Trossachs 10k Series

Something a bit different:
http://www.skidaddle.org/the-trossachs-10k-series/
Alan

Remaining Grand Prix Races

The list of Grand Prix races has been updated to the end of the season. See the list here. Please make sure you enter the pre-entry races in plenty of time. Last year we introduced the Victoria Park parkrun as an opportunity to get Grand Prix points and to get pb's or season's bests on this fast course. The format is the same as last year; there are two opportunities to do this 5k on consecutive weekends, however, only the first one you do counts to the Grand Prix. The final new addition is one of our regular Chatelherault sessions which we will do as a race. The season ends with the Vertical Mile.
Alan

VLM - The story so far.

MY RUNNERS: ALL

All

5 Results | unofficial results

Place overall	Place gender	Place category	Name	Runner no	Category	Race state	Last Split	Time	Pred. Finish	Pred. Finish (Time of Day)
5820	815	500	» Beveridge, Julie (GBR)	27587	18-39	Finished	FINISH	03:28:13	-	-
2803	209	146	» Beveridge, Louise (GBR)	272	18-39	Finished	FINISH	03:08:53	-	-
1969	1874	106	» Duthie, Martin (GBR)	30912	50-54	Finished	FINISH	03:00:55	-	-
22873	6529	837	» Kelly, Ruth (GBR)	21778	45-49	Finished	FINISH	04:36:42	-	-
8142	6685	629	» Mearns, Jim (GBR)	47753	50-54	Finished	FINISH	03:40:02	-	-

Highland Fling Highlights

Our quartet of "supportees" Davie, Ian, John and Dawn performed very well today as reported by Russell below. A handful of us were out on the course between Bein Glas Farm and Crianlarich and saw them all through. I will leave it to Davie for the full race report but here are a few photos.

Loads of photos taken by Billy are at this link. Thanks Billy.
Alan

2015 Hoka Highland Fling 
Ian Rae 
Male 50 
CALDERGLEN HARRIERS

	Time	Race Time	Split
Start	06:04:25	-	-
Drymen	07:55:02	01:50:37	-
Rowardennan	10:35:48	04:31:24	02:40:47
Beinglas	13:55:18	07:50:53	03:19:29
Finish	16:41:00	10:36:35	02:45:42

2015 Hoka Highland Fling 
John Mcgregor 
Male 40 
CALDERGLEN HARRIERS

	Time	Race Time	Split
Start	06:04:25	-	-
Drymen	07:54:51	01:50:26	-
Rowardennan	10:34:09	04:29:45	02:39:19
Beinglas	14:12:42	08:08:18	03:38:33
Finish	16:47:56	10:43:32	02:35:14

2015 Hoka Highland Fling 
Dawn Buchanan 
Female 35 
WESTERLANDS CROSS COUNTRY CLUB

	Time	Race Time	Split
Start	06:04:40	-	-
Drymen	08:16:59	02:12:19	-
Rowardennan	11:39:00	05:34:20	03:22:01
Beinglas	15:32:52	09:28:13	03:53:53
Finish	18:40:44	12:36:05	03:07:52

2015 Hoka Highland Fling 
David Searil 
Male 60 
CALDERGLEN HARRIERS

	Time	Race Time	Split
Start	06:04:25	-	-
Drymen	08:14:28	02:10:04	-
Rowardennan	11:39:00	05:34:35	03:24:31
Beinglas	16:03:01	09:58:37	04:24:02
Finish	19:26:36	13:22:11	03:23:34

HOKA HIGHLAND FLING Online Tracking

Just an update from Rowerdennan that our runners are going well.
Ian Rae looks to have found company for at least most of the first half reaching Rowerdennan in 4hrs 31 mins with John Mcgregor starting to move away from him now 4hrs 29 mins. They had been together at Drymen. David Searil reached there in 5hrs 34mins and also seems to have found a running companion in the form of Dawn Buchanan reaching rowerdennan together.
I know they cant read this just now as they're a bit busy but
KEEP GOING!.

I will update when they reach the next checkpoints.

Ian Rae has now gone through Beinglas Farm in 7hrs 50mins with John now dropping back a bit 8hrs 8mins

Dawn Buchanan has now gone through Beinglas in 9hrs 28mins, Davy must have dropped back.
David Searil has now gone through Beinglas in 9hrs 58mins

Ian finishes 10.36.35
John finishes 10.43.32
Dawn finishes 12.36.05
David finishes 13.22.11

Weekend of Racing

As seen in the below posts we have many Harriers and friends out running this weekend. If anyone else is racing on other lower key races let us know how you get on.

Today started of the first of the weekend races for 3 Harriers taking part in the monthly 3k on the Green held the last Friday of every month at 12.30 from McLennan Arch. Andy Buchanan led the way not just for Calderglen but the whole field but as he was a newcomer to the event he was unaware of the turning point which was not marshalled today and had to stay with the eventual runner up until the turn then moved rapidly away finishing in a time of 9.26. Great time and only 30 secs off the course record. Another newby to the event was Ian Hughes who has recently being doing a lot of trail running and was needing a run to get some speed back in the legs. Ian was targeting 11 mins and was delighted to finish in 10.44. Russell Couper doing a 2nd run on this course was hoping to beat the 14 min barrier but died a bit towards the end finishing in 14.10 but happy with the run.

Lets see how many Harriers we can get out this weekend and how many different locations we can get to

That Ultra Fling

Not only do we have VLM participants this weekend but before that we have Davie Searil and the ever present Ian Rae taking part in the Highland Fling Ultra over 56 miles.  Best of luck to the guys on that adventure. Best wishes to Dawn Buchanan and John McGregor undertaking their first ultra.
Alan

VLM - Ruth is on her Way

A wee message from Ruth to the Harriers as she heads to London for the marathon:

Just to thank the club so much for the three years so far and for all the support and great running experiences that I have had. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to run the VLM and proud to represent the club. I will do my very best not to let you down. Thanks so much. X😃
Ruth

Chatelherault Time Sheet

Sorry to have missed the first Chatelherault of the season due to work travel but glad to see times and comments being recorded already. If you have not already done so, use the "Enter Chatelherault Times" menu on the left (not available in the mobile app). 

Alan

Loop O' the Loch

Spectacular weather conditions greeted the 6 Harriers when they arrived in Callander on Saturday morning for the inaugural Loop O' the Loch 16 mile trail race. The race route will be familiar to those who participated in the 2014 TTC as it uses exactly the same lap of Loch Venachar as our long Sunday run, except that you have the extra mile each way to run from and back to Callander Meadows for the start finish. As if the lap of the loch was not far enough!

Frances Maxwell had entered the race some weeks ago and I had been drawn in as it was a local race for me if somewhat (i.e. very) over-distance. During the week Eddie Reid had also decided to do it, despite lingering hip flexor problems, and, last of the late runners, Davie Searil had decided the night before that this race would be a good warm-up for the Highland Fling (50 odd miles) next weekend, which itself is his warm-up for the full West Highland Way Race (96 miles) in June! So the full range of levels of trepidation were on display. Sandra Reid and Geo Ferguson were the sensible ones taking in a gentle training run of about 10 miles in the reverse direction along the course, providing us with very welcome support.

The event incorporated a 16 mile mountain bike race and a 32 mile duathlon (one lap on the mountain bike followed by a lap running). There were only 2 entries for the duathlon who set off with the mountain bike racers 10 minutes before the running race started. About 30-40 runners lined up at 10:10 and we were off along the old railway line route towards Kilmahog. Three of us set off at a speed that felt like 10 mile road race pace rather than 16 mile severe trail race pace. For the second week in a row, I glanced at my watch and noticed sub 6 minute mile pace but this week decided not to slow down but to stick with it until the field thinned out and the climbs started. Three of us were soon clear, the eventual winner (a local lad who I know is way faster than me) who was gradually extending his lead and a young lad who was blowing out his ears from the word go. He continued to hang on through the first few climbs and the drop down to Invertrossachs road beside the loch. I really wanted to say to him that he should ease back a bit as this was not a 10k but on the longish climb past the sailing club, he dropped back and I had peace and quiet for the rest of the race.

The loch was like a mirror and with the sun shining it really was a great experience. Although I have been training on these hilly lochside trails for much of my life, I have never raced over them and so it was interesting to note just how quickly the various familiar landmarks were coming up. However, I was not pushing too hard as I knew the massive climb and roller coaster that awaited me in the second half. A body swerve around a highland cow introduced me to Brig O Turk and a mile or so later the single water station at the base of "The Climb". The marshalls advised me that the leader was 2 minutes in front and I replied that he was thoroughly deserving of his lead and I had no intention of trying to give chase! A sip of water and I was off, running steadily all the way for the approximately 500 foot ascent, taking about 16 minutes. At this point I started to catch and pass some mountain bike racers but fortunately none came past me as we eventually started to descend as the trail was a bit narrow and twisty. It was at the highest point that Sandra and Geo were waiting to cheer and take photos. The next few miles of roller coaster trail were gradually down hill but interspersed with sharp ascents bringing the lactic acid to the fore in the quads. Finally we approached the turn onto the railway/cycle path and the prospect of an easy final mile to the finish. Unfortunately, the legs were not too keen on the flat part of the course and this was probably the hardest mile of all! As I crossed the line, the bagpipes struck up and a very pleasant run was over (for me) in a time of 1:48:41, way faster than I had anticipated and second position overall. Craig Harvey was the winner, some 5 minutes in front whilst the young lad who had been struggling early on came storming through at the finish about 4 minutes behind me. Well done to him! Eddie had a similar experience to me in the last mile with his legs not wanting to know but was pleased and injury free when he crossed the line in 2:05:24 and second super vet (the age group starting at 51 years rather than 50 strangely). Frances was next in, just losing out in the female super vet category to finish in an excellent 2:12:38. Davie was his usual totally relaxed self when he crossed the line in a very relaxed 2:36:53, looking ready for another lap or two.

We all received an excellent goody bag and plentiful tea and coffee from the organisers' camper van parked at the finish line and are keen to do this one again (although, local knowledge tells me that the weather may not be quite as good the next time!). Calderglen Harriers now have a new friend in the shape of a new start-up ginger sports drink manufacturing company, started up by two Hunters Bog Trotters members (yes, I know, there are a lot of words there you do not normally see together in a race report), who were giving out  free samples at the race. Watch this space!

A huge thanks to Sandra and Geo for the support and photos. The day was rounded off with the traditional lunch at the Lade Inn.
Alan

Round the Houses 10k - Time to Act Your Age!

The prospect of a fast, flat course and potential pb's inspired 15 of our Harriers to sign up for this annual fixture in the Calderglen Grand Prix. With the unavoidable impact of injuries and illness, 13 of these Harriers made it to the start line on the day, still an impressive number. As the first, fast 10k of the season and with its easily accessible location, this race always draws a large and competitive field from all over Scotland along with hundreds of runners just out for the challenge of perhaps their first 10k. Amazingly, this race is now in its 49th year with only minor adjustments to the course over the years, testimony to the quality of the course and the organisation of Falkirk Victoria Harriers. Compared to the balmy, early summer conditions of the preceding week, Sunday did not look promising with freezing showers and overcast skies. However, by the time the field of almost 800 lined up on the main road with the stadium on one side and the stacks and flumes of an oil refinery on the other, the weather had calmed down, it was not raining and some heat could be felt from the sun (or the flames on the stacks) albeit dispersed somewhat by the clouds.

I had been suffering with a recurring sinus problem overnight which results in headaches and little sleep and is usually the precursor to a cold. A groggy 2km jog at home before leaving for Grangemouth did little to convince me that I was ready for my first 10k road race in 3 years. However, another few km's on arrival in Grangemouth, racing flats on and some gentle strides with the slight breeze behind me and I was actually beginning to feel worryingly good. I lined up about 4 rows back from the front line and noted that older vets were lined up in front of me (Andy McLinden and Fiona Mattheson) so felt happy that I was taking a conservative approach. I had a time in my mind of 37:30 to 40 minutes given the long time since I last did this race distance. So when the hooter went I was torn between being cautious off the line or chasing down those older vets who were pulling away from me; maybe I was not running quite as well as I felt. After about 200m, I did something I never do during a race, I glanced at my Garmin to see that my pace was 5:12 per mile, way too fast for my target time and most likely way too fast for those vets in front of me, so I had a rush of common sense and eased back to about 5:30 mile pace. Another 400m later and I had breezed past one of those vets and was on the shoulder of Fiona Mattheson (who had beaten me in my previous 10k, 3 years ago, an event that had subconsciously damaged me as at that time, I was not used to being beaten by ladies unless they were Kenyan or called Paula or Liz, let alone those 5 years older than me, world record holder or not!). At this point I was gliding through the packs, taking Fiona with me for a while and could still see Andy Buchanan 100m or so up the road. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the course had changed to cut inside the railway line and through some new housing estates; absolutely pan flat and not even a railway bridge to climb over.

The packs had thinned out by now and I was at this stage side-by-side with a young lady from Inverness Harriers (Jenny I subsequently found out) who was going very well. When the 5k mark came up, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the time was about 17:20, well inside the time of my last 5k race a month previously in Portugal, although I did feel that I was absolutely hanging on to that 5:30 to 5:40 pace. However, a good time was on the cards so there was no way I was going to ease back. Soon after, I started to pull away a little from the Inverness Harrier and had a clear road in front of me. However, when we turned onto the home straight (all 3km of it!), Jenny burst past me and opened a gap. A few minutes later an Edinburgh University Hare and Hound sprinted past me and those were the only people to pass me during the race. I dug in, spurred on by a shout from Stuart Waugh as we approached the stadium for the first time and shut out the pain down that long, long straight to the far end of the industrial estate. Due to the course cutting inside the railway line, the extra distance was achieved by taking us around the corner at the end of the straight and along a 100m or so before doubling back on the parallel industrial estate access road. Connell from Kilmarnock Harriers appeared on my shoulder at this point (on his way to a pb apparently) but I was taking no prisoners at this stage. In fact I was closing down a pack of 3 in front including Jenny. I caught one as we turned into the car park and passed the other two steps before entering the track and even mustered a sprint but could not quite catch Jenny.

I could not believe the time when I stopped my watch, 35:27 (:24 in chip time), faster than my previous 10k from 3 years ago and close to what I ran 4 years ago. I was delighted. I then met up with Andy B who had smashed his previous pb by a magnificent 40 seconds to finish in 34:02 and 23rd position. Next Harrier in was Ian Hughes (still missing from the official results; Ian, please leave your race time as a comment to this post) but comfortably under 38 minutes I think.Martin Howell maximised the benefit of this flat course to knock 2 minutes off his previous (harsh conditions) 10k, finishing in a fantastic 39:15. Stephen Phimister is back under 40 with a 39:51 whereas Andy Henderson continues to log consistently high finishes in the M60 age group with a 41:26 and 5th M60. Jim Holmes was hoping for slightly faster but should be satisfied with a solid 42:39, despite a few niggles. Frances Maxwell is holding on to great form and finished 3rd F50 in 43:28 with Joanne McEvoy finishing a very competitive 4th F35 in 43:41, despite not feeling too well throughout. John McBride used panic as his warm-up tactic, forgetting to bring his registration e-mail and this paid off with a fine 45:32. Davie Searil dropped down in distance by an order of magnitude and still demonstrated decent pace in those ultra legs to finish in 49:19. Hugh Simpson sounded as ill as anyone I have ever heard before a race (its not clever Hugh!) but eased himself around in 49:35. Finally, Russell is keeping well away from that hour mark and finished in 58:39, by which time the weather had really deteriorated again.

After cool downs, showers and hot soup/coffee, we were hanging around in the excellent indoor track hall when the prize giving got underway. Over the general hubub of the crowd, I thought I heard Calderglen Harriers being mentioned and, sure enough, my name was read out as winner of the M50 category. In all the years I have been to the Grangemouth 10k, often in very good form, this is the first time I have won a prize, so I was doubly delighted and surprised. Maybe I am in good form after all!

A big thanks to all of our supporters out there, including the Phimister family, Stuart and Maud Waugh, Alison Searil and photographer extraordinaire, Sandy Hayden. Your shouts were heard!

Many photos from Sandy are here.
Alan

Coach

Our coach has been his unassuming self as ever and managed to completely avoid mentioning an excellent performance by himself at the Round the Houses Grangemouth 10k last Sunday.

I'm sure Alan will again be extremely modest

in his race report (still to come I note) so in an
effort to give credit where credit is due to someone who is usually happiest highlighting the attainments of others here are some photos of him in action and receiving his winners' prize in the over fifty category.

Those who were not at Grangemouth and have not yet 'liked' the Harriers facebook page (plug, plug!)

would have heard nothing about Alan's achievement from his account of the race on Monday night. Had it been me there would have been a special edition of the EK News out by now!

Many congratulations to Alan on his performance at the weekend, he himself was quoted as saying it was his fastest for four years although he subsequently rather spoiled that by admitting he hadn't run a 10k in three of them! However it should also be noted that his time was well within the M50 gold performance standard, according to our (his!) own list. Very well done in once again raising the club's profile at a major road race in the Scottish athletic calendar.

I'm sure he will soon be sharing his no-doubt enormous cheque with fellow club members in the bar at EK Sports Club - hot chocolates all round!

 

Auldhouse 5k Time Trials

Another sign of Summer, our monthly Auldhouse 5k time trials will start on Thursday 7th May and thereafter on the first Thursday of each month up to an including Thursday 3rd September. Arrangements are to report to the Sports Club as per usual prior to 19:30 to sign in such that running order can be worked out.
Alan

Chatelherault Training 2015

It seems to have been a short Winter because it is time for us to resume our fortnightly training sessions at Chatelherault Country Park, starting on Monday 20th April. The dates for your diary are:

20 April

4 May

18 May

1 June

15 June

29 June

13 July

27 July

10 August

24 August

For those unfamiliar with the arrangements, either go direct (turn into Chatelherault country park at the park entrance/traffic lights off the A72 in Fernigair and continue along the drive to the last car park on the right) ready to run at 19:30, or come to the club, changed at ready to run at 19:00 where one or two cars or people will be to show you the way. Map showing car park is here. This is a 7 mile trail run. We may have to modify the route at some point through the summer due to planned forestry operations in the park, however, we will worry about that when it happens.

Alan

Islay Half Marathon Weekend Open for Bookings

Our annual trip to the Islay Half Marathon is now open for bookings. We have secured a block booking of 23 places in the self catering Bowmore Distillery Cottages again this year. Our booking is on the basis of arrival on Friday 31st July and departure on Monday 3rd August (this is a bank holiday weekend for some).

Eddie Reid is taking names and deposits of £35 per person on a first come, first served basis to secure a place on the weekend. The total cost is £110 per person which includes the accommodation and our own BBQ on one of the days. The cost does not include the ferry, other travelling costs, the race entry, the ceilidh, evening meals and the liquid refreshments which often materialise through the weekend.

To maximise the number of runners, the booking is being restricted to one runner plus one partner per booking.

The race is on Saturday 1st August and the ceilidh is on the Saturday night.
Please make your own race entry and remember to purchase ceilidh tickets at the same time as your entry. Download the entry form from http://www.islayhalfmarathon.co.uk/enter.html

We understand that for this year only, the race route has changed, so please ignore the route map on the official web site.
Alan

Grangemouth 10k Arrangements

For those needing a lift or to travel in convoy, we are leaving the Sports Club at 10:30am tomorrow. The 10k starts at 12:30 but parking is usually some distance from registration and registration (to pick up your number and chip) is usually very busy. Remember to bring your EntryCentral E-mail confirmation of your entry.

See you there.
Alan

For those of us feeling our age...........

"Just remember, once you're over the hill, you start to pick up speed"
Charles Schultz
Cartoonist

The Ballyliffin 10 Mile Coastal Challenge

Now in it’s 7th year, this event, which takes place in this small Donegal seaside town, has grown from what started out as a handful of runners from a few local clubs and some fun runners and walkers to what is now a fiercely competed prize in the local running calendar. Athletics Clubs and Harriers from as far afield as Dublin (and East Kilbride of course!) make the annual Easter weekend jaunt to Ireland's Northwest coast to throw their hats in the ring to give it a go.

Having been told about the event by my good friend and occasional runner Jim Davidson (you’ll remember him from Brampton), I set about making the arrangements for the Howells to travel over for me to give it a go and to also enjoy some of the other things on offer in Donegal.

Travelling across on Friday, we arrived at our hotel and quickly got settled in which included me becoming acquainted with the quality of the Guinness on offer! Jim and his family were to arrive sometime later due to a slight administrative error on Jim's part whilst booking the ferry crossings – he forgot that he was leaving from Scotland to go to Ireland as opposed to the opposite meaning his ticket was for Larne to Stranraer on the first leg – doh!

Anyway, to race day. We ate a hearty breakfast and made our way to another of the local hotels for registration where it became apparent that the finishers goody bags were being handed out BEFORE the race! Ideal – no need to run at all, we had the t-shirt, banana and bottle of water! Nah, we decided, we’ve come all this way, and it’d be a shame not to at least get one run in. As if by good fortune, a school friend of Jim’s has been living in the area for a few years and has taken part in the event in years gone by and so with very valuable course knowledge he offered to take us on a drive round the course. Jeez – that was an eye opener to say the least! Let’s just say that running up Lickprivick Road a few times in the recent past looked as though it might be coming in handy.

The gun was scheduled for 1pm (this changes each year depending on tide times) and following a decent warm up I took my place on the start line. Spotting an unfamiliar vest (who could miss ours!) the official photographer enquired as to what club the colours belonged to leading to him realise there was an international element to the proceedings! Great news for a photojournalist, an angle to report on.

After the obligatory comments made by every starter I’ve ever seen we got underway. Leaving downhill from the town and to around 2 miles I was in the front bunch, actually in the lead at one point (they soon found me out though). The first two miles were completed in 11 minutes. My game plan was to go off fast and bank some time so that when the tough section of the race came along (more or less the rest of it!) I could let some precious seconds slip! Reading the pre-race literature, I noted the mention of water stations located at 3, 4, 5 & 7 miles, mmm, maybe a clue there?

Anyway, progressing on, up and down the many undulations and downright stinkers I had remembered that into mile 7 the real challenge still had to be dealt with – this was a climb lasting for nearly a mile that required our driver from earlier in the day to select second gear in his car to reach the summit!

Managing to keep some running motion going (not much of one right enough) I got to the end of the climb from where we routed on to some farmers tracks which lead us to the start of the beach for the final run to the line. Pollan Beach as it is known locally is one of these massive Atlantic-facing bays that from end to end is about a mile and three quarters. With the tide having gone out some time earlier there was wet but firm sand to run on and amazingly I managed to find some pace from my reserves for the run in.

Receiving an encouraging cheer from all the gang as I ran to the line I stopped the Garmin at 69.09. The distance was measured at 10.00 miles, incredible. The winner (an athlete from the local club) crossed the line in 58 odd minutes – that gives you a measure of the handicap the course places on you. I was the 28th finisher of 848 declarations a couple of places behind the second lady who nailed me along the beach. Jim, having walked on some of the tough climbs managed to complete the event with a nice paced effort over the line and posting a time of 110:12. He acknowledges he has work to do in time for this year’s other events but other commitments have served as a distraction to his appetite for training.

Unfortunately there were no age related categories only the first three males and first three ladies, I’d have been keen to see how the vets had been classified.

The recent weather had given cause for concern but on the day the sun came out, even perhaps being a bit on the warm side given that all recent running has been in cold, wet and windy conditions – not that I’m complaining though.

So all in all – a great trip with the family, a really well organised racing event and a course, although challenging, took in some of the best views and breathtaking scenery my running exploits have ever offered me. Be back next year? Only if I get up and down Lickprivick Road a few more times.

Martin H.

LADIES NIGHT @ RUN 4 IT GLASGOW TISO

We’re pleased to announce that Run 4 It Glasgow Tiso will be hosting a Ladies Evening on 15^th April at 6.30pm. With several women’s specific running events in the coming months, we wanted to show our support to the female running community in and around Glasgow.

The evening’s events will include:-

·         Gait Analysis

·         Bra Fittings

·         Nutritional Advice

·         Fashion Show

·         Prize Draw

·         Drinks and Nibbles

·         One-off Discounts and Offers