Tour of Clydeside - Day 2 Canalbank Canter

A quick way to get your heart up to racing speed is to turn up at a race thinking it is 4.8km only to find it is 4.8 miles! Ah well, this was not going to be an easier night after all. The course followed the canal tow path from Clydebank eastwards for 2.4 miles before turning around and following the same course back. There were a few undulations in this one (30 feet at the highest point) and the numerous locks we passed on the way out confirmed that we were indeed climbing. The paths were mainly dirt tracks with about 2 miles of tarmac

section at the start/finish.

Now kitted out in one of my (fast) Harriers vests, Joanne looked the part and felt fine despite yesterday's race. The pre-race plan to stick with the woman who she usually beats for the first half and then to pile it on in the second half to regain some of the gap from yesterday did not quite work however and all the ladies seemed to finish in the same order as yesterday with Joanne 4th lady (and even being passed by a man who she recently sold a pair of racers to - that's gratitude for you!). Joanne's time was a fine 32:46 (6:48 mins/mile).

Meanwhile it seemed that the two Kilbarchan athletes who had finished ahead of me yesterday were not here and it was just the overnight leader, young (and fast) Adam Lee who was now ahead of me in the series if I finished tonight in a similar position to yesterday! With wearier legs throughout, the pace was much more even than the night before (although surprisingly a slightly faster pace overall by me). The very fast Paul Thompson from Helensburgh turned up tonight and chased after Adam from the start. I let them go although closed the gap towards the end, finishing third overall in 27:25, falling probably another minute behind Adam in the series but extending my second place in the series also. There were inevitably a few neds out on the course tonight with their usual limited range of predictable comments who hopefully did not spoil the event for anyone, particularly the ladies.

Wednesday is a rest day (but I'm going for a run) and then it is (definitely) a 5km trail race at Dawsholm Park on Thursday (note that you can enter any of the races as a one off on the night and that the final race - a 10k in Pollok Park on Friday - includes a free BBQ afterwards courtesy of Bellahouston Harriers).

Alan