BALLOCH TO CLYDEBANK HALF

This race is in the GP and entries had been closed but for anyone still wanting entered it is open again until Sat 1st Mar so don't delay and get yourself entered.

If you want to get ahead, get a hat!

Many thanks to Russell for my new hat. It's a bit on the warm side just now, but will be invaluable when winter sets in. The temperature then sometimes goes into single figures!

National XC 2014 - Calendar Park

A record field made for a very impressive sight in Calendar Park on Saturday for the Scottish National Cross Country Championships. The Harriers' were well represented by junior athletes, women and men over ever increasing distances around a muddier than usual course. Our ladies team was out in force with Julie Beveridge, Joanne McEvoy, Frances Maxwell and Karen Allen all closely matched and keen to race. Around 250 women lined up for the two lap course which was nominally 8km total distance. At the front a gaggle of GB and Scotland internationalists flew around the course. Mid field our ladies battled away with regular rivals and each other. Julie Beveridge gradually pulled away to be first Harrier back in a time of 36:42 and 115th overall. Joanne McEvoy is coming back to full strength and demonstrated this with an excellent finish in 38:01 and 143rd position. With her various injuries behind her and plenty of strength from recent escapades in Fife, Frances Maxwell was running very well indeed, closing the gap rapidly on the second lap to finish in 38:15 and 148th position. Karen Allen continues to make progress back to form and completed the team with a finishing time of 39:17 and 166th position. Well done to the ladies who certainly were Calderglen's highest positioned senior team of the day.

The senior men were racing over 3 laps of the same course totalling 12km. The pre-race recce lap revealed a slight detour on the golf course section which usefully cut a bit off a corner (subsequent comparison of the GPS track with previous years confirmed that we had turned right 10 to 20m earlier too at the top of the first hill, cutting some more off each lap). I'm not complaining! It was also apparent that the course was very muddy and slippy indeed so spikes were the footwear of choice. Almost 600 men lined up and when the gun went, such was the size of the field that the leaders were already up the hill and on their way down the other side before some had crossed the start line. After a spate of poor cross country performances, my tactic was to at least try to establish a position at the start and to hang on rather than being immediately dropped. I took a position near the front and on the outside, having found this to be the least obstructed line in previous years and found that this did indeed give me a fairly clear run up and over the hill and down to the pond. Things went well until about 1/3 of the way into the second lap when the wheels fell off and a procession of runners passed me from there until the finish. Finishing time was 48:35 (207th) which was well over 2 minutes slower than last time so not fantastic. Andrew McCaffery showed his usual enthusiasm for cross country and was no doubt closing me down fast to finish in 49:29 (241), destroying his spikes on the gravel path by the pond in the process! Performance of the day came from Andy Henderson who finished in 55:47 (428) making him 4th M60.

Jim Holmes has missed a lot of training in the past month with an injury so could really only consider this as a good training run on the comeback trail, finishing in 57:50 (468). Kenny Leinster was the next Harrier to finish, crossing the line in 59:04 (485), ready to feed the masses back in the Harriers' tent with a very tasty Christmas cake. Richard Lawton continued his great season with another course best (60:29, 505th). After a wardrobe drama at the start, Jim Mearns finally found a junior Harrier vest that would fit him, having forgotten his own. This was perhaps some extra pressure that Jim did not need before making his first appearance at the National. Lack of experience of this type of race and lack of grip probably influenced Jim's performance as he can definitely run way faster. However, he now has a time on the board of 63:26 (538).  Hugh Simpson seemed to be enjoying himself way too much and smiled his way across the line in 69:03 (558). Chas Steven looked strong and certainly was not in the pain that influenced his most recent National performance, finishing in 78:35 (565). Finally, David Herbertson flew in from somewhere to compete but really should not have as he was very ill indeed with a chesty cough, dropping out on the first lap.

Well done to all the Harriers who I am sure will have gained from this tough event. Thanks to our vocal support, including Russell, parents who stayed behind after the junior races and Stuart and Maud Waugh who traveled through to spectate and to Richard and Frances for managing the tent. Some more photos will follow when the evidence is gathered! Photos from Frances and me are here. Many more photos on the That One Moment web site here.
Full results of all the races are here.
Alan

A Day in the Lakes Half Ironman Triathlon Relay - Teams Step Forward

After all the banter of the past few months, the time has come to commit! Entries for the race are open via the event web site here. One Harriers team is already entered and by all accounts 2 or 3 more are itching to go. Please speak to Billy, Kenny or myself if you would like further details. Note that each team needs one open water swimmer (1.9k), one road cyclist (90k) and one fell runner (20k). All legs are extreme in their own special way. Check the web site for further details.
Alan

Another Race for the Grand Prix - Land O'Burns 10k

The Land O'Burns 10k is another Harriers Grand Prix race. This takes place on Wednesday 28th May and entries are now open on Entry Central. Although a long way off, the entry limit is 400 and so far there are about one tenth of the places gone.
Alan

NATIONAL XC

This Saturday is the National xc at Falkirk.
Ladies start at 1.25 with the Men at 2.30.
I will collect the numbers and chips and be at the start area sheltering in the tent.
As numbers and chips are in individual envelopes please let myself or Alan know if your not going to make it.
As usual please arrive in plenty of time.

Russell

Frostbite 4 - The Final One!

Sunday saw the finale to the race series hosted by Fife AC at Falkland estate. After having competed in 2 races so far Frances and me were well up for this one. A wee short run on Thursday and an early night on Saturday for me, while Frances claims to have had just the one drink during her night out with Geo on Saturday!?!
As usual, we arrived in plenty of time, but considering the freezing strong wind it was a minimal warm up.
Both races so far were slightly different which can throw out the timing slightly. But we knew roughly what was ahead of us, burn jumping (neither have quite managed that yet) and the odd fallen tree. So we jogged down to see burn crossings and if the fallen tree was still there. It's funny how you can easily clear the tree with fresh legs, totally different when hitting it after a mile, through 2 burns and when it's on the incline.
There was a bit of fancy dress here (no-one told me?) with the GRIM REAPER appearing at the back of the stating line up and threatening to claim as many souls as he can!! One of his young apprentices then kicked off the race with his whistle. So we are off.....Frances decided to stick with her previous race tactics of controlling her start and putting in a stronger second lap. Me on the other hand wanted to try something different, and instead of a controlled start, I sped round the football pitch twice and hit the road into a strong head wind, fairly well placed though. Before too long I realised that I had made the wrong call as couldn't pick up on the big down hill as the previous race. It was all confusing at this point as I was closer to some runners than I had been in ages, whereas others that were usually behind me, where in front...no watch either as I had forgotten it. Frances was well out of sight, so I thought I was still doing okay!
We are soon on the second lap, I was starting to tire and just wanted to get back. The finish is uphill with a final lap of the football pitch and it couldn't come quick enough. I crossed the line in 54th place out of 160 in 27.10 with Frances in 56th and 27.21. It was a bit of a strange one as many runners had their worst time (a bit muddier and certainly windier), whereas others seemed to had performed well (Frances!).
We then headed to the village hall for the prize giving, free tea and biscuits too. There was plenty of prizes including the best tree fall, the best water dive and best face down in the mud...glad we missed out on these though!!
A big thanks goes to the race organisers who put together the 4 race series. It was put together because not everyone is a club runner and apart from park runs, there's not that many races available in the winter months. There was a number of very fast runners taking part, but the vast majority did it for the fun or because it's something different.

The next Falkland race is on 23 March, 5 mile trail. Hopefully we'll get a few more harriers out.
George

Next Batch of Grand Prix Races.

As mentioned at the club, the next few races in the Grand Prix are:
National XC (Falkirk) 22/02/2014 (entries closed)
Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon 9/03/2014.Details at http://www.ballochtoclydebankhalfmarathon.co.uk/ Entries on Entry Central.
Grangemouth Round the Houses 10k 6/04/2014. Enter on Entry Central.

Note also that the National 6/4 Stage Road Relays are at Livingston on 30th March.
Alan

OUTSTANDING FEES

Hi All
         We are now in to February and many of you have not indicated to me when you intend to pay your fees. Please do so asap. There are also a few outstanding race fees like the Devils burden and the National xc and I now require the fees for the Round Strathaven 50.

Can I remind everyone to watch the dates for entry I put on the Blog as if your name is added after the date ive given you cant be entered.

Many Thanks
Russell

30th Anniversary Commemorative Hats

As most of you will be aware when you take out your membership this year as part of our 30th celebrations you receive a commemorative hat. We have had a couple of requests if its possible to purchase extra hats for friends or family. After looking at this we can when we need to purchase more as the year goes on so if anyone wishes to purchase any more hats they are available at a cost of £4.50 . Just speak to me on a club night. Anyone that's paid their membership and still to receive there hat I will catch up with you.

Russell

John Lucas Round Strathaven 50 Relay

THANKS FOR RESPONSE THE ENTRIES ARE NOW DONE YOUR COMMITED OR AT LEAST WE SHOULD BE.

Looks like we can enter 4 teams for this.
To process the entry I need confirmation of Names and T Shirt sizes.

Names already received are listed HERE in the order in which they were received.
Check to see if you are already listed and if we already have your T-shirt size. If you have not provided your T-shirt size, then just enter your name again using the form at the link below and select a t-shirt size (don't worry, although your name appears twice you (probably) won't end up running two legs). If we don't get your t-shirt size by Friday morning, we will just make a guess.

If your name is not yet on the list then please add it and select a T-shirt size. Similarly, if you now want to withdraw, then please enter your name again and type "withdrawing" in the other information box.

Please add your name and T-shirt size using the form HERE (or record any changes/omissions).

The first 20 names are in the first 4 teams. Names received after first 20 will be recorded as reserves as I am sure there will be drop outs. Preliminary teams and running order are here.
I need this by first thing Friday morning but earlier if possible so don't delay.
Cost is £12 per head.

I NEED 4 TEAM NAMES TOO SO THINKING CAPS ON. I NEED THESE ASAP.
IF ENTRIES FILL UP ANY MORE I WILL SUBMIT ENTRIES SOONER AND GUESS THE SIZES MISSING SO DONT DELAY

John Lucas Round Strathaven 50 Relay

03.02.14 update - 8 entries already, looking for two more to complete two teams. If I don't get any more by tonight I have a couple of guests in mind.

Davie

John Lucas Round Strathaven 50 Relay

Having gone along to give Ian some support at last years' race I heard the newly-appointed race director talk of his plans for 2014, which included a relay. Knowing that not many harriers would fancy doing 50 miles (doh!) I thought this might be a great summer team event for the club. The legs are varied in length, the weather should be warm at least (17th August) and the atmosphere is excellent as the bike ride is held simultaneously.

The five legs are 10.8, 8.3, 6.3, 14.7 and 9.7 miles long and are held on the sort of roads we run on all the time in the better weather. Entry costs £12 each.

Look it up on Entry Central if you are interested or on the Strathaven Striders website. Speak to me or 'phone asap - I don't think there are many team places left

Davie S

Scottish Masters Cross Country Championships, Hawick

On Saturday Teviotdale Harriers were given the honour of hosting the Scottish Masters National Cross Country Championship to celebrate their 125th anniversary. At the prize giving we were reminded that the club were given a similar honour to celebrate their 100th anniversary 25 years ago when they hosted the full Scottish National Cross Country Championships. Those of us present at that event in 1989 will remember it as being a day of horrendous weather, heavy snow and deep mud but very much a proper cross country course of the type that we all secretly love (it was also my birthday and Steve Ovett was in it!) and indeed still talk about 25 years later. Yesterday was a different venue in Hawick but otherwise the event was dominated by the weather just as it was 25 years ago. It perhaps says it all that many people, including at least one very experienced runner, were being treated by the paramedics for exposure and hypothermia BEFORE the race started!

Registration was in a nice, modern, warm sports and leisure centre down in Hawick which was easy to find but the moment I parked the car, the strong, freezing winds were joined by driving rain and sleet. Typical! Davie Herbertson and Chas Steven duly arrived and race numbers were distributed, after which we all headed for the course at our own pace. The course was 1km away, all steeply up hill through the residential outskirts of Hawick to an open hillside overlooking the town. This run up to the course was actually very welcome as the last thing you wanted to do on this day was arrive at the course cold. A selection of club tents and other encampments were scattered around the banks at the edge of the sloping grassy field containing the Start/Finish line. The general impression was one of "lets get this over with" rather than the usual hilarity. It was actually better not to have the tent with us as this was not a day for faffing about.

I wanted to do a full lap of the course to see what was coming up and to generate some heat. I was fully clad in waterproofs, hat and gloves but was already sodden through and cold. The course climbed through a few grassy fields before crossing onto an open moorland hill side. It was at this point that I recognised a familiar, well wrapped up figure standing beside the course; Jimmy Moore who I was delighted to see. Jimmy had planned a weekend trip to relatives in Hawick to coincide with the cross-country and was looking very well indeed. Jimmy's main concern was if we were all warm enough (we weren't!) and my main concern was how Jimmy was going to stay warm standing out there on the hillside! I need not have worried as Jimmy had his car parked a few yards away on a farm track. After a few minutes banter with Jimmy, I continued up onto the hill and into the teeth of the wind and stinging rain. The route over the top of the hill was directly into the freezing rain and forward progress was almost non-existent at least at warm-up effort. The course dropped down onto a few zig-zag sections which took us out of the wind slightly before entering another large, grassy field. However the sting in the tail was the exit from this field which included two successive 20 foot banks and ditches to climb before the final descent to the start finish area. The race would be over two laps of 4km each. It was a proper cross-country and on a different day a great course and one that a few years ago would have suited me well with plenty of climbs and no significant mud to speak of but the strength isn't there nowadays and I don't handle cold well. Unfortunately a very upset stomach started towards the end of the warm-up lap so I had to jog all the way back to the sports centre 1km away for relief. This was actually a blessing because I brought my car back up and abandoned it somewhere near the course rather than running all the way back up meaning I could make a quick exit to warmth after (or possibly during) the race. I arrived back at the course 10 minutes before the race started.

Getting stripped down to vest, t-shirt and shorts was a problem as the waterproof gear and tracksters were sodden and sticking everywhere and the fingers already completely numb and useless. A momentary period of warmth ensued as the pack gathered on the start line but within a minute the gun went and we were off. The uphill first half of the lap got the heart going but unfortunately destroyed the legs and I struggled from start to finish. A shout from Jimmy momentarily spurred me on but the only pace I developed thereafter was in the second half of the first lap when I became so frustrated at all the considerably older runners streaming past me (we all wear our age category number on our backs in these championships) that I put in a crazy spurt to blast past a line of runners who had recently passed me. It did not last long though. The legs and forward progress almost came to an end a short distance into the second lap when we started to climb again. On the bright side I did start to get some feeling back in most of my fingers at this point but my toes and thighs were completely numb. In fact I had to look down to check that my legs were not bleeding after brushing against a fence because I could not feel anything. I also heard a shout from Jimmy and gave him a wave but was disappointed to see that he was now in his car and had driven down to the edge of the finish area. So that potential hillside escape route into Jimmy's car was now gone!

As always, the second lap seemed shorter than the first lap even though it was slower. Its not like me to be un-competitive but I didn't get involved in any sprint finishes over the last few hundred metres and just let people stream past me as I jogged in. I was that disheartened at my lack of performance. I didn't see Davie Herbertson finish but he tells me it was just as out of control as his downhill finish at the Devil's Burdens the week before. I passed Chas in the opposite direction somewhere on the course and Chas was in good enough form at that point to shout his support to me. Even the race winner, Kerry Liam Wilson, required medical attention at the end and could not talk for shaking. Times? Alan Derrick 37:04 (73rd), David Herbertson 40:28 (116th), Chas Steven 52:22 (159th).

We had agreed to meet up back at the sports centre and not to wait on each other at the finish. I was shaking uncontrollably, so grabbed my stuff and with Davie we headed the short distance down to where my car was parked. Somehow I drove the car down to the sports centre despite the shaking. The next challenge was getting the shoes off with useless fingers as the staff at the leisure centre did not want muddy footwear in their shiny new sports centre. At this point I felt very close to passing out. I have never felt like that in my life before. Men's changing was down in the very warm, spacious communal changing area for the swimming pool. We were advised to use lockers but working that out was too complicated for frozen fingers and brains so everything was abandoned on the spot before heading through poolside to what were disappointingly luke warm showers facing the swimming pool. However the best thing was that once the mud was off, we were allowed to step into the kiddies swimming pool (the pool was closed to the public) which was wonderfully warm and lie there for a few minutes. Some unfortunate older runners were carted in by the medics and dumped straight into this pool, mud and all, to try to get some heat into their bodies. Reasonably priced soup, coffees and cakes in the leisure centre cafe further helped the recovery from the state of suspended animation we had entered during the race. Medals were awarded to the age group champions and teams and we all headed off for the long drives home.

The organising club, Teviotdale Harriers, are to be congratulated on their efforts setting up a fantastic course and for the many marshalls young and old who stood out there in atrocious conditions for several hours directing us enthusiastically. I hope that no one competing or helping suffered lasting damage to health. A huge thanks to Jimmy Moore for coming out to support us; it was wonderful to see the founding force behind Calderglen Harriers still out there in his eighties supporting his club. All three Harriers made stupendous efforts during the race and will have gained considerable mental and physical strength (eventually, when the scars have healed) from completing this and have tales to tell for years to come. If I am still running in 25 years from now, remind me to be busy as history shows that the race will be in Hawick and the weather will be horrendous!
Alan

(There were plenty of official looking photographers around the course, so perhaps we will eventually get links to photos showing how bad it was). Some photos here and here.

SVHC Relay Strathclyde Park

For the second day in a row two teams of Harriers made a (shorter) journey to a race in very poor weather conditions. This time the venue was the familiar territory of Strathclyde Park for the Annual Scottish Veteran Harriers Club LSK Supplies Road Relay Championships. As the course was one lap of the loch, a map and compass were not required although with the torrential rain, sleet and strong winds, the compulsory full body cover required on the Devil's Burdens relay the day before would have been appreciated! Three of our Devil's Burdens participants were also lining up today, all three of us very much in recovery run mode rather than race mode (Andy Henderson, David Herbertson and Alan Derrick). Our strongest team was the M50 team of four (Davy Watt, Martin Duthie, Andy Henderson and Hugh Simpson). Davy was suffering with a heavy cold and probably should not have been running but nonetheless got the club off to a flyer, recording 21:57 and placing the team 3rd in the M50 category. After quite an early late arrival by Martin's standards, Martin Duthie was confirmed as our leg 2 runner and proved that he is well recovered from his recurring calf injury by setting our fastest time of the day (21:41). Andy Henderson had raced the day before and his legs were as stiff as a board so he did well to sustain a reasonable pace, finishing in 24:44. Finally, Hugh Simpson was acting as Super Sub, having been left on the bench the day before at the Devil's Burden's Relay. Hugh was setting off further up the field and with faster runners around him than is usually the case and this was a bit of an eye opener and motivator for Hugh who finished in 27:17, subsequently vowing to get back into regular training at least 4 days a week (remember saying that Hugh?). The team finished as 8th M50 team.

The second team was competing in the M35+ category. On leg 1, Richard Lawton continued to demonstrate his improving form, setting a course best of 27:07. Next up was the Devil's Burden's weary David Herbertson, who always gives his all, even when instructed to take it easy. David ran round in 24:55 with another spectacular sprint finish. Alan Derrick was also on heavy legs from the Devil's Burdens although they had eased off a bit following a full lap warm up. The sun had also come out for leg 3 and conditions were surprisingly pleasant, resulting in a very controlled run, accelerating gradually from start to finish to hand over in 22:26. Finally, the rapidly recovering (from surgery) Russell Couper headed off on leg 4. He had said he would only try hard if I handed him the lead but unfortunately I failed in that respect, so Russell had to satisfy himself with a time of 33:18, an improvement on last year, moving in the right direction.

In the absence of the club tent, the Boathouse Cafeteria gave a fine, warm over-view of the incoming runners as they rounded the top of the loch and for once, the terrible weather did not cause too much hardship for the waiting runners and supporters. Well done to all the Harriers, organisers and marshalls who made this another great morning of competition.
Alan
(ps: laptop software corruption caused the delay in getting this posted. All back to normal now).

John Lucas Round Strathaven 50 Relay

Having gone along to give Ian some support at last years' race I heard the newly-appointed race director talk of his plans for 2014, which included a relay. Knowing that not many harriers would fancy doing 50 miles (doh!) I thought this might be a great summer team event for the club. The legs are varied in length, the weather should be warm at least (17th August) and the atmosphere is excellent as the bike ride is held simultaneously.

The five legs are 10.8, 8.3, 6.3, 14.7 and 9.7 miles long and are held on the sort of roads we run on all the time in the better weather. Entry costs £12 each.

Look it up on Entry Central if you are interested or on the Strathaven Striders website. Speak to me or 'phone asap - I don't think there are many team places left

Davie S