WEST DISTRICT XC RELAYS

 This years West District XC relays will be held in Kilmarnock at the Athletics arena on 10th Oct

The junior races will be a mix of u/14, u/16, u/18 in that order although they can step up one age group

U/20, seniors and masters will run together in the same teams

Young females @ 11.00am (3 x 2.8k legs), Young males @ 11.45am  (3 x 2.8k legs)

Ladies @ 13.00 (3 x 4k  legs) and Men @ 14.15 (4 x 4k  legs)

Cost is £21 for a junior team and £8.50 for u/20, senior and masters per head. 

Payment should be made at the same time as adding your name.

If you want to race i need names by Tuesday 22nd Sept

Please make sure your SA number is valid on the 22nd Sept and race day 10th Oct. The system does not allow entry if not.

Please register your name HERE. Those registered are listed HERE

Club Training Thursday 3rd September - Auldhouse 5k TT

It's the final Auldhouse TT of the season. This one will be at least partially in the dark, so do please wear bright, reflective clothing and bring a head torch. This final one starts and finishes in Auldhouse rather than at Langlands although it is the same loop as usual. The different start/finish is a test of your pace judgement as the big hill comes just before the finish rather than half way around. Do you save something for that or not?

Please fill in the training registration form as this will form the start list uploaded to the timing app. We have had a brilliant participation in the Auldhouse 5k series this year, so let's finish on a high too.

Alan

Club Training Monday 31st August

As mentioned last week, the session this Monday is another hill rep session on Langlands hill. The session is 8 x 45 seconds with a jog down recovery. This is a slight progression in total training volume compared to the session 10 days or so ago. As usual, the aim is absolute consistency during each rep i.e. constant pace from start to finish of each 45 seconds and consistency between reps i.e. reaching the same point on the hill at the end of each 45 seconds. The warm-up/cool-down is the direct route from/to the club via Strathaven Rd and Sainsburys. Before the session starts, do a few gentle acceleration strides over about 50m along the flat road at the bottom of the hill towards Park Farm.

Thursday's session is the final Auldhouse 5k of the year. This is the dark one which starts and finishes in Auldhouse rather than Langlands but otherwise follows the usual loop in the usual direction. Time to get your head torches and reflective tops looked out.

Alan

Club Training Thursday 27th August

Thursday's session is a longish, easy run which for almost the final time also makes use of the roads around Auldhouse. The route is initially the same as Monday's run, so Strathaven Rd, Sainsburys, Langlands Club House to Auldhouse Cross. However, turn right at Auldhouse Cross, past the new houses and back to Greenhills Rd. Turn left and head up Greenhills Rd (on the right hand side of the road) to Greenhills roundabout. Turn right and down Lickprivick and back to the club via Murray Rd. This should be an easy, conversational run. As light will be fading by the end, be particularly careful about where you are putting your feet on the wonderful pavements of EK. No fallers please!

Next week we will be on hill reps on Monday and the final Auldhouse TT on Thursday.

Alan

Club Training Monday 24th August

Monday's session is making the most of the fading light with a run that briefly heads into the country. The session is 8 x 3 minutes at 5k race effort with a 2:30 jog recovery (note the reduced recovery). Head along Strathaven Rd and round by Sainsburys to the Langlands junction where the reps start. The first rep passes Langlands club house, heading towards Auldhouse. Go straight through Auldhouse Cross and the turn right past the kennels. Follow Shields Rd to Greenhills Rd and head back to Strathaven Rd and the club.

It's quite a short run overall but the important part of the session is the repetition series. Keep the effort consistent although the pace will vary depending on the hills.

Alan

Club Training Thursday 20th August

Thursday's session is the start of our strength endurance block, initially using the hill at Langlands. After a direct warm-up there via Strathaven Rd and Sainsburys, the session is 10 x 30 sec hill reps with a jog down recovery. To do the session to perfection, every rep should take you to the same place on the hill; no prizes for saving it all to the last couple of reps to sprint up the hill. It is not a race; everyone has their own level of effort that they can maintain consistently for 10 reps. Cool down via the reverse of the warm-up.

Alan

Club Training Monday 17th August - Chatelherault - the final one for 2026

Thursday's session is, unfortunately, the final Chatelherault of this year due to failing daylight. Because of that, we must start the session 20 minutes earlier i.e. start heading from the car park to the start at 19:10 sharp and start the first pack off with minimal delay. Furthermore, if it is a very overcast night, then miss out the last loop through the woods and continue down the tarmac path to the start/finish at the bridge. The faster packs will probably be OK to do the loop through the woods.

Due to the fading light, the efforts are in the first half only before crossing the gorge at the green bridge before the log jam. The second half is an easy, recovery run. The session is 2 minutes on at threshold, 2 minutes off (jog), starting from the left turn at the top of the short hill after going onto the path off of the first stone bridge. The efforts end at the top of the steep, long descent down to the green bridge before the log jam. As it is 2 minutes at threshold rather than 5k or 10k pace, they should feel quite comfortable.

It is probably a little early for me to make it through on time, so just start if I am not there.

Alan