Gerry McParland brings to our attention the plight of a local boy, Aidan McAvoy, who Gerry and his family are closely involved with and who is requiring life changing surgery in St Louis Childrens' Hospital, Missouri, USA at some considerable finacial cost. Further details of Aidan's struggle can be viewed here.
A number of fund raising events are going to be necessary to raise the £40 000 required. Gerry says "We are looking for any help whatsoever with prizes, or items for an auction or indeed any fundraising help that we can get with the events that are being organised. I am planning to run the Dublin Marathon in October for sponsorship".
Unfortunately, due to Summer holidays we were late in receiving details of the earlier events. However, there are more events scheduled as listed on the website http://www.aidansgoal.org/events.html. The next event is a Karaoke night on 6th August at Westburn Bar, Cambuslang. I am sure Gerry can get tickets so leave a comment on this blog such that Gerry can get back to you or contact Gerry directly if you have his details.
All help is greatly appreciated by Gerry.
Alan
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Tour of Fife Day 4 - "Never Count Your Chickens......"
The beach race! 2 and a bit miles along the coast line, which is probably 1 and a half miles straight, then it veers off to the left and the terrain changes, round a marker and back. There’s actually many different types of sand as you soon realise when you have to run on it.
As usual, I arrived a bit early to check things out. An almost deserted beach, with a few people packing up after a day in the sun and heading for dinner, loads of barbecuing on the grassy area. The tide was out and there was about 400mtr wide of sand to choose your running line from. I thought that I’d do a warm up, but after 5 minutes, I thought “sod this, it’s too hard work! I’m off up to the grass instead! They’ll be plenty of time to run here later! “. By the time I returned to the beach, it was jammed packed with runners and families, and you suddenly think ”Oh god, what am I doing here?”. Too late to turn back now!
We hear the 5 minutes to go announcement and we all line up between 2 flags at the town end of the beach. Then we’re off and into a very fast start along the wet sand. I’m on Julies shoulder, but it’s too fast for me! This was my 10 race within 2 years with this bunch and I know the faces around me....this lot aren’t, they’re usually all a minute or 2 ahead. I decided to ease off a bit, thinking that “ Many runners can run for 20 years and never experience this, it’s a beautiful night with the sun going down and the sea glistening off it....I should be taking this in and trying to enjoy the experience”. Just before the bend the people that Julie had been running with had forged ahead and she was hanging on the back on her own, and I was getting closer and closer. As I came along side, I enquired if she was ok “yes, fine” she said.....not what I wanted to hear!! I decided that I should just push on and run my own race. As we hit the bend, like last year, everyone cuts across the soft dry sand. Now you feel the difference and it suddenly gets a lot harder. Then we’re on to some hard packed surface covered in green slime. I had decided to run in the pumpkin racers again since they are light weight, but lots of runners had gone for trail shoes judging by the spike marks in the sand. I was sliding all over the place and thought “what have I done? ”. However, it wasn’t long before the sand changed again to really deep stuff, this was like running in the snow, and the best tactic seemed to be to try and step in previous runners footprints. We then hit the turn, but there was no cone like last year.....there were posts and tape, and you had to run a straight line to the shore. Where’s this taking us?....round a second post, kneed deep in the sea! Julie’s sister told us afterwards that she had lost her footing here and was unexpectedly baptised again...not sure if she change her name though! As you head back, you’re a bit wiser and know where not to run. I picked up with a runner from Perth that I had never beaten and clung to them for about a mile, just couldn’t stay with her. I glanced at the watch and there was about 8 minutes left. I was think about what I would say in my report “ Julie left to play in the sand was one option!”..... It was hard going as the finish is dead ahead, but it’s so far away, you can’t even see it. I was conscious of a few runners behind me for a while, but refused to believe it could be Julie, as I had run a very good race up to this point. I caught a glimpse of the yellow vest and thought ”oh no!! ”....I have never felt so helpless in a race. I put in a spurt and passed 2 runners, but I just tied up after that and Julie was still gaining. I was done for..... I knew I could out sprint her, but we’re still about 600mtrs away. I just had to watch her past and think, hang on and see if I can get her the last 100mtrs. I made my bid, past the runner between us, but just couldn’t get there...beaten by 3 seconds!!
After the race a number of runners headed in to the sea to recover their legs. This was made easier this year as we all had wet feet anyway and there was no need to leave your trainers on the dry sand, Julie decided it was a bit cold to go knee deep, but I went in...if only to get away from that constant grin that she had suddenly adopted!
Fish & chips from me and home for 11pm.
Results – Julies sister, Louise 4th female 28.40 (51st position), Julie 11th female 30.32 (70th position) and George 30.35 (71st position)...I did manage to beat last year’s time by 1.27.
Overall - Julie’s sister, Louise 4th female 1.53.44 (51st position), Julie 9th female 1.58.57 (64th position) and George 2.30.27.....1min 46 sec behind! (71st position).
George
As usual, I arrived a bit early to check things out. An almost deserted beach, with a few people packing up after a day in the sun and heading for dinner, loads of barbecuing on the grassy area. The tide was out and there was about 400mtr wide of sand to choose your running line from. I thought that I’d do a warm up, but after 5 minutes, I thought “sod this, it’s too hard work! I’m off up to the grass instead! They’ll be plenty of time to run here later! “. By the time I returned to the beach, it was jammed packed with runners and families, and you suddenly think ”Oh god, what am I doing here?”. Too late to turn back now!
We hear the 5 minutes to go announcement and we all line up between 2 flags at the town end of the beach. Then we’re off and into a very fast start along the wet sand. I’m on Julies shoulder, but it’s too fast for me! This was my 10 race within 2 years with this bunch and I know the faces around me....this lot aren’t, they’re usually all a minute or 2 ahead. I decided to ease off a bit, thinking that “ Many runners can run for 20 years and never experience this, it’s a beautiful night with the sun going down and the sea glistening off it....I should be taking this in and trying to enjoy the experience”. Just before the bend the people that Julie had been running with had forged ahead and she was hanging on the back on her own, and I was getting closer and closer. As I came along side, I enquired if she was ok “yes, fine” she said.....not what I wanted to hear!! I decided that I should just push on and run my own race. As we hit the bend, like last year, everyone cuts across the soft dry sand. Now you feel the difference and it suddenly gets a lot harder. Then we’re on to some hard packed surface covered in green slime. I had decided to run in the pumpkin racers again since they are light weight, but lots of runners had gone for trail shoes judging by the spike marks in the sand. I was sliding all over the place and thought “what have I done? ”. However, it wasn’t long before the sand changed again to really deep stuff, this was like running in the snow, and the best tactic seemed to be to try and step in previous runners footprints. We then hit the turn, but there was no cone like last year.....there were posts and tape, and you had to run a straight line to the shore. Where’s this taking us?....round a second post, kneed deep in the sea! Julie’s sister told us afterwards that she had lost her footing here and was unexpectedly baptised again...not sure if she change her name though! As you head back, you’re a bit wiser and know where not to run. I picked up with a runner from Perth that I had never beaten and clung to them for about a mile, just couldn’t stay with her. I glanced at the watch and there was about 8 minutes left. I was think about what I would say in my report “ Julie left to play in the sand was one option!”..... It was hard going as the finish is dead ahead, but it’s so far away, you can’t even see it. I was conscious of a few runners behind me for a while, but refused to believe it could be Julie, as I had run a very good race up to this point. I caught a glimpse of the yellow vest and thought ”oh no!! ”....I have never felt so helpless in a race. I put in a spurt and passed 2 runners, but I just tied up after that and Julie was still gaining. I was done for..... I knew I could out sprint her, but we’re still about 600mtrs away. I just had to watch her past and think, hang on and see if I can get her the last 100mtrs. I made my bid, past the runner between us, but just couldn’t get there...beaten by 3 seconds!!
After the race a number of runners headed in to the sea to recover their legs. This was made easier this year as we all had wet feet anyway and there was no need to leave your trainers on the dry sand, Julie decided it was a bit cold to go knee deep, but I went in...if only to get away from that constant grin that she had suddenly adopted!
Fish & chips from me and home for 11pm.
Results – Julies sister, Louise 4th female 28.40 (51st position), Julie 11th female 30.32 (70th position) and George 30.35 (71st position)...I did manage to beat last year’s time by 1.27.
Overall - Julie’s sister, Louise 4th female 1.53.44 (51st position), Julie 9th female 1.58.57 (64th position) and George 2.30.27.....1min 46 sec behind! (71st position).
George
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Tour of Fife Day 3 - "A Walk Over"
When I looked at the races ahead, I had this one down as an easy night. It’s only 1.4 mile after all and nicely primed half way through the 5 days. Just shows how the memory fades in a year! Now that the first 2 races are over, I’m faced with 3 in a row that I did last year. They always keep the “Up Hell Time Trial” and the “Chariots of Fire” races and interchange the rest. The script for tonight is off in 2’s (completely random selection) and at 30 second intervals. I had secretly been thinking that this is my chance to beat Julie tonight. Well, I was ahead of her in the Vertical Mile after all and was going to pull out all the stops. So, my only ever once worn “pumpkin” racers were coming out the box for this one! My previous time was 14.36, so that gave me a further challenge.
I arrive first at Falkland, as you need to go there to declare yourself and get your starting time, and who was I paired with?.... yes, you’ve got it... Julie!!
Last year I never took the car up the hill, as I just didn’t want to see what was ahead. It was a good idea, but probably suffered not knowing the exact finish line . However, this time we went all the way to the top. What a view, you can see for mile and miles across the fields of Fife and Largo hill in the distance. A jog down the hill was perfect as a warm up for us both, but you can't help running fast as your body weight just takes you down the slope. 20 minutes later our names are called by the race marshals and we have our toes on the line awaiting the countdown. And we’re off!......neck and neck for about 200 meters then I forge ahead several meters, but by this time my chest is absolutely heaving and the stride has almost gone. 2 minutes later and I’m walking, with still 2k to go! Luckily for me Julie wasn’t actually gaining any ground......and that’s how it went all the way up the hill, walk a bit...run a bit. So, in 14.07 it was all over...staggered over the line...with Julie at 14.22. We then got our reward, a drink of orange and a packet of jelly beans!!
Although, I may have complained about the difficulty once or twice it was a well organised race and one that doesn’t compare with anything else you’ll ever do. When the runner arrive at the top, they all remain at the top and line the course, so you have plenty of support. Like last year, the race organiser, Brian Cruikshanks is dressed in a devils costume and taunts some of the runners with his fork and water pistol. Plus, lots of runners are also in fancy dress, but not me for a change!
In terms of times...the male record was set in 2003 by Andrew Lemoncello at 9.44 and was only the second person ever to have gone under 10 minutes. However, tonight we had the first two leading men of the tour break the 10 minute barrier in 9.48 and 9.52. The ladies record stands at 11.39, set in 2008.
Results – Julies sister, Louise 4th female 13.20 (52rd position) George 38.15 (74th position) and Julie 11th female 14.22 (80th position)
Overall - Julie’s sister, Louise 5th female 1.25.04 (54th position), Julie 9th female 1.28.25 (65th position) and George 1.30.04.....1min 39sec behind! (75th position)
Loads of pictures available on http://www.roadrunpics.com/.
George
I arrive first at Falkland, as you need to go there to declare yourself and get your starting time, and who was I paired with?.... yes, you’ve got it... Julie!!
Last year I never took the car up the hill, as I just didn’t want to see what was ahead. It was a good idea, but probably suffered not knowing the exact finish line . However, this time we went all the way to the top. What a view, you can see for mile and miles across the fields of Fife and Largo hill in the distance. A jog down the hill was perfect as a warm up for us both, but you can't help running fast as your body weight just takes you down the slope. 20 minutes later our names are called by the race marshals and we have our toes on the line awaiting the countdown. And we’re off!......neck and neck for about 200 meters then I forge ahead several meters, but by this time my chest is absolutely heaving and the stride has almost gone. 2 minutes later and I’m walking, with still 2k to go! Luckily for me Julie wasn’t actually gaining any ground......and that’s how it went all the way up the hill, walk a bit...run a bit. So, in 14.07 it was all over...staggered over the line...with Julie at 14.22. We then got our reward, a drink of orange and a packet of jelly beans!!
Although, I may have complained about the difficulty once or twice it was a well organised race and one that doesn’t compare with anything else you’ll ever do. When the runner arrive at the top, they all remain at the top and line the course, so you have plenty of support. Like last year, the race organiser, Brian Cruikshanks is dressed in a devils costume and taunts some of the runners with his fork and water pistol. Plus, lots of runners are also in fancy dress, but not me for a change!
In terms of times...the male record was set in 2003 by Andrew Lemoncello at 9.44 and was only the second person ever to have gone under 10 minutes. However, tonight we had the first two leading men of the tour break the 10 minute barrier in 9.48 and 9.52. The ladies record stands at 11.39, set in 2008.
Results – Julies sister, Louise 4th female 13.20 (52rd position) George 38.15 (74th position) and Julie 11th female 14.22 (80th position)
Overall - Julie’s sister, Louise 5th female 1.25.04 (54th position), Julie 9th female 1.28.25 (65th position) and George 1.30.04.....1min 39sec behind! (75th position)
Loads of pictures available on http://www.roadrunpics.com/.
George
Friday, 29 July 2011
Tour of Fife Day 2 - George Strikes Back (well not quite).
Well, the weather was a definite contrast to the previous night, as it had been raining for most of the day. I had remembered form last year that day 2 was the worst. I think it’s the shock of being on the starting line up with sore legs. Once this one is over, they are just sore all the time, and you kind toughen up. It wasn’t long before Julie (with the watch this time) appeared, looking a bit on the tired side too. We wondered down to look at the route map posted on a board to see what was in store for us tonight. I suppose it was squareish with lots of spiky bits. It didn’t really mean much, but then someone pointed out that it was actually 3 and a bit laps!! A few people, including Julie ran a lap to test it out...and the verdict - muddy as hell, a couple of nice hills and it was 1.2 mile. The route was 400m on tar, then you’re up through the woods and 2 decent hills (hard, but not log jams difficulty), back down the hill, on to another 400m of tar and over a field leading to another bit of forest before being back at the start. The final lap had about 600m added to it to get it up to about 4.25mile.
So, the gun goes and we’re off. I thought that I’d take it a bit easier at the start and try to stay with Julie for at least one lap, then see how it goes. But as we came off tar, the trail was like running in the glen down to the express way, far too narrow and I got completely boxed in for a bit. I had to almost stop and get to the outside to pass people. I could see Julie, but she was running strong and was passing people all the way. Loads of people had experienced a bit of unexpected break dancing and body popping by now and it just got stickier as the laps rolled on. As I came off the tar at the start of the second lap, I could hear George Black (he used to train Eddy as a boy!) saying “she’s only 50 metres ahead”. So, as I came off the hill and back onto the second piece of tar, there’s Julie on her knees tying her shoe laces. I got to within 10 metres of her, but she can obviously tie quicker that I can run, so I never really caught her. As I started the third lap, I could see Julie ahead still picking people off, but I was running in a void by then. No-one passed me, but I only really passed people on the run in. So, it’s 2 – 0 to Julie so far! Perhaps Friday night will be different?
Results – Julie’s sister, Louise 6th female again 35.14, Julie 9th female 36.21 and George 37.42
George
So, the gun goes and we’re off. I thought that I’d take it a bit easier at the start and try to stay with Julie for at least one lap, then see how it goes. But as we came off tar, the trail was like running in the glen down to the express way, far too narrow and I got completely boxed in for a bit. I had to almost stop and get to the outside to pass people. I could see Julie, but she was running strong and was passing people all the way. Loads of people had experienced a bit of unexpected break dancing and body popping by now and it just got stickier as the laps rolled on. As I came off the tar at the start of the second lap, I could hear George Black (he used to train Eddy as a boy!) saying “she’s only 50 metres ahead”. So, as I came off the hill and back onto the second piece of tar, there’s Julie on her knees tying her shoe laces. I got to within 10 metres of her, but she can obviously tie quicker that I can run, so I never really caught her. As I started the third lap, I could see Julie ahead still picking people off, but I was running in a void by then. No-one passed me, but I only really passed people on the run in. So, it’s 2 – 0 to Julie so far! Perhaps Friday night will be different?
Results – Julie’s sister, Louise 6th female again 35.14, Julie 9th female 36.21 and George 37.42
George
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Tour of Fife Day 1 - Julie doesn't need a watch!
It was a glorious night to get things under way, 26 degrees on the way there and clear blue skies. After collecting our numbers at the village hall Falkland, all runners jogged the mile to the start. And as I apologised to Julie for including her AKA on the blog, she declared “well actually, I’ve forgotten my watch tonight”...yes, it was true!! Anyway, 180 runners lined up for a downhill start. The first and last mile was on the road, but the route was a complete mixture of WHW surfaces to the log jam at Chatelherault (2 log jams actually, back to back) very undulating and difficult to pass on many parts through the woods. I got off to a fast start and thought that Julie will struggle to keep at this pace. Spoke too soon, 15 minutes later, Julie sails past. I guess that it was the same for everyone and we all started fast. Luckily I managed to make use of a nice long downhill before hitting the road again and managed to make up some ground. We were all glad to get the first one under our belts.
Results – Julies sister, Louise 6 th female 36.30 (56th overall) Julie 12th female 37.41 (67th overall), George 38.15 (73rd overall)
Distance recorded at about 4.8 mile.
George
Results – Julies sister, Louise 6 th female 36.30 (56th overall) Julie 12th female 37.41 (67th overall), George 38.15 (73rd overall)
Distance recorded at about 4.8 mile.
George
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Tour of Fife
A preface from George Stewart on Tour.........
Well, it’s that time of year again, the nerves have started already, the concerns about the next 5 days of racing, the route, the terrain and if I’ll finish ahead of Julie “the watch” Beveridge!! At least I won’t be the only Harrier there this year and just be “that guy that turns up every night in the black and yellow stripes”... mind you, my new vest (now with the club logo ) will at least partially stop people asking if I’m a runner and run for a club or not?
The tour is slightly different from the previous year, which was 6 days of racing with a day off in the middle, now we have a straight 5 days Wednesday to Sunday. The great thing about this race series is that there’s no real pressure with times (unless you have actually ran the same route before). All races are over unusual distances and either up mountains, through woodland trails or along the sand dunes. No 5k or 10k roads to burst your lungs struggling for a PB’s. Depending what you read or who you ask, you seem to get a different answer to the distance of each race. One thing is for sure, none of them will be easy!!
Wednesday, 27th – THE BLACK HILL RACE...4.7 mile trail at Hogwarts School of Wizardry near Falkland.
Thursday, 28th – TARVIT TRAIL RACE...4.25 mile at Hill of Tarvit Mansion House, near Ceres.
Friday, 29th – UP HELL TIME TRIAL...1.4 mile (I’m sure it was 1.2 mile last here), near Falkland.
Saturday, 30th – CHARIOTS OF FIRE’ BEACH RACE...4.25 mile along the sand at St Andrews.
Sunday, 31st – THE ‘TWISTED’ CHICKEN RUN...5.5 mile (actually 6.5 mile) at Strathmigalo.
Anyone can do a single race out of the 5, so if any club members fancy a taster on perhaps the weekend then come along.
Thanks to George for the report and we look forward to regular updates, especially if Julie beats him.....
Alan
Well, it’s that time of year again, the nerves have started already, the concerns about the next 5 days of racing, the route, the terrain and if I’ll finish ahead of Julie “the watch” Beveridge!! At least I won’t be the only Harrier there this year and just be “that guy that turns up every night in the black and yellow stripes”... mind you, my new vest (now with the club logo ) will at least partially stop people asking if I’m a runner and run for a club or not?
The tour is slightly different from the previous year, which was 6 days of racing with a day off in the middle, now we have a straight 5 days Wednesday to Sunday. The great thing about this race series is that there’s no real pressure with times (unless you have actually ran the same route before). All races are over unusual distances and either up mountains, through woodland trails or along the sand dunes. No 5k or 10k roads to burst your lungs struggling for a PB’s. Depending what you read or who you ask, you seem to get a different answer to the distance of each race. One thing is for sure, none of them will be easy!!
Wednesday, 27th – THE BLACK HILL RACE...4.7 mile trail at Hogwarts School of Wizardry near Falkland.
Thursday, 28th – TARVIT TRAIL RACE...4.25 mile at Hill of Tarvit Mansion House, near Ceres.
Friday, 29th – UP HELL TIME TRIAL...1.4 mile (I’m sure it was 1.2 mile last here), near Falkland.
Saturday, 30th – CHARIOTS OF FIRE’ BEACH RACE...4.25 mile along the sand at St Andrews.
Sunday, 31st – THE ‘TWISTED’ CHICKEN RUN...5.5 mile (actually 6.5 mile) at Strathmigalo.
Anyone can do a single race out of the 5, so if any club members fancy a taster on perhaps the weekend then come along.
Thanks to George for the report and we look forward to regular updates, especially if Julie beats him.....
Alan
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Chatelherault Times
Friday, 22 July 2011
Tour of Clydeside 2011
This has been a regular event and a real test for some of us in the club in recent years, so hopefully we will get a few Harriers out to this years event from Monday 1st to Friday 5th August (Wednesday is a rest day). So that's 4 races of different types through the week. Full details here.
Alan
Alan
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Falkirk parkrun
Just a small report for anyone considering the Falkirk parkrun.
Its a testing course and i would estimate the time you should get would be on a par with Pollock.
for those that have done the National cross country you know most of the course. it starts at the west side of Callendar house and takes the crescent path round in front of the house towards the pond then follows the xc route beside the pond but on the road. at the end of the pond it turns right and climbs the hill but on a narrow trail all the way above the xc route but where you would drop out the trees on the xc it continues all the way to the end of the park and out to the road then almost immedietly back into the park and across the bridge at the xc ditch again following the xc route but on the road but just before the house you turn right and take on the hill again but this time its straight up till you meet the path you ran out on. At this point you have about 1k all downhill, actually its a good trail for running (no bumps or tree roots) then round by the pond to finish on the grass at the crescent. It should be considered more of a trail run than road but a fun event although conditions for this one were very humid so my time wasnt best but will be better when the air quality is better. Will return to this one again but not often. Dont know what they will do when the xc goes there in Feb as the routes overlap.
for those really interested my time is on the parkrun results page.
Its a testing course and i would estimate the time you should get would be on a par with Pollock.
for those that have done the National cross country you know most of the course. it starts at the west side of Callendar house and takes the crescent path round in front of the house towards the pond then follows the xc route beside the pond but on the road. at the end of the pond it turns right and climbs the hill but on a narrow trail all the way above the xc route but where you would drop out the trees on the xc it continues all the way to the end of the park and out to the road then almost immedietly back into the park and across the bridge at the xc ditch again following the xc route but on the road but just before the house you turn right and take on the hill again but this time its straight up till you meet the path you ran out on. At this point you have about 1k all downhill, actually its a good trail for running (no bumps or tree roots) then round by the pond to finish on the grass at the crescent. It should be considered more of a trail run than road but a fun event although conditions for this one were very humid so my time wasnt best but will be better when the air quality is better. Will return to this one again but not often. Dont know what they will do when the xc goes there in Feb as the routes overlap.
for those really interested my time is on the parkrun results page.
Monday, 4 July 2011
A New Race and a New parkrun
Davie Searil has highlighted a couple of new events which you may find of interest:
As we don’t get many new local races it might an idea to mention this one on the blog:
http://www.southsidesix.org.uk/
especially as we are already one down this year, the EK half.
I’m not suggesting for one minute that my club mates are tight but, at 37.5p per mile, this must appeal! It’s certainly the cheapest race I’ve ever entered!
and ...........
for anyone that’s interested the first official running of the new Falkirk parkrun
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/falkirk/home
Saturday 16th July at 09:30 in Callendar park
Davie Searil
As we don’t get many new local races it might an idea to mention this one on the blog:
http://www.southsidesix.org.uk/
especially as we are already one down this year, the EK half.
I’m not suggesting for one minute that my club mates are tight but, at 37.5p per mile, this must appeal! It’s certainly the cheapest race I’ve ever entered!
and ...........
for anyone that’s interested the first official running of the new Falkirk parkrun
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/falkirk/home
Saturday 16th July at 09:30 in Callendar park
Davie Searil
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Vertical Mile 2011 Race Report
20 harriers (according to my finishing times it was only 16 though) made the 3 mile jog to Auchentibber to compete in the clubs annual vertical mile race. The traditional finale to our Grand Prix series.
Some misplaced trust was put in me to referee and time keep the event. For practise I'd also been assigned the role of back up timekeeper at last weeks trail race. Fortunately I was just a back up to the professionals, as I accidentally stopped the watch early.........twice. Ooops!! So hopes weren't high that I'd successfully complete the same task for the vertical mile. However fears were unfounded, there was a massive improvement. I only stopped the watch early once...........result (I don't think).
Writing down names and times of harriers, when some were having sprint finishes, was a tough challenge that I achieved........most of the time. Even my brainwave of enlisting the help of my mammy wasn't the success I'd hoped. I was shouting out first names of harriers for her to write down as they crossed the line. This went well until two David's crossed the line less than 0.5 seconds apart. Thanks for nothing Herbertson and Wardrope. I'd to sheepishly ask them later who finished first between them. So much for the referees decision is final.
Worse was to follow when an unfamiliar face to me was fast approaching the line. Trying to scan the entry list for a name and record their time at the same time was the final straw, causing my fragile coordination to malfunction. Panic set in and the stop button was pressed with four harriers still on the course. My back up watch also hadn't started, so the system was in complete meltdown. Sorry to Karen, Russell, David and Richard. I'll refund your entry fee. Fortunately they are all real athletes and were able to provide me their times.
The drinks service Russell asked me to provide on the finishing line was also a disappointment. I was too busy trying to work out why the back up watch hadn't started and completely forgot the one thing he'd asked me to do. Couldn't see what the problem was though, as he finished 68 seconds quicker than last year he'd ample time to do it himself.
The race itself nearly descended into a farce when a land rover pulled out in front of the field halfway up the hill. This almost made our Grand Prix more realistic. It was like the safety car had been deployed, which would cause the gap between the leaders to be reduced. However fast thinking Eddie decided that overtaking the safety car would not incur a penalty run through and the rest of the field followed.
Some excellent performances were achieved on the night. Ian Hughes was first finisher in 6.39. Obviously he'd recovered from being gubbed by the race referee at Tuesday night's St Christopher's 10 mile bike TT :-). He joins a select group of back to back winners. In second place, for his fourth time in this race, was Eddie Reid in 6.55. Even more impressive considering he'd an 80 minute run the night before. His pre race taper isn't so impressive though and needs some serious thought. Hot on Eddie's heels in third place was Jim Holmes in 6.58. His first podium finish.
The ladies winner was the ever improving Julie Beveridge in a time of 7.49. Run away Grand Prix winner Frances Maxwell was second in 8.09 and first timer Karen Sturgeon was third in 8.50.
Other first timers to the vertical mile's two hour post race cough were Julie, Grant and Richard. Hope that irritating cough doesn't put them off returning next year.
The full list of race times are;
1. Ian Hughes 6.39
2. Eddie Reid 6.55
3. Jim Holmes 6.58
4. Neil Green 7.11
5. Graham Ramage 7.21
6. George Stewart 7.30
7. Andy Henderson 7.43
8. Stuart Waugh 7.45
9. Julie Beveridge 7.49
10. David Herbertson 7.53
11. David Wardrope 7.53
12. Billy Buchanan 7.57
13. Ian Rae 8.07
14. Frances Maxwell 8.09
15. Grant Maynard 8.22
16. Colin Banks 8.47
17. Karen Sturgeon 8.50
18. Russell Couper 8.52
19. David Searil 9.01
20. Richard Lawton 9.10
Well done everyone.
Martin
Some misplaced trust was put in me to referee and time keep the event. For practise I'd also been assigned the role of back up timekeeper at last weeks trail race. Fortunately I was just a back up to the professionals, as I accidentally stopped the watch early.........twice. Ooops!! So hopes weren't high that I'd successfully complete the same task for the vertical mile. However fears were unfounded, there was a massive improvement. I only stopped the watch early once...........result (I don't think).
Writing down names and times of harriers, when some were having sprint finishes, was a tough challenge that I achieved........most of the time. Even my brainwave of enlisting the help of my mammy wasn't the success I'd hoped. I was shouting out first names of harriers for her to write down as they crossed the line. This went well until two David's crossed the line less than 0.5 seconds apart. Thanks for nothing Herbertson and Wardrope. I'd to sheepishly ask them later who finished first between them. So much for the referees decision is final.
Worse was to follow when an unfamiliar face to me was fast approaching the line. Trying to scan the entry list for a name and record their time at the same time was the final straw, causing my fragile coordination to malfunction. Panic set in and the stop button was pressed with four harriers still on the course. My back up watch also hadn't started, so the system was in complete meltdown. Sorry to Karen, Russell, David and Richard. I'll refund your entry fee. Fortunately they are all real athletes and were able to provide me their times.
The drinks service Russell asked me to provide on the finishing line was also a disappointment. I was too busy trying to work out why the back up watch hadn't started and completely forgot the one thing he'd asked me to do. Couldn't see what the problem was though, as he finished 68 seconds quicker than last year he'd ample time to do it himself.
The race itself nearly descended into a farce when a land rover pulled out in front of the field halfway up the hill. This almost made our Grand Prix more realistic. It was like the safety car had been deployed, which would cause the gap between the leaders to be reduced. However fast thinking Eddie decided that overtaking the safety car would not incur a penalty run through and the rest of the field followed.
Some excellent performances were achieved on the night. Ian Hughes was first finisher in 6.39. Obviously he'd recovered from being gubbed by the race referee at Tuesday night's St Christopher's 10 mile bike TT :-). He joins a select group of back to back winners. In second place, for his fourth time in this race, was Eddie Reid in 6.55. Even more impressive considering he'd an 80 minute run the night before. His pre race taper isn't so impressive though and needs some serious thought. Hot on Eddie's heels in third place was Jim Holmes in 6.58. His first podium finish.
The ladies winner was the ever improving Julie Beveridge in a time of 7.49. Run away Grand Prix winner Frances Maxwell was second in 8.09 and first timer Karen Sturgeon was third in 8.50.
Other first timers to the vertical mile's two hour post race cough were Julie, Grant and Richard. Hope that irritating cough doesn't put them off returning next year.
The full list of race times are;
1. Ian Hughes 6.39
2. Eddie Reid 6.55
3. Jim Holmes 6.58
4. Neil Green 7.11
5. Graham Ramage 7.21
6. George Stewart 7.30
7. Andy Henderson 7.43
8. Stuart Waugh 7.45
9. Julie Beveridge 7.49
10. David Herbertson 7.53
11. David Wardrope 7.53
12. Billy Buchanan 7.57
13. Ian Rae 8.07
14. Frances Maxwell 8.09
15. Grant Maynard 8.22
16. Colin Banks 8.47
17. Karen Sturgeon 8.50
18. Russell Couper 8.52
19. David Searil 9.01
20. Richard Lawton 9.10
Well done everyone.
Martin
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