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Monday 26 May 2014
WHW Pick-Up Times
Jim Holmes 4:00am End of Road
Joanne 4:05am The Pub (!)
David Watt 4:10am Roundabout
Frances + Geo 4:20am Home
Alison, Stephen 4:25am Roundabout
Alan, Karen, Jim, Ruth 4:30am End of Road
Stuart + Maud 4:35am Roundabout
Colin Banks 4:35am Bus stop
Mary 4:35am Top of Street
Eddie has spoken to you all so the above pick-up locations are hopefully not as cryptic as they seem! Any questions, see Eddie at the club on Thursday or the race this Wednesday. We probably will be making up time as we go through the pick-ups, so if you can be there early, particularly the later pick-ups, that will help the schedule.
Alan
Sunday 18 May 2014
From the organisers of the 'Frostbite' series & the 'Lost Trails' a new race-'Puffin Billy
As a recent entrant in our ‘Lost Trails’ race we are letting you know first of a new series of races
to be held at Craigtoun Park over the next few months, it’s a flat fast course-with the added
bonus of a stream crossing- well what else would you expect! We’ll be opening up on Entry Central
shortly & putting up an events page on Face Book.
Hope you can join us.
If you don’t want us to contact you again please let me know-we don’t want to upset people!
Cheers
Tony & Brian
Monklands Half Marathon 2014
So with hotter weather, slight breeze in some sections of the course it proved not the best weather to run in. So I made sure I wore my sunglasses and a hat to ensure I didn’t dehydrate or get a sore head from the heat of the sun. I also made sure I took every opportunity at the water stations for a drink to ensure I kept myself hydrated throughout.
The course is 1 small lap starting just up from the railway bridge facing Blair Road which then took us left up to & along Townhead Road and into Drumpellier Park at the visitor centre through the park running towards the railway bridge then out onto the other side turning us right this time onto Blair Road to start lap 2 and the first of the big laps.
This lead the race right onto & along Glasgow / Coatbridge Road with slight detour into a new housing estate to do a small U shape route taking us quickly back onto Glasgow / Coatbridge Road then turning right up Gartcosh Road and at the top taking a right running towards Drumpellier Park entrance where the visitor centre is through the park running towards the railway bridge then out onto the other side turning us right onto Blair Road for the final big lap.
The small lap and first big lap I was feeling ok running just over 1:01 hours towards the end of my 2nd lap thinking at this point Robert Gilroy (who won this event today for the 10th year in a row) will begin to wind up his race. Moving onto the final lap the heat was taking its toll and felt I was struggling a bit. However I just concentrated on good breathing and running technique knowing other runners will be feeling the pain of the heat and tiring. When I got the 10 mile marker I try to convince myself I had just done 10 mile warm up and only 5k to go. The session on Monday helped with managing my pace, to move up the gears at different stages which I found really beneficial in the latter stages.
I finished the race in 1:45:30 a personal best by 1minute 51 seconds and my first race as a M40. According to the Winning Time website I was 22nd in my new age category and 59th overall out of 160.
Thank you to Russell for being at the finish line handing out Trail Race forms it was good to see a friendly face after a hard race.
Thanks to Richard for the report and well done on yet another PB.
Alan
Saturday 17 May 2014
National Trail Race Championships - Falkland
With only the slightest smear of drizzle, the 6 Harriers who traveled through to Falkland Estate in Fife for the second annual National Trail Race championships had almost perfect conditions to tackle the tough and scenic course. Calderglen's ladies were represented by Frances Maxwell in the 10k race. The ladies covered one full lap of the course, starting off with a couple of km of flat and gentle downhill on the estate roads and farm tracks before turning off into a forest trail. The underfoot conditions were still good, with only the odd tree root and muddy patch to contend with. The main challenge was moderating the pace when faced with a succession of gradually steeper climbs, the last of which led out onto a high level forest track. From here another km or two of climbing was followed by another few km's of very fast descent. However, inevitably this culminated in the steepest climb of the course back up through the forest to loop back onto the forest track. From there it was generally downhill back along the forest track and eventually onto a grassy track between two hedgerows which was a wonderful surface underfoot. Finally the track led to a downhill section of the estate road before doubling back on ourselves for a brutal final 100m uphill.
This was Frances first time over the course but is exactly the sort of terrain she likes and this was reflected in an excellent time of 48:51 in 32nd position and 4th F50, beating some of her regular rivals in the process. Not bad at all considering it was only a week after the Loch Leven Half Marathon.
The men covered a 15km course (actually 14.4km but that was far enough!) which started off with a small loop over the same initial road and forest section as the ladies before doubling back towards the start to repeat that loop and then finally continuing onto the high level forest track loop. Andy Buchanan is really getting into shape now and following on from a solid performance in the Helensburgh 10k on Thursday, Andy ran strongly again today. After a reasonably cautious start, he started to move through the field a few km in and was looking strong. After about 3km though, Andy had to stop to tie his shoe lace which allowed me a brief opportunity to pass him. However, a few km later, Andy cruised past and continued to work his way through the field to finish very quickly in 57:41 and 20th position. Meanwhile I was having a much better run than last year although the legs did feel powerless on every steep and long ascent. On the bright side, nobody was passing me on these sections and I was easing past a few people so maybe I was not so bad. After briefly closing up to Andy Buchanan's shoulder at the top of the steepest ascent, I gradually fell back from the pack ahead, losing a place with 300m to go. Encouragingly, I managed to take that place back in the final 100m uphill to finish in 58:10, exactly 4 minutes faster than last year and second M45. Andy Henderson had an injury niggle through the week but this did not cause any problems on the day and Andy had a great run to finish in 66:35, over a minute faster than last year and first M60. Kenny Leinster was a first timer at this race although is very familiar with the area. Also carrying a niggle (ankle), Kenny was nonetheless running very well and finished in 69:37. One place behind was the most injured (back) of all Billy Buchanan. However, once again, the magic Fife air seemed to miraculously cure Billy's back and he finished strongest of all in 69:50 and second M60! However, Billy's main achievement was providing us with the mystery of the weekend when his vest and race number disappeared from the boot of his car before the start of the race, causing a period of panic, before reappearing on top of my rucksack lying against the wall of Falkland House. That is not the first time Billy has been involved in a mysterious disappearance in the vicinity of Falkland. There are strange forces at work obviously!
Well done to all the Harriers who competed today. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. A big thanks to Russell for driving through to cheer us on. His support was much appreciated.
Alan
Thursday 15 May 2014
141 miles over three races in 43 days, continued #3
Wednesday 14 May 2014
and because of my hips and knees aching from the constantly flat terrain, so flat that a profile of the route looks like a map of Norfolk with a pin sticking out of the middle. You would never believe a 55 mile route could be planned through Scotland with only one hill on it!
Tuesday 13 May 2014
141 miles over three races in 43 days
Reports two and three to come…
Monday 12 May 2014
Echo in Africa
Echo in Africa is an humanitarian project initiated by the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE). The BSE is the professional governing body for Cardiac Sonographers in Britain. The aim of the project is to screen children in Africa for Rheumatic Heart Disease.
Rheumatic heart disease has been almost eradicated in wealthy countries but it remains the most common heart disease among children and young people in developing countries. The condition affects over 15 million people around the world and kills hundreds of thousands a year. Africa has the largest number of children with the disease: in sub-Saharan Africa, where there is limited access to the treatment that could improve survival and allow them to lead normal lives, over a million children are estimated to suffer from the debilitating and often fatal condition. The project is based in Cape Town, South Africa and runs in collaboration with Stellanbosch University (Tygerberg Hospital). It is an 8 week project starting at the end of July 2014, the aim of which is to screen 2000 children from schools in low socio-economic, rural communities. Four schools have already been identified in communities where up to 90% of the students live in very poor living conditions. This project will give these children much needed, early access to diagnosis and target the necessary aftercare through the Tygerberg Hospital. I will be going to South Africa for two weeks in August and I have to pledge a minimum amount of fundraising in order to participate. Funds raised will also be supporting the training of local health professionals and provision of equipment and facilities in the hope that the project can become sustainable.
I will be running the Arran Half Marathon on the 6th July 2014 as well as other activities including baking stalls and curry days at work. I have been very lucky to have good friends, notably Martin Duffy also pledging to undertake activities on my behalf and I cannot thank them enough. Martin will be running the Edinburgh Half Marathon on May 25th.
I understand that finances are tight at the moment but if you are at all able please visit my fundraising page virginmoneygiving.com/RuthKelly18 and donate what ever you feel you can. I am extremely grateful for your support.
Ruth Kelly
Thursday 8 May 2014
60th Anniversary Sum4 Minute Mile 6/5/14 Markinch Miracle Mile
I entered this a few months ago thinking that it was a bit unusual and a bit of a challenge. However, it filled up within a few days to the maximum of 150. Many would say that it's only a mile and we do many, many miles each week, no big deal. That's all good and well, but when you are on the starting line you know it ain't going to be easy.
I arrived nice and early with 90 minutes to spare so decided to run the whole course. The first 25% was a gradual downhill, then flat until a hairpin bend at 300mtrs to go, through an open gate and heading in the opposite direction which was then kinda off road. I got talking to one of the race organisers and inquired how 150 were going to cope on the tar path without causing injury to each other? The girls start at 7.30 with the guys at 7.50 was his reply. Great, this wasn't mentioned and I was already warming up! As I ran back to the finish I bumped in to some Fife guys that I know and were about to run the course ....might as well do it again! So, that was me having ran 4 miles warm up and still had the best part of an hour to kill.
I had never ran a mile before and asked a few of the guys about pace judgement. I was told not to worry about that "as my lungs would decide that for me!"
Soon we are all lined up on the road waiting on the hooter to get us under way. I needed to get a good start as the road reduces in size by about 50% when you hit the tar path. I started well but ended up on the grass to avoid making contact. Everyone pretty much found their pace straight away as there was very little overtaking. I saw the half mile marker and clocked 2min 40sec, then the 1k marker 3min 23 sec. I felt that I was starting to slow a bit and it was really starting to hurt as I approached to 300mtrs to go gate......a wee sprint and it's over in 5min 36 sec. 35 place. Interestingly enough the first male was V50 in 4.48 and first female V40 in 5.13 both seeing off the S and U20's.
Footnote, Carnegie had put this in their grand prix and was well represented. Just a though for Alan next year!
--
George
Sunday 4 May 2014
WEST HIGHLAND WAY WEEKEND (UPDATE)
ALL 18 PLACES IN THE HOTEL ARE NOW TAKEN
A deposit of £20 is required to secure your place on the bus, no deposit no place! Frances will take deposits from Monday at training and there are only 17 places available on the bus.
For those new to the club the weekend consists of early morning pickup on the bus (approx 4am). We then head to Milngavie for the start and everyone will get a leg to run between Milngavie and Fort William. You are free to run with others on their leg.
Frances
Thursday 1 May 2014
Bebocraigs 4.5 Mile Race
Well, this was one that I had to force myself to run. Horrendous weather on Wednesday night and this one was in Strathkiness, about 7 miles north of Cupar.
It was part of the summer mid-week grand prix, need to do 4 out of 5 and I had missed the first one at St Andrews.
I misjudged the journey time a bit as no matter how fast I went the sat nav was saying 7.15pm with a 7.30pm start. I quickly abandoned the car and ran along the street towards registration with the rain teaming down. Paid my £3 and made a few inquiries about what footwear I should wear - trail was the unanimous decision of my straw poll of 2.
After another dash back to the car, that was me warmed up without a doubt, we are off.....
First mile was a steady climb on the road - suited me fine. Then a left turn completely off road and very steep - murder. Then a bit up and down, but very muddy and puddles up to your ankles. Definitely one for studs as I kept sliding about. Finally it's straight across a long grassy area (about half a mile) with 100mtr tarmac finish. Knowing the course is a distinct advantage as some runners were hammering it past me across the field, they are were obviously mentally in the finishing straight, whereas I'm just trying to keep it steady...if only I had known. Will next time!
There was the usual friendly welcome of tea and home baking afterwards, but I found myself thinking "did that just happen or did I dream it?". The race seemed to just fly past, although it was 34.52 for me. Would love to do it again in better weather.
George