51 miles with key sessions- track, High Point hills, Saturday grass reps and Windfarm long runs- all in their appointed places. I kept the momentum going in the week leading up to the Lanarkshire though did a short session on the road on the Friday since I had a meeting on Tuesday 26th November so took it as a rest day. Both this race and my next (West District Cross Country, race report to come) disproved me of my notion a little.

 

Looking back as I write this, my preparation wasn't the best. Yet another stressful working week and no ease up in training meant I headed to Coatbridge's Drumpellier Park feeling more like I was getting ready for a training session. I even warmed up with some other guys from the club, something I never do before races. I was in training, not race mode.

 

Cambuslang's senior men responded to a rallying call I issued after the Scottish 4km Cross Country by turning out in good numbers for this local championship. Using Inverkip as my yardstick, the 4 lap course looked perfectly runnable. A field of just over 40 runners, 9 of them for Cambuslang, took to the start line. Among the others were 3 from one of my other clubs, Whitemoss, including my good friend William Sutherland. He's also a Clyde supporter so is rather enjoying the current plight of my own team who happen to also be his side's derby rivals.

 

Heading along the opening straight, myself, fellow Cambuslangers Robert Gilroy and Gordon Robertson, Grant Baillie (East Kilbride AC) and Darran Muir (Law and District) forged a gap. Seeking to boost my fragile confidence, I moved into the lead as we crossed a narrow path under a railway bridge before taking a sharp left into some thicker mud. Not Inverkip style thick mud however. After some grassy trails, we doubled back under the railway bridge again into a full circuit of the area where we started into the next lap.

 

By the end of lap 1, Robert and I were in a straight head to head. He was battling hard and I simply wasn't shaking him off. We remained locked together into the final lap. In a short climb through some trees, I ran hard up the hill then hard off the top in an attempt to create some daylight. In the same pattern as earlier, he descended with more grace than me and closed me down. Through the bridge for the last time, he forged ahead, leaving me broken and unable to respond. Robert won the race in 30:56 with me coming though in 30:59. It was his first victory over me since Inverkip.

 

Looking back now, I didn't take it well and had a bit of a tantrum to myself, throwing my watch to the ground in disgust. However, the better man won and I did congratulate him. I realise all that sounds ridiculous but it was a bad reaction from me in the heat of the moment.

 

Meanwhile, Jamie Reid came through strongly to finish 3rd and complete our counting 3 in the team competition. We took 5 of the first 10 places with Gordon Robertson in 4th and under 20 Ross Stephen, in his senior debut, finishing 7th. Scott Hunter continued a rapid improvement to take 14th, pipping Colin Feechan by 4 seconds after a similar race long battle to Robert and I. Mick O'Hagan in 17th and Dave Thom in 25th rounded off a strong club showing. Gordon, Ross and Scott were unlucky not to take team bronze with a rule change preventing B teams from winning medals whereas they had in previous years.

 

I couldn't stay too grumpy since it was also my Mum's birthday and I treated her to a drink at our local, the Greenhills, that evening. I wasn't too muddy after the race or else she may not have agreed to it.

Scottish National 4km Cross Country, 10th November 2013

The road to recovery from Dublin was a long one. That is, recovery from the marathon, not the "session" that followed at Temple Bar that night though that took a while too! Being barely able to walk for 2 days was no fun at all. If I stood or sat in the one place for too long, my legs seized up. Getting in and out of bed presented a challenge. By midweek, these feelings started to pass but I simply did not feel right. I attempted no running for an entire week and when I did the following Monday, I struggled through 5 miles at 7 minute mile pace with tight joints and calves. The following night, I returned to the club and managed the 8 miles but uncomfortably with my right calf still hurting. 5 and 6 mile runs over the next 2 days started to feel better. However, the jadedness lingered and I didn't run on either the Friday or Saturday. Not so ideal preparation for my next race.

Having missed the West District and National Cross Country relays, I felt I owed the club an appearance so declared myself available for the National 4km Cross Country at Glasgow's Bellahouston Park. I knew my performance would be a lottery. All I could do was my best.

As in previous years, the route comprised a 2 lap course, relatively flat apart from a gradual incline 800m or so into each lap. It was muddy without being of Inverkip proportions. A large field of over 200 lined up for the senior men race. I didn't feel confident enough to follow the initial cavalry and sat back hoping to work through. I coped fine with the underfoot conditions and my legs were alright. I simply felt unfit. I tried to focus and by the end of the first lap, I had worked my way up a few places.

Up ahead, Central quartet Alistair Hay, Robert Russell, Andrew Butchart and Cameron Boyek fought out the first 4 places. They finished in that order. One of our first year under 20s Ryan Thomson was running strongly and headed me going into the second lap. I grinded my way past him as he tired, being passed in turn myself by our first finisher, Ben Hukins. I more or less maintained position, motivated by the shouts for other Cambuslang runners close behind me, taking 28th place and 2nd Cambuslang runner behind Ben in 12:58, 1 minute and 1 second behind the winner (Hay).

Having been top 10 in this race twice in the last 3 attempts, 28th was disappointing but not unexpected given my preparation and fitness level on the day. It's the lowest I've finished in a Scottish race for quite some time but the results show a high level of competitiveness throughout the field which can only be a good thing. I needed the jolt and came away with a clear idea of the hard work lying ahead of me to have any chance of matching the success I've been fortunate to enjoy in recent years. Having a McDonalds for dinner before attending WWE's wrestling show at Braehead Arena 2 nights earlier probably didn't help either!

Team wise, the men were 4th and our senior ladies were 6th, aided by silver medal winning under 20 Katie Bristow. A link to results from all the day's races is here.

Autumn Relays

Each winter season in Scottish athletics starts off with some road and cross country relays. As part of the build up to Dublin, I lined up for the first two of them.

George Cummings Road Relay, 28th September 2013

I hadn't run this race for quite some time and had never done so in Cambuslang colours. The village of Houston, near Paisley, was the setting. Taking place during a 70 mile week, I took first leg which let me churn out a few more miles afterwards while cheering on other runners. The race saw Owen Walpole make his debut for us. We finished 3rd, winning £15 each which helped cover my diesel.

3rd Team

2nd Stuart Gibson, 12:58

3rd Robert Gilroy, 13:12

2nd Alistair Campbell, 13:49

3rd Owen Walpole, 13:33

14th Team

12th, Andrew MacKenzie 14:41

22nd, Barnie Gough 16:48

19th, George Pettit 14:59

14th, Andrew Coulter 13:58

McAndrew Road Relay, 5th October 2013

This came during another 70 mile week. Having done a 3 hour Sunday run to round off the previous week, my legs were quite stiff so I took Tuesday off and went into this race off the back of a 9 mile run home from work on Friday. I did last leg. This gave me extra recovery time from the Friday run. Once again, we welcomed a contingent from Armagh AC. I took over in 4th place and felt more than a little guilty when I overtook them, knocking out the top 3. A wide assortment of ages, abilities and waistlines represented the club at this race.

Ladies Team- 2nd
Katie Bristow, 20:05- fastest Under 20
Kirsty Anderson, 21:48
Sarah Benson, 19:16

Armagh Ladies Team- 5th

Fionala Ross, 19:29
Danielle Fegan, 20:14
Ashlene Fegan, 24:22

Male A Team- 3rd
Al Campbell, 17:48
Bobby Bristow, 17:24
Iain MacCorquodale, 17:15
Stuart Gibson, 16:22

Armagh AC Team- 4th
Stephen, 16:06 - 2nd fastest overall
Shane, 16:48
Kris, 18:17
Chris, 20:07

Vets A - 9th & 1st vets team
Scott Hunter, 18:56
Greg Hastie, 18:17 - 3rd fastest vet
Dave Thom, 18:51
Frank Hurley, 20:01

Male B Team - 11th
Ross Stephen, 18:19
Robert Rossborough, 19:35
Barnie Gough, 21:14
Jamie Reid, 18:10

Composite Team - 25th
Marty (Armagh), 20:31
Paul (Armagh), 22:51
Brendan Carey, 20:57
Robert Anderson, 23:02

Vets B - 30th
Cliff Carey, 22:00
Colin Stephen, 22:40
Angus Reid, 21:41
Jim Orr, 24:31

Airtricity Dublin Marathon, 28th October 2013

The blog has been quiet in recent times, mainly because I've been keeping something to myself. Since June, I had been building up to have a crack at the Commonwealth Games time for the marathon of 2:19:00. A fairly high target but if you don't try, you will never know. Throughout June until my summer holiday in mid July, I trained at my winter mileage with a maximum long run of 18 miles. On holiday I churned out 63 hot, sweaty miles in week 1 then a chilled 30 in week 2. From late July, I upped the ante again, reaching over 70 miles per week for the first time ever with long runs of 21 miles and one of 3 hours duration 4 weeks before race day. By my standards, this sort of mileage was a lot and I was feeling it big time, e.g. feeling ready to sleep by mid afternoon at work every day. On Fridays, this feeling lasted all day. However, I managed it. The target race? Dublin Marathon on 28th October.

I'm not keen to dwell too much on the experience. Suffice to say, I did not enjoy the race at all, even when I was running well which I was for 18 miles. I realised early on the Commonwealth time was not going to happen so focused instead on having a good run. I went through 10 miles, just after exiting Phoenix Park where I saw some deer, in 55:40 ish feeling okay. I encountered a strong head wind between 11 and 12 miles where my pace dropped as shown by my half way split of 1 hour 14 minutes. A time of 1 hour 30 minutes however for 16 miles showed it had only been the wind slowing me down. I even thought at that point "right, it's just a 10 mile race now. 10 miles in under an hour and you've a good time." Just like the poor mouse in Rabbie Burns' poem, "To A Mouse," the best laid plans of life and men left me nothing but grief and pain for promised joy.

By 18 miles, I felt my right calf twinging slightly. Nothing major but a little uncomfortable. From 18 to 19 miles, I started to feel I was dragging my right leg. Then came the cramp in both legs. It was as if someone had turned off a light switch. One second, nothing. The next, unbelievable discomfort. 20 miles in 1 hour 54 minutes confirmed the drop in pace. I was now in a lot of trouble.

Among the things I expected to let me down were my body's fuel burning economy and my breathing due to having asthma. Neither of these did. I at least expected to have the legs to see it through. Every time I turned into a new street I tried to lengthen my stride. I couldn't lift my legs. I was fuelled up but on a pair of legs which had caved in.

In running terms, this was a new experience. I'm not strongly religious but I'm not ashamed to say I said a few prayers during those long, painful miles. Quite how I got there I'll never know but I kept running, taking 43 minutes for the last 6.2 miles, and crawled over the finish line in 38th place in 2:37:58.

Above: a few hundred metres to go, despite everyone around me, feeling very isolated.

I certainly don't regret having a go (the training was a worthwhile learning curve) but those of you who run marathons are welcome to them. I've been told by a few sources my time entitles me to an automatic place at the London Marathon. Absoloutely no thanks. Stuff it where the sun doesn't shine!

For the record, the race had an Irish winner for the first time since the early 1990s, Sean Hehir in 2:18:19. Fellow Scot, Stephen Trainer, ran strongly throughout in 10th overall with a time of 2:26:36, a personal best by around 5 minutes. I narrowly avoided my first loss to a lady since 2008 with Maria McCambridge finishing 44th in 2:38:51. She ran a much more even pace than me.

As for Dublin itself, apart from the above timeframe, I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 days there. I defy anyone to say they were more grateful than me to hit the Temple Bar area for a beer that night. I'll definitely be back, on a different weekend from the marathon.

Compare and Contrast

Last weekend, I competed in the McAndrew Road Relay for Cambuslang. Full report to follow. It was only the second time I had participated in the near 75 year old race in a red and white vest having lined up in the yellow and black of Calderglen Harriers numerous times. Here are two photographs from the relay taken 10 years apart.

 

Above: running first leg for Calderglen Harriers in 2003 against a runner from my future club. I never met the Cambuslang man after this since he had gone by the time I joined 6 years later. Photo courtesy of my Dad.

 

Above: running last leg for Cambuslang in 2013, almost 3 minutes quicker than 10 years earlier.

 

 

Amazing Who You Meet 7

On 15th September, I had a significant birthday as I joined the 30 club. I still don't quite know how to feel about it.

To mark the occasion, my parents treated me to a hospitality package at the Queen's Park v Elgin game on 21st September, the closest home game to my birthday. With the team's form of having lost all 7 games played in the 2013/14 season, it felt slightly like a booby prize. Clouds do have silver linings though.

Alas, I was named match ball sponsor which entitled me to access to the Millenium Lounge bar at Hampden before kick off for a drink, to a buffet at half time and another drink after the game if I so wished. I also received a football signed by the players and coaches who had achieved 7 defeats out of 7!

The team however had a lot more stuffing about them, battling back from 2-0 then 3-1 down for a 3-3 draw and their first point of the season. By way of explanation, 12 of last season's squad have departed with the bedding in of new faces a work in progress. Normally, selection of man of the match falls to the match sponsor. With no-one filling this role, I was given the honour. I swayed between midfielder David Gold, on loan from Hibs, and long serving Spider Tony Quinn, settling in the end for the latter for his 2 goal contribution as well as an excellent all round performance. I got a close view as I stood in the tunnel during the last few minutes waiting to present the club captain with the award. It was worth the wait.

Thank you to my parents for the present and to Queen's Park FC for their generosity on the day.

Above: presenting Tony Quinn with the man of the match champagne. Photo courtesy of Queen's Park FC.

Scottish Athletics Mens League Division 2 Match 4, 25th August 2013

A trip to Aberdeen didn't seem to set the juices of many flowing. Despite asking around quite a number of people, I headed north with 4 athletes, including myself, and the required 3 officials with another official meeting us there. Once the culture shock of a 7am rise on a Sunday wore off, I looked forward to my 3rd visit to the Granite City. Our minibus got us there safely. We even had time for a breakfast stop at Asda in Dundee. No sightings of Oor Wullie or the Broons and no jeely pieces though my roll and sausage went down well. I also didn't find Wullie's bucket which, according to that day's Sunday Post, had gone missing.

I had devised a plan to maximise the number of points a long distance athlete (me), 2 middle distance athletes (Alistair Campbell and Craig Whyteside) and a thrower (Ian Smith) could earn the team. To my relief and surprise, the other 3 adhered to my plan. Personally, I felt a 10,000m wasn't enough so pencilled myself in for an 800m and 400m as a warm up. The less said about my long jump, the better. Suffice to say, my personal best of 4.89m, set in 1998, remains unthreatened.

I've found Aberdeen rather cold on my 2 previous visits. This time however, conditions were humid but the lack of wind made for reasonable running weather. I lined up in the 800m A race and duly found myself at the back of the 6 man field with 61 seconds for 400m. With 200m to go, I was in the same place before I found a bit of strength. 29 seconds for the last 200m brought me a time of 2:04.80. I lay 5th with about 10m to go but a dip on the line earned me 4th and 2 extra points by only 0.05 seconds. Stuart Campbell of Corstorphine was 3rd in 2:04.54. The tightest of tight finishes. I was well behind the winner from Inverness (1:55.56). Still, an encouraging start. Craig had a great run in the B race, 2:08.81 for 2nd place. He had also fitted in long jump with more success than me.

The 400m was my litmus test. A minimum points standard of 60 seconds to achieve. 4 runners became 3 as I experienced a career first, being part of a race with a false start. Thankfully the Inverness athlete beside me was the offender. My prayers were answered as, despite finishing 3rd out of 3 in the B race, 58.17 seconds ensured I earned points. Similar to the long jump, my personal best of 55.6 seconds from 1999 is intact. All my personal bests up to and including 400m were set in the last millennium. Before me, Alistair had clocked 51.18 seconds for 3rd in the A race.

Alistair and Craig did me proud in the 1500m, scoring maximum points, Craig with a personal best. Highlight of the race was the announcer's excitement at the sight of 3 athletes called Campbell taking the first 3 places. Happily for me, the one in the Whitemoss vest emerged victorious then finished a whirlwind of racing with 5th place and 24.85 seconds in the 200m A race.

Meanwhile, Ian mopped up a clean sweep of 2nd place finishes throughout the afternoon in the hammer, shot putt and discus. This complete an excellent summer where, with Craig, he has been an ever present at all 4 Mens League meetings, earning more than his fair share of points.

After my earlier successes, I lined up for the combined Divisions 1 and 2 10,000m in a relaxed mood. Only 11 athletes toed the line. A group comprising Alistair Hay, Robert Russell and Dermot Cummins broke away. With 3 laps of the track behind me in 2 previous races and another 25 left, I let them go. I settled into my own rhythm but unfortunately soon found myself in no mans land. It would be a long, isolated effort. No wind at least which was a blessing. I hit a decent but unspectacular pace, completing 5000m in 15:57. I was a bit disappointed with this and upped the effort. Alistair, Robert and Dermot were bunched then I was several metres back with a gap behind me in turn. Racing 10,000m on the track is far different from the road. Your mind plays tricks on you. I started mixed up laps and distances in my head. In the second half, I got something to chase as Robert dropped off the group. Over a period of 3-4 laps, I slowly closed the gap then made a break past him. I'd never beaten Robert so it would be a good scalp if I could hold on.

As the laps ticked by, I appeared to be on for around 32 minutes. I wanted better than this. I found enough to finish 3rd overall in a new track personal best by 25 seconds of 31:50.55. Dermot and Alistair had too much for me on the day, clocking 31:03.26 and 31:14.52 respectively. Robert finished in 32:14.11 followed by an impressive young Max McNeill in 32:37.71.

After a very gentle jog from the track to Pittodrie Stadium and back, that was more than enough for one day. Our quartet exceeded my expectations to take 4th on the day and 4th overall. Fantastic! As well as this, our officials, Mark Stringer, Willie Sutherland, Susan Gatens and Steven Whyteside, ensured we satisfied the league rules and could compete. The final league table looked like this.

Inverness Harriers, 31 points

Arbroath, 28

Giffnock North, 24

Whitemoss, 18

Pitreavie, 14 (531 match points)

Corstorphine, 14 (493 match points)

Clydesdale Harriers, 8

Fife, 5

The top 2 earned promotion to Division 1. Maybe one day.

I was tired but content on the trip home and, after my fish supper dinner, even with work the next day, relived my holiday a little and treated myself to a couple of San Miguels. There are times when running is a great sport. This was one of those times.

Training Before the Mens League

I've a report on the recent trip to Aberdeen to follow. For now, and for anyone interested, here is training in the week leading up (week commencing Monday 19th August) following on from 64, 65 and 66 mile training weeks. A track personal best for 10,000m with an 800m and 400m already in the legs was particularly pleasing.

 

Monday: Track, 10 x 400m with 1 minute recoveries (1 rep in 72 seconds, remainder in 68-71 seconds), 5 miles including warm up and warm down.

 

Tuesday: 5 miles easy (31:49).

 

Wednesday: 20 minutes easy then reps of 5 mins, 1 min, 2 mins, 4 mins, 1 min, 2 mins, 4 mins with 5 mins jog recoveries, 11 miles total (1:07:09)- Charlie Spedding session tweaked to suit.

 

Thursday: Club, 6.8 miles easy (44:38).

 

Friday: 2 sets of 1 min, 2 mins, 1 min with 1 minute jogs between reps and 4 minutes jog between sets, covering 3 miles in 16:42, 6 miles including warm up and warm down- this was Saturday's planned session but, with an early start and travel on Sunday, got it out the way to have a lie in and rest on Saturday.

 

Saturday: Rest- lie in and a fry up.

 

Sunday: Scottish Mens League Division 2 Match 4, Aberdeen- 800m, 2:04.80; 400m, 58.17 seconds; 10,000m, 31:50.55, track personal best.

 

Mileage: 41

 

 

Recent Training

For anyone interested, a run down of training since returning from holiday. While away, I ran 63 miles during the first week and 30 in the second (it was a holiday after all) then launched into this little lot.

Week Commencing Monday 29th July

Monday: 9.65 miles easy (1:01:52).

Tuesday: Club, 9.1 miles easy (58:02)

Wednesday: 2 miles easy, 1 mile hard (5:30), 2 miles easy, 1 mile hard (5:30), remainder easy, 10.25 miles (1:04:08).

Thursday: Rest- work related reasons.

Friday: 8 x High Point hill reps, 7 miles including warm up and warm down.

Saturday: AM: 1 min, 3 mins, 5 mins, 3 mins, 1 min, all with 2 mins jog recoveries (4 miles in 23:16), 7 miles including warm up and warm down.
PM: 3 miles easy (19:22).

Sunday:  Longer run, Whitelee Windfarm, 18 miles easy (2:05:34)- struggled during last 3 miles.

Mileage: 64

Week Commencing Monday 5th August

Monday: Track, 800m, 800m, 600m, 600m, 500m, 500m, 400m, 400m, 200m, 200m.
Times- 2:27, 2:26, 1:46, 1:47, 1:30, 1:29, 70, 70, 33, 32
8 miles including warm up and warm down.- very tough, felt sluggish and heavy.

Tuesday: Club, Blantyre Park in reverse, 8.5 miles easy (55:16).

Wednesday: 5 miles easy, 2 miles hard (10:57, mile times of 5:32 and 5:25), remainder easy, 10.5 miles (1:05:27).

Thursday: 9 miles approx. easy (1 hour approx)- run home from work, stay 7.5 miles from work but took a longer route. Ran without a stopwatch.

Friday: Rest.

Saturday: AM: 1 min, 3 mins, 5 mins, 3 mins, 1 min, all with 2 mins jog recoveries (4 miles in 22:58), 8 miles including warm up and warm down.
PM: 3 miles easy (19:18).

Sunday:  Longer run, Whitelee Windfarm, 18 miles easy (2:04:57)- felt strong.

Mileage: 65

Week Commencing Monday 12th August

Monday: 8 x High Point hill reps, 7 miles including warm up and warm down- felt very fluent.

Tuesday: 9.65 miles easy (1:01:59)

Wednesday: 2 miles easy, 1 mile hard (5:29), 2 miles easy, 2 miles hard (11:11, mile times of 5:34 and 5:39), remainder easy, 10.5 miles (1:04:40)- very tiring, exhausted at the finish.

Thursday: 8-8.25 miles easy (53:00).

Friday: Rest.

Saturday: AM: Race- Nigel Barge Memorial 10km Road Race, 1st in 32:44, 8-8.5 miles including warm down. Below par run. See previous post for race report.
PM: 3 miles brisk (18:23).

Sunday:  Longer run, Whitelee Windfarm, 19 miles easy (2:13:57)- no ill effects, felt fine throughout and at the finish but jaded the rest of the day.

Mileage: 66

Nigel Barge Memorial 10km Road Race, 17th August 2013

This race is a little out of place in August. Dating back over 60 years, it was traditionally run on the first Saturday of the New Year. Inclement winter weather in recent years has seen postponements and the race appearing on the calendar in March. More bad weather this year saw a second postponement and the race moved to August, less than a year before the next one is due.

 

At one time, "the Barge" carried some prestige with the best runners in the country competing over the 5 mile course. Police restrictions saw changes to both the route and distance to now give us a 2 lap 10km course.

 

The weather was totally foul when I woke up on Saturday morning which did nothing for my enthusiasm. I needed a race though so made the trip to Garscube Estate. With a generous team prize on offer, I persuaded a few others from the club to compete with George Pettit, Robert Rossborough, Youssef Ennaoui and Eddie Carr all turning up.

 

The rain clearly dampened spirits since, despite over 130 pre-entries, only 106 runners lined up, including a number of on the day entries. Around one third of the pre-entries had stayed away. Despite some pre-race nerves, I settled into a good rhythm in the first kilometre round the estate. I already found myself clear so it was apparent I faced a long, solo effort. In a tradition dating to the New Year staging of the race, the leading runner up the first hill won a bottle of whisky. On completing the climb out the estate past Glasgow University Vet School, I had secured one prize. Unfortunately, I'm not a whisky drinker.

 

The course then goes downhill on the Switchback Road, left alongside the Forth and Clyde Canal, left again down Dawsholm Road, uphill to Maryhill Road, along that back to the estate. That was one lap so do that then repeat. The rain was torrential during the first lap and my clothing stuck to me. As my watch ticked towards 16 minutes at 5km, I knew I wasn't running at my best but resolved to try and push on and run the second lap quicker.

 

Up by the Vet School, I prepared to push hard down the switchback when problems started. Often a tough effort during a race can mess around with your stomach making you...well, need to bring up whatever you've last eaten. However, only after you've finished. I started feeling this way. Problem was I was still racing and had about 3km to go. I had no option. I stopped, leaned over and coughed but nothing happened.  A few strides later, I stopped again for the same thing. This time, I managed to spit. Things seemed to settle down but the scare threw my concentration. From there, I simply nursed myself round the rest of the course, finishing in a well below par 32:44. It was still enough to win. Being a huge fan of steak dinners, the two steaks and steak sausage the night before had maybe not been properly digested by race time. Lesson learned.

 

George, Robert and Youssef battled hard through the atrocious conditions, completing a clean sweep of the first 4 positions and, naturally, winning us the team prize. An easy one for Maryhill Harriers to work out. George and Robert were also delighted to claim individual prize money in addition to their respective £25 shares of the team pot. Eddie was the unfortunate one to miss being a counter but finished 32nd in a time of 43:25 before cheering on his son in the youngster's 3km race.

 

The prize money (£125), trophy and bottle of whisky are a nice consolation for the bad race experience and it was good for a few other guys in the club to share the glory. As luck would have it, I drove home in glorious sunshine!

 

Next up, 10,000m on the track in Aberdeen. The only way is up.

Full race results are here.

 



Hello Again

Hi, just a quick post to indicate that I'm still here. I had a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing 2 weeks in the Costa del Sol which thoroughly refreshed me if not my liver. Since returning, I've trained well towards one or two targets- forgive me for keeping them close to my chest. It will remain that way until the dates of said targets are upon me.

 

Amazingly, I haven't raced since Calderglen's trail race in June so essentially the schools have broken up for summer and returned again without me putting a toe on a start line anywhere. I haven't been injured (I've kept running) but simply haven't found anything I wanted to race. The Scottish Track Championships also came too soon after holiday. That will be remedied this Saturday with the Nigel Barge 10k Road Race. Fingers crossed my form picks up where I left off.

Holidays

With much relief, I'm pleased to say I will be away on my travels tomorrow. 2 weeks in Torremolinos in the Costa del Sol to clear my head, relax and, with any luck, put in a few miles. The recent weather in the west of Scotland has been a useful acclimatisation exercise.

 

The Costa del Sol coastline comprises Malaga, Torremolinos and Benalmadena. Think the Three Towns in Ayrshire, Stevenson, Saltcoats and Ardrossan with sunshine. The same thing really. Anyway, until the end of July, adios amigos!

Calderglen Harriers 10km Trail Race, 28th June 2013

Photos courtesy of Gillian Scott.

Unfamiliarity was the recurring theme for me at the Calderglen Harriers trail races at East Kilbride's Calderglen Park. Unfamiliar day (despite also racing the previous Friday, I don't normally run on Fridays), unfamiliar race (my first trail/multi terrain race since 2008), unfamiliar footwear (I would be wearing trail shoes bought last year which I had trained but not raced in) and unfamiliar feelings (I was being loudly tipped as race favourite, especially by the Calderglen posse marshalling at the finish). That said, I've trained on the trails countless times and was banking on home advantage seeing me through. Clubmate Robert Gilroy and experienced hillrunner Kenny Richmond were present and, with a few other east of Scotland runners not well known to me, I knew I'd need be on my toes.

I'd raced this twice before many moons ago. Firstly, as a just left school 17 year old Whitemoss athlete in the plookiness of adolescence in 2001, finishing 33rd out of 86 runners in a time of 44:43. One year on, in a Calderglen vest, I finished 40th out of 187 runners in 42:05. After that, I helped steward on different years when things like the race clashing with graduation day in 2005 didn't get in the way.

The route comprises a short loop near the entrance to the park, a longer, undulating trail out to Langlands, a trail loop around Langlands Industrial Estate then, provided you haven't been hit by a Sainsburys lorry going to or from the depot along the way, a shorter route back into the park to East Kilbride Sports Club and the finish. As the record field of just under 200 runners set off, it became apparent that time had dimmed my memory as the short loop was hillier and longer than I last remembered. At its conclusion, I had only just managed to work my way into 2nd behind Kenny after being caught out by a very fast start. Kenny also had a fair gap. While I did start to close it, I was working very hard to do so. At a bridge crossing at around 2-3km, I took the chance to move ahead.

Above: taking the lead tracked by Kenny Richmond (145) and Robert Gilroy (other side of the bridge).

In the lead I may have been but fluent I wasn't. The uneven trail surface, twists and turns and hazards, e.g. bridges, stairs, barriers, obstructed my rhythm and prevented me from building up any sort of commanding lead. As the course twisted and turned its way to Langlands, I glanced sideways to see Kenny and Robert running together. They would be pushing each other along while I was the sitting target. I kept attempting to replicate my hill sessions by running hard off the top of the hills. While it kept me in the lead, for the reasons stated, I wasn't pulling away. Robert in particular has had more recent experience of trail racing than me at the Scottish and UK Inter Counties races. As a previous participant and winner here as well, he remained a dangerous opponent.

Just before re-entering the trail, and as I passed the aforementioned Sainsburys depot, I was told I had about a 50m gap. Yikes, nowhere near enough. My attempts to up the ante were thwarted by encountering the last few runners still heading out. Another hazard but it's only courteous to afford everyone their chance to race. Once the crowds cleared, which in truth didn't take too long, I made a renewed effort to push on. I didn't need to look behind to know I was being chased. Around 2km from the finish, I came to a downhill stretch leading to the flat where I finally found my rhythm and stretched my legs out. Pity the race was now nearly finished. One last climb out the trail to kill my legs brought me out at Torrance House. All that remained was a fast, downhill finish on the grass.

Above: taking nothing for granted, pushing on in the home straight.

I felt completely drained on finishing in a time of 34:49, ensuring anyone with an each way on me got a return on their stakes. This is one tough course. No sooner had I stood up straight after catching my breath, Robert finished runner up in 35:13. An unknown quantity, Colin Thomas, was 3rd in 35:26. Robert and I immediately set about trying to recruit him. Kenny finished 4th in 35:56 followed by another East Kilbride based runner, Grant Baillie, in 36:42. In the ladies race, two east coast athletes, Edel Mooney and Scout Adkin edged out East Kilbride girl Louise Beveridge, living in Dundee and running for Liz McColgan's former club Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, who took the prize for 3rd lady in a time of 43:28.

The rewards were £80, a small trophy keepsake and, the coup de gras, the Jimmy Moore trophy. Jimmy was the head coach at East Kilbride AC then Calderglen Harriers on their formation and is now in his 80s. He was in attendance with his wife Myra to present the trophy. A nice wee moment.

Above: Jimmy Moore Memorial Trophy and the smaller momento behind it. This photo is my own.

The prizes didn't end there as a strong effort from George Pettit also sealed us the first team prize of £30 of vouchers each. I can't say I didn't get value from my entry fee. Well, that and horribly stiff legs all weekend. My thanks go to all at Calderglen Harriers for the warm welcome back.

We had a big contingent competing on the night. Full Cambuslang results are below.

1k

5th: Fearghus MacGregor, 4:14

3k

2nd: Struan Paton, 12:13

4th: Christopher McLew, 13:08

7th: Ruairidh MacGregor, 13:34

8th: Jonathan Anderson, 14:10

 

5k

3rd: Andrew Coulter, 16:36

 

10k

1st: Stuart Gibson, 34:49

2nd: Robert Gilroy, 35:13

12th: George Pettit, 38:49

19th: Robert Rossborough, 40:17

26th: Frank Hurley, 40:55- first M60

28th: Alick Walkinshaw, 40:58- first M50

33rd: Dan O'Connell, 41:49

For another take on the evening's races, courtesy of Calderglen's Alan Derrick, click here.

Glasgow Athletics Association Miler Meeting, 21st June 2013

Nervous is probably an understatement when it comes to describing how I felt before this event. I'd entered the 1500m, my first tilt at this distance for 10 months. With training geared more towards 5000m, I feared I would not have the required pace in my legs to do the 64 seconds per 400m pace the pacemaker would be setting in my race. I had taken a planned rest day on the Tuesday to see Bruce Springsteen at Hampden (awesome) but missed the following day's training too after a draining working day including a stressful and lengthy client meeting after attending a seminar (no, I wasn't hungover). On the Thursday, I did a short road session of 1 minute and 2 minute repetitions to turn my legs over.

 

Driving to Scotstoun, my Dad seemed to have more faith in me than I did. The mind is a strange thing. Had I planned 2 rest days in succession, I'd have felt fine. However, because the second one was unplanned, it bothered me. Sport can be mind over matter at times.

 

Due to my nerves, I didn't feel like speaking to anyone so kept to myself, trying to get into race mode. About the only person I smiled with was another guy in my heat Mickey Breen who, on me conveying my feelings, confessed being possessed of the same self doubt. He's also a lawyer so a degree of empathy between us I guess.

 

At long last, we got away and I took up residence at the tail end of the field. The pacemaker misjudged the pace asked for spectacularly as I battered through 400m in 63 seconds in second last position, 3 seconds or so off the lead. Only Alistair Campbell, using me as his own pacemaker (which I was fine with incidentally), was behind me. This tempo was clearly too fast for some of the field as I took closer order in the pack. I could feel the strength from my recent mileage (back to my winter level of 60 per week) and sessions (tried and trusted Windfarm runs, High Point hill reps, track work etc) kicking in. It kept me in contention. What I didn't have in speed I made up for in endurance. 67 seconds for the next 400m.

 

I continued to keep up and another good lap (66 seconds) took me through 1200m in 3:16. A 50 second final 300m would give me a time just outside my best of 4:05. I'd have taken that. Some conversation however at the recent club prizegiving had discussed the rarity with which I produced a sprint finish. I was determined to have one this time. Mustering every last energy reserve, I covered the last 300m in 46 seconds (61-62 second 400m pace) to finish 7th out of 12 finishers in a new personal best of 4:02.48. I just edged out Mickey who clocked 4:03.33. We exchanged high fives, congratulating each other on our efforts. Alistair however produced the turn of pace he kills me with just about every Monday night on the track to finish 3rd in 4:01.02. He's finding some very good form. 

 

The judicial examination over with for the night, I became more sociable then came up with a great idea for a warm down- if my Dad drove to Mount Florida, near Hampden, I could run there from Scotstoun and get picked up. It turned out a much longer run than anticipated, nearly 6.5 miles, and I felt fit for one of the beds in the adjacent Victoria Infirmary by the end. Running through the Tradeston area of Glasgow on a Friday night wasn't one of my better ideas.

 

At the same meeting, Ben Hukins ran 15:06.58 in the 5000m A race to claim West District bronze. Our other 1500m peformers were as follows:-

 

A race- Stewart Orr, 3:53.96

B race- Alistair Campbell, 4:01.02; Stuart Gibson, 4:02.48; Andrew Coulter, 4:14.88

D race- Greg Hastie, 4:18.53

F race- Niamh Brown, 5:00.32; Rebecca Bonomi, 5:20.87

Women's A race- Katie Bristow, 4:50.11

Women's B race- Eve Mackinnon, 4:53.26

 

 

Full results are on the Glasgow Athletics Association website.

British Milers Club Grand Prix, Manchester, 1st June 2013

Photos courtesy of Adrian Royle Photography. 

With a 2 week holiday coming up in the middle of July to break up the summer, the 5000m at the British Milers Club (BMC) meeting in Manchester formed my target race for this first half. Having run 15:14 after an earlier race that day and 15:09 on another day with heavy training in my legs at previous Mens League meetings, I felt this race was my chance to go under 15 minutes on the track for the first time since Bedford last August. I pulled back training in the week leading up and got a good night's sleep. I then simply hoped for a hassle free drive on race day. Thankfully it worked out that way, getting to Manchester without a hitch. I called in to a garage to fill up with diesel and asked directions to Sport City just to make sure. The track is located next to the Etihad Stadium which was used for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and is now home to Manchester City FC. Out the garage, turn left, end of the road, turn right. Easy....or it would have been if I'd been going to Old Trafford because that's where these directions lead me! A minor blip.

The track was the warm up area during the Commonwealth Games. The whole complex had a huge buzz about it with thousands of concert goers waiting to see Muse later that night. After getting a bite to eat in Asda then a bit of general milling about, my Mum, Dad and brother left me to go to declarations and gather my thoughts. My race, the C race, was quite early in a packed programme, at 6pm, which was a relief since I'd be driving home afterwards and being in either the A or B races after 9pm would have meant a very late departure. Next time I enter one of these, I'll do an overnight.

Club vests were acceptable but I felt I'd worked hard to earn my BMC member's vest so pulled it on for my debut race as a member. It had lay in the polythene since the day I got it, the same day as the Battle of Inverkip (see my 2012 West District Cross Country write up). I recognised VP City of Glasgow's Sean Fontana, who now works down south, but everyone else in the race were unknown quantities, as was I no doubt to them. I had my target pace in mind and knew I'd get the result I wanted if I managed it. Position would take care of itself.

Lining up in a large field of 18, I slowly worked my way up to 3rd behind the pacemaker and a guy in a green vest. Strangely, a first lap of 72 seconds felt very comfortable. This is exactly 15 minute pace so actually slightly slower than I wanted. I trusted the pacemaker to do his job though and soon enough, the pace did quicken to 70-71 seconds per lap. I knew I would have to work to sustain this later but, in the meantime, just tried to get a few laps behind me without feeling too strained.

 Above: tucking in behind the pacemaker (blue vest) and early leader (336).

By 2km, the pace at the front was around 14:40 pace. Once the pacemaker stepped aside, the green vest in front seemed to almost literally die a death. In a 75m-100m stretch, I gained on him stride for stride and overtook into the lead. I was now out in front working on my own. I passed 3km in 8:49, still on for under 15 minutes. All the work was being done on my own though. I front ran, ticking off the laps, doing my utmost to keep my shape. The 4th kilometre was a lonely one and my pace suffered. No-one caught me though and I rallied in the final kilometre. 

Above: being pursued in the later stages.

Sometimes, you have a sense someone is about to pass you. Sure enough, on the bell for the last lap, Sean Fontana came alongside and overtook. I tried to keep in contact but I'd blown a gasket. Still, a 69 second final lap brought me 2nd place and a time of 14:50.24, just outside my track best of 14:48.03. A good performance having taken on the pace alone. Sean clocked a deserved personal best of 14:46.88. He was one of 11 athletes out of the 18 finishers to run personal bests. Another 5, including me, ran season bests. However, I really need a sprint finish. My kilometre splits were 2:56, 2:53, 3:00, 3:02 and 2:59. I can see where the 2 seconds I was outside my best disappeared to.

On my warm down, I snaked through the last remaining folk still to take their places for the concert, turned down more than one bootlegger's offer of a ticket, gave Sarah Benson some encouragement in her 3000m steeplechase, chatted to Craig Ruddy and Elspeth Curran, both running 5000m races later on, then, after a hot dog and chips, set off home. I got in at midnight but my mind was too active to sleep so I had a wee beer with my parents and brother before finally going to bed in the small hours more than happy with how things had gone. As recently as 2011, these races weren't on my radar. Being in them feels fantastic. I know the improvement will stop sometime. I'll simply keep enjoying the rollercoaster while it lasts.

5000m race results

Auldhouse 5km Time Trial, 6th June 2013

Following a tough outing over 5000m in Manchester (report still to come) and a challenging few days in the office, I was in the mood to do something different and more light hearted in a training sense. I therefore paid a visit to my old club, Calderglen Harriers, to participate in their monthly summer 5km time trial. This is run by the Harriers as part of training on the first Thursday of each month from May to September inclusive. Incredibly, as I looked back at the times from previous years, I last took part in 2008. My fastest time in 3 attempts was 17:10.

 

Having conveyed my Manchester 5000m time (I'm keeping it a secret until the report is up) to Harriers coach Alan Derrick, a course record by a long way was the prediction. No pressure there then. Andrew Buchanan clocked the record on 7th August 2008 with 16:50, the same night I in fact ran my 17:10! The course is a tough, undulating circuit on East Kilbride's country roads, taking in the small village of Auldhouse, hence the event name, and Langlands Golf Course and nature reserve. I've run on these roads countless times but trying a sustained effort on them is another matter.

 

After a warm up on the road with Calderglen men Ian Hughes and Charlie MacDougall, a former Cambuslang Harrier, while the rest took a more scenic (and longer) route through the Calderglen trail, it came to the start. In the absence of Alan on work related business, Harriers secretary Russell Couper, with the help of Eddie Reid, set the participants off at 30 second intervals. Russell took great delight in telling me I would be setting off 23rd and it became apparent, as more and more runners were sent on their way, that there were only 23 participants. So, 11 minutes or so after the first runner began and with the sort of "encouragement" only a guy like Russell can give ringing in my ears, I chased down the 22 others.

 

The downhill start can be cruel since it is immediately followed by a long uphill drag by a farm then a right turn into another long, slightly uphill stretch. Another right takes you into a welcome descent leading straight into a climb into Auldhouse. This road is part of my usual long Windfarm run. The top of the hill brings you to the back gate of a property home to an Alsatian which always has a facial expression suggesting it would like nothing more than one of my limbs with salt and vinegar. Maybe I shouldn't antagonise the creature by waving every time I run past. A right turn (thankfully away from said gate) follows, past the Auldhouse Arms then out the village towards the Langlands area, following the country road to the finish, roughly 150m-200m from the start.

 

I couldn't tell how fast I was going but I worked hard and caught a few people before the finish line though definitely not all. The course record duly fell as I completed the circuit in 16:20. Ian was 2nd quickest and took 28 seconds off his May clocking with 18:07 while Charlie ran 19:06, well run by an over 60 on a testing course. The honour of fastest lady went to Joanne McEvoy with 21:45, only slightly slower than she ran in May.

 

Overall, this was a pleasant way to spend an evening. Pure comfort eating rounded things off, stopping for a half pizza supper. Again, something different if not so light on the heart, or cholestorol.

Round Up- Keeping Up with the Hawkins Brothers

Photo courtesy of Gillian Scott.

Races since the Troon 10k have gone well. My outing at the BMC meeting in Manchester will be covered in a separate post. This one contains a few words about two races I used as preparation. Often you hear people talk about "training through races." Generally it refers to races you don't see as targets but instead train as normal, hence, "train through" them plus, in my case with the first one, treat the Saturday night before like any other.

Scottish Athletics Mens League Division 2 Match 2, 19th May 2013

Whether it was my 14 mile run at Whitelee Windfarm the day before, having a beer or 3 watching Eurovision or a combination of both, I felt quite flat going to this meeting at Grangemouth. In sorting out team manager duties, I selected myself for a 400m and 5000m. However, as I went through my warm up routine, it became apparent my legs were not up for the effort required to run the minimum 400m points standard of 60 seconds on this occasion so intimated my withdrawal to the official in charge at the start. My legs were heavy before the 5000m but there was enough there and the weather was on my side.

 

As for the race, I gradually worked my way up to 3rd place behind a returning from USA Calum Hawkins of Kilbarchan, whose brother I would race later in the week, and Central's UK international Scott McDonald. They were together, working off each other. I strived to keep in contact to get the benefit as well but couldn't quite bridge the gap and ran much of the race in a bit of a no mans land with a gap in front and behind. Encouragingly I kept a consistent pace (7:32 first half and 7:37 second half) in clocking 15:09, 5 seconds quicker than my time on a more blustery day in Kilmarnock. It felt enough for one day. I had no energy for any more racing. McDonald won the race in 14:52 by 2 seconds from Hawkins while my 3rd place overall was sufficient to score maximum points in the Division 2 competition. I had given a lift to 2 of my team members, Craig Whyteside and Zach Bryson, so rather than keep them hanging around while I warmed down to ease my legs, drove back to East Kilbride with them and went a 30 minute jog from home.

Clydebank 10k Road Race, 23rd May 2013

I headed into this race with a 7.5 mile run home from work on the Monday, hill reps on the Tuesday and an easy 6 miler on the Wednesday behind me. Like Troon, I spent the afternoon in our East Kilbride office to ensure a quick getaway and some pre-race encouragement from our property manager Myra whose son Daniel takes part competitively in swimming. As I've eluded to in the past, racing midweek can be tough in terms of motivation straight after a working day so little things like a more relaxed work environment and a friendly voice like Myra's really help.

Having run well in a heatwave last year, I was keen to see what I could produce in more favourable conditions. The first person I saw at the start/finish area was Calum Hawkins' older brother Derek, a UK international who ran within the Commonwealth Games qualifying time for the marathon at the London Marathon in April. We were the first two athletes to arrive there and seemed to be giving each other sideways glances as we went through our respective warm ups. Would we be the first two back?

This course is more or less two laps on the Forth and Clyde Canal. Shettleston had a strong contingent in force. Once things settled down, I found myself battling for 2nd place with Tewoldeberhan Mengisteab having passed his countryman Amanuel Hagos. Hawkins had forged a gap but one I didn't consider insurmountable. Between 4 and 5km, we crossed a bridge going slightly uphill where I surged a little to move into 2nd. I also ran hard off the hill in an attempt to open a gap. I then looked ahead to Hawkins. I pursued him with all I had but couldn't surmount the gap. I did however do enough to finish runner up to  him which I was absoloutely delighted with. Mengisteab finished 2 seconds adrift of me.

Above: approaching the finish (prematurely as it turned out) with Tewoldeberhan Mengisteab on my tail.

That might seem a brief report. It's because I've plenty to add on other things. Hawkins crossed the finish line in 28:45 with myself in 29:14. As much as I'd love to have that as a 10km time, I knew it wasn't accurate and Derek acknowledged his wasn't either. It transpired that the lead bike took Derek the wrong way and I, encouragingly being close enough to do so I suppose, followed them. The next 6 guys followed me. The problem was the turning point was too early and cut 380m off the course. I can forgive the guy on the bike. Anyone can make a mistake. However, the marshal at that point, instead of paying attention, was playing on her mobile phone rather than watching the race. Had she been doing her job, the lead bike would have been noticed, corrected and kept on the correct route. None of this happened so the first 8 of us were cheated out of a true 10km race. In my case, I lost out on bettering my personal best of 30:41 which I was bang on schedule to do.

This is not the first occasion I've come a cropper in Clydebank. A few years ago, a marshal misdirection saw a number of us go off course and run further than the 10km route. The organisers also need to seriously revise the course because the 2 lap set up is no good to anyone. I, and no doubt dozens of others, found myself lapping countless people, most of whom were oblivious to me despite I, marshals and spectators shouting warnings. That's what happens when people choose to run wearing I Pods. They should be banned and any participant caught wearing them ought to be pulled from the race, no ifs, buts or maybes. As for the course, the first lap needs to be over a longer loop to let the field thin out and lessen the congestion.

Finally, this race is part of a series comprising other 10km races in Helensburgh, Dumbarton and Loch Lomond. The results system this year has been a shambles with numerous people, including myself, listed without clubs and, in my case anyway, losing out on team prizes. The race series is not cheap (£14 per race or £42 for all 4), hundreds participate and it is heavily sponsored. There is no excuse for this year's sub standard offering. I for one will seriously reconsider my future participation in light of this year's experience. Having been involved in race organisation in the past, I know mistakes can happen but this series has been established for over 10 years and the errors made this year are completely avoidable.

Cambuslang Results from Clydebank

2nd: Stuart Gibson, 29:14 (380m short)

7th: Robert Gilroy, 30:14 (380m short)

24th: Dave Thom, 35:25

34th: George Pettit, 35:51

46th: Robert Rossborough, 36:37

Swedish Memories

This weekend past stirred a few memories in me. The annual Eurovision Song Contest took place in the Swedish city of Malmo. This time 9 years ago, I was an exchange student in the town of Lund, a 10 minute train journey from Malmo. I can only imagine that Lund, especially the student population, would have had a party atmosphere with Eurovision in such close proximity.

I specifically recall, on the day of the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, I took part in the Gothenburg Half Marathon. After the race, I embarked on a 3 hour trip on the train south back to Lund. As the conductor came round to check my train ticket, he indicated that the first class area was empty and I should go through to help myself to a seat. I took up this offer and spread myself over two of them. I actually made it back in time to head out to watch the contest with my Swedish flatmates then party into the night. The Swedish entry was called "Det Gor Ont" which translates roughly as "It Hurts." I know this because there was an Engligh version of the song. I heard both versions on radio in Sweden often enough. I often found, as the refreshments flowed of an evening, the foreigners I became acquainted with had less difficulty understanding me. Similarly, my Swedish improved to the point I just about learned all the words of the song. That is both versions. The non-English one can be found here. Catchy!

Suffice to say, I reflected on some happy memories as this year's contest played out, even digging out my half marathon medal plus a CD of another song I liked which two of my Swedish flatmates gave me as a leaving present. The song is called "Var Ska Vi Sova I Natt." This translates as "Where Shall We Sleep Tonight." Don't ask! Listen to it here. 

Something I noted on TV was the use of a bridge on which the competing singers walked to enter the arena. This depicted the Oresund Bridge, a structure which links mainland Sweden to Denmark by road and rail. Given the Danes won this year and presumably the 2014 contest will be in Copenhagen, maybe the same bridge could be used to save on presentation costs and I can again write a nostalgic article like this one.

Above: Gothenburgh Half Marathon 2004 medal.

Troon Tortoises 10k Road Race, 8th May 2013

The Troon 10k and I have a bit of previous. This would be my 5th appearance over a period of 12 years. Troon was my 2nd ever 10k back in 2001 when I clocked a time of 41:20, a then personal best. Another best followed in 2002, 35:43, which proved a bit of a curse because a nightmare run of form followed for the rest of the year, capped by an asthma diagnosis early in 2003. I fared even worse that year, 39:50 on a rain lashed, galeforce night. 2009 was my most recent effort in one of my early Cambuslang races, 33:31 for 8th place.

I didn't ease off for the race, doing 2 runs totalling 15 miles on Saturday, 7 miles on Sunday, 7.5 miles worth of efforts on the road on Bank Holiday Monday and a 7.5 mile run home from work on Tuesday. This plus wearing new racing shoes and very windy conditions meant I remained realistic about what to expect. I managed to spend the afternoon in our East Kilbride office to prevent any hold ups in Burnside. My Dad came to direct me. My Mum came for the hurl in my new car.

Cambuslang were 5 handed with myself, Robert Gilroy, Stephen Paris, Dave Thom and Robert Rossborough. If only there had been a team prize. Sadly not.

It was one of those nights when you just wanted to get on with it. Eventually we did and a large group took on the first kilometre along the coast into the wind and sand blast. I was happy to try and hide behind others. Robert Gilroy was among those who took the early pace. Michael Deason (Shettleston) was in the field. I couldn't see him but sometimes you don't need to see someone to know they are there. Turning inland towards the 2km mark, I upped the pace which seemed to splinter the group because I was suddenly on my own in the lead. I wasn't keen on a long, solo 5 mile effort so in a sense felt relieved when Deason came up beside me.

With the course more shaded, we ran stride for stride for the next few kilometres. Knowing he had run the Tiree Half Marathon 4 days earlier and if it came down to a sprint he would have the edge, I tried to keep upping the ante, keeping a half stride or so ahead. We passed halfway in 16:02. Both of us have sub 31 minute 10km times to our name so this shows the intensity of the wind early on. At 6km we came to a hill which lead us over a bridge, down the other side then round a tight left turn towards the train station. Most people with sense will tell you to take hills gradually. I'm not blessed with much sense though so I took a risk, surging up the hill and throwing myself down the other side and round the corner. I'd gained a gap but regular readers (anyone?) will know my golden race rule of never looking behind so I didn't know by how much. I gauged it by measuring the time gap between spectators applauding me, stopping then applauding the next runner. Decent but not big enough that I could relax.

7-8km was another hellish windy stretch. From there it was back towards the coast then a final wind assisted kilometre to the finish. 8km in 25:41. I consciously increased my workrate again, covering the next kilometre in 3:02. I then surmised, provided I ran no slower than Deason in the last kilometre, I'd sealed it. 2:54 for the kilometre brought me to the finish in 31:35, a very pleasing time in trying conditions. Deason finished runner up in 31:57. Gilroy took 3rd in 32:39.

Above: final kilometre. Photo courtesy of Gillian Scott.

Sadly I sprained my left foot (probably on the corner just after 6km) so was in some discomfort on my warm down jog. I soon forgot about that when my Dad brought me in a fish supper while I waited for the prize giving and caught up on running gossip with various people including Kilmarnock Harriers Scott Martin and Kara Tait. This is the part of the sport I enjoy most. I maybe need to get out there and race more often in races like this, especially if the prizes are anything like the £100 I received.

So a good night's work. I trained the following night but had to call it quits for 3 days thereafter to let my foot heal. A course of deep heat and ice packs has worked so, as I write, I've long since recommenced training normally, continuing to tick along nicely.

Cambuslang results

1st: Stuart Gibson, 31:35

3rd: Robert Gilroy, 32:39

(Michael Deason split us with a time of 31:57)

13th: Stephen Paris, 35:56

16th: Dave Thom, 36:07- 1st vet over 50

37th: Robert Rossborough, 37:36

 As a footnote, thank you to Kerry Wilson for his support and treating my Dad to a chip shop dinner and Kilmarnock Harriers for allowing me use of their tent for my clothing during the race.

Ticking Along Nicely

Since the relay on Easter Sunday, I have ticked along nicely training wise. The content of training has been dependent on work commitments (a huge conveyancing and Court load) and racing so the consistency is found more in the numbers than the types of sessions. Since week beginning Monday 1st April, the weekly mileages have been 51, 54, 51, 56 and 52 with a good mix of sessions and runs. It's a case of making the most of the time available. For example, a run home from work (7.6 miles from Tesco car park in Burnside to my back gate in East Kilbride) has become more common, achievable by my Dad jumping the bus down, taking my work gear off me then driving my car home while I chase him on foot. Initially completing it in around 50 minutes, tonight, I broke 49 minutes. Racing the 21 bus from Burnside can be fun.

 

A 10 minute "out and back session" has also featured comprising a 10 minute effort on the road, 30 seconds recovery then turning round and another 10 minutes back the same way with a warm up to start and warm down to finish. It's a popular Cambuslang session but I've tried it on East Kilbride's undulating country roads. The first occasion I attempted it after my recent illness, I struggled to break 6 minute mile pace. Last week, in the company of clubmate, Alistair Campbell, I averaged approximately 5:10-5:15 per mile as did he more or less.

 

A mainstay which has returned though is the long Windfarm runs. A section of road on my usual route had been closed off, resulting in an unwanted diversion. I've now had a run at the Eaglesham Moor end of the Windfarm and two runs on my tried and trusted route, all on consecutive weeks. Little psychological boosts like that matter.

 

Amongst it all I've also raced, twice in the one afternoon. The Ayrshire Athletics Arena was slightly on the windy side for the first match in this year's Scottish Mens League on 20th April. In a moment of weakness, I decided a 3000m steeplechase and a 5000m was worth a shot (I'm the team manager so I've no excuse). This was my first attempt at steeplechase for 3 years so a personal best of 9:49.07 with some unsteady hurdling constituted success. Next up in the 5000m, I had a ding dong battle with Central pair Alistair Hay and Andrew Butchart, fresh from 800m and 1500m races respectively. Whether I had former two time Scottish Cross Country champion Hay worried at any time as I took the lead at various stages I'm not sure but I certainly had no answer to his final lap pace increase which took his team mate with him. Still, 15:14.82, 7 seconds adrift from Hay and less than a second behind Butchart and running the second half of the race quicker than the first went down as a satisfactory shift. With both races running Divisions 1 and 2 together, I had the consolation prize of winning the Division 2 contest in each.

 

So that's been my lot recently. No huge targets on the agenda. Simply racing when I want, training well and ticking along nicely.

Scottish Road Relay Championships, 31st March 2013

Covering for various absentees, I reluctantly agreed to line up for this race even though my preference was to get another full week's training behind me. I was allocated last leg and would be there to do what was required. Training in the week leading up looked like this:-

Monday: 7.6 miles easy (50:06)- no car so ran home from work with help from my Dad who drove through and collected my suit, briefcase and holdall from me.

Tuesday: 7 miles easy (46:19).

Wednesday: 8 x High Point hill reps, 7 miles including warm up and warm down- faster reps on a heavier surface which was encouraging.

Thursday: 2 x 10 minutes with 30 seconds recovery, (mile pace ranging from 5:30-5:35), 7.5 miles including warm up and warm down- again, faster pace than previous week.

Friday: Rest- off work but stuck to my traditional Friday rest day.

Saturday: 10 miles easy (1:04:04).

So little different to the previous week in content but an improvement in performance suggesting an element of fitness was coming. I had however warned the club to take me as they found me performance wise.

The race took place in Livingston for the 16th successive year with alternate short (3.15 miles) and long (5.8 miles) legs, 6 for men and 4 for women and male over 50 teams. Arriving just as the first legs were concluding, I learned that Jack Hamilton had us in 5th place with debutant Josh Lilly, a first claim member of Tipton Harriers in England, on the next leg. Given my history of taking wrong turnings, I took time to check out the latter part of the course. Even after 2 legs, some unbelievable gaps had opened up meaning, for many still to run, the race would become an individual time trial against the clock. UK international and 2:14 marathon runner Derek Hawkins hauled Kilbarchan into 2nd place with the fastest long leg of the day (28:03), 4 seconds adrift of Central's second leg man, Alex Hendry. Josh overhauled Corstorphine to take us into 3rd with a time of 29 minutes exact. Over the next 2 legs, we were in 4th while Kilbarchan gallantly held on to a medal position and Central and Corstorphine built up decisive advantages in 1st and 2nd respectively. Alistair Campbell and Ben Hukins though kept us in the medal hunt. On the short 5th leg, David Munro finally ended Kilbarchan's resistance, leaving me 3rd place to defend on what's often called the "anchor leg."

Being in a medal position, I knew what my job was. A Corstorphine runner in another team set off before me. I decided not to take any chances and set off assuming he was ahead of us and we were actually 4th. Thankfully, he was a leg behind me but, nevertheless, I felt better having passed him. The long leg is actually a better run in my mind than the short one since there are less twists and turns and more open parts where you can really push the pace. I tried to do just that. However, without any company, the motivation has to come from within though a shout at one point from Jamie Reid and Colin Feechan, warming down on the course, really helped. Eventually, I started to catch lapped runners which helped since it gave me targets to aim at.

Another thing about the course is the little inclines which eventually catch up with you the more tired you get. Whatever my final time, I was determined to leave it all effort wise on the course. My Dad had told me to imagine it was Derek Hawkins and myself head to head which isn't the worst advice he's ever given me! With half a mile to go though, it was hurting.

Above: the final straight to the finish.

 

 

I strode and groaned my way to the finish (beating my imaginary opponent in my head), consolidating 3rd place in a time of 29:45, 43 seconds slower than my time in 2012 but building our lead over Kilbarchan and only slightly slower than the anchor leg men for Central and Corstorphine, Ross Houston (29:35) and Dougie Selman (29:37). If anything, the race showed me my level of fitness and how far I have to go so was useful in that respect. It also eradicated Birmingham from my mind. You're only as good as your last race. Well mine was a DNF. Not any more.

 

Completing a medal clean sweep, our over 35 and over 50 male teams both took gold. An honourable mention also for Katie Bristow who was 4th on first leg (19:15) in the ladies race but sadly didn't have a team. Still, one more lady than last year. Maybe in 2014? A further honourable mention to my old club, Calderglen Harriers, who lead the over 50 race after 2 legs thanks to the efforts of Martin Duthie and former Scotland international David Watt before eventually finishing 3rd in that particular competition.

 

Above: bronze medal winning team, left to right- myself, Alistair Campbell, Ben Hukins, David Munro, Josh Lilly, Jack Hamilton.

 

Full race results are here. I daresay I fairly enjoyed my pint down the Monty on this particular Easter Sunday. With any luck, onwards and upwards.